The League One Relegation Thread 15/16

[3Loggerheads]

Wellens now confirmed

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Wellens has just signed for Shrewsbury on an 18 month deal...

Where the bloody hell have Shrewsbury got their money from?

 

[3Loggerheads]

Wellens has just signed for Shrewsbury on an 18 month deal...

Where the bloody hell have Shrewsbury got their money from?

We do have most of the 2 million from earlier transfers, the problem has been hitting the 50% ceiling v turnover on wages which is why Collins Barnett Lawrence Ellis have all gone out. There salaries were inflated by a 20% promotion bonus as were another 10 squad members from last season. As the above were high wage earners it has enabled us to bring in new players!

 

[Floreat Salopia]

Wellens has just signed for Shrewsbury on an 18 month deal...

Where the bloody hell have Shrewsbury got their money from?

I explained our situation in the 'Confirmed Transfers' thread at the top of the page if you're interested

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I explained our situation in the 'Confirmed Transfers' thread at the top of the page if you're interested

Makes sense, you've done what Luton did when they went up from the Conference where you've ended up in the higher league, wanting to give your own players a chance, but when they're not good enough and they've had a wage rise and you've brought others in, you've ended up with a bloated squad so you've needed to offload. I see now.

Still at a loss to see why you signed Tootle though, he really is garbage and people up our end say he's on £2000 a week! That's pissing money away!

 

[3Loggerheads]

Still at a loss to see why you signed Tootle though, he really is garbage and people up our end say he's on £2000 a week! That's pissing money away!

Agree he has been poor, word has it he has still not fully recovered from last seasons injury and has not played for sometime now

 

[Floreat Salopia]

Makes sense, you've done what Luton did when they went up from the Conference where you've ended up in the higher league, wanting to give your own players a chance, but when they're not good enough and they've had a wage rise and you've brought others in, you've ended up with a bloated squad so you've needed to offload. I see now.

Still at a loss to see why you signed Tootle though, he really is garbage and people up our end say he's on £2000 a week! That's pissing money away!

Our aim for this season was to reach the play offs but we've been unable to strengthen the squad with quality due to the 20% rise some players insist on having. I really hope we stay up this year as I think with almost our whole squad out of contract in the summer, it would be a great chance to finally push on in League 1 and aim for Championship football as we've got the money to give it a go, it's just holding on for the next 6 months to League 1 status.

Oh and regarding Tootle...yeah... he's not great is he! Hopefully some other poor sod signs him during the window as he's available for transfer. Come on Davis, give the fans what they want

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Our aim for this season was to reach the play offs but we've been unable to strengthen the squad with quality due to the 20% rise some players insist on having. I really hope we stay up this year as I think with almost our whole squad out of contract in the summer, it would be a great chance to finally push on in League 1 and aim for Championship football as we've got the money to give it a go, it's just holding on for the next 6 months to League 1 status.

Oh and regarding Tootle...yeah... he's not great is he! Hopefully some other poor sod signs him during the window as he's available for transfer. Come on Davis, give the fans what they want

If Davis signed Tootle or his other son my season ticket will be cut up into many little fragments. I don't want mardarses who think they're too good to play for us or Davis yes men to play for us. Luckily there's no chance of that because 1. Davis and Tootle hate each other and 2. Our board have confirmed our long-deserved relegation to League Two today.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Agree he has been poor, word has it he has still not fully recovered from last seasons injury and has not played for sometime now

I've heard something about Liam Lawrence knocking up his missus whether that's true or not and he's thrown a fit, which of course would be understandable.

Putting that aside though, he's just a mardarse anyway, I believe he did have an injury last season but the club milked it as a smokescreen considering the dressing room was a toxic place with him in it after he didn't get the big money move Dario promised him, I believe he lacks professionalism. He's the sort of player who thinks he's a lot better than he is and that upset a lot of the squad last year.

Some of our fans thought he was the white Cafu though, embarrassing. Tootle was a pound shop John Brayford if anything, just until 2014 he accepted responsibility for failure unlike our blameless manager and his son/captain whose the saviour of our club, so he was a fans' favourite. But his little hissy fit after not getting his move has made a lot of us fans not hold him in good stead.

 

[stevie_howard]

I am officially signing Bury FC into this fred.

 

[TimeyWimey]

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Crew...safeguarding/story-28510628-detail/story.html

More spin, more bullshit about how we're lucky to be where we are and 24th in L1 is some sort of achievement. Talking about the importance of staying in the Football League before we're even in League Two. Absolutely fucking absurd. Just fuck off Davis and all the other moronic geriatrics destroying this club.

 

[Hurrikeen]

Whilst we're by no means guaranteed safety now, I feel a hell of a lot more encouraged now Lord Sheridan of Oldham has rocked up.

 

[stevie_howard]

I'm not looking forward to our relegation six pointer at your place now.

 

[Camborne Gills]

Whilst we're by no means guaranteed safety now, I feel a hell of a lot more encouraged now Lord Sheridan of Oldham has rocked up.

You want to be retaining your WABLO status after all

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Can't believe it. Steve Davis saying we're on a par with non-league Cheltenham and clubs that have been above League Two (Lincoln, Torquay) once in a blue moon. Wait till we're in the Conference and they're saying that we aspire to be like Macclesfield, horrific PR disaster from the board and Davis and heads should roll. No other club would even dare say that.

If he's in charge next season I know the ambition will be 22nd in League Two so what's the point in even renewing.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Went on that Crewe Chronicle Page earlier and found this absolute gem of a comment in response to the board and Davis' lack of ambition...

"A club patiently waiting to build on success from OUR home grown talents, this is what makes us unique, let's not cheapen our achievements by buying them like the rest of the countries football clubs"

The minority of Crewe fans that think we're a "special club" and take the moral high ground really do deserve all this shit we're going through. Our next success we're patiently waiting for will be the Doodson Sports Cup at this rate!

 

[TimeyWimey]

"let's not cheapen our achievements by buying them"

Our achievements are definitely one big fuck you to Bournemouth's billionaire.

Another 12 months of this and I will probably just about have accepted we're a non-league outfit and deserve to be, partly down to the board and partly down to fans like that.

This idea that we should f'k off any decent outsider because Whatshisface from the academy deserves a season being out of his depth is frankly crap. It's the reason some applauded us getting rid of Grant and it's the overused excuse for the club being on its arse, as if its some sort of achievement where we are. Does any other club in the country have such a big contingent of supporters who are so happy with failure? Or are the rest of us just missing the point of football?

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I always remember a poster saying "Would you rather be a Northampton fan or a Crewe fan?" when Northampton had their ownership issue but it was clear to see they'd never go bust because they had extension after extension.

Northampton are taking 6000 fans to MK, could possibly play Chelsea in the next round of the Cup, are an entertaining side and are top of League Two.

We're bottom of League One, losing fans by the week and lost to Eastleigh, plus we have Ollie Turton at fullback and Harry Davis as our highest paid player with his Dad's defensive football ruining us.

Just wish this club would be a normal club instead of trying too hard to be "unique" and "special" so we attract melts like those on the Chronicle page.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Saw a comment on Mad having a go at Davis for not giving Andy White enough of a chance 3 years ago and how that shows the kids aren't being given the chances. This is Nantwich Town's very own Andy White. Now you can understand fans whinging about the club not offering Jamie Vardy a deal in one of his many trials, or not signing John Lundstram, who's proven to be good enough, but some full back who never made it anyway? Why on earth is that a concern??

I love seeing our academy players come through. Watching Nick Powell and Dean Ashton, Seth and Murphy before them, provided easily some of the best moments as a supporter. But the common theme is... They were good, very good, and they improved us. I get no joy out of watching Turton. I don't care if he was on a contract 3 years before his birth. He's crap and not good enough. I'd rather have a player who has played for more clubs than Steve Claridge than a Turton.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Then you get the ones saying Chris Atkinson was underrated after he was loaned out.

There's a huge difference between the following
- Being constantly unfit and not offering anything in games when he's had a chance
- Being 'underrated' purely because he hardly played (even though he was injured)

Crewe fans baffle me with their logic. Of course it was the right decision to bin him off, he's not even good enough for this level!

 

[Football Purist]

Sack the board!
Had enough of their 'ethos' now.

 

[stevie_howard]

Tough game for Bury today if on. Can't see more than a point against Walsall. Then into a crunch 2 weeks with the Bradford replay, 6 pointers against Oldham and Crewe, and then Hull/Sheff U at home.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Great second half performance to keep us firmly on course for relegation!

 

[stevie_howard]

3-2 home defeat flattered us ... keeps our record breaking run going.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Radio Stoke confirmed tonight more or less Steve Davis will be our manager in League Two unless he leaves.

This means another season of Davis' summer recruitment, another opening day failure, another "only 1 win till October", another 24th position at Christmas.

Season ticket sales will plummet next season, we really are Conference bound.

 

[Football Purist]

Radio Stoke confirmed tonight more or less Steve Davis will be our manager in League Two unless he leaves.

This means another season of Davis' summer recruitment, another opening day failure, another "only 1 win till October", another 24th position at Christmas.

Season ticket sales will plummet next season, we really are Conference bound.

There'll be some great derbies in the Conference....Chester,Tranmere,Wrectum,Macc.

 

[JJ1532]

52 - NO TEAM RELEGATED WITH THIS TOTAL Predicted Safety 2016 Walsall(26)
51 - Safety 2013, 2015 Gillingham(27)
50 - Safety 2012, 2014
49 -
48 - Safety 2011 Coventry(27), Wigan(27)
47 -
46 -
45 -
44 -
43 -
43 -
42 -
41 - Peterborough(26)
40 - Sheff U(26)
39 -
38 - Southend(26)
37 - Millwall(25), Bradford(24)
36 - Port Vale(25)
35 - Doncaster(26)
34 - Rochdale(25), Swindon(26)
33 - Bury(25)
32 - Scunthorpe(26)
31 -
30 - Barnsley(25), Chesterfield(27)
29 -
28 - Blackpool(26)
27 -
26 - Fleetwood(24)
-------------------------------------------
26 - Shrewsbury(26)
25 -
24 -
23 -
22 -
21 - Oldham(25), Colchester(24)
20 - Crewe(25)

Forthcoming fixtures:

17th Barnsley(25) - 30 points. Rochdale(H), Bradford(A), Swindon(A), Bury(H), Gillingham(A)
18th Chesterfield(27) - 30 points. Millwall(H), Peterborough(H), Burton(A), Colchester(A), Crewe(H)
19th Blackpool(26) - 28 points. Walsall(A), Sheff U(H), Gillingham(H), Oldham(A), Shrewsbury(H)
20th Fleetwood(24) - 26 points. Colchester(A), Doncaster(H), Walsall(H), Bradford(A), Shrewsbury(H)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21st Shrewsbury(26) - 26 points. Burton(A), Oldham(H), Southend(H), Fleetwood(H), Blackpool(A)
22nd Oldham(25) - 21 points. Bury(H), Shrewsbury(A), Blackpool(H), Peterborough(A), Wigan(A)
23rd Colchester(26) - 21 points. Fleetwood(H), Scunthorpe(A), Southend(A), Swindon(H), Chesterfield(H)
24th Crewe(25) - 20 points. Wigan(H), Bury(A), Millwall(A), Rochdale(H), Walsall(H)

Well, mixed day for the 4 teams just outside the relegation spots. Barnsley got a vital 3-0 win away at Shrewsbury, big result that. They now face a bunch of middling teams, so have a good chance to pull clear of the drop zone. Chesterfield lost to Wigan, which is no disgrace. They had managed 7 points from 9 in their 3 games before that, but now face 3 more top 10 teams. Can they prove their revival is long term and not just a short term boost? Blackpool hammered Scunny at home, they needed that after 3 straight defeats had seen them drop back into the bottom 4. Looks like their decision to invest in players is paying off. They too have a tricky run over the next couple of weeks before things ease off. Fleetwood didn't play today and have 2/3 games in hand over the teams around them. They have a massive trip to Colchester coming up on Tuesday.

Shrewsbury are back in the bottom 4 after a few weeks out. After beating Crewe 2-1, they have conceded 10 goals in their last 2 games, including a heavy defeat to Barnsley today. Got some relegation rivals coming up in the next few fixtures, so a good chance to claw their way back out of trouble. After them, we have the remaining 3 teams who are all starting to be cut afrift. Oldham's appointment of John Sheridan might give them a boost and my god do they need it and fast. Got some winnable games coming up, can they start to bridge the gap on those above them? Colchester seem, like us, to be a bit of basket case and they seem destined for L2 next season. As already mentioned, they have a crucial home against Fleetwood to come in midweek. As for Crewe, well they are a shambles. Blew a 3-1 lead at HT to lose 4-3. We're doing, no doubt about it. We haven't got the quality or spirit to hold onto leads in games and we'll likely be down by March.

So, those bottom 3 teams have a lot of work to do to catch up with those above them. Not impossible, but looking more and more unlikely by the day. After that, there are 4 points separating 5 teams. Very tight and when it's like that, every game against your fellow relegation rivals is huge.

 

[Bottega Don]

Alright lads, how we all doing

 

[dedwardp]

We were absolutely robbed today.

Fairly even first half but went behind thanks to some laughable defending, completely embarrassing. Certainly didn't deserve to be behind at half time despite not being too great.

We were very good throughout the second half though and pulled ourselves deservedly level not long after the break. Dominated the entire half, squandered chance after chance, one off the line, wrongly denied a late penalty because Moncur chose to stay on his feet and then hit on the break in injury time.

We are destined for the drop this season. If a sign of a promotion side is to win when playing badly then we're doing the opposite and if we don't win games like today after how it panned out then this will be our year to drop, for sure. Need to beat Fleetwood on Tuesday but still looks like a mountain really.

 

[Matt_]

Shrewsbury are back in the bottom 4 after a few weeks out. After beating Crewe 2-1, they have conceded 10 goals in their last 2 games, including a heavy defeat to Barnsley today. Got some relegation rivals coming up in the next few fixtures, so a good chance to claw their way back out of trouble.

We've just played a lot of games against teams that could be considered relegation rivals and generally done very badly.

Swindon (H) lost
Fleetwood (H) drew
Crewe (A) won
Chesterfield (A) lost
Barnsley (H) lost

This season is getting more reminiscent of 2002/3 (when we were relegated) as each week passes. A good cup run but woeful in the league.

At this stage we appear to be in a downward spiral that we're unlikely to come out of. Mellon's recent interviews have included comments about the players failing to follow the instructions they are given and failure to stick to the pre-match game plan. If he can't get his players to play the way he and his staff want them to play, whether they're good enough or not, then serious questions have to be asked about manager/coach/player relations.