The Relegation Battle.

[Keith]

We really need to start picking up wins and soon, although the next two or three games are unlikely. Yesterday, we looked much more solid in defence, Bedeau was my MotM. O'Connor was a close second, but had one mistake that really should have gifted their lad a goal but fortunately he fluffed it completely and we got away with it, but otherwise, he was excellent too.

The very obvious problem is, if teams stop Stockton from scoring, they stop Morecambe from scoring.

Doncaster look doomed.
Gillingham look like joining them.

Crewe are picking up points and their win against us was a massive 'six pointer' for them. If they escape the drop zone, who replaces them? Fleetwood's win against Rotherham was as huge as it was unexpected. We now need to repeat their feat and pick up points from high-flying sides.

Cheltenham are looking like they are in free-fall at the moment, so I can see them dropping in to the danger zone quickly. Bolton will no doubt throw money they owe to other people, at new players during the transfer window, so probably drag themselves clear. Who else? Despite their great result yesterday, Fleetwood's transfer embargo will probably catch up with them before the end of the season and they may simply run out of legs.


The defence is looking much better with Bedeau & Carson. Get other players chipping in with goals and we should pull ourselves clear. Further strengthening during the window will help. Although if Cole was to leave, we'd be struggling!

As we're just past the half-way point, I feel confident that we catch a few other teams. But sooner rather than later please! As Red Alert said elsewhere, it's exciting in League One!

[P/T Indie]

Agree Keith I was just thinking Crewe & Fleetwood seem to be finding ways to pick up wins recently, we need to start putting pulling out some wins or we might be left behind.

[BerlinWaller]

The first 2 signings of this window will make a big difference in the 2nd half of the season but we do need others to really strengthen the squad. I like the sound of the horrible midfielder and hopefully a pacey attacker will be signed sooner rather than later. These winter signings are obviously more researched and considered compared to the summer rush so they should have more of an impact. We should be harder to beat but we do need to find more goals.

It was so important to reach this window and still be in touch with the teams in and around us. It is a big achievement to still be in the fight and with reinforcements we should look to kick on and pull away.

League1 is unreal, said it since the start of the season. Everything about it is a massive improvement on League 2 and whatever happens, this is a season that will never be forgotten.

[Andy D]

Now we have a Keeper experienced at this level i think we will be staying up.


seen enough evidence in the last two games with the 2 new signings to suggest just that, plus this week if we can add a ball winner in midfield and a pacy right wing forward we’ll be just fine.

[ianmcm]

In answer to your 'Who else?' question Keith, beesides the above mentioned I think Lincoln might be vulnerable. Rotherham away next, then Plymouth at Home Park. Morecambe play at Sincil Bank on 8.2. That would be a good game to win.

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

We really need to start picking up wins and soon, although the next two or three games are unlikely. Yesterday, we looked much more solid in defence, Bedeau was my MotM. O'Connor was a close second, but had one mistake that really should have gifted their lad a goal but fortunately he fluffed it completely and we got away with it, but otherwise, he was excellent too.

The very obvious problem is, if teams stop Stockton from scoring, they stop Morecambe from scoring.

Doncaster look doomed.
Gillingham look like joining them.

Crewe are picking up points and their win against us was a massive 'six pointer' for them. If they escape the drop zone, who replaces them? Fleetwood's win against Rotherham was as huge as it was unexpected. We now need to repeat their feat and pick up points from high-flying sides.

Cheltenham are looking like they are in free-fall at the moment, so I can see them dropping in to the danger zone quickly. Bolton will no doubt throw money they owe to other people, at new players during the transfer window, so probably drag themselves clear. Who else? Despite their great result yesterday, Fleetwood's transfer embargo will probably catch up with them before the end of the season and they may simply run out of legs.


The defence is looking much better with Bedeau & Carson. Get other players chipping in with goals and we should pull ourselves clear. Further strengthening during the window will help. Although if Cole was to leave, we'd be struggling!

As we're just past the half-way point, I feel confident that we catch a few other teams. But sooner rather than later please! As Red Alert said elsewhere, it's exciting in League One!

According to Quest EFL Fleetwood have just sold Hill to Bournemouth for a very large sum and immediately used some of the money for three new signings. Nsiala was one, can't remember the other two but it was stated all three played against Rotherham and were the best Fleetwood players on the pitch. Guess they have also cleared whatever they owed if this is the case. So what embargo?? Forget Fleetwood they will climb. Forget Lincoln, they have hit form and it needed an inspired Mitov to keep them out yesterday. The guy is in incredible form both yesterday and at Newcastle. We have found ourselves in an incredibly difficult league full of very powerful clubs and to add to that we had to cobble a team together at very short notice. Unfortunately some of our squad aren't league 1 quality. Never say never but we are right behind the eight ball with some hugely difficult games to come in the near future.

Personally being a realist I'm already looking forward to next season which will be back in EFL 2. Hopefully many of our new fans will stick with us and Robbo can assemble a squad to give us a good go at the league and a swift return to EFL 1.

Would love us to find some inspired form and stop up but sorry folks can't really see it at the moment.

UTS.

[Keith]

Hmm, yes, it looks like the transfer embargo limits the size of the squad, so they're using the transfer money to release some players and sign others. The squad size limits may still hamper them if they hit a run of fixture congestion, but as you say, they may have the quality to stay safe.

But, we're still in touching distance of survival and I expect us to be better in the second half of the season... ...if we keep Cole!