Breaking pots... Home v Port Vale Sat 20th Apr. 3-0'Clock.

[Worthy4England]

We're three points behind with 2 to play. I'd be delighted if we won both and Derby didn't! Whilst I think that's unlikely, it would be stupid and defeatist to put a half assed team out tomorrow, only to find Derby slip up. As others have said, we got automatics, coming up from the 4th Div on the last day, went down to the last day in Parky's promotion season. So I'm not ready to throw in the towel before 17:00 tomorrow.

Sure but bar some significant goal difference turnaround Derby only really need to beat Carlisle. On the last day who are already gone. I know we couldn’t and strange things happen in football….but I’m having a hard time imaging Derby not winning it.

It’s a weird scenario we are in for sure. Mathematically it’s on. Were Derby playing a more challenging two fixtures we’d not even be saying anything else. It just doesn’t really feel like it’s on though.

Santos is carrying a calf injury and will for the rest of the season likely need painkilling injections to play would you play him in these two games, potentially risk the tear getting worse or going completely…or keep him for the play offs? I mean sure we could win the next two and Derby slip up but equally that doesn’t happen, Santos ruptures his calf and play offs suddenly look even harder….which way would you go?

I'm with you mate, in the sense that I think us overtaking Derby from here is unlikely, I had us as third at the start of the season and I've seen nowt much to dissuade me from that. But I'm also with Boris, in that if he played a very weakened team and Derby were to slip up, he'd be escorted off the premises. In terms of GD, if Derby were to lose and we were to win decently - it might be down to 1 or 2.

To Santos - it's clearly a medical judgement that the Club are closer to than us, so I'm happy for them to make a pick (as with any other player) - I wouldn't leave him out if he was "pretty near fit."

What if it’s not a medical judgement. He has a tear. He can play through it with injections. But could make it worse. And could go completely.

So medical judgement is he needs a months rest. But can play.

Then it’s a strategic choice…play him now and take the risk…keep him for the play offs?

Don't think I can add much to previous comment. Sure Club/IE/Medics will have a much better view than me. Either you need a months rest or you can play (in which case a months rest isn't an absolute)

I wasn't at any point suggesting we played severely injured players. Just we shouldn't over-weaken the team, unless medical says weaken it.

[BWFC_Insane]

We're three points behind with 2 to play. I'd be delighted if we won both and Derby didn't! Whilst I think that's unlikely, it would be stupid and defeatist to put a half assed team out tomorrow, only to find Derby slip up. As others have said, we got automatics, coming up from the 4th Div on the last day, went down to the last day in Parky's promotion season. So I'm not ready to throw in the towel before 17:00 tomorrow.

Sure but bar some significant goal difference turnaround Derby only really need to beat Carlisle. On the last day who are already gone. I know we couldn’t and strange things happen in football….but I’m having a hard time imaging Derby not winning it.

It’s a weird scenario we are in for sure. Mathematically it’s on. Were Derby playing a more challenging two fixtures we’d not even be saying anything else. It just doesn’t really feel like it’s on though.

Santos is carrying a calf injury and will for the rest of the season likely need painkilling injections to play would you play him in these two games, potentially risk the tear getting worse or going completely…or keep him for the play offs? I mean sure we could win the next two and Derby slip up but equally that doesn’t happen, Santos ruptures his calf and play offs suddenly look even harder….which way would you go?

I'm with you mate, in the sense that I think us overtaking Derby from here is unlikely, I had us as third at the start of the season and I've seen nowt much to dissuade me from that. But I'm also with Boris, in that if he played a very weakened team and Derby were to slip up, he'd be escorted off the premises. In terms of GD, if Derby were to lose and we were to win decently - it might be down to 1 or 2.

To Santos - it's clearly a medical judgement that the Club are closer to than us, so I'm happy for them to make a pick (as with any other player) - I wouldn't leave him out if he was "pretty near fit."

What if it’s not a medical judgement. He has a tear. He can play through it with injections. But could make it worse. And could go completely.

So medical judgement is he needs a months rest. But can play.

Then it’s a strategic choice…play him now and take the risk…keep him for the play offs?

Don't think I can add much to previous comment. Sure Club/IE/Medics will have a much better view than me. Either you need a months rest or you can play (in which case a months rest isn't an absolute)

I wasn't at any point suggesting we played severely injured players. Just we shouldn't over-weaken the team, unless medical says weaken it.

What I’m getting at is he’s clearly carrying something. Evatt has said playing him risks making it worse. So do we risk that in the next two or save him for the play offs. It’s not necessarily he’s fit to play or isn’t. It could be a he’s fit but could make it worse playing. Would you risk him in these games or rest it till first leg of a play off?

[TANGODANCER]

Then it’s a strategic choice…play him now and take the risk…keep him for the play offs?

Would you risk him in these games or rest it till first leg of a play off?
[/quote]

Way things are heading, two-legged play offs may soon become sudden death one game solutions. Football is going to the dogs at mach speed.

[knobpolisher]

I think that generally speaking we play better against better sides, we don't always get the right result but performance wise we play better. Maybe we have more room to play in whereas lower teams cramp our style.

[Worthy4England]

What I’m getting at is he’s clearly carrying something. Evatt has said playing him risks making it worse. So do we risk that in the next two or save him for the play offs. It’s not necessarily he’s fit to play or isn’t. It could be a he’s fit but could make it worse playing. Would you risk him in these games or rest it till first leg of a play off?

This didn't start as "should we play Santos" it started from should we rest key players for the play offs.

As previously said, we're 3 points and 5 GD behind Derby. Whilst not mathematically "must win" it's as close as you're going to get, if we match Derby's result then the points situation would still be the same next weekend although the GD might have changed. It's in their hands but they're not infallible.

Derby at this point have lost more games than us. About 1 in 4. So I want us to pick the XI that gives us the best chance of a win (preferably with some GD improvement). There are scenarios we could go into the final game ahead in the League on GD but we'd likely need to score a few which we're clearly capable of.

I'm not going to worry about what Derby do but I am going to try and get the best result we can. If the worst it does is give momentum, I'll take that.

So to Santos. I wouldn't push him unduly into the team. If he needs a months rest, then he might not make the playoffs anyhow. The question isn't really about the injection, it's about the chances that the tear worsens and I dunno whether it's 95% healed or much lower. So Evatt's call. The rest, if they're fit, play, for me.

[dave the minion]

and don't forget the input of the players themselves. If the medical team don't say "no" then I think the vast majority of players will want to play through the injury (even our "bottlers" who aren't good enough....), so given a choice will push for a starting place.

Depsite what some say about him, if its down to our club captain as to whether he wants to play or not, I can't imagine him refusing, even if refusing would be the right thing to do from an injury perspective

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

2-0 today

[dave the minion]

2-0 today

Sorry, you're wrong. 3-0.....

[TANGODANCER]

2-0 today

Sorry, you're wrong. 3-0.....

Any advance on 3-0..?

[truewhite15]

Very much depends on if the players have had a good long look at themselves over the last couple of days. Got to win as much for goodwill as anything else. Port Vale are going to battle, but the teams around us have put them comfortably to the sword recently - we need to do the same.

[Worthy4England]

2-0 today

Sorry, you're wrong. 3-0.....

Any advance on 3-0..?

Yup. 4. We need the GD! And the sun is out.

COYWM.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

2-0 today

Sorry, you're wrong. 3-0.....

Bloody optimists

[Mar]

Hoping for a good game today. Missus got me suite tickets for my 40th.

I reckon it'll be a good game. We'll win and take it to the final game of the season. Derby will also win but draw the final game of the season and we'll end up in playoffs.

[DJBlu]

Hoping for a good game today. Missus got me suite tickets for my 40th.

I reckon it'll be a good game. We'll win and take it to the final game of the season. Derby will also win but draw the final game of the season and we'll end up in playoffs.

Not if we win 7 nil today.

[Spartan2]

Can't workout that defense, who's playing LCB? If Toal, who's in the middle?

[Worthy4England]

Can't workout that defense, who's playing LCB? If Toal, who's in the middle?

Taylor?

[Mar]

Hoping for a good game today. Missus got me suite tickets for my 40th.

I reckon it'll be a good game. We'll win and take it to the final game of the season. Derby will also win but draw the final game of the season and we'll end up in playoffs.

Not if we win 7 nil today.

They'll go up with 4 points. I'd expect them to get that regardless of what happens at our place.

Would love a 7 nil today.


Taylor is starting CB at centre

[DJBlu]

Hoping for a good game today. Missus got me suite tickets for my 40th.

I reckon it'll be a good game. We'll win and take it to the final game of the season. Derby will also win but draw the final game of the season and we'll end up in playoffs.

Not if we win 7 nil today.

They'll go up with 4 points. I'd expect them to get that regardless of what happens at our place.

Would love a 7 nil today.


Taylor is starting CB at centre

They're not drawing then!

I'm mid night shifts so that's my excuse.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MAR!!!

[sonicthewhite]

Busy today but time for a kick off cuppa. Dion should be fired up from the off to add to his seasons tally so COYWM! And a seven nil to us would be glorious

[Spartan2]

I thought Caleb was a RWB, is that wrong? Does he do both?