2023/24 League Two Promotion Thread

[Tinpot and proud]

20 points from our 12 remaining would give 71 points which might be enough to sneak into the play-offs. So you're probably talking 6 wins, 2 draws or 5 wins, 5 draws.

As a quick breakdown we have to play:

Top 7 - Mansfield (a), Crewe (h), Barrow (h + a)
Middle Third - Wimbledon (a), Morecambe (a), Harrogate (a), Bradford (a)
Bottom 8 - Salford (a), Tranmere (h), Grimsby (h), Doncaster (h)

Even though Barrow are a top 7 side as it stands I don't think it's a bad thing we've got to play them twice still as they seem to starting to falter. Mansfield and Crewe obviously tricky games, although I don't expect Crewe's run of form to last forever and Mansfield might be home and hosed by the time we play them in the penultimate game. Of our fellow play-off chasers we only have away games left which is a bit annoying, but those three home games against Tranmere, Grimsby and Donny simply have to be three wins if we've got any chance.

On the flip side I’m happy we have to play you twice.....most teams are hot or cold for periods.....you lot have seemed consistently average.....and it’s good to plan against average as opposed to “are we getting a hot or cold team”.

 

[joethegill]

On the flip side I’m happy we have to play you twice.....most teams are hot or cold for periods.....you lot have seemed consistently average.....and it’s good to plan against average as opposed to “are we getting a hot or cold team”.

I don't blame you being ok with playing us twice either to be fair. We haven't been good enough all season to be a side that teams should necessarily fear, but the only thing consistent about us is our goalscoring record - our results have been all over the place.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

One thing for sure is that we will not be relegated this season and we are quietly going about our business and creeping up the division - we will certainly give it a go - Scott Linsdey certainly picked up some gems from the lower leagues and is steadily improving them - the latest recruit from the USA Jeremy Kelly in January is also beginning to show what a talent he is despite our supporters initially sceptical concern.

Really pleased that Scott is showing how good he is, had his share of troubles these past years.

 

[AdamStag]

Sky have selected Wrexham vs Mansfield for tv coverage on Easter Friday, not massively surprised.

Mansfield also on sky the saturday before at home to colchester.

 

[Tinpot and proud]

Sky have selected Wrexham vs Mansfield for tv coverage on Easter Friday, not massively surprised.

Mansfield also on sky the saturday before at home to colchester.

Quite a good game to represent the league on sky to be fair. The first one that is.....the Colchester one should come with a public warning to not use machinery or drive afterwards for awhile.

 

[AdamStag]

Quite a good game to represent the league on sky to be fair. The first one that is.....the Colchester one should come with a public warning to not use machinery or drive afterwards for awhile.

If finally honest i don’t think anyone really understood while we were chosen against colchester.

 

[Stocky]

We're on twice in March too, Salford and MK Dons games. Couldn't get a ticket for Salford so that's alright but MK Dons one is annoying as I don't know if I can go now with it being an evening kick off.

More often than not it's just irritating when you're on TV with moved kick off times, the whole nation seeing how shit you are etc.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Some of us haven't had a regular league game on TV for 16 years thankfully, although that'll certainly change next season...

And I'm not exaggerating either, Leeds beating us on a Monday Night in 2007-08 was genuinely the last regular league game we've had on TV.

 

[Conker]

16 years? Feels like we are on telly quite a lot last five years or so.

That’ll make it three times this season, plus a Carabao and FA Cup game each internationally.

Fortunately with the Wrexham game time being unchanged, and the Colchester one being at home it doesn’t affect me really, obviously prefer the latter to be at 3pm still.

 

[AdamStag]

16 years? Feels like we are on telly quite a lot last five years or so.

That’ll make it three times this season, plus a league and FA Cup game each internationally.

Fortunately with the Wrexham game time being unchanged, and the Colchester being at home it doesn’t affect me really, obviously prefer the latter to be at 3pm still.

Hopefully we win the 2 games on sky as easily as the stroll we had in the 1st.

 

[Indian Dan]

I think Bradford will sneak 7th

 

[Richard Cranium]

I think Bradford will sneak 7th

Dan is pissed

 

[クレイグ]

Dan is pissed

With a bit of ket chucked in.

 

[GTFCfish]

I’m staggered we haven’t been picked for tv this time round after our last feast of end to end football when they picked us away at Bradford.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

I’m staggered we haven’t been picked for tv this time round after our last feast of end to end football when they picked us away at Bradford.

A classic. Still think that maybe the worst game of professional football I’ve been to, crazy how both sets of fans had to put up with the embarrassment of it being on tv. Both teams looked like they were nursing some serious hangovers that day. Not expecting much in the return fixture either.

 

[jojo]

Playoff Race seems to be going to the wire with teams having games in hand

 

[Master D]

Crewe getting a reminder that just when you think you've cracked it there's always a surprise round the corner.

 

[Stocky]

Lee Bell locked himself in the dressing room. Media team knocking on and he's putting on a Woman's voice saying "who is it? Lee's not here" Massive twist in automatic race.

 

[Stocky]

Massive win for Grimsby. Doesn't matter how they come in a game that big. All about the 3 points.

 

[Spanishstag]

What a day soc must be happy as the proverbial nowt against fgr or chris but you have to love grimsby

 

[Spanishstag]

Crewe getting a reminder that just when you think you've cracked it there's always a surprise round the corner.

Yep george micheal said about the same

 

[AdamStag]

As you were today tbh.

the likes of walsall and gillingham popping into the top 7 shows basically literally anyone has a chance at the playoffs.

 

[saddler78]

As you were today tbh.

the likes of walsall and gillingham popping into the top 7 shows basically literally anyone has a chance at the playoffs.

Be a massive bonus if we could stay there we weren't really expecting it this season but it's there for us now whatever happens we've improved as the season has gone on which is what most of our fans wanted from the season .

 

[AdamStag]

Be a massive bonus if we could stay there we weren't really expecting it this season but it's there for us now whatever happens we've improved as the season has gone on which is what most of our fans wanted from the season .

If you do you do, it’s the 4th division we’re all shit down here

 

[JJ1990]

89 - Predicted Champions
88 - Average Champions
87 -
86 -
85 -
84 - Predicted Automatics
83 -
82 - Average Automatics
81 -
80 -
79 -
78 -
77 -
76 -
75 -
74 -
73 -
72 - Average Play Offs
71 - Predicted Play Offs
70 -
69 -
68 -
67 -
66 - Mansfield(34)
65 -
64 -
63 - Stockport(34), Wrexham(35)
-------------------------------------------------
62 -
61 - Crewe(35)
60 -
59 -
58 - MK Dons(35)
57 -
56 -
55 -
54 - Walsall(35), Gillingham(35)
-------------------------------------------------
53 - Barrow(33)
52 -
51 - Morecambe(34)
50 - AFC Wimbledon(35)

Mansfield keep their push for the title going with a good win at Newport and move 3 clear of Stockport, who didn't play. Wrexham are back in the top 3 after rescuing a point at FGR and then hammering Accrington. Crewe drop to 4th after collapsing from 2-0 up at home to lose 3-2 to Morecambe. MK Dons can't close the gap on the teams above them after a late defeat to Wimbledon. Gillingham and Walsall continue their pushes for the top 7 with wins over Accrington, Doncaster and Salford, whilst Morecambe and Wimbledon aren't far behind.

Barrow drop out of the top 7 thanks to not playing for 2 weeks. Their fixture backlog is going to be either a blessing or a curse for them depending on where they end up finishing.

1st - Mansfield, 66 points, GD 39: MK Dons(H), Swindon(H), Tranmere(A), Bradford(A), Colchester(H)
2nd - Stockport, 63 points, GD 29: Newport(H), Salford(A), Crawley(A), MK Dons(H), Forest Green(A)
3rd - Wrexham, 63 points, GD 19: Morecambe(A), Harrogate(H), Tranmere(H), Grimsby(A), Mansfield(H)
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4th - Crewe, 61 points, GD 15: Doncaster(A), Sutton(H), MK Dons(A), Wimbledon(H), Gillingham(A)
5th - MK Dons, 58 points, GD 10: Mansfield(A), Salford(H), Grimsby(A), Crewe(H), Stockport(A)
6th - Walsall, 54 points, 7 GD: Forest Green(A), Barrow(H), Colchester(A), Swindon(H), MK Dons(A)
7th - Gillingham, 54 points, GD -5: Barrow(A), Tranmere(H), Wimbledon(A), Grimsby(H), Morecambe(A)
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8th - Barrow, 53 points, GD 8: Gillingham(H), Colchester(H), Walsall(A), Harrogate(H), Newport(H)
9th - Morecambe, 51 points, -9 GD: Crawley(H), Wrexham(H), Newport(A), Salford(A), Gillingham(H)
10th - Wimbledon, 50 points, GD -3: Grimsby(H), Notts County(A), Gillingham(H), Newport(H), Crewe(A)

Upcoming Fixtures:

Tuesday 5th March
AFC Wimbledon v Grimsby Town
Barrow v Gillingham
Mansfield Town v Milton Keynes Dons
Morecambe v Crawley Town

Couple of tasty games for the promotion chasers. Mansfield go a long way towards securing a top 3 spot if they beat MK Dons in my opinion. Barrow will be desperate to play, but their rustiness against an improving Gills side will be interesting. Is the game even going to go ahead?

Wimbledon and Morecambe will fancy their chances at home. Good chance to close the gap on the top 7.

Saturday 9th March
Barrow v Colchester United
Doncaster Rovers v Crewe Alexandra
Forest Green Rovers v Walsall
Gillingham v Tranmere Rovers
Mansfield Town v Swindon Town
Milton Keynes Dons v Salford City
Morecambe v Wrexham
Notts County v AFC Wimbledon
Stockport County v Newport County

A mixed bag for everyone. Barrow, MK Dons, Gillingham, Mansfield and Stockport look to have favourable games against teams who aren't in the best form. Morecambe v Wrexham is an interesting one given both teams haven't been the best at home and away respectively.

Crewe and Walsall have trips to strugglers, which can go either way. Wimbledon away from home is a bit of a mystery as well.

 

[Master D]

Mansfield 5 points clear of 4th and with a game in hand. Even Clough must achieve promotion from that position.

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

As you were today tbh.

the likes of walsall and gillingham popping into the top 7 shows basically literally anyone has a chance at the playoffs.

Cheeky fucker

 

[AdamStag]

Cheeky fucker

Ha not meant like that, just how close it is

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Ha not meant like that, just how close it is

Agreed.
Mental that that there are still so many teams in with a chance.
Squeaky bum time as one little run of poor form can see you drop out of the picture.
Exciting end to the season for a lot of teams this year.
Special shout out to Scott Lindsay as I think most of us had Crawley down as relegation fodder this season.

 

[AdamStag]

Mansfield 5 points clear of 4th and with a game in hand. Even Clough must achieve promotion from that position.

There’s lots of twists and turns yet to come but there’s no denying that was a big win yesterday at an inform newport, especially coupled with MK losing last minute and crewe’s surprise loss to morecambe.

Even a draw on tuesday would take us 6 clear of crewe with a goal difference 24 better.

i can’t see any stand out team.