Notts Remaining Games. Can they get Automatic Promotion?

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Notts have 16 games to play. They have nine games remaining at home & seven away.

Notts are currently on 53 points.

It is possible that 80 points could achieve automatic promotion this season so another 27 points could be enough.

Those nine games at home could prove crucial. If Notts could pick up at least six wins out of the nine & three wins away, it could be enough.

Thoughts?

February 

1.Tues 18 19:45 Colchester H

2.Sat 22 15:00 Tranmere H

March

3.Sat 01 15:00 Fleetwood A

4.Tue 04 19:45 Barrow H

5.Sat 08 12:30 Wimbledon A

6.Tue 11 19:45 Grimsby A

7.Sat 15 15:00 Chesterfield H

8.Sat 22 15:00 Crewe H

9.Sat 29 15:00 Newport A

April

10.Tue 01 19:45 MK Dons H

11.Sat 05 15:00 Colchester A

12.Fri 11 19:45 Salford H

13.Fri 18 15:00 Bradford A

14.Mon 21 15:00 Cheltenham H

15.Sat 26 13:00 Harrogate A

May

16.Sat 03 15:00 L2 Doncaster H

 

[menzinho]

On paper when you look at the fixtures, we certainly haven’t got the easiest of run-ins, I’d say only Tranmere, Newport and Harrogate are what you’d class as easy (but that’s never always the case!)

There’s a mini run in March that looks like the toughest period. Wimbledon away will be a challenge, Grimsby are unpredictable, Chesterfield is always a close one and then Crewe are likely to still be challenging too. And then in April we’ve got Salford and Bradford back-to-back.

The Doncaster at home on the final day is the intriguing one, cos it’s either going to be massive, like a must win or pretty inconsequential as the autos will already have been settled...

I’d have 100% taken play-offs come the start of the season and I still think we are more likely to finish there, of course I’m hopeful but I think our constant injuries and inability to take points off those in and around us will be our undoing.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

It's clear that Notts have to improve their record against the top nine sides to have any chance of automatic promotion.

Walsall & Port Vale have done the double over Notts. Salford & Crewe have wins over us.

The only teams Notts have beaten in the top nine are Bradford & Grimsby. Failure to beat the top teams handicapped Notts last season.

I agree with @menzinho that realistically, Notts are looking at a playoff qualification as the most likely finishing position. 

To improve on that Notts really do need to get those injured players back & firing on all cylinders. Players like Didzy, Jones & Whitaker were missed in the loss to Port Vale.