Playing the devils advocate.

[northpie1862]

It's definitely more competitive, but competitive at a lower standard than last season in my opinion. I think we'll miss a golden opportunity if we don't go up. I suppose we'll only know in a year or so when we see how the promoted teams do in League 1.

On the positive side if we don't go up there may be another golden opportunity next season. None of the teams coming down or going up look particularly threatening.

Last paragraph is a great point many (including myself) have overlooked.

The league 2 25/26 lineup is potentially even weaker, with bigger teams (budget and gate) like Bradford and Port Vale replaced with Shrewsbury and Cambridge, and Carlilse (big budget) replaced with Barnet.

I think the bros wont mess about if they see that lineup of teams, whether that means a change of manager or just a big freshen up of the squad.

[Boomerangpie]

People speak like this season is a once in generation in terms of poor quality. It is League Two for flips sake. It won?t be long before it is similarly as poor and weak, maybe even next season.

More points and a far better goal difference isn?t progress from last season when the talk (although very much misplaced) at one time was relegation worries. Baffling. Then predictions and worries we would struggle in mid table or worse this season under this head coach which hasn?t even been close to being borne out. Now we are guaranteed to finish higher and claimed no progress!

What next? Promotion via playoffs doesn?t qualify as a successful season because we were poor for most of the season and struggled at home?

Maybe it is best not to fluke and scrape up via the playoffs because next seasons inevitable struggles could set us back big time? I just hope we beat Harrogate or Doncaster

[SmiffyPie]

If, as mentioned above, the information available indicates we have the 12th best budget (and assuming last season was the same +/- ?1 or two) then that goes a long way to explaining (to me) why there was a reluctance in both January windows to address the immediate issues we had at that point. We made one signing in each window, AJ in 24 and MT this year and considering the work done in replacing the defence in 24/25 it suggests that the cycle is; close season rebuild strongly, the following January there may be a bit available and should be spent on a prospect if we are safe in the league? IF that is how they work then surely we are looking at a rebuild across the middle in the coming close season?
With defence and midfield sorted and the attacking pairing sorted (MT covering AJ/DM) next season is the season!
Assuming of course we don't get promoted this season but if we do then we are firing on all cylinders and looking at going straight through L1.

P.S. Don't disappoint me folks!

[Nigel_M]

Why would we have the 12th highest budget?

We have the 2nd highest attendances - and presumably everyone gets the same TV money.

Does that mean our off field income compared to off field costs is much lower than the other teams? Or does it mean our owners put less money in than our rivals?

[SmiffyPie]

No idea Nigel.
But add to the kitty the money for ML, the compo for LW and the money for DC ? Perhaps there is a debt reduction thing going on. I don't profess to know much about business financial statements but I'm sure there will be a response shortly from those that know.

[caj85]

Why would we have the 12th highest budget?

We have the 2nd highest attendances - and presumably everyone gets the same TV money.

Does that mean our off field income compared to off field costs is much lower than the other teams? Or does it mean our owners put less money in than our rivals?

Maybe our owners aren't prepared to over stretch what income we do have, unlike previous owners have.

[the_anticlough]

Blowing strong positions in sports is called choking.

We saw it last season and many times this, with the biggest of all about to be confirmed on the back of the current 1pt in 12.

If you notice, he's stopped talking about 'the business end of the season' since this disastrous run started because we all know he hasn't taken care of his.

Injuries, a dubious squad and player performances can't excuse the choking.
That's why I think it's promotion or bust for him - fans, players, owners will have lost faith in him and it'd be a downward spiral.

[Kent Magpie]

Why would we have the 12th highest budget?

We have the 2nd highest attendances - and presumably everyone gets the same TV money.

Does that mean our off field income compared to off field costs is much lower than the other teams? Or does it mean our owners put less money in than our rivals?

I suspect that the club sets a budget based on what the owners feel they can afford and this is what is considered to put us 12th in the league. Higher crowds and off field income probably just means lower owner contributions rather than increased budgets. The brothers have confidence in their model and so don't see the need to spend big, but I have the feeling that there is substantial cash behind them if they need it... they just don't see the need. The incidental income from transfers and compensation is a bonus which the owners may or may not add to the budget depending on their outlook. Different owners will have a different attitude and I suspect ours don't use it all in the current season, but build it into future budgets, but obviously I have no idea.

[matt_magpie]

Where has the 12th best budget statement come from, anyone at the club?
Autos was the aim so I?m guessing where around 8th to10th lowest with a hope of getting bang for our buck.

[1955pie]

Why would we have the 12th highest budget?

We have the 2nd highest attendances - and presumably everyone gets the same TV money.

Does that mean our off field income compared to off field costs is much lower than the other teams? Or does it mean our owners put less money in than our rivals?

Our season tickets are a lot cheaper than some.
Just been on the Chesterfield site and I believe these are the early bird prices.
Main stand equivalent to Pavis - excluding the wings.
Adults ?495
Seniors over 66 - ?425
13 & under - ?145

Ours
Adults -405
Over 65s -242
Under 12s -25

I was amazed that our prices didn't go up. Personally I think they should have,
Maybe that goes some way to explaining budgets.