Race for the Title...

[chipmunx]

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/barr...vised-87a3cf8c-be69-4407-bd50-4629c24eabc1-ds

Barrow v Lincoln rescheduled and live on BT sports on Tuesday Jan 24th

 

[gijsbert_bos]

2 points clear with a game in hand. Hope we can keep this up. It's certainly we will be pushed all the way, and our squad as nowhere near the depth of outreach challengers but I think we have the best management team, which may make all the difference.

 

[Master D]

You certainly do. Far too good AND clever.

 

[Impish]

There's money to strengthen as well if the Cowleys see fit. Always the risk of upsetting the apple cart with new signings we've got such a strong team spirit at the moment and a real togetherness with one goal-promotion!

The signing of Tom Champion on loan from Barnet earlier in the season was a total disaster and definitely had an adverse effect on our performances.

We've still got great options at the minute with such a strong bench. The only possible signing i could see would be Akinola or Margetts back on loan. With Taylor Miles more than likely being recalled from Boston for the run-in.

 

[Impish]

Good point for Dover today as well, think they can pip Forest Green to that final play off spot if they can keep hold of Miller

 

[1884 Belmont]

Still convinced we've got a great chance. Feel like it's between 5 sides yet and I'm convinced we've got the best squad. If we have a run like we did second half last season we'll win it in my opinion.

No way Cowley is the best manager in this league either. Mellon, Cox, Allen and Still have all won it.

 

[Luke Imp]

Tbf, this is only Cowley's 2nd season in it and is still in his younger years at 37/38 and managed for 9 years (and about a 50% win ratio to go with it in nearly 400 managed games).

 

[Impish]

He's outfoxed your lot home and away this season and he could well join your list of immortals in April.

You looked a decent side first half knocked it about well at times, liked the look of Maynard. And good old Jeff Hughes looks class at this level. Draw would have been a fair result but glad to have nicked it. Good following as well was a proper match/atmosphere

 

[1884 Belmont]

Mellon has won promotion from the league above this one and managed at L1 level. As good as Cowley's results are his sides still act a bit Sunday league at times and that won't always win you games. Not knocking you, you're top because results say that's where you should be but I still honestly believe we're a better team than Lincoln, FGR, Barrow, Dagenham and Dover, but the best team doesn't necessarily win the league.

i honestly don't think we'll have champions until the final day, that's how close I can see this race being, whoever wins it.

 

[Impish]

The Cowleys will definitely manage at Championship level, probably within 5 years. That may sound bias but imps fans get to see and hear about the work they do in and around the club and there's no reason to suggest they can't do the same at that level and be as successful. I might be being a tad premature here as he hasn't had any success here just yet but sooner or later an Ipswich or Blackburn type club are going to get sick of the same old manager merry go round and will take a chance and opt for something a bit different.

Mellon couldn't cut it in League One that's why he left Shrewsbury. And the likes of Brabin, Cooper and Cox will pit their wits against eachother down here over and over again.

 

[Luke Imp]

Mellon has won promotion from the league above this one and managed at L1 level. As good as Cowley's results are his sides still act a bit Sunday league at times and that won't always win you games. Not knocking you, you're top because results say that's where you should be but I still honestly believe we're a better team than Lincoln, FGR, Barrow, Dagenham and Dover, but the best team doesn't necessarily win the league.

i honestly don't think we'll have champions until the final day, that's how close I can see this race being, whoever wins it.

Mellon generally finds Clubs with big budgets, too. Tbh, I'm not sure you can really compare Cowley with the likes of Mellon, Allen, Still etc anyway. This is the first time in his career he's at a Club where the squad that isn't built on a packet of crisps and are watched by more than a man and his dog.

I'd agree to a point, but probably better individuals/squad rather than the better team. If you were the better team, you'd be pissing this league with the players you have.

 

[Mark kavanagh]

I think its a 3 horse race for the title between the top 3 , barrow draw too many and as we all know a win and a loss is better then 2 draws, d and r look vulnerable at the moment. However either of them have the ability to go up in the play offs as do my dark horses for the play offs chester.

As for the title its gonna come down to the barnet formula.... how well the top 3 beat the teams out of the top 6 and at the moment i still think fgr are the masters of this they dont beat the top teams but put the others away comfortably, 3 points are 3 points whether earned against lincoln or york.

For me its

Fgr
----------
Tran
Linc
Barrow (p)
Chester
-----2

 

[Boz]

I'm wary of being too dismissive of Cowley, he's certainly got the potential to manage at a higher level and would make a decent stab at it. Less convinced on yesterday's showing he's a tactical genius, given the Imps started time-wasting in the first half, the way Rovers had a long spell on top in latter stages of the first half and the better chances in the second, which on another day might see us taking all the points rather than come away with nothing. He is however the footballing equivalent of Napoleon's lucky general, bringing on a sub who scores within minutes of coming on. Bit surprised at his silliness in not giving the ball back for a throw-in, touch of the Martin Allen's there.

I'm also not totally convinced on Micky Mellon. He's got a fair bit of credit in the bank by not being Brabin, having a decent rapport with the fans and trying to get us to play decent football. His managerial career at Rovers has mostly got off to a good start (aside from the FA Cup defeat at Barrow; who could forget that...). However he doesn't make full use of the squad assembled; while I'd no issue with the starting xi the bench would have been more balanced with Connor Jennings or Mekki, both of whom travelled with the squad rather than Steve Jennings. As a draw wouldn't be a bad result, when the second half was so end to end, like a Cup tie, I thought Wallace could have come on to exert an element of control rather than the more attacking Kirby. It was a good game for the neutral.

Still think it's too early to call, but on current form Lincoln are probable favourites for the title followed by FGR. Barrow most likely play-off winners.

 

[Chris FGR]

For me its

Fgr
----------
Tran
Linc
Barrow (p)
Chester
-----2

I'd settle for that tbf.

Dover will be top 5 imo, very strong side who were a couple of minutes away from doing the double over us, which not many sides will do.

 

[Back in the DHSS]

A very good day for Lincoln yesterday with none of the other teams in the top 6 winning. Confidence at Sincil bank will be sky high now having recently beaten both FGR and Tranmere. Wonder if some of the Lincoln players may switch off a little against the lesser teams in this league?
Still think its a four horse race, with FGR looking the best equiped.

 

[GuiseleySteve]

Wonder if some of the Lincoln players may switch off a little against the lesser teams in this league?

Boxing day and New Years day would be perfect for everyone

 

[Davidimp]

A very good day for Lincoln yesterday with none of the other teams in the top 6 winning. Confidence at Sincil bank will be sky high now having recently beaten both FGR and Tranmere. Wonder if some of the Lincoln players may switch off a little against the lesser teams in this league?
Still think its a four horse race, with FGR looking the best equiped.

Yeah switched off in games against the 'lesser' teams already this season we beat NFU 6-1, York 4-1, Southport 4-0, Braintree 3-0,Woking 3-1,Chester 5-2.
We've lost to Sutton at home 1-3 and drew 0-0 with Solihull but that was very early in the season.
16 unbeaten in all comps, not lost in the league since September 24th.
We're the highest scorers but yeah we've been lucky....
Just a word of warning apparently Cowley's teams are normally better in the second half of the season.
Barrow are still the team that have impressed me the most.
Tranmere's no.12 Sutton calm down mate it's xmas! Proper mr angry in the 2nd half.

 

[dog]

Good piece. Sadly, I'm struggling to see FGR being realistic title contenders and also wouldn't be surprised to see Cooper on his way in the not too distant future. The style of football is totally unsuited to this level given it requires good movement.

 

[Davidimp]

5 year contract wasn't it? Hope it has a decent get out clause in it in your favour.

 

[Boz]

Tranmere's no.12 Sutton calm down mate it's xmas! Proper mr angry in the 2nd half.

What was Sutton doing? It didn't feel like Christmas for Rovers yesterday!

 

[Chris FGR]

5 year contract wasn't it? Hope it has a decent get out clause in it in your favour.

He hasn't failed yet.

Better manager then Cowley. Fact.

 

[Davidimp]

What was Sutton doing? It didn't feel like Christmas for Rovers yesterday!

Proper lost when the ball hit one our stewards and bounced past where he wanted it! We thought it was funny.

 

[Davidimp]

He hasn't failed yet.

Better manager then Cowley. Fact.

We'll see wont we? You said when we lost at your place it was cost Cowley his job...

 

[Boz]

Proper lost when the ball hit one our stewards and bounced past where he wanted it! We thought it was funny.

There was an incident when from a distance it looked like the steward had knocked the ball away from the Rovers player, presume the same event. Don't think I'd want to argue with Ritchie Sutton

 

[Railway Blue]

Good point for Dover today as well, think they can pip Forest Green to that final play off spot if they can keep hold of Miller

Funny how FGR have gone from title certs to "will they make the playoffs".
Just noticed that they haven't played an away game since Wrexham beat them 3-1

 

[Luke Imp]

I'm wary of being too dismissive of Cowley, he's certainly got the potential to manage at a higher level and would make a decent stab at it. Less convinced on yesterday's showing he's a tactical genius, given the Imps started time-wasting in the first half, the way Rovers had a long spell on top in latter stages of the first half and the better chances in the second, which on another day might see us taking all the points rather than come away with nothing. He is however the footballing equivalent of Napoleon's lucky general, bringing on a sub who scores within minutes of coming on. Bit surprised at his silliness in not giving the ball back for a throw-in, touch of the Martin Allen's there.

I'm also not totally convinced on Micky Mellon. He's got a fair bit of credit in the bank by not being Brabin, having a decent rapport with the fans and trying to get us to play decent football. His managerial career at Rovers has mostly got off to a good start (aside from the FA Cup defeat at Barrow; who could forget that...). However he doesn't make full use of the squad assembled; while I'd no issue with the starting xi the bench would have been more balanced with Connor Jennings or Mekki, both of whom travelled with the squad rather than Steve Jennings. As a draw wouldn't be a bad result, when the second half was so end to end, like a Cup tie, I thought Wallace could have come on to exert an element of control rather than the more attacking Kirby. It was a good game for the neutral.

Still think it's too early to call, but on current form Lincoln are probable favourites for the title followed by FGR. Barrow most likely play-off winners.

I read about that Jackson incident and apparently it was our throw-in, hence Cowley holding the ball waiting for one of our players. Wasn't there though so can't confirm that. Jackson also refused to shake anyone's hand at FT.

 

[Boz]

I read about that Jackson incident and apparently it was our throw-in, hence Cowley holding the ball waiting for one of our players. Wasn't there though so can't confirm that. Jackson also refused to shake anyone's hand at FT.

Have to be honest it took the officials about a minute to sort the kerfuffle out and I can't remember who ultimately ended up taking the throw-in

 

[Master D]

Still convinced we've got a great chance. Feel like it's between 5 sides yet and I'm convinced we've got the best squad. If we have a run like we did second half last season we'll win it in my opinion.

No way Cowley is the best manager in this league either. Mellon, Cox, Allen and Still have all won it.

Pound for pound, would have to say John Still is the best manager in this league, even now. Mellon and Cox had ridiculous budgets in particular, anything other than winning the league would have been failure.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Good piece. Sadly, I'm struggling to see FGR being realistic title contenders and also wouldn't be surprised to see Cooper on his way in the not too distant future. The style of football is totally unsuited to this level given it requires good movement.

I would be quite surprised though I do think some of his tinkering hasn't helped. If and when he does get it all clicking it will be more than good enough not just for this league but the one above too should we ever manage to get there. If he's patient enough I'm sure Dale Vince will be too.

 

[Boz]

Pound for pound, would have to say John Still is the best manager in this league, even now. Mellon and Cox had ridiculous budgets in particular, anything other than winning the league would have been failure.

Is £1.1million a ridiculous budget at this level though? I know last season, when we were relegated to the NL, Mark Palios was saying we had a top four budget. While Grimsby might have matched that, I'm doubtful Cheltenham did, so at least one other side Forest Green, Eastleigh? in the same boat.

Don't know if the parachute payments kick in from this season for sides relegated from L2. I thought Dagenham with Still's experience would do a Cheltenham and bounce straight back, instead of their indifferent form making play-offs the best case scenario. Pound for pound, reckon Askey and perhaps McCarthy have a much stronger case for best manager nominations