Predict our league position 23/24 season

[ncRover]

The general consensus this time last year was that our squad had enough quality in a “poor league” to see us bounce back and get in to the play offs (everyone’s predictions averaged out at about 7th). How wrong we were.

We soon found out that this league is not for mugs. The key ingredients of legs, grit, determination and physicality were absent from our squad. There also seemed to be a hangover of a deeply ingrained culture of losing and apathy at the club. You could see that in the player’s body language after conceding a goal.

After finishing 18th (correctly predicted by 5minstogo), the club has had a massive wake up call on all fronts and has acted on those emphatically. Prior to the changes, many felt we were doomed to non-league on that trajectory (myself included).

Recruitment appears to have been good and sensible (for once). We have addressed those key areas early with leadership and organisation at the back, legs and bite in midfield, pace out wide and stickability up top. It feels like a more cohesive group that will now fight for each other.

But, I think we are now only at a point where top teams such as Stockport and Salford were at last season. I don’t expect us to turn everything around miraculously quickly and overtake such clubs. On top of that, the division is probably at its strongest ever thanks to the additions of Notts County, Wrexham and MK Dons.

Though I do think we have a manager who is in the top 3 in the division. Along with his staff, he has made us feel like a highly professional and competitive outfit again.

In the cups I think we can go on a few good runs and maybe even get to the semis of the Papa John’s thanks to our extensive squad depth, which will be better than many in leagues 1 and 2. There also shouldn’t be an injury crisis thanks to this!

I’m going to go for 7th in the league.

What do you guys think?

[mushRTID]

5th

[Danmckay456]

3rd

[Barmby Rover]

10th

[grayx]

Play offs at least

[keith79]

Champions

[LincsRover]

Play offs - 5th or 6th

[Chris Black come back]

Top 10.

[selby]

The worst position 2nd

[Darren]

 5th

[IDM]

The worst position 2nd

Worst.?

Bite your hand off for guaranteed 2nd place now.

[Arsenal Of The North]

7th

[dknward2]

Top 7 but with a fair few top teams a)coming up from the league below, b)coming down from the league above and c) the teams already here last season, this will be a difficult league.

But this season we have coach/manager who can make a team greater than the sum of its parts

[Michael Shaw]

6th

[Redroy]

8th

[DonnyBiz]

Champions

[Sammy Chung was King]

Champions

[bpoolrover]

4th

[Crowle Rover]

6th

[Alan Southstand]

Can’t possibly be as bad as last season. I’ll go for a safe 10th, but am hoping for better.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

I'll make a much more realistic prediction.

1st.

[DonnyOsmond]

9th.

[Butchers Red]

Champions

[Upton Rover]

Finish and win play offs

[Branton Red]

5th

[bobbymax]

Top 10

[ridgewoodrover]

Sky bet had the rovers at 14/1 to win the play offs.
I’ve had a tenner on that

[bedale rover]

2nd

[Dutch Uncle]

The beauty of it all is we just don't know.

The are definite reasons to be optimistic - proven attack minded manager, board injection of funds, some exciting looking signings, but on the other hand it looks like the strongest League 2 ever. At least it should be exciting which is great news.

So overall, I reckon we will be somewhere in the top 24 

[Colin C No.3]

£40 at 22/1.

Champions.