Chances of Podge Playing?

I think he should play at least for part of the game. Keep him match ready and after last Sat I think he would want to play and get back into scoring ways.

Play our strongest team and win the match,  they need to gel more on Saturdays evidence before the important games start, Hurst who dares wins.
We don`t need Tranmere in the equation.

Just imagine the ball runs away from Podge he slightly off balance goes for tackle and completely mistimes the tackle. Cheating Tranmere players surround the ref - Podge gets a straight red card and he's out the play offs. The same goes for Disley, Nolan, Nsiala, Tait - we should only play first teamers if they need a bit of game time - say Arnold or Gowling. It's just not worth the risk.

Or he might get hit by a bus.

I want to say we need to go full whack to get the second leg at home but the way we've struggled at home of late makes me wonder.

Newport played a weakened side against us 3 years ago on the final day and we ripped them apart.   They then proceeded to make easy work of us over the two legs.

3rd, 4th or 5th.  Wherever we finish we'll have to beat any two of the other three teams.  If we're good enough, we'll go up.  That's all there is to it.

I'd prefer to finish 3rd and be at home second, if I was Hurst deep down I'd want to match last season's final position. But it not worth risking major disruption to first team stalwarts for playoffs. He especially needs to keep an eye on positions we low in numbers in, then there's the regulars such as Disley who would definately benifit or are deemed too important.

I would rest him.Important games coming up and dont want to risk any injury now were in the play offs.Also hopefully the extra rest will give him that extra edge in the games coming up in the play offs

With McNulty at the back for the Trannies it might be worth giving Podge a rest and save him some lumps and bruises till the play offs.

If things aren't going their way in our game or at Braintree can see their players getting frustrated late on and the nasty tackles creep in.

My side on Saturday

Macca

East
Gowling
Pearson
Gregor

Jennings
Clay
Henderson
Arnold

Hoban
JP

Bench: Warrington, Straker, Bogle, Sunter, Venney

My selection would be all about the condition of players and protecting vital assets. My worry would be at centre back where both Gowling and Toto have been injured. I'd probably prefer not to play either, but that leaves us 1 short. I'd leave out Monkhouse on similar grounds too, to allow him better recovery. Hurst obviously sees him as vital. I'd rest Disley to freshen him up. Podge would be left out too to protect him from disgruntled and physical Tranmere defenders with a grudge, and Pittman would play with Hoban or Bogle. Not sure how injured Hoban has been, or how valuable he is. Nathan Arnold is an unknown (although obviously not to the manager) - does he need game time, or more recovery?

Nolan has played a lot of games in recent months and so has Tait.

You could make a good case for Clay, East, Pearson, Marshall, JPP, Bogle, Henderson, Hoban, Jennings, Robertson all needing some game time to get 'in the groove' and ready to be called upon.