The Road Ahead

[NorthLondonStag]

I agree money thats what we want, so lets get through and the best chance non= league at home, The way forward is a long road with goals set that are achievable at the beginning of a season, and not judged till the end of the season [ unless results become unsustainable to achieve the goal set ] this season revised goal avoid relegation.
With our fan base playoffs next season should be our goal. We must remember we are limited to a wage bill so players of real quality wont want league two kick n rush.
So like a jigsaw puzzle we find the pieces, this takes time and patience knowing our best players will be cherry picked by richer clubs, we have a bonus our wage structure can match any in league 2. The downward spiral is when clubs in your own division take you best players, league 1 could be a challenge with x championship clubs having far superior fan bases and revenue.
So Clough has a massive challenge after a top 7 finish in league 2, thoughts new playing surface==new stand=more parking, average gate league 1 = 17-000.
So our journey has many disappointments and highs just had one with our F_A+cup win. So lets remember patience is the hardest thing in football, and im sure no one wants out of this league more than Clough

Bear makes a good related point.

With the wage cap meaning that the highest wages will cap out for League Two players (and I accept it’s a squad cap but that will feed into the max that clubs can pay) will that mean the facilities, the manager, the team and the quality of football will become more important to recruits than previously?

[Sandy Pate Best Stag]

I agree money thats what we want, so lets get through and the best chance non= league at home, The way forward is a long road with goals set that are achievable at the beginning of a season, and not judged till the end of the season [ unless results become unsustainable to achieve the goal set ] this season revised goal avoid relegation.
With our fan base playoffs next season should be our goal. We must remember we are limited to a wage bill so players of real quality wont want league two kick n rush.
So like a jigsaw puzzle we find the pieces, this takes time and patience knowing our best players will be cherry picked by richer clubs, we have a bonus our wage structure can match any in league 2. The downward spiral is when clubs in your own division take you best players, league 1 could be a challenge with x championship clubs having far superior fan bases and revenue.
So Clough has a massive challenge after a top 7 finish in league 2, thoughts new playing surface==new stand=more parking, average gate league 1 = 17-000.
So our journey has many disappointments and highs just had one with our F_A+cup win. So lets remember patience is the hardest thing in football, and im sure no one wants out of this league more than Clough

Bear makes a good related point.

With the wage cap meaning that the highest wages will cap out for League Two players (and I accept it’s a squad cap but that will feed into the max that clubs can pay) will that mean the facilities, the manager, the team and the quality of football will become more important to recruits than previously?

I agree but don’t forget that you can pay a promotion bonus which isn’t attached to the overall wage bill. Astute players will be looking at squads that have a realistic chance of automatic promotion so they can get the bonus when they go up. The bigger the bonus the more chance good players will come but only if the chance of promotion is realistic.

[NorthLondonStag]

Good point. I wonder if this skews the January window in favour of clubs higher in the league.

[AlanStag]

Could we not have a bonus for staying up? I know some don't agree with it, but it gives them incentive to stay up and a way to compete with other clubs who are offering promotion bonuses. I think it will be a case of players wanting to join those at the top under normal circumstances, not many players want to join a side near the bottom of the league COVID or not.

[NorthLondonStag]

Could we not have a bonus for staying up? I know some don't agree with it, but it gives them incentive to stay up and a way to compete with other clubs who are offering promotion bonuses. I think it will be a case of players wanting to join those at the top under normal circumstances, not many players want to join a side near the bottom of the league COVID or not.

No. Unfortunately not. Only for promotion or ‘directly linked to cup progression’.