National 1 Prediction league 2022 week 30

Well what a weekend that was:

Caldy turn up at the Rock and go home with the rewards, in what, having watched it, was a great game. Full praise for The Ravers but I'm not sure that sending off affected the game that much, Caldy lost their tight head for 10 as well at the time so the 15-14 advantage was only for 24 minutes of remaining time. I think the difference was and this is no slight on Park, Caldy rolled their sleeves up and wanted it more for the whole game. Park thought it was their given right to go into the Champ, throw it around at home, big crowd and come up trumps, the writing was on the wall for all to see a few weeks before when Rams came to the Rock and went toe to toe, that I would say was Caldy’s blueprint, gave Park no respect, see how they deal with that  and come away with the result. As said this is no slight on Park and just my view. Park are great when the suns out and they are playing at home or you never want to take a Friday night under lights offer, because that's when they are in their comfort zone, but when the going gets tough, the question is, are there enough players that really want it enough or just think its their right to win? I know what my answer is!

Look I also base my comments on the following facts. This is my view and I really don’t mean to upset anybody, but history does not lie. In 18/19 they were in the mix at the top with 5 games to go, went to Ampthill, thought just turning up was enough, gave up a 20 point lead in the last 15 minutes when Ampthill wanted it more and got turned over, out of the promotion running, battle was left to Ampthill and OEs to fight it out. In 19/20, Yes had a great Friday night win v Richmond in the last game of that season before it was cut short, which many dined out on all lock down, saying they should be in the Champ not Mond, because we would have caught them, but the reason they did not finish top was not lock down or the season being cut short, it was the loss at Chinnor and Plymouth the previous weeks, people forget that, two grounds where you got to roll you sleeves up and dig deep. They again  finished 3rd, behind Mond and Rams having been pre season favorites.

This year look at the results, lost 7 games, nobody has ever gone up losing that amount, but of those 7 all the sides I’d say have gone toe to toe with Park and not given them any respect and I think, yet again, they will finish 3rd. On paper, I would say they have the best squad in the league, especially with the addition of the players from OEs, they seem to add coaches at the drop of the hat, lot of press about  Redpath then the same with  O'Brain and over the last couple of weeks Danny Ward, money does not seem to be an issue, but I ask two questions, why are they losing 1/3 of their games with that infrastructure, to lose games at home on that pitch as well is not acceptable or should not be, its a massive home advantage, like no other side has in the league. What is better a side like Caldy that fight tooth and nail for every inch on the pitch together or a side that when it clicks look world beaters, but everything has to be going their way for it to click. 

Please any Park supporters don’t get upset because, I’ll say it again, it's not a slight its my view, but with the team sheets you can field you should have had this league done and dusted in Jan, not needing a 80 minute spin of a coin lottery at home, where anything can happed, which it did . That's 3 season's on the bounce, when they have had the most money to spend In the league, one if not the best squad's on paper and playing 50% of the games on plastic which is a massive advantage. It then In turn asks a massive question, what's is going wrong? because something very clearly is! Once is a mistake, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern…Park now have that monkey on their back they need to get rid of as well! 

Onto this week

Birmingham Moseley v Sale FC 0-5 Sale can smell 2nd spot and if Ealing win the court appeal a place in the Champ and like last week, they just don’t give up.

Blackheath v Rams 1-5 Rams will want this. Yes Club are back in trouble after another loss last week and they will be preying for a TJs win v Leeds this week, even the addition of Paul Volley to the staff won’t make any difference yet. Rams owe Blackheath one after the home loss in Nov, which still hurts as it was one of several poor home performances. On the road I think Rams will want to rock up and put the record books straight, which will not be good news for a very fragile club side

Caldy v Bishop's Stortford 5-1 My only worry is this could be after the Lords Mayors show. Stortford won’t give a to55 about Caldy position and will play. On paper Caldy should have too much but and its a big but, if they are not on the money, they will come unstuck in this game, Stort’s league position is not true reflection!

Cambridge v Taunton 5-2 Massive high scoring game. Cambridge to win but could be over 100 points in this game.

Chinnor v Rosslyn Park 1-5 Too little too late from Park. They will win this, but a few might be suffering from last weeks hangover and yet again this could be closer than it should!

Darlington Mowden Park v Plymouth Albion. 5-2 DMP at home and a long long trip for the 18 from Albi. Last weeks result for Alibi has given them a lot of hope to avoid the drop, but a some stage going light on players each week is going to come back to bite them, just because this is Nat 1 and the bench gets fully used, that's why you have 20.

Tonbridge Juddians v Leeds Tykes. 1-5 Big game for 2 clubs, Leeds and Blackheath. Leeds will have targeted this as the chance to close the gap and will still have 2 games in hand, Blackheath will be preying that TJs will help them out. 

As always my views, please don’t get upset,  I’m fully aware many don’t agree but it gives you something to think about.