Who will win the league - Part 2

[Tom Fgr]

It's been around 2 months since I last made a thread based around this. The vast majority went with Cheltenham, with Grimsby also getting a fair share of the votes.

Do you think it's a 2 horse race, or can Grimsby make a come back. Either way, looking forward to what should be a good run in

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Two horse race, leaning towards Cheltenham but it's almost a coin flip.

 

[BarnwoodCTFC]

Grimsby are not completely out of it yet but it would take a miracle for Eastleigh to overhaul three on fire teams from their position. I feel confident we will win it because we just look like we have a little more quality than the other two.

 

[Si Robin]

It's far too early to rule out Grimsby. Either one of us or FGR could go on a slump and Grimsby could easily overtake us.

By the same token, I think we may have come to the end of our poor performances, so would like to think we're going to see ourselves over the line.

 

[BeesKnees]

Two horse race but Cheltenham look the more consistent, likely to get over the line and arguably the easier run in. .

 

[The_Boss]

Can we make sure we get one of these threads every month until end of the season now?

 

[mallyx68]

Sadly, I feel Grimsby made it very hard for themselves with such a poor start to the season when the fixture list looked very favourable. Grimsby's run-in looks very tough with 7 of the current top 8 to play and 6 of those 7 games away from home in the last 10 games. Grimsby will be looking at the play-offs once, again.

It's between Cheltenham and FGR. I've seen both at Blundell Park this season and I'd give the edge to Cheltenham based on that, although both played well Cheltenham just look very solid. They will get them more points on their 'off' days for me. Plus I think they have the best manager in the league in Gary Johnson.

It will be close, I'm sure. In fact from a Mariner's perspective I hope it's very close. The team dropping into the play-offs after just missing automatic promotion could be a little demoralised, although it didn't seem to do Bristol Rovers any harm last season

 

[Chris FGR]

Two horse race for me as well. Grimsby have never really had the quality to compete with us or Cheltenham this season, and looking at their run in top 5 isn't guaranteed yet either.

Cheltenham have to be favourites, they've got the easier looking run in and Gary Johnson has the experience of being in this position several times before. I'd be very surprised if they aren't top by the end of March looking at our fixtures, 6 away (all long trips up north) in our next 8 with our 2 home games being against Eastleigh and Grimsby. Very tough.

If we're still top after that we'll deserve to win it.

 

[mallyx68]

Two horse race for me as well. Grimsby have never really had the quality to compete with us or Cheltenham this season, and looking at their run in top 5 isn't guaranteed yet either.

Being so many points behind FGR and Cheltenham it's hard to argue against that but I feel it's the best squad we've had for a number of years, we just don't seem to have got it right on the field often enough, sometimes I feel that is down to the manager. Take Cheltenham at home, we looked the dominant side for the opening 30-40 mins. Gary Johnson realised this made some tactical changes and changed the course of them game. Our manager didn't change a thing even though we'd clearly lost control of the game in the 2nd half. Cheltenham ran out deserved winners. On our day I would still fancy our chances against either FGR or Cheltenham and I feel we will beat at least one of them at their place.

If we don't make the play-offs, Paul Hurst will be gone and deservedly.

 

[Chris FGR]

I would say that if Gary Johnson was in charge of either ourselves or Grimsby, then they'd probably win the league. As it is, Cheltenham have been smart and got themselves proven quality in the dugout. If only they'd stuck with Buckle...

 

[mallyx68]

Now, now, behave

 

[Sparrow]

Cheltenham, then Grimsby, then FGR. Rovers can't keep getting lucky wins with goals off centre-backs knees.

 

[pontoonlew]

I think on our day we are better than both sides, honestly believe that.

The issue is, our manager despite building a good squad, is far too often out witted by half decent managers. We've a tough run in which could work in our favour as we can take points from rivals. But we don't beat those sides often enough, our fans put it down to luck, them being the better side. I'm more of the opinion that they simply have better managers.

 

[CTFCfan99]

Agree that if all teams are on top form, Grimsby are probably the best of the three. But they have far too many off days to win the league for me, and their run-in is the toughest..

 

[Mark kavanagh]

From what i have seen grimsby were the best of the three against us closely followed by cheltenham ( im still not quite sure how we won there) , with forest green a poor third. I dont know if we caught them on an off day for them, or a great day for us but when we won down there there was only ever one team going to win!!

For me: cheltenham ( my pre season tip so gotta stick by it)
Fgr ( know how to win in this league)
Grimsby ( too far behind 2nd, too far ahead of 4th)
Dover ( apart from borehamwood best team we have played )
Tranmere ( finally learning how to win ugly).

 

[Si Robin]

Sadly, I feel Grimsby made it very hard for themselves with such a poor start to the season when the fixture list looked very favourable. Grimsby's run-in looks very tough with 7 of the current top 8 to play and 6 of those 7 games away from home in the last 10 games. Grimsby will be looking at the play-offs once, again.

It's between Cheltenham and FGR. I've seen both at Blundell Park this season and I'd give the edge to Cheltenham based on that, although both played well Cheltenham just look very solid. They will get them more points on their 'off' days for me. Plus I think they have the best manager in the league in Gary Johnson.

It will be close, I'm sure. In fact from a Mariner's perspective I hope it's very close. The team dropping into the play-offs after just missing automatic promotion could be a little demoralised, although it didn't seem to do Bristol Rovers any harm last season

Said this to another Cheltenham fan at work today. The difference between us and FGR this year, and Rovers last season is that Rovers were miles behind and playing catch up. If they had won the title then Barnet would have been demoralised and not gone up. Rovers weren't expecting to win the League on the last day of the season so just continued with their form into the playoffs.

 

[Boz]

From what i have seen grimsby were the best of the three against us closely followed by cheltenham ( im still not quite sure how we won there) , with forest green a poor third. I dont know if we caught them on an off day for them, or a great day for us but when we won down there there was only ever one team going to win!!

For me: cheltenham ( my pre season tip so gotta stick by it)
Fgr ( know how to win in this league)
Grimsby ( too far behind 2nd, too far ahead of 4th)
Dover ( apart from borehamwood best team we have played )
Tranmere ( finally learning how to win ugly).

I'd have put Braintree in that category. Dover were good, but unlike the other two were also very cynical and niggly, if they'd stuck to playing football would have been much more comfortable winners.

 

[FGR Stroud]

FGR & Cheltenham & Grimsby appear to be only teams that have a realistic chance of winning title.
For the fun of it I've printed the league table with their results against other teams.
Interesting that all three play Tranmere away who could be the 'King Makers' and also get into play-offs.
What odds are there that the two former football league clubs relegated last season return to league football?

Forest Green Rovers

Cheltenham

Grimsby

 

[Mark kavanagh]

I'd have put Braintree in that category. Dover were good, but unlike the other two were also very cynical and niggly, if they'd stuck to playing football would have been much more comfortable winners.

I was lucky enough to be working that day boz mate, i will take your word for it you usually post good sense

 

[Mark kavanagh]

FGR & Cheltenham & Grimsby appear to be only teams that have a realistic chance of winning title.
For the fun of it I've printed the league table with their results against other teams.
Interesting that all three play Tranmere away who could be the 'King Makers' and also get into play-offs.
What odds are there that the two former football league clubs relegated last season return to league football?

Forest Green Rovers

Cheltenham

Grimsby

Interesting that fgr have not beaten any of the top 6 yet. The greame hicks of the national league

 

[Tom Fgr]

When grimsby win, they usually win in style. Fgr and cheltenham both know how to grind out results. Having seen all of the top 5 teams, I'd say weirdly that Eastleigh looked most threatening. Thought cheltenham absorbed pressure well, but at their place I really think we should have had 3 points.

Pretty confident the top 5 currently will be in the top 5 come the end, in which order, I'm not sure

 

[AÐALSTEINN]

When grimsby win, they usually win in style. Fgr and cheltenham both know how to grind out results. Having seen all of the top 5 teams, I'd say weirdly that Eastleigh looked most threatening. Thought cheltenham absorbed pressure well, but at their place I really think we should have had 3 points.

Pretty confident the top 5 currently will be in the top 5 come the end, in which order, I'm not sure

"Should have"....a big saying in the soccer world.

Guthrie tried to cheat by putting the soccer ball in the goal with his hand. I really don't think you were a real threat in both games. You got lucky.

 

[FGRJC]

"Should have"....a big saying in the soccer world.

Guthrie tried to cheat by putting the soccer ball in the goal with his hand. I really don't think you were a real threat in both games. You got lucky.

 

[GTFCfish]

FGR & Cheltenham & Grimsby appear to be only teams that have a realistic chance of winning title.
For the fun of it I've printed the league table with their results against other teams.
Interesting that all three play Tranmere away who could be the 'King Makers' and also get into play-offs.
What odds are there that the two former football league clubs relegated last season return to league football?

Forest Green Rovers

Cheltenham

Grimsby

This shows up our usual achilles heel, 13 points dropped v teams in the bottom half (9 points just v bottom 5), as opposed to Cheltenham 9 points and FGR only 5.
Sadly it is the same every year that costs us.

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

Not sure about this myth that we can't grind out a result, we've had our fair share of 1-0 smash and grabs. Also that we're inconsistent, we had a poor start as expected but our recent run says otherwise and one loss doesn't change that just yet. There's nothing to suggest we won't go on another winning run and catch the two back up.

Agree our downfall will probably be our run in but historically we've almost always turned up against the better sides. As long as Bogle and Amond are fit you can't rule us out. It does all depend on this Cheltenham collapse though. With each game you get the feeling it's not actually going to come.

 

[Raymondo316]

http://www.robinsnestforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20792

I think some Cheltenham fans are getting abit a head of themselves

 

[GTFCfish]

http://www.robinsnestforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20792

I think some Cheltenham fans are getting abit a head of themselves

To be fair though, if we were in their position in the league The Fishy would be similar reading.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

http://www.robinsnestforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20792

I think some Cheltenham fans are getting abit a head of themselves

Cheltenham a tier 2 club?!

They're a fraction of the size of us and our natural position is mid table in the third tier.

 

[FGRJC]

Tinpot thread please

 

[FGR Stroud]

http://www.robinsnestforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20792

I think some Cheltenham fans are getting abit a head of themselves

Lets be fair to some of these posters, they don't all agree it is done and dusted. But yes they do have an arrogant attitude towards other teams especially their near neighbours FGR. Most of Cheltenham's history has been outside of the football league but they have always been the top team in Gloucestershire. It hurts them now that they have a local team as competitive as them.
Cheltenham do have probably the easiest run-in towards end of season and all things being equal should end season as champions. But they are draw specialist and still have yet to have a dodgy run of results, which all teams have at least once a season.
The title race is still too tight to call despite their premature celebrations.