So we arrive at that time of year when the hard work over 46 games can be thrown away with one moment of indecision or indiscipline. Down the years, the lottery of promotion has been determined in the most unlikely of scenarios. Even as far down the scale as League 2 and the National League, promotion can be a life-saver and revive club’s fortunes and fans of COVENTRY CITY are probably still pinching themselves that their team is involved in the play-offs.
The Sky Blues finished sixth in League 2 and it’s the first time in almost 50 years that thy have finished in the top six of any division. It’s only the fourth time that they’ve finished in the top 10 since winning the FA Cup 31 years ago, though 31 of the last 49 years have been spent in the top flight so fans have less to complain about than most other teams in League 2.
Mark Robins is in his second spell as Coventry manager and is looking to lead his side back to the third tier at the first time of asking. Promotion would halt the downward spiral which has enveloped the club in the last few years but the League 2 play-offs really do look almost too close to call.
All the teams finished the regular season in similar form and only five points separated fourth from seventh in the final reckoning. Coventry are a best 5/2 with BetVictor, the same odds as LINCOLN CITY. You won’t get bigger than the 10/3 with Betfred about NOTTS COUNTY. EXETER CITY, who accumulated more points than their three rivals, are a general 3/1. The Grecians won most games of the quartet (24). Coventry lost 15 times in the regular season, one more than Exeter. (Odds correct at 10.00am May 9)
Looking at the profile of Lincoln City, you would have to say that, if any team were equipped for play-off success, it would be the Imps. As a National League side, they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last year. They won the Checkatrade Trophy at Wembley earlier this year in their first season back in the EFL and there was almost an air of inevitably that they would make the play-offs. That said, they were involved in the same in League 2 five years in succession between 2003 and 2007 but failed to progress.
Lincoln took a while to adjust to the demands of League 2 football at the start of the season and that probably cost them a chance of automatic promotion. But they have goals in them and can batten down the hatches when required. Notts County and Exeter are both capable of off-days in defence and Coventry may not have the mental toughness for three make-or-break matches in succession so the Imps look the best bet in the League 2 play-offs, though would need to strengthen and refine their style of play to hold their own at a higher level if successful.
