2024/25 League Two Promotion Thread

[jacobncfc]

A bit of a blow on our injury front today.

Sarcevic ruled out for a few weeks due to the hamstring injury picked up at Salford last weekend.

Pattison's illness turned out to be him having his appendix removed, so again, ruled out for a few weeks

Pointon needs to rest a bruised foot for a couple of weeks.

Richards ruled out for the season requiring surgery for hamstring and shoulder injuries.

Count yourselves lucky you have timeframes - we leave a player out as a ‘precaution’ and they’re not seen again for two months.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Fair play to Bradford. Looked absolutely gash at our place in December but have turned it around. Also had at least as many injuries to key players as the rest of us have spent our lives whinging about. I assume it’s fair to say the other lads have stepped up.

It’s all about the squad and making it more than the sum of its parts.

 

[Kauto Star]

Fair play to Bradford. Looked absolutely gash at our place in December but have turned it around. Also had at least as many injuries to key players as the rest of us have spent our lives whinging about. I assume it’s fair to say the other lads have stepped up.

It’s all about the squad and making it more than the sum of its parts.

We always look gash against your lot for some strange reason, apart from the 1996 play off final of course.
We have taken some right beatings from you over the years since then.

 

[Son of Cod]

Oh yea proper annoyed at the down turn in form. I don't think there's a team in this land that could lose their top 3 scorers, and their entire defence and still maintain a top 3 charge in fairness though. What has annoyed me is how we've gone about trying to replace those, it's obviously not been good enough and we've been left having to field players who weren't really getting a game last season, nevermind this, which seems to be why we've dropped like a stone. I don't really blame Cook for not trying to fix everything in that January window though, it was mostly short term sticky plasters that haven't worked.

I don't recall Cook saying that exact thing but he's got an unfortunate habit of saying way too much to the media at times, which is why he uses Webb basically as a spokesperson so it's entirely possible he did.

I reckon he's got enough credit in the bank here to have at least the summer, get the decks clear, have a rebuild and let's go again. If we are sat in the same position after that then there might be a few queueing to sharpen the axe

Yeah fair mate. I think it's much easier to find those sticky plasters at NL level than it is L2. People talk about on pitch not being that different between the levels and I tend to agree on that, however recruitment is generally much easier down there. If you come up with too many seeing out the last year of a deal that was probably a year to long down there then that also won't help. You can also really stitch yourself up at this level getting away with Jan madness whereas if a Town (both of us), Stockport, Notts, etc. puts a bit of money into in the NL in Jan chances are you'll see an upturn. Perhaps Cook, a bit like Artell in this window, hasn't really seen anything that would take his fancy in the immediate upturn market and he's thought that what he had could limp along and he was just pissed off that it didn't work out like that. I'd be wanting him to keep a lid on it though for sure.

 

[loz]

Fair play to Bradford. Looked absolutely gash at our place in December but have turned it around. Also had at least as many injuries to key players as the rest of us have spent our lives whinging about. I assume it’s fair to say the other lads have stepped up.

It’s all about the squad and making it more than the sum of its parts.

We had a good January window and now have the back up that hopefully will get us over the line. However, if our replacements get injured, we are likely to be struggling. We still have Jamie Walker who is one of the cleverest players in the division. It is imperative we now keep him fit.

 

[spireite]

Yeah fair mate. I think it's much easier to find those sticky plasters at NL level than it is L2. People talk about on pitch not being that different between the levels and I tend to agree on that, however recruitment is generally much easier down there. If you come up with too many seeing out the last year of a deal that was probably a year to long down there then that also won't help. You can also really stitch yourself up at this level getting away with Jan madness whereas if a Town (both of us), Stockport, Notts, etc. puts a bit of money into in the NL in Jan chances are you'll see an upturn. Perhaps Cook, a bit like Artell in this window, hasn't really seen anything that would take his fancy in the immediate upturn market and he's thought that what he had could limp along and he was just pissed off that it didn't work out like that. I'd be wanting him to keep a lid on it though for sure.

I think the lack of a squad limit helps as well at NL level. If some signings don't work, or come in and instantly get injured, just get some more. Plus no transfer window. You can't really do that in L2 due to the 22 man limit. You're kind of stuck with what you've got to an extent, only in exceptional circumstances can you unregister a player. It's been disappointing since Christmas though hasn't it and Cook has to take some blame. For sure I'd be at least playing a back 5 just to sure up a bit at the back, but Cook will do that about when hell freezes over.

 

[mozzavale]

Haven't won a Saturday 12.30 match on Sky yet this season, so absolutely buzzing that Crewe and now Walsall are confirmed Saturday 12.30 matches. Think Sky and the PGMOL have got together to conspire against us ;-)

 

[Grimsby Road]

Yeah fair mate. I think it's much easier to find those sticky plasters at NL level than it is L2. People talk about on pitch not being that different between the levels and I tend to agree on that, however recruitment is generally much easier down there. If you come up with too many seeing out the last year of a deal that was probably a year to long down there then that also won't help. You can also really stitch yourself up at this level getting away with Jan madness whereas if a Town (both of us), Stockport, Notts, etc. puts a bit of money into in the NL in Jan chances are you'll see an upturn. Perhaps Cook, a bit like Artell in this window, hasn't really seen anything that would take his fancy in the immediate upturn market and he's thought that what he had could limp along and he was just pissed off that it didn't work out like that. I'd be wanting him to keep a lid on it though for sure.

Still think we need to enquire about that Grimes from Chesterfield , even if he's crap juat imagine all the things that can be done with his name 'Grim outlook' 'Grimesby destroyed ' etc etc

 

[SaddlerJonny]

We aren't going up. We're gonna get knocked out in the play offs with a whimper.

 

[クレイグ]

We aren't going up. We're gonna get knocked out in the play offs with a whimper.

Us versus you in the playoffs. Penalties.

 

[クレイグ]

Trying to predict our remaining games.

Tranmere - W
Colchester - L
Accrington - W
Vale - D
Crewe - W
Swindon - D
Notts - L
Chesterfield - D
Donny - D
Fleetwood - W

Return of 16 points which would see us finish on 82 points. Should see us automatically promoted, I think...

 

[kieran_vale]

Frustrating few games for us. Haven’t lost any of them but certainly left with the feeling of thinking we should have been doing more from them. Got about as tough a game as you can get in L2 coming up midweek now at Colchester who I think are right in the playoff mix now.

 

[JJ1990]

90 - Average Champions
89 -
88 -
87 - Predicted Champions
86 -
85 -
84 -
83 -
82 - Average Automatics
81 -
80 -
79 - Predicted Automatics
78 -
77 -
76 -
75 -
74 - Predicted Play Offs
73 -
72 - Average Play Offs
71 -
70 -
69 -
68 - Walsall(36)
67 -
66 - Bradford(36)
65 -
64 -
63 -
62 - Doncaster(36)
61 -
-------------------------------------------------
60 - AFC Wimbledon(35)
59 -
58 - Notts County(35), Port Vale(34)
57 -
56 - Crewe Alex(36)
-------------------------------------------------
56 - Grimsby(35)
55 -
54 -
53 -
52 - Colchester(35)
51 - Bromley(36)

Here we go then, into the final 10, well for some of the teams anyway. Walsall continue to stutter and lose form and their gap to Bradford is down to 2 points after their home defeat against Swindon. Bradford though miss the opportunity to go top after losing at Gillingham. Their away form remains an issue. Donny also can't close the gap after losing at Bromley and then throwing away a 2-0 home lead against Swindon to only draw.

Wimbledon were the only side in the play-offs to win as they beat Notts County at home. Like Bradford though, their away form is a concern. The Pies are losing form as their better attackers remain sidelined. Patience running out with Maynard you sense. Port Vale and Crewe both had mixed weeks, with only 2 and 1 point(s) recorded respectively.

Closing in behind them are the chasing pack. Grimsby brush aside a disappointing home draw with Tranmere to beat Walsall and they're now outside the play-offs on goal difference. Also closing in on are new entrants Colchester, who have seemingly timed their best form to perfection. Bromley remain in the hunt, but losing to Tranmere is a blow for them.

1st - Walsall, 68 points, GD 24: Bromley(A), Gillingham(A), Wimbledon(H), Doncaster(A), Port Vale(H), Barrow(A), Harrogate(H), Newport(A), Accrington(H), Crewe(A)
2nd - Bradford, 66 points, GD 18: Tranmere(H), Colchester(H), Accrington(A), Port Vale(A), Crewe(H), Swindon(A), Notts County(H), Chesterfield(A), Doncaster(A), Fleetwood(H)
3rd - Doncaster, 62 points, GD 10: Crewe(A), Salford(A), Carlisle(H), Walsall(H), Cheltenham(A), Wimbledon(H), Tranmere(A), Colchester(H), Bradford(H), Notts County(A)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5th - Wimbledon, 60 points, GD 23: Cheltenham(H), Carlisle(A), Barrow(H), Walsall(A), Swindon(A), Harrogate(H), Doncaster(A), Chesterfield(H), Gillingham(A), Port Vale(H), Grimsby(A)
4th - Notts County, 58 points, GD 16: Grimsby(A), Chesterfield(H), Crewe(H), Newport(A), MK Dons(H), Colchester(A), Salford(H), Bradford(A), Cheltenham(H), Harrogate(A), Doncaster(H)
6th - Port Vale, 58 points, GD 8: Colchester(A), MK Dons(H), Morecambe(H), Barrow(H), Crewe(A), Bradford(H), Walsall(A), Bromley(H), Carlisle(A), Grimsby(H), Wimbledon(A), Gillingham(H)
7th - Crewe, 56 points, GD 7: Doncaster(H), Notts County(A), Port Vale(H), Grimsby(H), Bradford(A), Cheltenham(H), Colchester(A), MK Dons(H), Tranmere(A), Walsall(H)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8th - Grimsby, 56 points, GD 0: Notts County(H), Salford(H), Newport(H), Colchester(A), Crewe(A), Morecambe(H), Harrogate(A), Swindon(H), Port Vale(A), MK Dons(A), Wimbledon(H)
9th - Colchester, 52 points, GD 8: Port Vale(H), Fleetwood(H), Bradford(A), Grimsby(H), Gillingham(A), Notts County(H), Newport(A), Crewe(H), Doncaster(A), Salford(A), Barrow(H)
10th - Bromley, 51 points, GD 3: Walsall(H), Carlisle(A), Salford(H), Newport(A), Accrington(H), Port Vale(A), Morecambe(H), Swindon(A), Barrow(A), Cheltenham(H)

Looking at the final run in's, Crewe on paper have the toughest run with an average position of 8.8 of their final 10 opponents. Close behind them are Colchester(9.6) and Donny(9.9). The teams with the easiest run ins are Bromley(14.6), Wimbledon(12.6), Notts County(12.4) and Grimsby(12.3). There are a lot of promotion 6 pointers coming up in these last 10-12 games. The final day is shaping up to be ridiculous. Crewe v Walsall, Grimsby v Wimbledon and Notts County v Donny could all have title/promotion/play-off spot ramifications.

Forthcoming fixtures:

Tuesday 11th March
AFC Wimbledon v Cheltenham
Colchester United v Port Vale
Grimsby Town v Notts County

Thursday 13th March
Bromley v Walsall

Saturday 15th March
Crewe Alexandra v Doncaster Rovers
Bradford City v Tranmere Rovers
Carlisle United v AFC Wimbledon
Colchester United v Fleetwood Town
Grimsby Town v Salford City
Notts County v Chesterfield
Port Vale v Milton Keynes Dons

Big midweek set of games, all the teams not in action will be nervously scoreboard watching all hoping for different results I'm sure. Got think Wimbledon will get it done, but the other 2 could go either way. Same for Walsall on Thursday given their form.

On Saturday the Alex v Donny will be the early headline, big test for both those teams. After that it's a mixed bag for the rest, some with winnable games, others with trickier looking ones. Final stretch then, can't call who will do what to be honest, all the races look wide open.

 

[gary]

Cheltenham at home on Tuesday night is a must win if we have aspirations of top 3. I guess 80 points is probably the target for automatics. Based on that we probably need 6 wins from our 11 game's with a couple of draws thrown in. Six away and five game's left at home. Our away form will have to improve. A minimum of 2 away wins will be needed possibly 3. Our away games on paper are relatively tough but then again we struggle against most teams away from plough lane. Carlisle , Doncaster, Walsall, Gillingham, Grimsby and Swindon. The five at home aren't too bad Cheltenham, Chesterfield, Harrogate, Barrow and Port vale . Last home game is Port Vale and last game of the season is Grimsby away. Obviously those last two could have everything resting on them or nothing !!

 

[Si Robin]

You'll win - our players are absolutely knackered. Now Luke Young is out, we'll have no composure in midfield either now.

 

[chief]

You'll win - our players are absolutely knackered. Now Luke Young is out, we'll have no composure in midfield either now.

How's he been for you? Got a lot of time for him.

 

[mozzavale]

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 - Walsall(36)
67 -
66 - Bradford(36)
65 -
64 -
63 -
62 - Doncaster(36)
61 -
-------------------------------------------------
60 - AFC Wimbledon(35)
59 -
58 - Notts County(35)
57 - Port Vale(34)
56 - Crewe Alex(36)
-------------------------------------------------
56 - Grimsby(35)
55 -
54 -
53 -
52 - Colchester(35)
51 - Bromley(36)

Here we go then, into the final 10, well for some of the teams anyway. Walsall continue to stutter and lose form and their gap to Bradford is down to 2 points after their home defeat against Swindon. Bradford though miss the opportunity to go top after losing at Gillingham. Their away form remains an issue. Donny also can't close the gap after losing at Bromley and then throwing away a 2-0 home lead against Swindon to only draw.

Wimbledon were the only side in the play-offs to win as they beat Notts County at home. Like Bradford though, their away form is a concern. The Pies are losing form as their better attackers remain sidelined. Patience running out with Maynard you sense. Port Vale and Crewe both had mixed weeks, with only 2 and 1 point(s) recorded respectively.

Closing in behind them are the chasing pack. Grimsby brush aside a disappointing home draw with Tranmere to beat Walsall and they're now outside the play-offs on goal difference. Also closing in on are new entrants Colchester, who have seemingly timed their best form to perfection. Bromley remain in the hunt, but losing to Tranmere is a blow for them.

1st - Walsall, 68 points, GD 24: Bromley(A), Gillingham(A), Wimbledon(H), Doncaster(A), Port Vale(H), Barrow(A), Harrogate(H), Newport(A), Accrington(H), Crewe(A)
2nd - Bradford, 66 points, GD 18: Tranmere(H), Colchester(H), Accrington(A), Port Vale(A), Crewe(H), Swindon(A), Notts County(H), Chesterfield(A), Doncaster(A), Fleetwood(H)
3rd - Doncaster, 62 points, GD 10: Crewe(A), Salford(A), Carlisle(H), Walsall(H), Cheltenham(A), Wimbledon(H), Tranmere(A), Colchester(H), Bradford(H), Notts County(A)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5th - Wimbledon, 60 points, GD 23: Cheltenham(H), Carlisle(A), Barrow(H), Walsall(A), Swindon(A), Harrogate(H), Doncaster(A), Chesterfield(H), Gillingham(A), Port Vale(H), Grimsby(A)
4th - Notts County, 58 points, GD 16: Grimsby(A), Chesterfield(H), Crewe(H), Newport(A), MK Dons(H), Colchester(A), Salford(H), Bradford(A), Cheltenham(H), Harrogate(A), Doncaster(H)
6th - Port Vale, 57 points, GD 8: Colchester(A), MK Dons(H), Morecambe(H), Barrow(H), Crewe(A), Bradford(H), Walsall(A), Bromley(H), Carlisle(A), Grimsby(H), Wimbledon(A), Gillingham(H)
7th - Crewe, 56 points, GD 7: Doncaster(H), Notts County(A), Port Vale(H), Grimsby(H), Bradford(A), Cheltenham(H), Colchester(A), MK Dons(H), Tranmere(A), Walsall(H)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8th - Grimsby, 56 points, GD 0: Notts County(H), Salford(H), Newport(H), Colchester(A), Crewe(A), Morecambe(H), Harrogate(A), Swindon(H), Port Vale(A), MK Dons(A), Wimbledon(H)
9th - Colchester, 52 points, GD 8: Port Vale(H), Fleetwood(H), Bradford(A), Grimsby(H), Gillingham(A), Notts County(H), Newport(A), Crewe(H), Doncaster(A), Salford(A), Barrow(H)
10th - Bromley, 51 points, GD 3: Walsall(H), Carlisle(A), Salford(H), Newport(A), Accrington(H), Port Vale(A), Morecambe(H), Swindon(A), Barrow(A), Cheltenham(H)

Looking at the final run in's, Crewe on paper have the toughest run with an average position of 8.8 of their final 10 opponents. Close behind them are Colchester(9.6) and Donny(9.9). The teams with the easiest run ins are Bromley(14.6), Wimbledon(12.6), Notts County(12.4) and Grimsby(12.3). There are a lot of promotion 6 pointers coming up in these last 10-12 games. The final day is shaping up to be ridiculous. Crewe v Walsall, Grimsby v Wimbledon and Notts County v Donny could all have title/promotion/play-off spot ramifications.

Forthcoming fixtures:

Tuesday 11th March
AFC Wimbledon v Cheltenham
Colchester United v Port Vale
Grimsby Town v Notts County

Thursday 13th March
Bromley v Walsall

Saturday 15th March
Crewe Alexandra v Doncaster Rovers
Bradford City v Tranmere Rovers
Carlisle United v AFC Wimbledon
Colchester United v Fleetwood Town
Grimsby Town v Salford City
Notts County v Chesterfield
Port Vale v Milton Keynes Dons

Big midweek set of games, all the teams not in action will be nervously scoreboard watching all hoping for different results I'm sure. Got think Wimbledon will get it done, but the other 2 could go either way. Same for Walsall on Thursday given their form.

On Saturday the Alex v Donny will be the early headline, big test for both those teams. After that it's a mixed bag for the rest, some with winnable games, others with trickier looking ones. Final stretch then, can't call who will do what to be honest, all the races look wide open.

Vale are on 58 points

 

[loz]

Us versus you in the playoffs. Penalties.

There will be more twists and turns to come. Have faith.

 

[Super_horns]

Has anyone blown a lead like Walsall's before?

No-one seemed to take advantage though except AFC.

 

[LS Bantam]

I’m personally less concerned about our away form and more the effect two games a week for nearly two months has had, Pattison/Sarcevic/Pointon even Cook, just one of those increases our attacking threat today significantly not mentioning the rest. Two home games to come and no midweeks for a while is welcome news, would potentially leave us needing four wins if we could take maximum points. Given the other results today could’ve been worse.

 

[mozzavale]

I’m personally less concerned about our away form and more the effect two games a week for nearly two months has had, Pattison/Sarcevic/Pointon even Cook, just one of those increases our attacking threat today significantly not mentioning the rest. Two home games to come and no midweeks for a while is welcome news, would potentially leave us needing four wins if we could take maximum points. Given the other results today could’ve been worse.

The injuries will be the negative from that run of games, but on the flip side you've taken advantage and won most of them. You've played 2 games more than us but given us a mountain to climb if we're to catch you, which it looks like you're out of sight now. I'd take the points over the games in hand every time.

And no doubt, all of those players out injured will be back and match fit by the time you visit us.

 

[Si Robin]

How's he been for you? Got a lot of time for him.

Outstanding, definitely in with a shout of player of the year.

His goals from outside the box have been worth the admission fee alone. He's going to be a massive miss over the next couple of weeks.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

I honestly can’t see us going up, we have no consistency

 

[Kauto Star]

I honestly can’t see us going up, we have no consistency

Looking forward to our clash at yours in the penultimate fixture. I wonder where we will both be then, potentially both still in the hunt for autos?

 

[kieran_vale]

I honestly can’t see us going up, we have no consistency

Truth be told you can say that for the majority of the top 7 ourselves included. We’re in the mix but at the same time boring the fans to death in the process.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Looking forward to our clash at yours in the penultimate fixture. I wonder where we will both be then, potentially both still in the hunt for autos?

I’m hoping we are both promoted by then otherwise it will be a nervy shit 90+ minutes of football

 

[LS Bantam]

The injuries will be the negative from that run of games, but on the flip side you've taken advantage and won most of them. You've played 2 games more than us but given us a mountain to climb if we're to catch you, which it looks like you're out of sight now. I'd take the points over the games in hand every time.

And no doubt, all of those players out injured will be back and match fit by the time you visit us.

That last sentence is what I’m hoping for. Sarcevic and Pattison have an injury free shelf life of only a few months (granted Pattison has had his appendix out) so I’d rather they miss this ‘easier’ run of games and be fresh/available for the final few weeks versus the big hitters.

 

[Son of Cod]

Looking forward to our clash at yours in the penultimate fixture. I wonder where we will both be then, potentially both still in the hunt for autos?

Bloody hell that's a bit of a tasty end of season fixture. Some good ones lined up. We go to MK Dons on that same day, should ensure at least two bumper away followings if we're playing for something as well.

 

[kieran_vale]

Bloody hell that's a bit of a tasty end of season fixture. Some good ones lined up. We go to MK Dons on that same day, should ensure at least two bumper away followings if we're playing for something as well.

Got AFC Wimbledon v Vale that same day as well assuming of course Sky don’t throw a spanner in the works and move it to the Thursday. Going to be one of them days it’ll be one eye on the game and the other permanently looking at Flashscores.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

The absolute dogshitness of our past few performances suggest we’re out of the running for autos unless something drastic happens (coach sacked and Williams coming back).

Playoffs are gonna be a struggle unless Jones and McGoldrick come back FIT soon.

God knows who’s getting top 3, musical chairs really.