Mid-season predictions

[Mark kavanagh]

Hope macc do well mate inwas in a course with one of your stewards a few weeks back.... top bloke

 

[Davidimp]

Champions - Tranmere
I think it will be one of the current top three, and because I think they haven't really got into full throttle yet, it will be Tranmere. Lincoln have a very good manager, and good players, but possibly not the strength in depth of FGR and Tranmere. FGR's record against the top teams is not particularly great.

Play Offs - FGR, Lincoln, Barrow, Dover
In addition to the three above teams, I think Barrow should comfortably reach the play offs, but I'm not quite sure they have the experience of competing at the top yet to close out a season at the very top. On what I have seen (which is pretty limited), Barrow were a good side, but not quite on the same level as FGR and Lincoln. I think 5th place is the only one up for grabs to the chasing pack, but Dover and Dagenham are obviously currently in the best positions to finish there. I think Dagenham will fall away, as relegated teams so often do, and finish nearer to 10th. Dover will probably have just enough to consolidate that position, although Eastleigh are probably best equipped to push them close if they ever get their act together and stop changing their players and manager every week.

Relegation - Solihull Moors, Maidstone, Guiseley, North Ferriby
This is definitely going to contest of 9/10 teams and is going to be very close, with the exception of North Ferriby, who I predict will finish last on around 30 points, and a similar amount of goals! I think Guiseley have improved, but their terrible start will cost them. Maidstone's poor home form may cost them and Solihull Moors have lost their manager half way through the season, but these two are pure guesses and it could be any two of Maidstone, Solihull, Torquay, Southport, Braintree, York etc. I think York may sign enough decent players, such as Jon Parkin, to get them out of their mess. Braintree always defy the odds and I think Steve Burr will do enough for Southport to survive. Woking won't be threatened in the end I don't think, despite their small budget we're constantly reminded of, and Torquay should do just about enough.

Lastly, I think I'm going to get my pre-season prediction for Macc almost spot on - 10th!

I agree we do have a small squad but if we manage to beat Oldham and our crowds hold up (currently averaging 3420) I would expect us to add 2-3 players during January either permanently or on loan. All about having the cash to strengthen when you're doing well.
We had the same numbers of points in 82-83 after 23 games and just 14/15 players on the books and the board wouldn't allow the manager to bring anyone in! You can guess what happened!

 

[Railway Blue]

Hope your right about us and wrong about york.

Champs lincoln

Play offs. Fgr (p) tran barrow and chester

Down, nfu braintree york and solihull (hope im wrong about the last 2)

Thanks for that Mark, but very unlikely.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

No way Chester make the playoffs. They'd need to go at 2+ points a game for the rest of the season. Their recent good form has seen them take 17 from 10. Likewise for everyone below Dagenham.

 

[DarkSithLord]

My predictions:

Champions - Tranmere Rovers

Play offs

FGR,Lincoln (P) Barrow,Dover

Relegation - York, Maidstone,Guiseley,North Ferriby