Importance Of Next Two Games Increased

After last night’s results I’d suggest that if anything the importance of our next two games has increased (although for sure every game at this stage is crucial given our situation). We know automatic promotion is beyond us, even if it remains mathematically possible (Wrexham need eight points from their last five games to ensure they finish above us, Wycombe 11). We also know that the points we require to guarantee a play-off place last night dropped to nine from our last five (no doubt the final number necessary will be less). What perhaps needs to be stressed is that getting maximum points from our next two games – away at almost relegated Cambridge and at home to almost safe Northampton – is vital.

That’s not to say we won’t get anything out of the following trips to Wycombe and Wrexham of course. But if we get the six points we can then pause and assess our position. Perhaps those points would be enough to guarantee a top-six place, perhaps even with them automatic promotion is finally ruled out. We could then start to plan a play-off campaign.

You surely don’t want to go into the play-offs having busted a gut in the previous games and carrying injuries. You want momentum for sure, but barring some poor performances we pretty much still have that (Stockport will probably be feeling the same, perhaps Reading too after last night). What you want above all else is all squad players fit, mentally and physically, and raring to go. If we can buy a little breathing space in our next two games, Jones could be able to look at one or two and consider whether they need a breather, whether in light of their recent knocks Jones (the player) and Campbell might be able to be treated with kid gloves. Imagine losing Godden to injury before the play-offs begin, imagine needing to call on Ahadme (and Gilbert) and him not having had some game time. Just as the importance of the next two games has in my opinion risen, so that of the subsequent two has declined; we can no longer view them as capable of firing us into an unlikely automatic promotion spot.

When it comes to the play-offs, assuming it does, I’m not sure it matters much whether we end up third, fourth, fifth or sixth. If we take on Stockport over two legs all the signs point to very tight games. Reading have taken four points off us this season and we haven’t scored against them, but there’s no reason to fear them. We’ve already beaten Wycombe, although like the home game against Birmingham that came about through strangling them as an attacking force. Can’t help feeling slightly disappointed that Bolton are now less likely to grab a top-six place, not because they aren’t a decent side but because we do seem to have the sign over them.

I know all these ifs and buts won’t count for much in the final analysis. For Jones and the players it will be take each game as it comes. Events will take their course and we will be surprised by some, hopefully very pleased by others, especially on 25 May.