League One v League Two

[Keith]

It's been mentioned elsewhere in other threads, but worthy of one in itself...

The step between National League & League Two is nothing compared to the leap from League Two to League One. I'd say most of the top half of the National League would be competitive in League Two. That's part of why it is so difficult to come straight back up if relegated to non-League.

But League One is a completely different world. Any mistakes are pounced upon. It is so much quicker and the pace is relentless. From minute one (or one & a half as we found out on Tuesday) right to the final whistle, the game is intense and any lapses in concentration are punished.

I've really enjoyed all the games, even when we've lost. Obviously, beating teams like Sheffield Wednesday are high points, but even losing to Wycombe (which appeared to be the catalyst for our mini-collapse) was an amazing game to watch.

I'm not enough of a stato to be able to quote how much opposition players are worth etc, but I can say, we're building a young squad, capable of improvement, who are still holding their own with bigger clubs, some of them, ex-Premier League. Silencing Portman Road and then hearing them celebrate like they'd won the FA Cup (again!) when they equalised against 'little old Morecambe' was incredible, even if I'd rather have had the three points!

Enjoying the ride!

[redrobo]

Have to agree with Keith.

League 1 is so far an advancement on League 2 that to be where we are is outstanding.

[vvm]

It certainly feels more ruthless. I think all things considered, we're doing pretty well and feeling our way into the league nicely.

It's also an interesting mix of big and small clubs with varying fan bases but generally the gap in quality on the field between top and bottom isn't that huge. I do feel a sense of entitlement from the once premier league team fanbases that they shouldn't be here and have some kind of right to be higher up. It's particularly satisfying to take points off one of those teams.

[Little Shrimp]

If I'm honest - the jump in quality has caught me a little off guard! I think this is a particularly good League One this year - I've seen a few football people on Twitter etc noting how exciting it was shaping up.

I think we can be pretty certain in saying there's virtually nothing between the National League and League Two these days. It's a particularly small gap now, but even historically it's not been much of a jump. I can't quite remember the exact figure, but I think only one team in the past 15/16 years or so has gone straight back down. Even look at ourselves - 11th, 11th and 4th in our first three League Two seasons!

All things considered - we have done relatively well so far. It's a really tricky blend of technique and physicality in this division.

[SEASIDECLARET]

Whilst not commenting on the Morecambe side of this thread I think overall their is still a gap in quality between the National League and League 2. I would say that 4/5 teams are able, on their day are to cause an upset, but over a 46 game season the majority, with their current playing staff, would struggle. Most teams who get promoted make significant changes to their playing staff. I think Sutton now only have about 5 of last years team appearing. What is quite scary is that 10 teams in the National League have a playing budget in excess of £1million, 1 club is in excess of £1.5million and 1 club is in excess of £2 million , and that was before their 2 most recent signings!!

[Bristol Shrimp]

I do agree - but I would say that teams going down to league two sometimes struggle also, some do well and come back up but Bristol Rovers are struggling, Rochdale also and there are a fair few teams in league two who fell out of league one and haven't made it back out yet. A few even fell down again and are struggling to get out of the national League now. Yeovil, Dag and Red a couple that come to mind. Essentially I wonder if the gap between the lower half of one league and the upper half of the lower league are probably quite evenly matched. I would say Forest Green would give Shrewsbury, Gillingham, Crewe etc a good game.

[BerlinWaller]

The standard of football and footballer is superior to L2, no doubt about that! I don't think any team has come to our place and not tried to win. The pace is rapid and just watching the diagnol balls Charlton hit on Tuesday night was like nothing we have seen before. The whole atmosphere is buzzing, noise coming from behind both goals makes a massive difference.

[thefactsman]

It is obviously a much stronger league however League two teams promoted to league one have tended to do well in the past few seasons:

21/22 - 10th, 11th, 15th , 19th
20/21 - 12th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd
19/20 - 16th, 19th, 21st, Expelled
18/19 - 1st, 8th, 14th, 17th
17/18 - 7th, 8th, 12th, 15th

For the record, I don't think any of this year's promoted teams to league one will be relegated (including us)!!