Race for the Title...

[Back in the DHSS]

I'm not giving up the ghost just yet on Tranmere winning the league as we have the players to do it. However things will have to click into place pretty soon on the pitch. You've got to keep going as theres always the possibility Lincoln will suffer a loss of form at some stage during the run in.

 

[1884 Belmont]

Recent results say a lot. While Lincoln have been beating Championship and Premier Leage sides, you drew at home to Bromley, we got thrashed by Gateshead and Daggers lost at home to Guiseley.

So because we were cheated out of 2 points by a referee and lady luck (disallowed goal, blatant penalty turned down, 2 injuries and 10 men for half an hour +) in a game we were dominating, that equates to you getting thrashed by Gateshead? Behave.

 

[1884 Belmont]

Lincoln are certainly catchable, but clutching at some statistical straws here I think. So far at least, they have been the best team in the league.

Surely that's better (if true) than just giving up?

 

[Master D]

Cowley's Army™ are clearly the best team in the league up until now. That's what the table is for. Won the most, lost the least, best GD and clear at the top with games in hand. Not forgetting that they are on for THE TREBLE.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Cowley's Army™ are clearly the best team in the league up until now. That's what the table is for. Won the most, lost the least, best GD and clear at the top with games in hand. Not forgetting that they are on for THE TREBLE.

We'd lost the least until Saturday, now we're slipped to Lincoln's level.

 

[Chris FGR]

So because we were cheated out of 2 points by a referee and lady luck (disallowed goal, blatant penalty turned down, 2 injuries and 10 men for half an hour +) in a game we were dominating, that equates to you getting thrashed by Gateshead? Behave.

Poor results a poor result.

 

[CrazyImp]

Whatever, talk is cheap. We do our job like we have done all season and it won't be a debate, with £3M in the bank if Arsenal win tonight.

 

[1884 Belmont]

Whatever, talk is cheap. We do our job like we have done all season and it won't be a debate, with £3M in the bank if Arsenal win tonight.

Got to do it first. And man for man, I wouldn't swap a single player of yours for one of ours.

 

[CrazyImp]

Got to do it first. And man for man, I wouldn't swap a single player of yours for one of ours.

Likewise.

 

[rudebwoyben]

I think if you swap Rhead you'd get two Tranmere Rovers players in return..

 

[The Jovial Forester]

I think if you swap Rhead you'd get two Tranmere Rovers players in return..

If you weighed him in you could buy their back four.

 

[getoutofit]

at this moment, of course it looks like lincoln will do it, but there's still roughly a third of the league campaign to go, so a lot can change.

personally, i'm just glad that this year, unlike last, we can at least say we're in contention for the title, and say it with a straight face.

 

[Imp in Branston]

As I have said before, there's still a lot of potential twists and turns yet before anyone can say they are champions, or even guaranteed a PO spot. We are in a strong position and have a good chance but whether it will be enough to get that top spot, we will see.

I do believe however that the Cowleys are the best management team in this league and statistically they get their teams playing stronger the longer the season wears on. NC gears his teams to play up to 60 games which should give us a good chance to keep things going. I do fear the extra games may take a toll somehwere but we obv now have the funds to also get extra bodies in should need be.

Having said all the above I cannot see DC making wholesale changes unless absolutely necessary, getting players in that are the right fit for the club isn't just about footballing ability, its about keeping to the pay structure so players all roughly earn a similar amount too. I think for the Cowleys that's why they seem to have a very happy squad of players that really gell well and go that extra yard for each other.

It's going to be an exciting last 16/17 games that's for sure, if anyone gets more poins than us then well done as you will have deserved it.

 

[MTFC_07]

In my opinion, Lincoln have the best management team, but not the best set of individual players. However, the best management team which get that extra 10% out of their players seems to make the difference in this league, and I think Lincoln will win the league for that reason. It isn't over yet though with Lincoln having so many games across three competitions left to play.

 

[GTFCfish]

Got to do it first. And man for man, I wouldn't swap a single player of yours for one of ours.

Seriously? Wow that really is rose tinted glasses.

 

[Chris FGR]

Seriously? Wow that really is rose tinted glasses.

Deludedly bullish. Lincoln's squad is the best in the league. Fact.

 

[Boz]

I think Raggett, Hawkridge and maybe the full-backs would improve the Rovers side. Think Davies is the better keeper, while Tollit and Cook would arguably improve the Imps. Not much to chose between the squads, but the Cowleys micromanagement and the fact Mellon only arrived a third of the way in and wasn't able to build the squad pre-season decide things in Lincoln's favour.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

Habergham, Woodyard, Arnold, and Raggett seem to be about the best in the league in their respective roles - anyone that wouldn't have them in their squad can't have seen them play. Or is talking bollocks.

 

[John Still]

No change here then.

 

[Boz]

Habergham, Woodyard, Arnold, and Raggett seem to be about the best in the league in their respective roles - anyone that wouldn't have them in their squad can't have seen them play. Or is talking bollocks.

Oops, I forgot Arnold.
Can't really be arsed arguing further. I've seen Lincoln home and away and thought Dagenham were better. On results both were better than Rovers.

 

[Imp in Branston]

You have missed out Waterfall too, I think he has probably been the better of both very good CBs this season.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

A little over the top to say wouldn't take anyone from Lincoln. 2-3 would certainly improve us, would took Cook over Rhead every day of the week though. Tollitt is something else though, could easily step into league one/championship next season, not sure why Portsmouth let us have him for so cheap.

As for he Cowleys "amazing micro management" they use a very similar system to the one we use. Just ours cost a lot more and has more staff working on it. Since Mickey came in we have taken as many points as them (39 from 18) whilst we have scored more and conceded less.

Fixtures seem to favour us and Lincoln over FGR and Dagenham and I'm not sure the FA Trophy is the hinderence people believe it will be. Expecting plenty of twists and turns with it at least going down to the last two games.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Nicely set up for our late charge I reckon.

 

[Boz]

I'm hoping that when Lincoln beat Arsenal, the excitement of going to Wembley will cause them to take their eye off the league for a bit. If it isn't already sealed by then.

 

[Mogsy]

Not sure how many Lincoln players I would have in this Tranmere line-up, but looking at their cup performances it would be at least half a team. Our huge problem is scoring goals, and if we persist with Norwood/Mangan filling one of the strikers positions then that will continue and will probably cost us in the play offs

 

[DarkSithLord]

Not sure how many Lincoln players I would have in this Tranmere line-up, but looking at their cup performances it would be at least half a team. Our huge problem is scoring goals, and if we persist with Norwood/Mangan filling one of the strikers positions then that will continue and will probably cost us in the play offs

Welcome

 

[Railway Blue]

As I have said before, there's still a lot of potential twists and turns yet before anyone can say they are champions, or even guaranteed a PO spot. We are in a strong position and have a good chance but whether it will be enough to get that top spot, we will see.

I do believe however that the Cowleys are the best management team in this league and statistically they get their teams playing stronger the longer the season wears on. NC gears his teams to play up to 60 games which should give us a good chance to keep things going. I do fear the extra games may take a toll somehwere but we obv now have the funds to also get extra bodies in should need be.

Having said all the above I cannot see DC making wholesale changes unless absolutely necessary, getting players in that are the right fit for the club isn't just about footballing ability, its about keeping to the pay structure so players all roughly earn a similar amount too. I think for the Cowleys that's why they seem to have a very happy squad of players that really gell well and go that extra yard for each other.

It's going to be an exciting last 16/17 games that's for sure, if anyone gets more poins than us then well done as you will have deserved it.

Lincoln were probably the best team in the league last year but the handicap of Moyses was too stiff.

 

[Railway Blue]

I'm hoping that when Lincoln beat Arsenal, the excitement of going to Wembley will cause them to take their eye off the league for a bit. If it isn't already sealed by then.

If Arsenal play the team that they played at Sutton, Lincoln could easily beat them.

 

[Railway Blue]

Hi Lincoln fans.

Someone on Deva Chat who seems quite knowledgeable and posts as, "A View From Outside", has stated that Lincoln have 'historical debts' of around £3m. I always thought that you owed the Co-op Bank £380k, which you've paid off. Is this historical debt real, myth or notional debt to directors. If I get an answer with some authority I can tell AVFO that he's wrong.

 

[CrazyImp]

Lincoln were probably the best team in the league last year but the handicap of Moyses was too stiff.

Nah. We could've maybe squeaked 5th place with a good manager, but we didn't have Woodyard/Habergham/Arnold etc.