Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on December 01, 2024, 01:02:24 pm
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After the media attention the game v Kettering Town comes a game that has taken a back seat somewhat, but is no less as important to us, and at a place just as jinxed to us in the past as Harrogate has become, a place we never win at.
I admit the most memorable thing about my past visits is the proximity of the fish and chip shop just across the road, and of course the fish and chips, the rest of the visits distinctly forgettable with a long sad journey home.
On to this game where we will welcome McGrath back into the fold and hopefully we are boyed up by reaching the next round of the FA cup the build up to the Kettering game I am listening to while typing.
Fleetwood meanwhile played yesterday drawing 0-0 against Colchester United moving them up to 12th but with games in hand can possibly get into a play off place.
Yesterdays draw looks like a habit being their 5th in 8 home games with 6 goals and only 5 conceded goals not looking like being exactly flowing for the spectators to watch, despite Caughlan on six goals being in the top twenty division 2 list of top scorers on the same number as Molly so will want watching.
although he was subbed on 77 minutes yesterday.
Their game v Colchester was described as one both sides played not to lose the game, and with only 38 % possession must have been a hard watch for the home fans. Hopefully we can do the same but be more productive.
So a lot for us to deal with including our terrible past record there, pressure of keeping our form up game after game and a tiring game at Kettering on a glue pot, and with what I am watching now we need to stop messing about standing on the ball and getting caught out in poor conditions, and man up it isn't a 4g pitch or a manicured grass pitch, we need to be able to play well in a slug fest.
So what do you think, what team would you play? How would you play?
Lot's to discuss and its now half time at Kettering and we are half way to being the but of jokes again in a cup game, not a surprise to me against this type of team, I hope we come back with a result, but am not confident, and we are probably going to face the same tactics way of playing, we are going to have to adapt quickly.
Please have your say.
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After extra time today, going to need a few changes as there’s going to be a few tired legs come Wednesday evening
COYR
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Sharp must be knackered. Not sure he’s played for more than 60 minutes this season and he’s done double that today.
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All about the recovery now need to use the full squad think will be at least 5 changes
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They have a very odd home record. They've only won twice at home in the league all season and one of those was on the opening game of the season. But they have only lost once as well. They are the second lowest scorers at home in the league (six goals) but have along with Notts County the best defensive record at home in the league (five goals). They've kept five clean sheets out of their eight home league games. They are an exceptionally good defensive unit at home. On paper this should be a real struggle to score.
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It’s a real struggle to score whoever the opposition!
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Difficult to leave Anderson out after today and we were reminded that he is a threat to the opposition in their box at set-pieces.
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I’m looking forward to the game, we’re staying at Blackpool for a couple of nights and I might just see us win at that bogey ground for once.
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The game is on Sky for those who can’t make it
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Would be very surprised if we got anything from this after playing 120 mins yesterday on that surface. Another long trip away. Difficult one
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Play two up front and we will be fine
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I can only see us lose this one. Energy sapping FA Cup game, and a very poor record at their place.
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Play two up front and we will be fine
TSL
Olowu. McGrath. Senior.
Emmanuel Bailey. Kelly. Maxwell
Clifton
Molyneux. Ironside.
Wasn’t sure on the midfield so have just gone with the template.
I think this set up out wide and in attack could cause serious problems. Balls in to the box for Joe and Clifton and the in behind threat of Molyneux. Billy off the bench he’ll be leggy.
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Think we need to use the squad this game. I wouldn’t want to see anyone that played 120 mins on Sunday, start Wednesday. We have a squad, we should trust them and give them the opportunity to start a game. It’s going to be a long haul through December. Now’s the time to trust the squad. I’d bench Sharp, Molly. Bailey,Olowu and Senior.
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Think we need to use the squad this game. I wouldn’t want to see anyone that played 120 mins on Sunday, start Wednesday. We have a squad, we should trust them and give them the opportunity to start a game. It’s going to be a long haul through December. Now’s the time to trust the squad. I’d bench Sharp, Molly. Bailey,Olowu and Senior.
Anderson, TSL ?
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I'd be nervous about too many changes, I'd start strongest and freshen up as legs start to go. There are players I wouldn't trust to come in and have an impact - Close and Yeboah in particular, but I thought Sbarra looked a bit lost yesterday, albeit it wasn't a game suited to his style / strengths. We looked much better playing 3-5-2 yesterday, and I think it'll be a similar type of game so would stick with that formation:
TSL // McGrath / Olowu / Anderson // Emmanuel / Clifton / Bailey / Hurst / Molyneux // Sharp / Ironside
Off the bench - Broadbent, Gibson, Kelly
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This is a ‘big game’ for us coming off the ‘glory’ of a televised FA Cup win.
We need to focus now on what’s important for us, promotion out of this division.
Fleetwood (for whatever reason?) has never been a ‘happy hunting ground’ for us. GM has to pick a team to WIN this fixture, in other words ‘s**t or bust’.
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I’d actually like to see Westbrooke start, he would offer us something different and probably what we’ve been lacking recently
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We need a win, and at a place we have found it difficult to get a result at in the past.
Conditions again will not be ideal, and lessons to learn from the Kettering game are, don't throw the ball inside in your own half in difficult to control conditions, go down the line, don't mess with the ball around your own penalty area, forget about that until the end of February, play as much as you can in their half of the field, especially their area where mistakes will be made, the long ball to run onto with pace in your side is not a crime, shoot when you are clear through on goal, none of those things will end in you being shot.
There endeth today's lesson.
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The way the games are going tonight means we have to start picking up a few wins, not just tomorrow! Grimsby are having a field day!
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We need to create and score tomorrow let’s hope GM gets the start eleven right. The inverted wingers doesn't help which ever centre forward plays. Let’s what formation we play. The midfield will be important as well
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I’m expecting a tough game tomorrow.
I’ve only seen Fleetwood once this season and they looked to have some good players, particularly the number 44 left winger.
They have only lost three times in the league and have played fewer games than everyone else so might be in a false position.
Hopefully the win on Sunday will have instilled some belief back into the lads and we can kick on with another win which will put us back into third place in the table.
Of all the teams around us only MKD and Walsall won so a win for us gives us a two point gain over this round of matches on the rest.
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Yes, we got a taste of ugly football on Sunday and came through it. Got to transfer that same attitude into tomorrow and relish the challenge.
Maybe a back 3 of Anderson, McGrath and Olowu, bring Clifton into midfield for the energy and 'rest' Gibson with Joe and Billy up front.
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Yes, we got a taste of ugly football on Sunday and came through it. Got to transfer that same attitude into tomorrow and relish the challenge.
Maybe a back 3 of Anderson, McGrath and Olowu, bring Clifton into midfield for the energy and 'rest' Gibson with Joe and Billy up front.
That line up would be my preferred base of the team for tomorrow DBR.
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Good time to play Fleetwood.
They’ve only played 1 game in the last 3 weeks so will be a bit rusty.
And they have 3 of their first choice defenders out injured: Wiredu, Holgate and Medley.
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Yes, we got a taste of ugly football on Sunday and came through it. Got to transfer that same attitude into tomorrow and relish the challenge.
Maybe a back 3 of Anderson, McGrath and Olowu, bring Clifton into midfield for the energy and 'rest' Gibson with Joe and Billy up front.
cannot see billy stating after playing 120 minutes on Sunday,Joe upfront with Hurst playing off him
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The way the games are going tonight means we have to start picking up a few wins, not just tomorrow! Grimsby are having a field day!
If you just looked at the Table, you’d say there’s not much between the top 10 or 12 teams in L2. If Fleetwood won their games in hand they’d be just a point behind us. You might also come to the same conclusion if you took Rovers in isolation. Their recent results suggest that they aren’t any better than the teams around them. As people say, we need a win badly. That elusive “potential” needs to become evident. No time for faint hearts.
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The way the games are going tonight means we have to start picking up a few wins, not just tomorrow! Grimsby are having a field day!
If you just looked at the Table, you’d say there’s not much between the top 10 or 12 teams in L2. If Fleetwood won their games in hand they’d be just a point behind us. You might also come to the same conclusion if you took Rovers in isolation. Their recent results suggest that they aren’t any better than the teams around them. As people say, we need a win badly. That elusive “potential” needs to become evident. No time for faint hearts.
Would agree wholeheartedly.
Time we showed our credentials.
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I’m expecting a tough game tomorrow.
I’ve only seen Fleetwood once this season and they looked to have some good players, particularly the number 44 left winger.
They have only lost three times in the league and have played fewer games than everyone else so might be in a false position.
Hopefully the win on Sunday will have instilled some belief back into the lads and we can kick on with another win which will put us back into third place in the table.
Of all the teams around us only MKD and Walsall won so a win for us gives us a two point gain over this round of matches on the rest.
Agreed regarding their winger, has great quality in his crossing, saw him play in their Cup game at Stoke & he led Stoke's right back a merry dance.
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A lot of likely starters that didn't play the full game or at all on Sunday
Ironside, Sterry, Maxwell, Kelly, McGrath, Kelly, Hurst, Clifton
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For me Kelly needs to be stronger in his game at the moment he has been disappointing overall. GM likes him but he’s naive doesn’t move the ball quick enough gets knocked off the ball easily. Technically he’s ok but opposition players run past him easily. We need better in January and he can go back for me. Gibson is just the same he’s definitely not an improvement on Adelakun believes he can beat everyone but runs down blind alleys and can’t cross with his left foot always comes in side. Hurst pace yes but doesn’t have consistency in his game. Molyneux needs to pick up his game he dropped back in form but we know at his best he can score and create. But coming inside alll the time means centre forward who ever it is doesn’t get enough chances. We scored two goals on Saturday from set plays not from open play. So over to Grant to get the best out of these players more attacking options
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Fleetwood ate one of the better sides in the division. Really tough game for us tonight, especially after extra time on Sunday. I’d be pleasantly surprised if we win.
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Is McGrath available tonight then?
I thought the suspension was competition specific. It never used to be but the way people were talking on here a while ago made it sound as though he would be available for Kettering but suspended for Fleetwood.
I just assumed GM’s reason he played Anderson on Sunday was in the main to give him game time for match fitness in readiness for tonight’s game.
Am I wrong it sounds from recent posts that I am wrong.
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A team struggling to score goals against a team with one of the least goals conceded in the division. It has a 0 - 0 written all over it if we defend well.
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Only four teams have conceded less than us.
Stand by for a seven goal thriller then.
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Is McGrath available tonight then?
I thought the suspension was competition specific. It never used to be but the way people were talking on here a while ago made it sound as though he would be available for Kettering but suspended for Fleetwood.
I just assumed GM’s reason he played Anderson on Sunday was in the main to give him game time for match fitness in readiness for tonight’s game.
Am I wrong it sounds from recent posts that I am wrong.
Accumulated booking suspensions are competition specific, whereas red card suspensions are next first team match, whatever competition.
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A team struggling to score goals against a team with one of the least goals conceded in the division. It has a 0 - 0 written all over it if we defend well.
Both teams are struggling to score Fleetwood 20 Doncaster 22 Goals against Fleetwood 15 Doncaster 18
So both teams have got improve in attacking areas and taking chances and continue with defensive actions.
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Surely we are going to get a win on this ground eventually.
Can tonight be the night?
Please please. ;) :) :) :)
We really need to go on a consistent points building run now.
Be on the coat tails of the leaders at least by New Year’s Day and then see the team play to its true potential from January onwards with hopefully only maybe a minor blip or two.
Not asking for much :facepalm: :thumbsup:
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Fleetwood ate one of the better sides in the division. Really tough game for us tonight, especially after extra time on Sunday. I’d be pleasantly surprised if we win.
I know it’s a typo, but you create this amusing picture of rough tough Fleetwood capturing and then devouring a whole League 2 team. How about Port Vale with Mr Moore as a dessert? If it had happened and we could escape their hunger and actually best them, we’d be back in the top 3.
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Hate this fixture. Recall that night when Big Tom got injured and we just went into a horrific demise for the following 3 years.
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Hate this fixture. Recall that night when Big Tom got injured and we just went into a horrific demise for the following 3 years.
I hate it too Prez, but tonight just might be the occasion when we beat the buggers and come away smiling for once.
I live in hope!
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Staying over in Blackpool for work so heading up for this one, new ground for me, fearing the worst but hopefully this is the time we turn it around up there.
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Certainly going to be a wet one
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If we play well we have every chance of getting something from the game. We have a style that puts teams on the back foot when we are at it, but can be a bit of an easy touch, but are getting better at the physical side of the game.
That was always going to happen with a number of players early in their EFL career and still developing. We are a far better side now than at the beginning of the season and make chances up front.
This will be a hard game, if nothing else our past record tells us so, but we have every chance of getting something from the game if we carry a bit of luck.
The biggest difference to this time last season is I have hope before every game, I know we are not going to win every game but we have hope to, that is a big difference in outlook, this time last year I had very little hope and hit rock bottom at Notts County Boxing day when we were very very poor.
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0-1
1-1
1-2
2-2
Terrible defending.
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Both goals through our middle the gap is unbelievable.
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They have a very odd home record. They've only won twice at home in the league all season and one of those was on the opening game of the season. But they have only lost once as well. They are the second lowest scorers at home in the league (six goals) but have along with Notts County the best defensive record at home in the league (five goals). They've kept five clean sheets out of their eight home league games. They are an exceptionally good defensive unit at home. On paper this should be a real struggle to score.
Coming back to this. They had prior to tonight the best home defensive record in this league, conceding only five goals the entire season to date. We have just put three past them in one half of football.
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Make it 4
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Been a right battle, and win or lose we cannot criticize the effort put in it's been a slog and after Sunday a credit to the teams fitness
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Games like today are where the squad depth comes into it. Lot of changes but it’s still a very good team at this level.
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Fantastic performance tonight, never mind about the gripes about defending, Rovers played the conditions better than Fleetwood and deservedly came away with the points. Ironside was outstanding up front tonight, a real P.I.T.A. for Fleetwood and must be completely knackered after that performance, well done Joe m.o.m. for me, and well done the whole team, they all grafted their nuts off for that win.
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Best Performance of the season … Ironside and Sharp both combined together brilliantly in terrible conditions!!
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The big question now is….
Can we follow that with another win on Saturday?
Less time to get ready than Cheltenham have had and there will be some tired limbs after 2 very gritty games.
Fingers are crossed already.
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Never going to be a classic, but hey it was riveting because both sides were bound to make mistakes in those conditions and it was always going to come down who had a bit of luck and took their chances.
Olowu just gets better for me and the old war horse Anderson did his bit, McGrath not at his best but weighed in with a vital goal,and like everyone gave everything.
Its a very well done from me.
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Very hard fought win that, the weather played a big part and the game looked in the balance throughout the match until the own goal after that we managed the game very well.
Thought Sharp should have put us one up after 3 mins, it looked like it could be one of those nights but credit to him he kept battling and got his goal.
Fleetwood looked dangerous every time they broke forward and i feel we did well to keep them to just the two.We had plenty if chances again and with more composed finishing we could of had a hat full. Still that diving header from Bailey was worth the wait. That will be a very tired team tonight but happy in their graft, well done lads. Lets get back on the winning bus.
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What a magnificent performance from every single player .Four goals and the defensive resilience in those final twenty odd minutes was superb .Well done GM for chosing that starting eleven and the substitutions were timely and effective .
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Only four teams have conceded less than us.
Stand by for a seven goal thriller then.
Not far off was I with that.
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Really pleased with that. Awful conditions, on a ground where we have never won, and really battled out a superb victory with some cracking team goals. Was really important to get back to winning ways in the league and back into the top 3. Win on Saturday and we will go 2nd.
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Just a quick word of praise for the faithful who battled the conditions, kept it going all night and pushed the lads on, nice one.
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Can I just add, only saw last 60 mins, credit to the fans. Never stopped singing. Great support
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Excellent win tonight! Salute to our travelling fans!
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Broadbent was very good. Him and Bailey has a much better balance to it.
Notice how Bailey was much improved tonight because he had license to be the all-action box to box player he’s supposed to be, thanks to George sitting in front of the back 4 and keeping it simple.
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So pleased for all the supporters who made their way to the game tonight where in all honesty, youd’ve only made the journey in the hope of getting a game!
Safe journey home lads & lasses.
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The curse has been lifted!
Also MOM performance from Ironside!
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This could be the pivotal match of the season. A game we usually lose, this time we won.
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Great 3 points given the conditions, especially after 120mins on a cow field just a few days ago.
Hopefully we can get a good bit of recovery in now before Saturday. Well done lads, battled hard these past 2 games.
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A great win and a little bit better performance from Sterry
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I just felt it in my bones that Sundays result at Kettering was the catelist for sparking something off. Not entirely different to the Sutton game last season when we were stripped bare and somehow found a way of getting a result.
How we responded after that was always going to be important and we've delivered. I think we now know who's up for the fight and who isn't.
My 90 year old mum said om Sunday at half time, "I'm not wasting my time watching these ponsing about!"
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Great performance, thought we moved the ball forward a lot quicker, battled the conditions well & looked refreshingly clinical in front of goal.
Another mention for Broadbent, who looked composed in that role in front of the defence, would love to see him string a few performances together now.
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The curse has been lifted!
Also MOM performance from Ironside!
The League Two Giroud
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Just back.
Yayyy!! Finally I get to witness a win at Fleetwood, and a well-deserved one at that. All the lads worked so hard in those terrible conditions and we were much the better side. We played like the home team tonight.
Ironside was back to his brilliant best and it was great to see us playing with two up front. Credit to Grant for having the balls to play such an attack-minded formation, especially away from home.
Our support was superb tonight, well done to all who made the trip and got behind the team.
I’m just so bloody chuffed!
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Hope someone took a photo of the scoreboard just to prove we won there
Great performance by the team.
hope everyone had a safe journey home because the roads were horrible but it was worth the risk to see us win there.
Brilliant support well done everyone
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Now THAT was some attacking performance. More please.
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Now THAT was some attacking performance. More please.
Big man, little man.
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Now THAT was some attacking performance. More please.
Big man, little man.
Gaz, I've always thought that we should always play a style for the division we're in.
Schofield got that dramatically wrong. Grant hasn't got much wrong to be fair but for me, the 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 doesn't work in this division.
Everyone is trying to play out from the back but in division 4 it's often pointless because they aren't good enough to do it.
Billy sharp said on Sunday what I've been saying all season that having ironside up front with him takes a centre half off him and gives him more space.
Both strikers have been too isolated up to now.
I hope he continues with two up top, Ironside and Sharp puts the serious shitters on the opposition.
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Strange that there was only one ‘winger’ in our side and he played central. On paper, you would have thought that was quite a defensive line-up, not an attacking one!
Has GM unlocked his best ‘away’ side?
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Sterry and Maxwell are both wing backs, not full backs. On some days, basically wingers. They are your width in those games.
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Playing Left-footed Molyneux on the right-wing, and right-footed Gibson on the left-wing means they often bring the ball inside onto their preferred foot, leaving our striker(s) invariably with their back to the goal.
In my opinion, purely as an unqualified observer, that has been the problem.
Sharp and Ironside should be tearing up this league.
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Thought we played well and battled hard - we were quicker with the ball and more direct, basically bypassing the “midfield” a lot of the time. The flip side of not having much of a midfield is that we were wide open a lot of the time (including both goals). Think there’s still a balance to be found but us basically having 3 very good players up front worked very well last night - we looked so threatening attacking and their defence (great record but underlying numbers aren’t quite so good) just couldn’t handle it.
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What was the official away attendance last night?
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At last a win at Fleetwood and 4 goals
Good performance in difficult conditions
That should give confidence and belief to the players if there was any missing before.
Big 3 points which we need to follow up on Sat with another 3 points.
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Thought Joe Olowu was superb again last night.
The run & cross he put in for the 3rd goal was perfectly weighted to the perfect area. He’s looking more assured taking the ball forward this season & that little initial burst of pace he has as he carries the ball over the half way line seems to take opposing midfielders by surprise almost as he glides past them.
That assist last night will have done his confidence to initiate attacks no harm at all.
I wonder if Billy gave Kyle a shout when Kyle dummied the ball & let it through to Sharp? If not, there’s real awareness right there about where your attacking ‘partners’ are.
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Now THAT was some attacking performance. More please.
Big man, little man.
Gaz, I've always thought that we should always play a style for the division we're in.
Schofield got that dramatically wrong. Grant hasn't got much wrong to be fair but for me, the 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 doesn't work in this division.
Everyone is trying to play out from the back but in division 4 it's often pointless because they aren't good enough to do it.
Billy sharp said on Sunday what I've been saying all season that having ironside up front with him takes a centre half off him and gives him more space.
Both strikers have been too isolated up to now.
I hope he continues with two up top, Ironside and Sharp puts the serious shitters on the opposition.
Agreed. We have to start with this formation at home in this league, take the game to the opposition & put them on the back foot. Several times at home we have offered the initiative to opponents, especially first half. We can't keep waiting & hoping for a worldy from our wide players, need to be more proactive than reactive. Great win & well done to everyone, players, management & our supporters.
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Easy for everyone to say we need to play this formation every game, but we've got a 38 year old Sharp and 31 year old Ironside, playing Sunday - Wednesday - Saturday.. it's not going to happen.
Maybe losing Miller has hurt us more than we realised, we lack another good striker outside of Sharp and Ironside.
If we are going to play 2 up top more often we need another all out striker in January.
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There is nothing wrong with the long ball game when it consists of TSL pin pointing Ironside with Sharp and Hurst hunting the second ball from Joe .TSL nearly got his first goal ( to boot) .
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Fleetwood first goal was offside also....
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Saw that at the time. Miles offside. The lino even had the edge of the box to help him out. Thought at that point it would be another one of those games, delighted to be wrong though!
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It all comes down to decision making by the players, there are times to go long and times to play it short.
If anything is missing it is that mid field general a couple of divisions up in class that can dictate play.
As it is we have a number of good players in there who are slowly getting more consistent and are improving, Hurst is now looking like he can graduate from a winger to a No10 the position we brought Louis Marsh in for last season so another brick in the wall. Kelly is young and gifted with energy and again is getting better and others like Broadbent have promise that comes to the top at times but need to be more consistent but are gifted players who will get better.
All have shown they will do the hard miles the last two games with everything against them, the weather away form home and pitch conditions not the best to play on and the worst some of them have ever played on if coming through all the way in academies that don't prepare them for pitches and playing styles like Kettering posed.
So a very very well done, and now on to the next game which again will not be easy in not ideal but better surroundings and the reality that you are only as good as your next game, and we need to go again and find a way to win a football match and do whatever we have to do.
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It all comes down to decision making by the players, there are times to go long and times to play it short.
If anything is missing it is that mid field general a couple of divisions up in class that can dictate play.
As it is we have a number of good players in there who are slowly getting more consistent and are improving, Hurst is now looking like he can graduate from a winger to a No10 the position we brought Louis Marsh in for last season so another brick in the wall. Kelly is young and gifted with energy and again is getting better and others like Broadbent have promise that comes to the top at times but need to be more consistent but are gifted players who will get better.
All have shown they will do the hard miles the last two games with everything against them, the weather away form home and pitch conditions not the best to play on and the worst some of them have ever played on if coming through all the way in academies that don't prepare them for pitches and playing styles like Kettering posed.
So a very very well done, and now on to the next game which again will not be easy in not ideal but better surroundings and the reality that you are only as good as your next game, and we need to go again and find a way to win a football match and do whatever we have to do.
Yes agree about Hurst and Broadbent. There were so many other pleasing aspects of last night's performance which most have already mentioned but, one thing struck me was Ironside trying to get free from his marker, rather than backing in. He's such a better footballer when he lays the ball off quicker having got a yard of space. This opens things up so much more, particularly with Sharp and Hurst taking up intelligent positions between or around them.
Generally there was less fannying around and we got good deliveries into the box which shows don't necessarily need the inverted wingers to provide the danger.
Of course we would love to see this type of performance at home and hopefully we will but it's a different mindset at home. There's probably more fear of making mistakes in front of a home crowd which can make that extra yard difference in decision making. Playing three at the back his a higher risk strategy so the three centre halves have to be totally switched on. We have the pace in Olowu and McGrath to do it but they have to be fully committed and communicate. Then of course, our opposition has to Co operate with the game plan, which doesn't always happen when teams can play with a bit more freedom away from home.
If we're brave enough, and smart enough, we can as long as we fans tolerate the risks.
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The weakness we have with three at the back is apart from Olowu a lack of pace, the ball straight down the middle caught us out again, and chasing defenders were left behind by the player carrying the ball and lost ground on him.
We might get away with it this season, it will be harder next season if we are lucky enough to go up as generally from our own experience strikers are a lot sharper in division1.
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The weakness we have with three at the back is apart from Olowu a lack of pace, the ball straight down the middle caught us out again, and chasing defenders were left behind by the player carrying the ball and lost ground on him.
We might get away with it this season, it will be harder next season if we are lucky enough to go up as generally from our own experience strikers are a lot sharper in division1.
Not when we have our first choice back 3.
Olowu. McGrath. Senior.
Senior’s performance levels have been way above Anderson this year.
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It looked as though McGrath and Maxwell were blaming each other for their second goal. I am not sure who was at fault but Maxwell still looks a bit off it to me.
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Watching last night I couldn't understand what Maxwell was doing for thst 2nd goal. Play was over on our right Maxwell should have been tucking in but for some reason before the through ball was played he started moving away from where he should have been then attempted the forlorn chase back.
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It looked as though McGrath and Maxwell were blaming each other for their second goal. I am not sure who was at fault but Maxwell still looks a bit off it to me.
Defenders, and especially keepers, always look to blame someone else when a goal is scored.
As for who was at fault anyway, the through ball was brilliantly played and the finish was very clever.
Most times the striker would shoot across the keeper and TSL would have been expecting that so the shot to the nearer side would have surprised him.
Had we scored that one we would all have been praising the pass and the finish.
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Watching last night I couldn't understand what Maxwell was doing for thst 2nd goal. Play was over on our right Maxwell should have been tucking in but for some reason before the through ball was played he started moving away from where he should have been then attempted the forlorn chase back.
As an orthodox full back, when possession turns over, the first instinct is to drop into your normal position so you cover your wing but in that split second when he dropped the wrong direction, as soon as the ball is played, he's toast. It just comes through experience developing different instincts.
We're going to have to take these risks though if we want to play that way at home.
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The weakness we have with three at the back is apart from Olowu a lack of pace, the ball straight down the middle caught us out again, and chasing defenders were left behind by the player carrying the ball and lost ground on him.
We might get away with it this season, it will be harder next season if we are lucky enough to go up as generally from our own experience strikers are a lot sharper in division1.
Not when we have our first choice back 3.
Olowu. McGrath. Senior.
Senior’s performance levels have been way above Anderson this year.
This would be my first choice, I really like Senior but I’m not convinced that he’s above Anderson in the pecking order.
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It looked as though McGrath and Maxwell were blaming each other for their second goal. I am not sure who was at fault but Maxwell still looks a bit off it to me.
Quite noticeable about Maxwell still being a bit off, he's never been the most solid of defenders and his game is more suited to a wing back role. Lets hope the game time is allowing him to get back to his previous level which was very good.
Their second goal, McGrath was very deep, well behind the rest of the back 4, Maxwell does start to pull towards the left and a gap appears that lets the striker run onto the through ball, Could McGrath had been up in the line and on the strikers shoulder would it have prevented the goal? or was it just a very good through ball for him to run onto?
Their first goal was a good metre offside, how the officials got that one wrong does leave cause for concern with some of the lower league officials.
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Strange that there was only one ‘winger’ in our side and he played central. On paper, you would have thought that was quite a defensive line-up, not an attacking one!
Has GM unlocked his best ‘away’ side?
It works because Hurst drifts around so much. The defenders never know where he is going to pop up.
With the more rigid 2 wing set up that we've persisted with, opponents find it easier to double up on the attacking threat.
I think we have to be less rigid than we've been most of the season
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The weakness we have with three at the back is apart from Olowu a lack of pace, the ball straight down the middle caught us out again, and chasing defenders were left behind by the player carrying the ball and lost ground on him.
We might get away with it this season, it will be harder next season if we are lucky enough to go up as generally from our own experience strikers are a lot sharper in division1.
Not when we have our first choice back 3.
Olowu. McGrath. Senior.
Senior’s performance levels have been way above Anderson this year.
This would be my first choice, I really like Senior but I’m not convinced that he’s above Anderson in the pecking order.
It should be pretty obvious to McCann.
That's the first league game since Chesterfield at home where we've conceded more than 1 goal - when Anderson last started.
He comes back in to the the starting line up last night and lo and behold the defence is all over the place and we concede 2.
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Their 1st offside goal, was it anything to do with McGrath making a meaningfull attempt to play the ball. I remember a situation Liverpool v Spurs a while back, Kane was yards offside but Lovran made an attempt to block the pass which simply diverted to Kane who then scored.
Anyone clued up on the offside rule thiis season?
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Strange that there was only one ‘winger’ in our side and he played central. On paper, you would have thought that was quite a defensive line-up, not an attacking one!
Has GM unlocked his best ‘away’ side?
It works because Hurst drifts around so much. The defenders never know where he is going to pop up.
With the more rigid 2 wing set up that we've persisted with, opponents find it easier to double up on the attacking threat.
I think we have to be less rigid than we've been most of the season
Just about everyone I know, that watches us regularly, have all said the same thing, that is playing Mols & Gibbo on their opposite wings is just strangling our strikers space. It’s been said on this forum numerous times, also.
Nothing against either lads mentioned, it just comes down to variation and giving the opposition something else to think about. Swap them around and if that doesn’t work, bring on someone different. We have more options than most others in this league, we have to use them.
Who’d have thought we could have scored 4 and not had either Mols or Gibbo on the pitch?
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Their 1st offside goal, was it anything to do with McGrath making a meaningfull attempt to play the ball. I remember a situation Liverpool v Spurs a while back, Kane was yards offside but Lovran made an attempt to block the pass which simply diverted to Kane who then scored.
Anyone clued up on the offside rule thiis season?
I said exactly this last night, he was clearly offside but if it clipped off McGrath does it make any odds these days? I have no idea tbh, I'm not convinced the officials were sure either, it looked to me like the ref was sure it was offside too, I've never seen such a conversation during a goal celebration.
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Fleetwood first goal was offside also....
Obviously offside at the time. The ref even went over to the lino before they kicked back off to double check after fierce protests by our players. The ref realised there had probably been a f**k up but the lino stuck to his decision. One of the worst offside decisions I’ve seen live. Blatantly obvious he was off.
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I think some people are being over critical of last night's defensive display. In horrendous conditions away from home, we technically only conceded one goal. The first goal was a yard offside, and an embarrassing decision by the linesman. Also, the shot was not only a deflection, it was a double deflection.
There's no way I'd regard that as a genuine goal conceded by our defence.
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I think some people are being over critical of last night's defensive display. In horrendous conditions away from home, we technically only conceded one goal. The first goal was a yard offside, and an embarrassing decision by the linesman. Also, the shot was not only a deflection, it was a double deflection.
There's no way I'd regard that as a genuine goal conceded by our defence.
Agree with that SS
Some of the criticism of Tom Anderson is not justified. We know he is not quick. He never has been has he.
He was outstanding on Sunday at Kettering and did a very good job last night in horrible conditions for defenders.
Providing he has someone quick next to him and with Joe & Jay both playing he has 2 of them then there is no problem imo.
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The weakness we have with three at the back is apart from Olowu a lack of pace, the ball straight down the middle caught us out again, and chasing defenders were left behind by the player carrying the ball and lost ground on him.
We might get away with it this season, it will be harder next season if we are lucky enough to go up as generally from our own experience strikers are a lot sharper in division1.
Not when we have our first choice back 3.
Olowu. McGrath. Senior.
Senior’s performance levels have been way above Anderson this year.
This would be my first choice, I really like Senior but I’m not convinced that he’s above Anderson in the pecking order.
Depends on the opposition and their strengths. If we need the physicality and ball winning ability in the air then Tom wins it over Senior hands down. Jack obviously is better on the deck but he is more a left back than a Centre back against most teams in this league. 100% imo.
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Big shout out to the Highbury Chippy as well great bit of snap
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The weakness we have with three at the back is apart from Olowu a lack of pace, the ball straight down the middle caught us out again, and chasing defenders were left behind by the player carrying the ball and lost ground on him.
We might get away with it this season, it will be harder next season if we are lucky enough to go up as generally from our own experience strikers are a lot sharper in division1.
Not when we have our first choice back 3.
Olowu. McGrath. Senior.
Senior’s performance levels have been way above Anderson this year.
This would be my first choice, I really like Senior but I’m not convinced that he’s above Anderson in the pecking order.
Depends on the opposition and their strengths. If we need the physicality and ball winning ability in the air then Tom wins it over Senior hands down. Jack obviously is better on the deck but he is more a left back than a Centre back against most teams in this league. 100% imo.
All 3 of McGrath, Olowu and Senior are good in the air Camps so I’d argue you only really need Big Tom against the very biggest and strongest strikers in this league.
Yes Tom is the best in the air, but I feel like his that isn’t enough to offset his scary lack of pace, particularly because McGrath at LCB isn’t exactly quick either.
Jack’s recent performances at LCB have been superb. He’s a warrior.
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I did fear the worst when Tom picked up the early yellow, in those conditions you'd have thought Fleetwood would have targeted getting him the second in the same way, he got proper skinned.
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Fleetwood first goal was offside also....
Obviously offside at the time. The ref even went over to the lino before they kicked back off to double check after fierce protests by our players. The ref realised there had probably been a f**k up but the lino stuck to his decision. One of the worst offside decisions I’ve seen live. Blatantly obvious he was off.
Gloriously tinpot. EFL totally unbeaten. Only one step up from the goal that was disallowed because the ref thought it went through the side netting.
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I’ll tell you what was tinpot, that horrible goal music they had, what on earth was that!
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I’ll tell you what was tinpot, that horrible goal music they had, what on earth was that!
I think I recognise it. :blush:
If I am right it is a slightly jazzed up version of traditional Irish dance music by Dean Crouch. My daughter used to dance competitively in the noughties, and it was played quite often at competitions (feisana) because everyone was tired of dancing/listening to the same decades old standard versions. I actually quite liked it because it was that bit different. :)
Not exactly a suitable goal celebration unless their side is full of Irish players. If they keep on playing it they need to get their players doing a proper dance to it :lol: :lol:
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I thought it sounded like the Captain Pugwash tune.
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I thought it sounded like the Captain Pugwash tune.
Just played the Captain Pugwash tune - I didn't know it. It certainly sounds like Irish dance music, so you are probably right. It would make far more sense.
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For what it's worth Wikipedia confirms it's the Pugwash theme used by Fleetwood FC.
"For the colour Captain Pugwash episodes, a new recording of the "Trumpet Hornpipe" was commissioned from Johnny Pearson in 1973. This version used accordion, bass and acoustic guitar, and the finished piece was retitled "Shipshape".[11] The recording was published by KPM and was later added to the KPM Recorded Music Library which gave Pearson the composer credit.[15] Pearson’s arrangement of the theme is also used as the goal theme for Fleetwood Town FC."
BobG