Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: Copps is Magic on September 06, 2025, 05:05:17 pm
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We are good. We're good. We are a good side this season. I mean, we are good. There's a danger we might already be promotion contenders. Are we allowed to say it?
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The players are showing a good level of confidence. Yes, we are good.
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Exciting times are happening
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Bar one mistake for the goal we never gave them a sniff today. Completely did a job on them, huge credit to Grant for setting us up to nullify them. That was the most comfortable I've felt watching us for a long time.
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We've played 10 games this season and by my approximation we've been the best side in all of them. Including against Boro, who are top of the Championship.
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Totally agree. We have an awesome defence as I have said before. But our defence started at the front.
Gibson, take a bow, to round it of you walk of in front of there fans, priceless
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That was one of the most complete performances I’ve seen by Rovers. I don’t know how much Bradford spunked on players over the Summer but we made them look bang average.
Could have had 5 or 6 and really, for all their bluster and pressure second half, Rovers limited them to one real chance.
Superb.
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Could have and probably should have been 5 or 6 goals, but best league game we have played this season, every player contributed something today, keep it up
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2nd in league, victories over rivals Bradford and Rotherham and a trip to Spurs to look forward too.
Bloody good times.
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Bradford seem to have invested in experienced players but do they have potential to develop further? Most of the Rovers team on the other hand (Sharp and Pearson apart), are at the stage in their careers where they should improve towards their peak.
You could see the second half as Rovers having the ability to contain their opponents without having to over-exert themselves. The longer term objective is sustaining a team in the Championship and you’d rank today’s Rovers way ahead of Bradford in that assessment.
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Some players have stepped up a level undoubtedly. But McCann shoring up the defense has been massive, we just don't look like conceding many.
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Expectations definitely gone up a level. Let’s hope we can keep performing and getting results.
Also, let’s not be harsh if we do have a dip.
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It just feels like we’re riding the crest of a wave at the moment. So much confidence and good feeling around the club. Keep this up and this season is going to be special.
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We've been winning a lot of football matches for 18 months. The best thing about all this I don't turn up expecting to win every week.
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Home gate down today on last week. Around 9k home gate last week, today just over 8k.
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Home gate down today on last week. Around 9k home gate last week, today just over 8k.
The only disappointment about today. The missing thousand are out there somewhere though.
Surely this squad and the way we're playing is irresistible!?
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There will be a run of games and performances that won’t go our way but I am so proud of this team. Sticking it to teams as big as Bradford is what it’s all about as a Rovers supporter.
Goal 1 when they cheered Gibbo getting tackled as he ran through only for him to put it on a sixpence for Mols in the next phase.
Goal 2 Gibbo scores.
Goal 3 they hate him and inevitably he scores.
Out with the wife for our anniversary tonight. Biblical Saturday!
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We ARE rather good aren't we?
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Not taking anything away from how good we were today, but how distinctly average were Bradford. Still persisting in knocking it long and hoping for the best. 4 or 5 nil would not have flattered us today.
I'm pretty sure they've spent money on bringing the likes of Tilt and Wright in. Whoever it was playing up top for them was completely anonymous. Sarcevic still unfit and useless. I could go on. I can't believe they haven't been beaten until today.
But another brilliant performance from the Rovers.
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Radio informed us that the Bradford squad has the highest average age in the whole of the FL. Experienced for sure, but radio said not as quick or as athletic as us.
Talksport we're wetting themselves over how good Rovers were - second half included.
BobG
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Some players have stepped up a level undoubtedly. But McCann shoring up the defense has been massive, we just don't look like conceding many.
one noticeable thing about the defense now is that they either block a cross or head it away. We are head and shoulders above the level of last season..
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I love how today and against Rotherham, they had a lot of the ball second half and I never really felt worried.
It’s like we’ve been happy for them to have it. Both teams ended up going long and belting it straight out of play.
We’re managing games so well.
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They didn't block many crosses today Adam. Bradford sent over 39 of em. Talksport's biggest complaint about Bradford was that they did eff all with em.
Doesn't show well for our fullbacks either.
BobG
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They didn't block many crosses today Adam. Bradford sent over 39 of em. Talksport's biggest complaint about Bradford was that they did eff all with em.
Doesn't show well for our fullbacks either.
BobG
Absolutely no chance Bradford had 39 crosses.
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Better tell Talksport then.
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They didn't block many crosses today Adam. Bradford sent over 39 of em. Talksport's biggest complaint about Bradford was that they did eff all with em.
Doesn't show well for our fullbacks either.
BobG
Absolutely no chance Bradford had 39 crosses.
That’s nearly one every two minutes!!!
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A lot of the crosses came further up the pitch than the byline, it was as if they knew they couldn’t get past the fullbacks so they just kept launching it into the box.
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A lot of the crosses came further up the pitch than the byline, it was as if they knew they couldn’t get past the fullbacks so they just kept launching it into the box.
Exactly. The crosses were in the main, just hopefully punted in there.
There is always the danger that one of them might drop as a lucky second ball but generally our defence was rock solid today.
I don’t think TLT had to save any shots.
Quick word for Billy here, he is playing a different role this season and is putting in mega shifts.
His hold up play is better than I have aver seen from him.
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They didn't block many crosses today Adam. Bradford sent over 39 of em. Talksport's biggest complaint about Bradford was that they did eff all with em.
Doesn't show well for our fullbacks either.
BobG
It’s pretty meaningless without context. A mate of mine went and said something similar to the below. Full backs aren’t going to cut out a cross from somewhere closer to the halfway line.
A lot of the crosses came further up the pitch than the byline, it was as if they knew they couldn’t get past the fullbacks so they just kept launching it into the box.
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Expectations definitely gone up a level. Let’s hope we can keep performing and getting results.
Also, let’s not be harsh if we do have a dip.
Grant mentioned this in his post match interview said we already had our dip Vs Huddersfield and we have picked ourselves up and started again
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On this forum we are one defeat away from being shit
COYR
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As mentioned earlier we have looked very calm and controlled whenever any team has had some time on the ball. Our closing down and harrying has been excellent which has meant that they loose possession or are ineffective with it. Big praise for the conditioning coaches as we look very fit and manage the games to our advantage, today was a great example, we built the buffer and then managed it perfectly, they left big gaps at the back pushing on trying to get back in the game.
To me the thing GM missed out on was getting the speedsters on a bit earlier, they were wide open and liable to the extra pace, we could have filled our boots if we had gone a bit earlier with the subs.
Loved the walk around their end by Gibson, you could see the City fans very much appreciated it !
Overall excellent, we march on.
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Broadbent was again denied a goal by a brilliant save, he certainly deserves one and surely will get one soon.
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They didn't block many crosses today Adam. Bradford sent over 39 of em. Talksport's biggest complaint about Bradford was that they did eff all with em.
Doesn't show well for our fullbacks either.
BobG
i was generalising, today we headed it away, last week we blocked crosses. Either way we are just limiting the attempts on goal.. :-)
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Very very proud of today's performance
My tip was 2-1 and a Red Card. I was happy with 3-1 , would have been ecstatic at 4-1 but let's face it their Keeper was due to make a save
We weren't brilliant the whole game but we didn't need to be and killed them off at the end of the first half
We could and should have had more in the second half but never mind. Today was great because as I walked to the Ground I said hope Moly is back and we produce a good performance .... and we did
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Broadbent was again denied a goal by a brilliant save, he certainly deserves one and surely will get one soon.
It was a good save but he should have buried it. It was a great piece of play by us to create the chance.
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Broadbent was again denied a goal by a brilliant save, he certainly deserves one and surely will get one soon.
It was a good save but he should have buried it. It was a great piece of play by us to create the chance.
A regular finisher would have gone to the keepers left and scored.
It was still a good save though.
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They didn't block many crosses today Adam. Bradford sent over 39 of em. Talksport's biggest complaint about Bradford was that they did eff all with em.
Doesn't show well for our fullbacks either.
BobG
Hmmmmmm I think that’s why Grant played 3 whacking great CB’s, clearly he knew crosses were their game. So let them cross and we’ll gobble them up. McCann bang on it again.
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I was at the Sutton game and it was bloody awful. The turnaround since then has been staggering - Andy and me at the match today and we were saying that this team have something special going on. McCann is a genius.
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Is that now just one defeat in 20 games?
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They didn't block many crosses today Adam. Bradford sent over 39 of em. Talksport's biggest complaint about Bradford was that they did eff all with em.
Doesn't show well for our fullbacks either.
BobG
I'm a bit disappointed in that post, Bob. The only negative statement on a magnificent performance, and it comes from someone who didn't even see the match.
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All players and supporters take a bow. Magnificent
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Is that now just one defeat in 20 games?
We have lost once in the last 22 league games, 1-0 away to Bromley on 4 March 2025.
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Is that now just one defeat in 20 games?
We have lost once in the last 22 league games, 1-0 away to Bromley on 4 March 2025.
Is that since the defeat at Bromley? Obviously we lost at Huddersfield.
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Is that now just one defeat in 20 games?
We have lost once in the last 22 league games, 1-0 away to Bromley on 4 March 2025.
Is that since the defeat at Bromley? Obviously we lost at Huddersfield.
Yes, the Udders defeat is the only one since we lost at Bromley.
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Is that now just one defeat in 20 games?
We have lost once in the last 22 league games, 1-0 away to Bromley on 4 March 2025.
Is that since the defeat at Bromley? Obviously we lost at Huddersfield.
Yes, the Udders defeat is the only one since we lost at Bromley.
Thought so. And yet those 2 games we lost we battered them both.
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Is that now just one defeat in 20 games?
We have lost once in the last 22 league games, 1-0 away to Bromley on 4 March 2025.
Is that since the defeat at Bromley? Obviously we lost at Huddersfield.
Sorry, yes. Since we lost to 2-1 at home to Grimsby Town on 15 February 2025 we have played 22 league games and lost only twice, to Bromley and Huddersfield. That Grimsby Town defeat was the last time we were beaten at home in any competition, a run of 12 home games in all competitions.
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The lads on Talksport2 were saying at the end that Donny should be contenders this season. I believe them!
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Is that now just one defeat in 20 games?
We have lost once in the last 22 league games, 1-0 away to Bromley on 4 March 2025.
Is that since the defeat at Bromley? Obviously we lost at Huddersfield.
Yes, the Udders defeat is the only one since we lost at Bromley.
Thought so. And yet those 2 games we lost we battered them both.
Yes agreed. We were so unlucky at Udders and should have won.
The Bromley game was a freak result.
Incredible that we didn’t score.
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Broadbent was again denied a goal by a brilliant save, he certainly deserves one and surely will get one soon.
It was a good save but he should have buried it. It was a great piece of play by us to create the chance.
He tried and failed to dummy the keeper I think. It's definitely an area he needs to improve, but the improvement in other parts of his game has been huge.
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Best rovers performance I can remember for a while. Felt like every player stepped up a gear. Defence rock solid. Midfield finding men with cutting passes. Attack, well 3 goals for our front three speaks volumes. What a performance.
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No credit whatsoever from Graham Alexander in his interview. Against Stockport last week he had no complaints going in behind at half time to a side that played "intricate" football but that's not the case against Doncaster today. The goals were all soft/errors and were "basic" and from long balls. And to hear him talk about their performance in the second half you'd think they'd won. Got the reaction he wanted etc. Bradford fans similarly dismissive of our performance on their forum. General consensus being that they were rubbish but Doncaster "nowt special" and they made us look good.
Were they watching a different game?
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Nobody has really laid a glove on us this season have they. Huddersfield ground us down second half after we battered them for long periods without scoring. Any other pressure we have had applied has largely beeb down to the game state situation and teams pushing with us sitting back. Think we have played a decent cross section of teams as well both in ability and playing style.
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Certain players have obviously stepped up from last season. Broadbent, Sharp and Gibson primarily. The defensive lads that have come in have been an upgrade. Then the set up as a whole has done better. From end of last season we lost Street and while good, Molyneux has not had same dominant impact as in League Two.
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I’m happy other teams managers and fans say we are not ‘all that’. Let’s stay under the radar.
It’s early days lots of work to do.
Really good game yesterday, certainly compared to the International walking football we got subjected to.
Can I also give Clifton a mention?, I thought he was also very good yesterday.
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I thought we were on it, yesterday. However I was very near the away end, and in all honesty Bradford should be disappointed with all 3 goals conceded.
No one picked up Moly, the ball was miscontrolled for Gibson to step in, and two defenders fluffed stopping Billy.
Of course, all three were well taken by our forwards - it’s great to see us taking the chances when we get them. We would have been fuming with the defence if we conceded like that.
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Individual errors yes, forced by pressure and finished clinically. Three elements to them all.
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Wright subbed off at half time? Says it all, really.
I thought their manager gave us very little credit yesterday, the mardy sod!
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Only grumble from yesterday is that our set pieces are pretty poor at the moment, corners especially. We just always seem to float a high one to the back post, I'd like to see more variety & some whipped inswingers at the very least.
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Yea, we are seriously good. I think we can say that because we know there's also room for improvement.
It's good to hear Talksport are now considering us as contenders but it's going to take sometime before other 'experts' judge teams on merit rather than who they think they are.
Each test being put in front of us, we are passing, including the defeat at Huddersfield the way we competed for large parts of the game.
Obviously, the question is can we maintain these high standards with the squad we have? It looks promising as long as the likes of Middleton, Hanlan, Ajayi, Toyosi, Gotts continue to develop and show the resolve, resilience and composure when the winter grind sets in. I think the existing squad have already shown they have what it takes.
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Ye agreed, we are quality. Built first and foremost on solid foundations. Any back 5 combination with Bailey and Broadbent in front of them is ridiculously good. Prefer not see o’riorden at Rb too often as when you’ve class like that you’d want them in the middle really. The lad hasn’t broken sweat yet. He’s playing in slippers with a cigar on at the moment. But needs must yesterday.
Crew and close are more than able back ups in midfield. Any 2 of the 4 wingers are great and when Billy plays like yesterday then we’ve serious quality there. Can he do that for 40 odd games though? Then it gets a bit eggy. His back ups are not on his level and the options for number 10 not ideal. Hopefully Gotts will be that man, but we’ll see how it pans out.
But as said earlier when we’re built on a defence like we have we’ve always a chance.
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No credit whatsoever from Graham Alexander in his interview. Against Stockport last week he had no complaints going in behind at half time to a side that played "intricate" football but that's not the case against Doncaster today. The goals were all soft/errors and were "basic" and from long balls. And to hear him talk about their performance in the second half you'd think they'd won. Got the reaction he wanted etc. Bradford fans similarly dismissive of our performance on their forum. General consensus being that they were rubbish but Doncaster "nowt special" and they made us look good.
Were they watching a different game?
I think Alexander needs to change his diet. Eating too many sour grapes will give him belly ache. (Or has it already?).
Funny isn't it how we managed to win league 2 with so much luck, being nowt special or the other team having an off day. Amazing how we could go 46 games and never play well :lol: :woohoo: :woohoo:
Let's hope we can continue it in league 1!!!
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They are doing well granted, but he’s made some shocking signings.
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We are looking really good, and as impressive as the performance is the attitude, not long ago a quick equaliser in a big game and we’ve had shat the bed and gone on to lose. Not now, we kicked on again and if we’d had more composure and ruthlessness second half it could have been five or six.
I know it’s escaped judgement due to the excellent performance and result, but Timmy really dropped a stinker for their goal. But he plays with a swagger and confidence that means he’ll always bounce back and not let moments like that change him. I also think he stops danger before it starts as he’s so rapid off his line those moments don’t develop. Hopefully that’s his one for the season!
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We are looking really good, and as impressive as the performance is the attitude, not long ago a quick equaliser in a big game and we’ve had shat the bed and gone on to lose. Not now, we kicked on again and if we’d had more composure and ruthlessness second half it could have been five or six.
I know it’s escaped judgement due to the excellent performance and result, but Timmy really dropped a stinker for their goal. But he plays with a swagger and confidence that means he’ll always bounce back and not let moments like that change him. I also think he stops danger before it starts as he’s so rapid off his line those moments don’t develop. Hopefully that’s his one for the season!
I thought Timmy was unlucky, he got down to the cross, it just squirmed under his body, and lucky for the chickens their man was right there to poke it in
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Agree with that, Reg.
A howler but he showed big character, not long after he was engaging with the fans when he went behind the goal to retrieve the ball, then winding the Bradford fans up second half.
One of the great characters we have in the squad.
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Another poor start to the season can’t wait till we have our late run in!!!
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Individual errors yes, forced by pressure and finished clinically. Three elements to them all.
This.
Defenders don't typically make serious errors if they aren't feeling under constant pressure.
Their defence yesterday didn't make soft errors out of nothing. We hounded them into it.
Alexander is a tit if he disnt see that. He's an even bigger tit if he did and hasn't got the character to admit it.
f**k him, frankly. That's three times in a row he's set up against us to dominate possession, without creating much of note, and been picked off by fast, intelligent, aggressive counterattacks.
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Individual errors yes, forced by pressure and finished clinically. Three elements to them all.
This.
Defenders don't typically make serious errors if they aren't feeling under constant pressure.
Their defence yesterday didn't make soft errors out of nothing. We hounded them into it.
Alexander is a tit if he disnt see that. He's an even bigger tit if he did and hasn't got the character to admit it.
f**k him, frankly. That's three times in a row he's set up against us to dominate possession, without creating much of note, and been picked off by fast, intelligent, aggressive counterattacks.
Absolutely. Often in the previous 2 seasons I said I feel McCann has been outfoxed tactically and we had no plan B. But the first thing I said to my mum and dad after the game on the way home was I just feel McCann had Alexander’s number. Apart from the period they had between our goals and theirs I didn’t feel threatened all afternoon. I think I watched a completely different game to GA.
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You heard it first here. I think it is between Cardiff, ‘Udders and Us for the title and for automatic promotion.
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Someone said on talksport the other day that its our best start to a league season since Billy Bremner was in charge in the 80s
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Think they will have meant 1981/82 when after 7 games we had won 5, drawn 1 and lost 1. Same record we have after 7 games this season.
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Think they will have meant 1981/82 when after 7 games we had won 5, drawn 1 and lost 1. Same record we have after 7 games this season.
Funnily enough we started that season with a back 3 I believe, picked up an injury to one of our centre backs who's name escapes me, & the good run came to an end.
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What a team, what a squad, what a performance. Absolutely brilliant.
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You heard it first here. I think it is between Cardiff, ‘Udders and Us for the title and for automatic promotion.
I think just out side or just creep in the playoffs. I do think with the budget Mccann will have compared to others he has done great. I feel that he can squeeze out plenty from our new strikers. I thought Olusanya did well when he came on.
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I think it's a testament to the depth of the squad when you see so many posts singling different players for praise after games this season.
Nixon, O'Riordon, Close, Broadbent, Gotts, Clifton, Bailey, Billy, Gibson all featuring with near MOM performances. The future is bright!
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I think it's a testament to the depth of the squad when you see so many posts singling different players for praise after games this season.
Nixon, O'Riordon, Close, Broadbent, Gotts, Clifton, Bailey, Billy, Gibson all featuring with near MOM performances. The future is bright!
Agree 100% Baz, and interesting the list doesn't include our superstar Moly - who has also been great - but we're just not relying on one person now, or Timmy - which also suggests we haven't been under the cosh much in games!
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I think it's a testament to the depth of the squad when you see so many posts singling different players for praise after games this season.
Nixon, O'Riordon, Close, Broadbent, Gotts, Clifton, Bailey, Billy, Gibson all featuring with near MOM performances. The future is bright!
Agree 100% Baz, and interesting the list doesn't include our superstar Moly - who has also been great - but we're just not relying on one person now, or Timmy - which also suggests we haven't been under the cosh much in games!
I hope the players and management are still looking objectively at what lies ahead. It’s a long hard slog and tough test of character with a significant number of teams which will pose at least as many problems as the better ones we’ve encountered so far.
We’ve settled down very well sustaining the momentum that carried us to the title. We have also benefitted from GM’s speed in the transfer market giving the newcomers the best chance in the pre-season to assimilate. But we should recognise that most of our new rivals will not have had the end of season boost that we enjoyed. They will have ended it disappointed and not many will have gone into the market early meaning their newcomers and their existing squads will still be developing mutual understanding.
So it may not be realistic to assume that we have sampled the strongest opposition yet. And to be fair, those we played so far cannot be an entirely representative sample.
So for me it’s still a great start and let’s hope we can sustain it when things don’t quite click. If we can keep it up, this early form shows we are serious challengers. And I’d be delighted if that’s how it turns out.
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When I last looked I think we have only played a few in the top half and got beat by one of them. Yet again another tough test away on Saturday to a team who haven't found their stride yet. Will be happy with a point there for sure.
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When I last looked I think we have only played a few in the top half and got beat by one of them. Yet again another tough test away on Saturday to a team who haven't found their stride yet. Will be happy with a point there for sure.
Jeez mate, don’t set people off with that “we haven’t done well against top half teams” stuff again.
I was sick of hearing it last season but we must have done alright because we won the league.
Maybe other teams at the top end didn’t do so well against top half teams.
As for comparing that stat this season, we have only played seven games.