Welcome to Bristol Rovers and Oxford United

[Gashead]

Given what I have seen in League 1 this season, I would guess the gap down to League 2 isn't that wide.

I fully expect Rovers, Northampton and the bile to kick on next season and all will probably finish top 12.

That's the ambitious aim for me, just like the play-offs were at the start of this season. There are a few unknown factors at the moment though. Will Taylor stay? What sort of player will we look at now with the new ownership? etc. etc. so I can make a better judgement at the end of July.

Anything which doesn't end up in a relegation scrap next season I'll be quite satisfied with, but I'm sure the management and players will be looking much higher than that.

 

[Agombar stool]

That's the ambitious aim for me, just like the play-offs were at the start of this season. There are a few unknown factors at the moment though. Will Taylor stay? What sort of player will we look at now with the new ownership? etc. etc. so I can make a better judgement at the end of July.

Anything which doesn't end up in a relegation scrap next season I'll be quite satisfied with, but I'm sure the management and players will be looking much higher than that.

Have the new owners said what sort of money/budget they will be giving Darrell Clarke?

What's happening with your stadium now? Are you getting a new one?

 

[Indian Dan]

A warm welcome to our special new Rovers fans

 

[Viv Aldi]

Looking forward to some decent away days next season. Hoping we can 'do a Burton' but will be happy with mid table obscurity, with the token six points taken off Swindon.

 

[OUFC Dan]

Christ, I almost hope we go down now, can I please log on without having several notifications from people who live in awful, awful towns attempting to banter with me?

 

[Indian Dan]

Well fuck off, then. And you're not alone in hoping you go back down

 

[Agombar stool]

Christ, I almost hope we go down now, can I please log on without having several notifications from people who live in awful, awful towns attempting to banter with me?

Whom are you referring to dear child?

Those notifications can be very distressing.

 

[martinox]

So on a more serious note I know little or nothing about League 1. What is the difference in quality between it and League 2? Are the refs and particularly the linesmen any better???

 

[Indian Dan]

Not a vast gulf by any means. Don't hold your breath on the officials being any better.

With my 'impartial' head on you should do fine

 

[joethegill]

Next season could be interesting. No-one in the league who could be described as perennially knocking on the door to promotion like in previous years, the yearly struggle-til-march-then-improve-and-stay-up teams seem to have given up (Colchester and Crewe), and there isn't a team in the league with huge investment like Wigan had this year. There's a lot of proper third tier sides going to be involved next season, which means it literally could be anyones. I think those coming up will be fine (unless Accrington do, I think the step up will be too much, especially with the loss of two of their best players to Rangers), whilst those coming down I don't see as 'doing a Blackpool'. Makes for a very even league, and not a lot to choose between anyone. If I had to wager, I'd say Oxford would do the best out of the 3 already promoted clubs, but there won't be much in it.

The refs are still shite up here unfortunately.

 

[Indian Dan]

So you reckon the bottom 4 next year will likely to come from those presently in L1?

Oh fuck

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

Our manager has a knack of getting the best out of players.

Roofe, Lundstram, Baldock and Jordan Graham were all deemed not good enough and now Jordan Graham is the first name on the Wolves team sheet when fit, Baldock was recalled and Roofe and Lundstram are valuable assets.

... and yes we were playing in League 2 last season but they also beat; Brentford, Sw***on Town, Swansea and Millwall.

I'm not sure what more they could do?

Yeah Michael Appleton is renowed for his ability to get the best out of players.

First decent season he's had in his career.

If you truly belive that the likes of Mullins, Skarz, Hylton, Maguire, Bowery and Taylor are world beaters and league one quality, you're in for a long season.

 

[joethegill]

So you reckon the bottom 4 next year will likely to come from those presently in L1?

Oh fuck

Pretty much, although like I said I think Accrington could struggle if they come up. It's obviously way too early to make too many predictions but there's a few teams currently in this league that have a lot of work to do this summer to try and stave off a season of struggle.

 

[Camborne Gills]

Good to see a few more southern teams in L1 next season. Would prefer to see Plymouth win the playoffs, although anyone bar Accy would be OK.
I will be aiming to go to Charlton, Oxford, Swine (as long as it isn't on a bleeding Tuesday), Rovers, and an unvisited northern outpost (ie Bolton MK Dons)

 

[Millwall_Matt]

Honestly I could see any of those promoted ending up in the playoffs next year. Nothing between league 1 and 2 in the most part and Oxford were one of the best sides we played this year.

 

[Robie]

Yeah Michael Appleton is renowed for his ability to get the best out of players.

First decent season he's had in his career.

If you truly belive that the likes of Mullins, Skarz, Hylton, Maguire, Bowery and Taylor are world beaters and league one quality, you're in for a long season.

You are clearly on a wind up.

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

You are clearly on a wind up.

I've seen all those players on a regular basis more often than you and know their qualities.

You're living in a dream world if you think they'll be up to much in this division.

 

[Turbo8818]

Yer I can see Oxford making playoffs next season, very good passing outfit with some championship standard players.

 

[Gashead]

Have the new owners said what sort of money/budget they will be giving Darrell Clarke?

What's happening with your stadium now? Are you getting a new one?

No clue re: budget, presumably it will be better than last year's but we'll have to see on that front.

Stadium should be all good to go now, no longer reliant on the Sainsbury's court case either which is nice (we had an 'effing great bank loan hanging over our heads with that one too, but thankfully that's now been paid off by the new ownership). Again though, its just words re: the stadium and I'm waiting for action over the next few months.

A warm welcome to our special new Rovers fans

Posted by a Swindon fan, liked by a City fan?

Not sure I have to say anything in response....

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

Yer I can see Oxford making playoffs next season, very good passing outfit with some championship standard players.

Kemar Roofe and who else?

 

[nevermindtheboll_Ox]

Thanks and Hi etc...

Should do ok looking at the Barnsley, Millwall and Swindon games.

We'll need a ruthless centre forward if we want top 6 and they're not easy to find. Roofe and the midfield step up absolutely no problem. Lundstram and O'Dowda certain to play Championship football. Work to do on the back five.

 

[Indian Dan]

JPT isn't the best guide to L1 teams. We has 10 or so first teamers out and were absolutely dreadful for about 12 games.

Although we've fannied about with 352 it's been a bit of a disaster overall. If you're weak at the back you'll get found out.

 

[UTS]

League One is a decent step up. Just like Bury, Shewsbury and Southend have found out. We've let it 83 goals this season compared to 56 last.

 

[nevermindtheboll_Ox]

JPT isn't the best guide to L1 teams. We has 10 or so first teamers out and were absolutely dreadful for about 12 games.

Although we've fannied about with 352 it's been a bit of a disaster overall. If you're weak at the back you'll get found out.

Semi-finals and final are a decent enough guide I think. To be honest I just threw your game in there because it's you! Can't wait for the derbies next year. Will you lose Ajose?

We've got good centre backs - Dunkley and Wright, Mullins back up; but literally no right backs, two dreadful goalkeepers and a left back I'm not 100% will step up! Full backs and keepers pretty ok to find though. It's the striker I think that'll be the challenge. Sercombe can't be expected to get 14 again, and Hylton misses too many chances to be relied upon as first choice.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

Haha lovely. On the night you'll find the Cobblers bus has already beaten you there (albeit, without Wilder on it!!)

Ours will have reclining seats, an on-board entertainment system and air conditioning and everyone will agree it looks much nicer.

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

Semi-finals and final are a decent enough guide I think. To be honest I just threw your game in there because it's you! Can't wait for the derbies next year. Will you lose Ajose?

We've got good centre backs - Dunkley and Wright, Mullins back up; but literally no right backs, two dreadful goalkeepers and a left back I'm not 100% will step up! Full backs and keepers pretty ok to find though. It's the striker I think that'll be the challenge. Sercombe can't be expected to get 14 again, and Hylton misses too many chances to be relied upon as first choice.

Skarz got found out time and time again for us at this level.

 

[nevermindtheboll_Ox]

Skarz got found out time and time again for us at this level.

See I can imagine he did, but he played 50 games for you the year you went up?

 

[Indian Dan]

Semi-finals and final are a decent enough guide I think. To be honest I just threw your game in there because it's you! Can't wait for the derbies next year. Will you lose Ajose?

We've got good centre backs - Dunkley and Wright, Mullins back up; but literally no right backs, two dreadful goalkeepers and a left back I'm not 100% will step up! Full backs and keepers pretty ok to find though. It's the striker I think that'll be the challenge. Sercombe can't be expected to get 14 again, and Hylton misses too many chances to be relied upon as first choice.

I'd imagine Ajose will go. But he's a strange one, really. 25 goals, no assists and is totally reliant in a real good 'other' forward to take the heat off. Obika is the perfect foil.

Cant imagine Power turning down the right number of coloured beads. Only saving grace is we can be certain he'll get top dollar for him

 

[Forestgas]

Great banter on here had to sign up lol inb

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

See I can imagine he did, but he played 50 games for you the year you went up?

Most goals conceded in the 'Skarz years' came from his side. Our mentality was to outscore the opposition so our back 4 didn't change much.