Monkey Tennis Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 The optimist in me is going for: QOS v Falkirk (Away win) Falkirk 55pts QOS 53pts Alloa v QOS (Draw) Falkirk 55pts QOS 54pts QOS v Dumbarton (Home win) Rangers v Falkirk (Draw) QOS 57pts Falkirk 56pts Falkirk v Hibs (Home win) Livingston v QOS (Draw) Falkirk 59pts QOS 58pts Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril Nothing actually too outrageous in there and it would be enough to get you above us. You've even let us beat Dumbarton and draw the other two, while you were able to merely draw at Ibrox. It really shows two things: a) this is still up for grabs b) how vitally important this afternoon's game is in all of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 Nothing actually too outrageous in there and it would be enough to get you above us. You've even let us beat Dumbarton and draw the other two, while you were able to merely draw at Ibrox. It really shows two things: a) this is still up for grabs b) how vitally important this afternoon's game is in all of this. Indeed, if Falkirk can win at Palmerston today then it's still very much up for grabs. However a Queens win to all intents finishes it and even a draw leaves only an unlikely series of results to keep Falkirk in the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC55 FFC Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Indeed, if Falkirk can win at Palmerston today then it's still very much up for grabs. However a Queens win to all intents finishes it and even a draw leaves only an unlikely series of results to keep Falkirk in the picture. Agreed Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 Agreed Sent from my iPhone using Pie & Bovril When is a draw worth 4 points? Answer : Today.If we draw then Falkirk need to take two more points than us from remaining games to make the playoffs. If Falkirk win then we need to take two more than them. One single point generates an effective four point swing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Tennis Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 When is a draw worth 4 points? Answer : Today. If we draw then Falkirk need to take two more points than us from remaining games to make the playoffs. If Falkirk win then we need to take two more than them. One single point generates an effective four point swing. If we can draw today, it means that beating Dumbarton at home would effectively be enough, regardless of how we do in the away games, or how Falkirk do against the big guns, so long as there are no massive scorelines. Right now, I'd be delighted with a draw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 If we can draw today, it means that beating Dumbarton at home would effectively be enough, regardless of how we do in the away games, or how Falkirk do against the big guns, so long as there are no massive scorelines.Right now, I'd be delighted with a draw.No it doesnt. If we draw today, beat Dumbarton and lose our other two Falkirk would still go above us with two more wins. Its unlikely but not impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Tennis Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 No it doesnt. If we draw today, beat Dumbarton and lose our other two Falkirk would still go above us with two more wins. Its unlikely but not impossible. Yeah, you're right. I'll leave the numbers stuff to you. I'd still be pleased with a draw today though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 Update Sunday 12th April Champions Still Hearts, who are continuing their early holidays, losing again today. Promotion Playoffs Hibernian and Rangers both formally clinched their places in the end of season playoffs today with their home wins combined with Queen of the South's victory over Falkirk. In reality Queen of the South have all but wrapped up the other spot too. Three points officially and two points in practice are all they need to move out of reach of Falkirk. They can formally clinch at least 4th with victory at Alloa next weekend. Failing that they would get it with victory over either Dumbarton or Livingston in their other two fixtures, or with Falkirk failing to win either of their remaining games at Rangers and away to Hibernian. Whilst Queens can still theoretically make 2nd, it seem in reality 4th is our lot. Rangers battle with Hibs for 2nd and 3rd remains likely to go to the wire though. HIbs are ahead on goal difference at the moment, but Rangers have a game in hand against Livingston. There remains the ironic possibility that Hibernian will be left looking for Hearts to do them a favour on the last day at home to Rangers for Hibs to have a chance of 2nd. Relegation & Relegation Playoffs Bottom three weren't playing today so nothing has changed. Livingston are three adrift at the bottom though have the best goal difference. Their remaining four games are Rangers (H), Hibernian (H), Raith Rovers (A), Queen of the South (H). Second bottom Alloa have three games left: Queen of the South (H), Hibernian (A), Cowdenbeath (H). Third bottom Cowdenbeath, a further two points better off, have just two games to go: Hearts (H), Alloa (A). With Rangers and HIbs battling for 2nd spot it is a big ask for any of these sides to expect anything against those two. Livi will though have at least one and most likely two games against teams playing for nothing (Queens likely being certain of 4th before they travel to Livi in the last week). Livi's biggest problem but also best saving grace may yet be that the other two play each other in the final week. They can't both lose but they also can't both win. It is therefore going to be very difficult for Livi to get to 8th but if they can get the 6 points then there is a fair chance their goal difference will get them above one or other of the other two and into the playoffs. That last week between Alloa and Cowdenbeath is going to be massive one way or another, even if just to decide which one ends up in the playoffs (if Livi can't get 6 points). Fixture Wednesday April 15th Livingston v Rangers Big game for both sides. Rangers need a point at least to jump above Hibs and keep 2nd place in their own hands. Livi as noted need at least 6 points from their last four. It would be an enormous bonus if they got any of them here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted April 17, 2015 Author Share Posted April 17, 2015 Been away on business so just getting around to this now. Livingston 1-1 Rangers The point moves Rangers into 2nd spot again but they will be disappointed to only lead Hibs by one point with three weeks to go and still a trip to Tynecastle on the horizon. For Livingston the point represents a probably unforeseen bonus in their campaign to avoid relegation. If they can win a game more than Alooa in the next three then it will prevent Alloa remaining above them with a draw somewhere. Fixtures for Saturday 18th April Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South Dumbarton v Rangers Hearts v Raith Rovers The Hearts v Raith game is meaningless. Both teams are confirmed in their current positions of 1st & 6th (yes ok Dumbarton fans, you can still catch Raith with three wins and a 12 goal swing but realistically it's irrelevant). Dumbarton will finish 7th too so their result has no great relevance to themselves. For the other three though: Rangers - With Hibs not having a League match until Wednesday, they will remain 2nd come what may but need a win to keep 2nd place in their own hands. Anything less opens the door to Hibs to take it with three wins. Rangers are 6 points clear of Queen of the South with three games to go. One point more than Queens on the day will ensure they are no worse than 3rd. Queen of the South - A win will formally clinch a playoff place for Queens and keep them in touch with Hibs and Rangers. Anything less than a win, combined with Rangers getting more points and Hibs winning on Wednesday will remove Queens from the race for 2nd and 3rd. It will also keep Falkirk's playoff campaign alive long enough to go to Ibrox with it. Alloa Athletic - At the other end a massive game for Alloa. A win would move them out of the playoff slot into 8th above Cowdenbeath. A draw won't be good enough for that so is of limited use unless they can also get one of Hearts next week as their last game is against Cowdenbeath and they'll need to win it anyway unless they get at least two points more than Cowdenbeath before then. A draw also isn't enough to stay ahead of Livingston if they win on Wednesday v Hibs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Tennis Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Great stuff SD. I like this thread. It covers all the questions I have, but lack the resolve to actively seek answers to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUSKYQOS Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 Results from Saturday 18th April: Alloa Athletic 2-2 Queen of the South Dumbarton 1-3 Rangers Hearts 2-1 Raith Rovers Effects: Champions - Nothing changed, still Hearts! Playoffs Queen of the South missed a chance to confirm their playoff place by failing to win at Alloa. In doing so they also ended their chances of finishing 2nd too as Rangers are now out of reach officially whilst 3rd is also a long shot with Hibs needing only to win one of their last three to be out of reach too. In practice Rangers win would have been enough anyway given the goal difference. However, the point earned does take them a point nearer to their goal. In reality one more point will clinch a playoff place with Falkirk 5 points and 14 goals behind. Rangers confirmed they will finish no worse than 3rd and negotiated another hurdle on the way to 2nd place and the prized first round playoff bye. It's still in their own hands and wins over Falkirk and Hearts will take them to 2nd regardless of what Hibs do. Relegation and Playoffs Due to the Cup semi finals Alloa were the only one of the bottom three to play. They got what was on the face of it a decent point against playoff bound Queens, especially after trailing 2-1 in the second half, but in reality it's pretty meaningless unless they can repeat the trick at Easter Road next weekend. It wasn't enough to lift them above Cowdenbeath on its own and as the two meet in the final game then Alloa are going to have to win that one anyway unless they can better Cowden's result next weekend. Hibernian will have a big say at the bottom, traveling to Livingston in midweek and then entertaining Alloa. If though as expected Hibs produce two wins and take their fight with Rangers to the last week, and if Hearts win at Cowdenbeath (maybe not quite as likely give Hearts have clearly taken their foot off the gas since winning the league) then it's likely to come down to a last week shoot out between Cowden and Alloa for safety with the loser either relegated or in the playoffs depending whether Livi can get at least 3 or 4 points from Raith Rovers and Queen of the South. The relegation battle looks like it will be really interesting right down to the last day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERSOUTH Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Oh well its Rangers v Hibs for second spot could well go down to the last round of games while Queens can secure 4th this weekend with at least a point v Dumbarton at home or if Falkirk fail to beat Rangers this Saturday. What dates are the play offs? Who plays at home first in these matches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share Posted April 23, 2015 Livingston 1 - 3 Hibernian Hibs win keeps them in the hunt for 2nd, a point behind Rangers with two games each to go. Both have Falkirk to play (though Hibs have to go to Falkirk and Rangers have them at home). Rangers other game is at Hearts whilst Hibs other is at home to Alloa. Unless Rangers beat Falkirk whilst Hibs contrive to lose to Alloa this weekend it will go to the last week with Hibs marginally better goal difference likely giving them decent hope that anything other than a Rangers win at Tynecastle will open the door. Hibs win also removes any possibility of Queen of the South reaching 3rd spot. Queens can forget looking up and concentrate on getting the one point they need to clinch 4th and the last playoff spot. At the other end, Livingston's loss fails to move them off the bottom and they are now up to date with fixtures compared to Cowdenbeath and Alloa. They pretty much have to get something at Raith this weekend and hope Hearts and Hibs beat Cowdenbeath and Alloa as expected to keep their hopes alive. With Cowdenbeath playing Alloa in the last game, their options are thus: Cowdenbeath win that game then Livingston can't get to 8th but would need only one win in their last two to get above Alloa as long as Alloa get nothing at Hibs. Alloa win the game then Livingston need four points to get above Cowdenbeath presuming Cowden also lose at home to Hearts and two wins if Cowden get a point against Hearts. If they did get two wins then that would also take them above Alloa unless they get something at Hibs. Cowdenbeath and Alloa draw then Livingston need a win and a draw to get above Alloa (if they get nothing at Hibs) and two wins to get above both (if Cowden don't beat Hearts). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince sinclair Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Sadly i can see Livi winning both their games Hearts and Hibs should be too strong for us and Alloa, so it would go to last game of the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Parr Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 The Alloa v Cowden match is shaping up to be a stoater. Nerve shredder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruoninga Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Rangers might go looking for goals against Falkirk if they will manage to get them on their backs early on. If they beat them Falkirk a large margin, they can still hold on to 2nd if they lose to Hearts the week after and Hibs draws with Falkirk (that is, if Hibs beat Alloa by a small margin the week before). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PELE Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Falkirk's last game against Hibs will be meaningless to them. They might not admit it, but they will naturally take it easier with a cup final to play in. The only way they will bust a gut is if they field a team of reserves looking to impress to sneak a place in the cup final line up. Sevco should have a tougher game against them, as they will probably take risks and go for goals in the hope that QoS slip up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Tennis Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Falkirk's last game against Hibs will be meaningless to them. They might not admit it, but they will naturally take it easier with a cup final to play in. The only way they will bust a gut is if they field a team of reserves looking to impress to sneak a place in the cup final line up. Sevco should have a tougher game against them, as they will probably take risks and go for goals in the hope that QoS slip up. So long as Queens do the necessary and secure 4th spot this weekend, I can see Falkirk offering very little against Hibs in the final week. In our last game in 2008, we played Dunfermline and lost 4-0. It was very apparent that nobody wanted to commit, and risk an injury or suspension that could cost them the biggest day of their lives. It was equally clear that nobody was remotely bothered about the result. It's not dishonest - it's entirely natural. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share Posted April 23, 2015 So long as Queens do the necessary and secure 4th spot this weekend, I can see Falkirk offering very little against Hibs in the final week.In our last game in 2008, we played Dunfermline and lost 4-0. It was very apparent that nobody wanted to commit, and risk an injury or suspension that could cost them the biggest day of their lives. It was equally clear that nobody was remotely bothered about the result.It's not dishonest - it's entirely natural.There were also only about two of the cup final side actually played 90 mins and one of them, McQuilken, played a different position. It was treated as a training exercise in reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.