The League 2 Promotion thread

[Franchisor]

That'll do nicely. Lovely afternoon in the sunshine at Meadow Lane. First game in a while where we've looked half decent, especially that second half. Playoffs now guaranteed (not that it was unlikely) and up to 3rd with autos in our own hands again.

Next game at home to Port Vale, anything less than 3 points will be failure. Then a big game against Colchester next weekend hopefully to secure automatics.

 

[AdamStag]

Big game for us today, absolutely battered Morecambe - 6 or 7 wouldn’t have been out of the question.

We were fortunate that 2 teams lost but MK and bury both have easy games Monday while we trek Upto Mordor (Oldham) where we always struggle - it could all turn up again

Tranmere and forest green - who obviously we’re so scared of Tranmere they won there - have a chance of 3rd if only an outside bet.

 

[Conker]

We didn’t just need to win today, we needed a comprehensive victory for confidence and we delivered that, admittedly Morecombe were very poor but the shoreline flattered them.

Looks pretty good for Mansfield currently, one game at a time!

 

[JJ1532]

93 - Champions 2018
92 -
91 -
90 - Champions 2015 Predicted Champions 2019
89 -
88 -
87 - Champions 2016, 2017 Guaranteed Champions 2019
86 -
85 - Automatic Promotion 2016
84 - Automatic Promotion 2018, Guaranteed Automatics 2019, Lincoln(43)
83 -
82 - Champions 2014
81 -
80 - Champions 2013 Predicted Automatics 2019
79 -
78 - Automatic Promotion 2017
77 - Automatic Promotion 2013, 2014
76 - Mansfield(43)
75 - Play Offs 2018, MK Dons(43)
74 - Guaranteed Play Offs 2019, Bury(43)
73 -
-------------------------------------------------------------
72 -
71 - Tranmere(43)
70 - Play Offs 2016, 2017, Predicted Play Offs 2019, Forest Green(43)
69 - Play Offs 2015
68 - Play Offs 2013
67 -
66 -
65 - Exeter(43)
64 -
63 - Play Offs 2014
62 -
------------------------------------------------------------
61 - Carlisle(43)
60 - Colchester(43), Stevenage(42)

Forthcoming fixtures:

1st Lincoln(43) - 84 points. Tranmere(H), Newport(A), Colchester(H)
2nd Mansfield(43) - 76 points. Oldham(A), Stevenage(H), MK Dons(A)
3rd MK Dons(43) - 75 points. Port Vale(H), Colchester(A), Mansfield(H)
---------------------------------------------------
4th Bury(43) - 74 points. Northampton(H), Tranmere(A), Port Vale(H)
5th Tranmere(43) - 71 points. Lincoln(A), Bury(H), Crawley(A)
6th Forest Green(43) - 70 points. Cambridge(H), Crewe(A), Exeter(H)
7th Exeter(43) - 65 points. Stevenage(A), Oldham(H), Forest Green(A)
--------------------------------------------------
8th Carlisle(43) - 64 points. Grimsby(A), Crawley(H), Yeovil(A)
8th Colchester(43) - 63 points. Yeovil(A), MK Dons(H), Lincoln(A)
10th Stevenage(43) - 63 points. Exeter(H), Mansfield(A), Cheltenham(H)

Lincoln miss out on the chance to win the title, but I'm sure they'd rather confirm it in front of their own fans on Monday, so I doubt they are too bothered.

The top 3 moves around yet again. Mansfield continue their revival by battering Morecambe. A few tricky fixtures coming up for them, but they have momentum now. MK Dons recover from back to back defeats by beating Notts County. Must win on Monday at home to Port Vale before finishing with 2 promotion chasers.

Bury slip to 4th after losing to Newport, going to need that home form to come through it seems. Tranmere see their automatic hopes dealt a big blow. Need a response against Lincoln and Bury otherwise they'll have to settle for the play-offs. FGR pretty much stamp their ticket by beating Tranmere, 2 teams with nothing to play for next to really get them in good form.

Exeter surprisingly drop points against Crawley, a resurgent Stevenage next up for them, plus 2 more tricky fixtures to finish with. Suddenly they look in real danger of blowing their promotion hopes.

Carlisle and Colchester pounced on that slip up with 1-0 home wins against Lincoln and Grimsby respectively. Neither have looked like promotion contenders in recent weeks, but with Exeter slipping up, there is still hope for both. You'd fancy Carlisle's chances more than Colchester's given the 2 run ins mind.

Stevenage are back in the hunt as well after some good results of late. A tough run in for them, but beat Exeter on Monday and who knows what might happen. Newport also lurking, got a game in hand which is a real wild card.

Still everything to play for bar the title. 2nd and 3rd up for grabs between 3 teams and it's 1 of 3-4 teams for that 7th spot.

 

[Davidimp]

Not bothered we lost too much, 1st defeat in 20 games.
Didn’t go, which sounds like a great choice from me as the coaches got stuck on the a66 and only just made it for kick off.
Sounded pretty scrappy with Carlisle doing a very Lincoln job on us.
Should be quite a game Monday after both us and Tranmere losing today.

 

[Chris FGR]

We have to do everything we can to make sure we get Tranmere in the playoffs, even if it means losing on purpose on the last day or whatever.

Would give us a guaranteed route to Wembley. They are our bitches.

 

[AdamStag]

We have to do everything we can to make sure we get Tranmere in the playoffs, even if it means losing on purpose on the last day or whatever.

Would give us a guaranteed route to Wembley. They are our bitches.

I didn’t think anyone could win at the fort that is tranmere?

 

[Spanishstag]

I didn’t think anyone could win at the fort that is tranmere?

Read the match thread ,you cant unless you cheat

 

[Richard Cranium]

Really good win for us. In control from start to finish and even managed to bring players off for a rest towards the end. Big game Monday. I wouldn't be dissapointed with a draw but with Bury and MK both at home I'd like the win.

Not worried about Tranny now, swa swa

 

[Pablosammy]

Not sure why Mansfield fans are fishing for some kind of response from us, do you want our approval or something? A bit needy if you ask me....

 

[AdamStag]

Not sure why Mansfield fans are fishing for some kind of response from us, do you want our approval or something? A bit needy if you ask me....

Not at regular posters like you, but a few of your fans got giddy and started goading Mansfield.

So basically it’s that.

 

[Pablosammy]

Not at regular posters like you, but a few of your fans got giddy and started goading Mansfield.

So basically it’s that.

I think most Tranmere fans agree you were the best team we've played home and away. Fully deserved auto promotion from what I've seen at least.

 

[AnotherStagsFan]

Monday is huge. I’m hoping Northampton can do us a favour against Bury as we will not beat Oldham.

 

[birkenhead tranny]

We have to do everything we can to make sure we get Tranmere in the playoffs, even if it means losing on purpose on the last day or whatever.

Would give us a guaranteed route to Wembley. They are our bitches.

nothing like a bold statement , be careful what you wish for unless you got a crystal ball . fair play to you thought you got some very good players though ,

 

[birkenhead tranny]

Really good win for us. In control from start to finish and even managed to bring players off for a rest towards the end. Big game Monday. I wouldn't be dissapointed with a draw but with Bury and MK both at home I'd like the win.

Not worried about Tranny now, swa swa

so you was worried then ? were not done yet be afraid very afraid swa swa swa swa

 

[birkenhead tranny]

I didn’t think anyone could win at the fort that is tranmere?

fgr were playing for a draw had to check who we were playing thought it was the draw specialists !swa swa

 

[birkenhead tranny]

It’s been our attack which has cost us.

We’ve the joint best defensive record in the football league, we just ended up drawing with sides, especially those lower down where we should have won but didn’t take chances.

bored your way to promotion oops drawed MUST BE EXCITING WATCHING MANSFIELD YAWN YAWN , SWA SWA

 

[AdamStag]

so you was worried then ? were not done yet be afraid very afraid swa swa swa swa

You were briefly on our radar but have returned to irrelevant status.

 

[Spanishstag]

Monday is huge. I’m hoping Northampton can do us a favour against Bury as we will not beat Oldham.

Cant see why we will not beat oldham ,if we play like we did yesterday we would beat most in this division ,and if we do beat them i think that would put us a home win ,away from automatic promotion

 

[Conker]

Not sure why Mansfield fans are fishing for some kind of response from us, do you want our approval or something? A bit needy if you ask me....

It’s my fault mate, I upset one or two Tranmere fans who were talking complete nonsense and it’s become a lil mini rivalry for some reason. Now a couple from (each) side are on the WUM bus trying to get one over.

I’d like both of us to go up personally, still yet to visit Prenton Park.

 

[Conker]

Anyway - I’m not very confident still, I mean we should have enough about us now but our remaining fixture look tricky than I expected now we are closer to them!

 

[shoddycollins]

THE RUN IN - 3 GAMES TO GO

Lincoln City
An eight point gap back to Mansfield and nine to MK Dons means that if the gap is still over 6 points after Monday, they will be crowned Champions. A win will guarantee that while a draw would mean Mansfield need to win just to keep themselves mathematically in with a chance. It's really a case of when, not if, Lincoln take the title even if they aren't exactly galloping over the line.

Mansfield Town
Of the three teams battling over the two remaining automatic places the Stags have the points, the form and the goal difference; and arguably a slightly better run in. Anything could happen over the next two games though which sees all three teams face a mid-table side on Monday before taking on a playoff chasing team. Gain two points on MK Dons or one on Bury in those games and thanks to much superior GD Mansfield should be home and dry. I can equally see Bury losing another making that Mansfield v MKD game just over who takes second, and equally see things remaining as close as they are, which would mean the loser of that game could open the door for Bury.

MK Dons
Only one point behind them are MK Dons, though they're unlikely to overhaul an 8 goal difference lead. It could go to the wire between them and Mansfield but as before, it's all about Bury. Bury are only one point behind them and currently lead on goal difference. The Dons have lost two of the last three and Colchester could be tricky opponents for them so their run in won't be without peril.

Bury
Bury have suddenly lost their nerve and find themselves slight outsiders for an automatic spot. They are still decent at home however and if they rediscover their form they should be able to beat Northampton on Monday. If they don't, and lose again, they will find themselves as proper outsiders. The big game is the following week at Tranmere and is likely to decide whether Bury are still in the automatic race on the final day or facing the prospect of a 5th placed finish.

Tranmere Rovers
Defeat to FGR has seriously dented Tranmere's hopes of sneaking into that final automatic place. They only sit four points behind, but their goal difference is much lower than their rivals and they're without Norwood. My guess is unless they can force Lincoln to wait even longer to lift the title, they'll have to settle for a playoff place. After that though they host Bury, where a win should see them with a great chance to at least nab top playoff place. There's little chance of them actually dropping out of the playoffs given a seven point cushion. Anything at Lincoln or Bury will likely guarantee an extension to their season and if that fails they just have to beat Crawley.

FGR
FGR are in a similar situation to Tranmere, a point behind but with better goal difference, they also look most likely to be in one of the middle two places, and have hit a spell of form to boot. Their run in looks fairly straightforward with three points from Cambridge and Crewe enough to guarantee playoffs. They host Exeter on the final day which could be interesting if their form does drop away, but also has the potential to cause Carlisle, Colchester, Stevenage and Newport fans to curse Nailsworth and wish for its destruction should they rest players ahead of the playoffs and let Exeter win.

Exeter City
Exeter have been clinging onto a playoff place for a while now. They're still in the final spot but are unable to string any form together and it's not in their own hands since Newport could snatch it from them. Their goal difference though is good enough to keep most of the teams below them at bay. Can see them bottling it but I'd still have them as narrow favourites to claim that spot.

Carlisle United
The Cumbrians sit just outside the playoffs, as they have for most of 2019. A point behind but with inferior goal difference. A glut of teams a point behind them, breathing down their necks means they have some work to do if they are to find themselves in that place. Making up two points on Exeter seems doable, given a run in featuring 3 of the bottom 8 and the current form table's bottom two, but they are liable to throw it away, and even if they don't, Newport have the edge with a game in hand.

Colchester United
A point further back, Colchester's playoff challenge has looked somewhat similar to Carlisle's. Inconsistent, dropping away since the transfer window but with some important wins enough to keep pace with the rest. They have a better chance than the others of doing Exeter on goal difference at least, and could ease past Yeovil on Monday to put themselves in a prime position, though this is offset by two difficult games against MK Dons (who most certainly will have something to play for) and Lincoln (who likely won't but who would want to finish the season at the Sin Siro?)

Stevenage
Goal difference keeps Stevenage back in tenth, and they'll struggle to make it up over Exeter. Form however, gives them more than a fighting chance and if they , and still only two points behind so if they beat Exeter on Monday they will go above them. It's just whether everyone else around them drops points and whether they can keep it up when they face Mansfield next week.

Newport County
Waaaay back in 11th spot, Michael Flynn's amber army sit and bide their time. Two points behind Exeter with a game in hand so it's actually all in Newport's hands. Win their remaining four games and the playoffs beckon. If they do that you'd fancy them in the playoffs too. First up is Macclesfield but and the form they're on they'd almost be a shoe-in were their next game not against Lincoln who have a lot of input on this playoff chase. However they could easily still be within 3 points after those two games and then play their game in hand against newly mid-table Oldham.

Swindon Town
Nope

 

[Luke Imp]

It's felt a bit weird for us these last couple of games, although in isolation, not completely unexpected results - Cheltenham were the kind of side we've struggled against nearly all the time at home and Carlisle we had 10 men for 60 minutes (in fact 3 of our 5 losses this season we've had 10 men I think).

Carlisle, Tranmere, Newport and Colchester all have something to play for so it's not an ideal run-in, in that respect but I'd rather these games than dead rubber ones because having four pre-season type games at the end of the season would feel like an anti-climax to a good season.

I'm not sure how Stevenage have ended up in with a shout of the PO's. They've hardly been mentioned this season. There's a lot of inconsistency in the PO chasing sides, though. In fact, if you look at the top half as a whole, there are lot of losses.

There are also nearly as many losses (14) in the top 7 as wins (16).

 

[Franchisor]

It's getting exciting. I'm genuinely giddy at the prospect of our game against Mansfield on the final day being a decider. It's looking very likely.

 

[Spanishstag]

It's getting exciting. I'm genuinely giddy at the prospect of our game against Mansfield on the final day being a decider. It's looking very likely.

I really hope not unless its a decider between you and bury ,with us secure in 2nd

 

[Imp in Branston]

Maybe Tranmeres recent injuries and us having to play for lots of the game yesterday in the heat with 10 men will even themselves out on Monday.

Will be interesting to see who can play for us after some pretty hefty challenges on Bozzie, Bruno and Anderson. Obviously no Shackell which is a shame, so it seems it's up to Bolger to step in and step up.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Play-offs will do me as I'm back in the country for the first time in nearly two years and thought I'd only catch the Exeter game would would get both semis legs.

Swindon Town
Nope

Harsh

 

[AdamStag]

Nobody has taken into account that we never win at Oldham.

Never.

 

[AdamStag]

It's getting exciting. I'm genuinely giddy at the prospect of our game against Mansfield on the final day being a decider. It's looking very likely.

Our aim is to try and be 3 points ahead of you so the GD should save us should we lose - adding 3 over you and in effect 6 over bury yesterday we pretty big for us.

With you and bury having really easy games on Monday we’re going to have to get something st Oldham

 

[Chris FGR]

Norwood isn't badly injured, just mind games from Mellon. Backfired a bit as it was clear he risked Nors to try and win the psychological battle who which is very poor on his part.

And then he was totally outdone tactically by Cooper, yet again. Must sting. Cooper is to Mellon what Cowleys are to Cooper lol.