excited!!

[darlodaz]

have to laugh at the ginger kid when we score our 1st goal then the other lad when our second goes in both lads in same area.then listening to ray goin off it with the commentary.just a curiosity will we as darlo supporters ever have it so good again the higher we go?did the fa maybe do us a favour in hindsight?

[Darlo_Pete]

Yes of course we can have it as good again. In forty plus years as a fan, there have been many low points, but there have been plenty of high points as well. I always say it is better to win in a lower league, than struggle or lose in a higher league.

[Spyman]

Yes of course we can have it as good again. In forty plus years as a fan, there have been many low points, but there have been plenty of high points as well. I always say it is better to win in a lower league, than struggle or lose in a higher league.

Better for who?

That theory completely undermines the principal of competitive sport - to achieve the highest level that you can.

[Darlo_Pete]

Yes of course we can have it as good again. In forty plus years as a fan, there have been many low points, but there have been plenty of high points as well. I always say it is better to win in a lower league, than struggle or lose in a higher league.

Better for who?

That theory completely undermines the principal of competitive sport - to achieve the highest level that you can.

Better for us, better crowds and happier fans. Of course we want to get up the leagues as far as we can, but I'd rather follow a team that was near the top of the league it is in, rather than fighting relegation in the league above.

[joejaques]

Yes of course we can have it as good again. In forty plus years as a fan, there have been many low points, but there have been plenty of high points as well. I always say it is better to win in a lower league, than struggle or lose in a higher league.

Better for who?

That theory completely undermines the principal of competitive sport - to achieve the highest level that you can.

Better for us, better crowds and happier fans. Of course we want to get up the leagues as far as we can, but I'd rather follow a team that was near the top of the league it is in, rather than fighting relegation in the league above.

So, you're just another fair weather supporter the, Pete.

[Spyman]

Yes of course we can have it as good again. In forty plus years as a fan, there have been many low points, but there have been plenty of high points as well. I always say it is better to win in a lower league, than struggle or lose in a higher league.

Better for who?

That theory completely undermines the principal of competitive sport - to achieve the highest level that you can.

Better for us, better crowds and happier fans. Of course we want to get up the leagues as far as we can, but I'd rather follow a team that was near the top of the league it is in, rather than fighting relegation in the league above.

The idea is you try to improve in that league - not actively avoid getting there.

This isn't the Northern League.

[Vodka_Vic]

The problem in this league is that most away teams bring next to 0 supporters. If we were to go up there are more teams who would bring a reasonable amount of fans, so we would benefit there.

[darlodaz]

totally agree with teams in higher leagues bringing more support ie stockport fc utd boston even few others could be interesting regd possible all ticket games what with return to darlo and on a roll so to speak.mind all this is speculation and in great hope we finish the season being promoted.up the whites!!!!

[DarloOnTheUp]

Yes of course we can have it as good again. In forty plus years as a fan, there have been many low points, but there have been plenty of high points as well. I always say it is better to win in a lower league, than struggle or lose in a higher league.

Better for who?

That theory completely undermines the principal of competitive sport - to achieve the highest level that you can.

Better for us, better crowds and happier fans. Of course we want to get up the leagues as far as we can, but I'd rather follow a team that was near the top of the league it is in, rather than fighting relegation in the league above.

This makes no sense.

[darlo reborn]

Course it makes sense more people follow a successful team than one which is struggling

[Darlogramps]

Course it makes sense more people follow a successful team than one which is struggling

Marvellous. Let's just stay in this league then

You're talking out of your backside anyway. Our average attendance in the 2009 Todd, Staunton and Davey season was 1943.

A year later, the season we won the FA Trophy and had a chance of play-offs in the Conference, our average attendance was 1886.

So there goes your theory.

[Vodka_Vic]

I must admit that I was excited all last night , but this morning my typical Darlo pessimism (since 1983) has kicked in and I'm more nervous today, and I bet I'm not the only one. We're so close, but I've got a few concerns running through my head. I'd be very grateful if some people could reframe my pessimism and make me feel better.

1. Looking at the weather forecast is a real concern. Heavy rain non-stop from 4am Tuesday morning, then light rain all afternoon not stopping until 10pm Weds night. If this forecast pans out, there's not a hope of the game being on, and even if we chose to play it, it would be a lottery. We've literally got no free days left to play on.

2. Recent injuries to Turnbull and Scott and Hunter's imminent ban leaves us extremely stretched in our squad with so many games to fit in a short space of time.

3. We have 3 games at home in a row, but HP is in such a state with more bad weather to come that the pitch could make these 'easier' games a leveller.

[DarloOnTheUp]

Course it makes sense more people follow a successful team than one which is struggling

But the whole aim of the pyramid structure is to get as high as you can, otherwise being near the top of a league or winning games is pointless, so Pete's statement makes no sense because it's self-contradictory. He's essentially saying he'd rather be in a league below fighting for promotion than struggling in the league above. So he'd rather be fighting to get promoted into the league above than actually being in the league above.

Also, Pete says "better crowds", but our crowds are worse now than when we were struggling in higher leagues.

[darlo reborn]

Might have something to do with playing away from town ??

[darlo reborn]

My point was more of the floating support will come to watch a winning team than a losing team

[DarloOnTheUp]

Might have something to do with playing away from town ??

My point was more of the floating support will come to watch a winning team than a losing team

Fair enough, these two statements may have some truth to them, but I was more having a go at the rest of Pete's post.

[Darlo_Pete]

Yes of course we can have it as good again. In forty plus years as a fan, there have been many low points, but there have been plenty of high points as well. I always say it is better to win in a lower league, than struggle or lose in a higher league.

Better for who?

That theory completely undermines the principal of competitive sport - to achieve the highest level that you can.

Better for us, better crowds and happier fans. Of course we want to get up the leagues as far as we can, but I'd rather follow a team that was near the top of the league it is in, rather than fighting relegation in the league above.

So, you're just another fair weather supporter the, Pete.

Not at all, I've followed Darlo through all our darkest times and there's been a few!!

[satchmo76]

I must admit that I was excited all last night , but this morning my typical Darlo pessimism (since 1983) has kicked in and I'm more nervous today, and I bet I'm not the only one. We're so close, but I've got a few concerns running through my head. I'd be very grateful if some people could reframe my pessimism and make me feel better.

1. Looking at the weather forecast is a real concern. Heavy rain non-stop from 4am Tuesday morning, then light rain all afternoon not stopping until 10pm Weds night. If this forecast pans out, there's not a hope of the game being on, and even if we chose to play it, it would be a lottery. We've literally got no free days left to play on.

2. Recent injuries to Turnbull and Scott and Hunter's imminent ban leaves us extremely stretched in our squad with so many games to fit in a short space of time.

3. We have 3 games at home in a row, but HP is in such a state with more bad weather to come that the pitch could make these 'easier' games a leveller.

1. If Darlo win the other games, they could concede the 4th and still win the title

2. Blyth are imploding and could easily draw or lose either remaining game

3. A postponement means a rest period

4. Gray can rotate the squad, even play the kids one night

[satchmo76]

My point was more of the floating support will come to watch a winning team than a losing team

1. Higher quality opposition should attract more fans

2. Moving back to a ground in Darlington will raise the average attendance no matter what league position

3. I think Darlo can easily challenge for play-offs in Conference North given a home base in the town and the ability to attract better players.

4. There will be some dross in Conf North so I don't see Darlo being in relegation danger or infact losing many home games (away will be a lot harder)

[joejaques]

1. Looking at the weather forecast is a real concern. Heavy rain non-stop from 4am Tuesday morning, then light rain all afternoon not stopping until 10pm Weds night. If this forecast pans out, there's not a hope of the game being on, and even if we chose to play it, it would be a lottery. We've literally got no free days left to play on.

How soon can the league re-arrange fixtures if required? IF the game is off (hope it's not) could it be rescheduled for Thursday this week, when we appear to have a clear day weatherwise?

[theoriginalfatcat]

They would simply HAVE TO rearrange for Thursday - there is no alternative.

[lo36789]

Sunday 24th - We should know by then whether it matters or not and we could always push to have our playoff on the Wednesday rather than Tuesday?

[theoriginalfatcat]

Sunday 24th - We should know by then whether it matters or not and we could always push to have our playoff on the Wednesday rather than Tuesday?

You can't do that!

The season is over/finished on the day before.

Get The Arena booked for Tuesday. (joke)

[lo36789]

Sunday 24th - We should know by then whether it matters or not and we could always push to have our playoff on the Wednesday rather than Tuesday?

You can't do that!

The season is over/finished on the day before.

No it isn't. The season finishes on Saturday 30th. The league need to allow a week for playoffs.

[satchmo76]

If the forecast is for rain until Weds night, I don't think it's feasible to move the game to Thursday. You've also got to consider work arrangements for Skem's players, and the ground staff issues.

I think the league will cross it's fingers that Darlo win the league without needing to play the game.

[QUAKERMAN2]

I must admit that I was excited all last night , but this morning my typical Darlo pessimism (since 1983) has kicked in and I'm more nervous today, and I bet I'm not the only one. We're so close, but I've got a few concerns running through my head. I'd be very grateful if some people could reframe my pessimism and make me feel better.

1. Looking at the weather forecast is a real concern. Heavy rain non-stop from 4am Tuesday morning, then light rain all afternoon not stopping until 10pm Weds night. If this forecast pans out, there's not a hope of the game being on, and even if we chose to play it, it would be a lottery. We've literally got no free days left to play on.

2. Recent injuries to Turnbull and Scott and Hunter's imminent ban leaves us extremely stretched in our squad with so many games to fit in a short space of time.

3. We have 3 games at home in a row, but HP is in such a state with more bad weather to come that the pitch could make these 'easier' games a leveller.

Hi Adam,not looking good for Tuesday which is a blow but Skelmersdale have 4 games left and if they will not play ball and play this week they will have to fit the remaining 4 games next week and as we are committed to Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday then finishing on Saturday 23rd it appears they have little choice but to play this week.I would imagine the FA/Evostick league would ensure common sense prevails and fit this game in this week.

Agreed it's a concern with injuries to Turnbull and Scott but Portas would be nailed on to play and probably Nowakoski but if MG still has Wheldon available he could bring him in at LB and move Tezz into midfield.When Chris Hunters ban kicks in, I would without doubt bring Alan White in and switch Gary Brown to RB, still a very solid back four IMO, Whitey is very fit and would not let us down.

We have proved we can grind out results on any surface and if HP is in a mess that holds no worries for me as we have players who can play it on the deck as well as our set piece threats so we will be ok on that one.

Tense for all of us Adam, try and relax for the next 2 weeks, we are in a fantastic position ( bet Blyth wish they were 1 point behind with 2 games in hand) 10 points for the title and if Blyth only draw at Matlock this Saturday we could clinch it next Tuesday at home to Grantham.

[Darlogramps]

Sunday 24th - We should know by then whether it matters or not and we could always push to have our playoff on the Wednesday rather than Tuesday?

You can't do that!

The season is over/finished on the day before.

No it isn't. The season finishes on Saturday 30th. The league need to allow a week for playoffs.

I'd doubt the league would move it to the Sunday. Bearing in mind, if the title hasn't been won by then, Blyth would complain we'd have an unfair advantage by playing our final game after them.

More likely to be moved to Thursday or Friday this week, or Monday/Wednesday next week. But hopefully the game will go ahead tomorrow - we will see.

[lo36789]

I am pretty sure they'll expect us to play it Thursday this week as well to be honest and I don't really mind that. If that can't be done then the later the better.

Friday the following week would be as preferable as the Sunday I suppose. If we can beat Stamford and Grantham who knows - we could already be over the line.

Matlock weren't that bad a side from what I remember?

[Magical Quakers]

We did beat them 5-0 and some of their defending was woeful.

[Beano]

Matlock beat Blyth 4-2 in the FA Trophy earlier in the season. Anything is possible!