2024/25 League Two Promotion Thread

[leedsvaliant]

So difficult to predict in my opinion. We weren't very good today but still undefeated in 2025. Win on Tuesday and it's 10 points from 12 in spite of those losing their heads on our forum. None of the teams are going to win every game, so no team should lose their heads when they drop points.

Bradford seem to be absolutely flying at the moment but injuries to their midfield could derail that. Donny are on a bit of a roll but looked very poor just over a month ago. We are a bit up and down performance wise but aren't getting beat, Walsall are very sketchy at the moment, Wimbledon look to be going through a bit of a poor spell, Crewe all of a sudden picked up but could easily drop off again. We've still got 14 games to go, and others have at least 12, still so much football to go. I don't think you can call it until about 5 games to go.

 

[GTFCfish]

He has always had a downer on us too.

Though he has thawed recently towards us.

He’s always loved us tbf even when we’re shit.

 

[GTFCfish]

Gabriel Sutton is a fucking whopper.

Cannot stand him, his shit hair and his shit voice.

Funnily enough Gab Sutton is how I imagine you to look.

Please tell me it’s true…..

 

[DearneValleyRover]

So difficult to predict in my opinion. We weren't very good today but still undefeated in 2025. Win on Tuesday and it's 10 points from 12 in spite of those losing their heads on our forum. None of the teams are going to win every game, so no team should lose their heads when they drop points.

Bradford seem to be absolutely flying at the moment but injuries to their midfield could derail that. Donny are on a bit of a roll but looked very poor just over a month ago. We are a bit up and down performance wise but aren't getting beat, Walsall are very sketchy at the moment, Wimbledon look to be going through a bit of a poor spell, Crewe all of a sudden picked up but could easily drop off again. We've still got 14 games to go, and others have at least 12, still so much football to go. I don't think you can call it until about 5 games to go.

We were good today but Newport were poor, the big thing in our favour is how big our squad is, no injuries and a luxury of being able to rest players

 

[Mighty_Bantam]

We were good today but Newport were poor, the big thing in our favour is how big our squad is, no injuries and a luxury of being able to rest players

Same with us.

Tuesday night will be our 12th game in 38 days. Averaging a game every three days for more than a month. We do have a few injuries but a squad seeing us through. I doubt there's many that have our depth and, touchwood, that is seeing us right at the moment.

Alexander has by and large rotated extremely well..

 

[Grimsby Road]

He’s always loved us tbf even when we’re shit.

Yeah he does he seems to have his likes and dislikes in terms of clubs ; seems a bit non-neutral on a lot of clubs to me for someone who's meant to be an objective pundit - i haven't listened to loads of his stuff just the odd league 2 podcast and in that 1 someone mentioned he completely skipped Vale out the promo race like they said .

 

[JJ1990]

91 - Predicted Champions
90 - Average Champions
89 -
88 -
87 -
86 -
85 -
84 -
83 - Predicted Automatics
82 - Average Automatics
81 -
80 -
79 -
78 -
77 -
76 -
75 -
74 - Predicted Play Offs
73 -
72 - Average Play Offs
71 -
70 -
69 -
68 -
67 - Walsall(34)
66 -
65 -
64 -
63 - Bradford(34)
62 -
61 - Doncaster(34)
-------------------------------------------------
60 -
59 -
58 - Notts County(33)
57 - AFC Wimbledon(33)
56 - Port Vale(32)
55 - Crewe Alex(34)
-------------------------------------------------
54 -
53 -
52 - Grimsby(33)
51 -
50 -
49 -
48 - Salford(33), Bromley(34)

Funny how quickly things can change in a week. From looking back in control of things last Saturday, Walsall pick up 1 point from 2 games and now the teams behind them are slowly closing the gap. 2 wins from 9 games now, are the wheels falling off? I suspect Tuesday will tell us for sure. Bradford move into 2nd after back to back away wins, which is just what they needed to support their incredible home form. Donny also close the gap after easily dispatching Newport at home.

Notts County rescue a draw at Fleetwood, but still need their firepower back quickly you feel. Wimbledon's lack of goals outside of Matty Stevens costs them as they lose to Bromley. What is it with them a local games, seem to remember they struggling against Sutton last season. Port Vale get a draw at managerless Tranmere and Crewe pick up a big away win at Chesterfield to open a gap to 8th and close up behind the 3 teams above them.

Outside of the play-offs, Grimsby get a solid draw at Cheltenham, but Salford continue to drop off the pack after another defeat from a winning position. They need to turn their form around and quick. Bromley stay 10th with that win at Plough Lane, which will make up for the disappointing defeat against Bradford on Tuesday.

Lots of teams behind Bromley trying to catch up, but have they left it too late?

1st - Walsall, 67 points, GD 26: Carlisle(A), Grimsby(H), Bromley(A), Gillingham(A), Wimbledon(H)
2nd - Bradford, 63 points, GD 16: Cheltenham(H), Gillingham(A), Tranmere(H), Colchester(H), Accrington(A)
3rd - Doncaster, 61 points, GD 11: Bromley(A), Swindon(H), Crewe(A), Salford(A), Carlisle(H)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th - Notts County, 58 points, GD 19: Barrow(H), AFC Wimbledon(A), Grimsby(A), Chesterfield(H), Crewe(H)
5th - Wimbledon, 57 points, GD 22: Morecambe(A), Notts County(H), Cheltenham(H), Carlisle(A), Barrow(H)
6th - Port Vale, 56 points, GD 8: Harrogate(H), Fleetwood(A), Colchester(A), MK Dons(H), Morecambe(H)
7th - Crewe, 55 points, GD 10: Fleetwood(H), Salford(A), Doncaster(H), Notts County(A), Port Vale(H)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8th - Grimsby, 52 points, GD -2: Tranmere(H), Walsall(A), Notts County(H), Salford(H), Newport(H)
9th - Salford, 48 points, GD 7: Swindon(A), Crewe(H), Chesterfield(H), Grimsby(A), Doncaster(H)
10th - Bromley, 48 points, GD 3: Doncaster(H), Tranmere(A), Walsall(H), Carlisle(A), Salford(H)

Forthcoming fixtures:

Tuesday 4th March
Bradford City v Cheltenham Town
Bromley v Doncaster Rovers
Carlisle United v Walsall
Crewe Alexandra v Fleetwood Town
Grimsby Town v Tranmere Rovers
Morecambe v AFC Wimbledon
Notts County v Barrow
Port Vale v Harrogate Town
Swindon Town v Salford City

Saturday 8th March
AFC Wimbledon v Notts County
Walsall v Grimsby Town
Doncaster Rovers v Swindon Town
Fleetwood Town v Port Vale
Gillingham v Bradford City
Salford City v Crewe Alexandra
Tranmere Rovers v Bromley

Big week coming up with a full set of midweek fixtures and then everyone back in action on Saturday. No real 6 pointers on Tuesday, but the promotion chasers have a mixed bag. Some look favourable, some not so much. Next Saturday looks a big one though with 3 big games.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Although we've lost the least amount in the division, because of Moore's small margin tactics, we draw too many games. We've won 2 games this season by more than 1 goal. That's pretty poor as a top 7 side. If at the end of the season, it works, then nobody will complain. But conversely, it will be mightily frustrating considering the players we have if we don't. I don't think we've put any team to the sword. We're great against the teams around us, as we can generally sit in shape, nick a goal and then retain that shape. If the onus is on us to win the game against inferior opposition, we tend to struggle as it's not in our tactical nature. I've said before, that not a single other team will pick us out as the best they've played.

As I said, there's still a long way to go. We've got 42 points to play for. But this low risk, grind it out football needs to work. Otherwise I can see criticism coming for the manager. People are already grumbling after today. We're not being helped by injuries to perhaps our 2 or 3 key players.

Ironically, this way of playing probably suits a playoff situation, where we can grind out low scoring games as we don't tend to lose many.

 

[クレイグ]

Tough game against Cheltenham at VP on Tuesday. Sam Stubbs can't play. Not sure if that's a good thing or not. Gillingham is a place we do well at. Four points would be a good return.

 

[FiRTHYY]

Tough game against Cheltenham at VP on Tuesday. Sam Stubbs can't play. Not sure if that's a good thing or not. Gillingham is a place we do well at. Four points would be a good return.

I think Sam’s been solid for Cheltenham this season - it’ll be a big loss for them.

They went toe-to-toe with us down there. Expecting a tough game.

 

[lordofthepies]

Chesterfield fans, is your number 5 (Grimes?) usually any good? He had a bit of shocker yesterday, the way he just watched the ball and let it bounce for our first goal was criminal and he was massively at fault for the chance Tabiner set up for Tracey too...

 

[Si Robin]

I think Sam’s been solid for Cheltenham this season - it’ll be a big loss for them.

They went toe-to-toe with us down there. Expecting a tough game.

It's a huge loss for us. He's been more than solid, he's on for player of the year.

Flynn's hinted at a back 3 on Tuesday, which will be interesting as we only have two fit centre-backs in Bakare and Bradbury available.

 

[spireite]

Chesterfield fans, is your number 5 (Grimes?) usually any good? He had a bit of shocker yesterday, the way he just watched the ball and let it bounce for our first goal was criminal and he was massively at fault for the chance Tabiner set up for Tracey too...

Nah he's wank, he was often found out in the league below tbh but we usually dominated games that much it didn't really matter. If everyone is available he probably doesn't reach the bench, but here we are. Honestly though at this stage I'd sooner use one of the kids, can't be much worse. He will almost certainly be one of the ones released come the end of the season.

it was interesting with Tom Naylor as well for me because he's played a lot at CB this year through necessity, but yesterday Cook would sooner register Ash Palmer who wasn't even a registered player and play him over Naylor, but then Metcalfe got in the midfield ahead of Naylor too then was hugely at fault for the 2nd goal and is nowhere near the same level of player, so I don't know if something as gone off there. Feels odd

 

[Dan Phillips]

Funnily enough Gab Sutton is how I imagine you to look.

Please tell me it’s true…..

Absolutely nothing like him in the slightest lol.

 

[GTFCfish]

Absolutely nothing like him in the slightest lol.

Damn it!
I think it's because you've got Luke Littler as your profile picture and I think he slightly resembles him like a younger Gab Sutton.

 

[leedsvaliant]

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

That'd be some going for you, particularly with the fixtures you have coming up! Your next 7 fixtures are Fleetwood, Salford, Donny, Notts, Vale, Grimsby & Bradford. Not impossible but you're basically playing a lot of the top 8 there. If you get 2nd from that you deserve it!

 

[FiRTHYY]

They’ll be shit loads of twists and turns - I wouldn’t rule anything out.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

We were further behind this time last year than Swindon are, who knows?

 

[lordofthepies]

That'd be some going for you, particularly with the fixtures you have coming up! Your next 7 fixtures are Fleetwood, Salford, Donny, Notts, Vale, Grimsby & Bradford. Not impossible but you're basically playing a lot of the top 8 there. If you get 2nd from that you deserve it!

A good chance to take points off loads of our rivals... Plus we've got key players coming back. In the space of about 2 weeks, we've gone from barely being able to put a team out to having depth in every position. If we can get Demetriou and Lankester back soon without losing any more players we'll be absolutely laughing.

Although to be honest, my prediction was mostly just a reaction to my soi-disant friend leaving us out of his top 7 predictions. I reckon it's 7 from 8 and they could finish in pretty much any order.

 

[Grimsby Road]

Want us to go up now the league up will be 15 games of localish one's This league next season will be dire for any sort of needle games . Only Chesterfield and Vale to bring any fans out of the whole league i reckon I'm just assuming Carlisle go , York don't go up and Bradford , Donny and Notts go up .

 

[Son of Cod]

We're literally the form team in the division lol? 5 wins and 3 draws in our last 8.

Two of those with ten men as well.

Yeah fair. I excluded you in that as I got the impression that you'd been better earlier on I the season so weren't necessarily peaking right now. In my defence, you lot always seem to be complaining about something or other so don't come across as the most positive set of fans.

Nah he's wank, he was often found out in the league below tbh but we usually dominated games that much it didn't really matter. If everyone is available he probably doesn't reach the bench, but here we are. Honestly though at this stage I'd sooner use one of the kids, can't be much worse. He will almost certainly be one of the ones released come the end of the season.

it was interesting with Tom Naylor as well for me because he's played a lot at CB this year through necessity, but yesterday Cook would sooner register Ash Palmer who wasn't even a registered player and play him over Naylor, but then Metcalfe got in the midfield ahead of Naylor too then was hugely at fault for the 2nd goal and is nowhere near the same level of player, so I don't know if something as gone off there. Feels odd

Grimes not being good enough was of course news that was broken by none other than myself well over a year before Chesterfield came up and it generally fell on deaf ears.

The question is, are any of the Chesterfield fans listening when I say once again that your golden boy Paul Cook is not the man for the job? What was he thinking saying your season was over a few weeks ago. Sounds like you've been on the beach since. You can't blame that one on being decimated by injuries. Got form for losing his head in the media, hasn't he?

 

[spireite]

Yeah fair. I excluded you in that as I got the impression that you'd been better earlier on I the season so weren't necessarily peaking right now. In my defence, you lot always seem to be complaining about something or other so don't come across as the most positive set of fans.


Grimes not being good enough was of course news that was broken by none other than myself well over a year before Chesterfield came up and it generally fell on deaf ears.

The question is, are any of the Chesterfield fans listening when I say once again that your golden boy Paul Cook is not the man for the job? What was he thinking saying your season was over a few weeks ago. Sounds like you've been on the beach since. You can't blame that one on being decimated by injuries. Got form for losing his head in the media, hasn't he?

I mean to be fair he's like, 5th choice at best, in a remotely ideal world he shouldn't be playing. I think Cook has got a bit wrong this season, but I mean, he/we've been desperately unlucky. I think this season was always going to be an adjustment one and go again next year though in fairness, I said that at the start. No voices of discontent with Cook yet, I think that would be extremely knee jerk and unnecessary.

 

[SaddlerJonny]

Congratulations on your title, Bradford. Fully deserved.

I've gone complete headloss if I'm honest.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Year of the stag last year, it now feels like year of the chicken this. Finally after 7 years of absolute garbage.

 

[Optipez]

Year of the stag last year, it now feels like year of the chicken this. Finally after 7 years of absolute garbage.

It's not year of the Magpie the way we're playing.

 

[Kauto Star]

Congratulations on your title, Bradford. Fully deserved.

I've gone complete headloss if I'm honest.

Still a long way to go mate. But cannot believe we've caught you up though.

 

[SaddlerJonny]

Still a long way to go mate. But cannot believe we've caught you up though.

Long way to go but you have the momentum, the squad and the talent.

We are a damp squib and a shadow of our former selves. It would take divine intervention for us to win the title now. Our squad is dead on it's feet and lacking any real quality in the forward areas and we are full of mistakes at the back. Only one way this is going.

 

[クレイグ]

Long way to go but you have the momentum, the squad and the talent.

We are a damp squib and a shadow of our former selves. It would take divine intervention for us to win the title now. Our squad is dead on it's feet and lacking any real quality in the forward areas and we are full of mistakes at the back. Only one way this is going.

I'm sure you'd just settle for promotion at this point, as would I. Title is a nice little bonus.

 

[Meadow]

I think we're out of this despite being full of confidence a couple of weeks ago. I still think we'll make the playoffs but we won't win them. Bradford's title, I think.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Yeah, Bradford just seem to have turned on the afterburners at the right time. Looks like they're finally getting their arse in gear and wouldn't surprise me if they ran away with it.

Walsall look to be spluttering over the line but because they got so many points at the start of the season, they are in a great position.

Notts and Wimbledon look to have hit a sticky patch. Donny once again winning a couple and then stuttering. Crewe with a dreadful result tonight and a really tough run to come.

Vale just don't look quite good enough. A top 3 team gets the win against a spirited but very limited Harrogate side. We've only beaten 2 teams by 2 or more goals all season, which just isn't conducive to going on a winning run. We look lost without Garrity and Stockley again. Byers should be the best player in the league but has been a disappointment in all honesty.

Still a long way to go but it seems that we're playing for playoffs at best.