Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on August 21, 2022, 04:24:55 pm
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Fourth plays fifth at a place we have not won many games in my time since Northampton moved to their new ground, both sides on eleven points, which is probably where lots would have expected Northampton to be, while our position has surprised even some of our own supporters considering the hard look pre season of the first seven fixtures, and now Barrow can be added to that list after the start they have had.
In Hoskins Northampton currently have the top scorer in the division with seven goals, and will be a big test of our defence to keep quiet, the make up of that defence very much depending on some fitness scans early this coming week.
The central defensive area has especially took a battering giving a chance to all our central defenders to show their worth, and all have done well, so to have Anderson, Long and Olowu out at the same time is very unlucky, and leaves a lot depending on Williams who has been terrific this season and young Faulkner who in my opinion is more than capable of holding his own at division 2 level.
And in my opinion as back up in the u18s we have two really promising players in Charlie Petch and Will Flint two very big capable players who could fill the void if the injuries to the injured prove short term.
Away from central defence things are looking good to me, in Tomlin, Clayton, Agar and Rowe we have four of the best players in this division, and young players throughout the rest of the team that look good and will only get better, although with Knoyle injured right back could be a problem and a possible way back for Seaman.
Meanwhile Northampton rescued a point and remain unbeaten with a goal by Hoskins direct from a corner deep into injury time at Crewe, and after being beaten in the playoffs last season will be looking to go one better and not leave promotion to chance.
We know what our old friend Hylton can bring to the table with his use of the dark arts, so if young Faulkner or any other of our young defenders do play they will have to learn fast, Pinnock another who has been big trouble to us in the past, and Maxted a well known character to our supporters.
So another fixture out of the Horrible Seven fixtures we feered before the start of the season, and another mountain to climb injury wise.
Would you be happy short term to go with Youth?
Are you happy Faulkner can hold the fort until players get fit? I am.
Can our management team pull another tactical success out of the bag?
Can our defence hold a forward line that has been scoring goals regularly?
Are you going to the game?
Lot's to be discussed about this game, please have your say.
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We’ve won 2 of our last 4 league games there, including our last league game in December 2020 (2-0). A fairly decent recent record.
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Cbcb, it must be me then, I have been and never seen them win there at the new ground.
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Since they moved to Sixfields in the 1994/95 season, we have played them 8 times there, all in the league. Our record is W2, D2 and L4.
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It must be me.then. and we need our players to be at it Saturday to get anything from the game.
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We need to come out of the traps quicker. We'll not keep getting away with these slow starts.
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We need to come out of the traps quicker. We'll not keep getting away with these slow starts.
Nah. Lull them in, do the rope a dope thing, then hit em when they least expect it.
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Northampton mostly play a 4-1-4-1 formation, altering to a 4-4-2.
They can be got at defensively. We need to be mean defensively and look to nick a victory. Assuming Knoyle is fit and Anderson and Long aren’t, I think the only change would be Faulkner coming in for Anderson and put Charlie Petch on the bench as cover.
We’ve gone from being overrun with central defenders to being down to two fit centre backs. Football gives unexpected opportunities, it’s for Faulkner to show he can handle it, I’m sure he will.
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Unfortunately still on holiday in the States so will be watching from afar
My Mrs was soccerette on Soccer AM when we played there in the Penney Champion winning season - unfortunately we lost the game
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Would pick North Dakota or North Carolina over North 'ampton though
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Smith on Saturday and Hylton next Saturday coming up, not a bad apprenticeship for Faulkner if he plays in his first two games.
If he can come out on top against them two, and he sorted Smith, not many in this division will bother him, and he will only get better.
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A lot is going to hinge on those 3 injuries. If we lose all 3 lads for Saturday, then I think we’ll be in trouble. I’m hoping that Anderson and Knoyle are back in the side and then we know, for sure, Faulkner is more than capable of coming off the bench, if required.
Long, I fear, could be out for a few weeks. It depends on what damage he’s done to his knee. Fingers crossed it’s not too serious.
On the positive side, it looks like we’ll soon be able to add Close and Taylor to the squad.
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Alan, if there is any doubt about Anderson at all Faulkner needs to start and give Anderson the chance to fully recover especially if it is short term.
We have some really good young central defenders, who are big strong and good footballers and will only get better for the experience. If the injuries are long term, which I hope they are not, it may be that we have to look for a body in the central defender area, but not just a number as good or better than what we have got.
That will lead to two things, stop the development of some good young players, and later on having a surfeit of players in that central defence area and adding costs to a wage bill we don't need.
If the injuries are just for a week or two, I would cover with the youngsters, and believe we will gain in the end, as they are good enough not to let anyone down and will be better for the experience, and if there is funds we can use them in an area the management think it will be better spent.
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If that happens, who fills in at cb for the u18’s and so on down the line?
Nobody is stopping player’s development, they’re being developed wherever they play, surely?
If we had to use the loan market, it only has to be for 4 months, effectively.
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I remember going to Northampton, I think we had just signed Sully on loan and our goalkeeping coach at the time Mad Baz Richardson was doing his warm up and someone near me commented that “ he’ll never learn anything from that bloody clown “
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Alan, if there is any doubt about Anderson at all Faulkner needs to start and give Anderson the chance to fully recover especially if it is short term.
We have some really good young central defenders, who are big strong and good footballers and will only get better for the experience. If the injuries are long term, which I hope they are not, it may be that we have to look for a body in the central defender area, but not just a number as good or better than what we have got.
That will lead to two things, stop the development of some good young players, and later on having a surfeit of players in that central defence area and adding costs to a wage bill we don't need.
If the injuries are just for a week or two, I would cover with the youngsters, and believe we will gain in the end, as they are good enough not to let anyone down and will be better for the experience, and if there is funds we can use them in an area the management think it will be better spent.
Brian, I totally agree with you about Faulkner, I've every confidence in him. However, if all 3 injured players are unavailable, who's going to play right back? I personally don't think Seaman's good enough.
If that's what the situation's going to be, we need to be in the loan market this week IMO.
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As said, if the injuries are short term then the available bodies will have to rally round. We have got some credit in the bank after a good start, so Northampton isn't a must win game although, whoever is selected I'm sure will give everything.
As seen v Salford, good players can adapt.
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Alan you want to eat the cake and save it as well, it's costly whatever you do bringing players in and three or four week down the road you can be stuck with players you can't use.
As for a right back I agree Steve, that is my point we have to look at the situation, see what we have got and if we can cover, and put funds into that area where we have a longer term need, if Seaman is considered not good enough or any other area is short, that is where I would try to strengthen as long term we are well covered at central defence IMHO.
Seaman is a conundrum to me, he seemed one of the better lads before injury last season both as a wing back and as a right sided attacker, played with energy and no little skill, but seems to have come back for preseason not as fit as he could be and has dropped back.
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Not true. I want some cake for the future when it’s matured! We don’t know, yet, how long these lads are going to be out for, so we’re guessing. All I know is - we had 6 centre backs at the start of the season (including Faulkner) and we’re down to 2 (and it’s only August).
I like to have, at least, a bit of cake! ;)
I keep saying this - Seaman is not a right back. I think another Club beckons for him. The Pompey lad would’ve been ideal, but it doesn’t look like that’s on the cards.
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Who plays for the under 18s shouldn’t be a consideration when it comes to Faulkner.
The first team has to have priority over any football decisions.
As for Knoyle, I think he has been pivotal to the way we play and has been outstanding for us so far this season.
He will be badly missed if he is out for many games so a loan to cover him is more important.
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I keep saying this - Seaman is not a right back. I think another Club beckons for him
After today’s piece in the DFP, I can honestly say I have NO ‘inside links’ at the Club.
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Rovers massive underdogs with the bookies again. 16/5
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Rovers massive underdogs with the bookies again. 16/5
Will that take into account the injuries we got on Saturday and we don’t know if available for weekend.
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Their last 10 home league games delivered W6, D3 and L1. This season they have won both their home league games.
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Well Hartlepool are only 7/2 away at Leyton Orient. There’s no one SkyBet fancy less in league 2 this weekend and we’ve had a very strong start!
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Who remembers the time( April 1984) the team coach broke down on the way to the game at Northampton? The referee delayed kick-off and our players, who hitched lifts at the roadside, arrived one by one in various states of attire, but each one had been given their full kit from the kit bag on the coach.
I have not looked up the progression of the score in that game, but the players were so fired up with adrenaline coursing through their veins that we were two or three up in no time and ended up 1-4 winners.Alan Brown was in his short-lived starring role for us at centre forward that day.
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Who remembers the time( April 1984) the team coach broke down on the way to the game at Northampton? The referee delayed kick-off and our players, who hitched lifts at the roadside, arrived one by one in various states of attire, but each one had been given their full kit from the kit bag on the coach.
I have not looked up the progression of the score in that game, but the players were so fired up with adrenaline coursing through their veins that we were two or three up in no time and ended up 1-4 winners.Alan Brown was in his short-lived starring role for us at centre forward that day.
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Remember it well. Game kicked off either 15 or 30 mins late ( can’t remember which ) and we were 3-0 up after 20 mins if I recall correctly.
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If players are not fit give our young players the opportunity to build their careers. We will never know how good they are unless they get the chance. Injuries create careers for others.
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Campsall ..the crowd was only 2000 so we are a minority with that in the memory bank .
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As hound said earlier right back will be a very important position for us, if Knoyle is not fit then it could be an issue if the management don't have enough faith in Seaman, who could still be short of match fitness and sharpness from his early and pre season woes.
If this is the case then a loan may be on the cards, with a possible loan spell for Seaman.
If a loan does come in then i'm hoping its someone who can challenge Knoyle for a starting berth because he his a conundrum, he should be a big player for us, his general play is very good,neat and tidy, he has a decent turn of pace and he can get up and down well so has a good engine. It's just that after all the good work his end product has always been questionable, his shots never seem to be hit clean and he tends to snatch at the ball, his crossing should be very much better because of his good build up play we never seem to see a good final ball.
I'll not comment too much on his defending suffice to say he gets squared up too often and never stops a cross getting in.
I don't know if its nerves or lack of confidence because he has all the very good attributes you would want from a full back. When he's back i'm hoping that some confidence in his game will show him in a better light.
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As hound said earlier right back will be a very important position for us, if Knoyle is not fit then it could be an issue if the management don't have enough faith in Seaman, who could still be short of match fitness and sharpness from his early and pre season woes.
If this is the case then a loan may be on the cards, with a possible loan spell for Seaman.
If a loan does come in then i'm hoping its someone who can challenge Knoyle for a starting berth because he his a conundrum, he should be a big player for us, his general play is very good,neat and tidy, he has a decent turn of pace and he can get up and down well so has a good engine. It's just that after all the good work his end product has always been questionable, his shots never seem to be hit clean and he tends to snatch at the ball, his crossing should be very much better because of his good build up play we never seem to see a good final ball.
I'll not comment too much on his defending suffice to say he gets squared up too often and never stops a cross getting in.
I don't know if its nerves or lack of confidence because he has all the very good attributes you would want from a full back. When he's back i'm hoping that some confidence in his game will show him in a better light.
He has been much better this season imo. He looks much more confident to me. Yes his crossing can improve.
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Of course Northampton have not played any of the promotion favourites - unless you count Crewe, and the games they have won have only been by a single goal. But perhaps I am being naive in thinking that on this seemingly simplistic basis we ought to at least draw!
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Northampton are another team that have picked up more points than their performances deserve.
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Tomlin, Rowe, and Clayton look to be relishing the challenge to me, surrounded by some young players who are visibly getting more accustomed to what is required from them, both as a unit and individually.
Add a management team with tactical nous, a team spirit, and youngsters looking to and grasping the chance to be involved in games when it is presented and if we carry on, give our best, and learn from any mistakes we will be a team that can improve and have no fear of anyone at this level.
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Meant to mention Agard in that post who has impressed me, has a low centre of gravity, upper body strength and experience and luckily for us looks to know where to be in the area at the right time and takes the ball early first time when he is in there.
He looks now to have been a big miss for us at the end of last season, if he had been fit we might have survived.
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From Steve Jones on Twitter
Tom Anderson to miss this weekend’s game for #DRFC. Appointment with a specialist next week. Kyle Knoyle and Adam Long do have a chance of playing, Gary McSheffrey confirms. More to follow.
COYR
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Anderson out, will see a specialist. Knoyle and Long have a chance of playing........
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Can see Seaman and Faulkner being in the starting eleven because that’s what we have. I hope Knoyle can start and Long at least on the bench.
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It’s unbelievable - we started the season with more cb’s than you could shake a stick at and, here we are a few weeks later, we’re down to the last 2. You couldn’t make it up!
I seriously hope Knoyle is ok.
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Hasn’t GM pretty much said Long And KK are fit? Shouldn’t be an issue.
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Hasn’t GM pretty much said Long And KK are fit? Shouldn’t be an issue.
did he actually say that or in the interview he said we give them ever chance and see tomorrow let’s hope they are fit
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I can remember when Norman Whiteside burst on to the scene and my wishing I had his talent. Young Bobby Faulkner reminds me of him. Seems well capable to get a regular start.
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I can remember when Norman Whiteside burst on to the scene and my wishing I had his talent. Young Bobby Faulkner reminds me of him. Seems well capable to get a regular start.
He is a very good. young and exciting talent for us. I'd have no qualms in putting him straight back in, better to have a fit and rearing to go youngster who's up for it rather than a player coming back, possibly too soon after an injury scare.
The momentum he would get from being first up could be season defining for him, it's that important.
The full back positions will be interesting, Maxwell will want to impose himself back into the side after getting a very rude welcome to the English professional game. Knoyle needs to build on his early season form, i sense confidence is a big thing for him.
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It’s important the club is known as one that gives opportunities to young players if they are good enough. This helps with recruiting players when it’s between us and other clubs who they sign for. It also helps with potential loan signings if we need them.
Bobby seems to have a very sound mentality. He has an experience in him that belies his years. He deserves the chance if players aren’t fit, to show what he can do.
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Avoid defeat in this game and I think we will be seen in a completely different light by supporters of other teams, but more importantly by some of our own supporters who set off the season being very critical of both the team management and the club management, but have been fed very little to back up their fears since the beginning of August.
It also looks like a game that will test the strength of some of our back up players like Faulkner who could well get his first start at first team level, and was a complete unknown to the majority of our supporters just eight weeks ago, and our subs bench could well contain one or two especially in defence of players from the junior ranks if not for this game the one v Newcastle.
To my mind it is great to see, at last the club look to be going forward at every level of the playing staff, and pathways have been opened up and as a club we are no longer just rushing out and taking on board players from other clubs who apart from some outstanding exceptions have disappointed especially under the leadership of Moore, the majority showing no feeling towards the club or its supporters, just using the club to showcase themselves, and in most cases failing to do even that.
Win lose or draw we are in a better place,play well against another fancied side and it could confirm our progress from the depths we plunged to, another win might be beyond us being competitive and playing well should not be, the latter I want to see, the former I am hoping for.
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According to NTFC, the south car park (largely gravel) that i have previously used on visits to Sixfields is now closed but fans are able to park in the North car park ( top end of the stadium) for £4.
The North car park didn't exist last time i went to Sixfields so i've no idea how big it is.
Parking on the adjacent leisure park will get you a ticket in all probability too so hopefully our fans will find suitable places to park.
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Mitchell the keeper i have no doubt will want to have a blinder tomorrow against his old side, its always nice for players to play well against their old club.
Hopefully Knoyle is fit to play and Long fit enough to take up one of the substitutes places on the bench to give cover to Williams and Faulkner who played well together last week and looked Physically robust in their play, as well as settled when on the ball.
Knoyle if fit will allow us to play our normal side further up field and in mid field where we have our more experienced players and wide and up front we have players who can run past defenders and get behind. Tomlin and Clayton will be pivotal for us to gain some control of the game as they have been in our past games, and I hope Tomlin can again keep a lid on his tantrums and just enjoy the game without getting too involved in the silly stuff.
All in all I am happy we are now a team to be reckoned with, and have also shown we can adapt to different tactics employed during a game. We rarely have easy games, and this will certainly not be one, we will have to be at it and on top of our game as a team and individually to get anything out of the game at all.
For those who are going, have a great day, any young players involved on the bench be ready to do your best if required and enjoy the day and experience.
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Would take a score draw as of right now, I think they key in away games is just try not to get beat, if we can manage that it’ll take us quite far in this league. I’ve a feeling Long and Knoyle will be absolutely fine and it’ll be not all that far from our strongest team, got a feeling Molyneux may get his first start but absolutely no idea who you drop in this team.
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Mitchell will be in for some stick tomorrow, Northampton fans thought he was atrocious for them season before last.
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Mitchell will be in for some stick tomorrow, Northampton fans thought he was atrocious for them season before last.
Every time we’ve given an opposition keeper dogs abuse they’ve gone on to play a blinder, let’s hope the same thing works for us tomorrow
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Would pick North Dakota or North Carolina over North 'ampton though
I'd rather go to the North Pole than Northampton, and I live in the flipping county! Northamptonshire - lovely villages, not so much the towns!
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Went to Kettering v Torquay about 12 years ago and we went into the town. My God. See what you mean about not so much the towns.
Wicksteed Park was ok though a few years back when we took the kid. Not sure what it is like now though.
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Need someone to man mark Hoskins as he is on fire at the .moment.
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Would pick North Dakota or North Carolina over North 'ampton though
I'd rather go to the North Pole than Northampton, and I live in the flipping county! Northamptonshire - lovely villages, not so much the towns!
As the son in law of a resident of Wellingborough, you are completely and utterly correct.