Rivals- what’s happening
By Kenny Jones
February 6 2022
We're beyond the half way point in this season's campaign, it's not been vintage for us, but we're 2nd. Given our trouncing by Forest Gump I reckon they will win the league. But other clubs in the division were expected to do better. What's happened? As always there have been some surprises and there's still loads of footie to come.
Bradford City appointed Derek Adams last Summer. He achieved success with Morecambe last season but has yet to have the expected impact at Valley Parade. They are 11th at the time of writing, a long way behind the automatic spots and with a fan base that is growing impatient. Worse still, they just suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Harrogate Town, which is a bit like us getting turned over by Marine. City get massive gates, but also give away lots of tickets. Adams must be worried about his job. 7 pts off the play offs and 11pts off the auto spot, it looks like the play offs might be the best they can hope for.
Bristol Rovers came down from League 1 last season. They have stuck with Joey Barton and recent performances have seen improvements. Again, they're on the same number of points as Bradford and yesterday earned a creditable draw away at Sutton United. They could still be a surprise package this season, and suspect they are heading towards the play-offs. Yet you can never predict the unpredictability of Barton. They could, just as likely, fade away.
Salford City - not really a football team, but a vanity project for ex Man Utd players. They were predicted to do far better this season but remain mid-table. Bowyer must be their longest serving managed now. It's quite probable that their poor performances will disappear as we get into the business end of the season.
Leyton Orient - they dumped us out of the cup by 4 clear goals but are 11pts off the play off spots and 11pts clear of the relegation spot. Reasonably well supported, with a die hard set of supporters, the O's must be hopping for better in the final third of the season. Given their recent form the Play-offs May well be an ask too far.
The surprise packages
Sutton United - having a cracking season in the Football League. They seem to have the habit of scoring in the last minute of injury time to clinch victory. They must fancy themselves for automatic promotion and will be a team to watch for the remainder of the season.
Swindon Town - without any players until about a week before the season. Started brightly and have done really well on their travels, Tuesday night will be a tough test for us.
At the bottom
Nobody can be too shocked to see Oldham Athletic & Scunthorpe United occupying the relegation spots. There is a 5 point gap between Oldham & Carlisle, albeit the former have a game in hand. Scunthorpe look dooomed and the other spot looks like it's between Carlisle and Oldham, with the Cumbrians holding the advantage.
All of the above is, of course, likely to change. This is not the Premier League where clubs like Man City predictably keep,winning titles. Lots more football to come and over the next 16 or so games lots could change.
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Looks like having to remove the artificial pitch has not affected Sutton. They do have a good player development set up
Exeter, Northampton, Newport and Sutton in the playoffs with Newport winning them
Quote:who does he play for ? Never get past clarkeydave-p
Beware of hubris...
Quote:dave-p
Mansfield are looking ominously in form.
I agree Mansfield look strong, but somehow with postponements they’ve managed to play four more home games than away games - 11 of their last 18 are away. That might make it a little harder for them to overtake us.
Unlike Northampton & Swindon who both have had injury’s and lost key loan players, they appear to be re finding their feet - style/starting 11.
Credit to Newport, they are steady away as ever, more impressive given they lost all there best players in the summer - I thought mid table for them.
Sutton are the Leicester everyone keeps thinking will drop, they have a settled team but few injury’s and I think they will lose form.
I said currently earlier as a lot can happen in a short time frame, 4-6 weeks and things can look completely different- form is temporary as they say.
I know each game at a time but just looking at fixtures;
Away to Newport 26 Feb
Away to Northampton 5 Mar
Home to Mansfield 11 Mar
If we are still in autos after the Mansfield game I will say with confidence, we are going up automatically.
The recent spate of Co-Vid postponements has also thrown up some interesting stats for Mansfield and Newport. Mansfield have 6 Home , but 12 Away fixtures remaining, while Newport C have 10 Home and just 6 Away. The remaining sides are pretty equally balanced Home or Away.
Games against top teams
FGR 5 from 17
SWA 6 from 16
Northampton T 4 from 17
Sutton U 6 from 17
Mansfield T 7 from 18
Exeter C 6 from 18
Newport C 7 from 16
Port Vale 7 from 19
Swindon T 4 from 17
Just a bit of useless information, which I thought might be of interest and happens when you are newly semi retired (I only work 3 days a week now)
Quote:stek26
Agree think Mansfield are currently our biggest threat to automatics. They have a stable team growing in confidence like us and strengthened in January. Clough is a good manager and has a foundation of ex Burton players he trusts.
Unlike Northampton & Swindon who both have had injury’s and lost key loan players, they appear to be re finding their feet - style/starting 11.
Credit to Newport, they are steady away as ever, more impressive given they lost all there best players in the summer - I thought mid table for them.
Sutton are the Leicester everyone keeps thinking will drop, they have a settled team but few injury’s and I think they will
lose form.
I said currently earlier as a lot can happen in a short time frame, 4-6 weeks and things can look completely different- form is temporary as they say.
I know each game at a time but just looking at fixtures;
Away to Newport 26 Feb
Away to Northampton 5 Mar
Home to Mansfield 11 Mar
If we are still in autos after the Mansfield game I will say with confidence, we are going up automatically.
Was about to post something similar regarding those three games plus throw in Sutton away the week after Mansfield. Still in contention after those and we would have to really blow it
With 48 points to play for we are going at 28 more, need 24 more and by getting only 22 more most would regard that as failure.
A viable six points in the next week would be ideal as matches get trickier thereafter
Quote:dave-p
Beware of hubris...
Who does he play for? ;0)
Quote:dave-p
Loyden beat you to it!
.on now from backwards threads read to have I'll