Here the CT have compiled some info on our rivals;
Crewe Alexandra
Cock-a-hoop after putting the Sky Blues to the sword, The Alex remain a place behind City on the same points (52) but with a -31 goal difference which means they need three points against Bradford at Gresty Road to guarantee their status.
And confident boss Steve Davis says he’s “excited” by the prospect of Sunday’s game, insisting he’ll pick his team based on the desire and character his players show in training.
“They are all different characters and people with different temperaments, they react to situations differently and you have to look at that and pick up on their body language in the week,” he said.
Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis
“You have to know their coping mechanisms in training leading up to the game and that could reflect the team come Sunday. Some might be finding it difficult and some might be enjoying the situation. I want them all to enjoy this week and having every bit of concentration on Sunday and what’s required.
“Some will say it’s not exciting because of what’s at stake but for me it is exciting. Obviously we’d like to be safe but you take the difficult days and good days in your stride and it makes you a better, stronger person and character and that’s what I want the young players coming through to be.”
Notts County
The Magpies have 50 points and are sitting one place outside the drop zone. They need to beat Gillingham away to guarantee their safety and not rely on others slipping up below them.
Former Sky Blues full-back Blair Adams on a buoyant County camp after their weekend victory over Doncaster Rovers, said: “The effort from the team was incredible, each player chased down every ball giving that extra yard both defensively and offensively to make sure we got the three points on the board.
“It was a superb result in front of an electric atmosphere for the final home game. But it is only half the job done and we’re working on a game plan to enable us to complete the season on a high.”
Jim O'Brien and Notts County's Blair Adams challenge for the ball
Adams sees Sunday as an opportunity to make club history and gave an insight into Coventry’s last day opponents’ strengths.
“There is no doubt the final game of the season is massive and I am sure it will be the biggest game of many of the players’ careers to date,” he said, “but that’s something to thrive on.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to be part of another dramatic finale in Notts County’s history.”
He added: “It is crucial that we learn from our mistakes against Crawley in our last away game. We didn’t start the game full of energy and resilience and leaked two goals from set-pieces early in the first half which allowed Crawley to sit back and protect their lead and we struggled to break it down.
“We had a ruthlessness in front of goal against Doncaster so if we can replicate that on Sunday and get another early goal it will hopefully fire us to another victory. One last monumental effort from all involved at Notts County should be enough.”
Crawley Town
City’s opponents also have 50 points but sit just inside the bottom four by virtue of their goal difference and need to take three points to guarantee they remain in League One.
Manager Dean Saunders is drawing on people power, urging the whole town to get behind the Reds and asked fans to send in motivational messages for the team, which will be displayed on the changing room walls, insisting: “it could make all the difference.”
Saunders said: “We need to go out there and win. I’m not talking about anything else with the players apart from winning.
“There might be a scenario where both teams could get away with a draw, but unless it’s late on and we are drawing, I won’t be looking at the other results.”
Crawley Town manager Dean Saunders
He added: “We haven’t got tens of thousands of supporters but we have got good, hardcore supporters.
“We need the whole town to rally together. We all need to jump in the boat and row in the same direction. The fans have definitely got us some results at home already this season with their hostile atmosphere. Our fans can make the difference.”
Colchester United
The U’s – third from bottom on 49 points – have to win and manager Tony Humes appears to be feeling the pressure as he prepares his side to face Preston who travel to Essex with all guns blazing to secure automatic promotion to the Championship.
“I’ve never been through anything like this before, even as a player,” he said.
“It’s difficult and it’s tough but we have to keep going. If you look at the experiences that a young player like Alex Gilbey has been through over the last three years, you’d expect him to be stronger as a player and a person.
Colchester United manager Tony Humes
“It’s the same for the likes of Sammie Szmodics and Tom Lapslie, who have come through this year. It’s been very difficult for them so you’d like to think that next season, they’ll be a lot better off for it.”
Leyton Orient
Second bottom Orient (48 points), who have to go to high flying Swindon and win and rely on the three sides directly above them to slip up, are the April fools who are virtually resigned to relegation after believing they’d got the job done with a 1-0 victory at the Ricoh on the first of the month.
Manager Fabio Liverani believes his team subconsciously felt they had achieved safety after the win at Coventry, since when they have failed to win in six matches.
The Italian boss has taken responsibility for allowing his players to think the job was done, saying: “I think one of the things I could have done better and I take all the responsibility for this is maybe I haven’t transmitted to the players the fact we haven’t achieved safety after reaching 45 points after being Coventry.
Leyton Orient manager Fabio Liverani
“Nothing was done yet. We were not safe and maybe we lost our guard a bit. In the last few games we couldn’t manage to make points that would have kept us in a better position in the league.
“Maybe subconsciously we thought we had achieved the final goal of the season. But goals have to be achieved first before to be celebrated.
“We still have a chance but it’s not in our hands anymore.”
