The Hotel End

I see In the Chron that the Cheltenham boss is having a wobble about pretty much everything. I hope his negativity rubs off onto his players should the games go ahead

A wobble v the Wobblers!

Where potentially would the playoffs be played? St George's facility in Burton on Trent has been variously mentioned

They are supposed to be 2 leg semi finals and then a final. Presumably the semis at the home ground? Final who knows?

I don't understand why they need to be 2 leg semi finals. OTT in the circumstances.

Agree 1 leg at a neutral ground although it's probably got something to do with sky.

Quite agree.

Bang on CF. 1 game at a neutral venue would be suffice.

Could it be something to do with tv contractually, otherwise is does make no sense.

I’m sure the FL would spout some kind of bollocks about preserving integrity.

Any variance from the norm is a corruption of the competition. Next season should have been written off and this season completed whenever possible. I am the walrus.

Who are we playing in the semis?

Cheltenham Town

4th plays 7th, 5th plays 6th, the same as other years. I would have thought a walrus would know this !
6th & 7th play at home first.

Are you sure about the home first? That's a big bag of certainty in these times

So we play Exeter then, am I right? Would love a visit to the seaside. My nuts are glowing.

See above. It's Cheltenham, they go above Exeter in the final table under the points formula used.

Anybody know what date the final decision will be made?

Second comment is spot on!

Hi Cecil how have you been?

When the play offs start and we are defending an opposition free kick in a goal threatening area I hope the players in our defensive wall will not be expected to stand 2 metres apart.

Why change habits of a lifetime ::) ;D

Anyone know when the playoffs are likely to start?

Hasn’t been decided yet - the vote to actually ratify the playoffs hasn’t even been made yet but it looks likely it will take place on 8th June I think. All I know is that it all has to be done and dusted by 30th June so there’s going to be very little time to work with.

Do you mean the decision has to be made by June 8th or first playoff game has to be then?

No, the clubs vote on how to resolve the season on the 8th - it’s being delayed because there’s quite a few of the league one clubs who aren’t in agreement, apparently it is unanimous in league 2. I’ve no idea when our 2 games with Cheltenham and the playoff final (if we get there) will be played but given the players aren’t even back in light training yet and it all has to be done by June 30th there is going to be some shoehorning going on.

It appears the finals are still to be held at Wembley, I'm not altogther sure for who's benefit?

If this is to be the case, surely it would be possible to have our average gate attend and still keep suitably apart? It has 2,618 toilets, more than any other venue in the world so you could all piss safely too.

I think it is the lowest of priorities to get fans back in the stadiums. Yes the finance is needed BUT until their is a vaccine (2021?) the authorities will not grant the return.

If EVERY match is televised then that is the best we can hope for.

I’ve heard that season ticket holders will be able to attend the league one and two play off Wembley finals.

Just season ticket holders only with distancing in place

A good idea imo opinion and a reward for those who have missed regular season matches that they have in theory paid for.....

 ;D

That's actually a great idea. I would love to roam Wembley without having to deal with those that have drunk more than they can cope with during the day. They are the the curse of all play off finals.

I can't see supporters being allowed anywhere near it, but if they were then I don't think I'd go anyway, not unless they allow you to drive there and park right outside the gate or if the Covid-19 situation changes dramatically between now and then.

I love to drink more than I cAn cope with.

I’ve just read that our physio has tested positive for Covid - get well soon Ignacio. The rest of the squad are negative.

Bearing in mind the final will only be a month away, there is absolutely zero chance of spectators being there.....they're only just getting "behind closed doors" off the ground, The amount of planning, staffing etc would be prohibitive at this stage.

Got to love Shoemaker's post, 3 weeks ago hes posting that football will be mothballed, with no play possible in the  future. Now season ticket holders can turn up to the matches he said wouldnt take place  ;D

He keeps hearing things.

If there’s any truth in that seems like one of the dumbest ideas ever.

Somebody smarter than me will have to explain why they insist on playing at Wembley then, as the costs must surely be higher. Contracts as usual I expect. I hope somebody else is paying!

There will be many smaller neutral grounds available that will already have systems in place etc.

If they do play at Wembley they may as well let season ticket holders in to work as ball boys (sorry, ball persons), how many do they need? If you go 1-0 up with a few minutes left, why not hoof it into the upper tier at every opportunity? We have players very capable of that and it will totally screw up the flow. They'll have extra balls of course but if every time it goes into play, boom, then boom again! Ballboys running everywhere.

Play royal box bingo.

I hope KC's not reading this and we go 1-0 up after 5 mins.

I imagine it boils down to Sky Sports wanting them to continue to be held there because they feel it's a better sell. I'd be very surprised if it wasn't 100% the preferred venue for all the active participants.

I know it's naïve of me to make the comparison but as a kid and youth we always loved playing on a league side's ground. Even if it was only one of the feeder leagues.

I think they've overcome the problem of kicking the ball into empty stands to waste time, they just use multiple footballs hence saving time retrieving the others  ;D Just a thought  ;D

Of course they have, loads of balls. We've all seen balls rolled out when the match ball is slow coming back. The tactic doesn't work in any normal ground with fans but in a cavernous empty Wembley it might have a different effect..

Only if you get the lead near the end. Never mind playing the pass, as soon as you get possession fuck it high and mighty over the oppositions head, way into the gods so the players stand and watch it disappear, mouths wide open. Get it out somewhere level with their penalty box, rugby style, cover the throw back to the keeper so they have to play through. Again, the moment they loose possession, no pass, bang, just smash it as far as you can back over their heads, they'll be ages chasing balls, stuck under seats in all corners of the stadium. After banging twenty or so in quick succession into the upper tiers like play ground bullies the faces on the opposition would be priceless.

Play to the conditions they say. If it's Wembley use that famous width! Is Wakeley Gage still available?

Have we won the semi final already ??

So we could go on from being the team that took the largest ever following to Wembley (up until that time), to a team participating in the lowest attended match to be held at Wembley. It's a funny old world.

They are gonna need a lot of balls if we get there. Just a thought.  ;D
Actually, retracting my previous post, about St Georges Park being a perfect neutral venue, as I recall, they have ten feet high wire fences around the pitch. No were near high enough. Not for Curly. They would be bouncing everywhere. Hotel car park and down the road.

Really dont see the point of using Wembley. Its bad enough when you get small crowds, empty will really impact the game.

Surely if costs are a huge factor them grounds like Ashton Gate or Madejski (if Cheltenham v Exeter);  Carrow Road, Portman Road (Cobblers vs Colchester)  or somewhere like St Andrews or Ricoh in the middle.

It's probably more the fact that they would be able to put in a relatively simple extended 'sterile/security' cordon around Wembley stadium without too much difficulty. They could possibly do the same around Colchester and a few others, but Wembley is on their doorstep....

Hmm. Maybe we could put up 500 brolleys to replicate an army of Geemas....

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/cheltenham-create-artificial-army-500-supporters-cobblers-clash-2870246

It’s nice to see that despite the pandemic the same voices are still taking the p**s out of Curle’s playing style, woe betide him if we somehow manage to win the playoffs.
On the subject of creating an artificial environment for our home leg I wouldn’t have thought it would be too difficult to cover the east stand with flags etc?

Do they still have the old ones lying around from when construction was halted? Extremely easy fix if so.

Instead of a load of cardboard cut outs, wouldn't it be easier (and probably cheaper) to have a few giant flags made with a photo of a crowd printed on them? :P

Over here in Oz they have been using “canned crowd noise” to overcome the empty stadia issue in the recently rebooted rugby league which is massive here, especially in NSW and QLD. Everyone reckons its a great addition and really effective? I reckon it’s ever so slightly sh1t, doesn’t work for me.

As the German League has already restarted does anyone have any insight on what they do ?

Do they allow the public to hear what's being said on and off the pitch ?

From personal experience (Bedford Town play down the road from me) at very poorly attended matches you get a very clear experience of the physicality, the grunts and groans, the verbal exchanges and so forth without the crowd involvement. I was at a Bedford v Kettering pre-season friendly at the beginning of this season where those aspects were very evident and very much part of the package. The commitment was evident even at that level and for a friendly only. Keep your concentration (should be easy with the Cobblers involved) and you'll still enjoy it.

Yes, the Bundesliga coverage is exactly that, when the commentator isn't speaking you can hear every word, grunt, groans and strains from both the players and staff.  When the home side score they also play the 'goal music' which normally initiates the crowd, which appears strange without the crowd joining in... ;D

We would need to pinch some canned crowd noise from someone else, a recording of our Sixfields Library wouldn't improve the atmosphere at all.  8)

Seems the PA men/women are oblivious to the fact that there's nobody in, they announce the substitutions, the goalscorers, announce how much added time etc......and yes, the music and team lines ups etc....I guess that's for the press.

Although I'll never tire of listening to the goal music at Borussia Park, especially the four times yesterday, which brought back many great memories from watching Gladbach... 8)

Not sure why it needs to be at Wembley, a training pitch at St. Georges' Park would do the trick. As for the dates, if everything needs wrapping up by 1/7 then how about the final on the 27th with the semis the previous Friday/Monday and Saturday/Tuesday?

Spoke with KC today and he confirmed the first leg will be played on Thursday June 18th... 

I am not a big fan, but WWE keeps popping up in my timeline on Facebook. They have been wrestling behind closed doors for weeks. Its strange to watch it. No noise, no fans, no squeals, no hand made signs being waved around. It is just soulless. And you know how much the yanks love their wrestling. Its just a comparison. And I can not imagine an empty Wembley. You get the trophy, and wave it to whom?

As far as I know, there aren't the facilities at St George's to pipe crowd noises*

* Whatever those noises might be!

KT has said today that goaline technology will be used in both semis and the final. And the club are working on some supporter initiatives for the games, whatever they may be?

Big screen in the car park, x number of cars only...£x per head in car...purchased in advance...
Social distancing on the hill...with delivery of beers via the new NTFC beer app
Deliveries of pies, burgers from Tony Ansell via the NTFC delivery app

We will win!

We have a squad good enough for L1.  Our heroes are playing for life in a higher division!

Cardboard crowds, virtual Wembley.....  we will ruthlessly dismantle all opposition.  (OK, so, maybe a little over-optimistic.....  But, we win 2-1 over 2 legs in the semis, then 1-0 in the final).

That old heart of mine is beating faster than it has in years.

Mr.Curle, I want this so much for you!

You were going so well until you mentioned Tony Ansell. Mr look at my hairy chest. And let me serve you a boiled  burger. There is a lot more that I could say. But I am well aware of the laws of Libel.

Ah that very unique smell at the back of the hotel end - I never was quite sure if it was the boiled burgers or poorly wiped arses but wherever I stood it was the same so in conclusion it must have been the burgers...............

I still enjoy a boiled burger if there is ever an opportunity... 8)

Agree about boiled burgers but said TA is delivering free food to people unable to get out.

There has been long enough between games for the old pre-season optimism to seep in prior to some play-off games.

Real potential to come back down to earth with a terrible crash, but enjoying this feeling while it lasts.

Wasn't the pre-seaon optimism for many of us that we would get into the play offs?

Making up for his past mistakes? And anybody that knows him, will be aware of exactly what I am talking about.

Anyway great news. Eastenders is off the air in two weeks, as they have run out of episodes to show. That will stop Mrs T from hogging the remote. Happy days. ;D

Which is?

Club promoting a 'face in the crowd' initiave for the playoffs.
Copyright: Borussia Mönchengladbach. Deepcut  ;)

How do you think NTFC will get on versus Cheltingham home AND away folks?

Who are Cheltingham? Are they a mixture of Gillingham and Cheltenham players?

Yes.

At the last home game we (Gladbach) had about 25,000 of them... 8)
Not a good result tonight, lost 1-0 at Freiburg.  :(

What a great opportunity to have a crowd full of Geema - think about it.

Piped Geema (or is it Jeema?) swearing would spook the opposition!  ;D

It was definitely the urinals. Plus the waft of fried onions. Nostalgia ...

Apologies, that was a typo and it is of course Jeema. I think the excitement of a stand full of him made my eyes mist over.

I realise that the club is currently short of income but £25 for a photo cut out (more than it costs to attend a match in person) is not an offer that appeals to me.

https://www.ctfc.com/news/2020/june/fill-the-paddock-your-pictures-and-videos/

They are all doing it. I tend to agree with you but each to their own. Let's hope the matches are worth watching and a credit to our league.

It certainly smelt the following morning...

don't do it then

Smell of boiled burgers, boiled onions, pi55 and fags, whilst staring down at a division 4 relegation battle surrounded by 2 and a half stands, one of which had been partially dismantled. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t think about it with nothing but love and affection, work that out?

You missed the pint of Davenports in the County beforehand.  ;D

When I attended the County Ground as a ten year old I was amazed, the smells, the food, the fans and the Football all gave me memories that will last a lifetime. Taking a battering from Pompey fans one friday night in the Hotel End, getting soaked standing on the cricket side, the one game I sat in the Main Stand (Bournemouth 6-0) a packed Hotel End and an empty one as well. All great times, but, at the end of the day it was an embarrassing hole and I couldn't wait to leave the place.

You had people swooning for a moment there.
How to a take nostalgic trip up memory lane...then **** on it from a great height ;D

The irony all these years later is that we are still in a dilapidated s*** hole with three functional sides  ;D

Not at all, even after all the false Dawns of development and expansion, Sixfields is still better than the County ground.

The sad thing is that Sixfields was splendid when we first moved in but it has been allowed to dilapidate. Contrast that with the County Ground which has improved steadily through the years.

I loved the County Ground. It wasn't a polished turd like Sixfields, it was just a turd.

Quite a little snob aren’t you! Sixfields maybe better than the CG but it provided some of the great moments in NTFC history.

Sixfields has a wheelchair pitch invader so that wins hands down.

Are there many players still unavailable through injury/suspension? I've lost track.

I loved the place, but it was a sh1t hole. Be real, Sixfields is far better, even if we are back to a three sided ground. Little bit further to travel, but better selection of pubs, better facilities, and toilets that dont stink. And I can get a meal by the ground, no need for boiled burgers.

As far as I am aware the only player who will be unavailable for the first leg is Hoskins so it will be interesting to see who replaces him - I guess that knocks/strains could easily be picked up in the resumption of training.

I think Shaun McWilliams is still injured.

Just out of interest, why do you feel it necessary to judge everybody?

And so it should be.......sadly though Sixfields is still the same Sixfields (minus a half decent stand) that it was 26 years ago.

ZZZZZZ..........................

or why do you always judge your club in a desperately sad way! No pun intended ::)

Everyone will have different opinions, and I understand the point about it being more than a match ticket. But you will have something to take home with you (assuming you want a cut out of yourself in the house  ;D) and is similar priced to Cheltenham.

Personally I think the club have got the prices spot on for the cut out, the hospitality and the mascots. If I hadnt already bought a cobbler in the crowd I would have gone for the hospitality package.

Hopefully it will generate enough income for the club and spur the lads on to a win

You get to keep the cut out? Well this changes everything. Who knew Holly Willoughby was a Cobbler.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52705124

I didn't realise this was still going on.

Always been today before it is all voted on. Hence the delay in any details relating to teams playing and dates.Been in the news for quite a while, had to wait for an EGM

TV Packages for the play-offs.

I'm presuming the semi final legs will be within a week of each other so a weeks sub to Now TV Sky Sports for me and then a decision on the final (not interested if we're not in it).

Anyone got a better idea ?

Play-offs confirmed. First leg probably next Thursday (18th).

All confirmed, season over. Cheltenham in the playoffs.

First leg of the playoff at home on Thursday 18th June ko 1945
Second leg away on Monday 22nd, kick off 2000
Final at Wembley on Monday 29th June, kickoff 1930

The Colchester v Exeter games are on the same dates with a 5.15pm kickoff for both legs.

The Torch is a s***e pub anyway...!  ;D

Tranmere, Southend and Bolton all relegated to League 2, with Coventry and Rotherham promoted to the Championship.

Pish miss out on a playoff place!!

Almost all done then....the Championship continues to a conclusion starting on 20th June.

Grass bank it is then as I don't have Sky

* Emily Maitlis?

Perhaps after three months of Bargain Buckets.

You'll find it too frustrating as you can only see a modest percentage of the pitch at any particular point.

Sign up to NowTV on your laptop/PC = free.

Get a Sky Sports weekly pass =£14.99. Day's pass = £9.99. Monthly pass = £33.99.

You can use an HDMI cable to feed the picture to your tv.

PS As a new subscriber you might be able to get a discounted package if you research it. You could even use a TopCashBack type website.

PPS I'm not in any way financially advantaged in suggesting these methods.

Don't invite your friends round to watch indoors (per the current rules re stopping the spread of the virus) - original comment withdrawn.

Or don’t

Only 5 friends if u do please

Outside

Personally I have never liked the play offs although I appreciate they serve the purpose for them being introduced - giving more teams an interest to near the seasons end. However, after playing 46 games a team getting promoted after finishing 7th I find ridiculous and is why I always want the team that finishes 4th to go up as they deserve to. In 1987 Aldershot who had actually finished 6th got promoted after finishing the season 9 points behind the 4th placed team - stupid.
Taking this truncated season if it had been allowed to come to a natural conclusion the table could have appeared quite different. Cheltenham had taken 16 points from their last 6 games and may have gained an automatic place and could consider themselves unlucky to be in the play offs. Whereas we  were in a bad run of form and had only 6 points from our last 6 games and had recently lost at home to both Cheltenham and Port Vale, we also had a far from easy run in. Cheltenham also finished 6 points ahead of us, had a much better goal difference and had only lost 6 games to our 13.
Port Vale, who finished a point behind us were in good form gaining 12 points from an unbeaten last 6 games and may well have replaced us in the top 7. It was very unselfish for them to vote to end the season.
However, having said the above I will obviously be hoping that we can gain an undeserved promotion. No team starts with any form so anything can happen. Perhaps it will all come down to which team has best cardboard cut outs.

 ;D

Fair point. Getting too excited. Fed up with the old stuff on the tv and being reminded how absurdly well paid Lineker et al are.

Keep yourselves to yourselves people.

You'll get bitten to death too - midges galore especially this year.

Glad we got the later kick off times. Back in the office from this week so 5.15 would have been tight.

You're all more than welcome to watch it at mine if you like, without breaking any rules.

The bars also open.  8)

When's happy hour?  😃

As soon as you get here!

£1.50 a bottle and a beach BBQ before kick-off. (Burgers can be boiled if some prefer)

Is there a way we could drop flags off for the club to put around d the ground? Fill the gaps up a little?

good idea.

Charlie Goode is magic

Without wanting to get too ahead of myself, I’ve just noticed that the league 2 playoff final is scheduled for Monday 29th June - I can’t see any details of kickoff time, I just hope it’s not something stupid like the 5.15pm kickoffs for the 2 legs of Exeter v Colchester.

7.30pm

Dancing girls?

That's what it'll say on your visa... 8)

Blimey the last time you posted was ' on: April 02, 2018, 18:54:05 pm '  - so the playoffs got you on here again? Good to see/hear from an old hand!

Sure did. Haven’t been to a game either this season, but I got a cardboard cut out. Glory fan  :)

I've got a very bad feeling about the Playoffs.

20 quid for a plain white t shirt with a stick on emblem for the play offs. A sign of thing's to come from Hummel.

Anarchist - misery guts 8)

So someone posts and you feel obliged to check their background stats?  ??? #unclecreepy :o

Lol 😂

The referees we have for our 2 Cheltenham games have this seaon issued a total of just 3 red cards from a total of 50 games - 6%.
Charles Breakspear has issued 12 red cards from 31 games - 39%. He is refereeing the 2nd game between Exeter and Colchester so possibly the winner will have a suspended player for the final.

According to somebody on the division 2 forum teams that play in red & white striped shirts have contested 29 play offs and not 1 has ever won promotion. Not good news for Cheltenham & Exeter.

Is anyone doing a guess the attendance?

And when we win the playoffs we”ll sing this song all night. Ohhhhh

So, what are we thinking in terms of how we’re going to line up on Thursday? Looking back at the starting lineup against Mansfield we went: Arnold, Marshall, Goode, Wharton, Turnbull, Adams, Hoskins, McCormack, Watson, Oliver and Morton. I think I’d rather have Cornell in goal and then there’s the need to replace Hoskins - I think I’d like to see olayinka in there if he’s fully fit although I suspect that lines or Anderson may the more conservative approach. I’m not sure about Marshall at right wing back - I don’t know what side Broom favours but it might be a job for Harriman?

Over 900 or nearly 1000 sold? depends on which slant you want to put on it... ;D

With the likes of Geary getting freebies, think the club could have adopted a 'Bring a friend' scheme!
 ;D

Stoke and Cheltenham have won the play-offs before.

I would hope that he paid anyway, to prevent the accusations?  ::) ;D

Surely, Olayinka has to be in.

correct

League Two! Stoke City?

With Hoskins missing, go back to a traditional back four. Martin and Harriman in.

09 Oct 2010     Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town   L   1-0   League Two
08 Jan 2011     Northampton Town v Cheltenham Town   D   1-1   League Two
20 Aug 2011     Northampton Town v Cheltenham Town   L   2-3   League Two
03 Mar 2012     Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town   D   2-2   League Two
08 Dec 2012     Northampton Town v Cheltenham Town   L   2-3   League Two
01 Apr 2013     Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town   L   1-0   League Two
02 May 2013   Northampton Town v Cheltenham   W   1-0   League Two Play-Offs
05 May 2013   Cheltenham Town v Northampton   W   0-1   League Two Play-Offs
26 Oct 2013     Northampton Town v Cheltenham Town   D   1-1   League Two
01 Feb 2014     Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town   D   1-1   League Two
18 Oct 2014     Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town   L   3-2   League Two
18 Apr 2015   Northampton Town v Cheltenham     W   2-0   League Two
08 Sep 2018     Northampton Town v Cheltenham Town   L   1-3   League Two
23 Mar 2019     Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town   L   3-1   League Two
29 Dec 2019     Northampton Town v Cheltenham Town   D   1-1   League Two
25 Feb 2020     Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town   L   2-1   League Two

Our historical record against them isn't too brilliant, last time we beat them was 2015 and at their place 2013...but we are 100% against them in the play-offs... ;D

https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/20202/june/flags_playoffs/

Excellent data there, I see theres no 4-1 home win, Ive just put a fiver on this at 66/1  with Vics....

Travelaway I hope your 4-1  punt proves successful but in order for it be a success Cheltenham's defensive record has to come off the rails. They have the best defense in the division by far having only conceded 27 goals from 36 games - next best Colchester with 37. Their away record is remarkable having never conceded more than a single goal in 18 league games with 8 clean sheets and 10 games with a single goal conceded and only 4 defeats. However, they are not prolific scorers having only scored 17 away goals and we have the best home defensive record in the division bar Newport County. Also only the 3 teams promoted automatically have scored more goals than us.

I think we might make it to the final but I don't think we'll win. Historically we're pretty poor in the play offs

But with the gap we have all just experienced, those stats may all be worthless. Let's hope so.