2019/20 League 2 predictions

Pressure should be a good thing though. And bowyer knows that rightfully there is a lot of pressure on us to get automatic promotion which is why he has signed winners and players who thrive under pressure, so I think that'll only be a positive.

 

I put us anywhere between autos and squeaking in the playoffs, but its all highly dependent on outgoings and further incomings. We're two players short of an automatic promotion first 11 which could probably be achieved by moving on Doyle or Akpan, to seal the deal we'd need to move more on and revamp the bench a bit too.

 

Ooooh.. used to love a Solero

 

Good lord no.

 

A good piece on us though his placement is a bit awry for me.

Keep Vaughan Donaldson and Scannell fit and I can see automatic promotion.

 

I'd love to share in the optimism about achieving automatic promotion this year, but with the current squad as it is, I simply cant.

I still feel it is somewhat unbalanced and short of quality, especially in midfield. We definitely need another 2 or 3 quality players being brought in to finish it off. That clearly hinges on whether we can move any out, which is looking more and more unlikely sadly. As it stands, I cant see us doing any better than nicking the last play off spot.

 

Agree with that, I have them down as finishing 6th. Bowyer will be aware as most of the fans, that we are still 2 quality players short of being top 3 material. Lets hope there is some movement both ways next week ahead of the big kick off

 

Right now, 6-8th is reasonable. Achieving higher depends on 2 things:

1. Bringing in a couple more quality players.
2. Steering clear of injuries to key players.

 

I look around league two and at other clubs and whilst realising how difficult it is to get out of there I can not see 6 better equipped clubs even without the couple of signings we are short. I think we will be challenging for automatics but definitely in the top six

 

Hope you're right @Park bantam. If we can get rid of 2 of Patrick, Riley, Akpan, O'Connor, McCarten or even Doyle, and we replace whoever leaves, their position first with one of Bowyers choices and then get 2 quality players in, including a pacey left winger and a midfield dynamo, then I fancy our chances a lot more.

 

Am I the only one who would like to keep Riley? I think there is definitely a good player in there, and provided his attitude is right, he should be a useful player to have for league 2

 

On paper, perhaps. But I remember last time we were here. Success often depends on doing the ugly stuff well. I guarantee that at least 2 of the top 8 will be u fancied teams with little obvious quality in their squads, but they'll be horrible defensively, full of gamesmanship, good on set pieces and will win games 1-0.

We're going to have to be able to do a bit of that ourselves.

 

I get your point, hes showed more in pre season than he did all of last season and I'm sure there are the makings of a player there, yet were well stocked in his natural position. He doesn't get into the team before Mellor or Henley for me. I'd like to think that wage could be put to better use

 

Not sure but recently Portsmouth, Bury and Blackpool have all returned to L1 at first attempt after poor mis management.

Promotion is desired. Title is a bonus.

 

If Donaldson, Vaughan and scannell can stay fit then I think we'll finish top 3.

Defensively we're much bigger and stronger than last year, I don't think set pieces will be anywhere near as problematic as they were last year and I think we may actually be able to carry a threat at the other end too.

Midfield is an issue though. We've got scannell who will be a very good player this year and someone who I think will do a decent job in Ismail. Now we know from our last league two outing that you don't really need lots of quality on both flanks, you can easily do with one quality player on one side and a more solid but decent option on the other. Although I'd still like a natural left winger.

Palmer is quality and should run games for us with his distribution but it's next to him that's an issue. Akpan more than likely won't be any good and we already know none of our other central midfielders aren't good enough so at the minute is a case of if we can get away with having 3/4 components working in that midfield and one passenger in akpan. I think if we're going to be a team who dominates the ball it probably won't be an issue. However when we come up against teams like mansfield and Plymouth where they have quality in the middle we will be exposed without that quality DM.

Upfront like I said if Donaldson and Vaughan can stay fit then that'll be huge for us. But if one gets injured, I'm not sure Doyle is the answer. Especially as a sub you'd want a pacey forward against a tired defence which he definitely isn't.

So I think right now we'd need a lot to fall into place but we have the ability to finish in the top 3. However get that DM, LW and ST and we'll be nailed on.

 

Top 7 when everyone is fit, mid table if we get injuries to key players and top 3 if we replace Akpan with someone decent.