Boxing Day Fixtures

[kieran_vale]

These have never won at Vale Park and haven’t beaten us since Hitler was taking the Sudetenland. It’s a huge game and we need a massive reaction from the boys today. Looks like the defensive players got a real roasting last weekend and Legge for instance has been off social media.

He might change it, he might have just threatened their place and slammed them publically to get a reaction.

I thought Brisley and Legge did well together in the spring when Smudge was out so wouldn’t be averse to that. Crookes is a funny one and in the Leasing games they didn’t always look solid enough to play Crookes and Bris.

Nothing against any of the three ex Valiants in Barrow colours; they came into a god awful side, Quigley was very poor but Angus had potential and was a pointless signing in as much as he was never given a chance. Hardcastle I don’t think got much game time either.

It’s a must win game really, they are one of a few sides in worse form that us recently so we need to get at them and carry on our attacking prowess with a more solid defensive effort. Lose this Askey will surely be on very thin ground.

It will be tough though as they all are and we will need to be on it. If we get a result it will be 1 loss in 6 which will start to feel a little better.

I think regards Crookes and Brisley that would more be the product of just not a lot of playing time together, give them a run of games over this Xmas period to build up a better understanding and then assess after. Walsall really had joy against us when they brought Scrimshaw on who had pace and Smith and Legge couldn't cope and given that is Dior Angus biggest asset we should name our quickest centre-back which is Crookes to give us the best shot of countering him.

Legge and Smith both need dropping based on performance. If after that Askey does nothing or slight changes then to me it completely undermines what he said after Walsall. If Smith gets pushed to right back in place of Mills who was dire also then am OK with that though. To me there is no bigger message to send than sending the captain to the bench.

 

[valefan16]

I think regards Crookes and Brisley that would more be the product of just not a lot of playing time together, give them a run of games over this Xmas period to build up a better understanding and then assess after. Walsall really had joy against us when they brought Scrimshaw on who had pace and Smith and Legge couldn't cope and given that is Dior Angus biggest asset we should name our quickest centre-back which is Crookes to give us the best shot of countering him.

Legge and Smith both need dropping based on performance. If after that Askey does nothing or slight changes then to me it completely undermines what he said after Walsall. If Smith gets pushed to right back in place of Mills who was dire also then am OK with that though. To me there is no bigger message to send than sending the captain to the bench.

He need to show some balls certainly. He’s been too soft and allowed this mess to carry on for weeks.

 

[shoddycollins]

These have never won at Vale Park and haven’t beaten us since Hitler was taking the Sudetenland.

Does that really mean anything? I mean AS Roma have never beaten us at Brunton Park.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

I think regards Crookes and Brisley that would more be the product of just not a lot of playing time together, give them a run of games over this Xmas period to build up a better understanding and then assess after. Walsall really had joy against us when they brought Scrimshaw on who had pace and Smith and Legge couldn't cope and given that is Dior Angus biggest asset we should name our quickest centre-back which is Crookes to give us the best shot of countering him.

Legge and Smith both need dropping based on performance. If after that Askey does nothing or slight changes then to me it completely undermines what he said after Walsall. If Smith gets pushed to right back in place of Mills who was dire also then am OK with that though. To me there is no bigger message to send than sending the captain to the bench.

I don't think the new manager will have any say with team selection today (Kelly is supposed to be in charge), and Angus has only started once in the past month. Much more likely that Luke James will be starting up front. In fact, I'd expect the same starting XI.

Quigley will be fired up for it, but that can go one of two ways - he'll put in his best performance of the season so far or try and do too much and get frustrated. Hardcastle hasn't been available for a couple of months so can't see him playing.

The best thing for us is that last week's win lifted the pressure and we also found some kind of shape with two defensive midfielders in front of the back three. And obviously players should be out to impress the new manager today!

 

[valefan16]

I don't think the new manager will have any say with team selection today (Kelly is supposed to be in charge), and Angus has only started once in the past month. Much more likely that Luke James will be starting up front. In fact, I'd expect the same starting XI.

Quigley will be fired up for it, but that can go one of two ways - he'll put in his best performance of the season so far or try and do too much and get frustrated. Hardcastle hasn't been available for a couple of months so can't see him playing.

The best thing for us is that last week's win lifted the pressure and we also found some kind of shape with two defensive midfielders in front of the back three. And obviously players should be out to impress the new manager today!

A back three you say....

 

[pontoonlew]

No Boycott from me, GTFC is like a drug; I don't want to watch us but can't help myself.

You’re one of very few in that case

 

[The Jovial Forester]

I'm pretty pessimistic about today, have a horrible feeling we're just the sort of side to get Exeter in free scoring mode again despite our decent defensive record on paper - feel like we haven't completely cut the gaffes out, just other sides not exploited them and Exeter likely to. Prove me wrong!

 

[Shrimper92]

Excellent start. Akinola's 1st

 

[BarraMatt]

I can't believe Colchester are 11th, every time I seem to check their results they're losing.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Blimey, under the cosh a bit but pulled off a training ground corner routine.

 

[denzel ecfc]

All us for 15 minutes then they score a poor goal. Same every week.

 

[kieran_vale]

I can't believe Colchester are 11th, every time I seem to check their results they're losing.

They weren't exactly overwhelming and rather fortunate to escape with a draw against us.

Got to admire the turnaround at Southend of late. Very impressive run they are on at the moment given their start.

 

[dedwardp]

Said it on here recently but we are genuinely abysmal, and that we've been so high for most of the season so far is really perplexing. We'll be right in the thick of the bottom third of this division easily unless something drastic changes.

 

[Shrimper92]

Dreamland

 

[valefan16]

They weren't exactly overwhelming and rather fortunate to escape with a draw against us.

Got to admire the turnaround at Southend of late. Very impressive run they on at the moment given their start.

They seem to get battered in games a lot but scrape out results, I know Scunthorpe fans felt they mugged them and we hammered them for much of the game. Guess you need the xG to show though.

Southend are doing remarkable, arguably one of the poorest sides I’ve seen us play in the EFL when we beat them in October but since have picked up results (we’ve gone the other way!)

 

[dedwardp]

On the expected goals table I think we'd be third bottom, and that's very believable.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

A back three you say....

Or back five, I suppose - we'll definitely play with wing-backs.

 

[Shrimpurh]

the improvement in our side is a joke Molesley has worked miracles

 

[BarraMatt]

A false position for Southend it seems. Won't be devastated if the result doesn't go our way today, we won't be in the bottom two and if anything it'll identify to Jolley where strengthening is required. Unusually confident about our chances though, so that will only mean one thing.

I assume Vale only beat sides with 3/5 at the back.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Another goal for Collins, shame it was Exeter's version with a cracking hit.

 

[kieran_vale]

A false position for Southend it seems. Won't be devastated if the result doesn't go our way today, we won't be in the bottom two and if anything it'll identify to Jolley where strengthening is required. Unusually confident about our chances though, so that will only mean one thing.

I assume Vale only beat sides with 3/5 at the back.

That depends if your manager / caretaker has the ability to change things up in game.

If he does then you'll be ok as our manager if all else fails will just revert to plan A. If he doesn't (like Ian Evatt when we played Bolton) then it could play into our hands with the way we set up.

 

[Bottega Don]

Well this is over.

We've scored one equaliser all season, it isn't happening today.

Both teams have scored very fortunate own goals, neither team has looked like scoring apart from that really.

Our keeper hasn't made a save and we're down 2-1, that just sums us up.

 

[valefan16]

A false position for Southend it seems. Won't be devastated if the result doesn't go our way today, we won't be in the bottom two and if anything it'll identify to Jolley where strengthening is required. Unusually confident about our chances though, so that will only mean one thing.

I assume Vale only beat sides with 3/5 at the back.

Our best performances so far have been, Bolton we took apart with our wingers with three at the back as they got in time and time again; FGR similar so may suit us, if you park the bus we will no doubt huff and puff a lot, if you attack us it will be more suited to us...

We’ve played well in terms of general play in recent weeks and in each game had chances to score 4 or 5 but haven’t always been ruthless enough and generally have made that one mistake which has always been punished and seen us settle for a 1-1, the last two home games being prime examples when we had countless chances to beat Colchester and FGR.

The game we were most clinical in (Bolton and Walsall) we managed to concede 3 and 4 so if we can get the home game defence and away attack to turn up on the same day that would be nice! Easier said than done it seems.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Cracking equaliser. Good game, our defence looks better without Sweeney. Could go either way now

 

[BarraMatt]

Our best performances so far have been, Bolton we took apart with our wingers with three at the back as they got in time and time again; FGR similar so may suit us, if you park the bus we will no doubt huff and puff a lot, if you attack us it will be more suited to us...

We’ve played well in terms of general play in recent weeks and in each game had chances to score 4 or 5 but haven’t always been ruthless enough and generally have made that one mistake which has always been punished and seen us settle for a 1-1, the last two home games being prime examples when we had countless chances to beat Colchester and FGR.

The game we were most clinical in (Bolton and Walsall) we managed to concede 3 and 4 so if we can get the home game defence and away attack to turn up on the same day that would be nice! Easier said than done it seems.

Compared to the other sides in and around us we've scored quite a few so two teams who know where the net is (if only we knew where our own is). Sod's law points to one thing if that's the case!

 

[Chris FGR]

Exeter's Sweeney looked suspect at the back before Collins put us in front. Then our Sweeney was caught on the ball in the build up to their equaliser, scored by Collins.

 

[valefan16]

That line up is shit. Injuries really taking their toll now and have a youth on the bench.

Crookes for Legge wasn’t unexpected but Whitehead needs to put in a performance, Conlon out is a massive blow. Not sure what’s happened but that’s Conlon and Manny injured since Walsall, Monty, Worrall still not back. Bare bones time.

Edit: Conlon is isolating... not an ideal time for that to happen!

 

[BarraMatt]

Just had an OTD memory on twitter that around 7 years ago we were slogging around on a muddy pitch at Workington at the arse end of the Conference North. Whatever happens today at least we aren't there.

 

[kieran_vale]

That line up is shit. Injuries really taking their toll now and have a youth on the bench.

Crookes for Legge wasn’t unexpected but Whitehead needs to put in a performance, Conlon out is a massive blow. Not sure what’s happened but that’s Conlon and Manny injured since Walsall, Monty, Worrall still not back. Bare bones time.

Edit: Conlon is isolating... not an ideal time for that to happen!

To be honest my first thought on seeing that was who the hell is Bailey we have on the bench?

Suppose one option could be drop Hurst back into midfield and with Amoo on the bench (I'm assuming there is next to no chance McKirdy will get brought on) have him play out wide.

Smith and Crookes was probably not the combination anyone would expect but its the right thing to drop Legge as much as I like him. Just hope them two get their communication nailed down as they seem to be two of the more naturally quieter lads in our team. Mills is a very lucky boy that he has another start.

 

[BogDaddyO]

Sam Ling is, by a wide margin, the crappiest player in this whole division.