At the beginning of the season I predicted that one of the Sleeping Giants (Bradford, Bristol or Plymouth) would finally wake up and do the biz. Bristol and Plymouth barely got to smell the coffee, but Bradford have exceeded all expectations by achieving TWO Wembley appearences and may well be joining us in league one. Well done to them!
I can remember saying earlier in the season that Bradford would not make it but I did predict that Northampton would go up with us, so this playoff final will indeed decide if I was right in both instances or wrong. However, satisfaction remains in reminding her indoors that she predicted Burton to be promoted against my better advice.
bristol rovers could be a decent bet for next season - they've picked up massively 2nd half of the season
I said that Rotherham would go up with us however I thought that either Wimbledon or Plymouth would be the other team, how wrong was I?
tbh not followed your lads to have a clue. However, you only need to look at our return to L2 to witness us plummet to the foot of the table, before our mad scramble to some sort of respectability. Follow that then with Plymouth, Bristol Rovers and Wycombe and you will soon learn it is a difficult task ahead. If anyone thinks Division Five (Conference) is any better then think again. That is more difficult than L2 as the likes of Wrexham and Luton are the evidence. You need a level head to steer you down here or a Mad(dog) one. Throwing money at it will not bring the resolve, unless you want to take the example of Crawley but I would hope Pompey have learned lessons past. The one thing you will find in L2 is a genuine passion and not the plastics of the Pampers League, learn your lessons fast and well then you might earn your right back to where ever you believe you belong. I'm sure your following will at least give you a decent footing to prepare for the future. Biggest thing you need for league two is strength.
Yeah the strength is important, centre backs are key as we know as we have found with the great centre backs we have that we have done well as well as having a great keeper. The anchor man will be important for them. I see that they have signed Patrick Agyemang, he should do well for them as he is strong and he can get some goals but I think it is important that they don't break the bank like they have done in the past. If I was betting on them I would say they have a great chance of top 3 as long as they do get a few decent players at the back as well as strong players in midfield, also if they retain Jed Wallace they should do well as he looked class for them in League One.
I was just wondering as most Pompey fans are expecting promotion straight back to L1, i was under the impression there's not a huge difference in quality between L1 and L2
Unfortunately there is quite a big difference. League Two teams need to be a lot more stronger and direct to get anywhere in this league. Not many teams play proper football and most teams get drawn into "hoof ball". Passing generally tends to be a lot more sloppier in L2. Organised defences are the key to promotion from this league as we have shown. Before this season I thought Exeter would finish in auto's so I was slightly out. I think Wycombe could be in with a good shout for Promotion next season though. Gareth Ainsworth worked wonders for them in the second half of the season and he will have more time to concentrate on the management side now he's retired from playing.
