September has passed in League 2 and with it saw excellent
football, quality goals, new managers and changes at clubs. Lincoln are flying
high at the top along with Newport and Exeter. While Macclesfield and Grimsby
prop up the table after a disappointing start to the season.
The Imps of Lincoln are
absolutely flying notching 25 points from their first 10 league games and Danny
Cowley’s side look a real force to be reckoned with. Lincoln are soaring
notching up a consistent winning run and look unstoppable right now. Cowley has
used his non-league knowledge and football league contacts to boost his side
during the transfer window and Cowley has created a nice blend of talent. They
are playing with a confidence and swagger that can only be admired by the rest
of League 2. Newport are also going
strong under club legend Micky Flynn. The exiles are firmly making their football
clear notching 22 points lying 2nd in the table. While they did
suffer a 6-0 home defeat against Yeovil, they have picked up excellent results
including their most recent coming back from 2-0 down to beat Cambridge 4-2. The
likes of Jamille Matt, Dan Butler and Mickey Demetriou have been magnificent
for Newport and no doubt their good form will be integral in keeping Newport’s
excellent run going ahead of their October matches. Exeter make up the top 3 and Matt Taylor has made a wonderful
impression with the Grecians so far notching 20 points in his first 10 league
games as a manager. Taylor has made St James Park at fortress with the Grecians
tasting defeat just once at home against leaders Lincoln. Despite that disappointing
blemish, the Grecians are looking strong and proving a managerial change isn’t always
a bad thing.
September has been an excellent month for Stevenage, Forest Green and Oldham.
Dino Mammria completely transformed the Stevenage squad from last season and
they have begun the season well sitting 4th in the table after the first
2 months of the season. They finished September with back to back wins and no
doubt their good momentum will want to be brought into October. While Forest
Green are having a magnificent season so far sitting pretty in the play-off
places and are the only side in League 2 yet to lose this season. Mark Cooper
has done a sensational job at the club and many thought it would be a difficult
campaign for the club following the departure of Christian Doidge. However,
they have strived in the face of adversity and are absolutely flying, and all
credit goes to chairman Dale Vince, Mark Cooper and the playing staff. Forest
Green will hope to remain on their crest of a wave during their October matches.
Another side in decent form is Frankie Bunn’s Oldham. Bunn has done an
excellent job in his first managerial job. The Lactics have re-built following
their relegation and have started the season well ending September in the
play-off places. They are proving a difficult side to beat with Oldham strong
defensively but maybe don’t score as many goals as they should. Bunn will be
delighted with their start and no doubt he will want that good momentum to continue
during October.
September has also seen an influx of new managers with Michael
Duff taking over at Cheltenham, Gabriele
Cioffi taking over at Crawley while
Harry Kewell has completed his first month in charge of Notts County. Its been a mixed start for all 3 of the new managers.
Michael Duff has had a tough start in management with Cheltenham winless in his
3 games in charge of the Robins however, in Duff’s defence he has had to face high
flying Lincoln and Exeter. His other game was a goalless draw at home to Crewe.
Certainly, Duff is adapting to management and given time, Cheltenham will improve
in the months ahead. Gabriele Cioffi has had a decent start in charge of Crawley
winning 2 of his 3 games in charge so far. Crawley have both home games under Cioffi
beating Morecambe and Yeovil but a defeat to Forest Green was sandwiched in
between. Cioffi will be pleased with their start under him and no doubt will want
the positive momentum to continue in October. However, Harry Kewell has
struggled to get Notts County going so far since replacing Kevin Nolan. County
are third from bottom and a conceding far too many goals which is costing them
valuable points. Kewell’s first game was a complete nightmare as they were thrashed
5-1 at Exeter. However, Kewell got a crucial first win in their final match of
September against Crewe. County need to kickstart their campaign and hopefully that
win allows them too with promotion still very high on their agenda despite their
very poor start. Kewell has also been active in the free agent window adding
the likes of Jamie Turley to stiffen a very shaky defence. A clean sheet continues
to allude County and Kewell must address this issue quickly to build a winning
platform at the club.
September has not been kind for Cambridge, Grimsby or Crewe. Cambridge are sinking down the table
at an alarming rate. Joe Dunne’s side are severely struggling to score goals
and the pressure from the fans is increasing with the club performing well below
expectations. Cambridge have notched just 8 points from their opening 10 games
and the fans are growing impatient and frustrated at what they are seeing.
Another side disappointing their fans is Crewe. David Artell’s side are winless
in 9 since their 6-0 triumph over Morecambe. The Railwaymen are struggling in
all areas of the pitch with goals lacking since that victory meaning wins are
proving allusive. The pressure will increase on Artell if things don’t improve as
October draws near. Grimsby are also struggling, and Michael Jolley must quickly
get Grimsby going. The Mariners have notched just 1 win in 10 games and
suffered 7 defeats. Michael Jolley’s side are struggling to find the net and
their defence isn’t the most robust. Their form at Blundell Park is also a major
concern with teams managing on a regular basis to take maximum points and
Jolley must quickly address these issues otherwise the sack could be looming.
Cambridge, Crewe and Grimsby will be hoping October offers rest bite in their
dreadful form and ignites their failing seasons.
Another side having a tough month is Northampton and their month ended with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Mansfield
which consequently cost Dean Austin his job. The Cobblers have been extremely disappointing
and well off the pace and now a relegation battle is seemingly on their agenda
once again. Northampton have turned to Keith Curle who is their 6th manager
since Chris Wilder left for Sheffield United in 2016. Times are tough for
Northampton and Curle must quickly stop their rot and find a winning formula to
get Northampton going. Goals are proving an issue with the Cobblers struggling
to find the net and not scoring goals means wins are unlikely to follow. Keith
Curle is an experienced, excellent manager at this level after 3 successful
seasons at Carlisle guiding them to consecutive top 10 finishes. He no doubt is
an excellent appointment by chairman Kelvin Thomas but Curle must get them going
fast starting against with a home game against Bury. Northampton have a good squad
that needs motivation and confidence and no doubt Keith Curle will put his arm
around a few players and try to install belief back into the whole football club.
October could be the month where their season really takes off. We shall see whether
Curle will be a success or not but given time he could be the right man to lead
the Cobblers forward.
The only side left in League 2 without a win is Macclesfield. The Silkmen have notched
just 3 points in their opening 10 games and the pressure is mounting on Mark Yates
with the fans growing agitated and frustrated at the club’s style of play and
the results on the pitch. The 8-0 hammering from Premier League West Ham in the
Carabao Cup has angered fans and Yates is getting extremely desperate for a win
with a team that does lack football league experience. Player and coach Danny
Whitaker is doing his best both on and off the pitch but so far the Silkmen are
pulling up very few trees and should the club have a winless October, than
relegation could be inevitable and Yates who has plenty of experience managing
the likes of Cheltenham will surely not last beyond October. Goals are not
coming consistently, and they are lacking far too many goals meaning they must
chase matches. The effort and commitment are there from the players and fans to
back their team but, results must quickly come to ignite their season and get
them pushing in the right direction. There is no doubt they are still adapting
to a new manager after John Askey’s departure to Shrewsbury, but a win must
come sooner rather than later. Will it come in October? Only time will tell for
the Silkmen.
September was entertaining in League 2 and no doubt October
will be the same with plenty of action to come as the season really begins to
take shape and October could define where teams’ seasons are heading. There are
some tasty games to come in October including Notts County vs Crawley, Exeter vs Stevenage, The Devon-Dorset Derby
between as Yeovil face Exeter, A
tasty Lancashire derby as Morecambe face
Tranmere, Forest Green vs Newport, Tranmere
vs Macclesfield, A three counties derby between MK Dons and Northampton, The Gloucestershire derby brilliantly
named El Glossico as Forest Green battle
Cheltenham and Colchester vs Lincoln.
September was brilliant and unpredictable and no doubt October will be the same.
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