Promotion thread

[Kenneth E End]

Said it on our match thread but things just seem to be working for Accrington. Really tough to see how as I didnt think they looked all that impressive, but they just seem to have that indescribable "thing" going on that you cant quite put your finger on. Bit like that season Leicester won the league. Didnt really create all that much, and were up against it all second half but still pop up with a late winner. They will at the least go up automatically and in my opinion will win the league.

As for us. We are in big trouble. Think they will be destroyed mentally and we are incapable of winning big matches under Jones, which they all are at this stage. 2 tough away games coming up now.... im not confident at all.

We would've been in trouble, had Wycombe not have conceded so late in the game. At that point we were 4 points ahead, now we're 6 (effectively 8 because teams playing around us and our GD, so 3 games). That is a real let off for us.

 

[AdamStag]

That’s not true Adam.

How so? He put spencer on and from that moment we had no ability or appetite to ever score a 2nd

 

[Kenneth E End]

I think every season since we've been relegated to the Conference, bar the season under Money and Still, we've had this dogshit period around the 30-40 game mark where we just can't buy a win.

Strange trend.

 

[ASFC Tom]

We are going to win the league. Just have the ability to win no matter what right now. The players look like it means everything to them - absolute scenes at full time

 

[The Reverend Skyblue]

Like to apologize to the Barnet fan, they deserved to win that today. We were totally shite today ,as we are every time we play the lower league teams, but at last we've managed to beat one of them even though we were outplayed.
A good sign is that we played shit but still won which is very un-Cov like.
We signed Carl baker this week and his experience may be crucial in where we end up. that's two Pompey players from their championship winning team from last year.

 

[Kenneth E End]

We are going to win the league. Just have the ability to win no matter what right now. The players look like it means everything to them - absolute scenes at full time

This run can't go on forever. You're only 2 points ahead; eventually you're going to regress towards the mean. What AS are doing at the moment is remarkable.

 

[Conker]

How so? He put spencer on and from that moment we had no ability or appetite to ever score a 2nd

We were shite all game, except for one good run of play that resulted in the goal.

Our style of play didn’t change in the last twenty minutes, the entire game we just kept giving the ball back to Lincoln so they could pump it in our box. Spencer performance was definitely atleast on par with Rose that day too.

We need to deal with that style of play a lot better because next up is Notts County and they are similar.

 

[Youpies]

There’s direct, and then there’s Lincoln. In the grand scheme of things we are similar. But Lincoln is the very definition of up and over

 

[Plumbob]

There’s direct, and then there’s Lincoln. In the grand scheme of things we are similar. But Lincoln is the very definition of up and over

Yep. Ollie Palmer sliding it in with the outside of the foot was absolute route one today.
You are spouting boring drivel.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Oh it’s cherry picking season, I didn’t realise.

Ollie Palmer

 

[denzel ecfc]

I just don't think we are good enough. We give too much respect to sides around us or those on a good run. We have no killer instinct. We are poorer than last season when we had Watkins and Wheeler. It may still be good enough to get into the play offs but even then we will give a team too much respect and come up short.
Less than 3500 there today and that will go down as we are playing boring football at the moment.

 

[gijsbert_bos]

There’s direct, and then there’s Lincoln. In the grand scheme of things we are similar. But Lincoln is the very definition of up and over

Amazing how 8000 people keep turning up each week to watch such awful football. And it's not like we are storming the league; we've been on a poor run for a fair few weeks now but crowds have held up and we've sold 23000 tickets for Wembley.

 

[jacobncfc]

Direct football done well is great, it’s not a criticism but I don’t think describing Lincoln as a direct team is particularly controversial.

 

[Davidimp]

We know what we are, just a few other sides who claim to be passing sides aren't.
We are trying to change to play a, more passing style but it'll probably be next season before that's up and running.
Got us 7th, better than the long ball style John Beck served up that's for sure.

 

[Impish]

We're big and ugly and we're all elbows. As soon as teams start dealing with it we'll stop doing it. Until then shat it.

We've got quality throughout the team as well though we mix it as and when required. We try and pass it a bit more against the lutons and accringtons but have to go direct against your countys and mansfields to match their route one approach.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Don’t recall much passing in either of our games! Definitely one of the most direct sides I have ever seen.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

We're big and ugly and we're all elbows. As soon as teams start dealing with it we'll stop doing it. Until then shat it.

We've got quality throughout the team as well though we mix it as and when required. We try and pass it a bit more against the lutons and accringtons but have to go direct against your countys and mansfields to match their route one approach.

And how didn’t that approach work out for you against “your countys and mansfields”?

Just the two points from four games , right?

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

It’s not really a criticism only over sensitive young Lincoln fans can take it to heart. If you play direct and win it’s great. I’m a Notts fan, Warnock, Big Sam and Nolan all play the same direct style and all have proven successful to varying degrees.

I would suggest Notts this season are very much direct, Lincoln more long ball, both have been successful to varying degrees this season

 

[Davidimp]

Don't recall you guys doing much at all our place bar your player hacking Arnold down late on and your manager complaining about the grass length....

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Don't recall you guys doing much at all our place bar your player hacking Arnold down late on and your manager complaining about the grass length....

Yep that was shit game all around, very dull. But we weren’t talking about us were we...

 

[GodsGift]

For the record, I'm more than happy to admit we're a direct side and I've got no idea why our fans get so touchy about it.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

For the record, I'm more than happy to admit we're a direct side and I've got no idea why our fans get so touchy about it.

There’s nothing wrong with it when it’s done well which Lincoln clearly do. No one wants to watch aimless punts up the pitch in the same way watching a back 4 neatly pass between themselves is boring!

As long as it’s effective football it’s a decent watch in my book.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

For the record, I'm more than happy to admit we're a direct side and I've got no idea why our fans get so touchy about it.

There you go Gijsbert bos.

 

[Davidimp]

Any team with Rheady up top is bound be direct, never said we weren't just think some of the comments are little OTT.
Apparently Ollie Palmer's goal ala Messi.....

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Exactly, Rhead = very direct aka long ball, and it works for you.
It’s basically what most L2 fans have been saying all season about Lincoln be they are right as you say.

 

[LongEatonPie]

Dofts cap to Accrington. Are their any fans on this forum, or in actual fact in general or is their fan base a farm, supermarket staff and the local police force? Speak up Stanley, the milks going off!

 

[Plumbob]

Any team with Rheady up top is bound be direct, never said we weren't just think some of the comments are little OTT.

Correct. OTT in the extreme in some cases. Some would have you believe we are the reincarnation of the crazy gang. All bar a handful of sides in this division get the ball forward quickly.
Not touchy, just realistic and honest unlike some that believe they are watching Barca every week.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

“...... unlike some that believethey are watching Barca every week”

Name them?! Who in L2 thinks that ?

And yes very touchy, it’s been evident on the forum this season over analysis or matches, seemingly endless complaining about individual moments in games, referee decisions, one Imp still bangs on about a red card in the game against us at Meadow Lane???? How long ago was that?! It’s one game. Who cares?! It’s like some Imp fans on here are new to Football. Which with their impressive home attendances probably is the case

 

[AdamStag]

No issues with Lincoln playing their style of football. Bloody awful to watch, but if it's effective, which it has been than so be it.

Had Lincoln played passing football against us on Tuesday they'd have probably been battered, they didn't and they got a more than fair draw.

 

[JJ1532]

91 - Predicted Champions 2018
90 - Champions 2015
89 - Champions 2012
88 -
87 - Champions 2016, 2017
86 -
85 - Automatic Promotion 2016
84 - Automatic Promotion 2012
83 -
82 - Champions 2014
81 - Predicted Automatics 2018
80 - Champions 2013
79 -
78 - Automatic Promotion 2017
77 - Automatic Promotion 2013, 2014
76 -
75 - Predicted Play Offs 2018
74 -
73 -
72 -
71 - Play Offs 2012, Accrington(36) 91
70 - Play Offs 2016, 2017
69 - Play Offs 2015, Luton(36) 88
68 - Play Offs 2013
67 -
66 -
65 - Notts County(37) 81
------------------------------------------------------------
64 -
63 - Play Offs 2014, Wycombe(36) 81
62 - Mansfield(36) 79
61 -
60 -
59 - Exeter(34) 80
58 -
57 - Lincoln(36) 73
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57 - Coventry(35) 75, Swindon(36) 73
56 -
55 - Carlisle(37) 68

Forthcoming fixtures:

1st Accrington(36) - 71 points. Forest Green(H), Yeovil(H), Mansfield(A), Notts County(H), Colchester(A), Exeter(H), Wycombe(A), Newport(A), Lincoln(H), Swindon(A)
2nd Luton(36) - 69 points. Coventry(A), Newport(A), Barnet(H), Colchester(A), Mansfield(H), Yeovil(A), Crewe(H), Carlisle(A), Forest Green(H), Notts County(A)
3rd Notts County(37) - 65 points. Mansfield(H), Chesterfield(A), Wycombe(H), Accrington(A), Coventry(H), Colchester(A), Yeovil(H), Grimsby(A), Luton(H)
---------------------------------------------------
4th Wycombe(36) - 63 points. Crawley(A), Barnet(A), Port Vale(H), Notts County(A), Grimsby(H), Yeovil(A), Lincoln(A), Accrington(H), Chesterfield(A), Stevenage(H)
5th Mansfield(36) - 62 points. Stevenage(A), Notts County(A), Forest Green(A), Accrington(H), Luton(A), Crewe(H), Stevenage(A), Chesterfield(A), Port Vale(H), Yeovil(A), Crawley(H)
6th Exeter(34) - 59 points.Yeovil(H), Morecambe(A), Port Vale(A), Swindon(H), Lincoln(A), Cheltenham(H), Cambridge(A), Accrington(A), Chesterfield(H), Crawley(H), Stevenage(A)
7th Lincoln(36) - 57 points. Grimsby(H), Morecambe(A), Exeter(H), Carlisle(A), Port Vale(A), Wycombe(H), Colchester(H), Accrington(A), Yeovil(H), Coventry(A) TBA
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8th Coventry(35) - 57 points. Luton(H), Crewe(A), Grimsby(H), Newport(A), Yeovil(H), Notts County(A), Crawley(A), Stevenage(H), Cheltenham(A), Morecambe(H), Lincoln(H) TBA
9th Swindon(36) - 57 points. Cambridge(A), Exeter(A), Morecambe(H), Crawley(A), Carlisle(H), Yeovil(H), Newport(A), Grimsby(H), Colchester(A), Accrington(H)
10th Carlisle(37) - 55 points. Crawley(H), Cambridge(H), Cheltenham(A), Lincoln(H), Swindon(A), Morecambe(A), Luton(H), Port Vale(A), Newport(H)

Well done to Accrington on their fine win against Luton. I'm pleased we have a title race back on, not a fan of a team running away with it. However, after their next 2, boy do Accy have a horrible run in. 3 tough home games and 5 long and tough away trips. If they are going to go up, they'll have to properly earn it.

Luton must be hurting to see their lead disappear and now they drop to 2nd. However, their run in looks better than Accy's. Those 3 home games against strugglers look very winnable, as do the away games at Newport, Colchester and Yeovil. Long way to go yet before that title is decided me thinks. Funny to see Notts County surge back into the top 3, they've picked up of late. However, their acid test will be their home games, all bar one are against fellow promotion rivals. Win those and they should have a top 3 spot in the bag.

Wycombe have gone 3 without a win, bit of a surprise to see them falter at this stage. Still, their run in looks kind to them. Should be enough winnable games for them to make a strong push for the top 3. Mansfield looked shoe ins for the top 3, but their change(downgrade?) in manager might affect things. Drew their last 3 too, be interesting to see how they get on in the next few weeks under Flitcroft.

Exeter look to have the best run in and have games in hand. They could make a push for the automatics if they put a decent run together in their next 3. Can't discount them. Funny how quickly the play off picture can change. Swindon had a 4 point gap 2 weeks ago, now it's wide open, with 3 teams sat on 57. Lincoln have a tough set of fixtures, but put 6 points on the board in their next 2 and they'll be in a decent spot.

Coventry looked to be slipping out of it, but they've picked up in their last 3. Be interested to see if this recent resurgence carries on. Swindon had a good start under Matt Taylor, but their last 10 look like there are potentials for points. Carlisle are still alive, but they have played more than those above them, so they'll be relying on a slip up or 2. Still, they too have the fixtures to make a strong play off push.

Looks wide open for the title, top 3 and play offs with 10 to go for most teams. Could make an argument for different teams to finish in each category at this stage. Can't wait to see who finishes where, could go in any direction at this stage.