Promotion Thread

[ComeOnIrene]

The signing of Lines, as Gassy says, could make a huge difference to our push for promotion.

As I said in the confirmed transfers thread, I was never his biggest fan when he was last with us, but he is exactly what we need right now in terms of his playing style. He was a standout played for Sheffield Wednesday when they were promoted from L1 a few years back and is still of third tier standard I would think, so it is a big move for us.

Credit to him for wanting to come back and make a difference - fingers crossed he can have the desired impact. My confidence levels have gone up somewhat, I have to say.

 

[miagsygas]

We've just signed Chris Lines on loan. Started his career here and left 3/4 years ago to join Wednesday.

Brilliant signing, exactly the attacking CM that we need. Was getting 10-15 goals a season for us in L1 and L2. If I remember rightly, didn't he have a more powerful shot than Lambert on that local Bbc league program?

It's got to be a huge boost for us Gassy. Turning what has been a weakness for us in the last few games without Sincs into a strength overnight. Scores goals from midfield, drives with the ball and has a cracking set piece. A huge upgrade on Lockyer and Clarke.

 

[GTFC1979]

Is starting to look that way. I am very worried we will not be able to hold on to our play-off spot at the moment.

I think you need to put things into perspective a little, if you were offered the position you are in now, at the start of the season, would you have taken it?
I can understand the Barnet fans worries as they have blown a huge lead, but if Macc make it into the play offs, with your financial situation, it will surely have been a very good season, whether you go up or not?

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

I think you need to put things into perspective a little, if you were offered the position you are in now, at the start of the season, would you have taken it?
I can understand the Barnet fans worries as they have blown a huge lead, but if Macc make it into the play offs, with your financial situation, it will surely have been a very good season, whether you go up or not?

Oh yes, don't get me wrong this season has been fantastic and full credit to Askey and the team for doing what they've done. Even if we don't make the play-offs/get promoted it will have been one of our most succesful seasons of recent times and definitely the most enjoyable for a decade as we seem to have regained our togetherness/passion we used to have and thrive on. As has been mentioned by others around the place I think Askey will be one of the favourites for manager of the season regardless of what happens now as he has done wonders with the budget and pre-season expectations.

I was just trying to point out we're playing pants at the moment and have tough fixtures still to play and by my predictions it's going to be very close to whether we finish 5th or 6th. If someone offered a guranteed play-off spot with no chance of the title at this moment in time I'd be very likely to say yes (as as you pointed out that would be a huge acheivement in its own right!).

 

[Southern Shayman]

Is starting to look that way. I am very worried we will not be able to hold on to our play-off spot at the moment.

As I say I really want you to make it. Eastleigh and Forest Green both in the play offs would be desperately depressing.

A sign that cheque book throwers are going to start taking over this league, especially with the likes of Fylde and Whitehawk likely to come up next season

 

[Gladders]

As I say I really want you to make it. Eastleigh and Forest Green both in the play offs would be desperately depressing.

A sign that cheque book throwers are going to start taking over this league, especially with the likes of Fylde and Whitehawk likely to come up next season

Considering the last 4 title winners have been cheque book throwers its not exactly a new problem. Only difference this year is there isn't one club spending far more than anyone else

 

[The_Boss]

Oh yes, don't get me wrong this season has been fantastic and full credit to Askey and the team for doing what they've done. Even if we don't make the play-offs/get promoted it will have been one of our most succesful seasons of recent times and definitely the most enjoyable for a decade as we seem to have regained our togetherness/passion we used to have and thrive on. As has been mentioned by others around the place I think Askey will be one of the favourites for manager of the season regardless of what happens now as he has done wonders with the budget and pre-season expectations.

I was just trying to point out we're playing pants at the moment and have tough fixtures still to play and by my predictions it's going to be very close to whether we finish 5th or 6th. If someone offered a guranteed play-off spot with no chance of the title at this moment in time I'd be very likely to say yes (as as you pointed out that would be a huge acheivement in its own right!).

To be where we currently find ourselves is great, but the big issue is we've completely stopped doing what got us to this position over the last 6 weeks or so. I don't like all the "you'd have taken this position 6 months ago talk", we're in a position now that we should be kicking on from and when opportunities like Saturday come up we have to be taking them. If we don't finish top 5 now, it will take a vast number of weeks for me to look back on it as a successful season.

 

[springerbfc]

I'm not sure why Luisma was taken off. Maybe MA thought that with us playing against the wind in the second half, we could play balls in behind the FGR defence for Gambin to run onto. It certainly didn't work.

Luisma is incredibly slow. In fact, he's possibly up there with the slowest players I've ever seen.

It was a poor tactical switch to add some pace to our side. It didn't make any difference and we were dire thereafter.

Luisma is also terribly lightweight and a bit of a luxury player. I would prefer he started every game in an advanced central position but I can understand why he is often subbed or left out altogether.

 

[Southern Shayman]

Considering the last 4 title winners have been cheque book throwers its not exactly a new problem. Only difference this year is there isn't one club spending far more than anyone else

Not sure you can quite count Luton as bona fide cheque book throwers and at least with Mansfield they are a large club for the level.

It's more the fact that next year there will be a significant number of them and they will all probably be at the top end of the table. It will kill this league, through everybody over spending to keep up and the sheer apathy that comes with playing the likes of Fylde and Shitehawk on a regular basis.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

The day a side from pissing Kirkham makes the Football League is when the Conference should take a long hard look at itself.

These hobby clubs need to be eradicated because what will inevitably happen is constant promotion as high as League One before they realise the cost is unbearable to compete with your Bristol City's and Sheffield United's and then they stagnate before the inevitable decline sinks in like it's currently doing so at Crawley.

 

[GEORGE]

The signing of Chris Lines is showing our intent to the other teams near the top at exactly where we as a club hope to be , come next season. With Easter back this weekend plus Lines last Saturday has now become eradicated from my mind. And yes our budget has significantly increased. Things are starting to look brighter in fact very much brighter.Its possibly still in Barnets hands but I still think Grimsby will be our toughest test.

 

[AdamStag]

Out of interest, who are Eastleigh?

Must have missed out on this delight a few seasons ago, are they like another Forest Green?

 

[Urban]

Out of interest, who are Eastleigh?

Must have missed out on this delight a few seasons ago, are they like another Forest Green?

Essentially, yes.

 

[ShrewdBlue]

Out of interest, who are Eastleigh?

Must have missed out on this delight a few seasons ago, are they like another Forest Green?

Yes, they are both whores. Though at least we know Forest Green are capable of maintaining Conference Premier football without the cash unlike £astleigh.

 

[GTFC1979]

Out of interest, who are Eastleigh?

Must have missed out on this delight a few seasons ago, are they like another Forest Green?

Their owner bought a load of our fans pints and sausage rolls when we played there, so they are alright in my book!

 

[ShrewdBlue]

Their owner bought a load of our fans pints and sausage rolls when we played there, so they are alright in my book!

Did he buy the Grimsby players some drinks after the game as well so they could start a party atmosphere after a famous giant-killing. I know how you lot love to beat the big teams.

 

[Southern Shayman]

Yes, they are both whores. Though at least we know Forest Green are capable of maintaining Conference Premier football without the cash unlike £astleigh.

But they own some airport parking don't ya know... so it's all alright

 

[Gladders]

Did he buy the Grimsby players some drinks after the game as well so they could start a party atmosphere after a famous giant-killing. I know how you lot love to beat the big teams.

One day Chester might know how to beat teams like Eastleigh

 

[dan_wrexhamafc]

Think from Kiddy down can now be ruled out, they only had a slim chance anyway, Woking probably need a great run in to have a chance to with the points difference and no games in hand compared to most around them who have more games to play

 

[GTFC1979]

Did he buy the Grimsby players some drinks after the game as well so they could start a party atmosphere after a famous giant-killing. I know how you lot love to beat the big teams.

Yawn......... Hillarious..........

 

[The_Boss]

Well this coming Saturday has suddenly become massive for everyone involved!!!

 

[Eastleigh Fan]

But they own some airport parking don't ya know... so it's all alright

Amazing comments coming from someone who's club has just 7 years of history.
We spent more years at the level below this, than your club has been in existence.

 

[Urban]

Halifax and Eastleigh fans arguing... Bloody hell

 

[The_Boss]

It looks like a couple of poor lambs have got lost from their shepherd on the TinPot thread!!

 

[Southern Shayman]

Amazing comments coming from someone who's club has just 7 years of history.
We spent more years at the level below this, than your club has been in existence.

Calm down dear. Only a little tongue in cheek comment.

That inferiority complex is really working over time...

 

[Gassy]

Martin Allen taking a dig at us I see in his open letter to Barnet fans. Poor mind games imo

 

[Railway Blue]

One day Chester might know how to beat teams like Eastleigh

We'll have another go next season.

 

[Urban]

Martin Allen taking a dig at us I see in his open letter to Barnet fans. Poor mind games imo

Pretty sure you're imagining things there.

The only club Martin is taking digs at is Barnet with his terrible tactics. Hes an absolute moron.

 

[BeesKnees]

Martin Allen taking a dig at us I see in his open letter to Barnet fans. Poor mind games imo

He comments that we don't get 7k crowds and Brovers fans think he's having a dig, some Brovers fans have been an embarrassment over it in the same way some Luton fans got obsessed with the Cambridge manager last season. . tbh I think you need to realise the target audience isnt Bristol rovers players or fans. There is no mind games with other clubs just Allen trying to tell the fans to keep the faith and get behind the players.

 

[Gashead]

He comments that we don't get 7k crowds and Brovers fans think he's having a dig, some Brovers fans have been an embarrassment over it in the same way some Luton fans got obsessed with the Cambridge manager last season. . tbh I think you need to realise the target audience isnt Bristol rovers players or fans. There is no mind games with other clubs just Allen trying to tell the fans to keep the faith and get behind the players.

I think the 'mega wages' comment is a dig, certainly! We all know that 'mega wages' and '7k crowds' don't guarantee success at this level, and I don't really see why MA is using it as an excuse.