Are we no longer the big fish in this division?

I would have thought they wouldn't have much cash to splash but they seem to be throwing it around so hopefully it will take some of the focus off us

 

No, our record at VP is ok. Teams will still come to VP sit back and play for a draw but they will do it at Bolton.

The key is how we play and we need to attack the league but be smart and if it means going to Bolton sitting back then fine but I don't expect to going to Leyton Orient, Carlisle etc and boring the hell out of us.

Teams that attack the league will do well.

 

We're not a big fish in any division. Last time we got promotion we scraped into the playoffs. Hardly the sign of a big fish.

 

This myth has been peddling about for years. The idea that teams raise their game when they come to VP because we’re their cup final is bollocks. For the most part, we’re just shit.

 

Forest Green players came and took photos on our pitch pre game, it’s only natural players who haven’t played above this level will enjoy playing at a big stadium instead of their usual cowsheds. It’ll be the same for Bolton. But there is no such thing as big fish at this level really, anyone can beat anyone it’s just about not been crap. Get a good squad and stadium sizes will be irrelevant.

 

That teams respect Valley Parade doesn't mean we're good - it just means they respect playing a former Premier League team the weekend after playing a former non-league outfit or a side that once spent a couple of years in League One.

If you can't see the difference, you're intentionally ignoring it, to be fair.

Regarding the OP, yes, Bolton's presence will dwarf ours somewhat, especially with their ludicrous tactic of throwing money around.

What's their end goal, getting back to the Championship where the expectation is to lose tens of millions a year?

Pathetic plan from Bolton, but it might help us very slightly.

 

Bolton have new owners who are successful business owners who understand that success only comes through investment in any business and football is no different, They are very ambitious and look to have a plan to achieve success.
They will be a force in Div 2

 

They can attract probably twice the crowds we can paying full price

 

Bolton will average about the same as us but on double the price.

 

They will have much again on full price like Sunderland they are a proper big under achieving fish in a small pool

 

Agree having a large for L2 stadium which we wouldn't have had without the much maligned Geoffrey Ricmond means absolutely nothing we are a L2 outfit on merit and can in no way be considered a "big fish" it's what happens on the pitch that matters and the so called smaller teams have more than matched us on that score
Take away the cheap season tickets and we would struggle to fill the Midland Road stand such has the interest in the club been forced out of the fans
Visiting teams/ fans will pity us thinking look where they were and look where they are now how the mighty have fallen !!
Bolton seem to have a plan and are chucking money about for fun whether that is sustainable or not only the directors know we don't seem to have a plan for anything other than being quite content to stumble from one season to the next avoiding admin and we have to be satisfied with that
So no we command no respect whatsoever from anywhere we have to earn it

 

If their doing well they will, we've seen how fickle their fans can be when things are not going as the expect, they are like most clubs fans our included even with our cheap tickets.
Bolton have to be the early favourites for promotion if the team start poorly they'll be on the managers back, Sunderland were similar billy big balls in league one but you have to perform, and during our two games against them there was little in it football wise, but unfortunatly they took 6 points and that at the end of the day all that counts.

 

absolutely spot on, city have had some good years but i have never thought them big fish. we own nothing apart from some contracts most of which i wouldnt wrap my chips in.

 

Think you are using the season tickets sold figure for our attendances
Bums on seats are what matter and if that figure of 14309 is an average of people in the stadium
I must have been watching a different team last season

 

Whilst we’re in League Two on merit, it doesn’t takeaway the fact that we are seen as a big club in this league - that isn’t just my perception. If you have any interest in reading the thoughts of opposition fans, you would know this.

Have a gander on Barrow’s forum, and see which club pops up in every post when asked which game they are most looking forward to. Newly promoted club mentality you might say? Well, go look at Grimsby’s forum.

There’s nothing wrong in suggesting that because we do have larger crowds and a bigger stadium than most, we are seen as a big day out for some opposition fans and clubs alike.

Granted, our attendances are inflated due to ticketing initiatives, but to suggest we’d average crowds less than 4,500 is borderline ridiculous. We haven’t averaged less than 8,700 in 24 years.

 

Exactly
Fans will follow a winning top end of the league team who are showing potential
You can be the "biggest" (whatever that means) club in the division but if the product on the pitch is poor the all important terraces will be empty

 

Take another tablet again Park, the delusions are coming back.

 

No they don't. The amount of tickets sold is what matters because that's what helps to fund the club.