The League 2 Promotion thread

[Luke Imp]

Thanks for the congratulatory posts!

Crazy three years and I think Cowley will be back in his preferred 'underdog' scenario next season. I'm not sure he's enjoyed being one of the favourites this season.

The two Exeter games are the the two that stand out for me. To go there back in August/September off the back of losing the PO's then to beat them 3-0 kinda cemented what I felt anyway in that we'd be ok this season and then the last minute equaliser, off the back of a mini blip (if we can call four draws a blip...), felt a bit like Rhead's 96th minute equaliser against Aldershot in 2016/17. It felt a turning point again ahead of the run-in.

Although the 9 men draw at Swindon seemed to give Andrade a kick up the arse and he came back in and almost single handedly won us points in February.

Just the another result needed for the title.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

I’ll add to the list of congratulatory posts. The signs were obvious and there for me last season hence why a Lincoln title bet was bet and announced on this very forum in preseason. Fantastic odds at 12/1, my Exeter top 3 at 25s was a decent shout but have just fallen short. My bet on Grimboland to get promoted was my only shocker a real log shot.

That win at the bookies was about my only L2 highlight of the season, the rest for me and all pies fans has been spectacularly dire.

Looking forward to watching my 3 men in the Masters to make up for yesterday’s poor football and horse race bets

 

[Luke Imp]

And ironically enough, exactly 6 years earlier we beat Tamworth 2-1 to retain our NL status for another season. And we hadn't even reached our lowest point yet!

 

[Imp in Branston]

And ironically enough, exactly 6 years earlier we beat Tamworth 2-1 to retain our NL status for another season. And we hadn't even reached our lowest point yet!

Yes, we could have so easily been a York or a Stockport.

To think that the first season under the Cowleys we played Ipswich in the cup three leagues apart and next season we will be starting on level terms with them, what a journey it's been.

 

[MonkeyDust]

Congrats Lincoln, worthy champions and will be strong in league 1 next year too.

 

[Davidimp]

And ironically enough, exactly 6 years earlier we beat Tamworth 2-1 to retain our NL status for another season. And we hadn't even reached our lowest point yet!

Piece in yesterday's programme about that game, amazing to think where we've come from couple of years later the bank called it's debt in, the following year Clive Nates arrived closely followed by the Cowleys and the rebirth of the Imps began.

 

[Stringy]

I think we are on our day the third best team behind you and Lincoln from what ive seen at Gigg Lane. Our defence still is at best mid table but our attacking play when everyones fit is probably the best. Still dont think we'll make it automatically though one way or another.

Interesting. I didn't go to the game at Gigg Lane but every Mansfield fan I've heard speaking about that game said we were very lucky to come away with a point because we were chasing shadows for most of it.

Playoffs looking more likely for us now, which is a big improvement from last season. One more win should pretty much seal it.

Still an outside chance of top 3 if we win all 4. Has we beaten MK the other week instead of losing we'd be right in it.

I think you'll do well to catch any of the teams above you given the 4 pt gap and Tranmere's form. I wouldn't fancy playing you in the play-offs though. I'd most want to play Exeter or Tranmere.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Yeah well done Lincoln. Very much deserved.

We were poor yesterday but still in the top 3. Decent day for Tranmere. Big weekend coming up.

We must win and I fancy Newport to get something against Bury. County fighting for points but MK usually good away. Tranmere with a tricky one at home to FGR but they're in good form

 

[Conker]

Morecombe (H) Oldham (A) Stevenage (H) and MK Dons (A) left up..... If we do manage to fuck that up we deserve all the abuse in the world.

 

[Enzo Scifo's Right Foot]

That’s a great looking set of fixtures for a promotion run in .

I fancy the top 3 to be Lincoln Mansfield and MK .

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Morecombe (H) Oldham (A) Stevenage (H) and MK Dons (A) left up..... If we do manage to fuck that up we deserve all the abuse in the world.

7 out of 9 points before MK is probably where it will need to be for you. Oldham away (they are somewhat reinvigorated since Scholes left) is the toughest and a draw would be a good result.

Then it's down to the final game shoot out in Buckinghamshire!

 

[AdamStag]

All depends, it could be the case bury slip away and it’s then just between us and MK anyway, the negative performance from both manager and players yesterday was very disappointing indeed.

Morecambe is an absolute must win we could finish the day 3 points clear of 4th with a better GD or we could finish it in 5th!

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Lincoln should beat Carlisle then to save the trip home they can have a 3 day bender in Liverpool courtesy of a M.Palios and catch the 10.30am train to Lincoln on Easter Monday..

 

[FGR Stroud]

I'd like to add my congratulations to Lincoln and wish them well in League 1.
FGR are still in mix to join them there. If so would give Cowley the chance to enjoy another double win over us or for us the opportunity to avenge those defeats.

 

[Franchisor]

Well done to Lincoln, best and most consistent team this season and should go up as Champions.

I'm not confident at all. Tough games against Colchester and Notts County soon, although we should beat Port Vale at home fairly comfortably if we consider ourselves promotion-worthy.

If we can match Mansfield's results then it'll come down to that last game of the season at home against them. I reckon that means we'll need at least two wins from the next three games.

 

[T.A]

Interesting. I didn't go to the game at Gigg Lane but every Mansfield fan I've heard speaking about that game said we were very lucky to come away with a point because we were chasing shadows for most of it.



I think you'll do well to catch any of the teams above you given the 4 pt gap and Tranmere's form. I wouldn't fancy playing you in the play-offs though. I'd most want to play Exeter or Tranmere.

It was a good game at Gigg Lane, Maynard with a worldie too. You sat back both times if I remember correctly and didn’t counter enough to win the game. Draw was the correct result though.

I can see us slipping up in all our remaining games to be fair especially in our away games as Newport and Tranmere will be very tough.

 

[AdamStag]

It was a good game at Gigg Lane, Maynard with a worldie too. You sat back both times if I remember correctly and didn’t counter enough to win the game. Draw was the correct result though.

I can see us slipping up in all our remaining games to be fair especially in our away games as Newport and Tranmere will be very tough.

A draw was fair in that game, let’s not forget bury levelled after 95 mins or so after once again we sat back holding onto a lead and didn’t manage it.

Our problem being is we score and go too negative without looking for the 2nd goal away, whereas obviously you’d be careful away, the tactics that were deployed at bury and yesterday for instance were ridiculous.

Obviously it works as we’ve the best defence in the league but still...

 

[Luke Imp]

Bury will be fine IMO. I know they've got off the field issues but they've got a slightly easier run-in and now have Mayor back.

Can't call it between Mansfield, MK or Tranmere, though. If Tranmere manage it, it will be more than deserved because of a) they're winning run but b) it's been a hell of a tough run-in for the.

We could be in a situation come the final day where, not long back, one of Mansfield and MK will have been needing to just avoid defeat but with Tranmere breathing down their necks, it could be that all 3 need to win their final game.

 

[Buxton Vale]

we play both Bury and MK in our last 3 games so could have an impact on this, but we will be safe by then with nothing but pride to play for.

 

[RLC]

Can't call it between Mansfield, MK or Tranmere, though.

I completed a prediction calculator today and had all three clubs on 81 points, with Rovers missing out on goal difference....

It will be interesting to see where things stand on Friday night. You would expect Mansfield and MK to win their games comfortably, but Bury might struggle on the cabbage patch at Newport and we are facing our nemesis of recent seasons in FGR.

 

[Conker]

I’ll be ecstatic if we manage to win a home game against lesser opposition comfortably.

No excuse with our run in IMO.

 

[AdamStag]

We haven’t and after last year who knows.

Morecambe on paper is a win, simple - we know it won’t be that easy and the lads need to be on their game, it’s oldham on Monday which worries me if we don’t perform on Friday.

I said 4 points from Northampton and Morecambe and the win will take us to the 4 points.

DF needs to go up this season, he has no excuse if not

 

[AnotherStagsFan]

Cowley deserved manager of the season but I’m sure he’s not thinking about that while he achieved promotion and next the title.

I hope we can follow but after the last two performances I’m not sure!

 

[Agombar stool]

Haven't been on since Friday so wanted to offer my congratulations to Lincoln and their fans on their well deserved promotion.

Very happy for Harry Toffolo to be able to put a promotion on his CV. It will be interesting to see if Lincoln will be upwardly mobile in League 1 next season, a la Luton Town (although their fans were infinitely more desperate to be patted on the back than the Lincoln fans on here from what I recall) or just look to become an established side.

 

[Agombar stool]

That’s a great looking set of fixtures for a promotion run in .

I fancy the top 3 to be Lincoln Mansfield and MK .

Hope so! I'll win £125 if that happens.

 

[Agombar stool]

Our play-off chase hangs in the balance now. 3 draws in a row (although generally you would be happy with points at Newport and Oldham) have more or less ended our season.

On paper we could pick up 12 points in our remaining games - Cambridge (a), Crewe (h), Cheltenham (a) and Notts County (h), but with our poor home form against rotten sides and the fact we ALWAYS lose at Cheltenham, we are as good as toast.

 

[birkenhead tranny]

first off well done lincoln . good side even though we destroyed you at prenton park with ten men , we are rolling again after our defeat to oldham in there cup final , we stood up well to brutal mk and out played them . with our rivals for automatic promotion terrified of us now lets see who holds there nerve . draws are no good at this stage fortune favours the brave , with our loyal and loud fans creating a electric atmosphere teams are terrified of prenton park again , veggie boys your next swa swa ,,,

 

[birkenhead tranny]

Quite a surprise, considering we’ve drew three times this year, same as Tranmere who we actually beat, comfortably 3-0.

Three draws, 3-nil!!!!!

another draw for you hoo ! do you think your choking ?.

 

[Conker]

another draw for you hoo ! do you think your choking ?.

Dunno, last three is WWD so it’s hard to say until we’ve played another game.

 

[AdamStag]

Dunno, last three is WWD so it’s hard to say until we’ve played another game.

All those draws and still top 3.....