Gillingham's turn!

[Boslem Boy]

IF our game at AFC Wimbledon goes ahead & IF we win, we will open up a 4 point gap over Gillingham, although they will have 2 games in hand over us.

 

That got me thinking about how Gillingham would react come Saturday? They have led the table for most of the season and at one point had opened up a 7 point gap over us in 2nd place. Over the following weeks instead of taking advantage of their lead and opening up an even bigger gap with a growing confidence, they in fact began to falter.

 

 

We slowly pinned back their modest lead, we also signed Lee Hughes, a player that they had failed to get at the 11th hour and a few days later they lost the big match against us, a "6 pointer" and in doing so, they also lost top spot to us as well.

 

For the first time this season Gillingham could find themselves having to do the chasing instead of being the team that is setting the pace. It's now their turn to actually try and play catch up and it will be interesting to see how they handle the pressure knowing that a defeat on Saturday could prove costly. There is no doubt that in recent weeks we have been a constant thorn in their side and we have come out on top each time. We can be certain that their home defeat against us hurt them and hopefully in doing so, it also affected their confidence.

 

This next month could make or break their season and we could certainly cement ours!

 

Thoughts please?

[Spunk Trumpet]

Its all "ifs and buts" but its nice to be talking about it.

 

That being said, i would take finishing 3rd right now.

 

Automatic promotion would be a HUGE achievement and a championship would just be a bonus.

[newportvale]

On New Year's Day we were top and they were second. We lost, they won and went back to the top. They seem to have handled that situation very well. Bottom line however is that it's our form that's important.

[Santa]

I've said it before on here, win our own games, get our points on the board and let the other teams worry about winning their games in hand.

[Norfolks youngest valiant]

IF we got a win at Wimbledon, then with two games in hand Gillingham would just have to keep calm and win what they have, however if they do panic maybe there is a chance............... but ultimately we have to win our games

[tisdeano]

Im hoping the experience we have signed is the final jigsaw, January was key and is key to most clubs challenging, I think we have done very well, better than I had hoped.

 

Santas right, we just keep winning [ or keep our form of the last ten league matches ] and we are there

[Yukon]

I've said it before on here, win our own games, get our points on the board and let the other teams worry about winning their games in hand.

 

Ah, the testament according to Saint John of Rudge!

 

It is of course absolutely correct- we have no influence on the other sides, all we can do is take care of our own business

[Trampilot]

Two games in hand they have, but we've got the points.

[Mark-Valiant]

After the Wimledon game we would of played 15 away games too.

 

Gills - 13

Northampton -13

Exeter -14

Cheltenham -14

Rotherham -12

Burton -14

 

 

There's only two away games left which would worry me slightly (dropping points), Chesterfield & Oxford, the rest we should be looking at a maximum tally.

 

Then the home games, potential banana skins are, Bradford, Exeter, Southend, Cheltenham & Northampton. The rest don't worry me at all.

 

So even if we lose all those 7 games (which we won't) & won the other 12, that would take us to 88 points. Automatic promotion.

 

The 3rd & last automatic spot points total from the last 10 years.

 

2012 -84 pts

2011 -80

2010 -82

2009 -78

2008 -88

2007 -85

2006 -81

2005 -80

2004 -81

203 -84

 

Bring it on. ;)

[Shropshire_Valiant]

Yes good post Mark, Oxford away is always a difficult one for Vale. They're a bit of a bogie side for us away certainly at the Manor Ground and twice now at their new gaff over the years.

I can only remember us winning in the 96/97 game(Mills n Naylor scored and Darren Purse was sent off(who'd have thought he'd be with us 16 years later!)

 

Exeter are on fire away from home, I think their form on the road is comparable with ours so that won't be easy(if their home form was any good they'd be up with us!). We've had some good battles with the Grecians in the past, so that will be a big game.

Bradford of course won't be easy and Southend will always be there or thereabouts at this level, certainly with Paul Sturrock in charge anyway!

[Heatwave]

Gills' game in hand is at home to Northampton next Tuesday.

 

It would be a good time for Akinfenwa to get his revenge over his old club.

[aspin for england]

Yes good post Mark, Oxford away is always a difficult one for Vale. They're a bit of a bogie side for us away certainly at the Manor Ground and twice now at their new gaff over the years.

I can only remember us winning in the 96/97 game(Mills n Naylor scored and Darren Purse was sent off(who'd have thought he'd be with us 16 years later!)

 

Exeter are on fire away from home, I think their form on the road is comparable with ours so that won't be easy(if their home form was any good they'd be up with us!). We've had some good battles with the Grecians in the past, so that will be a big game.

Bradford of course won't be easy and Southend will always be there or thereabouts at this level, certainly with Paul Sturrock in charge anyway!

 

Good post , but with our new signings, dont you think WE may have just stepped up a gear ?

[andy jones]

I'm more worried about Wimbledon than I was for the Gills - everyone seems to be assuming we will win - far from it in my view.

[Mark-Valiant]

Wimbledon have only won 2 games at home all season, 48 goals conceded all together. We've strengthened the back line & now have Hughes up top with Pope. More worried about these than the Gills? Not me, i expect a win, nothing less.

[CambridgeDon]

I'm more worried about Wimbledon than I was for the Gills - everyone seems to be assuming we will win - far from it in my view.

 

Yes, going to the bottom club (or nearly bottom) will be a different challenge to going to the top club but equally as difficult, though clearly for different reasons. Struggling clubs always raise their game against the top sides and they will really want to take our scalp. I'm sure Micky will have drummed this into the players but it will take just as big an effort tomorrow as at the Priestfield. We will need to be absolutely at our best.