Playoff chances

Quoted from rancido

I wouldn't say we have no chance without these two but certainly the inclusion of Mcatee would be a huge boost. Controversially,I know, but I don't get this over enthusiasm for Efete . I know he is quite good at getting forward but I think his defending is not what I want from a full back. He is prone to losing his man ,his throw-ins are weak and he isn't particularly good in the air. Maybe I'm a tad old fashioned but I would rather have a full-back who is  primarily a good defender than one that is primarily good at attacking.

I do feel he occasionally gets caught defensively but at our level most players have a few limitations. Hurst has consistently brought in decent full backs (he should know the position well) so I would hope they are working on this part of his game.

Quoted from Bigdog

We need Efete and McAtee fit to have any chance in the play-offs. Their injuries are a huge blow..

Saw Efete in Sainsbury's this morning, still hobbling, said he hoped to be fit for the play-offs.

Quoted from Bigdog

If we don't get promoted, he will be sought after by clubs higher up the pyramid than us..

Maybe but I still think he has limitations. He would be better employed in a system that uses three across the back but that's just my opinion.

There are definitely better full backs out there but Efete gets us up the pitch as much as anyone. Some games he’s literally had their left side pinned back for a full half. His main attribute is his athleticism and that allows him to find some crazy attacking positions.

Cropper hasn’t done anything wrong for Grimsby and he does have a great throw but Michee will be a big miss for the next few games. Hopefully him and McAtee are back ASAP.

I like Efete but I think Cropper is a better all round option.  Better defensively and whilst not as good bombing forward, has that weapon of a throw that really should cause far more issues.

I think Efete is more effective when we play a narrow midfield, as it opens up lots of space ahead of him.  I'm hoping that Hurst is moving towards two wingers which reduces the reliance on a right-back pushing forward.  Another point to add isthat he, to me anyway, looked more effective pushing on earlier in the season when it was Crookes playing on the other side of the pitch.  Crookes is more defensive minded than Amos and when Efete pushed forward he would effectively slot into a back three, allowing the right sided centre-back to cover some of the space vacated.   With Amos showing attacking intent down the left too, there isn't as much freedom for Efete to push on at will.

That all said, I wouldn't be upset at either starting games.  I'm struggling to remember the last time I could say that about our right-back options.  Probably John McDermott and Danny Butterfield, which scarily is over 20 years ago!

We will (positive mindset!) be in the play-offs on merit and shouldn't fear anyone going into it.  Bar an upsetting of the form book we'll be going into them in a good run of results behind us, which not everyone else will be able to say.

Regards Wrexham, it's not that hard to think that they lose both their remaining games against sides who need a win, with both Halifax and Solihull leap frogging them for the semi-final slots.

As with others, it's the lack of goals that worry me the most going into the play-offs.   It feels like we can only score perfect goals, we'll need to that (at least once a game) in three one-off games to achieve promotion.  Hopefully it just clicks in front of goal and/or McAtee returns and inspires a transformation up top.

If we make play offs Would we better with mostly away fixtures with a vocal away following?
Finishing 6th or 7th?
Historically we stutter with big expectation big crowd home games

Quoted from diehardmariner

I like Efete but I think Cropper is a better all round option.  Better defensively and whilst not as good bombing forward, has that weapon of a throw that really should cause far more issues.

I think Efete is more effective when we play a narrow midfield, as it opens up lots of space ahead of him.  I'm hoping that Hurst is moving towards two wingers which reduces the reliance on a right-back pushing forward.  Another point to add isthat he, to me anyway, looked more effective pushing on earlier in the season when it was Crookes playing on the other side of the pitch.  Crookes is more defensive minded than Amos and when Efete pushed forward he would effectively slot into a back three, allowing the right sided centre-back to cover some of the space vacated.   With Amos showing attacking intent down the left too, there isn't as much freedom for Efete to push on at will.

That all said, I wouldn't be upset at either starting games.  I'm struggling to remember the last time I could say that about our right-back options.  Probably John McDermott and Danny Butterfield, which scarily is over 20 years ago!

nah completely disagree, efete has been excellent and is certainly the better of the Right Backs

Quoted from Hagrid

nah completely disagree, efete has been excellent and is certainly the better of the Right Backs

I agree 100%, Miche offers far more going forward, and he can’t be that bad defensively given we’ve got the 3rd best goals against in the league.

One of the things I like about the new system (looking from our direction), is that there is so much emphasis on the benefits of a home tie that you are very likely to sh*t the bed if you actually get one.