League 1 v league 2. Talking standards now.

[Greenacres]

Mistakes being punished is a good point. Our manager wants to play football a certain way, moving it from the back and having a sweeper-keeper, it is pleasing on the eye when it works but there are definitely risks to playing that way, in that mistakes can prove costly. In our last season in the Conference we seemed to give the ball away in a dangerous area virtually every game, but most of the time our opponents were incapable of punishing us. Last season this pattern continued but it seemed like 70-80% of the time we gave away a goal as a result. This season we definitely have better players, more capable of delivering Cooper's vision, the mistakes have been reduced but not completely.

 

[Si Robin]

I have to agree that the punishing of mistakes was the big difference between Conference and League 2. Aaron Downes was seen as a rock by a lot of our fans in the Conference, but you could guarantee one horrific mistake a game out of him. In the Conference he got away with it more often than not (I think we only got punished once or twice really) in League 2 it was punished nearly every time.

The same thing happened with Jamie Grimes last season, every time he made a balls up we were punished - at Dover the season before I have no doubt he got away with it and it made him look better than he actually is.

 

[Franchisor]

Coventry ? Dominate? Only at the all important business end of the season. For half the season they stuttered.

Gap between L2 and L1 is smaller than L1 to Championship and bigger than L2 to Conference

The end

I said massive OR dominant teams - Coventry weren't dominant but I think most would agree they were too big for L2, just like Portsmouth. There isn't anybody dominant (yet) or massive

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

If you are massive but struggle does size matter?

Agree with dominate . Dominate = good

 

[Youpies]

All the relegated sides are pissing this tinpot league...

Ah wait...

 

[Maple Hatter]

League one is definately a step up but not a huge one. Think we have faired reasonably well so far and we've played 3 of the 4 promotion favourites. Of course the club has invested in a squad which has depth in quality. Something you need in any league to succeed. Perhaps the biggest difference is the handful of real quality (championship level) players that can change a game. I would also add that defences generally in league one are stronger and more difficult to break down. At the end of the day its all about financial clout and club stability. Sunderland have the squad and money but are far from stable. They certainly won't run away with the league as predicted. Peterborough have a financial structure in place, thanks to their transfer dealings, that enables them to compete. Their home crowds certainly don't generate enough income so should the transfer dealing profits dry up they could well struggle.
Any club which gains promotion has to invest. As a league one club you can attract better quality players either by splashing the cash or as many clubs are doing through the loan market.
It will probably take a good 2 or 3 seasons to become an established league one club. Of the promoted clubs last season only Wycombe look as if they may struggle and return to league two. Their lack of investment will be their downfall I fear.

 

[GEORGE]

Interesting thoughts RLC, problem is it’s very rare for a club to have been in all three divisions (L1,L2,NL) in recent times. Tranmere are one of the rare examples that qualify.

You have to remember some current L2 sides haven’t been in the third tier for over 25 years!!! Some never have at all. So naturally they won’t be able to comment, same applies with teams who havent played in the NL#stain for a long time or ever.

I hope , personally, I’m not in a position to judge any time soon

And us

 

[T.A]

If you are massive but struggle does size matter?

Agree with dominate . Dominate = good

Sounds like good advice for someone’s sex life.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Lol tru dat