There's 4 points between the bottom 8 and 5 points between 4th and 12th. Great to be part of the latter coming up to January.

A really good point at Notts today. Touching wood but we seem to have found a bit of consistency. It is a very topsy turvy league and anybody can beat anybody else on their day. For me, I want 50 points as soon as we can and then see where we are.
The Forest Green chairman did a lot of crowing last year and they are finding it tough going in L2. He should keep his trap shut and have more discretion. This is a tough division with knobs on and I think we are doing OK given all the stuff going on off the pitch. UTM

This is the best division to be in because there are twice as many promotion places as relegation place. I really hope we are at least in touch for the rest of the season. The next two games will be a big confidence boost if we keep the unbeaten run going. With January still to come it's the best time since we returned to the league.

Luton acquiring a nice lead and a buffer between themselves and 8th. The league is wide open, with many average teams having something to play for. We've found a bit of form, which is very welcome and we don't look to be in danger of relegation at this point, which is equally welcome.

If we can keep it tight and add two or three quality players in January, we can be in play off contention as we are up against a bunch of decent rivals and not much more. Nobody to fear, and a good point today. On the whole, looking much better than it did in sept/oct.

Will be interesting to see what business we do in January.

For me, and it might seem obvious, but any new signings have to be of such quality to warrant going straight into our starting eleven. Not players to fight for a place and pad out the bench.

We still lack that prolific no.9 don't we, really. Tough one as that's what most teams will want (even ones that aren't particularly struggling for goals) but that could turn some of these draws into wins and make the difference come May.

It's good to get two difficult away fixtures ( Notts County and Luton ) out of the way before the new year and transfer window opens. I think we are well placed at this part of the season and if we can keep this consistency going then a play-off place is a distinct possibility. I had my reservations about RS as manager and certainly made my opinions public on here but he does seem to be turning things around after a poor start to the season. Hopefully for the club he can prove me wrong and make me eat my words. UTM

Quoted from rancido

It's good to get two difficult away fixtures ( Notts County and Luton ) out of the way before the new year and transfer window opens. I think we are well placed at this part of the season and if we can keep this consistency going then a play-off place is a distinct possibility. I had my reservations about RS as manager and certainly made my opinions public on here but he does seem to be turning things around after a poor start to the season. Hopefully for the club he can prove me wrong and make me eat my words. UTM

I really didn't think he'd last to Xmas a few weeks ago but it has been a very solid spell of late and I'm 100% behind him at the moment. I'd be more than happy just reaching the play-offs or it even going to the final game whether we get there. It seemed inconceivable a few games ago when I believed we were one of the worst half dozen teams in the division! Everything depends on that new striker, it's been the story of the season so far. If we'd have had Bogle instead of Matt we'd be right up there by now. Although I appreciate Bogles don't come along every transfer window.

I think the odds of us getting that striker in January are very slim. Apart from money, there's the issue of bedding in a new key member of the team - you just never know how they'll work out and sometimes they can disrupt a team. It can happen but looking at the history of January signings, there's been more failures than successes.

Off the top of my head I can only think of Robertson who was an undoubted success. Oh and the ginger midfielder who went to Chesterfield after we got promoted (but he had this board divided).

It's an average league IMO
Not seen a good team yet

For that reason about 18 of the teams can challenge for a play off spot or better - making it very competitive of not full of quality

I think (sadly) for all of the above reasons Lincoln could go close to getting an automatic spot - expect them to splash the cash (and they have plenty) in January

Our back five is as solid as nay in L2
Osborne will add much needed craft in midfield when he returns

And the obvious... we lack goals

Hope RS can pluck a beauty from Championship/Premiership reserves or U23s...but I am doubtful

Frustrating but at least we all know where the major problem is

I can see 5/6 leaving in January (Clements etc) so would that free up much cash for a transfer blitz on a striker??

We should also have Asanti back who doesn't seem to be pulling up any trees at Solihull. He appears to have been on the bench recently but still getting minutes. Do we have any updates on his fitness?
Lets not forget we paid a fee for this guy so he could be anything.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

I think the odds of us getting that striker in January are very slim. Apart from money, there's the issue of bedding in a new key member of the team - you just never know how they'll work out and sometimes they can disrupt a team. It can happen but looking at the history of January signings, there's been more failures than successes.

Off the top of my head I can only think of Robertson who was an undoubted success. Oh and the ginger midfielder who went to Chesterfield after we got promoted (but he had this board divided).

IMO the January window gives you more chance of doing something useless than useful. Proven goalscorers are hard enough to sign anytime,
and in-form strikers at our level aren't going to be released to us without a massive bribe. So realistically we're looking at a youngster from a higher
league club or an in-form guy from a lower league.....both represent a significant level of risk.

Quoted from devs

It's an average league IMO
Not seen a good team yet

For that reason about 18 of the teams can challenge for a play off spot or better - making it very competitive of not full of quality

I think (sadly) for all of the above reasons Lincoln could go close to getting an automatic spot - expect them to splash the cash (and they have plenty) in January

Our back five is as solid as nay in L2
Osborne will add much needed craft in midfield when he returns

And the obvious... we lack goals

Hope RS can pluck a beauty from Championship/Premiership reserves or U23s...but I am doubtful

Frustrating but at least we all know where the major problem is

I can see 5/6 leaving in January (Clements etc) so would that free up much cash for a transfer blitz on a striker??

Lincoln have the best centre half in the league but not for much longer, their season depends on how quickly the replacement fits in

Quoted from StaffsMariner

We should also have Asanti back who doesn't seem to be pulling up any trees at Solihull. He appears to have been on the bench recently but still getting minutes. Do we have any updates on his fitness?
Lets not forget we paid a fee for this guy so he could be anything.

Asante is fully fit, however Mark Yates brought his own striker in after Mooney left. Thomas from Coventry who has scored 1 goal in 7 games. Asante is being used off the bench. I would fetch him back, new manager has his own player.

I've said from day one I'd be happy as long as we try to play some sort of football, since Slade has done that we've started to pick up points and crap towards the play offs. As someone has previously stated anyone could still hit those play offs in the top 16/17. For me we just need to start finishing our chances. I don't want loads of players brought in, in January. I remember last time Slade did that and it cost us an automatic spot. If we can bring in a decent striker and maybe a defensive cover I'd he happy.

Now Clarke has settled in, our defence looks really strong. I don't think we'll concede many, but we need to start putting the ball in the net at the other end if we're to be serious play off contenders.

Quoted from grimreaper

Asante is fully fit, however Mark Yates brought his own striker in after Mooney left. Thomas from Coventry who has scored 1 goal in 7 games. Asante is being used off the bench. I would fetch him back, new manager has his own player.

Why isn't he using him? What is Asante doing (or not doing) to force his own selection? This may be a bit unfair, but if he can't force his way into a poor conference team, on merit, when fully fit, then what is his value to us as a L2 club with play off aspirations? He's always had a lot to prove, and still has for me, but that looks an even taller order now. I can't honestly see him having a future at GTFC under Slade, rightly or wrongly.

I'm not sure what he's ever done to warrant fans having so much faith in him.

Quoted from Mariner93er

I'm not sure what he's ever done to warrant fans having so much faith in him.

Think it is more hope than faith. Hoping he will be the next Bogle as the similarities are there. He may yet surprise us, or more likely slip into oblivion, who knows?