Promotion thread

[Koumas’Right-Boot]

Last season we had a dire run in, largely due to the injury to James Vaughan and our reliance on him. This season we aren’t really relying on any single player and have huge amounts of depth in every position.

Definitely something we have over everyone other than maybe Mansfield.

We took 28 points from the final 18 last season, which was with a poor run. Echoing that would get us to 79 points which is probably enough for third.

 

[Conker]

we have 18 outfield players, 17 at the minute due to Lapslie being injured plus youth players, but it’s a strong squad and we do now have good cover for pretty much anywhere - CB and GK potential weak spots - our best two CBs are originally a midfielder and striker but they are mostly doing a solid job.

Akins still not fully fit yet but I expect him to start when he is, then obviously got Longstaff and Murphy to come in yet.

 

[Indian Dan]

Count us out

 

[GEORGE]

we have 18 outfield players, 17 at the minute due to Lapslie being injured plus youth players, but it’s a strong squad and we do now have good cover for pretty much anywhere - CB and GK potential weak spots - our best two CBs are originally a midfielder and striker but they are mostly doing a solid job.

Akins still not fully fit yet but I expect him to start when he is, then obviously got Longstaff and Murphy to come in yet.

Would'nt have thought just 18 players will be sufficient. That will be just enough to fill the squad on a match day. hat happens if you get injuries/suspensions etc ? We have got (as at today ) 29 players which could be called first team squad members and hopefully this should help in the run in.

 

[Conker]

Would'nt have thought just 18 players will be sufficient. That will be just enough to fill the squad on a match day. hat happens if you get injuries/suspensions etc ? We have got (as at today ) 29 players which could be called first team squad members and hopefully this should help in the run in.

Just had a count and it’s more like 20 (not including keepers) but that includes Nartey who’s basically back at Burnley but we hold his registration so if needed he can come back, plus Kellan Gordon who’s out long term. Clough likes versatility and a lot of our players can play in a lot of positions, I’m happy with our squad except I would like another centre back because Nartey is not going to be used bar another injury disaster.

29 is a lot, all depends on detail though because we got quite a few academy products/youth out on loan including Tyrese Sinclair at Scunthorpe and Jason Law soon to be at a conference club imagine.

 

[northstandexile]

18 first team outfield players plus 3 keepers
Only need 16 (10 + 6) in total to fill bench and only 13 (10 + 3 ) can take part.
If you have multiple injuries and suspensions then he fills bench with youth team.
Clough's players normally play a number of different positions
Clough has a pecking order of ability. He just picks his top 10 outfield players that are available, then forms a formation around them. Clough does not like quality first team players sat in the stands.

 

[kieran_vale]

Think we have 22 outfield players in terms of those who are what you’d call regular members of the first team squad. There are also academy lads who have made appearances at various points such as pizza trophy or brief cameos when we were really down to the bare bones. Of those first team squad members we currently have three key ones still out injured (though Proctor is apparently going to start proper training next week). We also have three keepers.

Would expect one or two squad members like Alex Hurst to probably look to be loaned out to the conference as well in the next month or so.

 

[kieran_vale]

Not too bad a day for us and that's without playing. Nothing other than a win at Carlisle in midweek, don't care how we look etc we just have to get the three points before a couple of big games with Northampton and Tranmere to follow.

 

[Sydney Posse]

I’m beginning to believe again. We didn’t lose anybody in the Jan window (although loaning Ray may come back to haunt us). Injured players are coming back. And I know there are no easy games in league 2, but we about to embark on a run of games against teams currently outside the top ten. Could possibly sneak that last auto spot after all. I have always been a hopeless and incurable optimist when it comes to City though

 

[Robshep]

I’m beginning to believe again. We didn’t lose anybody in the Jan window (although loaning Ray may come back to haunt us). Injured players are coming back. And I know there are no easy games in league 2, but we about to embark on a run of games against teams currently outside the top ten. Could possibly sneak that last auto spot after all. I have always been a hopeless and incurable optimist when it comes to City though

So you and Hello Gregory are not just complete opposites geographically.

 

[FGR Stroud]

I had a look at Relegation odds yesterday so thought I'd have a look at Promotion odds today.

The current top five teams in table are at shortest odds, but I think Mansfield are worth a quid's bet.

 

[Robshep]

I had a look at Relegation odds yesterday so thought I'd have a look at Promotion odds today.
View attachment 16651

The current top five teams in table are at shortest odds, but I think Mansfield are worth a quid's bet.

Might throw a quid on FGR. Every penny counts.

 

[Sydney Posse]

So you and Hello Gregory are not just complete opposites geographically.

Yep, I think it’s safe to say Hello Gregory has a different outlook!!. And Carlisle have had slightly more success than us over the years, so reckon Hello Gregory would be suicidal if fate had made him an Exeter fan

 

[FGR Stroud]

During an idle 5 minutes today (yep, another five) I checked some previous years Title Winner's results at same stage of season.
FGR have played 28 gaining 62 points.

Last season Cheltenham won promotion with 82 points, the least number of points of any title winning team.
> After 28 games they had secured 50 points.

Season 2015/16 Northampton won EFL2 title with 99 points, the most of any title winning team.
>After 28 games they had 67 points.

So I will say that Northampton's record is looking good for another season while hopefully FGR will finish season with higher total than Cheltenham.

The least number of points of any team to be auto-promoted is 78 points by Wycombe [2009] & Port Vale [2013]
Therefore FGR require minimum of 16 points from last 18 games to be on par with those two, although Hereford gained 88 points in 2008 for that last auto-promotion spot.

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

During an idle 5 minutes today (yep, another five) I checked some previous years Title Winner's results at same stage of season.
FGR have played 28 gaining 62 points.

Last season Cheltenham won promotion with 82 points, the least number of points of any title winning team.
> After 28 games they had secured 50 points.

Season 2015/16 Northampton won EFL2 title with 99 points, the most of any title winning team.
>After 28 games they had 67 points.

So I will say that Northampton's record is looking good for another season while hopefully FGR will finish season with higher total than Cheltenham.

The least number of points of any team to be auto-promoted is 78 points by Wycombe [2009] & Port Vale [2013]
Therefore FGR require minimum of 16 points from last 18 games to be on par with those two, although Hereford gained 88 points in 2008 for that last auto-promotion spot.

We drew eight of our remaining games though, so you could exceed our 99 if you don't take your foot off the gas like we appeared to do?

 

[valefan16]

We really stuttered second half of the season in our promotion year. Drew our last 4 games and only won 4 I think in the last 15.

Mind you if FGR want the jitters I will counter that by also mentioning our 1992/93 campaign where we missed out on promotion (league one level though) with 89 points! Losing the play off final to WBA! (Who we’d done the double over in the regular season).

We won promotion the year later with a point less!

 

[cookiemonster]

I'm surprised to see PV so low after the games against us, particularly the first one. I gather they have suffered with lots of injuries since then (whereas we have been very fortunate on that front). I imagine that, even if PV don't manage promotion this season, then - provided the right players are retained - next season should be a goer. Law of averages says you won't have so many injuries two years in a row?

 

[FGR Stroud]

We really stuttered second half of the season in our promotion year. Drew our last 4 games and only won 4 I think in the last 15.

Mind you if FGR want the jitters I will counter that by also mentioning our 1992/93 campaign where we missed out on promotion (league one level though) with 89 points! Losing the play off final to WBA! (Who we’d done the double over in the regular season).

We won promotion the year later with a point less!

One of the reason that some/many FGR supporters are not currently bragadasio about promotion is that in 2015 the team ended season 2nd in table with 89 points but Grimsby, 4th with 80 pts, won promotion at Wembley.

Next season it was total reverse: FGR ended season 3rd in table with 86 points but secured promotion at Wembley against 2nd place Tranmere on 95 points.

FGR have had a lot of success over the past 10 or more years but quite often that winning line eludes them.

 

[AdamStag]

Mansfield home to colchester tonight

with northampton playing newport and swindon at tranmere if we were lucky enough to win tonight it wouldn’t do us any harm at all.

3 successive away trips to bristol rovers, newport and bradford will define our season IMO, come out of those still in the playoffs and within touching distance of the top 3 i might start to believe, lose all 3 etc and we might well have dropped back to a more realistic place given the number of home games we’ve played compared to away.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Mansfield home to colchester tonight

with northampton playing newport and swindon at tranmere if we were lucky enough to win tonight it wouldn’t do us any harm at all.

3 successive away trips to bristol rovers, newport and bradford will define our season IMO, come out of those still in the playoffs and within touching distance of the top 3 i might start to believe, lose all 3 etc and we might well have dropped back to a more realistic place given the number of home games we’ve played compared to away.

I have your team down as promotional dark horses.
And worrying is fact that FGR have still to play Mansfield home or away.

 

[valefan16]

I'm surprised to see PV so low after the games against us, particularly the first one. I gather they have suffered with lots of injuries since then (whereas we have been very fortunate on that front). I imagine that, even if PV don't manage promotion this season, then - provided the right players are retained - next season should be a goer. Law of averages says you won't have so many injuries two years in a row?

I don’t know, we did last season as well which in part contributed to our awful mid season last year. Suggests there may be more at play.

The Covid enforced break didn’t help either as we’ve took weeks to click in again, almost like a new preseason (especially with 8 new signings!)

 

[AdamStag]

I have your team down as promotional dark horses.
And worrying is fact that FGR have still to play Mansfield home or away.

Nah not yet.

Probably a bit of pressure on us tonight, fans will be expecting a win given our home form and well form in general, but colchester will be no mugs but this is the best chance to collect 3 points from the next 4 games so will be a bit of a blow if we don’t collect them.

 

[Koumas’Right-Boot]

One of the reason that some/many FGR supporters are not currently bragadasio about promotion is that in 2015 the team ended season 2nd in table with 89 points but Grimsby, 4th with 80 pts, won promotion at Wembley.

Next season it was total reverse: FGR ended season 3rd in table with 86 points but secured promotion at Wembley against 2nd place Tranmere on 95 points.

FGR have had a lot of success over the past 10 or more years but quite often that winning line eludes them.

That we didn’t get promoted with 95 points was a crime to football. Didn’t help that we had half a squad out injured for the playoff final.

This season I wouldn’t be surprised if 78 points was enough for 3rd given there’s so many teams battling for it.

Currently we are on course for 82 points if you use PPG, 81 points if you factor in our record against different segments of the table and remaining fixtures.

 

[EricSabin]

After tonight against Newport, we’ll have played Newport, FGR, Sutton, Swindon, Salford and Vale home and away. Tranmere and Exeter at home and Mansfield away left of the top 10, all of the bottom 10 still to play. Could work in our favour.

 

[FGR Stroud]

After tonight against Newport, we’ll have played Newport, FGR, Sutton, Swindon, Salford and Vale home and away. Tranmere and Exeter at home and Mansfield away left of the top 10, all of the bottom 10 still to play. Could work in our favour.

Good luck.

 

[chipmunx]

After tonight against Newport, we’ll have played Newport, FGR, Sutton, Swindon, Salford and Vale home and away. Tranmere and Exeter at home and Mansfield away left of the top 10, all of the bottom 10 still to play. Could work in our favour.

worked well when you played us at Home last week

 

[EricSabin]

worked well when you played us at Home last week

Pretty obvious we won to give you a boost? We’ve got a great community outreach programme.

 

[chipmunx]

Pretty obvious we won to give you a boost? We’ve got a great community outreach programme.

Pretty obvious you lost you mean?

 

[EricSabin]

Pretty obvious you lost you mean?

It’s been a long day

 

[kieran_vale]

Feels like we are back on track now. Biggest game of the season for us on Saturday against Northampton.