Promotion thread

[Bartonyellow]

if Salford come up I’m officially boycotting football.

 

[RLC]

Congratulations to Exeter. It just shows what you can achieve when you back a manager who does not succeed at the first time of asking, something some of our supporters need reminding of.

 

[EricSabin]

Team were at Timepiece nightclub last night. I doubt they will be training today.

Sorry Vale

Hope the people of Exeter were buying them shitloads of drinks and that they are still there now

 

[Sammo1982]

Hope the people of Exeter were buying them shitloads of drinks and that they are still there now

Why stop at the people of Exeter, I would happily buy them a few rounds to congratulate them on their promotion, shall we meet the team in Carrs bar at 10am on Saturday?

 

[denzel ecfc]

Why stop at the people of Exeter, I would happily buy them a few rounds to congratulate them on their promotion, shall we meet the team in Carrs bar at 10am on Saturday?

We are banned from Carrs bar ;-)

 

[Devon_Lad]

Thing is, our players could be hungover and/or still pissed and we'd still comfortably beat Northampton.

 

[kieran_vale]

On a separate note good to see some common sense prevailing on this. I believe Northampton are trying for the same thing in their game so would expect theirs will be granted also.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1519289819590967296

 

[valefan16]

On a separate note good to see some common sense prevailing on this. I believe Northampton are trying for the same thing in their game so would expect theirs will be granted also.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1519289819590967296

Makes sense as to be fair league two isn’t screened on the final day like the other leagues.

 

[kieran_vale]

Makes sense as to be fair league two isn’t screened on the final day like the other leagues.

Aye I believe they will be discussing abolishing the 3pm blackout in any case for next season at the next league AGM. To be honest its about time. Anyone who wants to watch it all you would need is a VPN to get the iFollow pass so why not Vale take the chance make some money out of it. Exeter aren't losing anything either as the away end is sold out too.

 

[valefan16]

Aye I believe they will be discussing abolishing the 3pm blackout in any case for next season at the next league AGM. To be honest its about time. Anyone who wants to watch it all you would need is a VPN to get the iFollow pass so why not Vale take the chance make some money out of it. Exeter aren't losing anything either as the away end is sold out too.

It will be a big debate, some clubs want it keeping in place at our level but we have to come into the 21st century now, let clubs make money from it, one way around is charge the same as a match ticket I guess but I will be there on Monday not watching on Sky so the desire will still see most attend but will help those who aren't local or can't make it.

 

[Sammo1982]

We are banned from Carrs bar ;-)

Hip flask on the hill it is then

 

[Sammo1982]

Thing is, our players could be hungover and/or still pissed and we'd still comfortably beat Northampton.

There have been many games where I think the team getting absolutely smashed would have been an improvement...

 

[FGR Stroud]

Double incentive for FGR to win last two games of season: -
[1] Win Championship
[2] Equal maximum points club has achieved in single season [89 pts in Conference 2015/16]

 

[denzel ecfc]

Double incentive for FGR to win last two games of season: -
[1] Win Championship
[2] Equal maximum points club has achieved in single season [89 pts in Conference 2015/16]

Funnily enough that's exactly our aims too

 

[LordJord]

Have not done yet so wanted to say a big congrats to FGR and Exeter on achieving promotion. Not sure if its as we have bounced up and down the last few seasons and one was during peak Covid in football, but shouldnt forget the absolute elation it gives the fans.

Especially pleased for Exeter as they have been close so many times and there is only so much heartbreak a fan should go through without getting that moment of joy to make it all seem worth it!

Hope both sets of fans enjoyed the evening and the celebrations to follow (P.S please still lose at San Sixfields saturday).

 

[Conker]

Exeter and Mansfield can be particularly helpful to each other in our final games.

 

[Essex2Wessex]

Exeter are both a great club and a great awayday, so I'm really happy they're coming up with us. And they were comfortably the best team we played in the league all season.

If I were to bet on the third auto place....I think Port Vale would be the most worthy, and possibly the most likely, but who knows?

 

[Conker]

Most worthy is whoever finishes third.

 

[chipmunx]

Exeter are both a great club and a great awayday, so I'm really happy they're coming up with us. And they were comfortably the best team we played in the league all season.

If I were to bet on the third auto place....I think Port Vale would be the most worthy, and possibly the most likely, but who knows?

wait - what.... we beat you 4-0... did you miss that game?

 

[AdamStag]

We struggle away against teams around us though, Salford away worries me.

Our record against the top half at home is really good, away less so (by some margin)

That’s the issue when you’re going for 1 auto spot and the rest go into the playoffs - sutton are the side i think we’d struggle against the most - but any of northampton, port vale, bristol rovers etc i’d fancy our chances - conversely (and probably rightfully so) they wouldn’t necessarily fear us either.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Our record against the top half at home is really good, away less so (by some margin)

That’s the issue when you’re going for 1 auto spot and the rest go into the playoffs - sutton are the side i think we’d struggle against the most - but any of northampton, port vale, bristol rovers etc i’d fancy our chances - conversely (and probably rightfully so) they wouldn’t necessarily fear us either.

I think it would be very tight between you and us. I'd imagine you'd beat us at Field Mill but we would probably edge it at Vale. I could see it going to penalties!

Don't rate Sutton at all. They have one plan (which they do very well) but if you nullify that then we're a better football team than them.

Think we might struggle against Northampton. We're not great at defending crosses and one of their defenders has scored 8 goals this season! Bristol Rovers I think we'd know what we were facing and with a proper DM on the pitch I could see us doing alright. Oh and also get in Coutts face early.

It all really depends on what sides teams can put out. If we had say Gibbons and Walker back, then that would make a difference.

 

[EricSabin]

I think it would be very tight between you and us. I'd imagine you'd beat us at Field Mill but we would probably edge it at Vale. I could see it going to penalties!

Don't rate Sutton at all. They have one plan (which they do very well) but if you nullify that then we're a better football team than them.

Think we might struggle against Northampton. We're not great at defending crosses and one of their defenders has scored 8 goals this season! Bristol Rovers I think we'd know what we were facing and with a proper DM on the pitch I could see us doing alright. Oh and also get in Coutts face early.

It all really depends on what sides teams can put out. If we had say Gibbons and Walker back, then that would make a difference.

After Orient on Saturday both centre halves have 8 goals…

 

[AdamStag]

I think it would be very tight between you and us. I'd imagine you'd beat us at Field Mill but we would probably edge it at Vale. I could see it going to penalties!

Don't rate Sutton at all. They have one plan (which they do very well) but if you nullify that then we're a better football team than them.

Think we might struggle against Northampton. We're not great at defending crosses and one of their defenders has scored 8 goals this season! Bristol Rovers I think we'd know what we were facing and with a proper DM on the pitch I could see us doing alright. Oh and also get in Coutts face early.

It all really depends on what sides teams can put out. If we had say Gibbons and Walker back, then that would make a difference.

Like you i hope we go up automatically and if you achieve it i’ll be happy to doff my cap (well imaginary one)

Logistically if we did both end up in the playoffs you’d be the easiest, northamptons away end holds about 55, swindon and bristol rovers are seemingly halfway to spain and well yeah, sutton urgh. Also we’d fill that away end no bother.

I mean we’ve got to finish in them first.

Like you said, it would be nip and tuck which is why it would be a penalty, a ref decision (probably against us given this season) a brilliant bit of magic which would he the difference

 

[leedsvaliant]

Like you i hope we go up automatically and if you achieve it i’ll be happy to doff my cap (well imaginary one)

Logistically if we did both end up in the playoffs you’d be the easiest, northamptons away end holds about 55, swindon and bristol rovers are seemingly halfway to spain and well yeah, sutton urgh. Also we’d fill that away end no bother.

I mean we’ve got to finish in them first.

Like you said, it would be nip and tuck which is why it would be a penalty, a ref decision (probably against us given this season) a brilliant bit of magic which would he the difference

I think you're right. It's going to be an 'on the day' thing that decides any of the playoffs. I've resigned myself that this is where we'll end up. I just can't see Northampton or you or Bristol Rovers not winning your last 2 games when needed. When the pressure has been on you seem to have stood up to it, whereas we wilted. I'd be happy with the playoffs, even if I'd be surprised if we won them, so autos would just be a huge unexpected bonus.

I've had this nagging feeling for a while that our general lack of pace and somebody who can create something out of nothing would be our downfall. We're a generally strong team, but if you get our number then we're quite easy to play against (as Walsall found out).

Proctor and Wilson were crap on Saturday, but if they have a couple of 8 out of 10 performances then we're a match for anyone.

 

[AdamStag]

I think you're right. It's going to be an 'on the day' thing that decides any of the playoffs. I've resigned myself that this is where we'll end up. I just can't see Northampton or you or Bristol Rovers not winning your last 2 games when needed. When the pressure has been on you seem to have stood up to it, whereas we wilted. I'd be happy with the playoffs, even if I'd be surprised if we won them, so autos would just be a huge unexpected bonus.

I've had this nagging feeling for a while that our general lack of pace and somebody who can create something out of nothing would be our downfall. We're a generally strong team, but if you get our number then we're quite easy to play against (as Walsall found out).

Proctor and Wilson were crap on Saturday, but if they have a couple of 8 out of 10 performances then we're a match for anyone.

With salford away and FG at home by far the hardest 2 games, and i do half expect bristol rovers to sneak in and get it.

again whereas for some reason there’s been a bit of an edge between us and rovers if they go up i’d wish them the best too.

I just actually think next season will be harder, salford will go again, stockport will probably spend big, wrexham also if they come up, doncaster will be a hassle if they get their house in order, and wimbledon will be earning some coin with their new ground.

And that’s with a pool of northampton mansfield, vale, bristol rovers, salford where 2 will miss out. Bradford might well finally wake up (though i think hughes is the wrong way to go personally).

Next year will be one tough league

 

[valefan16]

With salford away and FG at home by far the hardest 2 games, and i do half expect bristol rovers to sneak in and get it.

again whereas for some reason there’s been a bit of an edge between us and rovers if they go up i’d wish them the best too.

I just actually think next season will be harder, salford will go again, stockport will probably spend big, wrexham also if they come up, doncaster will be a hassle if they get their house in order, and wimbledon will be earning some coin with their new ground.

And that’s with a pool of northampton mansfield, vale, bristol rovers, salford where 2 will miss out. Bradford might well finally wake up (though i think hughes is the wrong way to go personally).

Next year will be one tough league

Salford don’t seem to ever get it right which would suggest the issue is further up with those making the decisions. They’ll probably sack Bowyer and ditch half the squad and do a full rebuild at high expense and wonder why they don’t go up again next season.

Stockport and Wrexham is no guarantees that it would be as easy in L2 either, they’d spend but big spending isn’t always the way to go at this level and there are a few big/well run clubs here at present.

I’m surprised by AFCW though; thought they’d push on with the new ground but doesn’t look to have happened. Doncaster and them could go either way I guess, are Donny just dropping back to their natural level for instance.

Crewe will struggle big time I think and not just saying that because it’s Crewe.

I think whoever doesn’t go up from Mansfield, Vale, Northampton and Bristol Rovers will be heavy favourites next season as all are relatively big clubs at this level with the stability and finance now to tweak and push on next season.

Swindon should be stronger though.

If we don’t go up I’d be fairly content in the progress ahead of next season as we wont need a massive overhaul like the last season and just to sort the keeper situation and add a bit more pace and probably a hairy arsed centre half.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Funnily enough that's exactly our aims too

Why would you want to equal our Conference points record?

 

[AdamStag]

Salford don’t seem to ever get it right which would suggest the issue is further up with those making the decisions. They’ll probably sack Bowyer and ditch half the squad and do a full rebuild at high expense and wonder why they don’t go up again next season.

Stockport and Wrexham is no guarantees that it would be as easy in L2 either, they’d spend but big spending isn’t always the way to go at this level and there are a few big/well run clubs here at present.

I’m surprised by AFCW though; thought they’d push on with the new ground but doesn’t look to have happened. Doncaster and them could go either way I guess, are Donny just dropping back to their natural level for instance.

Crewe will struggle big time I think and not just saying that because it’s Crewe.

I think whoever doesn’t go up from Mansfield, Vale, Northampton and Bristol Rovers will be heavy favourites next season as all are relatively big clubs at this level with the stability and finance now to tweak and push on next season.

Swindon should be stronger though.

If we don’t go up I’d be fairly content in the progress ahead of next season as we wont need a massive overhaul like the last season and just to sort the keeper situation and add a bit more pace and probably a hairy arsed centre half.

I think that’s fair. there’s few, if any better managers down here than clough and if we don’t make it next term we’d have a great chance next.

Your assessment looks pretty sound. and if you don’t get it the first time, like exeter go again. and if (with respect) exeter can do it, most sides down here will be thinking they can, just need to follow the stability route.

 

[ExeterDan]

I think that’s fair. there’s few, if any better managers down here than clough and if we don’t make it next term we’d have a great chance next.

Your assessment looks pretty sound. and if you don’t get it the first time, like exeter go again. and if (with respect) exeter can do it, most sides down here will be thinking they can, just need to follow the stability route.

That's the key though isn't it. When we didn't make the playoffs last year there were plenty calling for the manager's head. Luckily the board stuck with him, but not many clubs that have that kind of patience.

 

[leedsvaliant]

That's the key though isn't it. When we didn't make the playoffs last year there were plenty calling for the manager's head. Luckily the board stuck with him, but not many clubs that have that kind of patience.

I think that shows that well run clubs often triumph in the end. I'm hoping vale go a similar way.....year on year challenge (if we don't go up this season) and then ultimately we will get promoted.

Even though we might miss out this year, all the building blocks are in place.