www.altyfans.co.uk

Bolton's manager and his assistant have quit this evening.

If we don't take all three points tomorrow night, it won't quite be a disaster.....but it'll be pretty damn close. We're fortunate that we're only 5 points adrift after failing to win any of the first three games, so we could haul ourselves up the table with a string of decent results - and it has to start now.

I'd expect Josh Hancock to start in his usual role at the expense of Max Harrop, and Sean Williams for Simon Richman is the other possibility.

Nathan Arnold needs to come off the bench at some point, and show what he's really capable of, whilst Toby Mullarkey could have lots to offer. I can see him in a number of different roles, and I'd have slotted him into midfield for the last 20 minutes or so on Saturday when we were somewhat lacking in power in that department.

 Alfreton seemed to take advantage of a Blyth Spartans outfit who already look like relegation fodder, and a narrow defeat at Brackley, followed by a draw at home to Boston, suggests that they've improved since we shoved seven past them at their place last season.

I take us to win 2-1 (Hancock, Hulme) and to kick on from there. With a visit to Brackley up next we need to seriously boost confidence.

I'm quite looking forward to this - new ground for me, a team I know little about (but as they've just been promoted they're clearly not mugs), and hopefully a number of our players who feel they have something to prove after Saturday.

I hope to see Dontai Gabidon given another chance, and also the lad from Chester who wore the 3 shirt in the second half on Saturday.

It's important to get a professional performance under our belts, not least if we end up playing a "Blackpool XI" on Saturday that looks likely to be made up of juniors, program sellers, and the coach driver's nephew.

Awarded to Chorley at step 2 for this season. I'm not sure quite where queuing over three quarters of an hour, and then finding one of my cheeseburgers had no cheese on it, fits in with this accolade.

I also found it weird that they uncapped the drink bottles, making it virtually impossible to carry them in your pocket. Apparently it was in case the caps were used as missiles. Of course, nobody would dream of throwing the empty bottle !

For those of you who haven't worked it all out, these are the possibilities before Saturday's match at Ashton United :

1. We will finish in our present position of 5th, even if we lose, because we have a four point cushion over Blyth Spartans who are currently 6th.

2. If we win on Saturday, and Spennymoor lose across town at Curzon, we will finish 4th. Obviously, the latter is very unlikely. In any event we are definitely playing at home on Wednesday May 1st.

3. If we were to finish 4th we would play the team who finish 7th, but the more likely scenario would see us playing the team in 6th.

SO....who are the likely opposition ? There are three clubs in contention for 6th and 7th places ::

BLYTH SPARTANS are currently 6th, and finish at home to Southport. My money is on them to finish 6th, but it should be noted that their manager has already publicly stated that the board have told him they cannot afford promotion. He's been told to cut costs and recruit lower league players for next season. Morale may be low in consequence of that.

BRADFORD PARK AVENUE are 7th, and need to win away at Chorley. Since Chorley need to win to have any chance of pipping Stockport to the title, this is unlikely in the extreme. They also need to keep the margin of defeat down because they could still earn the last playoff spot if they lose....

....and AFC TELFORD also lose at York City. At the moment, Bradford are one goal better off than Telford, and have scored more goals.

I predict that the playoff first round games will be Alty v Blyth, and Spennymoor v Telford - but there are all sorts of possibilities in there.

SO.... let's assume that we can beat Blyth, and get into the semis. That almost certainly means a trip to Chorley. We would need to be at the very top of our game, but that match is winnable if we are.

In that case, we would earn the right to play at home in the final. BRACKLEY would be the most likely opponents, but I wouldn't rule out Telford if they sneak into 7th spot - they could be a threat to everyone.

The only real certainty is that there will be twists and turns galore along the way. Fasten your seatbelts - it's gonna be a bumpy ride !

....oh we do want to go to BARROW 

We should have won at their place, but for Hulme conceding a totally ridiculous free kick which our defence failed to deal with when it came high into the box.

I can see plenty of goals in this one, as I think they'll come out and play. We need to improve considerably from Saturday though. I advocated starting Ceesay in my original post, but having seen his cameo on Saturday I've binned that idea. If White is fit to start, I'd move Dens to right mid with JJ on the left, and Max on the bench.

I originally fancied the win, but now I'm not so sure.