There are 24 teams in division 2. Only 6 of those teams change each season and the majority of the other 18 will remain in L2 most seasons for ages. We’ve seen what spoofing promotion can lead to. And people moaned constantly about the performance and the manager then as well. Every year. So it’s not like it’s going to get any better if we do go up.

We had a scout sitting in front of us yesterday, constantly typing messages on his phone, and making calls too - not sure who he was looking at…. 👀🤨

I do wonder if the ref had given the penalty for Neufville’s shirt blatantly being pulled, how that match would have gone. The fact he gave any shirt pulling in the middle of the pitch makes it annoying.

Our target must be more than just out performing our budget every year surely. Staying in Div 2 football comes along with the chance of going down to non league. That will entail less sponsorship, dwindling gates, no EFL money etc etc.

I wonder if the guy in front of the main stand hasn’t worked with the other 2 before. Noticed when they were warming up he was pretty much own pace/thing and the other 2 appeared to be more together.

Lurk - I agree re cards, 4 for us and only 1 for them!!! How the fuck is that a fair representation of the game?? As for Cook only getting a yellow after about seventeen touchline meltdowns, absolute joke of a ref 🤦🏻‍♂️ and the completely incorrect throw-in decision in the second half summed up how hopeless the officials were!!

I think we’re still a work in progress here. We’ve got a much better defensive structure. Don’t forget it’s not that long since we had defenders who’d fall asleep or shit the bed every match. We’ve got the best goal difference and best goals conceded in the division. That’s not something you get with a rubbish manager. We’re clearly still trying to find out how to improve the attack. Pigott was a gamble that didn’t pay off. Bugiel has gone off the boil. Kelly has paid off as a winger but not a goal scorer. And Stevens has hit the mandatory drought at the wrong time.

I think we will end in the playoffs with a 50% chance of winning them, especially if Walsall are in them too.

All the 92 EFL/Prem clubs will see "outperforming budget" as a yardstick surely?

Would imagine next season to be another bore fest which ever division we are in. Getting players to play defensive is such a joyless watch and negative approach.. .still at least I can turn the channel over to GB news when matches get ultra boring 😴 😂

I don’t see a problem with outperforming budget being a yardstick. As has been pointed out for ages were not going to be a top 6 or top half budget. Therefore outperforming that budget has to be the target.

Random thoughts. Might be better for us if Chesterfield don’t make the play offs. They look more of an attacking side than most of the other options. Toughest game I’ve seen Lewis have. Harbottle is actually a pretty good footballer. Goodman made one very good. At h under pressure on a cross. Referees who decide the same thing is only an offence when it’s outside the penalty area shouldn’t be in a job. I want to know how their #11 was allowed to have full on melt downs at the ref all game without even a sniff of a card for it. Very card happy, very one way with that card.

In some ways, I wouldn't mind if Jackson went as the football is boring but I think if he was replaced in the summer there would be another manager change by the end of the year and we'd be struggling against relegation next season.

OI our future yardstick for years to come!

He doesn’t just chase he wins stuff

Our problems is goals. Looking at the stats before yesterday. Chesterfield had scored 10 more than us but their attacking stats were pretty much the same. We’d conceded far less than them.

Kelly for me offers a lot. Him and Tilly hassling defensively was good. He not just chase she wins stuff, he’s got pace and he plays others into the game. Other than goals Stevens struggles, especially defensively. He’s working hard because he doesn’t have tha pace. But him and Browne together is also an issue because Browne isn’t a big defensive contributor either. Pigott looks completely gone now. Much as Kelly and Bugiel bring a huge amount around the pitch neither is scoring.

We won't go up but we will outperform our budget position.

Will we go up Bigg les?

Do you mean our manager? The only stat that counts is our league position. Which is pretty good.

Blimey, I thought Pigs was older than that. Maybe drop a division or two then. And/or go into coaching/management.

Mind boggling , shame we don't have stats on Jacksons performance this season!

Another Plough Lane By Numbers blog, this one on Stevens' lack of goals recently and reasons for it (spoiler: not his fault): [Link]

Pigs only 31, bromleys michael cheek 33,what a fantastic first football league season he's had.22 goals 7 assists

I've got a spare North East corner adult ticket for Port Vale if anyone is interested. Ry Stand block 120. Cost price £26. Post on here with contact details if interested. I could give it to you at Gillingham if you are going.