Joining League Two for 24/25

[hellogregory]

The National League champions have done well in their first seasons last two years. So on that basis Chesterfield.

Apart from that, whoever doesn’t go up out of Doncaster and MK should be up there. And Bradford should have a bit of momentum from their strong finish.

Those would be my 3 or 4 favourites. But I haven’t seen much of the league this season.

 

[kieran_vale]

I was trying to think who would be favourites for promotion, and quite frankly, i'm struggling to see who would be. The teams coming down would usually be top contenders, but I can't see anyone from that list walking the league. Carlisle, maybe, if they invest smartly? They seem to have decent enough owners who actually give a shit. Vale? Whats going on there? Cheltenham? A bit meh, and Fleetwood can get in the bin.

We’ll see by the end of the summer as we have a lot of our squad from last season under contract so much depends how many of the losers from last year we have to make do with. Until then I’ve got no idea, we have a manager with a decent track record overall but you can only work with what you’re given. Apparently the budget we’ve got is competitive as was said by Darren Moore at a meet the manager event last Thursday but again it comes down to how much is swallowed up in existing players.

Wouldn’t shock me if Bromley challenge for a playoff spot next season. Sutton did the same when they first came up. Of the relegated teams right now I’d say Cheltenham would be most likely be top 7 just based on Darrell Clarke’s record at this level. That is assuming he does stay.

 

[hellogregory]

We’ll see by the end of the summer as we have a lot of our squad from last season under contract so much depends how many of the losers from last year we have to make do with.

We have a similar problem. We released all 8 out of contract first team players, but I’m sure we would have released double that if we could have.

 

[Grimsby Road]

The National League champions have done well in their first seasons last two years. So on that basis Chesterfield.

Apart from that, whoever doesn’t go up out of Doncaster and MK should be up there. And Bradford should have a bit of momentum from their strong finish.

Those would be my 3 or 4 favourites. But I haven’t seen much of the league this season.

It's hard to tell before all the recruitment is done and even then not really easy to predict is it . With the relative mish mash of players Crawley put together no one would have tipped them for the play-offs would they , probably Crewe likewise I'm sure most people had them down for bottom half .


I suppose MK would be a standout if they stayed down just because they have a relatively unique style of play for league 2 .

Whether Chesterfield have the resource to power through the league like Stockport or Wrexham is questionable but Paul Cook is a decent operator so would think they won't struggle and possibly a challenge for top half/7

Can Barrow go again /Wild stick around ?

Could go through most teams , but as of now struggler picks would have to be Morecambe & Swindon if off field issues are not resolved as they might be playing 16 year olds week in week out

 

[gary]

The National League champions have done well in their first seasons last two years. So on that basis Chesterfield.

Apart from that, whoever doesn’t go up out of Doncaster and MK should be up there. And Bradford should have a bit of momentum from their strong finish.

Those would be my 3 or 4 favourites. But I haven’t seen much of the league this season.

I think it's quite difficult to pick the top 3 next season. This season most people would've said that Stockport and Wrexham would finish in the top 3 at the start of the season. The majority of the league probably think that they have a chance of top 7 . It's that sort of league. You don't have to be that good to get in the play offs . I'd agree with you with the teams that you have selected. Recruitment is obviously the key if you don't have a big budget. The top 3 this season got promoted simply because they were at the top or close to the top in the budget table.

 

[kieran_vale]

We have a similar problem. We released all 8 out of contract first team players, but I’m sure we would have released double that if we could have.

Aye we’ve really been snookered by David Flitcrofts dealings from last summer. My guess is to get a few of them out the door we may need to suck it up and make contributions to their wages at their next clubs. Got no pretentions we’ll get fees for most of them at the least. Basically there are three which am desperate to keep - Connor Ripley, Ben Garrity and Ethan Chislett. All of those will be among the better players at this level but unfortunately they’re also the most likely to garner interest from elsewhere.

 

[gary]

Aye we’ve really been snookered by David Flitcrofts dealings from last summer. My guess is to get a few of them out the door we may need to suck it up and make contributions to their wages at their next clubs. Got no pretentions we’ll get fees for most of them at the least. Basically there are three which am desperate to keep - Connor Ripley, Ben Garrity and Ethan Chislett. All of those will be among the better players at this level but unfortunately they’re also the most likely to garner interest from elsewhere.

I wasn't sure how Chislett would progress when he left Wimbledon. Most Wimbledon supporters won't too bothered when he went . He seems to have had a good season for you. Technically good but he always seemed to drift out of game's. Two relegations on his CV now though with us and you.

 

[valefan16]

I wasn't sure how Chislett would progress when he left Wimbledon. Most Wimbledon supporters won't too bothered when he went . He seems to have had a good season for you. Technically good but he always seemed to drift out of game's. Two relegations on his CV now though with us and you.

Chis has phases, he can go a few games and not do a great deal, then he’d have a run where he’d score a few. Reminds me of Louis Dodds a bit.

11 goals I think he ended with in a side that struggled to score so one I’m keen to keep.

 

[valefan16]

Aye we’ve really been snookered by David Flitcrofts dealings from last summer. My guess is to get a few of them out the door we may need to suck it up and make contributions to their wages at their next clubs. Got no pretentions we’ll get fees for most of them at the least. Basically there are three which am desperate to keep - Connor Ripley, Ben Garrity and Ethan Chislett. All of those will be among the better players at this level but unfortunately they’re also the most likely to garner interest from elsewhere.

I felt very buoyed by Moore in the meeting Thursday… I expect he has a very good budget (to get him in the first place) and sounds like he has a few decent targets lined up… he nearly spilled the beans in regards to the captain which sounded like one coming in.

I think we will have one of the top budgets in the league, just got to hope we spend it wisely as we haven’t in recent windows! Moore doing it rather than Flickers gives us hope.

 

[womble76]

The National League champions have done well in their first seasons last two years. So on that basis Chesterfield.

Apart from that, whoever doesn’t go up out of Doncaster and MK should be up there. And Bradford should have a bit of momentum from their strong finish.

Those would be my 3 or 4 favourites. But I haven’t seen much of the league this season.

We will also be there or there abouts.

 

[クレイグ]

I fancy us to do well next season. We've got a decent core in Halliday, Smallwood, Pointon, Pattison, Walker, Cook, Kav, and Young (potentially, depending on if we get the Swindon version). Clear some deadwood in Oliver and Ash Taylor (please God if you're up there). Need a quality lwb and cm for me. More positive about this season than the last anyways.

 

[Carver]

We ArE gOnNa BuLLdOzE tHiS LeAgUe

 

[WilsdenBantam]

I fancy us to do well next season. We've got a decent core in Halliday, Smallwood, Pointon, Pattison, Walker, Cook, Kav, and Young (potentially, depending on if we get the Swindon version). Clear some deadwood in Oliver and Ash Taylor (please God if you're up there). Need a quality lwb and cm for me. More positive about this season than the last anyways.

Both Walkers really providing Jamie stays. The Colchester fan was spot on about Sam, surprised how good he’s been.

 

[クレイグ]

Both Walkers really providing Jamie stays. The Colchester fan was spot on about Sam, surprised how good he’s been.

I hope it's not just a one-off like Lewis. I wasn't very positive about the signing in Jan, but he's proved me wrong. Been excellent.

 

[Grimsby Road]

I hope it's not just a one-off like Lewis. I wasn't very positive about the signing in Jan, but he's proved me wrong. Been excellent.

Was impressed with Pointon against us early doors , he came on and changed the game - defenders are scared of direct players like him at this level ... hope you have him tied down for a while as should be a decent transfer fee on him eventually ?

 

[クレイグ]

Was impressed with Pointon against us early doors , he came on and changed the game - defenders are scared of direct players like him at this level ... hope you have him tied down for a while as should be a decent transfer fee on him eventually ?

Madness that Alexander dropped him shortly after the game against you. Had one poor outing and he wasn't seen for ages. Probably have finished in the playoffs with him starting more games. We've triggered a one year extension on him, but apparently we're in talks with him over a longer deal.

 

[AdamStag]

So is next season finalllly the year bradford decide to like try and do something?

 

[クレイグ]

So is next season finalllly the year bradford decide to like try and do something?

Don't be silly, Adam. You been on the shandy, lad?!

We have to get it right sometime surely.

 

[Si Robin]

Our prospects are determined by two things - keeping Darrell Clarke and how many of the 5 players we've offered deals to sign them.

Those on contract still are certainly good enough and we've released all of the deadwood.

The biggest worry is that we will need a new keeper and better squad depth. Sort that out and we should be aiming for the playoffs.

 

[Grimsby Road]

Our prospects are determined by two things - keeping Darrell Clarke and how many of the 5 players we've offered deals to sign them.

Those on contract still are certainly good enough and we've released all of the deadwood.

The biggest worry is that we will need a new keeper and better squad depth. Sort that out and we should be aiming for the playoffs.

Is George Lloyd going to be sticking around ?

 

[Si Robin]

He's been offered a deal, but rumours are strong that he's going to Shrewsbury, what with his Paul Hurst and Mickey Moore links.

 

[AdamStag]

Don't be silly, Adam. You been on the shandy, lad?!

We have to get it right sometime surely.

Weaker league next season for sure, especially if MK go up, got to be your time?

At the beginning of this season it was everyone saying wrexham and stockport which were obvious, can’t see that for next season - no stand out side.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Weaker league next season for sure, especially if MK go up, got to be your time?

At the beginning of this season it was everyone saying wrexham and stockport which were obvious, can’t see that for next season - no stand out side.

Tbh I don't think our renewed optimism comes from the league just seeming weaker. Despite a poor season for what we expect, season ticket revenue has actually increased, plus the owner has come out and finally said they are ending the sustainability nonsense so with those two things we should see an increase in budget to something like the promoted teams this season. Then there is GA, never taken to him as his football is dogshit to watch, but he's got a good win rate at this level and with us, We've also brought in David Sharpe so the useless Sparks no longer needs to be involved in footballing matters. All this and smaller budgets knocking about should give us a far better chance.

That said it wouldn't surprise me if we were slitting our wrists 10 games in again.

 

[Grimsby Road]

He's been offered a deal, but rumours are strong that he's going to Shrewsbury, what with his Paul Hurst and Mickey Moore links.

Can see Shrewsbury going down next year Hurst's style of football seems to have been found out imo . Doubt they are flush either . Like Lloyd but he seemed to miss a lot of chances even when we had him in league 2 but sort of got away with it because of his workrate .

 

[Kauto Star]

Our prospects are determined by two things - keeping Darrell Clarke and how many of the 5 players we've offered deals to sign them.

Those on contract still are certainly good enough and we've released all of the deadwood.

The biggest worry is that we will need a new keeper and better squad depth. Sort that out and we should be aiming for the playoffs.

If you manage to keep Darrell Clarke, I fancy you to do well and be at least top 7

 

[Si Robin]

Due to our poor start and end it's easy to ignore that from around November to February we had playoff form. Unfortunately, we became too dependant on a few players and the moment they got injured we fell to bits again.

DC has the full backing of the fans, the board just need to show we're not accepting relegation and being grateful we're still a League team.

 

[Carver]

That’s fair enough. Top 7 is a more sensible expectation. I happen to think we’ll start slow (hangover from the losing mentality) then hopefully come on stronger in the second half of the season. Where that leads to I don’t know. Mid table, playoffs, who knows!

I believe that we should try to model ourselves on a team like Leyton Orient who not only ran away with this league last season but they had also equipped themselves enough for L1 this season as they assembled a squad of good youngish players in L2 who went on to adapt well to the athletism, pace, power and quality of L1.

 

[IzzyFook]

I believe that we should try to model ourselves on a team like Leyton Orient who not only ran away with this league last season but they had also equipped themselves enough for L1 this season as they assembled a squad of good youngish players in L2 who went on to adapt well to the athletism, pace, power and quality of L1.

THIS...
We did the same when in the NL but most of those contracts are now up and have been hoiked out to make way for the next gen.
Getting the recruitment wrong is - as always - key. Get it wrong and you can easily slide backwards (Hi Chelsea....) Parky has always put a big element of any new additions being able to gel with the current dressing room. He's got it right for the last 2 years, so it's a BIG summer for him in replacing all of the players thats been released...

 

[AdamStag]

Tbh I don't think our renewed optimism comes from the league just seeming weaker. Despite a poor season for what we expect, season ticket revenue has actually increased, plus the owner has come out and finally said they are ending the sustainability nonsense so with those two things we should see an increase in budget to something like the promoted teams this season. Then there is GA, never taken to him as his football is dogshit to watch, but he's got a good win rate at this level and with us, We've also brought in David Sharpe so the useless Sparks no longer needs to be involved in footballing matters. All this and smaller budgets knocking about should give us a far better chance.

That said it wouldn't surprise me if we were slitting our wrists 10 games in again.

Whereas sharpe won’t be involved in the footballing side he did make a big difference off the pitch and we’re certainly worse off with the rather questionable replacements the radfords have bought in.

I’m certainly more for the role of DOF than i was before he came in, especially ensuring all sides from kids up play the same style.

 

[valefan16]

Whereas sharpe won’t be involved in the footballing side he did make a big difference off the pitch and we’re certainly worse off with the rather questionable replacements the radfords have bought in.

I’m certainly more for the role of DOF than i was before he came in, especially ensuring all sides from kids up play the same style.

After Flitcroft we have decided to cease the role of DOF and let Darren Moore just get on with it.