Promotion Thread

[Sydney Posse]

They looked like they've got the makings of a decent team. Fairly well organised and Johnny Smith looks a good player. The downfall was the Uber negative tactics employed by Dino, lots of time wasting, and the keeper is garbage.

Oh...I was hoping you were gonna say they were pretty average but you didn't take your chances or some such, never mind, we ought to beat them midweek anyway

 

[Son of Cod]

Few issues which have prevented us reaching top form in the last few weeks. Some have hit a wall energy wise. Been leaning on the same 7-8 players for most of the season and its showed. That's why we've had to rotate guys like Kirk and Lowery.

Then we've had injuries. Yeah, no different to any other team, but were currently down 3 first choice CBs and 2 first choice CMs. Our 2nd highest scorer has been out for 2 months over the busiest period of the season, we lost our highest scorer and most in form player yesterday in the warm up, our joint top scoring midfielder in Lowery has been battling injuries for a few weeks.

And then it's also the opposition. Now that we're into the final stretch, teams are really starting raise their game against us. We are seeing more teams come at us with a high press style and it does cause us issues, same with most teams I'd imagine.

No surprise that we struggle in first halves when teams come at us, but we come on stronger in the 2nd period when they start to tire. I mean, there is no need to scout us, because we operate the same system each week. There are no surprises when it comes to game planning. But so many teams have devoted all their energy to stopping us, rather than trying to play their own game. It's high praise, but it does mean we spend a lot of games in a battle of attrition.

I know people rip on Artell because he rubs them up the wrong way and comes out with arrogant statements. But what hes done here is incredible. When Steve Davis took over in 2011, he had all the pieces he needed already established. He just needed to put them in the right system and let them fly. Artell has had to slowly build this team over the last 3 years. Hes had to assemble all these pieces himself. Hes brought most of our academy lads into the team and has had to be patient whilst he waits for them to develop. Hes brought in important players like Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Nolan, Green, Porter, Anene, guys with experience that are helping the younger ones along.

He's developed a strong team spirit. The amount of comebacks this season(25 points from losing positions shows that) has been incredible. Hes managed to get savvy finds in the transfer and loan markets. A few duds admittedly, but what manager doesnt.

His most impressive job is the squad hes put together. We've got depth all over the pitch. We've got young lads making their debuts and not looking at all out of place. Oli Finney and Owen Dale were barely involved last season, they've both been very useful this season. Players like Luke Offord and Rio Adebisi have stepped in and coped fine.

We lost Chris Porter and wild card loanee Anene jumped straight in and scored 8 goals. Almost every outfield player has scored. Just so much to be impressed by at the moment. Its an outstanding job by all involved. And what's more, we dont even have the same calibre of talent as 11-12. I doubt any of these players will ever reach the PL. Be surprised if they even reached the Championship. None have the talent Nick Powell did. I truly think this team is better than the sum of its parts. Every player is in a place to play to his strengths.

Yes, it's made easier by the fact the league is very weak. There are no juggernaut teams. This Swindon side is good, but better than some of their last promotion winning teams? Exeter aren't as good as they were 2-3 years ago. Northampton, clearly not as good as their title winning side from a few years ago. Bradford, woeful, Scunny, woeful, Mansfield woeful. So many should be contenders underperforming due to bad management. We've capitalized on a weak promotion race, but who cares. History doesnt remember what kind of league you got promoted from.

Sorry for the long waffle, knowing you you probably dont care. Just thought it was time this team got it's due.

Haha, no this was a good post. Very informative, cheers. The lack of CBs reminds me of us at times last season. Started the match at Palace with two RBs at CB, a CM at RB and a LB at LB...who got sent off in the second minute. Still managed to keep a Prem side at bay for 80+ minutes. It's amazing what can be achieved when the chips are down and it seems like Crewe are showing this right now.

Would be good to see Crewe go up, I'm rooting for you lot.

 

[Pennywise]

5 of our 8 are at home, so not that bothered.

We just simply need to start winning consecutive games instead of draws.

 

[Crewelad87]

Just checked the form table and I was shocked to see we were top over the last 6 games. I don't think we've been anywhere near our best since the 1st half Vs Carlisle on New year's Day and also have suffered with a depleted squad on this time. I thought the likes of Colchester were on storming runs but they seem to drop more points then I thought.

 

[dedwardp]

Just checked the form table and I was shocked to see we were top over the last 6 games. I don't think we've been anywhere near our best since the 1st half Vs Carlisle on New year's Day and also have suffered with a depleted squad on this time. I thought the likes of Colchester were on storming runs but they seem to drop more points then I thought.

Only one loss in the past 18, but we've drawn too many since Christmas. It's still 33 points from those 18 games though which would have you there or thereabouts for the top three, it's just been frustrating recently to have dropped points against Crawley, Stevenage, Morecambe and Cambridge.

 

[Chris FGR]

I prefer not to look at the form table.

 

[GTFCfish]

I prefer not to look at the form table.

Cooper must surely be on borrowed time now?

 

[Grumpy Grecian]

Cooper must surely be on borrowed time now?

Thing is, up on "Dale Mountain" they still have to use sundials. Solar power innit, far more eco friendly!

 

[valefan16]

Decent enough results for us tonight, granted Bradford and Cheltenham won but Cobblers and Colchester losing means it’s gone from 1 place to 3 that are within reach so opens it up a bit.

We were excellent for 70 plus minutes tonight until the Kettle show got going and looked full of confidence, hopefully the last few minutes and two reds don’t take away from that and we can push on, 10 points from Exeter and Salford at home and Northampton and FGR away is way beyond expectation from this tough run, one more big game Saturday against Colchester and if we win that we will start really believing.

Just need to get through that and then two very winnable games to follow (which we usually balls up!)

Hopefully we are that side on the periphery that hits form at the right time... title form since Christmas... long way to go but enjoying the ride, we’ve far outdone expectation from our new owners first season in which most expected a solid mid table season of consolidation ahead of a challenge next. Even if we do fall short the positivity around the club hopefully means we can do it next season.

Today win now means we’ve outdone our points tally of the last three seasons with 13 left... the fans finally pushed to remove Smurf a year ago this week with the first March and protests. Thank the lord he didn’t have the stomach for the fight.

 

[Chris FGR]

Not the best set of results for us tonight, although that has been the case pretty much every week due to us losing every game in living memory. Think the title is out of reach for us now.

 

[Pennywise]

Vale in the Play Off picture yet?

 

[ProfessorGreen]

Superb result for Swindon last night. They should piss it now with their run in and strike force.

As for us, huge last minute winner with everyone else winning bar Colchester. If we can come away with 3 points now at home to Crewe this weekend, then it’d be a very successful 6 points from our tricky Colchester, Salford, Crewe run in the space of a week. Would have snapped your hand off for that.

Going to be some Devon derby at end of March. Hopefully we show up this time.

 

[Sydney Posse]

A great win for us, unusual for us to score that many goals, which I guess is in part down to Oldham being down to 10 men for half the match. Great all round performance and the goals were shared around the team. Needed the win as Argyle, Swindon and Crewe all won, but surprisingly Colchester lost. They are the best team I've seen us play this season to date. We have Northampton, Argyle and Crewe amongst others fairly soon so all to play for UTC

 

[Dave-Vale]

Starting to believe we could sneak into the play offs. The fact we have done so well without our best midfielder for half the season and so many other injuries/suspensions is a massive credit to John Askey.

Looking very tight from 5th-9th. Could be very interesting come the end of the season as there could be 5 or 6 teams fighting for 3, or even all 4, play off places.

 

[valefan16]

Starting to believe we could sneak into the play offs. The fact we have done so well without our best midfielder for half the season and so many other injuries/suspensions is a massive credit to John Askey.

Looking very tight from 5th-9th. Could be very interesting come the end of the season as there could be 5 or 6 teams fighting for 3, or even all 4, play off places.

Getting Manny back and with Jake imminent it is promising.

If we repeat our form from the last 10 games over the next 10 we'd probably have done enough with 3 to spare so it has gone from an outside chance in January to a real chance now, just hope we can keep the form going as it would be an incredible achievement from where we were 12 months ago under Gorm.

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Not a good four days from us, some saying it's a hangover from the FA Cup but Keith Curle quite rightly refuses to blame it. Both games we have had enough chances but have failed to convert any of them or in Port Vales case, came up against an in form keeper. Would have been a solid 4th if we had obtained the 'expected' 6pts.
Moving onto Walsall this weekend where we were hoping for a decent away following, although the last couple of results may deter some of the lightweights from travelling.
Irrespective, we need three points to get us back to the pre-Derby mindset.

 

[EricSabin]

Not a good four days from us, some saying it's a hangover from the FA Cup but Keith Curle quite rightly refuses to blame it. Both games we have had enough chances but have failed to convert any of them or in Port Vales case, came up against an in form keeper. Would have been a solid 4th if we had obtained the 'expected' 6pts.
Moving onto Walsall this weekend where we were hoping for a decent away following, although the last couple of results may deter some of the lightweights from travelling.
Irrespective, we need three points to get us back to the pre-Derby mindset.

Not quite sure of the logic behind the ‘deserved’ 6 points? 3 certainly, 4 at a push

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Not quite sure of the logic behind the ‘deserved’ 6 points? 3 certainly, 4 at a push

I'd put 'expected' not 'deserved'...

 

[EricSabin]

I'd put 'expected' not 'deserved'...

Misquote but still expected no no

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Misquote but still expected no no

It was by some, although not on here nor by me, following our recent home form. That's why it was in parentheses.

 

[BlackHaddock]

Consider Grimsby Town FC as a 'dark horse'.

Stating this for a friend.

 

[lordofthepies]

Consider Grimsby Town FC as a 'dark horse'.

Stating this for a friend.

This year?

 

[BlackHaddock]

This year?

Certainly this decade.

 

[Trapdoor]

Consider Grimsby Town FC as a 'dark horse'.

I did consider it but I just think they look more like a zebra.

 

[valefan16]

I think now its the top 10 only involved in the race for promotion, FGR still in it if they can pick up a couple of wins but need them quickly.

Top 9 are obviously right in it with 5-9th separated by a point so very open at this stage.

What we saying around 72-74 points should be enough for top 7? Currently 72 points would do it if 7th place keeps on the trajectory PPG.

 

[Posh Harry]

Vale in the Play Off picture yet?

Not according to Devon Lad

 

[valefan16]

Not according to Devon Lad

He's not been seen since we sent his boys packing surprise surprise.

In all fairness we've surprised even our own fans with the form of late to get right in the picture.

 

[Devon_Lad]

He's not been seen since we sent his boys packing surprise surprise.

In all fairness we've surprised even our own fans with the form of late to get right in the picture.

As you'll probably note, I've got a life and I'm not on here daily or even weekly. You didn't "send us packing" you were god awful and one of the worst teams I've seen us play all season. We were all over you, should've been about 4 or 5 up by half time, but we didn't capitalise and you came out stronger second half and somehow won the game, completely unjustly but with a few lucky counter-attacks that's what happens.

You still have no chance of going up. You're fucking dire.

 

[Indian Dan]

Good old Vale. Battering you softened you up for us a few days later.

Just done the same thing to Northampton as well.

Cheers, lads!

 

[valefan16]

As you'll probably note, I've got a life and I'm not on here daily or even weekly. You didn't "send us packing" you were god awful and one of the worst teams I've seen us play all season. We were all over you, should've been about 4 or 5 up by half time, but we didn't capitalise and you came out stronger second half and somehow won the game, completely unjustly but with a few lucky counter-attacks that's what happens.

You still have no chance of going up. You're fucking dire.

Didn't see the game then obviously! Second half was as one sided a game we've had this season!

Happy to be dire and picking up over 2 points a game as we are currently though... lets hope we don't come good!