Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on August 31, 2025, 03:30:56 pm
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The second game this week in the triple home game run is against a team we are now regular cup adversaries with at both first team and u21s level unfortunately at home and not their new state of the art stadium that looks absolutely fantastic that a lot of our supporters would have been pleased to visit for the first time.
Their u21s play in the premier league 2 starting off with a 1-0 win against Blackburn and losing 3-4 to Fulham in their second game, and lost 2-1 to Norwich in their last game. They of course can be strengthened by including older players for game time and will be no push overs whatever team they turn out, and look like a big club slowly getting their act together.
The squad published has quite a number young 18 year old first year pros in it so results in their competition will not be their main requirement, bringing players through more of a ambition and no doubt a number of older players out on loan.
So interesting, not everyone's cup of tea, but to be honest the competition with the FA cup that kept the interest of our supporters right to the February upturn in league performances last season.
It's a chance for minutes for fringe players of ours, and with our big squad staying in the competition could be very important as the season progresses for match readiness and needs to be treated with respect.
The big game however that will overshadow it is the game against Bradford City who will come here next Saturday seeking revenge for the way we gave them a couple of drubbings and upset them and the Yorkshire Post correspondent by actually becoming Champions on the last day of the season.
So the contest resumes once again next weekend with the old saying they have never lost until the game is won ringing in both clubs ears this game a long way off the end result but no less important. its already a top of the early table clash with Bradford, Barnsley, Doncaster and Huddersfield making up the four at present play off positions imagine the interest locally that would generate next April and May if it stayed like that, half the county wouldn't talk to the other for weeks.
Both sides have added to their squads from last season Billy Pointon at Bradford and Bailey for us the poster boys for both sides Pointon the star of their very good u18s side just a few years ago.
A lot on the game and hopefully the occasion like last season gets to the Bradford side and they once again implode against us again and lose their heads.
Joe Wright will most likely start for them after his holiday in Scotland after leaving us and I expect a much tougher challenge than yesterday both Physically and ability wise and a chance of Brad Halliday also retuning to his old stamping ground.
Not an easy result to call, hopefully we will get a result but will really have to be on it from the off, be defensively tight, and play the game not the occasion, and stick to doing what we do well.
What are your thoughts? will we make changes? will Molly be fit? Could we see the new striker? will we have lost anyone? what team would you pick? lots to talk about Lots to discuss about both games can someone play that well Tuesday to force his way into the managers thoughts? please have your say
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Chance to utilise the large squad everyone is moaning about.
It's a great set up we have and that squad used for the Everton game again will give us the freshness for a starting 11 and also keep the others match fit.
Bradford.... yet another cracking tough game
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I’m not fussed about the cup game so great for the squad players to get some action. As for Bradford, I expect that will be a tough encounter, and I for one will be content with a fighting draw to maintain 2ppg.
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Surely GM will give Olusanya a runout on Tuesday to get him up and running.
Let's just hope Luke is fit for Saturday.
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On Tuesday I would have thought that Lawlor, Grehan, McGrath, Ironside, Close, Sbarra, Westbrooke, Crew, Ajayi, Hanlon, along with Olusanya could all do with game time and be considered if still here after the close of the transfer window at 7 pm tomorrow evening, and is not a bad core of a side with one or two additions especially a couple of full backs.
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With the strength in depth we have we should really be looking at winning the old JPT this year.
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Maybe Sterry too gets a run out in his mask.
I wonder if McCann might also use the opportunity v Everton to try 5 at the back at some point as I don't think we've seen much of it yet and maybe try two up top with Hanlon or Ironside with Mr T.
Bradford seem to have stepped up a bit since last season, although they were gifted the winner on Saturday. Another team who heavily bombard the box with crosses, picking up more than their fair share of second balls too. They're going to be a handful bit surely, we can't let Joe Wright and Brad Haliday get one over us?. Hopefully, we can exploit their defensive weaknesses. We can't afford to give them too many free hits with cheap free kicks.
I'm glad we get both games against them out of the way very quickly.
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Will Sterry be the beauty or the beast?
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Bradford are in very good form. They have this season beaten both Blackburn and Stoke away in the League Cup, and Stockport away in the league. Of their 6 league games this season they have won 4 and drawn 2, and remain unbeaten this season. They do concede though and have managed only a single clean sheet, against Northampton Town. Would suspect this is going to be a very tough game for us, on form at least.
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Bradford are in very good form. They have this season beaten both Blackburn and Stoke away in the League Cup, and Stockport away in the league. Of their 6 league games this season they have won 4 and drawn 2, and remain unbeaten this season. They do concede though and have managed only a single clean sheet, against Northampton Town. Would suspect this is going to be a very tough game for us, on form at least.
All runs come to an end.
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Our fans just need to make more noise on the East and West flanks to counter the Bradford North Bank .
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Just noticed, due to the international break for some teams, should we win on Saturday, we will be joint top of the league!!
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On Tuesday I would have thought that Lawlor, Grehan, McGrath, Ironside, Close, Sbarra, Westbrooke, Crew, Ajayi, Hanlon, along with Olusanya could all do with game time and be considered if still here after the close of the transfer window at 7 pm tomorrow evening, and is not a bad core of a side with one or two additions especially a couple of full backs.
Grehan and Crew won’t be available on Tuesday as their games internationally are 4th September
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On Tuesday I would have thought that Lawlor, Grehan, McGrath, Ironside, Close, Sbarra, Westbrooke, Crew, Ajayi, Hanlon, along with Olusanya could all do with game time and be considered if still here after the close of the transfer window at 7 pm tomorrow evening, and is not a bad core of a side with one or two additions especially a couple of full backs.
Lawlor
Sterry ??CH. McGrath Senior
Close Westbrooke
Sbarra
Ajayi. Ironside Gibson
Unless any of Westbrooke Ironside or Sbarra leave today
Also Hanlan and will Olusanya be available
Also any young professionals to be added
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There’s Williams, Flint, Hurst, Sam S-B all out on loan to non league clubs?
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There’s Williams, Flint, Hurst, Sam S-B all out on loan to non league clubs?
Gateshead play on Wednesday Peterborough Sports play Tuesday Flint Hurst SSB wont be available I’m not sure they can though they are not short term loans
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Just watched Cliffs pre game interview for the Everton u21 game. Talking about recruitment, staff and the club building for the future and not just the short term. It really gives a good vibe and assurance that the club is in a good place at the moment. Long May it continue .
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I’d be starting Hanlan against Everton U21s. Once he scores and breaks that duck, I think the confidence will flow and the goals will follow.
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Lawlor
Sterry
Grehan
McGrath
Senior
Close
Westbrooke
Sbarra
Ajayi
Hanlan
Middleton
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Lawlor
Sterry
Grehan
McGrath
Senior
Close
Westbrooke
Sbarra
Ajayi
Hanlan
Middleton
Chris Grehan can’t play as he is in U21 Ireland squad that play Thursday so we will have play either ORiordon or Pearson or a young CH
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That's a good point! Probably Pearson you would imagine then.
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Some of them who will play have been known to be players we would let out on loan or even a permanent transfer for three or four transfer windows.
Makes you wonder why?
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Is Westbrooke fit? Can’t work out what’s going on with him. Not made any squad so far this season?
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Is Westbrooke fit? Can’t work out what’s going on with him. Not made any squad so far this season?
I think he's been on the bench once or twice.
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He has, and we may need him should we progress in this competition, suffer injuries, suspensions etc..
There’s no point having a squad of only 20 players where they all get in the squad regularly.
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We are presently in three competitions therefore with 2monthly international breaks and injuries and suspensions we need the squad we have if we want to rest players. Westbrooke and Sbarra and probably Close won’t get many games along with defenders but we need the squad. Only extras are recalling the loan players or getting free agents.
Lincoln have just signed 4 players in the last 2 days. Bradford signed 2 we need the squad let’s get use to it.
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Is Westbrooke fit? Can’t work out what’s going on with him. Not made any squad so far this season?
I think he's been on the bench once or twice.
You would assume (given he’s still here) he must be in Grant’s plans at some point? Unless Grant wanted to move him on but couldn’t. Just his lack of minutes seems odd especially when we’re clearly playing a second/different team in the league cup.
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Is Westbrooke fit? Can’t work out what’s going on with him. Not made any squad so far this season?
I think he's been on the bench once or twice.
You would assume (given he’s still here) he must be in Grant’s plans at some point? Unless Grant wanted to move him on but couldn’t. Just his lack of minutes seems odd especially when we’re clearly playing a second/different team in the league cup.
He's versatile. He can play in every midfield position including the anchor role currently occupied by Broadbent. He even played full back last season in a match. He contributed to those two vital wins v Bradford and Notts Co, when he nearly put the icing on the cake when put through on goal with a great run from the half way line.
With Gotts currently out, I guess he's nearer the first XI with Close and Sbarra depending how McCann sees each game.
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Was just looking at the odds to win the cup we are 40/1 with are strength in depth they seem quite good odds
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Everything the FA can do to get the Lutons, Plymouth, Bradford etc to the final will be done.
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Everything the FA can do to get the Lutons, Plymouth, Bradford etc to the final will be done.
maybe but Grimsby have been fined 20k for fielding an illegal player against Man united instead of been kicked out of the competition
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Everything the FA can do to get the Lutons, Plymouth, Bradford etc to the final will be done.
Such as what.?
Please expand..
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Westbrooke not in the squad again for Everton under 21s.
Lawler
Sterry
O’Riordan
McGrath
Senior
Close
Sbarra
Clifton
Ajayi
Hanlan
Olusanya
Subs:
Middleton
Bryant
Glaves
Cashmore
Hodgett
Musgrave-Dore
Murray
Must admit not sure who some of the subs are.
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u18s
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I looks like Olusanya's on the wing.
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Westbrooke not in the squad again for Everton under 21s.
Lawler
Sterry
O’Riordan
McGrath
Senior
Close
Sbarra
Clifton
Ajayi
Hanlan
Olusanya
Subs:
Middleton
Bryant
Glaves
Cashmore
Hodgett
Musgrave-Dore
Murray
Must admit not sure who some of the subs are.
If he isnt injured and cannot get into this matchday squad then i dont think we will see him play for us again.
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I looks like Olusanya's on the wing.
I think Hanlon will start on the wing
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Westbrooke not in the squad again for Everton under 21s.
Lawler
Sterry
O’Riordan
McGrath
Senior
Close
Sbarra
Clifton
Ajayi
Hanlan
Olusanya
Subs:
Middleton
Bryant
Glaves
Cashmore
Hodgett
Musgrave-Dore
Murray
Must admit not sure who some of the subs are.
If he isnt injured and cannot get into this matchday squad then i dont think we will see him play for us again.
Either injured or possible loan to NL?
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I looks like Olusanya's on the wing.
I think Hanlon will start on the wing
I hope he does. I’d like to see him there.
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I looks like Olusanya's on the wing.
I think Hanlon will start on the wing
I hope he does. I’d like to see him there.
Yes, that would be interesting, and I think we all want to see how Olusanya performs as a striker.
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I guess Hanlan will lead the line but both Ajayi & Ti will get in close support and rotate. We may get the width from Senior and Sterry
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Hanlannnnn! Get in.
Didn't realise Everton were playing the England goalie!
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Hopefully that goal will see him kick on this season.!
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New lad looks lively..
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Hanlan playing well and looking likely to add to his earlier goal.
Olusanya starting to grow in confidence and also working hard up and down the left side.
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Everything the FA can do to get the Lutons, Plymouth, Bradford etc to the final will be done.
What a weird thing to say, it’s an EFL competition not an FA one so they would struggle to influence it in any fashion.
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Everything the FA can do to get the Lutons, Plymouth, Bradford etc to the final will be done.
What a weird thing to say, it’s an EFL competition not an FA one so they would struggle to influence it in any fashion.
Yep, that and an accusatory statement with no evidence to back it up. I’d like to know what the arguments are, or is it just a conspiracy theory.?
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Does make you question why, watching this game with zero atmosphere, low crowds, and U21 teams involved. I know there are benefits, but the Vertu Trophy??!! Surely there could be a better approach than this
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Any ideas about the nature of Hanlans injury forcing him off?
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Does make you question why, watching this game with zero atmosphere, low crowds, and U21 teams involved. I know there are benefits, but the Vertu Trophy??!! Surely there could be a better approach than this
Getting rid of the u21 teams would get this supporter back in the ground for a start.
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Everything the FA can do to get the Lutons, Plymouth, Bradford etc to the final will be done.
What a weird thing to say, it’s an EFL competition not an FA one so they would struggle to influence it in any fashion.
Yep, that and an accusatory statement with no evidence to back it up. I’d like to know what the arguments are, or is it just a conspiracy theory.?
Obviously Bobby not getting in the England squad hasn’t gone down well.
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Can we stop the petty bickering and hi jacking the thread please.
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Replacing half the team with kids is not right at only a one nil lead.ffs
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Why not give them some opportunity.?
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2-1 Rovers
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Replacing half the team with kids is not right at only a one nil lead.ffs
Its the vertu trophy, dont think grant would lose sleep over it
And if we cant play our kids against other kids, then when can we
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Get in Joe, funny old thing….
When you shoot you might score!
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Replacing half the team with kids is not right at only a one nil lead.ffs
It’s definitely right. We have already lost Hanlan for the weekend by the looks of it and definitely don’t need to pick up injuries to any other first team players in a worthless competition
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Kids have done well. Give them a chance and see what they do
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Grants has more faith in the kids than some eh?
Well done kids
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The goalscorer for everton justin clarke looked decent.
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Assist for Musgrave Dore on his debut too.
Hanlan limping quite badly.
Might not be fit for Saturday.
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Pleased to see those two score after all the stick they've had. Can only help their confidence.
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TBF, the kids did nowt wrong, but were a level or three under the Everton lads.... Lots of effort out there and pretty entertaining... Good win in the end.
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That's another £30k in the pot.
£20k for entry and £10k for tonight's win.
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Was it a non-contact injury with Hanlan?
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Andy Cooke comes off the bench for Bradford after being out for 244 days and scores with a typical Cooke header after 10 mins.
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Was it a non-contact injury with Hanlan?
Not sure why, but I read that as non contract.... :s
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It looked serious enough to keep him out on sat.
Whats the odds eh, JI off just when we could have done with him!
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Was it a non-contact injury with Hanlan?
Looked that way to me.
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Symptomatic of our season so far, a failure to capitalise on all the chances in that first half could have cost us, thankfully it never.
Gutted for Hanlan gets his goal, looked lively (albeit against U21s) and looked to be enjoying the game.
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He felt his knee (I think) about 10 mins before he went off. He carried on and seemed ok. Possible that he got a different injury that forced him off but I don’t think so.
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It was his left knee which is the one he had the ACL injury on.
I'm wondering if his issues this yr are mental more than physical. I've read of players struggling with battles in their heads after significant injuries. I never played at a high enough level to experience it personally.
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Andy Cooke comes off the bench for Bradford after being out for 244 days and scores with a typical Cooke header after 10 mins.
And another for Cooke to probably win it....
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Cooke scores the winner in the 95th min with another trademark header.
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It looked like a quad muscle problem
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This is perfectly timed. Cook playing is never good for them. He makes them a worse team. Back to fitness just in time for Saturday.
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This is perfectly timed. Cook playing is never good for them. He makes them a worse team. Back to fitness just in time for Saturday.
Yeah but short term guaranteed to score against us coming off the bench this Saturday.
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It looked like a quad muscle problem
Hope you are right. A quad would probably be better than a knee.
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Does make you question why, watching this game with zero atmosphere, low crowds, and U21 teams involved. I know there are benefits, but the Vertu Trophy??!! Surely there could be a better approach than this
Getting rid of the u21 teams would get this supporter back in the ground for a start.
I used to think the same prior to them joining. Historically attendances have always been low in this tournament and especially early everyone see’s it more of a burden and a chance to give fringe players a game. I did think it would destroy the competition if an u21 side won it but the reality is most u21 sides are pretty bad. You only have to look at the results tonight. Newcastle done for 6. Liverpool/fulham/leeds/wolves all beaten too. Apart from the odd couple of players most of them probably wouldn’t get in a national league side.
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It was his left knee which is the one he had the ACL injury on.
I'm wondering if his issues this yr are mental more than physical. I've read of players struggling with battles in their heads after significant injuries. I never played at a high enough level to experience it personally.
I broke my tibia badly 4 years ago and have a metal rod in it,had to learn how to walk again ,I'm ok now but I cannot jump of the bottom step and land on my left foot it would do me no harm but in my head I just cannot do it , something stops me every time from doing it ,it's just crazy
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It looked like a quad muscle problem
Hope you are right. A quad would probably be better than a knee.
It depends on how bad the quad injury is
I tore a quad muscle and was out for three months.
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Well McCann said Hanlan just tightened up so hoping nothing too serious. Looking at the extended highlights, he didn't look in too much distress after the final whistle. From those highlights, I liked what I saw plus, with games he'll get sharper.
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That was a hard watch last night
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This is perfectly timed. Cook playing is never good for them. He makes them a worse team. Back to fitness just in time for Saturday.
Yeah but short term guaranteed to score against us coming off the bench this Saturday.
He actually scored twice last night. Came on in 65th minute and scored the 76th minute equaliser and then 95th minute winner. However, they were playing at home against a side from the league below who had been down to ten men since the 26th minute. They seemed to be fielding a decent number of their first team players so this wasn't the most convincing result ahead of Saturday.
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It was his left knee which is the one he had the ACL injury on.
I'm wondering if his issues this yr are mental more than physical. I've read of players struggling with battles in their heads after significant injuries. I never played at a high enough level to experience it personally.
I broke my tibia badly 4 years ago and have a metal rod in it,had to learn how to walk again ,I'm ok now but I cannot jump of the bottom step and land on my left foot it would do me no harm but in my head I just cannot do it , something stops me every time from doing it ,it's just crazy
Same with my ankle broke it 5 years ago, and have no confidence in doing what you describe, it is a mental thing
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Well McCann said Hanlan just tightened up so hoping nothing too serious. Looking at the extended highlights, he didn't look in too much distress after the final whistle. From those highlights, I liked what I saw plus, with games he'll get sharper.
Can tend to get a tight quad after an ACL injury. Should get better as he gets more games in to him.
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Saturdays game will be a lot different to last night against a youth side promising as some of them looked, the most we can get out of games against u21s sides is taking note and following their progress like the lad who scored against us for any future loan or signing that could develop in the future.
The games themselves have nothing in it for us and have just become trip up games as the league sides have now left u21s standard way behind.
They are just factories now, the standard coaching stunting the youngsters as every team play the same back to front with teams like Chelsea hoovering up the best and using them as a money generating scheme.'
The best at our level need to be in men's football at 17/18 years old and playing competitive football and if they can't hack it then its very doubtful they would in the future at league level.
So on to Saturday, a right show down again with Bradford, a big crowd Bradford coning with their tails up and still resenting us stepping over them at the death last season.
O'Rriordan has had a great start with us and we very much need to look forward to January if he keeps his form up and plan for Blackburn calling him back, Pearson a good old pro defender I expect to be his partner on Saturday. Sterry might be ready in his mask but with the history of Bradford and the late tackles against us might be one for him to be sub as they have sailed into us in the past.
Nobody really stood out last night but did themselves no harm doing as much as they had to to win the game. So I would think the line up would be much the same as last weekend although we will have to step up a gear from the Rotherham game.
It will be a nervy tense game where we need to keep our heads and play the game not the situation, and our support can make the difference
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Saturdays game will be a lot different to last night against a youth side promising as some of them looked, the most we can get out of games against u21s sides is taking note and following their progress like the lad who scored against us for any future loan or signing that could develop in the future.
The games themselves have nothing in it for us and have just become trip up games as the league sides have now left u21s standard way behind.
They are just factories now, the standard coaching stunting the youngsters as every team play the same back to front with teams like Chelsea hoovering up the best and using them as a money generating scheme.'
The best at our level need to be in men's football at 17/18 years old and playing competitive football and if they can't hack it then its very doubtful they would in the future at league level.
So on to Saturday, a right show down again with Bradford, a big crowd Bradford coning with their tails up and still resenting us stepping over them at the death last season.
O'Rriordan has had a great start with us and we very much need to look forward to January if he keeps his form up and plan for Blackburn calling him back, Pearson a good old pro defender I expect to be his partner on Saturday. Sterry might be ready in his mask but with the history of Bradford and the late tackles against us might be one for him to be sub as they have sailed into us in the past.
Nobody really stood out last night but did themselves no harm doing as much as they had to to win the game. So I would think the line up would be much the same as last weekend although we will have to step up a gear from the Rotherham game.
It will be a nervy tense game where we need to keep our heads and play the game not the situation, and our support can make the difference
Absolutely. We'll have be disciplined and not give too many cheap free kicks away. They will bombard our box with high and low crosses, so prevention is better than cure. They'll be onto second balls like a flash. We managed the last game very well and we'll have to be equally switched on. Definitely set up to be a great contest of contrasting styles.
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Can't see Cook getting any change out of Pearson.
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I can’t see sterry playing Saturday, he looked well off his normal last night, which is only to be expected given the knock he took. It’s not worth risking, after all we are not desperate given how Nixon is playing at present.
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Can't see Cook getting any change out of Pearson.
Cook got his first minutes since the new year last night. Something like 20 odd minutes so I would think at best he will be on the bench. They will probably bring him on if they are losing in the last quarter but think Pearson and O’Riorden should have enough between them to keep him quiet. A lad at my gym in Bradford today was a bit unhappy that Alexander is changing four or five players every game but says obviously it seems to be working.
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It was his left knee which is the one he had the ACL injury on.
I'm wondering if his issues this yr are mental more than physical. I've read of players struggling with battles in their heads after significant injuries. I never played at a high enough level to experience it personally.
I broke my tibia badly 4 years ago and have a metal rod in it,had to learn how to walk again ,I'm ok now but I cannot jump of the bottom step and land on my left foot it would do me no harm but in my head I just cannot do it , something stops me every time from doing it ,it's just crazy
Same with my ankle broke it 5 years ago, and have no confidence in doing what you describe, it is a mental thing
I had an accident in 2010 which resulted in a broken ankle and lower leg plus breaking my heel into eight pieces.
It took about two years to get back to just about normal but I eventually got back to playing football and am still doing so.
The first tackle on it (and coming through unscathed) was a massive confidence booster.
Just go for it, be confident.
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We will need more than Pearson on it on Saturday, we have had two good results this week, competed well and done enough to win both games without reaching the heights we are capable of, we will do well to get away with that again against a far better team who have ambition to do well this season themselves.
Pointon is just as bigger threat if not a bigger one than Cook if he plays with other players like Holliday, Walker, and Wright with the rest of their squad forming a formidable challenge to other teams in this division.
It will not be easy, although at our best we are just as big a challenge to teams in this division as them when we play well.
This could well be one of the games of the season if both sides are at it, and in recent games results show that there is not a lot in it and the games have been hotly contested and a spectacle for us the spectators, with quite a bit of controversy, players blatantly shoved into walls, central defenders losing their heads and even managers being sent off, bring it on.
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Other than being one point ahead, why do you think Bradford are a far better team.?
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It would help if they get a player sent off again!
They’re having a good start, much like ourselves, so it’s going to be a marker this Saturday. I’m absolutely gutted that I can’t make this one, but I will have everything crossed for a positive outcome (for us).
Due to other match postponements, we could find ourselves right up there. But, I’d take a draw now, if I’m honest. There’s lots of games to go whatever happens!
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IDM, sorry i didn't point out they are a better team than Rotherham and Everton's u21s like i thought you might realise what teams i was referring to.
Don't you think they just might be better than those two?
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Other than being one point ahead, why do you think Bradford are a far better team.?
I think Selby meant that Bradford are a far better team than the 2 teams we've just played.
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Thanks Steve.
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Ah OK - I read it that you meant they are far better than us.
I would hope our players are never so complacent as to think we are far better than the opponents. For sure, believe they can be better.
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Can't see Cook getting any change out of Pearson.
Cook got his first minutes since the new year last night. Something like 20 odd minutes so I would think at best he will be on the bench. They will probably bring him on if they are losing in the last quarter but think Pearson and O’Riorden should have enough between them to keep him quiet. A lad at my gym in Bradford today was a bit unhappy that Alexander is changing four or five players every game but says obviously it seems to be working.
He scored two beauties last night...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXTf5tEXh4I
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Can't see Cook getting any change out of Pearson.
Cook got his first minutes since the new year last night. Something like 20 odd minutes so I would think at best he will be on the bench. They will probably bring him on if they are losing in the last quarter but think Pearson and O’Riorden should have enough between them to keep him quiet. A lad at my gym in Bradford today was a bit unhappy that Alexander is changing four or five players every game but says obviously it seems to be working.
He scored two beauties last night...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXTf5tEXh4I
He's an exceptional header of the ball aided by his positioning and desire to attack the ball.
Seen an article today suggesting Bradford won't risk starting him on Saturday, which seems sensible.
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Can't see Cook getting any change out of Pearson.
Cook got his first minutes since the new year last night. Something like 20 odd minutes so I would think at best he will be on the bench. They will probably bring him on if they are losing in the last quarter but think Pearson and O’Riorden should have enough between them to keep him quiet. A lad at my gym in Bradford today was a bit unhappy that Alexander is changing four or five players every game but says obviously it seems to be working.
He scored two beauties last night...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXTf5tEXh4I
Stop the cross!
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Can't see Cook getting any change out of Pearson.
Cook got his first minutes since the new year last night. Something like 20 odd minutes so I would think at best he will be on the bench. They will probably bring him on if they are losing in the last quarter but think Pearson and O’Riorden should have enough between them to keep him quiet. A lad at my gym in Bradford today was a bit unhappy that Alexander is changing four or five players every game but says obviously it seems to be working.
He scored two beauties last night...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXTf5tEXh4I
He's an exceptional header of the ball aided by his positioning and desire to attack the ball.
Seen an article today suggesting Bradford won't risk starting him on Saturday, which seems sensible.
That description could well be applied to Pearson too don't you think?
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Cook is a good player, but they are in the position they are this season and where they ended last season without him.
If. and I don't know if it does not watching them, it changes their approach and tactics to a game you would think they will at least start the game with the side that has got them in the position they are in and bring him on if needed.
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Good headers yes but he went unchallenged on both occasions. I'd be fuming if I was codheads manager.
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Pointon is the one I am worried about, he is their equivalent to Molly for us, I am very surprised he is still there and has not gone higher to be honest.
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And Will Swann, a good opportunist around the box.
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Pointon is the one I am worried about, he is their equivalent to Molly for us, I am very surprised he is still there and has not gone higher to be honest.
Speaking of Mols, does anyone know how long he is likely to be missing from the team.
Apologies if that info has already been announced on here.
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Pointon is the one I am worried about, he is their equivalent to Molly for us, I am very surprised he is still there and has not gone higher to be honest.
Speaking of Mols, does anyone know how long he is likely to be missing from the team.
Apologies if that info has already been announced on here.
GM said he was OK and had a chance for the weekend, but wasn't risked.
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Pointon is the one I am worried about, he is their equivalent to Molly for us, I am very surprised he is still there and has not gone higher to be honest.
You're right, Brian, he is brilliant, but he did nothing in the 2 games against us last season.
I hope I haven't bloody jinxed it now.
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Pointon is the one I am worried about, he is their equivalent to Molly for us, I am very surprised he is still there and has not gone higher to be honest.
Speaking of Mols, does anyone know how long he is likely to be missing from the team.
Apologies if that info has already been announced on here.
GM said he was OK and had a chance for the weekend, but wasn't risked.
I saw that announcement but thought it might have been a ruse to keep Rotherham guessing about our line up.
I was wondering whether anything had been said since.
Thanks anyway for that input.
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Even at this stage of the season, its a huge game. I suspect City might just be up for up for this one. A win for us would take us 2nd. City would go top with a win.
Hope Molz is fit.
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Ref tomorrow is the yank guy who was in charge for that horror show of a game last Christmas against Tranmere. Only been in UK for two years.
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I've got a bad feeling about tomorrow and I'm normally an optimist.
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They’re a good side all of a sudden.
That ring wing back Neufville is rapid. Direct classic wide player will whip it in. Caught my eye when he played for Sutton then Wimbledon.
Humphrys is like two players in one. Would have been a great signing for us. Similar to Wilks in a way. I wonder if we looked at him in the summer.
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The result tomorrow isn't a season definer, so I'm hoping to take the stress out of it, and just enjoy what will hopefully be a cracking game of footie. It's better to play these now and early 2026 and get them out of the way for what could be a favourable run in.
A win would be a great bonus but just hoping for a promising performance.
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According GM everybody's fit and available only the two players on international duty are out. So GM will pick the starting eleven he believes we need and the squad who do their best to get us a result.
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It’s time we saw more threat from the forwards and with Bailey such a danger and therefore likely to be heavily marked, they ought to have a bit more space in this game.
Its going to be really testing, but we might benefit from the pressure of expectation that their fans will create, so an aggressive approach, especially early on, would seem to be called for.
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I really think that as well as we played yesterday and got the result we required that a lot of credit must go to the management who got every call correct.
The line up, the way we played really upset their game plan and must have been a big surprise to Bradford who basically we surrended ground to in their own half and hit them hard on the break. We played a lot of the game in our own half making the field of play smaller and congested and used the wings to counter attack at pace exposing their weakness at the back.
We again asked players to run themselves out and made important substitutes at exactly the right times that gave us renewed energy and also stopped the rhythm of the game.
Great tactics, great man management, and very well carried out by the players on the field of play, excellent, and out thought the Bradford management completely.
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I've got a bad feeling about tomorrow and I'm normally an optimist.
Probably holiday blues.
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GM's outwitted Alexander 3 times in a row, and never gets any credit for it from GA. It's always about his team not being on it.
The bloke's just a w*nker, and a sore loser.