The title race Gravesend v Canvey

[Guest]

The way things are going with both Gravesend and Canvey not letting up in the race for the title the two games between them coming up could be the only way to seperate them, soooooooo........who do you think will win them ?

Gravesend are playing some fantastic football this season and I see no reason why they cannot go on winning. I saw the CI v Northampton game on the TV and saw nothing to be greatly affraid of from Canvey BUT their form speaks for itself.

Obviously we are all biassed toward our own team but how about you people that have seen both teams this season ? <p>

[CANV EFM]

i dont think the 2 games will decide ii, also if aldershot beat us both in the upcoming games they are back in the frame.. i think it will be a war of attrition over the long, cold, wet winter and early spring months .. thats where i think we will beat you (hopefully ) as i dont believe your squad has the strength in depth of ours.. we have had a lot of injury problems to key players already this season (tilson bodley stimpson wardy gregory) but the team has still performed well,.. if you can stay injury free or do have the cover (i notice you bought in a striker on loan) then it could be a really exciting battle... i must admit i'd prefer a few more teams to be in with a chance at this stage, 2 horse title races can be bit boring

[cangull]

I really don't think anyone can rate us on the Northampton game, it was played under stressfull circumstances against Div 2 opposition, we did not play as well as most of the Ryman League games this season.

I agree that G & N are a good team but I would also agree with Canv regarding the squad strengths of CIFC, there is still a long way to go yet, many upsets can occur in the next few months and thats without the possible weather upsets.

[carjam]

Boxing day was a gret dissapointment for 'The Fleet'. Many fans were already at Purfleet when the game was called off, including myself. The postponment has given CI a six point cushion. One slip up now and they could fall out of touch. This weekend and BH sees both clubs playing Aldershot as well as Gravesend travelling to Chesham. This has to be 'The Shots' final chance. They need to win them both or its all up. I wouldent be surprised if they do. Somebody else said two horse races are dull. Its true. Perhaps the bubbles are about to burst. Canvey have had one or two close shaves recently and 'The Fleet' are looking a bit pushed squad wise lately and boggy pitches are not going to help them especially. Imsticking with my original 1-2-3 thats Aldershot-Gravesend-Canvey. Just hope im wrong. <p>Come On You Reds<p>Carjam

[CANV EFM]

the pressure to win every game at this stage of the season is unusual.. normally not losing is good enough in the derby games.. the pace C.I. and G and N are setting is hot!.. i still think the shots will be able to put pressure on later in the season and we all know that can make a difference.. we have had a result getting 23 games away before the turn of the year (1 point at the rec will suit me fine) jan is going to be windy and wet feb is gonna be cold.. i cant believe the purfleet game was scheduled for 11.00 am the big hotel casts a shadow over the pitch at this time of year another 2 hours of sun (well what sun the pitch there gets) may have made the difference.. anyway all teams have had more games than this time last season which is good

[Essy]

I think Canveys biggest fear has to be the cups. I can't see anyone beating them in the Trophy again and theyre already in the 3rd round of the FA Cup...theres a strong possibility Canvey could burn themselves out by the end of the season and hand it to someone else. At the moment we're best poised for that. <p>Although it didn't feel like it at the time that last minute goal at Huddersfield was maybe a blessing in disguise and personally (I know it sounds sick) I hope Histon beat us in the trophy. With a small squad like ours and little money in the bank, with our top scorer out for at least a month now, we need as little games as possible.<p>Aldershot could do it but its 14 points now which nearly 5 wins, I can't see us or Canvey dropping that many, we're halfway through the season and have only lost 4 between us. <p>Personally I couldn't call it, we're much understated in this league and anyone saying that (quoted from NLOTN) if Canvey win on saturday they've wrapped it up is wrong. I think it all hangs on those two games, January 8th could decide the season. <p>One last thing, the second game at our place on Febuary 2nd is the same day as the 4th round of the Trophy, that will most probably have to be arranged as well, probably towards the end of the season would could make for the biggest game of all!

[CANV EFM]

what do you reckon the crowd would be for G and N v C.I. last game of the season us needing a draw u needing a win to go up?

[Essy]

Last time we got promoted from what I think is now the Doc Martens eastern in 93 it was the last game of the season and (this was one of my 1st Fleet games so I'm a bit hazy) I think we needed to win to go up, it was pretty packed, about 2500 I'd say that day. <p>Add to that the fact that the opposition are the other team in the race, pretty local, plus its another division up...I'd say Canvey would bring about 500+ and the occasion would bring the fairweather Fleet fans out......around 4000 I'd think but not sure if we'd be allowed that much. Also add another 100/200 odd if Chartlton and Gillingham were both away, any other ideas?

[Guest]

I must say that if that is the offer (we need to beat canvey on the last day to go up) I would bite your hand off ! That would be a great position to be in for Gravesend.

Lots of talk of Aldershot and I agree that the next week will make or break their season.

Anyone from Ricay or Chesham ? Come on guys you have played us both, what do you think ?<p>

[Guest]

Personally, I think its now between Canvey and Gravesend (even if we beat both of you over the next week) although I suspect that Canvey will be 6-9 points clear by the end of the season since I suspect they have more strength in depth.<p>Anyway, good luck to both of you (after 1st January, of course) - you're both quality teams. Hopefully next year we will mount a serious challenge for the title.

[carjam]

Well there goes my long term prediction. Andy why arnt you watching Margate.<p>The Aldershot result is a great dissapointment to me and many nuetrals. If anybody was going to get a result against Canvey it had to be The Shots on there own ground. A draw for Gravesend at Chesham is very acceptable under normal circumstances. In any other league The Fleet would be well clear.

That result seems to be the end for Aldershot who will probably get a result at Stonebridge Rd. If CI carry on as they are there will be little point going on. The race could soon be over.

Goodnight<p>Car Jam

[Guest]

Yeah Gravesend are the first to stumble so the next few games are doubley important for them but Canvey have to keep the pressure on.

[SteveP]

I think Canvey are the better of the teams from my experience. There is a greater ability to turn draws in to wins. Fleet are certainly a good team, they have good ideas up front and a solid defence, Canvey have this too but the difference is in the attitude and belief of Canvey's team, whilst it isn't mathematical yet, I feel that Canvey will take this league and convincingly.<p>The next most likely scenario is a battle between Gravesend and Canvey. But I just can't see Canvey dropping points, even when they don't play that well, they still win.<p>I think the battle is now for second place and that is our target this season, that will be very tough!

[Cressing Toad]

Its almost as if Canvey toy with other teams for part of the game, then wake up to the fact they actually have to win the game, then proceed to Take their opponents apart,a style almost reminiscent to Man Utd.<p>With Gravesend dropping points, I'm even more convinced that CIFC will be a conference team next year. Which is a pity for the likes of Braintree and Billericay who can kiss a guaranteed 1000+ gate goodbye. In the respect of local games for IRON It'd be ok to see Stortford back in the prem.<p>Looks like heave-ho time for George Borg.<p>[ 30 December 2001: This message was edited by: Iron knob ]</p>

[Essy]

Obviously I'm biased towards my own team, but I still don't think you can write us off. At half time yesterday we were 5 points behind with 2 games in hand. Admittedly the full time scores tell a different tale but thats not the point.... Theres a big points gap now but we still have two games in hand, and if we win both (fairly likely) we'll still only be 2 points behind. I agree with canv on one thing though, the title will be decided over the next 2/3 months, I think by mid-spring we will have a winner, and, unfortunately if I had to put my money where my mouth is that would be Canvey, purely on strength in depth, as I beleive we can match them on any other level. <p>By the way, what on earth were you doing at half 4 in the morning Iron Knob?! <img src="graemlins/shocked.gif" border="0" alt="" />

[Cressing Toad]

Yeah Essy, I'm up again in the wee small hours. Actually I'm located in Australia most of the time, so hence the strange hours i keep. I hope Gravesend go up as well, if only to keep prestige for us in the Ryman, not to say Gravesend are not prestigious just Canvey have been causing the football world to sit up and take note in recent years.

[David Holden]

What may be helpful to us is playing Canvey just a few days after they have been to Burnley. <p>What ever the result up there, it may take a week for them to come down off their high.<p>Canvey don't have another league match until then so if we do our job properly, we will go there 2 points behind having played the same number of matches. <p>Even if we lose it's not all over, after all who would have thought that Canvey would lose at Croydon. It just shows that no matter how good you are yo can always slip up.<p>I can't see it being settled until after the match at our place. After that one of us will have our destiny in our own hands. Let's hope it's us <p>HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

[Captain Haddock]

To me the Burnley game is our 'Cup Final. Whatever the result Canvey will press forward for the League title. The squad has such quality in depth that there are (at the moment) only the welcomed headaches of team selection for JK to worry about - just wait for the players currently out injured to be available once again!. It also helps us that we are involved in all the other cup competitions, as all the squad seem to be getting a decent run out. Squad rotation is working out just fine at the mo. The only bad news would be adverse weather conditions affecting games, as this is, along with GNFC, our biggest possible threat.<p>BTW the slip up at Croydon happened when Canvey were not firing on all cyclinders - things have changed dramatically since then.<p>I do agree though that the points gap could easily be eaten away, but an exit from the FA Cup (if it happens) would only spur the Yellows on the more!.

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[Guest]

Having seen both Canvey and Fleet at Grays this season My vote must go to Canvey