The League 2 Promotion thread

[dedwardp]

We're all over the place at the moment. I don't think it's a coincidence that we've only won one in six since Harry Pell was injured, even more so when factoring in the injuries to Tom Lapslie, Brandon Comley and Louis Dunne, all four of whom are central midfielders. Ben Stevenson is also playing through a groin injury and we're so desperate we've had Mikael bloody Mandron playing in central midfield. The goalkeeper who astonishingly is also the goalkeeping coach seems incapable of saving anything on target and we keep tinkering around with the system.

We have a tough run-in and if we don't win on Saturday against Tranmere, then unless we get some midfielders back soon we'll drift away completely in no time at all.

 

[AdamStag]

Rumours are Conrad - (I don’t come out for crosses) logan is starting tonight - odds of over 1.5 goals is more or less guaranteed.

 

[AnotherStagsFan]

Rumours are Conrad - (I don’t come out for crosses) logan is starting tonight - odds of over 1.5 goals is more or less guaranteed.

Better than useless at everything Smith starting.

 

[JJ1532]

101 - Guaranteed Champions 2019
99 -
98 -
97 -
96 -
95 -
94 -
93 - Champions 2018
92 - Predicted Champions 2019
91 - Guaranteed Automatics 2019
90 - Champions 2015
89 -
88 -
87 - Champions 2016, 2017
86 -
85 - Automatic Promotion 2016
84 - Automatic Promotion 2018
83 -
82 - Champions 2014, Guaranteed Play Offs 2019
81 -
80 - Champions 2013, Predicted Automatics 2019
79 -
78 - Automatic Promotion 2017
77 - Automatic Promotion 2013, 2014
76 - Lincoln(38)
75 - Play Offs 2018
74 -
73 -
72 -
71 -
70 - Play Offs 2016, 2017, Predicted Play Offs 2019, Bury(37)
69 - Play Offs 2015
68 - Play Offs 2013
67 -
67 -
66 - Mansfield(38)
-------------------------------------------------------------
66 - MK Dons(38)
65 -
64 -
63 - Play Offs 2014
62 -
61 - Tranmere(37)
60 -
59 -
58 - Forest Green(38), Exeter(37)
------------------------------------------------------------
57 - Colchester(38), Carlisle(38)
56 -
55 -
54 -
54 -
53 - Stevenage(38)

Forthcoming fixtures:

1st Lincoln(38) - 76 points. Crawley(A), Macclesfield(H), MK Dons(A), Cheltenham(H), Carlisle(A), Tranmere(H), Newport(A), Colchester(H)
2nd Bury(37) - 70 points. Grimsby(A), Swindon(H), Carlisle(A), Colchester(H), Newport(A), Northampton(H), Tranmere(A), Port Vale(H), Cambridge(H) TBC
3rd Mansfield(38) - 66 points. Crewe(H), Exeter(A), Cambridge(H), Northampton(A), Morecambe(H), Oldham(A), Stevenage(H), MK Dons(A)
---------------------------------------------------
4th MK Dons(38) - 66 points. Yeovil(H), Forest Green(A), Lincoln(H), Tranmere(A), Notts County(A), Port Vale(H), Colchester(A), Mansfield(H)
5th Tranmere(37) - 61 points. Colchester(A), Carlisle(H), Newport(A), MK Dons(H), Forest Green(H), Lincoln(A), Bury(H), Crawley(A), Oldham(A) TBC
6th Forest Green(38) - 58 points. Port Vale(A), MK Dons(H), Crawley(A), Macclesfield(H), Tranmere(A), Cambridge(H), Crewe(A), Exeter(H)
7th Exeter(37) - 58 points. Notts County(A), Mansfield(H), Cheltenham(A), Macclesfield(A), Port Vale(H), Crawley(H), Stevenage(A), Oldham(H), Forest Green(A)
--------------------------------------------------
8th Colchester(38) - 57 points. Tranmere(H), Cambridge(A), Mansfield(A), Bury(A), Grimsby(H), Yeovil(A), MK Dons(H), Lincoln(A)
9th Carlisle(38) - 57 points. Cambridge(H), Tranmere(A), Bury(H), Stevenage(A), Lincoln(H), Grimsby(A), Crawley(H), Yeovil(A)
10th Stevenage(38) - 53 points. Macclesfield(A), Notts County(H), Grimsby(A), Carlisle(H), Port Vale(A), Exeter(H), Mansfield(A), Cheltenham(H)

Was waiting for Mansfield v Lincoln before updating, given how big that clash is.

Lincoln have had an excellent last week or so. Most of the chasing pack stuttered or didn't play whilst they picked up 4 points. Probably only need 1 or 2 more wins to see them secure an automatic spot. Crawley and Macc next up. Could have promotion wrapped up by Easter potentially.

Bury lose a bit of ground but thats only because they were washed out at the weekend. Couple of mid-table sides next up to help catch back up and also keep the 2 teams below them at bay. Mansfield and MK Dons continue to trade places. Fascinating to see which one of those teams come out on top in the race for 3rd. Mansfield have arguably the kinder run in, but both teams are very close. I hope that game on the final day between the 2 has automatic promotion on the line. Would be amazing.

But then let's not rule out Tranmere at this point. They are in ridiculous form, beating all comers at home and even showing improvement on the road. Still, very tough run in for them, so we'll see if they've peaked too early or are genuine automatic contenders. Think they'll settle back down into a play-off spot, but who knows?

Forest Green picked up 4 points from a tough 2 fixtures against Colchester and Carlisle, not a bad return at all. The automatics look a bit too far for them, but they seem to have enough about them to make the play-offs. That home form though....

Exeter bounced back from the washout on Tuesday and no wins in 3 to demolish Colchester. They have a favourable run in, but are playing some desperate teams in Notts County and Macclesfield, which could throw things off.

Colchester drop out of the top 7, but I wouldn't worry, they'll rattle off 7 from 9 or go on a 4 game unbeaten run now. Some tough games coming up, real test of their promotion mettle now. Carlisle have been showing signs of life, but losing to Notts County was a blow. Good chance to get that home form back on track with Cambridge next up. Their run in is also not too bad, they are very much in the mix.

The rest of the pack are falling back, Stevenage are currently the closest but nobody looks likely to make a move, unless they reel off something ridiculous like 6 wins from 8. Looking like it's any 4 from 9 at the moment. Still can't call the title, automatics or play-offs. So wide open.

 

[AdamStag]

Better than useless at everything Smith starting.

Yeah....

Not

 

[Luke Imp]

It was a 'don't lose' game last night more than anything. On paper, an ideal next two opponents and keep the two point average up and we'll be within a couple of wins.

Unlikely, but it'd be great to promotion wrapped up by Easter, which will feel one of the earlier promotions.

 

[AnotherStagsFan]

Yeah....

Not

My bad!

 

[Super_horns]

Mk Dons v Mansfield on the final day for the 3rd spot?

 

[denzel ecfc]

It was a 'don't lose' game last night more than anything. On paper, an ideal next two opponents and keep the two point average up and we'll be within a couple of wins.

Unlikely, but it'd be great to promotion wrapped up by Easter, which will feel one of the earlier promotions.

Agree with that. Though from what I saw Lincoln were the ones pushing the most for a win at the end, which is odd as I expected Mansfield to go for it given their position.

 

[Conker]

Agree with that. Though from what I saw Lincoln were the ones pushing the most for a win at the end, which is odd as I expected Mansfield to go for it given their position.

Yeah I think DF got it wrong, although I reckon without that ridiculous penalty we might have won because we were comfortable ish.

 

[AdamStag]

Agree with that. Though from what I saw Lincoln were the ones pushing the most for a win at the end, which is odd as I expected Mansfield to go for it given their position.

Flitcroft likes to go defensive to try and hold onto a 1-0 and it rarely works, as it is at home we’ve recently been a few goals up - maybe he didn’t plan the on the fat dinosaur making yet another mistake in goal.

It’s strange actually as it’s something Evans and Murray both tried before him and it didn’t really work out for them either.

We drop too deep and allow pressure on whereas in the first half we had players on the halfway line to attack and go from there, why he keeps making the same mistake is baffling and rather annoying.

We’re 3rd and there’s lots to be positive about, we’ve an easier run in than MK so we need to make the most of it.

Promotion is flitcrofts remit this season, not losing in the playoffs etc.

 

[Devon_Lad]

Forthcoming fixtures:

1st Lincoln(38) - 76 points. Crawley(A), Macclesfield(H), MK Dons(A), Cheltenham(H), Carlisle(A), Tranmere(H), Newport(A), Colchester(H)
2nd Bury(37) - 70 points. Grimsby(A), Swindon(H), Carlisle(A), Colchester(H), Newport(A), Northampton(H), Tranmere(A), Port Vale(H), Cambridge(H) TBC
3rd Mansfield(38) - 66 points. Crewe(H), Exeter(A), Cambridge(H), Northampton(A), Morecambe(H), Oldham(A), Stevenage(H), MK Dons(A)
---------------------------------------------------
4th MK Dons(38) - 66 points. Yeovil(H), Forest Green(A), Lincoln(H), Tranmere(A), Notts County(A), Port Vale(H), Colchester(A), Mansfield(H)
5th Tranmere(37) - 61 points. Colchester(A), Carlisle(H), Newport(A), MK Dons(H), Forest Green(H), Lincoln(A), Bury(H), Crawley(A), Oldham(A) TBC
6th Forest Green(38) - 58 points. Port Vale(A), MK Dons(H), Crawley(A), Macclesfield(H), Tranmere(A), Cambridge(H), Crewe(A), Exeter(H)
7th Exeter(37) - 58 points. Notts County(A), Mansfield(H), Cheltenham(A), Macclesfield(A), Port Vale(H), Crawley(H), Stevenage(A), Oldham(H), Forest Green(A)
--------------------------------------------------
8th Colchester(38) - 57 points. Tranmere(H), Cambridge(A), Mansfield(A), Bury(A), Grimsby(H), Yeovil(A), MK Dons(H), Lincoln(A)
9th Carlisle(38) - 57 points. Cambridge(H), Tranmere(A), Bury(H), Stevenage(A), Lincoln(H), Grimsby(A), Crawley(H), Yeovil(A)
10th Stevenage(38) - 53 points. Macclesfield(A), Notts County(H), Grimsby(A), Carlisle(H), Port Vale(A), Exeter(H), Mansfield(A), Cheltenham(H)

.

Sure do like the look of that.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

After weighing up all the evidence and taking into account arguments for and against, I have come to the conclusion that Devon Lad is an absolute cock.

I had a little break from this site due to family bereavement and he goes into full meltdown. He’s clearly a teenager projecting.

So I’m not taking the “bet” however I’ll make a £50 donation to a football charity if we finish below 5th. Not particularly because I’m 100% sure we will finish that high.

Season start the aim for us (in my eyes) was to finish top 10, we’ve done that and somewhat in bonus territory. There’s just a decent chance our form and overall home record can carry us over the line - which I’m sure any non Exeter fan can see.

 

[Devon_Lad]

I had a little break from this site due to family bereavement and he goes into full meltdown. He’s clearly a teenager projecting.

So I’m not taking the “bet” however I’ll make a £50 donation to a football charity if we finish below 5th. Not particularly because I’m 100% sure we will finish that high.

Season start the aim for us (in my eyes) was to finish top 10, we’ve done that and somewhat in bonus territory. There’s just a decent chance our form and overall home record can carry us over the line - which I’m sure any non Exeter fan can see.

Ain't no teenager boi, and nobody in their right mind would think you can get third lol.

You're stuck in this weird place where you think previous games have anything to do with what you'll do in your remaining games against different opposition. Hilarious, to be honest.

You're not good enough for top 3 and you have the hardest remaining games. You're deluded.

Top 3 will be exactly how it is now.

 

[Mark kavanagh]

It’s not my fault he started chucking out false ‘facts’ to try and pretend Tranmere were not awful when they came to Field Mill, I mean it was a while ago now so I don’t understand why the subject is still hard to come to terms with.

You may have outplayed us at field mill ... fair play! But we never stabbed our fellow miners in the back during the national strike! A poor performance is forgivable

 

[Lborostag]

You may have outplayed us at field mill ... fair play! But we never stabbed our fellow miners in the back during the national strike! A poor performance is forgivable

Probably the most boring thing we have ever thrown at us. Get over it, focus on the football.

 

[Conker]

You may have outplayed us at field mill ... fair play! But we never stabbed our fellow miners in the back during the national strike! A poor performance is forgivable

Yeah because that’s applicable

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Football shouldn’t be used to push political view points.

 

[Devon_Lad]

Football shouldn’t be used to push political view points.

Coming from a lad from Liverpool this is the funniest thing I've ever read

 

[Richard Cranium]

Football shouldn’t be used to push political view points.

On a forum where most probably weren’t even born in 1984

 

[Indian Dan]

I was 29 in 1984.

Sigh!

 

[Franchisor]

Mk Dons v Mansfield on the final day for the 3rd spot?

Would be exciting. Quite confident that would be the highest league attendance of the season.

 

[Spanishstag]

Would be exciting. Quite confident that would be the highest league attendance of the season.

Honestly think it will be sorted before the last game ,hope you do well in the play offs

 

[RLC]

Coming from a lad from Liverpool this is the funniest thing I've ever read

He is not from Liverpool....

 

[Strawberry_Jam]

I think we shouldn't forget that champions 2016 was actually 99 points...just to correct that table.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Feel we can get to 80 points with our remaining fixtures. Crewe, Morecambe, Cambridge and Stevenage at home but then have Exeter, Oldham, Northampton and MK on the final day away.

Looking at MK/Tranmere’s remaining fixtures I’m hoping they slip up in a couple of games and we can go on about of a run over the next 3/4 and get some breathing space, Dont want to be going to MK knowing if they beat us they’d go above us

 

[GTFCfish]

Massive six pointer in the promotion battle this weekend as play off chasing Grimsby face automatic promotion hopefuls Bury.

 

[PaulHaddock]

I think we shouldn't forget that champions 2016 was actually 99 points...just to correct that table.

It means that you only needed 87 to be champions.

 

[Long Ball Merchant]

yeah we absolutely smashed the league that season

 

[Devon_Lad]

He is not from Liverpool....

Yeah, he is. Tranmere, Wirral, it's all feckin' Liverpool.