Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on December 23, 2023, 10:15:11 am
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The second of the hard fixtures we have over the Christmas period and we go into the game on a distinct downer with very little hope of players returning from injury in the short term, and are left with a group of players lacking character and the ability to compete against the top sides in this division we play in.
Over the last few years since Moore left us up the Swanee river we have gone through various managers, have brought in a number of different players, coaches , and managers, but there is still a core of players here who are the common denominator, some amazingly here for quite a while still due to contracts, who are patently not good enough, still rule the roost in selection and have been a big corner stone in what is becoming the demise of a good club, a club that now has to change its priorities on the field of play to attract a fast deserting support base that in many cases now just support the club out of habit having been fed dross for three years.
Any hope of challenging the playoffs are barring a miracle surely just dreams and the EFL cup our only hope of salvation if we manage to strengthen over the transfer window.
So on to this game at Notts County that looks like at the moment another game to spoil Christmas, but against a team that set off the season like a house on fire but have slipped back but in Langstaff have a very dangerous goal scorer and with McGoldrick will give our Bill and Ben defence a big problem if not on it.
With Faal now being more closely watched and being picked off as he collects the ball deeper which worked well until teams got wise to it, we are left with very little coming out of midfield offensively and creatively and are consistently poor defensively, a big problem as that part of the game disrupting the other teams flow not on our mid field players agenda by the look of it.
Personally I would play Flint in a defensive mid field role in front of the central defenders which would be a back four. Until Faulkner and Wood are fit we are stuck with what we have got.
So confidence low, form poor, players in the knowledge the manager is actively looking to bring players in to replace them, and a support base more and more disinterested living in hope of better things to come. At the moment it isn't a good look.
Am I going to the game, yes I am hoping we can play well, but not very confident, the next few weeks can't come quick enough when I hope we get some out and new in and our better defenders back from injury.
Lots to discuss, lot's of home truths to put right, a tough game to try and get something out of if we can play well, and some pride to recover, please have your say.
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Sorry lads, in the immortal words of Radio Sheffield it's a moan.
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Third best home record in League Two, only Stockport County (who played two more home games) has won more home games. Only Stockport County and Wrexham have scored more at home. In only 1 home game this season (against Wrexham) has Notts County failed to score.
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Another drubbing same excuses so what only a game of football until we building teams of average non league players it will be like this every season untill we eventually drop down there
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Riot act should of been well and truly delivered after that spectacle last night.
We all know we have injuries and are lacking in key areas, we can accept that and have no issues with things outside of the managers and players control.
What we cant accept is a turgid and pathetic display that we all had to witness, you don't need to be the best players in the league to show some heart and determination to attempt to succeed, when players give less of themselves than should be the absolute minimum then we all have grounds to not accept it.
County will be a difficult game for us, we have every chance of being turned over again, but we also have every chance of the players not feeling sorry for themselves and getting out their and giving their all, after that anything can happen.
Its called having some guts, determination and a resolve top do well, we should try it.
Its all we ask, nothing more, anything after that will be a bonus and a relief.
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No way are we beating county on their turf unless most of that bunch receive a spine and a set of nuts for Xmas.
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There is no set in stone plan, with each new manager it goes off in a different direction. McCann has suddenly adapted what he thinks the teams chances are by saying it’s going to take longer. I understand to a degree but don’t on another. He recruited the players in the summer. He has had a long time to have a way of playing and get players doing what he wants them to.
Some responsibility is on him. Everyone could see we needed solid, reliable players. He thought Wood, would be that, it hasn’t worked out. Sterry has barely played. The kid from Gateshead Bailey is a good signing. Faal and Ironside also. Senior and Nixon are decent players. Lawlor just a cheap signing.
Then you go to others already here. Close top player if on it, but either goes missing or injured. Molyneux top player for Hartlepool, never reproduced it for us. Hurst needs to realise he is a man not a boy any more.
McCann needs to be ruthless, this bunch will cost him his job. The board need to back him for a better quality of player.
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This will be a different game. They have smaller and more technical attacking players. Can’t play Anderson.
Notts are in poor form with 4 losses in their last 5 league games. And we saw their comical “playing out from the back” against Shrewsbury.
I think attack is the best form of defence for us here. Give Mo a rest he has gone completely off the boil.
Perhaps a return to 4-3-3 with an attack of Hurst Ironside Molyneux to press them? We know Bostock is slow as well, with 3 in midfield we can overrun him.
Surely Biggins can’t be picked again despite the injuries. We cannot afford for him to give the ball away every time he gets it against these lot. I would put Flint ahead of him at present.
GK
Sterry
Bailey
Olowu
Senior
Nixon
Close
Rowe
Hurst
Ironside
Molyneux
Picking a team with this mess is really difficult. Thoughts?
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I'd go with
Jones
Bailey Anderson Nixon
Sterry Close Flint Molyneux
Goodman Ironside Hurst
I don't think the players are good enough to be able to switch systems at the drop of a hat. We've played three at the back for so long I think we're stuck with it until the New Year at least.
I'd play Jones. He's have saved all three we conceded against Bradford.
I saw this back three give a solid dogged performance against Tranmere.
Nixon is a good defender but limited further up the pitch. Same applies to Bailey.
Sterry should be able to start a game now.
Flint has got to be better than Biggins and Rowe.
Give Faal a rest and I'd like to see Goodman playing with someone else up front for a change.
I'd play Hurst. I think he's an exciting talent. Get him in and around the penalty box and he'll do some damage.
They're my thoughts anyway.
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I'd go with
Jones
Bailey Anderson Nixon
Sterry Close Flint Molyneux
Goodman Ironside Hurst
I don't think the players are good enough to be able to switch systems at the drop of a hat. We've played three at the back for so long I think we're stuck with it until the New Year at least.
I'd play Jones. He's have saved all three we conceded against Bradford.
I saw this back three give a solid dogged performance against Tranmere.
Nixon is a good defender but limited further up the pitch. Same applies to Bailey.
Sterry should be able to start a game now.
Flint has got to be better than Biggins and Rowe.
Give Faal a rest and I'd like to see Goodman playing with someone else up front for a change.
I'd play Hurst. I think he's an exciting talent. Get him in and around the penalty box and he'll do some damage.
They're my thoughts anyway.
So Nixon is going to be ok up against a 6ft 2in opponent on a set piece.
Sorry we must go to a back 4 we have 4 full backs on our books and we are asking them to play centre back.
It’s madness.
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Playing Full Backs in a back three has been around since Bobby Robson and El Tel did it at Italia 90 and Euro 96. If its good enough for them its good enough for me.
Nixon is allowed to jump you know? He just needs to jump higher than the other guy. :laugh:
Bailey and Rowe are not the tallest but are two of our better headers of the ball, because they time the jump well.
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Faal is not playing badly, just being marked more tightly especially when he drops back into midfield where he is getting tackled when receiving the ball and doubled up on.
A couple of weeks ago he was a youngster not really much danger and not worth special treatment by opposing sides, his goals, and being our best midfielder at the same time with Westbrooke changed all that, and he has to find an answer to being more tightly marked.
He needs to play and work it out himself, and hopefully get a bit more help from those around him in midfield, like finding space for him to pass to when he drops back.
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Playing Full Backs in a back three has been around since Bobby Robson and El Tel did it at Italia 90 and Euro 96. If its good enough for them its good enough for me.
Nixon is allowed to jump you know? He just needs to jump higher than the other guy. :laugh:
Bailey and Rowe are not the tallest but are two of our better headers of the ball, because they time the jump well.
Bailey and Rowe are quite good in the air. Nixon isn’t. He is not a centre back sorry.
Talking about England players playing in a 3 and our players is chalk and cheese.
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County love playing out from the back. Will we have the energy to press them and close them down?
Doubtful as Faal looks Knackered and Ironside can only do so much.
Cannot see anything other than another heavy defeat. 4-1 prediction to County sadly.
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I would go
Jones
Nixon Anderson Rowe
Sterry. Senior
Bailey
Close. Molyneux
Ironside. Faal
I would swap Bailey and Rowe’s positions. I think in this game we need more energy in the midfield. Rowe is a steady defender with plenty of experience . Anderson would be the central piece in the defence, hopefully protected by Bailey in front of him and Rowe and Nixon either side.
The worst thing we can do is go there fearful. County can be got at defensively . We need to go there solid but with some creativeness. It’s important we have both strikers playing as that occupies their defence.
Close and Molyneux have the ability to cause them problems.
When defending you would expect Faal to drop into midfield. For me the defending has to start from the strikers. Ironside and Faal have to be annoying their defence all game.
The full backs would be important in providing crosses. They can afford to go forward as they have the reassurance of three central defenders and Bailey in front of them. You have the creativity of Close and Molyneux. For me this is solid without going gung ho .
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Don't suppose you can get a ticket on the day for this one? Thinking of joining the few 100 going.
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I'd love for GM to spring a suprise & see a change in formation for this game . Pointless playing 3 Cb's every week when we ship goals for fun, having said that we just don't really have the personnel to mix it up. The midfield pairing of Close & Biggins is the one that got overrun pretty much week in week out last season.
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Bailey has to play in midfield
If he is going to be play 3 at the back. Put Nixon at lwb and Sterry at rwb then put Senior left of the 3 with Anderson and Oluwu.
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We are too easy to beat. All they have to do is keep lobbing long balls into our goal area / penalty box and Bob's their uncle. Hard to believe we have not fixed this problem.
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Anyone know how many we've sold for this one?
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Anyone know how many we've sold for this one?
My mate tried buying yesterday and was told it's sold out.
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Anyone know how many we've sold for this one?
My mate tried buying yesterday and was told it's sold out.
I'm sure last day of sale was Friday
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I hate to say it but another stuffing is on the cards, 6-0 against County 4-1 against Mansfield, unless there is a Damascene moment and we learn how to defend!
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We will get blown off the park and convincingly beaten.
My thoughts are with all our travelling fans.
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We haven’t been convincingly beaten away from home since August, so not sure there’s any reason why we should now
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Anyone know how many we've sold for this one?
My mate tried buying yesterday and was told it's sold out.
I rang Notts County for a mate and was told it wasn’t a sell out and they were going to sell tickets on the day. I would advise ringing beforehand to make sure.
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If GM decides a back three then
Lawlor
Olowu. Anderson. Senior
Sterry. Close. Bailey. Nixon
Rowe or Molyneux
Ironside. Faal
Or play a back four
Lawlor
Sterry. Olowu. Anderson. Senior
Bailey
Molyneux. Close. Rowe. Hurst
Ironside
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Fond memories of the City Ground 26th December 2008- Forest 2 Rovers 4 against all the odds and then a brilliant 2nd half of that season to follow!
www.skysports.com/football/nottingham-forest-vs-doncaster-rovers/10758
Apologies no tech skills!
We can do it in the same city all over again- come on Rovers!
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Fond memories of the City Ground 26th December 2008- Forest 2 Rovers 4 against all the odds and then a brilliant 2nd half of that season to follow!
www.skysports.com/football/nottingham-forest-vs-doncaster-rovers/10758
Apologies no tech skills!
We can do it in the same city all over again- come on Rovers!
We have only 6 points more now than we had before that Forest match on Boxing Day 2008
Would not surprise me if we pulled off a 4-2 win tomorrow ( well it would a little ) But it’s not fantasy.
County have remarkably conceded 4 more goals than we have in the league.
If we are up for this game tomorrow then there will be goals in this match for both teams
This is a good time to be playing County. Yes they will be thinking the same of course.
Maybe just maybe history can repeat itself and it’s 2009 again in 2024.
Has anyone put out an S.O.S call for Paul Heffernan.
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They have one of the very best home records in League Two and only Stockport has won more home games. They have scored in every home league game aside from one. Sure we could get a result, but it would be in the face of a strong and consistent record Notts County has at home, and a consistently poor away record for us.
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Fond memories of the City Ground 26th December 2008- Forest 2 Rovers 4 against all the odds and then a brilliant 2nd half of that season to follow!
www.skysports.com/football/nottingham-forest-vs-doncaster-rovers/10758
Apologies no tech skills!
We can do it in the same city all over again- come on Rovers!
Calderwood sacked before we got back to Donny
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They have one of the very best home records in League Two and only Stockport has won more home games. They have scored in every home league game aside from one. Sure we could get a result, but it would be in the face of a strong and consistent record Notts County has at home, and a consistently poor away record for us.
And turning that into a positive for us is Notts County have lost 4 of their last 8 home games including 2 Cup matches.
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True, but we are playing them in League Two. Of those losses mentioned, half were in cup games against sides in the league above them, one of which was against Derby County. The two actual losses in League Two were against Wrexham (only Mansfield Town has lost fewer away games than Wrexham) and Walsall, which admittedly looks a fairly weak result.
So in that run of 8 games cited, the only vague hope is a 2-1 victory for Walsall. The rest of those losses gives no hope, given the opposition. Reminder also that we have the 4th worst away record in League Two.
None of this means we will lose, but the evidence shows they are highly capable of generating points at home, and were are very poor at generating points away.
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We have a number of players like Faulkner and Wood coming back to match fitness and a transfer window that the publicity given by the management indicates we are near and wanting new signings.
If that knowledge does not indicate to the current first team players holding down a place, and inspire them to be at the top of their game and buck up nothing will.
We know and have seen that the majority of players playing the last few games can be far better than the form they have shown in the last few games.
That is desire to be the very best they can be, that comes from within, and that is where we lack character and the mental strength to still put a shift in when not quite at their best, it is called pride in ones self and the area I think we lack in, if it is not easy we collapse. Some want to look at themselves and ask the question do I want to be here for an easy ride or to make something of myself.
There is no way we the supporters should be going anywhere thinking we have no chance in this division.
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Anderson and Olowu start, as do Sterry and Molyneux.
Faal dropped to bench, as is Rowe. Assume Molyneux pushes up next to Ironside.
1.IAN LAWLOR
2. JAMIE STERRY
4. TOM ANDERSON (C)
5. JOSEPH OLOWU
7. LUKE MOLYNEUX
14. HARRISON BIGGINS
16. TOM NIXON
17. OWEN BAILEY
20. JOE IRONSIDE
23. JACK SENIOR
33. BEN CLOSE
SUBS
12. LOUIS JONES
10. TOMMY ROWE
21. KYLE HURST
30. TAVONGA KULEYA
35. JACK GOODMAN
36. MO FAAL
38. WILL FLINT
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Looks like McCann is going with:
Lawlor
Sterry
Olowu
Anderson
Senior
Nixon
Bailey
Biggins
Close
Molyneux
Ironside
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Biggins still starting makes us a man down for 90 minutes, he'll need to hit at least one of his worldies to justify his spot.
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I don't know what the historical record actually is but the impression firmly fixed in my memory is that almost without fail the Rovers put in a boxing-day performance suggesting they celebrated Christmas to the absolute maximum.
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Biggins still starting makes us a man down for 90 minutes, he'll need to hit at least one of his worldies to justify his spot.
Toss up between him and Rowe I guess. I'd have played Faal personally and Molyneux where Biggins is.
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Molyneux was very good in the press early on in the season. That front 2 has a better balance to it until someone else comes in.
Hopefully Biggins has had a massive kick up the backside. His contract is coming up and he’ll be semi-pro soon if he carries on.
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I am afraid another calamatous performance is about to ensue.
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I am afraid another calamatous performance is about to ensue.
Nothing like being positive before kick off
COYR
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Were doing ok but as ever a long ball into the box was very poorly dealt with and 1-0 down.
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We are chasing shadows. I dont call that ok. Its poor
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Were doing ok but as ever a long ball into the box was very poorly dealt with and 1-0 down.
Doing Ok?? Just missed a penalty and true to form within minutes concede . Aren’t creating anything up front , defending deeper and deeper as the half progressed .
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Their second was absolutely pathetic. More risible defending of the very worst kind.
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I really don't know where this club is going apart from back into non-league. Utterly pathetic again. I'm 65, I could do a better job at centre-back than this lot.
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Our Central defenders embarrassing yet again.
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Their second was absolutely pathetic. More risible defending of the very worst kind.
I don’t know what was more amusing… the defending or Anderson pretending to be injured. It’s absolutely pathetic.
Take this back, looks like he’s injured. My apologies to Tom.
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Anderson and olowu :thumbdown:
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We were containing them well for the first 25 minutes. Even the penalty was deserved as we broke well and threatened. Then we collapsed defensively. The guy Nixon is facing is a handful. Problem we have aside from a poor defensive unit is that playing counter attacking football requires an ability to break with pace and that we ain't got.
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County are playing some great balls into the box. If they keep that up this will be five or six nil.
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I'll say it again. That half was worse than anything last year. Absolutely gutless.
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Need Anderson out of this team preferably club
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Not going to alarm anyone but as it stands we are only 5 points off the drop and second bottom Forest Green have a game in hand on us. Only Sutton has a worst goal difference in League Two.
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I’d honestly rip up Olowu’s contract and say thanks for trying but cya later. Anderson would be next as well. Olowu’s only supposed attribute is pace and he turned slower than milk for their 2nd goal. Pathetic.
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County are playing some great balls into the box. If they keep that up this will be five or six nil.
They look a really impressive side. Unbelievable ball retention and quality of ball into the box. High quality football from them.
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It's not just the centre backs. We are inviting crosses in. And watch that second goal again. The space we gave Bostock and Crowley to craft the move.
We haven't got a single mester in the entire side, capable of properly closing down space and just simply working hard like a f**king professional.
It is a total embarrassment. I'd clear the f**king lot out and start again.
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County are playing some great balls into the box. If they keep that up this will be five or six nil.
They look a really impressive side. Unbelievable ball retention and quality of ball into the box. High quality football from them.
Of course they look good. We don't set them any f**king challenge. They have 6 f**king points from the previous 24. We are treating them like they are Barcelona.
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We were containing them well for the first 25 minutes. Even the penalty was deserved as we broke well and threatened. Then we collapsed defensively. The guy Nixon is facing is a handful. Problem we have aside from a poor defensive unit is that playing counter attacking football requires an ability to break with pace and that we ain't got.
That first 25 mins. We gave two unmarked headers on the six yard line. It's a measure of just how shite we are that that is seen as being a promisingly robust period of play.
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Both CH off
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Given how perilous our league position is at present, albeit during a tough run of games, getting this window right is absolutely essential.
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Both CH off
Hopefully the last we’ll see of them this season.
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17 per cent possession in first half.
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Both CH off
I don’t think I’ve ever seen both centre backs hooked at half time
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Both CH off
Senior, Flint and Bailey playing centre backs.
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3-0
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Sterry made a mess of the third goal.
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FGR winning . Just 5 points between them
And rovers and they have a game in hand . I have re assured myself that rovers are safe while ever FGr and Sutton are so crap.
I’m not so sure now .
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That's it, the support has gone. Fans have turned against them now.
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Close another one. This is absolutely template game for him to go missing.
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Lawlorn having a decent game.
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Close another one. This is absolutely template game for him to go missing.
Another corner can’t beat the first man.
Same as Friday night.
I’m sick of them all.
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Close another one. This is absolutely template game for him to go missing.
Another corner can’t beat the first man.
Same as Friday night.
I’m sick of them all.
Out of contract in the summer. Another year for Olowu and Anderson.
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Lawlorn having a decent game.
What are you watching?
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There is only one place we are going if drastic changes are not made. Usually it should be a few in and out in January. I would be looking to do a lot of business in January now.
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Look at our record with and without Close though. He gives us a bit of control. Apparently! He reminds me of a worm! No backbone, no effort when the chips are down, outfought and no character. The quicker we get 90% of the players we had last season out of the club the better.
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The squad is massive. What club in the right mind is going to sign any of our player. It's going to cost a fortune to get rid of alot of players
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County love playing out from the back. Will we have the energy to press them and close them down?
Doubtful as Faal looks Knackered and Ironside can only do so much.
Cannot see anything other than another heavy defeat. 4-1 prediction to County sadly.
So did we press them and get in their faces, or just sit back and invite them on?
Said it before Im amazed Grant is not getting more stick than he is. This is simply not good enough. Most of his signings have been in a dissapointment.
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Mention to the crowd today at meadow lane. 12,700.
That could be rovers at the KM if fortunes were reversed. If only.
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Mention to the crowd today at meadow lane. 12,700.
That could be rovers at the KM if fortunes were reversed. If only.
What would they get in the Championship ?
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Mention to the crowd today at meadow lane. 12,700.
That could be rovers at the KM if fortunes were reversed. If only.
What would they get in the Championship ?
No more than 19,000 as a fact.
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Mention to the crowd today at meadow lane. 12,700.
That could be rovers at the KM if fortunes were reversed. If only.
What would they get in the Championship ?
They have a 20k capacity. So somewhere near that.
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Over a 1000 from Donny
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Over a 1000 from Donny
Loyalty is in the blood … these players need to appreciate that it our shirt they ware and it’s only loaned out !!
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Imagine how many would have gone if we were decent today. I've not been to Mansfield away where it's not been a sell out. Sadly Friday looks very that way.