The last 2 seasons we've got into the play offs full of negativity and thinking we wont do it! We are on a good run- bar yesterday- and we are more than a match for anyone in the play offs on our day! We have 2 games now to rest up and prepare for 2, hopefully 3, of our biggest ever games. Lets get the positivity going again, get behind the players and manager, we can do this, on our day we are better than anyone in this league, and we just have to believe in ourselves, come on fishy, lets back the boys 100%

Quoted from Hagrid

The last 2 seasons we've got into the play offs full of negativity and thinking we wont do it! We are on a good run- bar yesterday- and we are more than a match for anyone in the play offs on our day! We have 2 games now to rest up and prepare for 2, hopefully 3, of our biggest ever games. Lets get the positivity going again, get behind the players and manager, we can do this, on our day we are better than anyone in this league, and we just have to believe in ourselves, come on fishy, lets back the boys 100%

Great sentiment, and I agree we're good enough (see comments in other thread about beating Barnet twice). Just think that PH has to stop worrying about what others can do to us and concentrate on what we can do to others.

I honestly think being at home second will help us. I know our home form is not great against teams that sit back but hopefully we'll get a lead in the first game which will mean the opposition won't be able to do that. Whatever happens in the first game we will know what we need to do in the second at BP which hasn't been the case the last two years. The BP crowd is not the world's most patient but when it gets behind the team in can be a real asset. Finally if we need extra time and penalties it will be in front our own supporters which will give us the edge as well.

I agree. As fans we can make or break our season in the play-offs. We know what type of place BP can be when the fans get behind the team but we know what type of place BP can be when we don't. Leave the negative vibes and release them all for after the play-offs. We must all get behind the lads for the rest of the season and BELIEVE.  

Quoted from 1739

I agree. As fans we can make or break our season in the play-offs. We know what type of place BP can be when the fans get behind the team but we know what type of place BP can be when we don't. Leave the negative vibes and release them all for after the play-offs. We must all get behind the lads for the rest of the season and BELIEVE.  

I think most fishyites are the type of fans who get behind the team. I know i do despite my protestations on here. It's the fickle floaters who protest the loudest in my experience.

There has to be a quick start from the players though. Get the crowd onside and up for it from the off and the atmosphere will follow.

I would just add this: too often people get the cart before the horse on this issue of the crowd and the team.
I was at the Gateshead match along with almost 6000 other Town fans. The whole ground was right behind the club as kick off approached and well into the game. Everybody buried their doubts and fears and shouted and sung. It was the best atmosphere I've experienced in a long time at Blundell Park and I really enjoyed being part of it. Meanwhile, on the pitch, the team really didn't get going in the first half at at all, subsequently falling behind. Yes it went quiet then until we equalised. The volume increased dramatically and the fans got excited again - trying to lift the players with their singing and chanting. We missed an immediate chance to take the lead whilst that was happening (Palmer) and then failed to put any real pressure on them at 1-1. Everyone knows the rest.

The performance was decent at best. The fans seemed like they wanted it and believed it more than the players. I can't see that we can do much more than that. The Alfreton away victory was a good piece of work by everyone and then the Wrexham game comes along, and the whole team fails to turn up. Now when have I seen that before from Town?

Whether or not the fans believe we can get promoted or not is not the decisive factor in this situation in my opinion. Our fans have been superb and react to what they see on the pitch. They pay for that right. We all keep coming back, giving it another go, forgeting the past and getting our hopes up and all that.

I know some are happy that we've secured a play off spot and are philosophical about falling out of the title race (lets call it that), but I'm angry that we bowed out with a whimper, and, as far as yesterday is concerned, with a weak collective effort not worthy of the support from the public. We wasted a golden opportunity because, in more than two full seasons, Hurst hasn't figured out how to get his team to take advantage of playing at home on a good pitch, with glory to play for and a big crowd desparate to burst into life and cheer them all the way as a clear incentive. Not just once. Not just yesterday, or a few weeks ago, but every few games, amounting to nearly half a home season, every f*cking season!

I hope the players believe they can do it, because that's what counts. It doesn't matter what I think. I hope we can do it, and I'll act like we can as a supporter in the stadium.

Quoted from ginnywings

There has to be a quick start from the players though. Get the crowd onside and up for it from the off and the atmosphere will follow.

Hopefully the result from the first leg will encourage our fans to be more positive and remain upbeat. Interesting game on Tuesday night as it is Eastleigh's game in hand away at Halifax. A win would see them go 4th in line to play us and a draw would see them go 5th. Still ever so tight in that 4 and hopefully it will be a mentally draining experience for there players to the very final minute of the season.

I'm not gonna get sucked in I'm just gonna take it as it comes..

As a Grimsby fan I've learned to hope for the best and prepare for the worst that way you can't ever get too depressed.

Acceptance I suppose.

Quoted from ginnywings

I think most fishyites are the type of fans who get behind the team. I know i do despite my protestations on here. It's the fickle floaters who protest the loudest in my experience.

There has to be a quick start from the players though. Get the crowd onside and up for it from the off and the atmosphere will follow.

Fickle? Do you mean like those fans who didn't go on Saturday, because they couldn't be bothered?  

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Fickle? Do you mean like those fans who didn't go on Saturday, because they couldn't be bothered?  

If you call missing one game fickle, because i had family visiting from away, then yeah, i'm not worthy. Hope you feel better for that dig.

Quoted from ginnywings

If you call missing one game fickle, because i had family visiting from away, then yeah, i'm not worthy. Hope you feel better for that dig.

I do apologise. It was a cheap shot. Ive missed games myself in the past when I have been frustrated with the club for various reasons.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I do apologise. It was a cheap shot. Ive missed games myself in the past when I have been frustrated with the club for various reasons.

Fair do's. Family turned up earlier than expected or i would have gone, although they wouldn't have minded if i had, so i admit to using them as an excuse. Have to say that i'm glad i stayed at home and spent the £18 on some rather nice bottles of real ale.

I'll be there for the rest of the games, living in hope.  :D

I just hope we don't play like we did Saturday, where that performance came from I really don't know, it was bizarre.

We all know what this team us capable of, and just need to remain positive and not get on the players backs, let's support them and encourage them! They are a great bunch of lads and deserve success this season.  The club as a whole have been fantastic this season, we deserve to be back in the league! UTM!!!

Let's back the team, Manager and club for next 4/5 games. So many opinions on what has and hasn't been good this season, Home form, Manager, certain players etc.
We can talk about the past two play off campaigns and how we haven't mustered up much of a fight but I do genuinely believe the team are more committed than in past seasons so will make a better fist of it. Yes Saturday was disappointing and the manner of the defeat was not good by all accounts but come on everyone of us on this messageboard want us to go up so let's back the Team and try to get out of this league! UTM

Quoted from ginnywings

Fair do's. Family turned up earlier than expected or i would have gone, although they wouldn't have minded if i had, so i admit to using them as an excuse. Have to say that i'm glad i stayed at home and spent the £18 on some rather nice bottles of real ale.

I'll be there for the rest of the games, living in hope.  :D

And therein lies the issue that BigChris raised. What'll do for Paul Hurst's reign in the end is the damage it's doing to the club's commercial prospects (if we aren't successful, i.e. promoted).

I agree with Chaos, it's not whether the fans believe or not it's whether the players and Paul hurst really believe. If they demonstrate that they do the crowd will stay with them.

When we equalised v Gateshead and were pressing for another the roofs of 3 stands would well and truly have been lifted. Sure the supporters at BP can be quick at times to get agitated. I think that's partly why the atmosphere can be flat - people are trying to stop themselves shouting criticism so they don't make any noise at all.

Quoted from jonnyboy82

I'm not gonna get sucked in I'm just gonna take it as it comes..

As a Grimsby fan I've learned to hope for the best and prepare for the worst that way you can't ever get too depressed.

Acceptance I suppose.

True, the one thing stopping me being confident is the ability of the manager to make the right decisions on the day, we will be defensive and negative in the approach to the play offs and this will backfire on us yet again for the umpteenth time, but hey I've only been watching them for 30 years so what do I know.

Quoted from fishheadphil

True, the one thing stopping me being confident is the ability of the manager to make the right decisions on the day, we will be defensive and negative in the approach to the play offs and this will backfire on us yet again for the umpteenth time, but hey I've only been watching them for 30 years so what do I know.

Important that the first leg is a good result. It bothers me though that a good result away could be wasted at home by over-cautious tactics and the opposition having a physical go in midfield. Town need to play well in both legs and dominate the games.

The remaining league games matter as well. The temptation is understandably to rest players, avoid injuries and suspensions, sit back and wait for the play offs. I'm far from sure this side could do that and then raise its game again. We could do with entering the playoffs on a roll and with confidence.

The bottom line is that the players are capable providing the manager makes certain the mental approach is very positive and the tactics are aggressive.

Quoted from jonnyboy82

I'm not gonna get sucked in I'm just gonna take it as it comes..

As a Grimsby fan I've learned to hope for the best and prepare for the worst that way you can't ever get too depressed.

Acceptance I suppose.

Is there not another reason for that in your case this season though.....?! 2 more games to go, Lenny needs 2 more goals doesn't he? (Play offs don't count, they're not league games.)

Quoted from Biccys

Is there not another reason for that in your case this season though.....?! 2 more games to go, Lenny needs 2 more goals doesn't he? (Play offs don't count, they're not league games.)

By his games since January Jonny will be safe, well his bottom will be.... :P

Quoted from chaos33

I would just add this: too often people get the cart before the horse on this issue of the crowd and the team.
I was at the Gateshead match along with almost 6000 other Town fans. The whole ground was right behind the club as kick off approached and well into the game. Everybody buried their doubts and fears and shouted and sung. It was the best atmosphere I've experienced in a long time at Blundell Park and I really enjoyed being part of it. Meanwhile, on the pitch, the team really didn't get going in the first half at at all, subsequently falling behind. Yes it went quiet then until we equalised. The volume increased dramatically and the fans got excited again - trying to lift the players with their singing and chanting. We missed an immediate chance to take the lead whilst that was happening (Palmer) and then failed to put any real pressure on them at 1-1. Everyone knows the rest.

The performance was decent at best. The fans seemed like they wanted it and believed it more than the players. I can't see that we can do much more than that. The Alfreton away victory was a good piece of work by everyone and then the Wrexham game comes along, and the whole team fails to turn up. Now when have I seen that before from Town?

Whether or not the fans believe we can get promoted or not is not the decisive factor in this situation in my opinion. Our fans have been superb and react to what they see on the pitch. They pay for that right. We all keep coming back, giving it another go, forgeting the past and getting our hopes up and all that.

I know some are happy that we've secured a play off spot and are philosophical about falling out of the title race (lets call it that), but I'm angry that we bowed out with a whimper, and, as far as yesterday is concerned, with a weak collective effort not worthy of the support from the public. We wasted a golden opportunity because, in more than two full seasons, Hurst hasn't figured out how to get his team to take advantage of playing at home on a good pitch, with glory to play for and a big crowd desparate to burst into life and cheer them all the way as a clear incentive. Not just once. Not just yesterday, or a few weeks ago, but every few games, amounting to nearly half a home season, every f*cking season!

I hope the players believe they can do it, because that's what counts. It doesn't matter what I think. I hope we can do it, and I'll act like we can as a supporter in the stadium.

One of the best posts I've read in recent week .