Ups and Downs

[Luke Imp]

Championship
Wycombe will make a swift return to L1 as expected.

Sheffield Wednesday are 6 adrift but with a game in hand on Birmingham whilst Rotherham are also in the bottom three albeit with two or three games in hand on those around them. You'd imagine Forest up are safe, which leaves the remaining two relegation spots between six teams.

Derby find out the result of the EFL's appeal into their accounting next week so a points deduction isn't completely off the cards for them I don't think and that'll throw a spanner in the works.

If feels like Birmingham have been on the cusp of relegation for years. That bottom six hasn't really changed too much through the season I don't think.

League Two
Cheltenham lead the way at the minute under the guidance of the excellent Michael Duff. No surprise to see them up there again, you could see that Duff would do something with them in his first part season with them a couple of years ago.

On their tails are Cambridge and FGR who are in the two other automatic promotion places at the minute. Cambridge have played one or two more than those around them, though. FGR lost a couple of players in January so they've done well to keep going and have an opportunity to colour in another star on their shirt.

PO's are Tranmere, Bolton, Morecambe and Newport and they'll battle it out with Exeter, Salford and Crawley for the four spots. Carlisle and Bradford have two and three games in hand respectively and could work their way into contention as they catch up.

Morecambe would surely be the smallest Club to have played in L1? Derek Adams has done a fantastic job there.

 

[Luke Imp]

Not too much change at the bottom of the Championship.

Wednesday now 7 adrift, Rotherham still playing catch up and it wouldn't be a surprise if Coventry dropped into the relegation zone when the games are caught up. Huddersfield perhaps in danger of dropping into a relegation battle but they'll just about have enough I imagine. Birmingham still looking over their shoulders despite their latest win having played a game more.

Top of L2 is a little weird. Cambridge and Cheltenham keep going but there are lots of dropped points between 4th and 8th, which has seen Bolton up to 3rd. FGR are out of form and Newport and Exeter's poor recent form has seen Orient sniffing the PO's. Carlisle have played their games in hand and are back in with a shout again.

 

[Hooped Wizard]

I would obviously hope Rotherham and Wednesday come down, both would probably be in the top 6 next season but we’re going to be no where near them anyway so would just appreciate the local games.


Definitely don’t want Bolton coming up, a one season punishment for what they did isn’t enough.

 

[masi51]

I would obviously hope Rotherham and Wednesday come down, both would probably be in the top 6 next season but we’re going to be no where near them anyway so would just appreciate the local games.


Definitely don’t want Bolton coming up, a one season punishment for what they did isn’t enough.

what did we do ??????

 

[Luke Imp]

Big win for Rotherham last night, who're now 3 points off Coventry with two in hand and also have a game in hand on those above as well, plus a better GD than them all.

Not too much change in L2. Bolton went from having a two point cushion to four due to Tranmere's loss but Morecambe who jumped up to 4th.

 

[PuB]

Bolton should serve at least 3 years downstairs for WHAT THEY DID.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Big win for Rotherham last night, who're now 3 points off Coventry with two in hand and also have a game in hand on those above as well, plus a better GD than them all.

Not too much change in L2. Bolton went from having a two point cushion to four due to Tranmere's loss but Morecambe who jumped up to 4th.

Rotherham vs Coventry tomorrow night as well.

 

[Giorgio]

Bolton should serve at least 3 years downstairs for WHAT THEY DID.

What did we do

 

[SVH]

We've one foot in league one and hope to have it confirmed by 5pm on Saturday. We've served our time in non-league and league two. We've had a great season and deserve to go up as Champions.

The worry is the key players out of contract in the summer. Mullin and Knoyle are vital and we would love to keep Boateng who has been excellent since joining from MK Dons.

 

[Indian Dan]

Can’t argue with that.

 

[Luke Imp]

Derby's losing run means they're giving Sheffield Wednesday a sniff - four points behind with three to play...and they meet each other on the final day.

Rotherham are also four adrift but have three games in hand. Their poor return last week hasn't really changed anything for them but given who they were playing, it'll go down as a big missed opportunity.

From L2, it looks like Cambridge are up if they better Morecambe's result. Cheltenham have game in hand in second place but lose that, and it's a three horse race for the two remaining spots with Bolton and Morecambe.

Tranmere are 7 in the PO's but played a game more and realistically, it's probably only Salford and Exeter who can get into the PO's of those teams currently outside of them. Orient four adrift having played a game more and an inferior GD.

EDIT - Cambridge up if they win, but a draw would basically promoted them if Morecambe lose due to GD.

 

[Third Team Lucky]

We've one foot in league one and hope to have it confirmed by 5pm on Saturday. We've served our time in non-league and league two. We've had a great season and deserve to go up as Champions.

The worry is the key players out of contract in the summer. Mullin and Knoyle are vital and we would love to keep Boateng who has been excellent since joining from MK Dons.

Russ made it quite clear earlier in the year that Hiram wasn't in his plans and that won't have changed. We've got previous at cancelling contracts when players deemed 'surplus to requirements' find other willing employers so it's probably just a matter of agreeing personal terms.

 

[SVH]

Russ made it quite clear earlier in the year that Hiram wasn't in his plans and that won't have changed. We've got previous at cancelling contracts when players deemed 'surplus to requirements' find other willing employers so it's probably just a matter of agreeing personal terms.

I had heard Martin didn't rate him or he didn't suit your style of play, so I'm sure if we offer him a good enough contract he is likely to stay. He's way too good for league two.

Any rumours of Darling being sold this summer? We have a 20% sell on.

 

[Guernica]

Fair play to Cambridge, seem to have done things quietly and under the radar. As we know there is a sizeable jump from L2 to L1 and it will be interesting to see if their style (not sure what their style is as I haven't seen them) and if they have the finance to push on.

 

[masi51]

Fair play to Cambridge, seem to have done things quietly and under the radar. As we know there is a sizeable jump from L2 to L1 and it will be interesting to see if their style (not sure what their style is as I haven't seen them) and if they have the finance to push on.

Its a massive step up to lge 1 as i keep pointing out....Rochdale would have gained automatic promotion this year in lge 2.
Cheltenham, Cambridge and Morecambe will struggle next season. Tranmere if they go up should be ok
Salford would have to completly change there team they have the resources to do so
Newport FGR not a chance of surviving.....Last but not least if Bolton go up and keep this squad bottom half finish

Its how much the board want to get into the championship......are they prepared to back Evatt

 

[SVH]

This Bolton fan does his predictions off the back of a fag packet. A bit like their summer recruitment strategy.

Because you’re a smaller club with a smaller budget you will struggle in his eyes. We have a great manager who gets the best out of his squad. It’s a big step up but I’m confident our summer recruitment will be bang on like it was all season for us.

We play good football with a set of very honest players who enjoy playing for an excellent manager. It will be tough but I’m confident we’ll have enough to stay up.

 

[masi51]

This Bolton fan does his predictions off the back of a fag packet. A bit like their summer recruitment strategy.

Because you’re a smaller club with a smaller budget you will struggle in his eyes. We have a great manager who gets the best out of his squad. It’s a big step up but I’m confident our summer recruitment will be bang on like it was all season for us.

We play good football with a set of very honest players who enjoy playing for an excellent manager. It will be tough but I’m confident we’ll have enough to stay up.

very impressed with Bonner, but your best two players are out of contract and can you keep them.
Hoolihan may retire
Take your blinkers off
I had a lot of respect for Cambridge and Bonner after you played us and i would like you to do ok next season....sorry just dont see it.

PS hope i am wrong and you are right

 

[masi51]

Bolton should serve at least 3 years downstairs for WHAT THEY DID.

Another Balloon

 

[SVH]

very impressed with Bonner, but your best two players are out of contract and can you keep them.
Hoolihan may retire
Take your blinkers off
I had a lot of respect for Cambridge and Bonner after you played us and i would like you to do ok next season....sorry just dont see it.

PS hope i am wrong and you are right

I am not surprised you can’t see it. You told us you’d have the league won by November.

I am a realist and appreciate it will be tough but with Bonner in charge I am confident he will build a squad that can compete. That’s with or without Hoolahan. I’ve no idea if he will retire but I have a sneaky feeling he is going to give it another year if we get promoted.

 

[PuB]

Another Balloon

Even the mildest of insults only work if the person on the end of them respects your opinion.

Stay in league 2 please, FOR WHAT YOU DID.

 

[masi51]

I am not surprised you can’t see it. You told us you’d have the league won by November.

I am a realist and appreciate it will be tough but with Bonner in charge I am confident he will build a squad that can compete. That’s with or without Hoolahan. I’ve no idea if he will retire but I have a sneaky feeling he is going to give it another year if we get promoted.

fair enough......

 

[Giorgio]

Even the mildest of insults only work if the person on the end of them respects your opinion.

Stay in league 2 please, FOR WHAT YOU DID.

Can you please tell me what we have done?

 

[masi51]

Can you please tell me what we have done?

I think he is saying we went into administration..............another who does not know his owns clubs History

 

[PuB]

I think he is saying we went into administration..............another who does not know his owns clubs History

We went in to admin for debts just over £200k, we weren’t overspending just exceptionally poorly run by a good bloke in the early 90’s.

No comparison.

 

[masi51]

We went in to admin for debts just over £200k, we weren’t overspending just exceptionally poorly run by a good bloke in the early 90’s.

No comparison.

debt is debt....Ours was on a bigger scale but the money was spent by the person who was owed the money
When he left the club it was put into someone who had been banned from being a director by another league club previously who just stopped paying the bills
He should not have passed any EFL vetting system.
Hell of a lot of comparison......you was like us in administration except you did not get the _12 points

 

[Luke Imp]

So that's Wycombe effectively down due to their inferior GD and Wednesday needing at least four points from their final two games. Rotherham are throwing away their games in hand but Wednesday vs Derby on the final day might work out ok for them.

Cheltenham basically up because of their GD. Cambridge likely to follow, who, again because of GD, will just need a point. Bolton need one win after their big win at Morecambe yesterday.

PO's likely to be Morecambe, Tranmere and two from FGR, Newport, Salford and Exeter.

 

[Luke Imp]

Another loss for Rotherham tonight.

 

[Bartonyellow]

Another loss for Rotherham tonight.

Derby are going to stay up by virtue of others losing.
Unless forest decide to roll over at hillsborough on Saturday...

 

[gijsbert_bos]

Another loss for Rotherham tonight.

They've only taken 4 points from their last 27, I think. A few poor sides been given a reprieve as a result.

 

[Luke Imp]

Fair play to Wycombe for digging in right until the final game. Their GD will see them down regardless of their result next weekend. It's Derby vs Wednesday, whilst Rotherham have Luton on Tuesday then Cardiff. They have the better GD of the sides down there.

Two from three in L2 - Cambridge, Bolton and Morecambe.

Cambridge looked like they'd be up by now but have lost their last two. Bolton had a huge win last weekend at Morecambe but lost in injury time today and Morecambe did what they had to.

Cambridge vs Grimsby, Crawley vs Bolton and Morecambe vs Bradford next weekend.

A draw will be enough for Cambridge due to GD, Bolton will have to equal or better Morecambe because they have an inferior GD and a draw won't be enough if Morecambe win.