The League 2 Promotion thread

[Davidimp]

96 - Guaranteed Champions 2019
95 -
94 -
93 - Champions 2018 Predicted Champions 2019
92 -
91 -
90 - Champions 2015
89 - Guaranteed Automatics 2019
88 -
87 - Champions 2016, 2017
86 -
85 - Automatic Promotion 2016
84 - Automatic Promotion 2018
83 -
82 - Champions 2014
81 - Predicted Automatics 2019
80 - Champions 2013, Guaranteed Play Offs 2019
79 - Lincoln(39)
78 - Automatic Promotion 2017
77 - Automatic Promotion 2013, 2014
76 -
75 - Play Offs 2018
74 -
73 -
72 - Predicted Play Offs 2019
71 - Bury(38)
70 - Play Offs 2016, 2017
69 - Play Offs 2015, MK Dons(39)
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68 - Play Offs 2013
67 -
66 - Mansfield(39)
65 -
64 - Tranmere(38)
63 - Play Offs 2014
62 -
61 - Forest Green(39), Exeter(38)
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60 -
59 -
58 - Carlisle(39)
57 - Colchester(39)

Forthcoming fixtures:

1st Lincoln(39) - 79 points. Macclesfield(H), MK Dons(A), Cheltenham(H), Carlisle(A), Tranmere(H), Newport(A), Colchester(H)
2nd Bury(38) - 71 points. Swindon(H), Cambridge(H), Carlisle(A), Colchester(H), Newport(A), Northampton(H), Tranmere(A), Port Vale(H),
3rd MK Dons(39) - 69 points. Forest Green(A), Lincoln(H), Tranmere(A), Notts County(A), Port Vale(H), Colchester(A), Mansfield(H)
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4th Mansfield(39) - 66 points. Exeter(A), Cambridge(H), Northampton(A), Morecambe(H), Oldham(A), Stevenage(H), MK Dons(A)
5th Tranmere(38) - 64 points. Carlisle(H), Oldham(A), Newport(A), MK Dons(H), Forest Green(H), Lincoln(A), Bury(H), Crawley(A),
6th Forest Green(39) - 61 points. MK Dons(H), Crawley(A), Macclesfield(H), Tranmere(A), Cambridge(H), Crewe(A), Exeter(H)
7th Exeter(38) - 61 points. Mansfield(H), Cheltenham(A), Macclesfield(A), Port Vale(H), Crawley(H), Stevenage(A), Oldham(H), Forest Green(A)
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8th Carlisle(39) - 58 points. Tranmere(A), Bury(H), Stevenage(A), Lincoln(H), Grimsby(A), Crawley(H), Yeovil(A)
9th Colchester(38) - 57 points. Cambridge(A), Mansfield(A), Bury(A), Grimsby(H), Yeovil(A), MK Dons(H), Lincoln(A)

That's it boys, I'm calling it. We're compressing this table down to the top 9. Yes, I know Swindon just humped Morecambe at home, but I'm not seeing anyone from 10th downwards thats looks anywhere near capable of making a top 7 push. Too much ground to make up, not enough games to do it. It's open to adding a team back in, but for now, it's the top 9 only.

Could well be the top 7 saying that. Carlisle drop more home points against Cambridge and Colchester's slump continues. Both fall a clear distance behind the top 7 after those results and they'll need to pick it back up very quickly, tough ask given their run ins.

Good wins for Exeter and FGR in tricky away games, both against relegation stugglers. Exeter's is especially noteworthy given they had 10 men for 67 minutes and won it right at the end. Both not only won, but saw the 2 below them drop points. Both teams have nice run ins as well, in their hands to lose now.

Tranmere though, wow do they keep on surprising. Definitely in the race for the top 3 the way they are going. But still, they have to drop points eventually. Another promotion contender in Carlisle at home next weekend, then a tricky trip to Boundary Park. Still some tough tests to come.

Mansfield are having a bad run at the worst time, with Tranmere closing in and MK Dons still grinding out wins. Need to pick it up quickly otherwise the lottery of the play-offs will be the best they can hope for.

MK Dons had a good day and move back into the top 3, but Tranmere are suddenly a threat. Some tough games coming up for them in the next few weeks, so beating the strugglers like Yeovil is vital.

Bury see their title ambitions suffer a setback, but still look strong for the top 3. Couple of winnable home games should see them pretty much confirm a top 3 spot, barring any surprise collapses.

As for Lincoln, they are just about there. Yes, you can't rule out the mother of all collapses, but I very much doubt it's coming. The Cowleys have been there and done it before and they have a grizzled, veteran team. It might be premature, but let me be the first to say congrats to Lincoln fans on promotion to League One.

I know we rip on them for all coming out when the team started winning, but for those that suffered through years of bottom half L2 finishes and conference strugglers, to see them in L1 is nice. Reckon one more win confirms their top 3 spot, also looking like shoe ins for the title as well. Fair play.

6 years ago today we beat Telford 3 2 in a game that had we lost would have seen us drop into the bottom 4 of the national league and who knows what after that.
A crowd of just 1724 including me saw two late Jamie Taylor goals save our blushes.
Now look at us, I still can't believe the turnaround!

 

[AdamStag]

As I’ve said previously, Mansfield won’t go up. It’s been MK and Tranmere for 3Rd.

We might well take the last playoff space.

 

[Franchisor]

Every result involving us, Mansfield and Tranmere from this point is going to be huge. Suddenly Tranmere look the biggest threat to us for 3rd instead of Mansfield and we're away to Tranmere in a few weeks which will be a massive game.

Saying that, Mansfield have a better run in now, whereas nearly all of our games are against teams fighting for either autos, playoffs or to survive relegation.

If we somehow manage to come out of all that with an auto spot, we'll deserve it.

 

[Moomin]

Maybe, I’d be happy with Exeter given how often they choke in the playoffs

3rd time lucky!?

Plus we choked under that negative bald twat. Now we have king Matt Taylor and GOAT Nicky Law so promotion is ours!

 

[AdamStag]

3rd time lucky!?

Plus we choked under that negative bald twat. Now we have king Matt Taylor and GOAT Nicky Law so promotion is ours!

Well it’s not going to be ours!

 

[AdamStag]

Every result involving us, Mansfield and Tranmere from this point is going to be huge. Suddenly Tranmere look the biggest threat to us for 3rd instead of Mansfield and we're away to Tranmere in a few weeks which will be a massive game.

Saying that, Mansfield have a better run in now, whereas nearly all of our games are against teams fighting for either autos, playoffs or to survive relegation.

If we somehow manage to come out of all that with an auto spot, we'll deserve it.

No, we’re done mate.

You’ll be 6/7 points clear of us come the end of the season

 

[Redwhitestripes]

Maybe, I’d be happy with Exeter given how often they choke in the playoffs

The chokers derby , do you think the radfords will keep throwing money at it ?

 

[Devon_Lad]

Yeah, congrats Lincoln. Well deserved. Did think bury may give you a go at one point but you've kept going. Thoroughly deserved all in all. Think bury will join you but really don't want to commit to either Mansfield or MK. Think both will drop out either Tranmere (if they can some home how keep this form up, which is unlikely? or ourselves.

 

[AnotherStagsFan]

It’s been fun! See you next season league two promotion thread (unless Radford pulls the plug)

 

[Devon_Lad]

Maybe, I’d be happy with Exeter given how often they choke in the playoffs

Do alright in the semis though haha..

That's why I was so desperately want Tisdale at Wembley and have said so since the season began. Is it Tisdale or Is it us with the choking curse?

 

[AnotherStagsFan]

Do alright in the semis though haha..

That's why I was so desperately want Tisdale at Wembley and have said so since the season began. Is it Tisdale or Is it us with the choking curse?

It would be hilarious to see tisdale get promoted at Wembley against Exeter.

Obviously crying as well because it means we would have lost in the semi’s to either franchise or tinpot city.

 

[Devon_Lad]

It would be hilarious to see tisdale get promoted at Wembley against Exeter.

Obviously crying as well because it means we would have lost in the semi’s to either franchise or tinpot city.

So many of our fans are petrified of this. I relish in these moments. These sort of games are what football is all about. I'll be gutted and hibernate for absolute months if we lose to him. But my god the jubilation and adrenalin through my veins should we win would be magnificent. It's what we as footy fans crave!!

 

[AnotherStagsFan]

So many of our fans are petrified of this. I relish in these moments. These sort of games are what football is all about. I'll be gutted and hibernate for absolute months if we lose to him. But my god the jubilation and adrenalin through my veins should we win would be magnificent. It's what we as footy fans crave!!

The last thing I am craving is a playoff battle after bottling the top 3

 

[RLC]

We're now in a position that if we win all our remaining games we're guaranteed the last auto spot, regardless of how anyone else does. Obviously that's totally unrealistic, but I'd had snapped your hand off if you'd offered me this position a year ago!

Of course, we would not necessarily have to win all of our remaining games, as all three teams will drop points. Beating MK and matching their and Mansfield's results in the other matches would be enough.

I still think it is unlikely given our run in, with Bury and Lincoln still to play among others. But as you say, it is incredible even to be in this position.

 

[Imp in Branston]

Just had to laugh after reading some of the comments on Stagsnet '

'Pretty football and powderpuff strikers just won't get us promoted, sometimes you just need to play it long to a big nasty donkey capable of nutting it in the net. Nice football on the grass is good for the league above but is rarely successful in Division 4.'

According to Spanishstag, he would sooner fail with the Cowleys without them than succeed with them.

It's comedy Gold it really is.

 

[AdamStag]

The chokers derby , do you think the radfords will keep throwing money at it ?

Given the general success of their tenure here yeah.

 

[AdamStag]

Just had to laugh after reading some of the comments on Stagsnet '

'Pretty football and powderpuff strikers just won't get us promoted, sometimes you just need to play it long to a big nasty donkey capable of nutting it in the net. Nice football on the grass is good for the league above but is rarely successful in Division 4.'

According to Spanishstag, he would sooner fail with the Cowleys without them than succeed with them.

It's comedy Gold it really is.

Go figure.

We all knew/know our failings but it’s coming home to roost, admitadly missing bobby in goal and white in defence for the rest of the season is a big loss, but there’s no plan b

That sides took so long to figure out we can only pass it out from the back (Swindon did over Xmas - 0-0, and Yeovil 0-1 at home) yet sides still allowed us to do it.

That flitcroft still didn’t then work on a plan b is pretty shocking. He bought in Nicky Ajose who is frankly crap, he’s more against scoring goals than Nigel farage is of supporting Europe.

 

[Lborostag]

Just had to laugh after reading some of the comments on Stagsnet '

'Pretty football and powderpuff strikers just won't get us promoted, sometimes you just need to play it long to a big nasty donkey capable of nutting it in the net. Nice football on the grass is good for the league above but is rarely successful in Division 4.'

According to Spanishstag, he would sooner fail with the Cowleys without them than succeed with them.

It's comedy Gold it really is.

In fairness, we had Evans and still feel a bit grimy about that. To have Evans version 2.0 so soon after may cause me to question my support regardless of success.

 

[Plumbob]

I still think it is unlikely given our run in, with Bury and Lincoln still to play among others. But as you say, it is incredible even to be in this position.

Not counting chickens, or being arrogant, but there is a small chance the deck chairs might be out for us by then.

In fairness, we had Evans and still feel a bit grimy about that. To have Evans version 2.0 so soon after may cause me to question my support regardless of success.

DC/NC are like any other perceived villains in football, you will love them in your set-up and despise them when they aren't. It's amazing how winning games changes your thoughts!

 

[King Kev]

In fairness, we had Evans and still feel a bit grimy about that. To have Evans version 2.0 so soon after may cause me to question my support regardless of success.

Ever heard the story about Evans and a coach toilet?

 

[KeithH]

Bury played very poorly yesterday, bloody good day out mind

 

[Richard Cranium]

With who MK/Tranmere still have to play there’s along way to go yet. We were as poor as I’ve seen us all season yesterday,couple of tweaks need making to the 11 but I’m still confident we can still finish the season strongly.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

One game at a time and all that.. but win our next 2 and that’s our playoff position secure.

 

[WhiteRussian]

Neither of us are playing well. We are very stop start at the moment and there is still a long way to go. I think anyone of Bury, MK, Mansfield or Tranmere could get in the second 2 auto places. There are still 21/24 points up for grabs

. Lincoln could implode and still get enough points though, they are up and deservedly so.

 

[AdamStag]

Long as we get 5th and get the favourable playoff tie.

 

[Spanishstag]

We are still well in this ,the games ahead are going to provide a lot of twists and turns yet ,tranmeres run in is horrendous ,mk still have e right couple of tasty games as have we its gonna be full of ups and downs ,glad im not a betting man

 

[Tranmerewhite]

We are still well in this ,the games ahead are going to provide a lot of twists and turns yet ,tranmeres run in is horrendous ,mk still have e right couple of tasty games as have we its gonna be full of ups and downs ,glad im not a betting man

MKs run in is harder than ours is. Our harder games are at home.

 

[Spanishstag]

MKs run in is harder than ours is. Our harder games are at home.

But everyone will drop points ,thats what im saying ,crewe at home ,home banker on paper ,but as they say its not played on paper

 

[Tranmerewhite]

But everyone will drop points ,thats what im saying ,crewe at home ,home banker on paper ,but as they say its not played on paper

Every game is difficult at this stage of the season. Ignoring the league table, there’s players playing for contracts to pay their mortgages next season or angling for a move to another club. Clubs stuck in mid table can play with freedom and no risk as we saw from Crewe yesterday. Would suggest that fixture list is largely irrelevant.

 

[JJ1532]

I wouldn't say that. The top 7's results yesterday were 5 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat. The bottom 7's results were 2 draws(one by a last minute equaliser) and 5 defeats. So most of the good teams won whilst most of the poor teams lost. I'd say that's the fixture list proving very relevant.

They'll always be the odd surprise and maybe even the odd week where 2 or 3 teams spring upsets. But I'd say in general, the fixture list holds true most weeks.