2024/25 League Two Promotion Thread

[loz]

This is very true, which was why we had such a poor December. Missing Byers and Garrity, our Captain and vice Captain at the same time decimated us in a key area. Patching it up could only last so long and eventually we crumbled. It's no coincidence our form has turned since their return. By having Byers or Garrity available, we become a much much better team. Garrity out for a few weeks means we're all nervously praying nothing happens to Byers in that time.

We tend to get areas of the pitch where everyone just gets injured or sent off all of a sudden. Midfield wiped out December, the other week wing backs were either injured and / or suspended. Now it's our strikers injured or suspended.

But in the words of other posters on here..."no point crying about it".

To clarify WB, I know you're not crying, it's a topic worthy of discussion. It's frustrating seeing your best players out, and inevitably has you thinking, if only.

You've had loads of injuries but keep winning, Notts are supposedly playing poor but keep winning, Wimbledon have just conceded a goal so probably won't let another in for the next few games, Donny keep having purple patches, we keep winning at home so we'll see what the next week brings. Have any of us got finger nails left?

 

[jacobncfc]

I just think it’s going to be incredibly close for those two spots from five teams all the way through now. I don’t think there’s much to choose between any of us. Probably come down to who times a little run of wins right at the end of the season.

 

[1862]

As long as we stay in touch after we play Wimbledon, Grimsby, Chesterfield and Crewe over a 2 week span I think we've got a great chance. I suspect that might be a lot to ask though with the form everyone else is in

 

[Son of Cod]

If their is anyone in this division playing better than Sarcs right now then he is a hell of a player.

Yep you're correct, he certainly is one hell of a player...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1893369408409518548

 

[Son of Cod]

I just think it’s going to be incredibly close for those two spots from five teams all the way through now. I don’t think there’s much to choose between any of us. Probably come down to who times a little run of wins right at the end of the season.

Yep, and therein lies the reason that there's only really a single playoff place up for grabs. Really can't see the current top 6 not being the final top 6, just the order that needs sorting out.

 

[leedsvaliant]

I just think it’s going to be incredibly close for those two spots from five teams all the way through now. I don’t think there’s much to choose between any of us. Probably come down to who times a little run of wins right at the end of the season.

We need to get our run of wins in March, because April looks a lot more difficult. If we win 5 or 6 of the 8 games in March then we should be in a good place. We've got to target wins at home to Harrogate, Morecambe, MK Dons and Barrow. The latter 2 will be playing for nothing really. Colchester away suddenly looks much tougher and Tranmere might trip us up if we're not on it. Fleetwood looked good when I watched them the other night, but have they got anything to play for? Crewe to round the month off....they've got a really tough run of fixtures coming up, so could be well in the hunt or completely out of it by then.

 

[Pie and chips]

March looks tricky for notts with Wimbledon (a) Chesterfield (h) crewe (h) and games against barrow and Newport throw in as well if we can pick up some decent points there we could have a chance going into the final month of the season getting a auto spot. our last 4 games of the season are
Bradford (a) Cheltenham (h) Harrogate (a) donny (h) the game with donny could be winner takes all match

 

[jacobncfc]

March looks tricky for notts with Wimbledon (a) Chesterfield (h) crewe (h) and games against barrow and Newport throw in as well if we can pick up some decent points there we could have a chance going into the final month of the season getting a auto spot. our last 4 games of the season are
Bradford (a) Cheltenham (h) Harrogate (a) donny (h) the game with donny could be winner takes all match

Chesterfield and Crewe are the ones I’m really looking at there. A point at Wimbledon would be a fantastic result with their home record, but home games against decent teams but ones a bit below you in the table are ones we have to find a way to win if we want top three.

 

[Dan Phillips]

Only Doncaster and Notts concern me.

Can do without the play-offs - have to aim for Auto’s.

Bit of a weird take that one.

They're the only two I'm not worried about.

 

[FiRTHYY]

Bit of a weird take that one.

They're the only two I'm not worried about.

Matter of opinions, isn’t it.

Donny are the only team to beat us at VP. Notts seem to spank us everything we play ‘em.

 

[FiRTHYY]

 

[pontoonlew]

We’ve won 4 in a row but it doesn’t really feel like we’ve made up much ground, we’ve just simply separated ourselves from the rest of the pack behind us.

We’re definitely a different force since the Gillingham game, but it does feel a lot like the teams above us aren’t going to allow us much of a slip up between now and the end of the season.

Win the next 2 and pick up 4-6 points v Notts, Salford & Walsall and we’ll be in a fantastic position.

 

[jacobncfc]

Matter of opinions, isn’t it.

Donny are the only team to beat us at VP. Notts seem to spank us everything we play ‘em.

You just don’t see other teams enough of the other teams to be able to make a proper judgment. We’ve been pretty poor against Vale twice, so wouldn’t expect one of their fans to be that worried about us, while we have some sort of weird Indian sign over you lot at the minute and seem to hammer you every time. Wimbledon were pretty dreadful when we played them but are clearly a good team.

There’s a reason there’s five teams basically exactly level this far into the season. Very little to choose between them.

 

[kieran_vale]

You just don’t see other teams enough of the other teams to be able to make a proper judgment. We’ve been pretty poor against Vale twice, so wouldn’t expect one of their fans to be that worried about us, while we have some sort of weird Indian sign over you lot at the minute and seem to hammer you every time. Wimbledon were pretty dreadful when we played them but are clearly a good team.

There’s a reason there’s five teams basically exactly level this far into the season. Very little to choose between them.

Wouldn’t say you were poor against us at all. Moved the ball nicely just didn’t have much cutting edge and when it came for a plan B there didn’t seem one.

I’m very certain there isn’t any club we’ve played this season who would have said we looked the best (or even close) team but we grind out results and if we get a lead against someone it’s rare now we’ll lose the game. Some like Grimsby would be amazed we’re even in the playoff conversation given our lousy performance there.

 

[Optipez]

As long as we stay in touch after we play Wimbledon, Grimsby, Chesterfield and Crewe over a 2 week span I think we've got a great chance. I suspect that might be a lot to ask though with the form everyone else is in

We've got to keep winning because everyone else looks like they're going to keep winning. At some point very soon we need to get a result against at least one of the top six. We just aren't going to go if we don't pull a couple out the bag.
That's why I think it's top three or bust, we don't look likely to play 3 win 2 and draw 1 in the playoffs.

 

[bantamjay]

I think this week will tell us a lot as to whether we can be serious about top 3 or not.

If we can get at least 4 points going into the home game next Tuesday, I think confidence will be sky high.

The thing that seems apparent to me is the bloody determination that Alexander seems to have instilled in this squad that’s been lacking for so long. Streetwise, ruthless and hard working. Counts for a lot at this level.

It is however, nice to be discussed in this thread and not as one of the perennial underachievers for once! (So far anyway!)

 

[GTFCfish]

Some like Grimsby would be amazed we’re even in the playoff conversation given our lousy performance there.

On the same train of thought I’m sure Notts County fans must be scratching their heads seeing us just a point outside the play offs with a game in hand.

 

[Grimsby Road]

On the same train of thought I’m sure Notts County fans must be scratching their heads seeing us just a point outside the play offs with a game in hand.

We are a different team now tbf but I do agree to a point - every team bar Walsall are wildly inconsistent to a point - us and Bradford are a fair summary imo battered them at our place thought we looked a better side , they battered us at there's and I thought they were by far the better side ; I guess maybe that's league 2 for you maybe ?

 

[Kauto Star]

I think Bradford will win the Play Offs at Wembley, personally.

Id take a re-run of the 3rd tier play off final of 1996 and beat Notts County again.

 

[Kauto Star]

Pattison is better than Sarcevic, although he’s not far behind at the moment. But they’ve certainly been our top two in recent months. Both missed 3 months of the season earlier in the season, our record is ridiculous with those two in the side. I think we’d be above Walsall and away had they been fit all season. For all the clubs who’ve gone on about injuries on here, for me it’s not always about the number of injuries but who they are. Our injuries forced us to have no midfield and no control on any game for 3 months, plus think we had 10 out at one stage, we’ve certainly already had our fair share of bad luck so hopefully no more.

I love both Pattison and Sarcevic, and they are both vital to our chances of promotion. If they hadn't have both missed 3 months of the season each, then I reckon we would head the table now.

Personally I think Sarcevic just edges it for me as our best player. He is so classy for this level and the more all round player in my opinion.

Let's hope they can both stay fit for the rest of the season as Graham Alexander manages their minutes during this very hectic spell of matches.

 

[JJ1990]

I love both Pattison and Sarcevic, and they are both vital to our chances of promotion. If they hadn't have both missed 3 months of the season each, then I reckon we would head the table now.

Personally I think Sarcevic just edges it for me as our best player. He is so classy for this level and the more all round player in my opinion.

Let's hope they can both stay fit for the rest of the season as Graham Alexander manages their minutes during this very hectic spell of matches.

If we had Jack Lankester and Chris Long fit for the whole season, we'd be in the top 3 right now. Walsall might be 15 points clear right now had Nathan Lowe stayed. Where would Notts County be with Jodi Jones and David McGoldrick playing more? Wimbledon with Jake Reeves, Port Vale with George Byers and Ben Garrity, Grimsby with Jordan Obikwu, you could do this all day.

I get what you're saying, but I feel it's a null and void point given every side can say the same thing about some of their better players missing chunks of the season.

 

[Son of Cod]

If we had Jack Lankester and Chris Long fit for the whole season, we'd be in the top 3 right now. Walsall might be 15 points clear right now had Nathan Lowe stayed. Where would Notts County be with Jodi Jones and David McGoldrick playing more? Wimbledon with Jake Reeves, Port Vale with George Byers and Ben Garrity, Grimsby with Jordan Obikwu, you could do this all day.

I get what you're saying, but I feel it's a null and void point given every side can say the same thing about some of their better players missing chunks of the season.

Good job the Chesterfield fans are no longer reading this thread otherwise they'd definitely be piping up about being missed off that list.

 

[spireite]

Good job the Chesterfield fans are no longer reading this thread otherwise they'd definitely be piping up about being missed off that list.

I actually saw it right away but it took me that long to type all the injured names in my angry response that you beat me to the punch.

 

[GTFCfish]

You lot go on about your injuries but we've currently got Rekeil Pyke our injured which has fucked up any chance we had of doing anything.

 

[FiRTHYY]

Our form since those horrendous 5 mins at Notts in December is quite remarkable.

In all comps:

Port Vale 2-1 —WIN
Chesterfield 2-1 —WIN
Barrow 2-2 —DRAW
Grimsby 3-1 — WIN
Carlisle 1-0 —WIN
Villa u21 3-1 — WIN
Walsall 3-0 — WIN
Morecambe 1-0 — WIN
Wimbledon 1-0 — LOSS
Harrogate 1-0 — WIN
Accrington 1-0 — WIN
Rotherham 1-0 — WIN
Newport 0-0 — DRAW
Birmingham 2-1 LOSS
MK Dons 2-0 — WIN
Bromley 1-0 — WIN

P:16 - W12 - D:2 - L2

Scored: 24
Conceded: 8
Clean sheets: 9


We’ll get battered 5-0 at Salford at the weekend, just you watch.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Think we're probably likely to finish 5th/6th. Doesn't feel like we're quite polished enough or ready for automatic promotion. We never tend to absolutely wipe the floor with teams, which is likely to lead to a few narrow defeats.

We would, however, be very tough opposition in the playoffs. As Notts can probably testify, we're pretty good at those small margin victories, which are ideal for playoff games.

A lot of our fans would be unhappy, but not many teams go straight back up and I'd love another day out at Wembley.

 

[PaulHaddock]

March will determine if we have a chance of making the playoffs. 3 hard games against Cheltenham, Walsall and Notts County. 3 possibly tricky games against Salford, Colchester and Newport and a wildcard against Tranmere now Adkins is gone. Anything more than 12 points would be an excellent return but February is the only consistency we’ve shown all season.

Even if we were to make the playoffs, our defence just can’t hold its shit together long off for us to look a really decent side. As our goal difference shows, we rarely dominate games. We showed we can play well against the better teams (Donny) but need more of an idea of where we are compared to the top 7 and those 4 days where we play Walsall and Notts are going to tell us a lot.

You imagine Jodi Jones will be back fit and raring to go as he loves playing us it seems. My head says that will be a long week for us. As much as I’m not sure about him, having Obikwu back for then would be great as his goal record is fantastic.

 

[Son of Cod]

March will determine if we have a chance of making the playoffs. 3 hard games against Cheltenham, Walsall and Notts County. 3 possibly tricky games against Salford, Colchester and Newport and a wildcard against Tranmere now Adkins is gone. Anything more than 12 points would be an excellent return but February is the only consistency we’ve shown all season.

Even if we were to make the playoffs, our defence just can’t hold its shit together long off for us to look a really decent side. As our goal difference shows, we rarely dominate games. We showed we can play well against the better teams (Donny) but need more of an idea of where we are compared to the top 7 and those 4 days where we play Walsall and Notts are going to tell us a lot.

You imagine Jodi Jones will be back fit and raring to go as he loves playing us it seems. My head says that will be a long week for us. As much as I’m not sure about him, having Obikwu back for then would be great as his goal record is fantastic.

I think the problems you've outlined are more representative of our season as a whole, which is sound logic but I don't think it paints a true picture of where we're at. Since we've switched to wing backs none of the criticisms really hold up. The defence has generally been very good in the last few matches, our goal difference is +5 and we've dominated every match. I fully admit that is a small sample size in comparison to the rest of the season, however what I would also say is that there are only two teams in the top eight who are currently playing their best football of the season and that's us and Bradford. Not only that but we've got individual players in every area of the pitch also playing their best football of the season. Wright (cock up against Fleetwood aside), Rodgers, JDS, Hume, McEachran, Rose and Obikwu are all peaking right now. The decent performances are becoming more frequent, which is what Artell said would happen.

We're also one of two or three clubs in the top eight probably not under significant pressure to go up, the others being Crewe and maybe Wimbledon. Of the current top six three are going up automatically and the other three are going to be facing late heartbreak which will be carried into the playoffs, whereas whoever snags 7th place is gonna be buzzing.

I full expect us to dip again at some point, mind you. However, I think we'll bounce back quicker when we do now. I think we've steadily progressed as the season has gone on whereas the vast majority of the division seems to have hit varying degrees of plateaus and downward trajectories and seem to be limping over the line.

 

[Son of Cod]

Come on then everyone. Let's hear what you're saying. Top 7 predictions...

1. Walsall
2. Bradford
3. Port Vale
4. Wimbledon
5. Notts
6. Donny
7. Grimsby