The League 2 Promotion thread

[StrangelyBrown]

Our next game against Grimsby is a real test as to whether we've turned properly shit, or just a blip that every team has each season. After losing at home to Crewe, surely we have to beat Grimsby who haven't scored this month and can't buy a win.

Beat Grimsby and I'll be confident again. If we lose, then we are looking at the playoffs instead of autos.

Grimsby are in a doldrums spell too (I don't think they've scored in the last 5 games)- funny game though. I would still take it as an away win for this weekend.

 

[cufc17]

Seen we're trying to get a decent crowd in for the MK game in the middle of February, #8kforMK. Fair play to the club for trying to boost the crowd with cheap tickets against a promotion rivals, I'm genuinely unsure if we'll hit that though, hopefully we keep some momentum over the next few games and it could be a cracker.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I think Lincoln would do just fine in league 1. Dare I say it but I think we would too if we were fortunate enough to go up.

You have some good strong players- loan players are always a risk (like us- we have lost 4 players in 2 weeks this transfer window) and both of us may need to strengthen our core team first and foremost (if we go up) before we rely on loan players.

I say it regularly on here- most clubs in EFL 2 are regional clubs, supported by very passionate and proud fans (whether it be 1500 or 9500) and have a ceiling in terms of aspiration unless a really really big consortium or owner bankrolls the club (like Bournemouth). You then need a good management team to back that investment up.

So, for me, EFL1 would be great and Championship would be a dream- but we're still EFL2 with almost 20 games to go before season end so it is all about the here and now for me- after all, it's the hope that kills you.

 

[GodsGift]

You have some good strong players- loan players are always a risk (like us- we have lost 4 players in 2 weeks this transfer window) and both of us may need to strengthen our core team first and foremost (if we go up) before we rely on loan players.

I say it regularly on here- most clubs in EFL 2 are regional clubs, supported by very passionate and proud fans (whether it be 1500 or 9500) and have a ceiling in terms of aspiration unless a really really big consortium or owner bankrolls the club (like Bournemouth). You then need a good management team to back that investment up.

So, for me, EFL1 would be great and Championship would be a dream- but we're still EFL2 with almost 20 games to go before season end so it is all about the here and now for me- after all, it's the hope that kills you.

Why do you keep calling it EFL 2?! It's not doing us any favours when everyone already thinks we're plastics/new fans!

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Seen we're trying to get a decent crowd in for the MK game in the middle of February, #8kforMK. Fair play to the club for trying to boost the crowd with cheap tickets against a promotion rivals, I'm genuinely unsure if we'll hit that though, hopefully we keep some momentum over the next few games and it could be a cracker.

Usually one club who comes on the rails and surprises a lot of people- may well be CUFC this season. Keep the run going for another 6-7 games and you'll be in the mix for play-offs or, assuming some hit a blip, maybe autos.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Why do you keep calling it EFL 2?! It's not doing us any favours when everyone already thinks we're plastics/new fans!

Mate, after 37 years at the Bank, it has only just taken me until now to stop calling it Division 4!!!

 

[Davidimp]

Division four for me, we're a fourth tier side.

 

[Carver]

We won again today by the way!

 

[AdamStag]

We won again today by the way!

Well done.

 

[Carver]

Well done.

GOOD...

That's better.

 

[AdamStag]

Was hoping Carlisle would trip up at port vale but when they were down to 10 wasn’t going to happen. Though Grimsby held on with 10 men.

 

[AdamStag]

Tuesday 29th jan

FOREST GREEN vs MANSFIELD
MK vs Oldham

 

[shoddycollins]

Was hoping Carlisle would trip up at port vale but when they were down to 10 wasn’t going to happen. Though Grimsby held on with 10 men.

I thought it got more difficult for us when they went down to ten. Would certainly have been just like us to go and lose after that. Crewe meanwhile are my dark horse prediction, they are sneaking their way into contention. We face them next.

 

[AdamStag]

I thought it got more difficult for us when they went down to ten. Would certainly have been just like us to go and lose after that. Crewe meanwhile are my dark horse prediction, they are sneaking their way into contention. We face them next.

Anyone from Oldham and Newport upwards (with games in hand) could stake a place in the playoffs.

 

[Carver]

These next few days will determine if we can challenge for promotion depending on who we sign, after 3 of our really good loan players have left us because they were too good for this league and their parent clubs are playing them now.

If we fail to bring anyone decent in then play offs is probably the best we can do.

 

[JJ1532]

103 - Guaranteed Champions 2019
99 - Guaranteed Automatics 2019
94 - Predicted Champions 2019
93 - Champions 2018
92 - Guaranteed Play Offs 2019
91 -
90 - Champions 2015
89 -
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
79 -
78 - Automatic Promotion 2017
77 - Automatic Promotion 2013, 2014
76 -
75 - Play Offs 2018, Predicted Play Offs 2019
74 -
73 -
72 -
71 -
70 - Play Offs 2016, 2017
69 - Play Offs 2015
68 - Play Offs 2013
67 -
67 -
66 -
65 -
64 -
63 - Play Offs 2014
62 -
61 -
60 -
59 - Lincoln(29)
58 -
57 -
56 -
55 -
54 - Mansfield(29)
53 - Bury(30)
-------------------------------------------------------------
52 -
51 - Carlisle(30)
50 - Forest Green(29)
49 -
48 -
47 - MK Dons(28)
47 - Exeter(29)
------------------------------------------------------------
46 - Colchester(30)
45 -
44 - Stevenage(30)
43 -
42 - Tranmere(29)

The figures are for the teams that finished as Champions, 3rd(last automatic spot) and 7th. The expected figures are simply what the teams that will finish 1st, 3rd and 7th are likely to finish on, based on their current points per game pace over the entire season. No form or trends are taken into account.

Forthcoming fixtures:

1st Lincoln(29) - 59 points. Notts County(A), Northampton(H), Stevenage(H), Morecambe(A), Exeter(H)
2nd Mansfield(29) - 54 points. Forest Green(A), Macclesfield(H), Newport(A), Notts County(A), Forest Green(H)
3rd Bury(30) - 53 points. Crawley(H), Morecambe(A), Exeter(A), Oldham(H), Macclesfield(H)
---------------------------------------------------
4th Carlisle(30) - 51 points. Crewe(A), Exeter(H), MK Dons(H), Colchester(A), Newport(A)
5th Forest Green(29) - 50 points. Mansfield(H), Swindon(A), Notts County(H), Yeovil(H), Mansfield(A)
6th MK Dons(28) - 47 points. Oldham(H), Exeter(A), Swindon(H), Newport(A), Carlisle(A)
7th Exeter(29) - 47 points. MK Dons(H), Carlisle(A), Bury(H), Crewe(A), Lincoln(A)
--------------------------------------------------
8th Colchester(30) - 46 points. Northampton(A), Cheltenham(H), Macclesfield(A), Carlisle(H), Swindon(A)
9th Stevenage(30) - 44 points. Yeovil(H), Tranmere(A), Lincoln(A), Northampton(H), Oldham(A)
10th Tranmere(29) - 42 points. Port Vale(A), Northampton(H), Stevenage(H), Cambridge(A), Notts County(H)

Again, only using the current top 10, regardless of form, games in hand etc. Just makes things easier.

Starting at the top, Lincoln got a valuable point away at Bury. Mansfield are slowly closing the gap, but the leaders have some winnable games coming up. Looking strong bets for the title, should be locks for the autos barring a collapse out of nowhere. Mansfield have solved their consistency issues from last season, have quality throughout the team and look good shouts for the top 3, could even push for the title. Bury are also looking strong with plenty of quality. All 3 will be hard to budge out of those automatic spots on current form.

Carlisle continue to surprise. Some of their fans are predicting gloom and their squad doesn't scream 4th best in the league. Sheridan making for the door also isn't a good sign. But still, they keep winning. A tricky few weeks coming up for them, which is where we'll see how good they are I'd imagine.

Forest Green are another surprise package, sticking around despite an average home record. Now they've got Doidge back and scoring, they could be dark horses to push on for the top 3. MK Dons have dropped off of late, seem to be lacking that clinical edge, losing at home to Crewe and then away at 10 man Grimsby isn't a good look. Think the signing of Wheeler is a good move for them, should give them some much needed creativity and an extra source of goals.

Exeter are a bit like Carlisle in that they don't seem to have quality throughout the team, just enough to keep them in the hunt. Losing Stockley is a big blow, no guarantees Bowman can replicate his form. Still, they've got a solid core there that should keep them sniffing around the play-offs for the rest of the season at least.

Colchester seem to be hitting that usual slump whenever they look like genuine promotion material. They surge into the top 7, fall into some bad form, but generally hover around without looking that impressive. Think the need another goalscorer, Nouble and Mandron leading the line despite combining for 6 goals isn't the strike force of a genuine promotion contender. Stevenage also keep sniffing around despite not boasting many flashy names or a standout player. Some tough away games coming up for them. Finally Tranmere, who's promotion bid is being ruined by their inability to win on the road. Look to have the firepower, but if they can bottle some of their Prenton Park form and take it with them on the road then they could well burst into the top 7.

So, those top 3 looking hard to stop. MK Dons and FGR could hunt them down if they improve their consistency a bit. Play-Offs look wide open this year, would say at least 1 of those spots is up for grabs. Not a lot separating a number of the teams. Should make for an interesting battle over the next 3 months.

 

[AdamStag]

That we’ve forest green twice in the next 4 weeks could be a big difference.

If we were to win on Tuesday we’re 7 clear, lose and they’re within a point

 

[shoddycollins]

These next few days will determine if we can challenge for promotion depending on who we sign, after 3 of our really good loan players have left us because they were too good for this league and their parent clubs are playing them now.

If we fail to bring anyone decent in then play offs is probably the best we can do.

Yates is only really playing a bit part at Rotherham and they're still looking to sign a striker so I think there's a reasonable chance of him coming back.

 

[Luke Imp]

We've still got 4 of the current top 7 to play away from home - Mansfield, FGR, Carlisle, MK.

Still got 9 of the top 10 to play now we've played Bury.

 

[Chris FGR]

That we’ve forest green twice in the next 4 weeks could be a big difference.

If we were to win on Tuesday we’re 7 clear, lose and they’re within a point

Nailed on draw

 

[AdamStag]

Nailed on draw

We were mentioning yesterday we’d be happy with 4 points from the 2 games so a draw would achieve that.

 

[Chris FGR]

Two sides that play out from the back, keep the ball well and don't lose many. Won't be a goal fest. Important for us to stay in touch so priority is not to lose.

 

[Davidimp]

You've got doidge back and firing.
Mansfield have grant, Walker, Hamilton et al.
Going for a draw but you might just nick it.

 

[Chris FGR]

We've already got more points then we managed in the whole of last season! Quite an achievement tbf.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I’d definitely take a point away to FGR. Couldn’t get down to the game when it was abandoned but coming down Tuesday. Be nice if we could match the result we got there in 12/13 when we went on to get promotion, Think the win that night was the game that took us top for the first time!

 

[denzel ecfc]

Seen we're trying to get a decent crowd in for the MK game in the middle of February, #8kforMK. Fair play to the club for trying to boost the crowd with cheap tickets against a promotion rivals, I'm genuinely unsure if we'll hit that though, hopefully we keep some momentum over the next few games and it could be a cracker.

We are playing you before that. Are we not your rivals?

 

[denzel ecfc]

5 tough games coming up. If we are still in the hunt after that then I reckon we will make it

 

[Carver]

We are playing you before that. Are we not your rivals?

No because your club does not ever want you to get promoted.

Just to look competitive.

 

[Agombar stool]

At 2pm on Saturday I was quietly confident that we may have featured in this after a great win at Tranmere. Our home form, which has been an Achilles heel for 3 years now will mean that we'll be challenging for the mid-table trophy.

I've a 28/1 pre-season bet that Franchise, Mansfield and Lincoln will all be promoted so that's where I'm pinning my hopes for the remainder of the season. (I don't think my 66/1 bet that Swindon, Mansfield and Lincoln getting promoted looks likely)

 

[Chris FGR]

I’d definitely take a point away to FGR. Couldn’t get down to the game when it was abandoned but coming down Tuesday. Be nice if we could match the result we got there in 12/13 when we went on to get promotion, Think the win that night was the game that took us top for the first time!

Heavy snow predicted for Tues between 7.00 pm and 10.00pm. If the game starts could well end up abandoned again if the forecast's right.
Might be a tough call to make.