Who will win the league??

[BarnwoodCTFC]

You didn't batter us for 95 mins at all, you battered us for the second 45 mins (which I'm sure every CTFC fan would agree with). The first half we battered you. I'm sure mine, Barnwood CTFC's and any other CTFC fan's posts would say the same at the time.

In fact, here is my post following the game:

http://onefootballforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/17-10-match-thread.8036/page-4#post-263586

Si Robin is absolutely spot on, Eastleigh were great for forty five minutes but we were well on top in the first half.

Anyway after today's result I am feeling more and more confident about winning this league, seven points clear and lost twice all season (both of which undeserved stoppage time winners) we ought to be confident but respectful in that nothing is won in December.

 

[ROBH]

Any side that starts Danny Parslow week in week out won't win the title.


Conor Townsend, left back/winger on loan from them mudrats over the water. Best left peg in the division probably.

right you are then

 

[ROBH]

Disagree with most of that, mate. In terms of games played, Barnet would have been a point behind Cheltenham at this point last season. I highly doubt you'd have caught up with FGR's opening 9 straight wins yet either. If we're going on last season's points after 24/25 games, you wouldn't even be in the playoff spots. Whether or not that means this league is easier or not, is something that nobody can prove really. The only marker I can really use is our squad which, as I've previously alluded to, I don't think is drastically different in terms of level. Worth pointing out there was marginal difference between us and you lot last season too. With regards to our form, we had a disappointing start, but have only lost in the league once since August (to Cheltenham). Admittedly there are about 6 draws in there too, but they came against some tough sides (FGR, Wrexham, Tranmere and Braintree).

Aber gas sounds like he's full of it !!!

 

[ROBH]

From what I've seen you lot are better than results would suggest, our team would absolutely ruin it and akinde would have had 30 goals by Christmas. It's not an exact science of course

pheewww, that from a side that got roasted in the final AND WON !!

 

[ROBH]

Grimsby for me, needs to be this season really. Best strikers which is what gets you up as champions. Tbh though the Barnet, Gas and Grimsby teams of last season would have pissed it this season.

glad to see you setting division 2 on fire

 

[PaulHaddock]

If the same Bristol Rovers team was here this season, they would easily beat Cheltenham. Said all season this league is very weak in terms of quality.

 

[Aber gas]

glad to see you setting division 2 on fire

We're fifth. Not bad tbh

 

[Aber gas]

pheewww, that from a side that got roasted in the final AND WON !!

Yes, we beat a very good side and got promoted at the first go. Don't really get your point.

 

[Southern Shayman]

If the same Bristol Rovers team was here this season, they would easily beat Cheltenham. Said all season this league is very weak in terms of quality.

*The same Bristol Rovers that ended the season.

Some very revisionist history going on here.

 

[PaulHaddock]

*The same Bristol Rovers that ended the season.

Some very revisionist history going on here.

That's fair enough. They weren't good at the start of the season but after they found their feet, I thought they were by far the best team. Would you disagree that with both teams at full potential, Rovers would be better? Ultimately, they finished with 91 points after a pretty bad start which says a lot about their team.

 

[Aber gas]

*The same Bristol Rovers that ended the season.

Some very revisionist history going on here.

You're quite right, I am conveniently forgetting the shambles of the first few months but my point still stands about the relative strength of the league. It's only my subjective view but I think that the top sides were stronger last season.As were the mid table sides imvho including your team.

 

[Southern Shayman]

That's fair enough. They weren't good at the start of the season but after they found their feet, I thought they were by far the best team. Would you disagree that with both teams at full potential, Rovers would be better? Ultimately, they finished with 91 points after a pretty bad start which says a lot about their team.

You're quite right, I am conveniently forgetting the shambles of the first few months but my point still stands about the relative strength of the league. It's only my subjective view but I think that the top sides were stronger last season.As were the mid table sides imvho including your team.

I don't doubt that that the Bristol Rovers or Grimsby team that finished last season would walk it this. But then again, those teams would have also walked it last season!

I think your right in saying that generally the league is weaker, will be interesting to see in January if the top 3 or 4 push on to be as good as the top sides finished last season, will be a hell of a title race if they do!

 

[Pliny Harris]

If one thing's for certain, it's that every season fans will argue that the league gets weaker every year. Usually fans that opine how their own team should be doing a bit better. It's all really dubious to me, especially considering no-one will be watching more than 1/12th of games in this league.

If you could only watch your team play four league games one season out of the 46 on offer (ie. ~1/12th of fixtures), then the same four fixtures the season after, you'd have too many variables to determine whether you're improving year on year. Even if it was clear what style of football you played either season, it wouldn't be fully clear how effective it is.

I can't make a strong analogy but I'd say it's more sensible to compare the strength of the league in 2015/16 with the strength of the league in say, 2008/09. As far as I'm concerned differences each year are negligible, but there are broader trends. The Conference we first entered between 1993 and 1998 is probably closer to today's Conference North/South.

 

[GTFCfish]

That's fair enough. They weren't good at the start of the season but after they found their feet, I thought they were by far the best team. Would you disagree that with both teams at full potential, Rovers would be better? Ultimately, they finished with 91 points after a pretty bad start which says a lot about their team.

After Bristol Rovers beat us 1 - 0 at Blundell Park i thought they would go on and win it, easily the best team that we came up against last season and definately better than the Cheltenham team that also beat us 1 - 0 this season.
Made it even more surprising that we actually managed to be the better team at Wembley, before ultimately missing out.

 

[GTFCfish]

glad to see you setting division 2 on fire

They are 5th in League 2, what do you expect of them......?

 

[D&Gfootball]

Sadly not Bromley

 

[DarkSithLord]

Sadly not Bromley

No id say you will be finishing closer to the relegation places.

 

[ROBH]

We're fifth. Not bad tbh

yes apologies for that one, shouldn't really post with more than a few drinks on board.
Certainly without checking before I post any rubbish

 

[JaredSUFC]

Sadly not Bromley

Not sad in the least bit...

 

[GTFCfish]

Only just noticed that Macclesfield have lost 12 games already......... and are 6th.
WTF!!

 

[The_Boss]

Only just noticed that Macclesfield have lost 12 games already......... and are 6th.
WTF!!

For the first season in years we can't say we drew too many games we should have won! We're just losing a shit load of games we should have drawn!!!!

But 2 wins and a loss from 3 games is better than a win and 2 draws.

Our biggest problem has been we've lost games when others haven't played so everyone's got loads of games in hand on us, we're very much in a false position.

 

[FGRJC]

With grimsby still in the trophy Cheltenham too all be it with a reply and losing their influential captain I think we stand a very good chance now!

 

[PaulHaddock]

With grimsby still in the trophy Cheltenham too all be it with a reply and losing their influential captain I think we stand a very good chance now!

Yes because you beat 10-man Lincoln. Let's see how you deal with players uprising against the manager.

 

[FGRJC]

Yes because you beat 10-man Lincoln. Let's see how you deal with players uprising against the manager.

We were the team with 10 men?

 

[PaulHaddock]

We were the team with 10 men?

Oh shit yeah. Still, don't see why today's results have suddenly changed the potential outcome to the season when in reality, nothing has changed.

 

[WokingTillIDiet]

With grimsby still in the trophy Cheltenham too all be it with a reply and losing their influential captain I think we stand a very good chance now!

So far this season you've beaten two teams who are currently in the top half of the table (and I doubt that Lincoln will remain there much longer). I wouldn't crack open the champagne just yet if I were you.

 

[Davidimp]

They weren't much cop today, we gave them a gift a goal, been doing that a lot lately....

 

[Tom Fgr]

I'm still not confident, but I think a few more wins will guarantee a play off spot which is decent! Personally I think Grimsby have too much, Cheltenham still have everything going for them, drawing away is a good result.

Just to clarify, are you playing Tuesday and Wednesday this week? (Cheltenham)

 

[SomeMightShay]

They weren't much cop today, we gave them a gift a goal, been doing that a lot lately....

Battle of the form teams next weekend. Almost got to feel for the Wrexham fans when their team are at home to a team without a win in ten but still won't feel confident.

 

[FGR Stroud]

A few weeks ago Cheltenham were strong title favourites, but since then they have started to struggle and have lost their inspirational captain to long term injury. They play beautiful passing football but one wonders how they will cope now that the pitches are getting heavy.
FGR (with three successive wins) are breathing down their necks and Grimsby are thereabout to take advantage if either Gloucestershire team falters.
At this moment it seems assured that the title will be between these three teams. That means two will be in the play-off plus two others. It is these 'two others' who are more difficult to predict: Eastleigh and Wrexham perhaps?