National League 2015/16 predictions

[tomogull]

Here we are, less than a week until the start of a new season and here are my Fantasy World predictions for the coming season. Last season, I didn't predict either Barnet or Rovers for promotion - I went for Grimsby and Gateshead instead. I don't think there were many outside of Barnet who thought they would do so well. But I'm pleased to say that I did better than Dave Thomas of the Herald Express. He predicted Alfreton for PROMOTION !!! But to be fair to DT, that was before they signed Karl Hawley.

Last season, teams that did better than expected were Macclesfield, Dover and Braintree. Teams that failed to deliver were Kidderminster, Gateshead, Alfreton, Nuneaton and er, um ...... Torquay.

My predictions this time (no particular order) are -
top quarter - Grimsby, Tranmere, Wrexham, Eastleigh, Gateshead, Woking
second quarter - Forest Green, Cheltenham, Aldershot, Barrow, Macclesfield, Halifax
third quarter - Torquay, Lincoln, Boreham Wood, Dover, Kidderminster, Chester
bottom quarter (the strugglers) - Altrincham, Southport, Guiseley, Braintree, Bromley and Welling

My two for promotion are Grimsby and Eastleigh. I would have picked Tranmere ahead of Eastleigh but not whilst they've got the player from Hull, Gary Brabin, as manager. Last season, I was too optimistic about our season. This season, I have tried to be more realistic by going for a mid-table place (as most predict on lucy6lucy's thread) but there are always teams that do better than expected and I have a hunch we will be one of those teams. For no particular reason, I think that Forest Green will slide down the league a bit this time. Interesting fact I read about Barnet - 44 of their 92 points total were picked up against the bottom 8 clubs in the division - i.e. they only dropped four points against the lower sides. Unlike us of course !!

[royalgull]

Top Quarter

Grimsby, Tranmere, Eastleigh, FGR, Cheltenham, Gateshead

Second Quarter

Wrexham, Woking, Kidderminster, Lincoln, Macclesfield, Chester

Third Quarter

Barrow, Boreham Wood, Dover, Halifax, Aldershot, Altrincham

Bottom Quarter

Braintree, Southport, Torquay, Bromley, Welling, Guiseley

[tomogull]

Bottom Quarter
Braintree, Southport, Torquay, Bromley, Welling, Guiseley

Pessimist !!!! We'll do better than that, you'll see. Don't disagree with most of your other predictions except that I don't see Cheltenham being amongst the front runners and I think Kiddreminster have financial problems so I can't see them ending in the top half of the table.

[royalgull]

Gary Johnson is a good manager and they've signed a few lads that are decent for this level. Can't see them being too far off the top 6, the only one from the pack I could see making an impact is Woking although Lincoln and Wrexham both should do better.

Can't see us being any higher than about 17th in all honesty, we've signed absolutely no one of note, have a threadbare squad and no natural goalscorers coupled with an inexperienced back 5. No one at the clubs fault it's the cards we've been dealt and left with from previous regimes but if we stay up this year then cox has worked miracles. He's the only thing I'm hanging to that gives us any chance at all.

[Dave]

Think Royal (Ian) has got a few in the wrong place. Kidderminster as said are in a worse position financially than us, can see them struggling badly, think Macclesfield despite last season are very equal with us, as it stands their squad in more threadbare than ours.

At the other end, don't fancy Cheltenham at all, yes they'll start well and will be up there around the top 9, think Lincoln have put together a useful squad, and Wrexham with 2,200 season ticket holders will certainly challenge.

Top 6
Grimsby, Tranmere, FGR, Eastleigh, Wrexham, Gateshead

second quarter
Lincoln, Cheltenham, Woking, Dover, Aldershot, Chester

Third quarter
Barrow, Braintree, Torquay, Macclesfield, Halifax, Altrincham

Bottom Quarter
Southport, Bromley, Boreham wood, Kidderminster, Welling, Guiseley

[PhilGull]

Not sure about Cheltenham, with all their new players it may take time for them to settle and the form to come good. I think Tranmere are the big team here, I know Iain Turner has had a bit of a nomadic career so far but he has been highly thought of by a lot of clubs and managers and for him to be backup in the conference they must have a really good number 1. Tranmere are my tip for the top. Kiddie for the drop, if they are still in existence come the end of the season.

[tomogull]

Came across the following review for the league on the Aldershot Fans Forum site. Good information about each club's transfers in and out. One or two errors - notably the prediction that we will finish 18th !!!!!

https://theshotsblog.wordpress.com/conf-previews/

Arrrgh ...... the link hasn't worked ! Maybe Louis or someone can work their magic to make up for my IT limitations !!!! Thanks