Impish
Active Member
A look at the teams fighting it out at the top for the one golden ticket and wildcard.
TRANMERE
Only top the league by default (games played) but they go into Saturdays top of the table clash at Sincil Bank full of confidence after Micky Mellon seems to have returned the togetherness around the club after the ill feeling between manager and supporters towards the end of Brabin's reign.
However Rovers are still flattering to deceive in some people's eyes in terms of performances. They're sneaking a lot of 1-0s so the question is will this catch up with them or can Norwood and Cook fire them to the title?
Telling month - February
Tranmere start the month away to Barrow and end it at home to Forest Green, with a trip to a more than likely rejuvenated Eastleigh somewhere in the middle. Should they come through this unscathed, their run in looks quite kind so it could be down to the Prenton Park faithful to see them over the line. PREDICTION 2nd
LINCOLN
The imps are playing some brilliant attacking football this season Under Danny Cowley which surprised many as his reputation at Braintree was of a conservative style. The strength in depth of the squad is a real plus, not 20-25 players numbers wise, but 17/18 very good players who are all good enough to start and come in and out of the 11 as and when Danny sees fit.
Telling month - March
Lincoln only have Barrow left to travel to out of the top 6 and will fancy their chances at home to their promotion rivals so it could be a pleasent 2nd half to the season. March looks rather cramped already and that's without potential cup games. Aldershot, Chester and Boreham Wood are all capable of taking points off the top sides and the visit of Forest Green at the end of the month could be massive.
The Imps are a different animal this year but are still a work in progress under the Cowleys. In most cases I'd suggest we would just fall short this year in their first season, but I've seen no other side that scares me and I wouldn't swap our current position/players/management for anyone elses. Prediction 1st
FOREST GREEN
After Tranmere's impressive 5 match winning start, it was in fact Forest Green that came through and started to peel off at the top of the table. They famously did so last season as well before being hunted down by local rivals Cheltenham in what was to be another disappointing end to a campaign that promised so much.
And some people are starting to draw similarities to what they're seeing this season with cracks suddenly starting to appear in the last few weeks. All staeting of course with the collapse at home to Lincoln Live on BT for the country to see. Mark Cooper looks more and more anxious with every interview and the fixtures don't seem to be getting any easier after the honeymoon period looks to be over.
Telling month - January
The end of this month and January will make or break their season. I wouldn't be surpised if Cooper's relationship with the club is over by Valentines Day. They have Dover and a double header with Torquay to see the year out before trips to Eastleigh, Barrow and Bromley in January. Forest Green's points return has not been great against the teams in the top third of the division so they won't be relishing these ties.
Prediction 4th
BARROW
Barrow have been the dark horses all season but people have finally started to take note. They have already played ALL 5 of the top 6 away from home so can really srart to look forward to the 2nd half of the season knowing the 6 pointers will be on familiar soil and very much in their hands.
And they have the right guy at the helm in Paul Cox who just loves putting ridiculous runs together to win conference titles.
Telling Month - February
Barrow host title rivals Forest Green at the end of January follwed straight away with Tranmere at home, with the distinct posibility of the rearranged Lincoln match being plonked right in the middle or either side. So this will give the Cumbrians a good idea of their intentions for the end of season party. Aldershot, Torquay and Chester lie in wait after the heavy weight battles, hoping to find a wounded animal.
Prediction 3rd
The final play off place for me is between Dagenham, Dover, Macclesfield and Eastleigh.
Dagenham's injuries has and will more than likely continue to ruin their season after such a promising start.
Dover are too hot and cold for a serious title challenge and ship too many goals. Their front three of Miller Lafayette and Emmanuel is as strong as any in the division and they've handled the loss of Raggett and Deverdics well but will Miller leaving be the straw that breaks the camel's back?
Macclesfield are quietly going about their business hoping to put a run together and capitalise on any misfortunes from the sides above, but a double header with Tranmere over boxing day and new year followed by a trip to Eastleigh could well just keep rudolph's play off carrot dangled too far from the silkmen for this season.
Not every change of manager has the desired effect but Martin Allen always seems to and there's no reason to suggest his tenure at Eastleigh will be any different. He's stated they can go up as champions this season which is a tad far fetched but it's that type of attitude which is infectious and if he can get the lacklustre Constable firing again, a play off spot certainly isn't out of the question. Allen may have joined for the money but he certainly doesn't like losing.
TRANMERE
Only top the league by default (games played) but they go into Saturdays top of the table clash at Sincil Bank full of confidence after Micky Mellon seems to have returned the togetherness around the club after the ill feeling between manager and supporters towards the end of Brabin's reign.
However Rovers are still flattering to deceive in some people's eyes in terms of performances. They're sneaking a lot of 1-0s so the question is will this catch up with them or can Norwood and Cook fire them to the title?
Telling month - February
Tranmere start the month away to Barrow and end it at home to Forest Green, with a trip to a more than likely rejuvenated Eastleigh somewhere in the middle. Should they come through this unscathed, their run in looks quite kind so it could be down to the Prenton Park faithful to see them over the line. PREDICTION 2nd
LINCOLN
The imps are playing some brilliant attacking football this season Under Danny Cowley which surprised many as his reputation at Braintree was of a conservative style. The strength in depth of the squad is a real plus, not 20-25 players numbers wise, but 17/18 very good players who are all good enough to start and come in and out of the 11 as and when Danny sees fit.
Telling month - March
Lincoln only have Barrow left to travel to out of the top 6 and will fancy their chances at home to their promotion rivals so it could be a pleasent 2nd half to the season. March looks rather cramped already and that's without potential cup games. Aldershot, Chester and Boreham Wood are all capable of taking points off the top sides and the visit of Forest Green at the end of the month could be massive.
The Imps are a different animal this year but are still a work in progress under the Cowleys. In most cases I'd suggest we would just fall short this year in their first season, but I've seen no other side that scares me and I wouldn't swap our current position/players/management for anyone elses. Prediction 1st
FOREST GREEN
After Tranmere's impressive 5 match winning start, it was in fact Forest Green that came through and started to peel off at the top of the table. They famously did so last season as well before being hunted down by local rivals Cheltenham in what was to be another disappointing end to a campaign that promised so much.
And some people are starting to draw similarities to what they're seeing this season with cracks suddenly starting to appear in the last few weeks. All staeting of course with the collapse at home to Lincoln Live on BT for the country to see. Mark Cooper looks more and more anxious with every interview and the fixtures don't seem to be getting any easier after the honeymoon period looks to be over.
Telling month - January
The end of this month and January will make or break their season. I wouldn't be surpised if Cooper's relationship with the club is over by Valentines Day. They have Dover and a double header with Torquay to see the year out before trips to Eastleigh, Barrow and Bromley in January. Forest Green's points return has not been great against the teams in the top third of the division so they won't be relishing these ties.
Prediction 4th
BARROW
Barrow have been the dark horses all season but people have finally started to take note. They have already played ALL 5 of the top 6 away from home so can really srart to look forward to the 2nd half of the season knowing the 6 pointers will be on familiar soil and very much in their hands.
And they have the right guy at the helm in Paul Cox who just loves putting ridiculous runs together to win conference titles.
Telling Month - February
Barrow host title rivals Forest Green at the end of January follwed straight away with Tranmere at home, with the distinct posibility of the rearranged Lincoln match being plonked right in the middle or either side. So this will give the Cumbrians a good idea of their intentions for the end of season party. Aldershot, Torquay and Chester lie in wait after the heavy weight battles, hoping to find a wounded animal.
Prediction 3rd
The final play off place for me is between Dagenham, Dover, Macclesfield and Eastleigh.
Dagenham's injuries has and will more than likely continue to ruin their season after such a promising start.
Dover are too hot and cold for a serious title challenge and ship too many goals. Their front three of Miller Lafayette and Emmanuel is as strong as any in the division and they've handled the loss of Raggett and Deverdics well but will Miller leaving be the straw that breaks the camel's back?
Macclesfield are quietly going about their business hoping to put a run together and capitalise on any misfortunes from the sides above, but a double header with Tranmere over boxing day and new year followed by a trip to Eastleigh could well just keep rudolph's play off carrot dangled too far from the silkmen for this season.
Not every change of manager has the desired effect but Martin Allen always seems to and there's no reason to suggest his tenure at Eastleigh will be any different. He's stated they can go up as champions this season which is a tad far fetched but it's that type of attitude which is infectious and if he can get the lacklustre Constable firing again, a play off spot certainly isn't out of the question. Allen may have joined for the money but he certainly doesn't like losing.
