⚽ Match Thread vs. Chesterfield FC 15.03.25 [EFL L2]

[Lullapie]

We've taken 8 points from 8 matches which is normally just above relegation form yet we're two points off the automatic promotion. It's almost unbelievable how weak this league is.

Or is the league strong - a strong league with teams of similar quality?

[SwalePie]

Or is the league strong - a strong league with teams of similar quality?

I've had the same thought but then it would sound even less credible for people to criticise Maynard for every thing he does or doesn't do.

[Lullapie]

I've had the same thought but then it would sound even less credible for people to criticise Maynard for every thing he does or doesn't do.

Spot on.

[matt_magpie]

That?s my view bar the 3 big spenders that went up are we saying all the other clubs have suddenly have weakened over the summer?

[The_Pie_Man]

Good God - it is a convention of apologists.

It is not, in any way, a *strong* league. What an utterly deluded notion. The standard of the division is shocking. Week after week, we play teams who set out solely to defend with their low block and every time, we struggle to deal with it. I have not seen a team this year that I would describe as impressive. The fact that we are as bang average as everyone else is not something to be proud of.

We are hardly playing bloody Liverpool and Real Madrid! There is not even a Stockport or a Wrexham. The reality is that we are meekly losing to dross like Vale and Chesterfield, due to a combination of (mostly) average players and a manager who could not spell proactive if he was given a dictionary.

Realism is required. Then again, given the names of the most recent contributors, is the line of argument a surprise? Any resistance to the status quo must be ruthlessly crushed!

[nw6pie]

Good God - it is a convention of apologists.

It is not, in any way, a *strong* league. What an utterly deluded notion. The standard of the division is shocking. Week after week, we play teams who set out solely to defend with their low block and every time, we struggle to deal with it. I have not seen a team this year that I would describe as impressive. The fact that we are as bang average as everyone else is not something to be proud of.

We are hardly playing bloody Liverpool and Real Madrid! There is not even a Stockport or a Wrexham. The reality is that we are meekly losing to dross like Vale and Chesterfield, due to a combination of (mostly) average players and a manager who could not spell proactive if he was given a dictionary.

Realism is required. Then again, given the names of the most recent contributors, is the line of argument a surprise? Any resistance to the status quo must be ruthlessly crushed!

“Resistance”? “Ruthlessly crushed”? It’s only a few people sharing their opinions about Notts - nothing more, nothing less.

Nobody is saying things are perfect at the club, but it’s indisputable based on the league position that we’ve improved from last season. Obviously I’d love it if we were 15 points clear and about to clinch promotion, but we’ve still got nine games left to get into the top three. I personally don’t think we’ll do it due to our poor home form, but live in hope.

As for the strength of the division, isn’t it a good thing that most of the teams are much of a muchness, making things more competitive? I assume this is what the EFL wants with its restrictions on how much you can spend on your team? Better that than the table being determined by the size of your budget.

[Notts78]

Can someone please give me a definition of a ?strong league? as mine appears to be wrong and makes me some apologist that needs quashing.
Is a strong league one where 2/3 abundantly rich teams dominate just like every elite league I can think of? Or is it when a number of teams are evenly matched and any number could win it?
L2 isn?t the league 2 of old where it was land of the giants, games were like a game of tennis where the ball was hoofed up and down the pitch. At least a fair few teams try and play a bit.
I wouldn?t be surprised to see who ever gets promoted from L2 being high in L2 budgets.. the exception being MK who are doing a Notts when we paid for players not fit for the rigours of L2 football who are likely to top that chart.

[upthemaggies]

Can someone please give me a definition of a ?strong league? as mine appears to be wrong and makes me some apologist that needs quashing.
Is a strong league one where 2/3 abundantly rich teams dominate just like every elite league I can think of? Or is it when a number of teams are evenly matched and any number could win it?
.

To clubs like Bromley, Sutton, Morecambe, Barnet etc, L2 will always appear to be a strong league, to clubs like Notts, Bradford and Swindon it should feel as though they are in the shallow end of the pool surrounded by clubs wearing arms bands.

For what it's worth, I think last season was bordering on the unique for L2, you wouldn't normally have a club at this level with the pizazz of Wrexham and I think it would be fair to say Stockport and Mansfield were untypically strong for this league as well.

A low points tally for the team in 3rd place isn't necessarily an indication of a poor crop by comparison, it could be taken as evidence of a more broadly competitive one - top to bottom - but if top 3 is your goal, as opposed to consolidating or hoping to get lucky in the play offs, then you'd have to conclude that it would be a wasted opportunity to miss out in a season with a low points finishing line.

Whatever the quality of the league, it's not always easy to stay focussed and disciplined under pressure to consistently grind out the wins, which is where the manager really can make a difference.