The competition

Anything yellow and blue
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GodalmingYellow
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The competition

Post by GodalmingYellow »

So what does everyone think of the likely opposition this year?

R&ampD have made a lot of very good signings and will be very strong.

Stevenage have made a lot of mediocre signings and won't be a force.

Torquay also look strong but I imagine finances must be very tight for them this year.

Cambridge had their chance last season and will be nowhere this year.

Wrexham ought to be on a par with us resource wise, but I reckon they'll still be suffernig the league dropout hangover so they might make the play offs.

Mansfield don't look to be signing anyone of quality and I think they could find themselves in this division for a long time.

Burton will make the play offs again. I think they had their splash the cash season last year, but I've got a lot of time for Nigel Clough and his squad building and playing style.

Histon probably had their chance last year and bailed.

Alty will struggle again.

Barrow will be mid-table as they have kept their promotion squad together.

Crawley look an outside bet for play offs without the points deduction to overcome.

Forest Green will be much reduced following Fleetwood's departure.

Eastbourne will struggle.

Ebbsfleet mid-table.

Lewes will struggle.

The rest (apart form us) will be also rans.

I do think Patto has taken a pretty good approach to his squad building, (despite Lenagan allegedly having withdrawn funding of losses and thus reduced the playing budget). I can really see us making a serious push for the title this year, but my main concern is the limited squad size, and it is now very late in the day to be able to find anyone of quality to add. If we have a largely injury free season, we should be in with a good shout. (Not sure how much of that came from the head and how much from the heart!).
ty cobb
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Post by ty cobb »

Torquay - very good squad, new owners mean they are pretty well set financially - owners start getting cold feet after 3 years normally (now how long have WPL been in charge........)

I see Ebbsfleet as a threat, you don't get a cash injection of that much and not see some benefits.

Rushden also will be up there due to their manager.
scooter
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Post by scooter »

York have had a very good preseason and could be right up there.
Paul Cooper
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Post by Paul Cooper »

R&ampD will do well- good signings.
Stevenage- I think that they will do well. Decent but not great signings.
Torquay- seem to have brought decent players in, but they have also lost some players (will miss Zebroski)

Burton- have lost Clare and they will miss him.

Ebbsfleet &amp Crawley coudl be there or there abouts

IF we avoid many injuries and suspensions and Wilmot comes back strong, we must have a chance.
Sideshow Rob
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Post by Sideshow Rob »

Grays end of season form was almost as good as ours. They have added some decent players to their squad so they are my dark horses to reach the pay-offs.
Snake
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Post by Snake »

“I see Ebbsfleet as a threat, you don't get a cash injection of that much and not see some benefits.
OUFC4eva
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Post by OUFC4eva »

Grays Athletic, Rushden &amp Diamonds and Crawley Town for me.

I think Lewes will have a decent season and Barrow could surprise a few people with their northern grit etc.
Swissbloke
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Comp

Post by Swissbloke »

One of my team is a Woking fan and they have put together some decent performances under Kim Grant. Won't go up but will cause problems.

I see Rushden, Torquay and Ebbsfleet pushing with us for promotion.
Dougie07
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Post by Dougie07 »

Torquay, York and Rushden for me.
SmileyMan
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Post by SmileyMan »

Since I'm not a big follower of non-league news, except for OUFC of course, can someone tell me if any of the other BSP participants have, are expecting, or may possibly get points deductions this season?
Mooro
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Post by Mooro »

No-one has an official penalty, although someone may have forgotten to turn off the automatic trigger for Crawley...

My (optimistic) views:
Torquay - are building up to 2nd season syndrome
Wrexham - could be over-confident
Mansfield - too big a mess to challenge
Burton - not quite there again
Cambridge - in pieces
Stevenage - suspect will not be as good as they think they will be once Westley has to do something other than talk
R&ampD - big signings but coming from a long way back
Forest Green, Histon - won't repeat their challenge
Ebbsfleet - doubt the momentum will sustain all season
York - will do better
Crawley, Grays - may get closer this time

Overall, in Patto I think we have someone who will have us there or thereabouts come the end of the season, although it is difficult to pick a runaway leader the top half dozen or so could be very close together.
I'll say the top half dozen will be (in no particular order): Oxford, Torquay, R&ampD, Wrexham, York, Grays with Burton and Stevenage just off the pace
Swissbloke
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Clare

Post by Swissbloke »

Is Rushden's new signing out for 5 weeks too?
Swissbloke
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8 weeks :-)

Post by Swissbloke »

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