Race for the Title...

[gijsbert_bos]

He likes quorn too. See, the theory makes sense.

But Mo always wins from the front...with a cheeky kick at the finish. He's more Lincoln than FGR.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

But Mo always wins from the front...with a cheeky kick at the finish. He's more Lincoln than FGR.

This time we're doing his 10,000 gold, fall over and still come back for the win.

 

[Pablosammy]

This time we're doing his 10,000 gold, fall over and still come back for the win.

Fall over? You've been standing still for the last three laps!

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Fall over? You've been standing still for the last three laps!

Like that kid who hides behind the bush on cross country

 

[Pablosammy]

Like that kid who hides behind the bush on cross country

Ahhh, Pervy Pete, I remember him well...

 

[Bendubz]

Brothers Crowley are doing the job and Cooper ain't.

Brothers Cowley, we knew you'd come!

 

[GTFCfish]

Ahhh, Pervy Pete, I remember him well...

 

[Habbinalan]

I've been thinking Lincoln, with Barrow through winning twice at Wembley, since before Christmas. Still think so despite Barrow's stumble.

Heading up on Tuesday to see if that has any basis in reality. Expecting a battle and a point each to start the final push.

Saw nothing to change my view, although I suspect it was more enjoyable in the flesh than on the box. I do like a good tackle and Barrow won most of them. Glad to see Hughsie get a run out. That said, it would probably have been even messier if Barrow hadn't been gifted the early goal. Was it new loanee Long (sent back by Cambridge) who wasn't doing or didn't know his job?

A squad of players that clearly buy into the Cox approach should be capable of finishing in the play-offs. Although 5 extra matches to get to Wembley in the Trophy might stretch resources, it'll do no harm to the bank balance and it can be fun.

I expect Lincoln and their management team will have learnt from the experience and if Barrow can further dent Cooper's ego on saturday then I can see them edging a tight 3 horse finish as D&R and Tranmere get back on track. They have enough good players (injuries aside) and enough experience and mutual support in the management team, provided they don't get too clever for their own good.

 

[EnglishRed]

Despite their blip against Barrow I still think it's Lincolns year. Should be a good play offs this year, very tough to call. I'd imagine Tranmere, FGR, D&R and Barrow will make it.

 

[Railway Blue]

Lincoln are the most deserving team. Tranmere need more time down here after persevering with Brabin last season. FGR won't win the play-offs, Dag and Red were shite when we hammered them 3-0, so it's Lincoln and Barrow for me.

 

[rudebwoyben]

How much of a penalty does having Brabin incur?

 

[Conker]

I'd recommend sacking Cox if he gets promoted, also Lincoln will need to get rid of Rhead because you'll be better off with a bag of chips at league level.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

To be fair we already had a 10 point handicap this season by having Brabin in charge at the start.

 

[GTFCfish]

To be fair we already had a 10 point handicap this season by having Brabin in charge at the start.

You mean that terrible start where you won your first 5 games?
So another manager would have got you 25 points from those first 5 games?
Just checking.

 

[Railway Blue]

How much of a penalty does having Brabin incur?

Tranmere fans seem to like Mellon, but to turn round the mess that Brabin left takes time. They'll probably walk it next season.

 

[Luke Imp]

Mess? He signed decent players, he just had no idea how to get the best out of them.

 

[Boz]

Brabin actually left us with a fairly decent squad, but as Luke Imp says, didn't know how to deploy them to our advantage.

Mellon is still in a honeymoon period and bought some time by engaging with the fans where Brabin was reluctant to do so. The quality of the football is better. However none of his recruits have fully delivered yet and he's weakened us defensively by farming promising youngsters Duggan and Gumbs out on loan without bringing in any defenders. Think Rovers will make play-offs and hope the luck is with us then.

 

[John Still]

Lincoln are the most deserving team. Tranmere need more time down here after persevering with Brabin last season. FGR won't win the play-offs, Dag and Red were shite when we hammered them 3-0, so it's Lincoln and Barrow for me.

Yep one game defines us shite way back on match day two. We've had a sticky patch I can see us going close now nearly everyone is fit and if Hawkins stays. Will finish above Chester though.

 

[Sparrow]

Doesn't get much easier for Tranmere, they're at unstoppable Woking next.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

RIP Tranmere

 

[GTFCfish]

Mess? He signed decent players, he just had no idea how to get the best out of them.

Looks like neither does Mellon:
Average points under Brabin (11 games) -1.91 ppg

Average points under Mellon (17games) - 1.88 ppg

 

[gijsbert_bos]

"Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, and the very next day, you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears, I'll give it to Micky Mellon"

Late festive entry for the tinpot thread.

 

[Leewilson]

Looks like neither does Mellon:
Average points under Brabin (11 games) -1.91 ppg

Average points under Mellon (17games) - 1.88 ppg

Hmmm, I think that's a bit deceiving. Brabin won the first 5 and then it started to go downhill. I thought at the time that a team managed by him wouldn't get promoted. I'd wager that his pts per average would be a lot lower now had he carried on in the role.

Mellon has essentially the same ppg with 6 games more played and came in at a point where they were struggling a bit which I think make his record more impressive.

Also 1.88 x 46 is 86 points over a whole season. Tranmere could well still get near that total yet.

 

[Railway Blue]

Yep one game defines us shite way back on match day two. We've had a sticky patch I can see us going close now nearly everyone is fit and if Hawkins stays. Will finish above Chester though.

You'll finish above us because your budget will be at least 2 and half times ours and you were lucky enough to talent spot Hawkins. We can't even afford any scouting.

 

[gijsbert_bos]

Hmmm, I think that's a bit deceiving. Brabin won the first 5 and then it started to go downhill. I thought at the time that a team managed by him wouldn't get promoted. I'd wager that his pts per average would be a lot lower now had he carried on in the role.

Mellon has essentially the same ppg with 6 games more played and came in at a point where they were struggling a bit which I think make his record more impressive.

Also 1.88 x 46 is 86 points over a whole season. Tranmere could well still get near that total yet.

86 points WILL NOT win the title this year. You're looking at 95.

 

[John Still]

You'll finish above us because your budget will be at least 2 and half times ours and you were lucky enough to talent spot Hawkins. We can't even afford any scouting.

I doubt our budget is anywhere near two and half times yours unless yours is about £250-£300k a year. Scouts don't cost money they earn money from scouting the right players. I know a scout and he only get paid small expenses and that's for Charlton. Further down the leagues scouts get nothing.

Two massive games for Lincoln and Tranmere Tuesday see how the table looks then.

 

[Chris FGR]

Think we killed off Barrow's title chances completely yesterday. Them and Dover are battling over fifth.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Current odds:

Still think we're ridiculously overpriced.

 

[Leewilson]

Current odds:
View attachment 5732

Still think we're ridiculously overpriced.

Confused how we can be 14/1 after yesterday.

 

[Leewilson]

You'll finish above us because your budget will be at least 2 and half times ours and you were lucky enough to talent spot Hawkins. We can't even afford any scouting.

Poor argument. I doubt the budget size is that large. Also, we're far from a one man team. Dover are very reliant on Ricky Miller. We have key players all over the pitch who if removed, we'd suffer. Robson in defence has been immense this season. Boucaud pulls the strings in CM. Guttridge is an extremely canny operator and we're better for him in the team. Corey Whitely has been a handful on the wing. Fejiri's pace is a major asset and we can see how much we've missed him now he's back.