Matches Top 6 Race 2023/24

[werthersoriginal]

Having spent time watching numerous OCC meetings, crafted letters to councillors and supporting our application, I feel my intellect and awareness is at an optimum level. I have considered the thoughts on this thread and feel it is time I explained what will happen on Saturday and my rationale.

Barnsley will beat Northampton, 2-0, though nervous they will have the crowd behind them following the change in leadership. Northampton are hoping Kelvin will take them on a USA pre-season tour similar to the infamous OUFC one, so will be on the fabled 'beach'.

Lincoln will win 1-0 against Portsmouth. Pompey will put up a fight but the Imps will be taking full advantage of their time wasting skills against a team that won't complain too much.

We don't need to discuss Blackpool, though they will win, bouyed on by a large away support just pleased to get away from Chinese fake rock for a few days.

So to the mighty Yellows, lets look at the facts:

Tom Reeves, our match referee, recently lauded for his handling of a difficult racist situation at the Gillingham Vs Newport match, appears to be a level headed and compassionate chap who would more likely appreciate our silky skills against another team versed in the dark arts. Looking at the stats 44% of the games he has refereed were home wins, 6% draws and 50% away wins.

Exeter will want to put a show on for their supporters, which will backfire similar to our Burton away match where as free flowing, counter attacking will win the day.

With the game kicking off at 12:30, our opening goal will be at 12:43, second 13:00, then 13:13, followed by 13:31, 13:52 and 14:02 (please remember, my brain is now at optimal level and therefore my lucky number comes into play).

The last fact to confirm all the above - I will be wearing my lucky pants.

We will win 6-0, leaving us on the same points and goal difference to Lincoln. We go into the playoffs having scored more goals in league matches.

COYY's

I knew AI would come to the forum in the end

 

[McVicar]

Not sure if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but should we make it and finish 6th, the Play Off first leg (at home) has now been changed from Friday night to Saturday afternoon.

 

[Oxymoron]

We will win 6-0, leaving us on the same points and goal difference to Lincoln. We go into the playoffs having scored more goals in league matches.

That's weird - I had that same dream last night.....

 

[dickwalton1964]

Not sure if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but should we make it and finish 6th, the Play Off first leg (at home) has now been changed from Friday night to Saturday afternoon.

Thanks, but I wont be putting it in the diary just yet!

 

[captainox]

Amended playoff dates as per the EFL website, but the Sky website still have them in the original slots.
No comms from the EFL, they've just changed the below graphic from what it was previously.

 

[Swaby39]

You make some good points. I think it is also down the quality of the managers.

Ipswich: Kieran Mckenna
Plymouth: Stephen Schumacher
Portsmouth; John Mousinho
Derby; Paul Warne

I know the point will be made about Mourinho's lack of experience to me a born leader and I hope he goes on to be a Premier league manager (not with Portsmouth)

Des Buckingham had considerably more first team management than 3 of those at the point they took those jobs. It’s a too-simplistic comparison given the number of variables between clubs but I certainly don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a lot more than we’ve had next season.

 

[Foley]

Ever the optimist.

Barnsley will screw it up. What a panicky decision sacking manager.

Point does it. And we’ll win.

Lincoln 0- Portsmouth 0.

So onto Peterborough..

You are assuming that Blackpool don't win?

 

[PottersRightBoot]

You are assuming that Blackpool don't win?

We’ll win. Blackpool irrelevant .

 

[Carpy]

but I certainly don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a lot more than we’ve had next season.

Well f**k me, you can see the future

 

[Swaby39]

Well f**k me, you can see the future

no I meant we want more than what we’ve had so far…. Next season! Can’t change what’s gone, as much as I would!

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

Portsmouth boss’ message to Oxford, Barnsley and Blackpool ahead of Lincoln finale

John Mousinho has promised League One’s play-off chasers Pompey intend to protect the division’s integrity at Lincoln.

www.portsmouth.co.uk

Hmm... Sounds positive in principle, but also reads a bit like a teenager placating a parent having been on a massive bender last weekend and soiling themselves on the front door step.

"Last week was a one off, just needed the blow out after exams. Honestly mum, it won't be a heavy one on Saturday".

Before proceeding to get f*cked up worse than the week before.

 

[tonyw]

You make some good points. I think it is also down the quality of the managers.

Ipswich: Kieran Mckenna
Plymouth: Stephen Schumacher
Portsmouth; John Mousinho
Derby; Paul Warne

I know the point will be made about Mousinho's lack of experience to me a born leader and I hope he goes on to be a Premier league manager (not with Portsmouth)

Just to point out - three of those four managers (Warne being the obvious exception) were in their first full season managing an English club, having taken over in December or January the previous year (and finished between 7th and 11th)

Des may have the perfect managerial profile after all!

 

[ubermeistervonmeat]

Portsmouth boss’ message to Oxford, Barnsley and Blackpool ahead of Lincoln finale

John Mousinho has promised League One’s play-off chasers Pompey intend to protect the division’s integrity at Lincoln.

www.portsmouth.co.uk

Hmm... Sounds positive in principle, but also reads a bit like a teenager placating a parent having been on a massive bender last weekend and soiling themselves on the front door step.

"Last week was a one off, just needed the blow out after exams. Honestly mum, it won't be a heavy one on Saturday".

Before proceeding to get f*cked up worse than the week before.

Tbf he would hardly say we couldn't give a f**k could he - and also neither he nor his side owe us anything

 

[Essexyellows]

Away win, results in our favour - seasons not over and the fat lady is only warming up.
View attachment 19124

Thank you. <burp>.

Goodnight.

 

[IsleofWightYellow]

Some early confidence on the Peterborough forum:

 

[holdsteady]

Some early confidence on the Peterborough forum:

View attachment 19278View attachment 19279

f**k me who have Peterborough played at Wembley that they have never been the smaller team? Have they ever played top flight football? Won anything? Nonentity of a town as well.

 

[OX14]

Some early confidence on the Peterborough forum:

View attachment 19278View attachment 19279

Last time we were favourites didn't do us any favours. We go into this with no pressure.

 

[Joey]

What was particularly pleasing today was that out of all the teams with something to play for (us, Barnsley, Lincoln and Blackpool) we were the only ones who held it together and got the job done. Barnsley now have to play Bolton after conceding a 96th minute equaliser at home to Northampton who had nothing to play for, Lincoln got done at home and Blackpool lost to Reading.

A win for either Lincoln or Blackpool would have seen them in but they blew it whereas we had a game plan and executed it well. I struggled to see a way back for Des after the Bolton debacle but he's done brilliantly since and whatever happens in the playoffs hopefully we give him the support he's not been given since he got here and we have a proper go next season whichever division we're in.

Back to the game, he made an uncharacteristic mistake in the first half that he recovered well but what a boost it is to have Moore back. I think unfortunately we might have to get used to him missing periods but he makes defending look easy and is better on the ball than given credit for. Lack of pace will be an issue a level up but he's a rock at this level and hands down out beat defender.

 

[holdsteady]

What was particularly pleasing today was that out of all the teams with something to play for (us, Barnsley, Lincoln and Blackpool) we were the only ones who held it together and got the job done. Barnsley now have to play Bolton after conceding a 96th minute equaliser at home to Northampton who had nothing to play for, Lincoln got done at home and Blackpool lost to Reading.

A win for either Lincoln or Blackpool would have seen them in but they blew it whereas we had a game plan and executed it well. I struggled to see a way back for Des after the Bolton debacle but he's done brilliantly since and whatever happens in the playoffs hopefully we give him the support he's not been given since he got here and we have a proper go next season whichever division we're in.

Back to the game, he made an uncharacteristic mistake in the first half that he recovered well but what a boost it is to have Moore back. I think unfortunately we might have to get used to him missing periods but he makes defending look easy and is better on the ball than given credit for. Lack of pace will be an issue a level up but he's a rock at this level and hands down out beat defender.

If Blackpool had won today they would still have missed out.

 

[neyo]

If Blackpool had won today they would still have missed out.

They would of taken Barnsley’s spot on goal difference!