Agree with all of that CF. Looking back both the Torquay and Chesterfield games could have gone either way. There is no doubt the one game at home to Barnet was far easier than the Chesterfield home, Torquay away combination as we rightly weren't rewarded for finishing 3rd. I always felt we would get playoffs under NA or NA/IB but not going to match the previous season's 3rd place finish.

Harrogate, although a very different club (history, size etc) to Notts are a very interesting case in point. As CF says built slowly over 7 years, deservedly promoted of much bigger clubs that season, finished 17th first season in L2 struggling a little throughout. Now sat in 3rd after 9 games in their second season.

Building blocks are key, a longer term approach is essential, you need the stars to align and maybe a touch a luck and you are deservedly up.

Anything other than overstretching, boom and bust is good with me. That option is risky, scary, and above all failed at NCFC more than once on modern times.

COYP