League 2 relegation thread 14/15

[TRFC ON TOUR]

A couple of wins and you move way up the table, a couple of defeats and you move way down the table, the league two relegation thread is like a game of snakes and ladders, in a horrid way, I'm loving it.

 

[shoddycollins]

A couple of wins and you move way up the table, a couple of defeats and you move way down the table, the league two relegation thread is like a game of snakes and ladders, in a horrid way, I'm loving it.

Just 11 days ago we were 3 minutes into injury time and beating Shrewsbury and looking at being 15th in the table and 7 points clear.
I fear that will seem a long long time ago come the end of February.

Sometimes a match just gives you a sixth-sense that you're going down.

 

[daviejones]

I'm staying positive - perhaps naively - and think we can only judge the team's credentials at the end of this cruel run of games. Cheltenham is as close to a must win as we'll get - seriously we have to win that to make up for the loss of momentum these games will give us.

 

[UTS]

Hartlepool need to pick up roughly 26 points out of a possible 42..

So far they've managed 24 out of 96..

They're as good as down

 

[Murphy]

Next three games are absolutely massive in our season, Mansfield (A), Hartlepool (H), Tranmere (A).

Id be looking at 5 points minimum from that bundle of games, although the real banker is that we must beat Hartlepool. Both away games will be difficult, especially when Kee scores against us next week. Plus our record vs Tranmere is stacking up to become Northamptonesque.

Big two weeks and although I think we'll be alright in the long run, we can't afford to have a blip in the next two weeks.

 

[StagsForLife]

Next three games are absolutely massive in our season, Mansfield (A), Hartlepool (H), Tranmere (A).

Id be looking at 5 points minimum from that bundle of games, although the real banker is that we must beat Hartlepool. Both away games will be difficult, especially when Kee scores against us next week. Plus our record vs Tranmere is stacking up to become Northamptonesque.

Big two weeks and although I think we'll be alright in the long run, we can't afford to have a blip in the next two weeks.

Kee will be on the bench most likely. Depends on what Mansfield turns up for the result - If we decide to defend properly i find it hard to see Dagenham getting anything but if it's like today then you will have a feast in front of our goal.

 

[Gladders]

Every year there is a team that drops from looking like safe mid-table side to relegation, looking like Cambridge at the minute, no wins in 6, that getting United in the FA cup looking like a big distraction. Fortunately for them Cheltenham are doing their best to match them and Hartlepool have a lot of ground to make up.

 

[TRFC ON TOUR]

Hartlepool look as good as down, lets just all beat Cheltenham and job done.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Just stuck a tenner on us to get relegated, trying to convince myself it's just as an insurance policy and to try and tempt fate, but I believed it a little bit after last Saturday and a hell of a lot more now.

Our squad isn't bottom two calibre but I have no faith in our manager to get it right.

 

[AdamStag]

I'd say Hartlepool are going to need a complete miracle, there is no chance they are going to stay up.

Our next 3 games involve Dagenham at home, and then trips to Newport and Cheltenham.

Given how bad we are away, we will struggle to get something from those games - but we really need to hold out at Cheltenham. Last season we played Northampton who were down there, and escaped sixfields somehow with a 1-1 draw - that helped keep us away and was a big boost - we need to do the same again next week.

I have a horrible feeling about Dagenham next week as well

 

[Boz]

Just thought I'd add my thoughts to this.

The Conference is looking to be a pretty scarily bad prospect next season to be honest.

We already have FGR and Eastleigh as bank rolled clubs on million quid plus wage budgets. You're probably looking at Fylde and Barrow who are both bank rolled coming up from Conf North (Fylde on 200 gates for fuck's sake). Possibly Boreham Wood and Bromley or Whitehawk from the south - again absolute tin potters with money men behind them (especially Whitehawk).

Add to that the ex league teams: Wrexham, Grimsby (if they're still here) and it's looking like it will be difficult to get out and depressing to be in.

In summary, it would be desperately depressing for any of you to be relegated!

If Halifax don't go up and Rovers go down, that would be my most local game for next season; not been to the Shay yet.

I don't think any Rovers fans want to see us playing Conference football, given the loss of status, reduced crowds, our youth set-up will probably go and there must be some doubt as to whether our current chairs would stick around. The only very minor consolation would be more local games, given the southern slant L2 is likely to have next season.

 

[Vanni]

I could be wrong of course but I think this year will be pretty similiar to 04/05, the year we went down, in that the points needed to stay up will be in the low 40's. Pools look gone, and I can't see Cheltenham getting more than 12 points, so something like 45 points will probably be enough, which can only be a good thing as none of the bottom 8 clubs look like stringing together a couple of wins.

 

[EricSabin]

All very interesting from the lofty heights of mid table

 

[daviejones]

Well at this stage last season the team in 23rd was on 29 points, whereas now Cheltenham in 23rd are on 31. 2 points ahead, and come the end of the season the team in 23rd was on 50 points. So that would suggest that relegation this year will be around the 50 point mark too.

 

[Richard Cranium]

We are awful away from home, we keep playing ugly but picking points up at Field Mill, so our home form will be the key to whether we stay up or not. Strangely there were some Oxford fans in the pub yesterday after about 65 minutes so god knows why they had walked out but they said we weren't the worst side they'd seen so there must have been some pretty awful sides go there this season!

 

[shoddycollins]

51 Safety 2012/1013
50 Newport County, Safety 2013/2014, Safety 2005/2006
49
48 Stevenage, Safety 2010/2011
47 Safety 2006/2007
46 Newport County
45 Safety 2011/2012, Safety 2009/2010
44 AFC Wimbledon*, Morecambe, Northampton
43 Exeter City**, Safety 2007/08
42 Safety 2008/09
41 Stevenage
40 Accrington Stanley*, Portsmouth*, Exeter City
39 Safety 2004/05
38
37 Dagenham & Redbridge, Oxford United, Cambridge United*
36 Morecambe
35 Mansfield Town, Cambridge United
34 Tranmere Rovers*
33 Carlisle United, Accrington Stanley, AFC Wimbledon
32 York City
__________________________
31 Cheltenham Town, Northampton
30
29 Cheltenham Town, Oxford United, Portsmouth
28 Mansfield Town
27 York City, Carlisle United
26 Tranmere Rovers, Dagenham & Redbridge
25
24 Hartlepool United
23
22
21
20
19
18
17 Hartlepool United

Safety margins adjusted for points deductions

* have 15 games remaining
** have 13 games remaining
The rest have 14 games left

The grey text shows where each team was 6 games ago. This isn't necessarily what the league table was like 6 games ago as teams have played different numbers of games in this period, they are there to illustrate form, how fast teams have been moving upwards on this little table.

So it seems that cluster of relegation fighting teams, Carlisle, Tranmere, Dagenham, York, Mansfield and Cheltenham are sticking close to each other. The whole cluster has moved up by about 7 points, as have Hartlepool (so sorry Hartlepool but on this evidence you're gone if all you can do is keep pace with the teams above you), however Cheltenham have been overtaken by all the other relegation fighters and if form continues could find themselves adrift, meanwhile Dagenham and Redbridge have done the opposite, and have gone from being bottom of the cluster to top of it (with a two point gap even). Portsmouth and Oxford were in it but have left it behind completely. The others are much of a muchness. Though on more recent form, and with an extra game to play, Tranmere may well leave this group soon.

It looks like the second relegation place will be filled by one of these teams; Cheltenham in the most danger, but the rest of the group, particuarly Carlisle, Mansfield and York are only pulling away from them slowly, they still have time to turn it around. Looking up the table a bit and one team who could soon find themselves in trouble is Cambridge. The relegation fight is catching up with them and they could soon be with the rest of us in hoping Cheltenham's slide continues. They have a game in hand but they really need to be winning that.

The only other thing I would say about Hartlepool is in fairness to Ronnie Moore, he's done about as well as could possibly have been expected. They certainly haven't fallen further behind since he took over.

 

[Laker]

Just stuck a tenner on us to get relegated, trying to convince myself it's just as an insurance policy and to try and tempt fate, but I believed it a little bit after last Saturday and a hell of a lot more now.

Our squad isn't bottom two calibre but I have no faith in our manager to get it right.

If we lose to Wimbledon on Tuesday, I'll be formally subscribing to this thread. Until then, I'm staying positive.....

 

[Womble98]

If we lose to Wimbledon on Tuesday, I'll be formally subscribing to this thread. Until then, I'm staying positive.....

I can't see us losing. I think we have what it takes to mount a playoff challenge.

 

[AdamStag]

York look massive candidates.

Got nothing about them and they seem to really struggle all the time.

At least other sides are pickin up wins which is vital, and York are in serious danger.

 

[Laker]

I can't see us losing. I think we have what it takes to mount a playoff challenge.

If we play like we did yesterday then we'll get spanked again. Seriously it's worth watching our highlights to see how not to defend.

But it's unlikely we'll play like that again, I'd expect us to be a lot tighter at the very least. I think a draw is likely but I can see us winning as it'd be the sort if inexplicable result which has defined our season really.

 

[Richard Cranium]

It's not all bad for Mansfield, if we go down I've noticed Tamworth have crept up the league in the Conference North. They were 19th about 8 weeks ago, now they're 3rd so our annual all dayer down there could be back on. That was always the only good thing about the Conference!

 

[shoddycollins]

The tricky thing is all the teams down the bottom have shown something to think they've enough to avoid the drop. York are impressive away from home, Mansfield were described by one fan (can't remember which) as the best team they'd seen in this division, and you can usually rely on them to be dogged. Tranmere have picked up some very impressive results. Cheltenham have been sinking something rotten but it is perhaps a bit much to expect they'll simply continue to lose and make life easier for the rest of us, it's perfectly possible that now, before they fall too far behind they'll steady the ship. As for Carlisle, well we've scored more goals that anyone else down here... We've also conceded more than anyone in the division including Hartlepool but teams who can score always give themselves a chance of winning games, especially come the end of the season when, some of the teams you play have nothing left to play for (our last game is home to Hartlepool). But despite all of this one of us will more than likely have to begin next season as a non-league club.

 

[Luke Imp]

It's not all bad for Mansfield, if we go down I've noticed Tamworth have crept up the league in the Conference North. They were 19th about 8 weeks ago, now they're 3rd so our annual all dayer down there could be back on. That was always the only good thing about the Conference!

Won 13 in 17 including 10 on the bounce.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Well I think i'll slightly change who I think its between, a month ago I said it'll be 2 from Hartlepool, Cheltenham, Carlisle and Dagenham.

I think Dagenham are showing enough at present to claw out of it and I'm now writing Hartlepool off as they've gone.

so its 1 from Carlisle, Cheltenham and York me thinks as all 3 seem to have simply not improved enough and can not get form to pull out of it.

and pfffffft I am not guessing which of the 3 will go, could be either.

 

[shoddycollins]

I think Mansfield are certainly in amongst it too... they've only gained a point on us in the last six games.

 

[martinox]

I think Mansfield are certainly in amongst it too... they've only gained a point on us in the last six games.

I would agree. We played Mansfield on Saturday and they were very poor. Hey, they even made us look good!!!

 

[StagsForLife]

I would agree. We played Mansfield on Saturday and they were very poor. Hey, they even made us look good!!!

We're spineless away unfortunately. Our home form is what will keep us up hopefully.

 

[StagsForLife]

Jesus we got away with this one! Just glad it's not a point deduction.

A Football Disciplinary Commission (FDC) has fined Mansfield Town the sum of £6,000 for fielding an unregistered player (Reggie Lambe) in the club’s League 2 match against Exeter City on January 17, which Mansfield lost 2-3.

The FDC ruled that £4,500 of that sum should be suspended for a period of 12 months with Mansfield Town also being ordered to pay the costs of the Commission.

A club spokesman said: “The club believes that we had a fair hearing by the Football Disciplinary Committee and the outcome reflects an honest administrative mistake made in mitigating circumstances.

“The club will not be appealing the decision and now considers the matter closed.”

No further comment will be made by the club.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Just scouring through the fixtures for 6 pointers and one thing I notice is the next 3-4 weeks could be vital for Cheltenham.

considering they cannot buy a win at present they only have left 4 games vs them only collection of sides at the bottom (the old 6-pointers) and 3 of them 4 matches are their next 3 games...Tranmere at home, Carlisle away and Mansfield at home.

If they don't win in them 3 games it means they have nearly all their easier games gone, would be adrift in the bottom 2, plus have tougher games to follow.

a huge 7 days coming up for them which could make or murder their season.

 

[northstandexile]

Jesus we got away with this one! Just glad it's not a point deduction.

A Football Disciplinary Commission (FDC) has fined Mansfield Town the sum of £6,000 for fielding an unregistered player (Reggie Lambe) in the club’s League 2 match against Exeter City on January 17, which Mansfield lost 2-3.

The FDC ruled that £4,500 of that sum should be suspended for a period of 12 months with Mansfield Town also being ordered to pay the costs of the Commission.

A club spokesman said: “The club believes that we had a fair hearing by the Football Disciplinary Committee and the outcome reflects an honest administrative mistake made in mitigating circumstances.

“The club will not be appealing the decision and now considers the matter closed.”

No further comment will be made by the club.

Very odd with Lambe not being registered for the Exeter game in January as he had been playing for us since September on a short term contract, looks like we extended his contract but didn't follow it up with extending his registration immediately.