The idea that we were about to falter as far as I can see it really emanated from the outcome of the last game against Notts County (which we totally dominated for the first hour until the Quigley sending off). This was one of only three games lost since October. In the other 2, a false Rooney sending off screwed us at Torquay and Dover snatched an injury time winner after defending an early lead in a manner that was described as akin to the Alamo.Wintergreen wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 6:05 pm If we were to go up on the PPG system it could well be a blessing in disguise as I thought we were beginning to falter to be honest. We didn’t look as ruthless without Brad Barry, and in the last three games we won, drew and then lost; and in one or two recent home games we were visibly ‘hanging on’ at the end. Throw Quigley’s 3-game suspension into the mix together with the penalty taker crisis and we might just dodge a bullet. We’ll see. As ever, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
I attended most of the games in 2020 including tough encounters at Bhamwood and Sutton where we didn't win but played some tremendous stuff against decent opposition. I also attended the home games versus Torquay, Aldershot and Dagenham where we did win despite the opposition adopting tactics designed to spoil. In none of those games did our fitness or performance levels drop more than marginally. Everything you'd expect from a team striving to get out of this League.
Let me take everybody back to New Years Day when we went to Fylde and won 1-0. There was hardly a negative voice on the forum as we went into 2020 top with 52 points from 27 games (1.92 PPG). Behind us were Yeovil 51 from 29; Bromley 50 from 29; Harrogate 49 from 29; Stockport 45 from 29; Solihull 44 from 27; Notts County 43 from 28; Borehamwood 42 from 28 and Halifax 42 from 28.
So where statistically does this forecast of imminent failure come from? Lets look at the position two months later with half the remaining games played. Well Bromley as we all know have bombed and are now 18 points adrift as opposed to 2 then; Solihull the team many feared are now 15 points adrift (from 7) and have played two games more; Stockport 12 points adrift (from 6) and have played 2 games more; Halifax 12 points adrift (from 10); Borehamwood 10 points adrift (as they were on 1st January); Yeovil 10 points adrift (from 1); Nott County 7 points adrift (from 9) having played one game more; and finally Harrogate 4 points adrift (from 3).
So only one of those challengers - Notts County is actually any closer to us now than they were at the turn of the year and if we had played Wrexham and beaten them on 14th March even County would have been further behind. If we had played and beaten Wrexham on 14th March our PPG would've been 1.92 exactly what it was at the beginning of the year.
Whichever way you look at it, if it is that this season has to be curtailed then we have a right to consider ourselves as the best in this League this season whether that comes with the title Champions or not.
By the way on that thought I'd just like to add my own admiration to that of others for the way the Board and IE are positioning the issue in the media especially the way they are keeping the club front and centre in the promotion debate and seeking to make allies and influence others rather then screaming indignation from the roof tops. It might yet work.
