STICKY : THE RUN IN ( Fixtures adding up in League and Cup ! )

[Weybourne Shot]

I am updating this thread day by day with the latest fixture shuffles. Some msgs have been removed to make it easier to read/maintain
Please scroll to end for summary of fixture list - thanks RC-Mod

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So we have 12 weeks left to go before the regular season ends on May 5th. And looking at the fixtures we still have a total of 18 league games to play. Adding in the two quarter finals to come, and now a semi final, that's a minimum of 21 games inside the 12 weeks. Should we progress in the two quarter finals, that'll be another two semi final matches to fit in somewhere. Assuming the Hants Cup Final would take place after May 5th (should we get there) that's pretty much two games per week, every week, until the end of the season. Got to hope then for no more postponements and for the players to stay fit and healthy !

[RC-Moderator]

It appears the HSC final is 15th April
So assuming we can get there that is 18 league games, 2 HSC games, and at least 2 other cup matches (both quarter finals) = 22 games
As we dont have a game this coming Tuesday - I make it that there are 23 slots left.
So fitting in 2 semi finals would be interesting....

[TracoShot]

I have a nasty feeling that our participation in all these cup competitions is going to cost us our league place.

[Josh]

I have a nasty feeling that our participation in all these cup competitions is going to cost us our league place.

Nope. Our league position is completely dependent on our league games. We've been poor so far and that's nothing to do with the cups

[AFC197273]

NL cup is irrelevant, Hampshire cup was fun in the early days during the rise after our demise and will always hold a sentimental place in our history but shouldn’t be considered anything but a run out / reserve fixture these days. FA trophy, yes we should go for that, still quite a prestigious cup and a fun day at the final a possibility,but make no mistake league survival is the most important! Forget the spin of the NL cup money being important-let’s not forget we did nothing with all the money from last season ,why would the NL bribe money make any difference to next season. Let’s concentrate on staying up and not let the board have their wish of becoming a community NLS club! COYS 3pts against Fylde please

[Alan B]

I don’t think that the possible fixture congestion will be as problematic as many people are making out. As long as the Manager and his support team monitor individual players and their fitness, it should be possible to get the right balance for the remaining games in both League and Cup. For the first time in a long time, I feel we have got a squad depth that can cope with the remaining games. By my reckoning, we have a total squad of 23 available players and a further 7 out on loan, who may or may nor be recalled if required.

If we assume that last Saturday’s starting line-up is the first choice for now, that was :

DEWHURST
ARMITAGE-WOODHOUSE-SCOTT
A.JONES-WIDDRINGTON-HARGREAVES-FROST
HENRY-BARRETT
BARHAM

TW could select the following side for the 2 minor Cup competitions.

VAN STAPPERSHOEF
ELLISON-MAGHOMA-JENKINS
NDITI-TETEK-MAJA-R.JONES
CORBETT-DOLAGHAN
MULLINS

The 7 loanees are - NASH, BRAY, BYRD, VAUGHAN, ANDERSON , MILNER-SMITH, TURNER

3 Long term injuries - HARFIELD, GHANDOUR, AKPAN

That ‘Reserve’ team is still a pretty good line-up in my opinion and it would be possible to substitute at least half of them into the ‘First’ team without seriously weakening the team. So, I think people are worrying unnecessarily about the number of future games affecting team line-ups. Of course, it goes without saying that we would hope that the squad doesn’t incur a multitude of injuries or suspensions, and that the weather (and state of the pitch) doesn't cause a rash of postponements. And more importantly, the teams selected for the League games perform well enough to gain the necessary points - but that's a different topic.

[chimpster99]

Great perspective Alan.The only possible fly in the ointment is I believe there's a rule for NL Cup games which requires teams to select a fixed number of players who were involved in the last league game (7 or 8?). Presumably to stop NL sides from fielding reserve/youth teams.

[redandbluescb]

4 players from the previous starting 11.

[CH]

The number of games we've had to play this season is bordering on the ridiculous. Especially when you think there are no replays anymore and we didnt exactly have a lengthy FA Cup run.

[Josh]

I'm thinking the reason there's a 9 day gap between last two games is so you can play Tues 29 and Fri 2 May.

Can't afford any more postponements after yesterday

[Preston Shot]

Looking at those fixtures and run in there's not many winnable games available.
I'm not over confident we will survive this season.
Need wins not meaningless draws.

[RC-Moderator]

Leeds is set for 11 March @ 7pm. Above post updated

[RC-Moderator]

Updated with streaming/DAZN details

[Peter macdonald]

NL cup is irrelevant, Hampshire cup was fun in the early days during the rise after our demise and will always hold a sentimental place in our history but shouldn’t be considered anything but a run out / reserve fixture these days. FA trophy, yes we should go for that, still quite a prestigious cup and a fun day at the final a possibility,but make no mistake league survival is the most important! Forget the spin of the NL cup money being important-let’s not forget we did nothing with all the money from last season ,why would the NL bribe money make any difference to next season. Let’s concentrate on staying up and not let the board have their wish of becoming a community NLS club! COYS 3pts against Fylde please

Fantastic post, so true

[Marcus ex W.Midlands Shot]

The NL Cup final was originally scheduled for 1st or 2nd April but if we progress we won't have even played our semi-final by then. I suspect that the NL are quietly hoping that we get eliminated on Tuesday week.