Despite being utterly elated at the result at Adams Park on Saturday, I still find myself ruing the fact that we lost away to Peterborough and that was the game where we effectively gave away our shot at second. That is not to take away anything from that fantastic performance, but that was the point at which we needed to win every game to have a realistic shot at it.
The glass half-full view I have is that we need to win on Saturday vs. Wrexham to even have a chance at second, and they just need to avoid defeat. If you said they could have the point now, they would tear your arm off for it, particularly given the context of us just smashing that Wycombe team at their home ground. They can park the bus from minute one, play absolute housery football and try to sneak a goal at the end, even if they are behind.
When we are at our best in this season, teams in this league cannot cope with it. Be it the specialised tactics vs Birmingham at home or the 4-0 stuffings of Huddersfield and Wycombe home and away in recent weeks, our first XI can mix it with anyone. Other teams are rightfully scared of us and our form. We were just 2-3 weeks late on turning this on to be a sustained push for 2nd. This is not to downplay what we have achieved already - it's just a crazy what if situation that I hope we don't regret once the playoff picture is resolved.
Realistically, I think Wrexham will want to keep it tight, will probably play Dobbo and not try to win the game or let the game be open in any way. If they let us play, I feel confident we can beat them, but I just don't think they will risk letting us do that. A point is more than good enough for them. Unfortunately, it doesn't take any Pep level genius to figure that out.
Even ignoring 2nd, our incentive should be to go for the win regardless, as 3rd is completely up for grabs if you consider Wycombe are effectively capitulating. Orient could beat them, and Stockport the same. As we have said so many times, we can only focus on what we do. Trying to win our last two games remains our primary objective, and then we are looking for Lincoln to play spoiler on the last day vs. Wrexham. It's unlikely, but this league this season, who knows.
I didn't think we'd win on Saturday, but we are still in it for second. Just need to keep pushing and keep trying, as the mentality helps us going into the more likely outcome of the playoffs. I selfishly want those playoff games for the days out, but we're a scary prospect for anyone atm.
We dropped 2 points at home to Lincoln which was 3 games after Peterborough. If we'd won that it'd still be in our own hands.
Realistically, after the euphoria of winning our first 3 games, the next period when I think we only picked up 15 points from 16 games is where our season came off the rails. The fact that we are now guaranteed a playoff spot and in with (IMHO) a remote shot at automatic promotion is testament to just how good we've been since then.
This is exactly right. You can look at this game, that game, points gained or lost either way, every team can say the same so it’s not a single game that has let us down. It’s that run of 3 wins in 15 or 16 whatever it was that was our downfall. No other team in the top eight has had a run as poor as that. We have been playing catch up ever since. The fact we are in the position we are now is nothing short of remarkable.
By 3pm Saturday it could be all over anyway as Wycombe get a result against orient,
Finishing 3rd or 4th would be a great result for me when you look at how we started this season.
I expect us to beat wrexham but think Wycombe will somehow pull a win from somewhere.
That’s the thing. We all agree we have to win both our remaining games (88pts). A win for Wycombe would put them on 87, taking us to the last day. The GD is not insurmountable now (Wycombe and Wrexham +3 only).
The effect of the win on our confidence, plus the massive swing in negative GD for a rival should not be underestimated.
That said, my gut is saying too many permutations need to go our way and that’s its play offs, but oh, to go into the last day with a chance would be exciting.
Simple fact, win Saturday, we go into the final day with a chance.
I don’t think Wycombe will beat Orient. They then have Stockport. What an awful pair of games to end the season, after you’ve been turned over 4-0 at home.
Reading Wycombs forum the negativity there has really taken over. They hate Dodds and the way he sets up. Plenty saying whatever happens he shouldn't be in charge next season. Lots of rumours the players are unhappy with him. The prevailing view seems to be that they had been lucky to grind out 1-0 wins in the weeks leading up to playing us and that was papering over the cracks.
Can really see them falling apart from here. Definitely a scenario where they lose both games
Orient and Stockport both beat Wycombe and we beat Wrexham then James Collins does his old boss a favour against Wrexham and we beat Burton. Would be nice.
I suppose if Wycombe lose the early game, a draw would put us out of the equation and put Wrexham 3 points ahead of Wycombe, meaning they would only need a point at Lincoln to clinch promotion. They'll certainly go for it and throw everything at us early on but the longer the game is level, the more tense they are likely to become. There's certainly going to be no shortage of drama Saturday evening, especially if, as I expect, it's going to be a tight and nervous affair.
Reading Wycombs forum the negativity there has really taken over. They hate Dodds and the way he sets up. Plenty saying whatever happens he shouldn't be in charge next season. Lots of rumours the players are unhappy with him. The prevailing view seems to be that they had been lucky to grind out 1-0 wins in the weeks leading up to playing us and that was papering over the cracks.
Can really see them falling apart from here. Definitely a scenario where they lose both games
Wycombe's record this season against the other promotion/play-off contenders certainly points that way: 10 games played against us, Brum, Disney, Orient, Stockport and Reading ... and only 2 wins and a draw to show for it. It's by far the worst record in that seven-team mini-league.
Although we have to win to give ourselves any chance of finishing 2nd, if we do and Stockport don't, we'll only need a draw with Burton to guarantee a play off second leg at home against 5th or 6th.
Conor McGrandles can you hear me? You and your impish mates can do us a favour in your next two games. You know you want to as you were so admired and respected whilst with us.
The footballing hipster and American housewife favorite. Didn't mind the Wrexham obsession when it started and fair play to Hollywood but Christ, the media love in has made it all a bit unbearable and just a little baffling with the narrative, they're not some plucky little club thats come good they did a City/ Chelsea at the lower end of football. Happy for the long standing fans sure, but its not some Swansea/ Luton rise up through the leagues.
Just beat them Saturday and see what happens.
Heart says 0-2, Head says 2 dodgy penalties gifted to Disney FC and a lifetime supply of maple syrup for the ref.
What we really need is a strong and fair ref on this one. Could easily be swayed by the home support and wanting to be centre of attention
Wrexham FC (First Team) v Charlton Athletic FC (First Team) Live on SkySports Football League 1 Referee: Toner, Ben Assistant Referee: Grunnill, Wayne Assistant Referee: Lehane, Jacob Fourth Official: Young, Alan
Was the Official when we beat Northampton 5-0 away from home; took charge of Barnsley 2-1 Wrexham as well this season.
In 2023/24 he took charge of our home game against Wycombe (We won 3-1) In 2022/23 he took charge of our away game at Oxford (We lost 3-1)
They come across as pretty delusional. Especially after hearing the neutral perspective on the NTT20 podcast.
Everytime I've had a look on there they're delusional. About a month ago they predicted we'd lose 4 of the last 8 games because we're not as good as them to be able to keep our form up
They come across as pretty delusional. Especially after hearing the neutral perspective on the NTT20 podcast.
They're sitting in the automatics in the driving seat. No illusion in that. I read little on there that wouldn't surprise me coming from fans of any other club in their position, a few bold scoreline predictions, but that's not unusual. You'd get the same on here if the roles were reversed.
Bit late to this but if we don’t go up automatically I’d rather Wrexham did purely to avoid the absolute media love in wankfest that would take over the playoff games.
i have a mate who’s a Liverpool/wrexham fan having been born in Wrexham and he says some of his school mates think they have the potential to be Man Utd size in the future which for me sums up their thinking at the moment.
As much as I’d love to beat them in a playoff final, I’m not sure I could stomach it if we didn’t
Comments
Finishing 3rd or 4th would be a great result for me when you look at how we started this season.
Can really see them falling apart from here. Definitely a scenario where they lose both games
Conor McGrandles can you hear me? You and your impish mates can do us a favour in your next two games. You know you want to as you were so admired and respected whilst with us.
Just beat them Saturday and see what happens.
Heart says 0-2, Head says 2 dodgy penalties gifted to Disney FC and a lifetime supply of maple syrup for the ref.
Football League 1
Referee: Toner, Ben
Assistant Referee: Grunnill, Wayne
Assistant Referee: Lehane, Jacob
Fourth Official: Young, Alan
Was the Official when we beat Northampton 5-0 away from home; took charge of Barnsley 2-1 Wrexham as well this season.
In 2023/24 he took charge of our home game against Wycombe (We won 3-1)
In 2022/23 he took charge of our away game at Oxford (We lost 3-1)
i have a mate who’s a Liverpool/wrexham fan having been born in Wrexham and he says some of his school mates think they have the potential to be Man Utd size in the future which for me sums up their thinking at the moment.