- This topic has 22 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 3 weeks, 3 days ago by
.
-
Let’s get out of this league (upwards !) first. It has taken many other “bigger” clubs years just to get back into league 2.
Even throwing a fortune at it like York have is no guarantee of escape. If we can get into league 2 we will have enough to stay up, and build from there.
Only issue now is beating Truro no need to look any further forward than that.2 users thanked author for this post.
Some lower league 2 clubs aren’t that great Rene. IMO, It’s not such a huge step up to achieve a lower mid position.
3 users thanked author for this post.
A complete squad overhaul is needed whichever division we’re in Rene.
Find it hard to believe after Butler been in charge for 2 years we totally lacking defensively which includes a number 1 goalie.
Doesn’t look like he sees a future in Dec anymore.
Ewing expected to go.
But L2 is needed, getting settled in this division with the owners we have we’ll be here forever with the odd little tilt at playoffs now and again.
Need promotion Imo to entice new owners with money to back the club.2 users thanked author for this post.
Stick Belahoun in definite. Isn’t Westbrook on loan? I’d take him though.
1 user thanked author for this post.
The questions for me are more about whether or not have the foundations and, under the current ownership, a sustainable model financially? As a minimum, we need a complete overhaul of the pitch, our own ground staff as well as security over the future of our training ground. That’s before you think about the playing budget and re-establishing an academy. I would be as delighted as anyone if we got promoted this season, though I think it remains improbable. My worry would be that we are simply not ready to sustain League 2 football.
I would love to know more about the current financial position. Accounts should soon be filed for 2024-25 and I hope we get an update from the club then.
No.
Wealthier owners or additional opulent owners needed.
Current squad is sub standard.
A complete squad overhaul would be required for L2
Could the current owners finance that … outright … or … with more loans?
It’d be like trying to nail jelly to a wall in L2.
Consolidate, strengthen, continue rebuilding.
If we’re still selling scratch cards and having bucket collections – then we aren’t L2 quality.
Thoughts?1 user thanked author for this post.
Absolutely we want promotion. Is the current squad good enough for that level? Possibly.
Teams going up from the NL playoffs have generally performed well in recent seasons…just look at Bromley.
1 user thanked author for this post.
York and Rochdale will be promoted this season without a doubt.We do need promoting but I wonder what players will be with us next season that we have now
2 users thanked author for this post.
And many would have said York would no doubt have gained promotion last season, that was till they played Oldham at home and lost 3-0 a team who finished a full 23pts behind them in the league.
Who’d have thunked it.
Playoffs are a lottery to say the least.4 users thanked author for this post.
That’s before you think about the playing budget and re-establishing an academy.
No.
Wealthier owners or additional opulent owners needed.
Current squad is sub standard.
A complete squad overhaul would be required for L2
Could the current owners finance that … outright … or … with more loans?
It’d be like trying to nail jelly to a wall in L2.
Consolidate, strengthen, continue rebuilding.
If we’re still selling scratch cards and having bucket collections – then we aren’t L2 quality.
Thoughts?I wouldn’t bother with an Academy.
They are for the elite clubs with the finances, facilities, infrastructure and staffing to operate.
You can’t operate an academy on a borrowed shoestring!A more efficacious route would be to install a reserve team.
Somewhere for any players returning from injury to achieve match fitness.
Somewhere for those not in the starting 11 plus subs to get match times.
It allows for 11 v 11 (all pros – the occasional apprentice could still be 15 years of age when he commences his program on July 1st) practice games, tactical / formation development, phases of play, 5 v 5, 6 v 6, 7 v 7 training “tournaments” etc
Most managers have a very short life span and want the finished article. They haven’t got the time for an U16 to come through and break in to the first team; lest alone an U9!Then there’s the Goddens & Woottons – released before they’d being allowed to grow in to their bodies and become men and footballers. We all knew that they were goal scorers – but first team managers want the ‘light switch’ players, the finished article.
The majority of (small club) first team managers have no interest in the academy – as they are too focused on hanging on to their jobs and returning 3 points from the next game.
Which, if you’re a hire & fire club with no real Club philosophy & culture, surrendering to the wants & demands of every short term incumbents cries then it’s a pointless exercise.The IPPP is a bog or treacherous quicksand to academies since its inception in 2012.
It grows ever more grandiose and is detrimental to small academies; they just don’t have the facilities or staff! It’s worse than school ofsted assessments / reports!Then, if you do develop a player… you get PEANUTS!
A reserve team would serve us much better… I think?
1 user thanked author for this post.
If it is York and Rochdale that go up then Carlisle with their 10,000 gates and huge catchment area will stay down.
Or
Boreham Wood with their sub 1,000 gates could win the playoffs.
Funny old game!
1 user thanked author for this post.
As stated there is little difference in lower league two to mid to upper table National League. I doubt we will struggle in league two – as most clubs don’t having gone up. We are currently doing well in attracting supporters through the gates, need to build on this impetus – not wanting to go up would be counter intuitive to professional sport, rotten to the core.
Increased away gates and an average home crowd of 5k plus are achievable which will help a sustainable model, two ties against Grimsby should be all the motivation we need! (Unless they go up, they’re a bit hot and cold atm). Let’s face it our entire back line needs an overhaul whatever league we’re in anyway
2 users thanked author for this post.
I would imagine that the directors are making plans for a season in the National League next season.
Easier on their pockets.Promotion Odds as of Mon 23rd March 2026.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.