The League 2 Promotion thread

[AdamStag]

Forget having a good defence, if we could just defend set pieces then we'd probably be top of the league.

We’d be like that if we could finish out chances, these stats reckons we’ve an efficient attacking team, we really aren’t.

Decent defence mind

 

[shoddycollins]

An excellent defence which is currently joint second best, with our average attack, which is also second best.

Edit, Plumbob beat me to it!

If the season was only six months long then you'd be right, I'm just going off what I keep hearing about Lincoln's attack, regardless of the number of goals scored, not being all that.

 

[Luke Imp]

They're a less well-rounded team, relying on an excellent defence to make up for an average attack, opposed to Mansfield and Bury who have very good attacks and still good defences. Something like an injury or just an individual player losing form could affect them much more.

Not sure average is the right word - we're, by far I suspect, the most clinical side in the league and also one of the highest scorers.

Not all about creating chance after chance. Bury and Mansfield attack differently and make it look prettier and more gung-ho.

 

[Imp in Branston]

I will take second best defence and attack currently. We still aren't playing that well IMO, but on a run of one defeat in 15 league games, it's hardly a crisis.

 

[Devon_Lad]

As explained several times, I didn't read it incorrectly though. Please just admit you got this one wrong. This is almost as bad as the time Mansfield battered Exeter and you couldn't admit it.

You did read it incorrectly. I said next 2 games and you thought I said this weekend.
"Yeah I know, hence why I said one of Colchester, MKD or Carlisle. If you beat MKD and then Colchester, Exeter can't be third as far as I can tell? "

I showed stats which pretty convincingly backed my case up on that one as well mate

Now hop over to the mid table irrelevancy thread, this is for promotion contenders

 

[Devon_Lad]

Posting here to annoy Devon Lad.

Think we could make a late push for the automatics tbh.

Na, not annoying. I think you've got a decent chance mate. It's Grimsby, Oldham and Swindon that are dead and buried.

 

[AdamStag]

I will take second best defence and attack currently. We still aren't playing that well IMO, but on a run of one defeat in 15 league games, it's hardly a crisis.

That’s why Footballs weird

1 defeat in 23 followed by 3 in 9.

If we kept up the drawing ratio from before the new year that would be a real problem -However, we seem to have fucked off the draws and have won 5 of those 9 - with the draw coming at forest green. That equates to 16 from 24 - still 2 PPG despite the 3 losses

 

[Son of Cod]

You did read it incorrectly. I said next 2 games and you thought I said this weekend.
"Yeah I know, hence why I said one of Colchester, MKD or Carlisle. If you beat MKD and then Colchester, Exeter can't be third as far as I can tell? "

I showed stats which pretty convincingly backed my case up on that one as well mate

Now hop over to the mid table irrelevancy thread, this is for promotion contenders

Well you've just shot yourself in the foot there as you've quoted me talking about the next 2 rounds of fixtures...

 

[Davidimp]

We're so bad we've been in the top 3 for all but two weeks of the season.

 

[Davidimp]

If the season was only six months long then you'd be right, I'm just going off what I keep hearing about Lincoln's attack, regardless of the number of goals scored, not being all that.

In a way you're right Akinde has 10 league goals but the whole team scores goals, think it's around 18 of the squad have scored at least once this season.
Several of the squad have scored between 4-6 each this season.

 

[Gladders]

Not sure average is the right word - we're, by far I suspect, the most clinical side in the league and also one of the highest scorers.

Not all about creating chance after chance. Bury and Mansfield attack differently and make it look prettier and more gung-ho.

Check out @d3d4football’s Tweet:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1096405460146638848

Mansfield just as much hoof as Lincoln

 

[Son of Cod]

We're so bad we've been in the top 3 for all but two weeks of the season.

Sounds very similar to us in 05/06. Be warned: You will beat Lincoln in the playoff semis, then your star striker will get injured, Cheltenham will beat you at Cardiff and the Cowleys will go manage Yeovil.

 

[Richard Cranium]

We hoof with class though.

 

[Sydney Posse]

If I was to bet on it, I would probably back Mansfield to win the league as things stand. I'm not too sure about Lincoln, they have hung in there and seem to grind out results, but would not be totally surprised if they dropped to 3rd come the end. Very open this season, and as an example if Crewe win tomorrow and others in the play offs lose they are right on the tails, and who was talking about them being in with a shout a couple of weeks ago ?.
In terms of City, we've got a stronger squad than last season and are finding a bit of form in a very difficult February for us, and if we get the result against Bury there is genuine reason to believe that a top 3 is still possible UTC

 

[GTFCfish]

What a funny league this is, we have no chance whatsoever of squeaking into the play offs according to Devon Lad, whilst his own Exeter team have a great chance of automatic promotion so he says, and yet I’ve just looked at the table and we are just the 5 points behind them.
Strange game this football lark

 

[GTFCfish]

Neither does third. And win our next 2 games we'll be joint third irrespective of other results.

How’d you get on?

 

[KeithH]

How’d you get on?

Give the lad a brake he might not have meant THE next 2 games

 

[Big Bird]

How’d you get on?

 

[JJ1532]

100 - Guaranteed Champions 2019
99 -
98 -
97 -
96 - Guaranteed Automatics 2019
95 -
94 -
93 - Champions 2018
92 - Guaranteed Play Offs 2019
91 -
90 - Champions 2015
89 - Predicted Champions 2019
88 -
87 - Champions 2016, 2017
86 -
85 - Automatic Promotion 2016
84 - Automatic Promotion 2018
83 -
82 - Champions 2014
81 - Predicted Automatics 2019
80 - Champions 2013
79 -
78 - Automatic Promotion 2017
77 - Automatic Promotion 2013, 2014
76 -
75 - Play Offs 2018
74 -
73 - Predicted Play Offs 2019
72 -
71 -
70 - Play Offs 2016, 2017
69 - Play Offs 2015
68 - Play Offs 2013
67 -
67 -
66 -
65 -
64 -
63 - Play Offs 2014
62 - Lincoln(32)
61 -
60 - Bury(33)
59 -
58 - Mansfield(33)
57 -
-------------------------------------------------------------
56 - MK Dons(33)
55 -
54 - Forest Green(33)
53 - Colchester(33)
52 - Carlisle(33)
------------------------------------------------------------
51 - Exeter(32)
50 -
49 -
48 - Stevenage(33)
47 -
46 - Oldham(32)

Forthcoming fixtures:

1st Lincoln(32) - 62 points. Morecambe(A), Exeter(H), Forest Green(A), Yeovil(H), Oldham(H)
3rd Bury(33) - 60 points. Oldham(H), Macclesfield(H), Cheltenham(A), Stevenage(A), Cambridge(H)
3rd Mansfield(33) - 58 points. Forest Green(H), Cheltenham(H), Port Vale(A), Crawley(A), Lincoln(H)
---------------------------------------------------
4th MK Dons(33) - 56 points. Newport(H), Crawley(H), Macclesfield(A), Morecambe(A), Stevenage(H)
5th Forest Green(33) - 54 points. Mansfield(A), Lincoln(H), Morecambe(A), Colchester(A), Carlisle(H)
6th Colchester(33) - 53 points. Carlisle(H), Swindon(A), Newport(H), Forest Green(H), Exeter(A)
7th Carlisle(33) - 52 points. Colchester(A), Newport(A), Swindon(H), Notts County(H), Forest Green(A)
--------------------------------------------------
8th Exeter(31) - 51 points. Crewe(A), Lincoln(A), Tranmere(H), Northampton(A), Macclesfield(A)
9th Stevenage(33) - 48 points. Northampton(H), Oldham(A), Bury(H), Swindon(H), MK Dons(A)
10th Oldham(33) - 46 points. Morecambe(H), Bury(A), Stevenage(H), Cambridge(A), Lincoln(A)

We'll go in reverse order today. After only drawing at Cambridge, Tranmere drop out of the top 10 on GD and in come Oldham. Yes, I know a bunch of teams are sat on 46, but I'm only doing the top 10. So Oldham move up, but they let a 1-0 lead slip against Crewe and none of that pack of teams on 46 are really looking all that likely to break into the promotion race. But we'll see, lots of games still left to play.

Stevenage showed great spirit to fight back at draw at Lincoln. Still not convinced by their promotion credentials, but they keep hovering around, one burst of form and they'll be right in there. Exeter are now the team on the outside looking in after a home defeat to Bury. Got a couple of tricky away games now, could they fall behind the teams above them?

Carlisle have hit a rocky patch, losing back to back games and are now winless in 3. Got some tough away games coming up, they'll need to pick it up or risk getting reeled in by the chasing pack. Colchester only drew at Macc and now have some tough games coming up. Good test of their play-off credentials.

FGR got a much needed home win over Yeovil. With their next 2 against teams in the top 3, we're about to see how good they are. MK Dons are back all of a sudden, 2 wins in a week and now only a couple of points off Mansfield in 3rd. Got some winnable games coming up, good chance for them to put themselves back in the automatic and maybe even title hunt.

Mansfield's away form has suddenly become an issue. 2 straight defeats means only 5 road wins becomes a bit of a problem. Still, back to back home games next and some strugglers also due up. Bury continue to slowly reel in Lincoln, another impressive win for them today, this time at Exeter.

Lincoln maintain their lead, but yet another draw, this time letting a 2-0 lead slip at home to Stevenage. What's going on over there? Title jitters? Didn't affect them during the Conference title run, so what gives? Need to pick it up soon otherwise the teams below them might soon overtake.

 

[Plumbob]

Clearly our current problem is the below average attacking options!
Or, more likely, the inability of our ageing and leggy midfield to close down space in the middle of the park. Staggering how many times we allowed the Stevenage lad to come inside onto his right peg and have a dig today. Absolutely staggering!

 

[hellogregory]

Carlisle have new players that haven’t settled in yet, a new manager who doesn’t have a clue how to set the team up with these players. And in January we’ve lost 3 players that were absolutely key to the way we played.

We’re pretty much having to start again and build a new team and new approach, so I’d put us as big outsiders for a top 7 finish.

 

[shoddycollins]

bye everyone, it was fun while it lasted.

 

[Luke Imp]

Clearly our current problem is the below average attacking options!
Or, more likely, the inability of our ageing and leggy midfield to close down space in the middle of the park. Staggering how many times we allowed the Stevenage lad to come inside onto his right peg and have a dig today. Absolutely staggering!

It's definitely the midfield but we had Bostwick and Woodyard in there last season who weren't particularly pacey (admittedly Woodyard could get around the pitch ok). IMO it's probably the numbers in there. We play two, most seem to play three. We had similar problems last season when we went into the season playing 4-4-2 but changed.

 

[Davidimp]

100 - Guaranteed Champions 2019
99 -
98 -
97 -
96 - Guaranteed Automatics 2019
95 -
94 -
93 - Champions 2018
92 - Guaranteed Play Offs 2019
91 -
90 - Champions 2015
89 - Predicted Champions 2019
88 -
87 - Champions 2016, 2017
86 -
85 - Automatic Promotion 2016
84 - Automatic Promotion 2018
83 -
82 - Champions 2014
81 - Predicted Automatics 2019
80 - Champions 2013
79 -
78 - Automatic Promotion 2017
77 - Automatic Promotion 2013, 2014
76 -
75 - Play Offs 2018
74 -
73 - Predicted Play Offs 2019
72 -
71 -
70 - Play Offs 2016, 2017
69 - Play Offs 2015
68 - Play Offs 2013
67 -
67 -
66 -
65 -
64 -
63 - Play Offs 2014
62 - Lincoln(32)
61 -
60 - Bury(33)
59 -
58 - Mansfield(33)
57 -
-------------------------------------------------------------
56 - MK Dons(33)
55 -
54 - Forest Green(33)
53 - Colchester(33)
52 - Carlisle(33)
------------------------------------------------------------
51 - Exeter(32)
50 -
49 -
48 - Stevenage(33)
47 -
46 - Oldham(32)

Forthcoming fixtures:

1st Lincoln(32) - 62 points. Morecambe(A), Exeter(H), Forest Green(A), Yeovil(H), Oldham(H)
3rd Bury(33) - 60 points. Oldham(H), Macclesfield(H), Cheltenham(A), Stevenage(A), Cambridge(H)
3rd Mansfield(33) - 58 points. Forest Green(H), Cheltenham(H), Port Vale(A), Crawley(A), Lincoln(H)
---------------------------------------------------
4th MK Dons(33) - 56 points. Newport(H), Crawley(H), Macclesfield(A), Morecambe(A), Stevenage(H)
5th Forest Green(33) - 54 points. Mansfield(A), Lincoln(H), Morecambe(A), Colchester(A), Carlisle(H)
6th Colchester(33) - 53 points. Carlisle(H), Swindon(A), Newport(H), Forest Green(H), Exeter(A)
7th Carlisle(33) - 52 points. Colchester(A), Newport(A), Swindon(H), Notts County(H), Forest Green(A)
--------------------------------------------------
8th Exeter(31) - 51 points. Crewe(A), Lincoln(A), Tranmere(H), Northampton(A), Macclesfield(A)
9th Stevenage(33) - 48 points. Northampton(H), Oldham(A), Bury(H), Swindon(H), MK Dons(A)
10th Oldham(33) - 46 points. Morecambe(H), Bury(A), Stevenage(H), Cambridge(A), Lincoln(A)

We'll go in reverse order today. After only drawing at Cambridge, Tranmere drop out of the top 10 on GD and in come Oldham. Yes, I know a bunch of teams are sat on 46, but I'm only doing the top 10. So Oldham move up, but they let a 1-0 lead slip against Crewe and none of that pack of teams on 46 are really looking all that likely to break into the promotion race. But we'll see, lots of games still left to play.

Stevenage showed great spirit to fight back at draw at Lincoln. Still not convinced by their promotion credentials, but they keep hovering around, one burst of form and they'll be right in there. Exeter are now the team on the outside looking in after a home defeat to Bury. Got a couple of tricky away games now, could they fall behind the teams above them?

Carlisle have hit a rocky patch, losing back to back games and are now winless in 3. Got some tough away games coming up, they'll need to pick it up or risk getting reeled in by the chasing pack. Colchester only drew at Macc and now have some tough games coming up. Good test of their play-off credentials.

FGR got a much needed home win over Yeovil. With their next 2 against teams in the top 3, we're about to see how good they are. MK Dons are back all of a sudden, 2 wins in a week and now only a couple of points off Mansfield in 3rd. Got some winnable games coming up, good chance for them to put themselves back in the automatic and maybe even title hunt.

Mansfield's away form has suddenly become an issue. 2 straight defeats means only 5 road wins becomes a bit of a problem. Still, back to back home games next and some strugglers also due up. Bury continue to slowly reel in Lincoln, another impressive win for them today, this time at Exeter.

Lincoln maintain their lead, but yet another draw, this time letting a 2-0 lead slip at home to Stevenage. What's going on over there? Title jitters? Didn't affect them during the Conference title run, so what gives? Need to pick it up soon otherwise the teams below them might soon overtake.

We had a wobble or two early in the season and after the arsenal game.
Just need to sort the midfield out and stop dropping so deep and inviting players to shoot.

 

[hellogregory]

bye everyone, it was fun while it lasted.

The only thing I’m clinging on to is whilst we look bad, we don’t look anywhere near as bad as we did in the second half of 16/17 and even then we still managed to scrape into the top 7 on the last day.

 

[shoddycollins]

The only thing I’m clinging on to is whilst we look bad, we don’t look anywhere near as bad as we did in the second half of 16/17 and even then we still managed to scrape into the top 7 on the last day.

We've been a bit lucky I think with other results over the last week. I think I said we needed a minimum of 6 points from the three games Exeter, Crewe and MK. Given other results we could maybe have gotten away with 4 points, but not 1 point.

 

[Luke Imp]

We had a wobble or two early in the season and after the arsenal game.
Just need to sort the midfield out and stop dropping so deep and inviting players to shoot.

I'm not really sure whether this is a good wobble or not.

I mean, a wobble and drawing a lot is better than an MK wobble and losing a lot but given the teams we've faced, it almost feels like that, especially with the games coming up and who we still have to play.

Certainly Vale, Stevenage and Northampton were missed opportunities.

 

[GTFCfish]

If Lincoln somehow fuck this up and don’t go up then I’m gonna throw a 1ff party and everybody is invited.

 

[Davidimp]

We're the scalp everyone wants and raise their game because of that.
If double mark Akinde as a matter of course then we need to man mark their main threat, great strikes from Chair for sure but he been taking pot shots the whole game and failed to stop him.
The time he has to get the shots off for the goals is very poor especially the first he has time to switch feet in our penalty area.

 

[PaulHaddock]

We're the scalp everyone wants and raise their game because of that.
If double mark Akinde as a matter of course then we need to man mark their main threat, great strikes from Chair for sure but he been taking pot shots the whole game and failed to stop him.
The time he has to get the shots off for the goals is very poor especially the first he has time to switch feet in our penalty area.

I’ve seen a few Lincoln fans saying this all season - that isn’t how football works.

I’d imagine most footballers want to beat everyone team they come up against. If you’re only putting in effort against the team top of the league then you’re a shit footballer.