The League One Promotion Thread 15/16

[DH84]

What a club. I hope we never change.

 

[PUSBCCFC]

Be interested to see what Joe thinks, he is positive but I think even he will be worried.

Bandwagon has crashed.

 

[JoeJoeJoeJoe]

Be interested to see what Joe thinks, he is positive but I think even he will be worried.

Bandwagon has crashed.

It's gonna be fine. Everything will be fine.

 

[joethegill]

This has been a nice day.

 

[GFC4EVA]

This has been a nice day.

This has been a fantastic day results wise

 

[JJ1532]

103 - Champions 2014
102
101 - Champions 2012
100
99 - Champions 2015
98
97 - Predicted Champions 2016
96
95 - Champions 2011
94 - Promotion 2014
93 - Promotion 2012
92 - Promotion 2011 Predicted Promotion 2016
91 - Promotion 2016
90
89
88
87
86
85
84 - Champions 2013
83 - Promotion 2013
82
81
80
79
78
77
76
75
74 - Play-Offs 2013, 2014, Predicted Play-Offs 2016
73 - Play-Offs 2012
72
71 - Play-Offs 2011
70
69 - Play-Offs 2016

54 - Gillingham(28)
54 - Burton(26)
-----------------------------------------
52 - Walsall(27)
49 - Wigan(28)
48 - Coventry(28)
43 - Millwall(27)
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41 - Peterborough(27)
41 - Southend(27)
41 - Sheff Utd(27)
38 - Bradford(25)

Forthcoming Fixtures:

1st Gillingham(28) - 54 points. Blackpool(A), Swindon(H), Barnsley(H), Oldham(A), Chesterfield(H)
2nd Burton(26) - 54 points. Peterborough(A), Rochdale(A), Bradford(H), Chesterfield(H), Southend(A)
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3rd Walsall(27) - 53 points. Fleetwood(A), Doncaster(A), Millwall(H), Crewe(A), Wigan(H)
4th Wigan(28) - 49 points. Port Vale(H), Sheff U(A), Oldham(H), Walsall(A), Bury(H)
5th Coventry(28) - 48 points. Scunthorpe(H), Port Vale(A), Bury(H), Shrewsbury(A), Fleetwood(H)
6th Millwall(27) - 40 points. Crewe(H), Walsall(A), Rochdale(A), Scunthorpe(H), Peterborough(H)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7th Peterborough(27) - 41 points. Burton(H), Chesterfield(A), Oldham(H), Bradford(H), Millwall(A)
8th Sheff Utd(27) - 40 points. Blackpool(A), Bury(A), Wigan(H), Doncaster(A), Port Vale(H)
9th Southend(27) - 38 points. Shrewsbury(A), Colchester(H), Scunthorpe(A), Bradford(A), Burton(H)
10th Bradford(25) - 37 points. Barnsley(H), Fleetwood(H), Burton(A), Peterborough(A), Oldham(H)

Fantastic day for Gillingham with them being the only side in the top 6(at the start of the day) to win. Good home win against Posh, puts them top, until Tuesday at least. Got a very favourable run of games now, excellent chance to stake a claim on one of those top 2 spots. Burton got done by the smash and grab at home to Shrewsbury, not a good result given their next few fixtures.

Walsall also got undone late on, dropping 2 points at home to Blackpool. Tricky home games and some winnable away ones, they face a real fight for the automatics. Also still got a nervy last few days of January to hope they don't lose any of their players. Wigan also dropped 2 points away to Crewe. Still, got a nice 7 game unbeaten run going and got the squad depth to catch up with the top 3. Coventry fans have got to be concerned. Won 2 of their last 10, now lost back to back games without scoring. They have got some winnable games coming up, but things are starting to look a bit concerning for them. Millwall leapfrog Posh and Sheff U to sit in a top 6 spot after 3 wins on the bounce. Are they serious promotion contenders, or is this just a brief run of form before they fall away again?

Posh start the post Connor Washington era with a defeat to Gillingham. The goals have dried up a bit for them of late, just 7 goals in their last 7 games. Be interesting to see is Nabi and Coulthirst hit the ground running for them. Honeymoon over for Westley, time for him to earn his pay. Sheff U drop points yet again, they are making hard work of this season. Are they promotion contenders, because they don't look it. Southend got an excellent win at home to Coventry, they are part of the pack lurking below the bottom 6. They like Sheff U don't seem like top 6 candidates, but then they could do it if they time their run right. Bradford are a bit further back and not playing well by all accounts, but are grinding out results. Good chance to build up some momentum with back to back home games now.

Big fixture on Tuesday between Posh and Burton. Both teams need to bounce back after defeats today.

 

[Saddlerrad]

We look knackered.

Couple of key players losing confidence and best form at the wrong time. In all honesty, there's been a growing trend since SOD took over, that we have been winning but playing progressively worse in each game, certainly we haven't played well for 90 minutes in a League game since Smith left. Smith leaving could really go on and cost us in the end, with some tougher fixtures than our opponents in the next few weeks, with a massive amount of fixtures - the cup games are really becoming a nuisance.

SOD needs to get a couple of faces in if he can, using the cup money just too add a bit of pace to the squad and an extra pair of legs in the middle of the park. If he doesn't, we run the risk of really doing a Tranmere and falling off the face of the earth - that's drastic though. Blackpool fluked a late goal today from a lucky deflection into the players path, when they didn't really deserve anything - but those kinds of goals lead heads to drop and negativity to creep in.

 

[SaddlerJonny]

We look knackered.

Couple of key players losing confidence and best form at the wrong time. In all honesty, there's been a growing trend since SOD took over, that we have been winning but playing progressively worse in each game, certainly we haven't played well for 90 minutes in a League game since Smith left. Smith leaving could really go on and cost us in the end, with some tougher fixtures than our opponents in the next few weeks, with a massive amount of fixtures - the cup games are really becoming a nuisance.

SOD needs to get a couple of faces in if he can, using the cup money just too add a bit of pace to the squad and an extra pair of legs in the middle of the park. If he doesn't, we run the risk of really doing a Tranmere and falling off the face of the earth - that's drastic though. Blackpool fluked a late goal today from a lucky deflection into the players path, when they didn't really deserve anything - but those kinds of goals lead heads to drop and negativity to creep in.

We haven't been getting progressively worse though. First half was below average but not bad by any stretch of the imagination. 2nd half was much, much better. Bury first half was the best we've played since Blackpool away and Brentford was probably the definition of a perfect away performance.

We do look tired though, squad is getting depleted thanks to outgoing loans and tired legs and a lack of new ideas is needed. Reinforcements are desperately needed.

 

[Saddlerrad]

We haven't been getting progressively worse though. First half was below average but not bad by any stretch of the imagination. 2nd half was much, much better. Bury first half was the best we've played since Blackpool away and Brentford was probably the definition of a perfect away performance.

We do look tired though, squad is getting depleted thanks to outgoing loans and tired legs and a lack of new ideas is needed. Reinforcements are desperately needed.

Do you not think?

Vale at home was predominantly poor..Coventry was predominantly awful..Peterborough we started okay..faded and got lucky with 2 late goals..(Brentford fair enough)..good start at bury but bar an own goal for us and them putting a sitter over the bar its a different story..today sounded cack for the most part.

Last time I walked away from a game thinking 'yeah, that was a promotion performance' was Shrewsbury in the second half. (Didn't do Brentford or today)

But we need a couple of players in to bolster thighs with lads of games and the cup run. I'd rather surrender with 11 youth players at reading if it meant every own was refreshed for the next few league games.

 

[Jack]

I get where Saddlerrad is coming from, Since Sod took charge we've probably only played 'brilliantly' in 1 game

Port Vale, took 2 late goals to win it and apart from that, poor
Millwall, only had 2 shots on target
Peterborough, Look at Port Vale
Rochdale, Completely outrun, looked tired
Brentford, Brilliant, one of the best away performances in a few years
Coventry, Poor, Only looked good in the last 15
Bury, First half brilliant, Second half back to our old selves
Blackpool, Poor first half, much better second half, should have won

But... We've only lost once since he's been here so nothing too much to get worried about

We do need a couple of fresh faces, only have a squad of 20 players with 4 going out on loan, Evans leaving and Osbourne still strapped to the treatment table

And with another 3 away games in 7 days, followed by games against Wigan and Burton, it's certainly going to be a bumpy (but exciting) ride until the end of the season. UTS!

 

[EricSabin]

Looking increasingly likely we will be in League 1 next year, so I've got a request. Can you all Midlands teams not get bloody promoted please!?!? This division is far too northern as it stands!!

 

[GFC4EVA]

Looking increasingly likely we will be in League 1 next year, so I've got a request. Can you all Midlands teams not get bloody promoted please!?!? This division is far too northern as it stands!!

We'll do our best to help with your request

 

[EricSabin]

We'll do our best to help with your request

Peterborough aside you're the ones I want to go up the least!! Currently living round here for Uni, have been to Priestfield a couple of times this season.

 

[joethegill]

Looking increasingly likely we will be in League 1 next year, so I've got a request. Can you all Midlands teams not get bloody promoted please!?!? This division is far too northern as it stands!!

I actually think the division being so Northern has helped us so far. If you're a young kid at a Premier League club in London and want to go out on loan to a localish club, then there aren't many League One options so we've had a decent chance of picking up good loanees. If the kid was at a club in say, Manchester, then there are so many clubs knocking about there of a similar standard then your chances of getting the pick of the bunch is far lower. Unless you're Wigan, who just throw money at the problem.

 

[Jockney]

We lack fluency and confidence in our own game, and our defence and central midfield are still not imposing enough when we come up against better sides...

BUT when you have three players on double figures, and five or six in your squad on the whole who can win you a game with individual quality, as well as a genuinely excellent shot-stopper then you will continue to pick up results, especially against lesser opposition.

Big few games coming up. You'd think Crewe would be a banker, but with our home form we can't be too confident. Then we have difficult games against Walsall, Peterborough and a potentially reinvigorated Scunthorpe.

 

[GFC4EVA]

Think the top 5 are set, just not sure what order they will finish.

Honestly think even with relegation form from us, burton and walsall we will still make the play offs.

One space up for grabs, wouldn't be surprised if it went to peterborough by far the best team to visit us.

Big few weeks coming up with 3 of the next 5 at home, and what looks like 2 of the easier away fixtures, it's a great chance to establish ourselves in the top 2

 

[CCFC_Charlie]

Think the top 5 are set, just not sure what order they will finish.

Honestly think even with relegation form from us, burton and walsall we will still make the play offs.

One space up for grabs, wouldn't be surprised if it went to peterborough by far the best team to visit us.

Big few weeks coming up with 3 of the next 5 at home, and what looks like 2 of the easier away fixtures, it's a great chance to establish ourselves in the top 2

We're no where near set if we keep playing like we are at the moment.

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

I'm really surprised at Coventry's form at the moment.

When I look at the quality in their squad and the fact that they have extended their important loanees I fully expected them to kick on mount a strong challenge for the top two.

having said that there is still plenty of time to go and Mowbray is a canny old sod so I still reckon they will be challenging.

 

[Posh Hammer]

We always seem to be the best team that everyone has played, yet we've lost all of those games.

 

[Camborne Gills]

By contrast, a number of opposing fans have said that they shouldn't be losing to the likes of us.................................

 

[blademan89]

By contrast, a number of opposing fans have said that they shouldn't be losing to the likes of us.................................

Fans like that are clueless wankers though. However big a club you are is irrelevant were all in this league cos thats the standard were at. You are still by far the best team weve faced.

 

[Jockney]

Result went out way last night. Big, big few months for us with our game in hand coming up and Posh visiting the Den. Potential to move away from the chasing pack.

 

[Shrimpurh]

2 very winnable games next up for us, Shrews next Tues followed by Col U at home. Seems we have got over our (very) dodgy patch with 4 good points against Posh and Cov. Personally think we will miss out on play-offs by >5 points but we're certainly still in the mix.

 

[THE TERRACEMAN]

Albion over their blip, the bubble isn't going to burst for those still waiting for that to happen.

 

[GFC4EVA]

would love it for burton ourselves and walsall to go up, we have been the 3 most consistent sides all season.

 

[Hurrikeen]

Albion over their blip, the bubble isn't going to burst for those still waiting for that to happen.

Tranmere said that.
Leyton Orient said that.

Don't get me wrong, it would be great if Burton did a "Yeovil", however there's a long way to go yet.

 

[SaddlerJonny]

I'd be over the moon if the current top 3 ends up going up, no matter in what order. Would be a very beautiful sight and a strong message to some of the bigger clubs that splashing the cash doesn't equal success.

 

[JJ1532]

Tranmere said that.
Leyton Orient said that.

Don't get me wrong, it would be great if Burton did a "Yeovil", however there's a long way to go yet.

Leyton Orient made it to the play off final. Ok they didn't go up, but I'd hardly say their bubble burst.

As for Tranmere, totally different set up. They built their team around loanees Jake Cassidy, Liam Palmer and Ben Gibson. They also lost James Wallace to injury in the 2nd half of the season. But this Burton team looks so well put together. They have a rock solid defence and just enough goals to win them games. They might slip up, but even if they do and end up in a play off spot, thats still a fantastic achievement for them.

 

[Hurrikeen]

Leyton Orient made it to the play off final. Ok they didn't go up, but I'd hardly say their bubble burst.

As for Tranmere, totally different set up. They built their team around loanees Jake Cassidy, Liam Palmer and Ben Gibson. They also lost James Wallace to injury in the 2nd half of the season. But this Burton team looks so well put together. They have a rock solid defence and just enough goals to win them games. They might slip up, but even if they do and end up in a play off spot, thats still a fantastic achievement for them.

I'm not doubting the achievement.

As for the bubble bursting - well Orient were quite some way clear at the top at one stage, so it was a fall just finishing in the playoffs. As for Tranmere losing Wallace - that's one player, which could well happen to Burton themselves. Merely saying with another 20 games to go, a whole lot can change.

Also - looks what's happened to Orient & Tranmere since....

I'd love Burton to win the league though. Without doubt.

 

[THE TERRACEMAN]

I think it would be good for football in England if the current top 3 went up. Run sensibly these clubs are making a mockery of the so called bigger clubs in this division and the financial clout they have. It also sends out a message of hope to many of the smaller clubs that they can challenge realistically at this level.
I think most Albion fans would have been happy to just stay up this season in all honesty but we have already achieved that.
We knew we had a useful squad and solid game plan but we have consistently picked up wins with virtually no changes to the team that finished champions of league 2 last season. That experience of battling for the title last season should stand us in good stead this time round also. The players know what is required and have the ambition.
Over the last 3 seasons under Gary Rowett and JFH players were only signed if their ability was matched by their character and application. The club are reaping rich rewards from that policy.