Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on November 30, 2025, 12:13:04 pm
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Two games I see as important obviously the FA Cup game the most important especially with the high stakes of prize money and the attraction of the possibility of a big club fixture and the money that can be earnt from such a game.
That is not to undermine the game on Tuesday, as teams progress there is more interest, and also a realistic chance of actually winning the competition which itself has financial repercussions with attracting sponsors and prestige.
First up probably holds the most uncertainty team wise, with changes expected from yesterdays team, fringe players given a chance to shine and push for a start, and something Grant has in the group stage has manipulated very well.
So we have choices, central defence I would go Flint and Pearson as our best two, but that means probably Grehan at full back, he is no full back, Flint can also play there probably more dependable but again not his best position, and could be said unfair after his great performances v Grimsby and Bradford City.
The Keeper most probably Lawlor, Sharp a starter and probably Gott and Middleton, with Crew and Close also wanting game time, and also Sam Brown showing good form at Peterborough Sports will want to do well affter his game in the last round.
They are all players contracted to us and are our own apart from Crew, but personally I have like others been very underwhelmed by our loan players and would probably just have them as make up numbers if needed.
The first thing is we should try and win the game, and we have the squad to do so and how Chesterfield approach the game is also a guess, but in the past have built momentum doing well in this competition so could go strong, but again the weekends fixture will be in their minds as well. What do you think.
The FA cup game, a strange evening kick off that doesn't suit everyone at all should be the game both teams see as potentially the most profitable and important.
After getting a win yesterday after a poor run of results apart from tactically I would expect few changes to yesterdays team selection that has been more consistent of late anyway over our last few games, but at time still looks vulnerable to teams that have genuine pace.
Chesterfield however after a long unbeaten run lost at home to Swindon Town in a close game so will not be in a rush to make many changes hoping just to get back on track.
Not the place we have a great record at, have we ever won at their new stadium? and memories of our last league fixture there will be one of nightmares for some of our lads and the thumping we got.
So lots to look forward to, lots to discuss, and a lot of guessing just what will be going through Grant's mind about two very different cup games, but both with the promise of success if we can win the ties.
Please have your say.
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Surely Nixon will start at right back. Grehan and Pearson centre-back with Senior on the left.
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I think that back four will be the one that plays, but I think Flint is better than Grehan from what I have seen of the two especially when caught one on one and physically is more imposing.
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But Flint, will be a good player in a year or so is playing two divisions below what Grehan is playing, what goes against Grehan is that he gets a run in the team then misses one sometimes two because he’s playing international U21s football, with different coaches and ideas
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Flint is injured and may not be available.
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When did he get injured
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For Tuesday:
Lawlor
Nixon. Pearson. Grehan. Senior
Close. Crew
Gotts
?? Sharp? Middleton
Everyone else gets a breather.
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It's a shame that we're more or less having to put out a weakened side for this game, and maybe to a lesser extent on Saturday.
I'd love to get revenge on these for the 2 pumpings they gave us last season, when their fans took the p*ss.
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We might just do that anyway mate.
Look how well our “reserves” have done in this tournament so far this season.
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For Tuesday:
Lawlor
Nixon. Pearson. Grehan. Senior
Close. Crew
Gotts
?? Sharp? Middleton
Everyone else gets a breather.
The defence will be the strongest part of the side.
Close Crew and Gotts will have to work hard. Close and Crew are slow with the ball must speed up their game. Gotts may show more playing against league 2 players although with Chesterfield first team, if selected, drawing majority of their last six games. Chesterfield like us may want to make changes.
Forward line I believe Billy will start and Middleton who for me appears not performing as he was he needs a goal at least might perk him up. So the right side of the attack to sort is Ajayi still with us.
The first team players if not selected need to work on their fitness in training Peterborough were far fitter and quicker side.
Will Flint was a sub on Saturday he came on in the 70 min and played centre half it appears . So he’s had minutes after his injury so whether Grant will want to use him when all four of our centre halves are available and not risking him for Gateshead who play Walsall on Saturday in the FACup.
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But Flint, will be a good player in a year or so is playing two divisions below what Grehan is playing, what goes against Grehan is that he gets a run in the team then misses one sometimes two because he’s playing international U21s football, with different coaches and ideas
But he’s now with us until March next international break
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Paul Cook says he is prioritising one of the games against us, and it is not the Vertu trophy game.
Lots of changes for Chesterfield also.
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I think our "weakened team" will beat Chesterfield in the Yertu, as we may bring on some strength to make sure we do so in the second half. The Fa cup match will be harder, but I think that last season's lesson has been learned and Rovers will no to hell for leather attcking and leaving the back wide open again. a 0-2 win there.
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For the Saturday game, we shouldn’t forget that we have Stockport on the following Tuesday! I know which game I’d be prioritising. However, I’m not the manager and second guessing what Grant wants is anybody’s guess.
I think Grant would prefer the FA Cup more so than the Vertu, but I’m sure he’ll also want a result v Stockport. With January only a month away - any decent draw in the FA Cup could bolster our kitty for an excellent signing or two and we all know how much we need that.
We could potentially play the ‘first team’ in the Cup and still slip up, of course, as they’ve been a bit of a bogey side lately. Over to you, Grant.
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There was nothing "Bogey" about last seasons two games, they smashed us in both and in the one at Chesterfield we were absolutely shocking.
We were that bad at Chesterfield Grant changed the team and we became Champions.
It's a funny old game.
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There was nothing "Bogey" about last seasons two games, they smashed us in both and in the one at Chesterfield we were absolutely shocking.
We were that bad at Chesterfield Grant changed the team and we became Champions.
It's a funny old game.
The game at their place was a weird one. There were 3 goals in the first half and it could have been 3-0, 2-1, 1-2 or 0-3 and it couldn’t have looked out of place. It was our approach in the first 10mins of the second half that killed us.
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There was nothing "Bogey" about last seasons two games, they smashed us in both and in the one at Chesterfield we were absolutely shocking.
We were that bad at Chesterfield Grant changed the team and we became Champions.
It's a funny old game.
The game at their place was a weird one. There were 3 goals in the first half and it could have been 3-0, 2-1, 1-2 or 0-3 and it couldn’t have looked out of place. It was our approach in the first 10mins of the second half that killed us.
All true Gaz, it was a very strange game.
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It was TSL’s worst game for us last season!
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It was TSL’s worst game for us last season!
That first goal we conceded was a proper howler, no way on this earth he scores from that angle and TSL let it straight through him - TLT wouldn't have let that one in...................
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It was TSL’s worst game for us last season!
That first goal we conceded was a proper howler, no way on this earth he scores from that angle and TSL let it straight through him - TLT wouldn't have let that one in...................
Was that the one where he slipped?
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It was TSL’s worst game for us last season!
That first goal we conceded was a proper howler, no way on this earth he scores from that angle and TSL let it straight through him - TLT wouldn't have let that one in...................
Was that the one where he slipped?
Studs??
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It was TSL’s worst game for us last season!
That first goal we conceded was a proper howler, no way on this earth he scores from that angle and TSL let it straight through him - TLT wouldn't have let that one in...................
Was that the one where he slipped?
Studs??
Maybe the wrong ones eh?
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It was TSL’s worst game for us last season!
That first goal we conceded was a proper howler, no way on this earth he scores from that angle and TSL let it straight through him - TLT wouldn't have let that one in...................
Sorry to sound pedantic but the stick TLT has had on here has been way out of order, I rate TSL highly too so just trying to balance things if that makes sense?
Was that the one where he slipped?
Studs??
Maybe the wrong ones eh?
Sorry to sound pedantic but the stick TLT has had on here has been way out of order, I rate TSL highly too so just trying to balance things if that makes sense?
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It was TSL’s worst game for us last season!
That first goal we conceded was a proper howler, no way on this earth he scores from that angle and TSL let it straight through him - TLT wouldn't have let that one in...................
Sorry to sound pedantic but the stick TLT has had on here has been way out of order, I rate TSL highly too so just trying to balance things if that makes sense?
Was that the one where he slipped?
Studs??
Maybe the wrong ones eh?
Sorry to sound pedantic but the stick TLT has had on here has been way out of order, I rate TSL highly too so just trying to balance things if that makes sense?
Of course it makes sense.
TLT is a decent enough keeper but I do think that in recent games his handling has been suspect and he does spill the ball too easily for my liking.
And as I said earlier, his knowledge cling isn’t very good.
Compared to other keepers he doesn’t compete on accuracy or distance, which is an area that TSL excelled in.
Lawlor is better with his distribution than TLT.
However, hopefully the coaches will be working on him to improve things and he is still a young ish keeper.
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For Tuesday:
Lawlor
Nixon. Pearson. Grehan. Senior
Close. Crew
Gotts
?? Sharp? Middleton
Everyone else gets a breather.
Very Close Alan.
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[/quote]It's a shame that we're more or less having to put out a weakened side for this game, and maybe to a lesser extent on Saturday.
I'd love to get revenge on these for the 2 pumpings they gave us last season, when their fans took the p*ss.
We might just do that anyway mate.
Look how well our “reserves” have done in this tournament so far this season.
Well that goes part way to getting revenge SS.
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Anybody know how much prize money we get for tonight’s win?
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I think it’s £20k?
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A bit more in the kitty.
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The prize money for winning R2 of the FACup game on Saturday is £79,500.
A big incentive there to do well.
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When’s the draw for the last 16 game
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A very different game in prospect at the weekend, a bigger attendance, many different players in both teams, and a different venue we rarely do well at, in fact have we ever won in their new stadium?
Add the fact there is much more pressure and prestige in a win, and the chance of financial riches that can follow a win in round two of the FA cup and it could become a very tense affair, with the performance of the officials also coming under much more scrutiny, and TNT live1 and Discovery 1 TV coverage at 7-30 pm
The result in tonight's game will mean the square route of zero, with I expect a very different more physical challenge in this game and Chesterfield determined to reverse the result and take the major honours.
Has Billy done enough to lead the line tonight the big question? but more likely if all fit more like last weekends starting eleven.
One thing is for certain, there is much more interest in the game, and despite tonight's result it will not be easy.
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First time we have scored five at home since…1 January 2019 v Rochdale, under McCann.
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The prize money for winning R2 of the FACup game on Saturday is £79,500.
A big incentive there to do well.
Plus tv money. Plus a cut of gate receipts .
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Last nights result takes me back to when we beat Rochdale easily in the league a few years back, and the week after lost a third round cup tie 1-0 and Rochdale went on to get a top team draw that made them enough money to relay their pitch, while we twiddled our thumbs with no fixture when everyone thought the result was a fore gone conclusion.
We don't want that again. I am sure Grant will remember it.
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Last nights result takes me back to when we beat Rochdale easily in the league a few years back, and the week after lost a third round cup tie 1-0 and Rochdale went on to get a top team draw that made them enough money to relay their pitch, while we twiddled our thumbs with no fixture when everyone thought the result was a fore gone conclusion.
We don't want that again. I am sure Grant will remember it.
I’m not sure Grant will remember it given Fergie was our manager at the time.
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Shame we can't carry the score from last night over to the away leg on Saturday.
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When is the draw for the Vertu please
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Saturday
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Thanks Alan
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I am going to throw my hat into the Hanlan or Sharp question of who to start at Chesterfield.
Quite a few on here of late have criticized both players performances while both players have shown better form recently therefore the question of who to start in the FA cup game.
Both in my opinion give something to the team, and both of their games like all strikers depend on the service and to a point the way the team is set up.
Hanlan is one of the hard working type holding the ball up reasonably well and relies on players from mid field getting around him.
Sharp the predator, get the ball in the area and he will do something with it and is better at the quick pass on the edge of the box to others in better positions than given credit for, and depends on the early ball into the box.
Saturday I would start Sharp the reasons, its a cup game so generally a more open game.
His stature locally in the area will have some bearing on how Chesterfield set up.
Even their first team is like us their central defenders are not that good down the centre of the field at picking runs up around the box.
And we need to play on the front foot as much as possible in their half of the field and he showed Tuesday he is in form, and strikers usually have productive and quiet periods , play him while he is on it.
One negative is if it goes to penalties he will not be on the field to take one, another he needs early service.
Hanlon works hard basically for others to get around him, and with Sharp could say that in most games in the poor form period the service and his back up was not there and he existed on scraps.
His attribute is he puts himself about, is better than has been portrayed by some, and given the chance will not let anyone down.
But to win a game its Billy for me, and hope he gets the service from others early.
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Just seen on the BBC head to head that we have never beaten them in the FA Cup before and have been eliminated every time. All runs come to an end and i think it will tomorrow!
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Ref tomorrow is Neil Hair, who to be charitable didn't have the best of games in his last outing involving Rovers, against Crewe in the First Round.
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Ref tomorrow is Neil Hair, who to be charitable didn't have the best of games in his last outing involving Rovers, against Crewe in the First Round.
I just saw that too. He's an atrocious ref. I've never seen him have a good game.
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Let's hope we don't become another scalp.
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Let's hope we don't become another scalp.
Barnet fans seem to rate him.
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I wonder how much thought went into the decision to put Sharp on the bench?
It must have taken McCann a long time to mullet over.
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I wonder how much thought went into the decision to put Sharp on the bench?
It must have taken McCann a long time to mullet over.
We've not seen Crew cut though.
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Good to see Paul on TV!! :thumbsup:
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Their lineup is more defensive than ours, we dominate midfield, hope that gives us the advantage.
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1 down
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1:1.... Moly
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Brutal assault by Fleck on Bailey - he lasted about 5 mins! Good decision by the ref, hope he doesn’t try to even things up! Come on boys!! :boxing:
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hanlan off sharp on
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What a pass by McGrath, what a finish by Senior!!! Get innnnnnnn!! :thumbsup:
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What a pass by McGrath, what a finish by Senior!!! Get innnnnnnn!! :thumbsup:
Who put the ball in the Chesterfield net, (repeat three times)
Jackie fckin Senior.
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hanlan off sharp on
How was Hanlan today?
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hanlan off sharp on
How was Hanlan today?
Worked hard for the team and showed well when we played the ball forward.