so how many points do we need and how do we get them? 11:26 - Apr 10 with 12572 views | Nigeriamark | As other teams have only 5 games left I would estimate that 12 points would easily see us secure a place, and 10 could be enough for at least 7th. Due to the drop off in away form the 3 home games are crucial. Eastleigh and Fylde "should" be good opportunities with Hartlepool a bit tougher. If we don''t win all 3, we would need at least 3 points. Alty and Solihull won't be easy and is going to be tough if it comes down to Braintree away. Hopefully they won't have anything to play for IMO I think we need to get 7 points at home and sneak an away win. To do that we cannot start by aiming not to lose. we need to go for wins in all 6 and hope for 3 wins + the odd draw. Recent form indicates we are not likely to do this. Huge game Saturday |  | | |  |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 02:24 - Apr 11 with 5752 views | Shun |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 22:11 - Apr 10 by diplodocus | as too is Bird, i think. but with only 5 points from the last 18 available, its not looking rosy. |
Has any more news about Bird been released? Last I heard was that he was out for a ‘significant’ period of time. We really could do with having him and Rodney back fit. If we don’t have either I can’t see where the bulk of our goals will come from. |  | |  |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 02:56 - Apr 11 with 5737 views | davidab2202 | As a direct answer to the question posed. On current form, probably more than we are going to get,but still live in hope of being proved wrong. |  | |  |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 06:46 - Apr 11 with 5630 views | Nigeriamark |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 19:27 - Apr 10 by blackdogblue | For instance, wins away.. Games vs lower placed teams, Ebbsfleet for example Not sure why you love jumping down my throat all the time… |
I think I posted somewhere that the 4 points lost against Ebbsfleet would come back to haunt us. They say there are no easy games but they were an exception. 2-0 up in the first game and drew. O-0 at home the second game against a team that have shipped in loads and have a GD of almost -60. The away game is the only live game I have been to this season and they were genuinely like a pub team [Post edited 11 Apr 6:48]
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 07:41 - Apr 11 with 5547 views | TalkingSutty |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 18:55 - Apr 10 by 442Dale | Looking at the last 20 games form table we’ve been nowhere near good enough. That said, many others around the top haven’t either. The current top ten over that period: Barnet 47 York 39 Forest Green 30 Oldham 23 Halifax 33 Gateshead 25 Dale 28 Altrincham 29 Southend 34 Tamworth 31 |
It's very worrying, even more so when you bear in mind that we have a lot of these players contracted for next season. The form has gone backwards since Christmas so its not a blip. I'm now left questioning the credentials of not only the manager but also the players,. They're obviously mentally weak and lacking in character, that's the only explanation i can come up with to explain how the second half of the season has imploded. It's either that or the players were never good enough in the first place, the odd good display doesn't disguise the overall regression. McNulty will point to the postponements and disruption caused by the pitch and the cup run, thats how he will try to explain this last few months away. It will have contributed to injuries and tiredness but he has still been able to put a decent team on the pitch and fixture congestion isn't unusual, especially if you are winning cup games. He also has a healthy squad to work with compared to many clubs in this league, some are part time clubs, Spennymoor being one of them. So the excuse is a weak one in reality. We should still get in the play offs, the league table tells us that. If we do then McNulty stays. If we bottle it ( that's what it will be) and miss out, then that can sit alongside the Spennymoor debacle and at that point we need a new manager. I think thats fair. It would also be the first test when it comes to the credentials of the people we have in the Boardroom. Are they there just to make up the numbers or are they nodding dogs to Simon Gauge? It's been suggested that is no longer the case, let's hope so because if things haven't changed then footballing decisions will continue to be poor ones and the Ogden family will be wasting money.The last few years have proved that. Somebody suggested a experienced Director of football is required. That wouldn't be cheap but his salary could prove to be very cost effective if we could get the right person in and save the club a lot of money. I hope they explore that idea. [Post edited 11 Apr 8:06]
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 08:56 - Apr 11 with 5426 views | dingdangblue |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 02:24 - Apr 11 by Shun | Has any more news about Bird been released? Last I heard was that he was out for a ‘significant’ period of time. We really could do with having him and Rodney back fit. If we don’t have either I can’t see where the bulk of our goals will come from. |
He was in the Pearl St with the other players not playing and he didn't look like he was limping when he walked past. Someone mentioned he'd said weeks away from playing? So I'd guess it would be the last couple of games (and the play offs if we're in them). He wasn't on any of the training clips online this week - although that could be on purpose. Hopefully we see him again and its not too late! |  |
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:00 - Apr 12 with 4906 views | snuffler | I think we need to win all our three home games and not lose at Altrincham to give us the chance of the playoffs. Also the season could now go two ways, we either bottle it and lose most games or somebody could motivate the players and get them to play no fear football. However at this moment I can’t see Jim being able to motivate the players that way. Let’s hope that I am wrong and he does that. |  | |  |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 17:03 - Apr 12 with 4680 views | Edindale | Normal service resumed I hope. League table looks a lot better this afternoon and our goal difference is worth an extra point! Also a good run out for the fringe players. Just need a goal for Kairo. |  | |  |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 20:19 - Apr 12 with 4456 views | EllDale | Some interesting games over the Easter weekend. Having played Dale on Friday Altrincham go to Halifax on Monday. And Oldham go to York on Monday. |  | |  | Login to get fewer ads
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 20:31 - Apr 12 with 4416 views | pnc4eva1 | Hartlepool currently on 56 pts last 4 games involve 4 teams from the top 6 (including Dale) - very 7nlikely to get 8 points tk get above Dale and Dale to get 0. Tamworth 60 pts - a 'derby' game against Solihull and 2 teams to play in top 8.4 pts behind and unlikely to overturn the points against Forest Green and Altrincham. Southend 60 pts and only one in top 7 to play. Could end up on 72 points but will therefore take points off Gateshead. 70 pts expected, leaving Dale to get 7 from last 15 Altrincham play us Halifax and Tamworth. Maximum pts 72 likely to less but if they win all 4 then pts off our rivals. Halifax 64 pts max 76 however as they play Altrincham that means 73 pts is the maximum Dale need to get to the play offs. |  |
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 20:45 - Apr 12 with 4357 views | TalkingSutty |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 20:31 - Apr 12 by pnc4eva1 | Hartlepool currently on 56 pts last 4 games involve 4 teams from the top 6 (including Dale) - very 7nlikely to get 8 points tk get above Dale and Dale to get 0. Tamworth 60 pts - a 'derby' game against Solihull and 2 teams to play in top 8.4 pts behind and unlikely to overturn the points against Forest Green and Altrincham. Southend 60 pts and only one in top 7 to play. Could end up on 72 points but will therefore take points off Gateshead. 70 pts expected, leaving Dale to get 7 from last 15 Altrincham play us Halifax and Tamworth. Maximum pts 72 likely to less but if they win all 4 then pts off our rivals. Halifax 64 pts max 76 however as they play Altrincham that means 73 pts is the maximum Dale need to get to the play offs. |
None of those teams have the form to suddenly win their remaining games, that won't happen i dont think. With our superior goal difference i think six points out of the 15 available will be enough. So two wins or even one win and a few draws. One club might have a storming finish but that would still mean we would have to do worse than those clubs around us to miss out. The odds are well in our favour and if we pick three points up over the two Easter fixtures, we should be fine. Win both and we will have put it to bed against Fylde on Easter Monday. That should be everybodies mindset. Show some bravery and plenty of attacking intent, its a dead rubber for four out of our last five opponents, a bit like today. Fylde are more or less relegated and could be by the time we play them. [Post edited 12 Apr 20:56]
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 21:16 - Apr 12 with 4272 views | EllDale | I was thinking exactly the same TS. Get Friday out of the way without a disaster and the the last three fixtures could be against teams with nothing to play for. And as you say Fylde need maximum points from their remaining fixtures starting with Halifax on Good Friday. |  | |  |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 09:52 - Apr 13 with 3974 views | Dale_4_Life | 71 points will be more than enough I think. We could be home and hosed by 5pm Monday if we have the perfect Easter. Should be looking to win every game now and secure that home eliminator tie… Alty will be viewing Friday as a must win… get toe to toe with them and more of the same from yesterday!! |  | |  |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 17:39 - Apr 13 with 3658 views | pnc4eva1 |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 20:45 - Apr 12 by TalkingSutty | None of those teams have the form to suddenly win their remaining games, that won't happen i dont think. With our superior goal difference i think six points out of the 15 available will be enough. So two wins or even one win and a few draws. One club might have a storming finish but that would still mean we would have to do worse than those clubs around us to miss out. The odds are well in our favour and if we pick three points up over the two Easter fixtures, we should be fine. Win both and we will have put it to bed against Fylde on Easter Monday. That should be everybodies mindset. Show some bravery and plenty of attacking intent, its a dead rubber for four out of our last five opponents, a bit like today. Fylde are more or less relegated and could be by the time we play them. [Post edited 12 Apr 20:56]
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My post was worse case scenario. However, without taking into account form 73 points is guaranteed playoff position as I stated. The likelihood is that 69 points will prove sufficient |  |
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 09:48 - Apr 14 with 3342 views | TalkingSutty |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 17:39 - Apr 13 by pnc4eva1 | My post was worse case scenario. However, without taking into account form 73 points is guaranteed playoff position as I stated. The likelihood is that 69 points will prove sufficient |
Yes probably 5 points from 15 available will be enough. Next Monday I'm hoping we will be more or less home and hosed and then we can target the last two or three fixtures to try to get home advantage in the play offs. On paper the fixtures look kind to us. We have the players to do this, they're good enough in one off matches. The manager and players will have succeeded in respect of expectancy when they claim a play off place. They can then attack the play off games in a pressure free frame of mind and give it a real good go. We can beat anybody, including York, the club with the most pressure when it comes to the play offs. [Post edited 14 Apr 9:57]
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:11 - Apr 22 with 2383 views | Dale_4_Life | 68 could be enough now with the significant positive goal difference. Those 2 extra points that we dropped yesterday mean mathematically Dale not quite over the line. Need to kick on though for the home eliminator tie. [Post edited 22 Apr 11:17]
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:22 - Apr 22 with 2332 views | D_Alien |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:11 - Apr 22 by Dale_4_Life | 68 could be enough now with the significant positive goal difference. Those 2 extra points that we dropped yesterday mean mathematically Dale not quite over the line. Need to kick on though for the home eliminator tie. [Post edited 22 Apr 11:17]
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After yesterday and the FA Trophy semi, i'm inclined to think an away tie would give us a better chance of progressing |  |
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:50 - Apr 22 with 2263 views | Yorkshire_Dale |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:22 - Apr 22 by D_Alien | After yesterday and the FA Trophy semi, i'm inclined to think an away tie would give us a better chance of progressing |
Dale are masters at the real anti climax.....Spenny and yesterday as prime examples. We build up to big matches only to let ourselves down in spectacular fashion. We have done likewise for donkeys years. Just shy of 3k home fans turned out on a decent day (not to mention the DAZN followers!) to witness another McNulty slump. Contrast that to a few days earlier away at Alty and a treat for travelling fans. Maybe an away trip is best?? |  | |  |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:51 - Apr 22 with 2257 views | Edindale |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:22 - Apr 22 by D_Alien | After yesterday and the FA Trophy semi, i'm inclined to think an away tie would give us a better chance of progressing |
Good point - but we are probably just as inconsistent away from home conceding late goals in drawn games. I think I would still favour a home tie as long as we go out with the right tactics. In saying that it all depends on who we draw. |  | |  |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 12:03 - Apr 22 with 2221 views | TVOS1907 |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:50 - Apr 22 by Yorkshire_Dale | Dale are masters at the real anti climax.....Spenny and yesterday as prime examples. We build up to big matches only to let ourselves down in spectacular fashion. We have done likewise for donkeys years. Just shy of 3k home fans turned out on a decent day (not to mention the DAZN followers!) to witness another McNulty slump. Contrast that to a few days earlier away at Alty and a treat for travelling fans. Maybe an away trip is best?? |
That's just selective memory. For every game where we "have done likewise for donkeys years", there are plenty more where we haven't; much like every other club, in fact. Off the top of my head, Leeds, Cheltenham (to win promotion), Northampton (to win promotion), Tottenham, Newcastle, Stockport (1987), Hull (2002 to get into the play-offs for the first time), Darlington (to get to Wembley), Charlton (as featured extensively over the past week), beating both Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday in 2010/11, etc. [Post edited 22 Apr 14:19]
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 12:06 - Apr 22 with 2213 views | TVOS1907 |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:51 - Apr 22 by Edindale | Good point - but we are probably just as inconsistent away from home conceding late goals in drawn games. I think I would still favour a home tie as long as we go out with the right tactics. In saying that it all depends on who we draw. |
A point will do it, and it's then looking like a combination of Dale/Oldham v Halifax/Gateshead, in some shape or form. 4th v 7th 5th v 6th |  |
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 12:37 - Apr 22 with 2129 views | dingdangblue |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 11:50 - Apr 22 by Yorkshire_Dale | Dale are masters at the real anti climax.....Spenny and yesterday as prime examples. We build up to big matches only to let ourselves down in spectacular fashion. We have done likewise for donkeys years. Just shy of 3k home fans turned out on a decent day (not to mention the DAZN followers!) to witness another McNulty slump. Contrast that to a few days earlier away at Alty and a treat for travelling fans. Maybe an away trip is best?? |
I would still much rather a home game regardless of the Altrincham win. Don't forget that was our first away win in 2025 and only our 2nd 2nd half goal scored in 2025! The other was Tamworth away in the 91st minute. We will be away regardless if we get through the first tie. I know we've had some awful disappointments at home this season (York,Barnet,Boston,Ebbsfleet,Fylde) but our best performances have also been at home. |  |
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 12:57 - Apr 22 with 2080 views | TVOS1907 |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 12:37 - Apr 22 by dingdangblue | I would still much rather a home game regardless of the Altrincham win. Don't forget that was our first away win in 2025 and only our 2nd 2nd half goal scored in 2025! The other was Tamworth away in the 91st minute. We will be away regardless if we get through the first tie. I know we've had some awful disappointments at home this season (York,Barnet,Boston,Ebbsfleet,Fylde) but our best performances have also been at home. |
Agree. An away tie would also probably mean we haven't won any of our final three matches too, which wouldn't be the required form going into the play-offs. |  |
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(No subject) (n/t) (n/t) on 14:14 - Apr 22 with 1960 views | reggie_rocket | [Post edited 22 Apr 14:20]
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so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 10:00 - Apr 27 with 926 views | Dale_4_Life | A win on Tuesday and we finish 4th (74 points) with a game to go could finish on (77). This would set up a home eliminator tie v 7th… likely to be Southend Gateshead or Halifax… There is quite a bit at stake on Tuesday hoping we get the 3 points to open up all of Jim’s options regarding squad rotation. |  | |  |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 12:08 - Apr 27 with 770 views | dingdangblue |
so how many points do we need and how do we get them? on 10:00 - Apr 27 by Dale_4_Life | A win on Tuesday and we finish 4th (74 points) with a game to go could finish on (77). This would set up a home eliminator tie v 7th… likely to be Southend Gateshead or Halifax… There is quite a bit at stake on Tuesday hoping we get the 3 points to open up all of Jim’s options regarding squad rotation. |
Gateshead v Southend on the last day of the season too. Gateshead need a win. |  |
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