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Okay - nobody's done it yet so I thought I'd set the ball rolling. Hector's made some suggestions on the Conference Odds thread but here are my Rustic Reg predictions -
Champions: Gateshead
Play Offs: Forest Green, Kidderminster, Grimsby, Eastleigh (with Grimsby going up via Play Offs)
6th - 10th (not in order): Gulls, Bristol Rvrs, Wrexham, Halifax, Barnet
11th - 15th (not in order): Woking, Alfreton, Lincoln, Nuneaton, Aldershot
16th - 20th (not in order): Chester, Welling, Southport, Macclesfield, Telford
Relegation Fodder: Dover, Dartford, Altrincham, Braintree

I think it could be Gateshead's year. They should be able to pick up players in the football 'hot bed' of the North East. Agree with Hector that I don't think Bristol Rvrs will be in the play off mix. I think both Lincoln and Aldershot will begin to get their acts together - no particular reason, just a gut feeling. I may be doing Altrincham an injustice by putting them near the bottom. They're in the Manchester area so should be able to pick up some useful players. Halifax could be a surprise package. Eastleigh cannot be ignored after all the money pumped into the club ...... but I wouldn't be disappointed if they fell flat on their face). So what do YOU think ??

Dartford were... I don't want to say unlucky, because that's not quite right, but they finished where they did last year because they lost 10 straight games at one stage. Until then, they were looking likely to do at least as well as they did the season before, when they came 6th. They look like they ought to be shit, and there's every chance they will be, but if you're basing it purely on "who the **** are Dartford", you might just be taken by surprise.

As for everyone else, I really don't know. Eastleigh spend money like it's going out if fashion, but then, so do FGR and that hasn't got them anywhere.

Reckon it's a coin toss.

Matt.

No idea. There are so few teams I recognise the names of!

stefano wrote:No idea. There are so few teams I recognise the names of!

I take it you failed geography at school

There's only one safe bet: we're going to finish above Gateshead, Bristol Rovers and Forest Green Rovers.

I've just looked at the League Table on BBC Sport. We're in the bottom four! And that's even before we've played any games..

Gullscorer wrote:I've just looked at the League Table on BBC Sport. We're in the bottom four! And that's even before we've played any games..

If only we where Aachen FC, we would be top of the table. We are well placed to have a decent season based on the current team, just need to get rid of hawley, he must be getting the hint that he's not wanted and is as much use to us as, well nothing really. But he could stick it out on his wage, but for his career it's going down the drain.

why do you think any team would want a player still recovering from a broken arm?

nickbrod wrote:why do you think any team would want a player still recovering from a broken arm?

He's just not wanted in the current TUFC squad. He is surplus to requirement. He is on a good wage which can be spent on 2 other players worthy of the shirt.

lucy6lucy wrote: He's just not wanted in the current TUFC squad. He is surplus to requirement. He is on a good wage which can be spent on 2 other players worthy of the shirt.

How do you know that? Hargreaves said when the players were listed that if they were still here come pre-season/start of season they would be involved. As I understand it the only reason Hawley has not been involved, unlike Tonge, Chappell, Benyon, et al is because he is recovering from a broken arm and was, at least at the start of pre-season, still at home.

Strang thing is Karl Hawley took part in the public training session.
This was at Plainmoor on a Saturday morning a few weeks ago that preceded a ladies match.
He looked fit enough then!

Phipsy wrote:Strang thing is Karl Hawley took part in the public training session.
This was at Plainmoor on a Saturday morning a few weeks ago that preceded a ladies match.
He looked fit enough then!

He can't have physical contact so he must be off sex.

Perhaps we shouldn't judge by appearances. There are different kinds of fitness, and you can't always tell. That snake lying still for ages in the sun can suddenly strike with amazing speed. Come to think of it, I'd be happy if we had a regular goal scorer like that..

lucy6lucy wrote: I take it you failed geography at school

No I could accurately pinpoint all of the coal fields on a map of Britain including that strangely located one in Kent.

Fat lot of use that has been to me in adult life

ferrarilover wrote:Dartford were... I don't want to say unlucky, because that's not quite right, but they finished where they did last year because they lost 10 straight games at one stage. Until then, they were looking likely to do at least as well as they did the season before, when they came 6th. They look like they ought to be sh*t, and there's every chance they will be, but if you're basing it purely on "who the f*** are Dartford", you might just be taken by surprise.

As for everyone else, I really don't know. Eastleigh spend money like it's going out if fashion, but then, so do FGR and that hasn't got them anywhere.

Reckon it's a coin toss. Matt.

Wouldn't agree it's much of a coin toss, Matt. I think the league will be mostly dominated by the top ten in my list with perhaps one or two surprises (Alfreton, for example, were a bit of a surprise package last season). I think one, probably both, promoted teams will come from my top five and I think at least two of my 'relegation candidates' could go.

However, I have to admit that probably 'who the f*** are Dartford/Braintree/Dover/Welling' could have coloured my thinking ...... !! I seem to remember Macclesfield had financial troubles at the end of last season so they could be another candidate for the drop if they're still having difficulties. We shall see ...... and no doubt you will remind me at the end of the season when Dover and Dartford get promoted ....... and Grimsby and Gateshead are two of the four relegated !