Another year down here?
By Micky Thew
April 1 2022
We are almost at the end of the season. In a few short weeks we have gone from promotion contenders to a team clinging to our play-off place. Whilst the table is tight our form is sloppy, we are slipping away.
This isn't how it was supposed to be. Micky Mellon, the returning king from the chills of the north, was meant to bring in fresh hope, vibrant football and a chance for the good times to roll. Our division was the weakest it had been for some time, with the exception of the Gumps everything was wide open. Some people even tipped Barrow to do well! As it stands, the three automatic promotion places could be a West Country affair, FGR, Exeter and Bristol Rovers. I reckon Northampton will go up via the play-offs.
What does next season offer? It looks like the teams joining us from League 1 will be Crewe, Doncaster and Morecambe. Fleetwood or Gillingham will make up the numbers. Whilst I would like the former to join us I think we may face a long slog down to Kent for what will be our furthest away trip next season. Stockport will join us from the National League, and I am hoping that Chesterfield secure the remaining berth. Seeing Dave Challinor & Clint Hill back at Rovers will make some of us wonder if they wouldn't have been better being appointed ahead of Micky Mellon. Time will tell. We don't want another vanity project alongside Salford City in our League, so I hope Wrexham miss out.
League 2 is likely to be a tough place. All of the teams joining us are likely to be considered worthy promotion contenders, particularly Stockport and maybe Doncaster. This year was undoubtedly less competitive.
As for our squad, expect wholesale changes. After many seasons as a loyal servant rumour has it that Kieron Morris will depart. We only have 6 players contracted for next term. I would like Davies to stay, Spearing possibly, but beyond that it's hard to see who in the squad could be seen as the type of player that slots into a promotion winning team? We need a replacement for Scott Davies, some more beef in midfield (albeit Merrie looks to offer that) and a general rethink. The approach we've used this season hasn't delivered. The squad at the start of the season was weak, and wasn't strengthened appropriately in January. Does that indicate a lack of resource or a lack of imagination? You decide.
Another year down here also points to lower gates. Fans have been loyal, but the rising cost of living crises means that fewer people will have cash spare to watch football. A walk up ticket of £28 is an enormous amount, and likely to be considered a luxury when people are struggling to heat their homes. I'll renew my season but not everyone can afford this. I wonder if the club need to reconsider the price hike in light of other pressures on family finances?
Enjoy the next few weeks, you never know we might surprise ourselves and get automatic promotion. I just hope we don't embarrass ourselves by qualifying for the play offs and putting in the same half-hearted performance we did last time.
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As to who comes up, I would welcome Wrexham back, they may be a project, but they are at least an established club with a good fanbase. This will undoubtedly bite me in the @#$%& when the team are very competitive, and their fans cause mayhem in the future, but having them and Stockpoprt back will add alot of spice to the League for us
Latest odds I see have Exeter at 1/4, Mansfield at 11/10, Port Vale at 6/4, Newport at 11/4, Tranmere at 3/1, alongside Swindon, and Bristol Rovers at 4/1.
Our odds seem quite generous, as do Mansfield’s.
I’m determined to enjoy the remaining games and will be attending all but one; I’ve high expectations as I’ve now resolved the issue of my car scarf only hanging by one suction cup (which coincided with our recent slide) and it’s now proudly on display again; had the same issue in the National League and we got promoted once resolved (it’s an omen I tell you……believe!!).
For all some inexperienced players may develop, that is far from certain and it is equally as likely that older players such as Clarke and Spearing may find time catching up.
Massive decisions to be made about who to retain and who is recuited
Side .we won't be going anywhere for a while yet .mm will still be here next season and we will still be having the same old moans .this is where we are this is who we are .stop living in dreamland and except it
Quote:gary anderson
We are what we are lads a mid table league two s
Side .we won't be going anywhere for a while yet .mm will still be here next season and we will still be having the same old moans .this is where we are this is who we are .stop living in dreamland and except it
Totally disagree with the comment.
We have been cra* on the road losing 5 of of the last 7 and that's why we have slumped, plain and simple. You cannot plan for a referee's performance like today.
11 against 11 , IMO we would have won the game.
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Quote:Very little evidence of that happening, and this division has been at its weakest this season,Crazylegs Cranebird
Wouldnt mind waiting a season... if we can win a league for the first time for eons!
Quote:ZintQuote:Very little evidence of that happening, and this division has been at its weakest this season,Crazylegs Cranebird
Wouldnt mind waiting a season... if we can win a league for the first time for eons!
What division have you been watching.
3 points separating 3rd to 11th place this has been the most competitive EFL 2 in years.
The most disappointing aspect for me is the collapse of our away form. Otherwise our comparable away record from last season or , our first season back in the EFL and we would be nailed on for an automatic spot.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:02:23:37:48 by Jack of all Trades.
Quote:Jack of all TradesQuote:ZintQuote:Very little evidence of that happening, and this division has been at its weakest this season,Crazylegs Cranebird
Wouldnt mind waiting a season... if we can win a league for the first time for eons!
What division have you been watching.
3 points separating 3rd to 11th place this has been the most competitive EFL 2 in years.
The most disappointing aspect for me is the collapse of our away form. Otherwise our comparable away record from last season or , our first season back in the EFL and we would be nailed on for an automatic spot.
I see that as evidence of the opposite. With the exception of FGR, few teams have been able to deliver consistent wins. Plus, aside to FGR and Salford, there are no money bag clubs at the mo. Next season it’s likely Salford will be joined by Doncaster & Wrexham, who will both have money to spend. This season the competition hasn’t been distorted by wonga, I doubt that will be the case next season.
Finally, as the article points out, gates will likely be lower next season. Ticket price increases and the cost of living crises mean that fewer casual fans will be able to afford popping along to the game.
Clearly the top and bottom are far from extreme historic examples. The fact there is no fight for the play offs in isolation this year as the contenders nearly all still could go straight up, means the top is widespread.
Even teams near the bottom have not appeared particularly weak.
So average standard seems to be very widely spread, whether that means it is strong or weak I'm unsure. Pretty sure standards can't change that much season to season. They may erode over time as bigger clubs hoard more players to play them.
Three up unlike the Conference means moneybags can make it harder but not block you out.
Funny thing is all week, I had a nagging feeling we were due a random red. But they cannot ruin your season they are random as is the general refereeing standard. The game yesterday is now a seminal event but it could have happened months ago and we would have accepted it more but the 2 points would be lost all the same.
We hear these next season worries a lot but I can't recall anyone saying how strong the current season is. Prediction tables end up woefully wrong as well.
Quote:Don't disagree at all, I just worry about our credit line.TRSince1968
It won’t be a bad thing to bed in to League Two for another season. FGR have taken a few seasons to reach their current situation. Tranmere need to get in more than the six players in on at least a two year contract though. Limping along changing the squad every year isn’t really achieving anything. As long as at least 7 of the current squad can be re-signed and those who seem to be making up numbers are replaced with real first team players, I think Tranmere will give Stockport a run for their money next season 😜
we will never know but when Ridehalgh was sent off at Wembley, we were looking down the barrel but all accounts- staying down was no longer affordable at the then budget. A minor miracle prevented a history changing event.
It was very obvious last summer we had a cash crisis. Palios reacted while others probably just chose to wing it, Bury fashion.
The recent cash injection seems spent so I doubt we can go beyond next season without our credit being empty. A losing Wembley appearance might prove critical as we may otherwise be desperate for a cup tie next term.
I really doubt that money will last to the end of next season. Morris will walk for no money and am not sure I can see a player sale anywhere, that leaves big match income to cover the weekly loss.
PS No idea what that job entails or if it has any revenue streams, doubt it?