Skys Predictions

[Rich Pullen]

I really wish people would stop saying playoffs and say something like "we are looking to improve on last season" I understand you need to aspire for something but playoff talk was around our downfall last season...

That was a bit different as the damage was already done and the club instantly regretted making such comments. This season hasn't started yet - people can dream.

Some days I think we'll struggle, some days I don't. My problem is that I just can't see us getting promoted because there are clubs in this division that are much better than us.

All I ask is that we give it a real go.

[Luci]

Im fully hoping for playoffs!  Im just optimistic thats all, don't really see it as our downfall!

[yeo]

Anyone who says they are hoping for a top half finish is a mug.

If you cant have blind optomism the week before a game has been played when can you?

Automatic Promotion or nothing..

[Lumps]

Shit the club are trying to sell season tickets they have to talk about the target being the play-offs. I don't see that as being a problem. And I don't think many are saying "play-off's or sack the bloody lot of them", people seem quite realistic but are daring to dream a bit. If you can't so that in the week before the season kicks off I'm suprised you can be arsed to even go to the games.

[Spencer_White]

I must note its quite interesting that many news outlets pick us to go down and we can get 3/1 on us being relegated.... doesnt look good but fuck it! No expectation then really (apart from a lot of our fans who seem to think we have a realistic chance at the playoffs). I really wish people would stop saying playoffs and say something like "we are looking to improve on last season" I understand you need to aspire for something but playoff talk was around our downfall last season...

Rubbish. Not picking up points away from home was our downfall.

If we are not at least in the mix for the play offs come to mid april then it is another wasted season. If we get ourselves enough points to be in the mix and then mess up, then fair enough. But if our season is finnished in february again then that is a total waste.

[Kinky Tom]

Pah, what we've got here is the best squad we've had for certainly three seasons now, maybe four - our play-off season squad was decentish but relied heavily on two 20+ goal scorers, Sammy Igoe, Brian Howard, Matt Heywood and Rhys Evans.

We've got 1 20+ goal getter in Cox - maybe two if, as we hope Corr can be fit all season - we've got a winger who looks better at his job than Howard, potentially Betsy on the right where Igoe played, an actual cenral midfield (Hewlett?? and Robbo) in Timlin, Nalis and Easton, a better defense and two very capable goalkeepers.

While there are some much bigger sides in L1 these days I think we should be looking to beat most at home and picking up 7 or 8 wins away, which given some sides in L1 shouldn't be too far fetched.

Obviously if Cox or Macca gets injured then we may be a bit screwed but a good start would see us good with the odd decent loan in to cover if needs be.  I can see us finishing between 5th and 8th this season and sticking it to the Times and Sky - fuck 'em!!

[Mexicano Rojo]

just been reading the stan James racing and football outlook 2008/2009

i was slightly gobsmacked in how accurate it was considering most bookies dont have a fucking clue about division 3........

Swindon Town

In each of the last 3 League 1 seasons a club has made the top 4 in their second year after promotion, and Swindon look likely to build on a strong first campaign back in the division.

The Robins acquitted themselves well to finish just outside the top half last year and the future looks bright after their Janruary takeover by local businessmen Andrew Fitton.

Fitton is backing manager Maurice Malpas- a Janruary appointment- in the transfer market with Swansea's Kevin Amankwaah their first signing and Wolves defender Charlie Mulgrew an ambitious target.

The Robins took 29 points from 22 games under Malpas compared to 32 from the previous 24, and its never easy to come in halfway through a season. Given time to make his m ark the scot can guide swindon to a play off spot.

outlook forecast 4th

[Rich Pullen]

The Robins took 29 points from 22 games under Malpas compared to 32 from the previous 24, and its never easy to come in halfway through a season. Given time to make his mark the scot can guide swindon to a play off spot.

Talk about glass half full - didn't hear alot of that from our lot did we.

4th would be amazing.

[STFC_Gazzza]

just been reading the stan James racing and football outlook 2008/2009

i was slightly gobsmacked in how accurate it was considering most bookies dont have a fucking clue about division 3........

Swindon Town

In each of the last 3 League 1 seasons a club has made the top 4 in their second year after promotion, and Swindon look likely to build on a strong first campaign back in the division.

The Robins acquitted themselves well to finish just outside the top half last year and the future looks bright after their Janruary takeover by local businessmen Andrew Fitton.

Fitton is backing manager Maurice Malpas- a Janruary appointment- in the transfer market with Swansea's Kevin Amankwaah their first signing and Wolves defender Charlie Mulgrew an ambitious target.

The Robins took 29 points from 22 games under Malpas compared to 32 from the previous 24, and its never easy to come in halfway through a season. Given time to make his m ark the scot can guide swindon to a play off spot.

outlook forecast 4th

WE ARE GOING UP!

[flammableBen]

I think I prefer the bad media predictions. Not sure I trust the other sort.

Saying that, I'm pretty optimistic.

[Arriba]

the players and manager reckon we should be aiming for promotion,and have said so publicly.i agree with them.anything less than at least being there, or there abouts will be a failure imo.the play offs shouldn't be seen as an unrealistic target.

[Summerof69]

Just seen the League One prediction by Gary whatshisface (ex-Forest) on SSN.

Leicester and Leeds to be promoted (yeah, what a surprise), plus Franchise and Peterborough (are you havin' are laugh).

[strooood]

Pah, what we've got here is the best squad we've had for certainly three seasons now, maybe four - our play-off season squad was decentish but relied heavily on two 20+ goal scorers, Sammy Igoe, Brian Howard, Matt Heywood and Rhys Evans.

We've got 1 20+ goal getter in Cox - maybe two if, as we hope Corr can be fit all season - we've got a winger who looks better at his job than Howard, potentially Betsy on the right where Igoe played, an actual cenral midfield (Hewlett?? and Robbo) in Timlin, Nalis and Easton, a better defense and two very capable goalkeepers.

While there are some much bigger sides in L1 these days I think we should be looking to beat most at home and picking up 7 or 8 wins away, which given some sides in L1 shouldn't be too far fetched.

Obviously if Cox or Macca gets injured then we may be a bit screwed but a good start would see us good with the odd decent loan in to cover if needs be.  I can see us finishing between 5th and 8th this season and sticking it to the Times and Sky - fuck 'em!!

Nicely put, but you're forgetting migs, who i'd pick over any of those three and betsy hasn't actually signed yet.

[Kinky Tom]

Nicely put, but you're forgetting migs, who i'd pick over any of those three and betsy hasn't actually signed yet.

I am forgetting Migs, you're right - but the rest still makes sense to me, hopefully Betsy will be a Town player - fingers crossed.

[Chubbs]

Anyone who says they are hoping for a top half finish is a mug.

If you cant have blind optomism the week before a game has been played when can you?

Automatic Promotion or nothing..

exactly.