Boxing Day Games

[PuB]

Ours with Peterborough is now off due to Covid in their squad. But with games coming so fast, how are clubs meant to fit in the rearranged games?

 

[Boletus Edulis]

The ultimate solution, and it is not a good one, is Thursday night games. So by the end of the season some teams might have Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Good luck if you have us away in the sequence.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Ours with Peterborough is now off due to Covid in their squad. But with games coming so fast, how are clubs meant to fit in the rearranged games?

Always going to be the risk starting the season, I’m still unconvinced that we won’t be left with a similar situation to the end of last season. Unfortunately there wasn’t and isn’t a solution to the problem. No football, no clubs.

 

[Luke Imp]

We've still got 9 free midweeks, and although they can fill up quickly if a Club has to postpone two or three games, I can't see anyone needing Thursday games.

Everyone's played roughly the same amount of games and football seems to have been pretty unscathed in terms of postponements for Covid.

 

[EricSabin]

Ours at Ipswich in doubt too, although not too fussed as we’d just get beat at the minute!

 

[TimeyWimey]

Fleetwood at home. Willing to bet it’s our last home game in front of fans for a few months. It’s a bit of a mid table six pointer. I fancy us to win, obviously.

 

[Agombar stool]

Sounds like our game at Pompey is at risk as they have Covid in the camp, which incidentally sounds like a potential ITV4 reality show.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Accrington at home, never beaten the Phoenix club in the League and they are on a good run, we are definitely seeing the effects of having a small squad now, couldn’t possibly say what the lineup will be as it changes every game and we have one tomorrow

 

[Tinnion's right foot]

Burton at home for us. Our away form has been much better than home, though it theory it shouldn't make much of a difference this year. We were back on it against a limited and, er, 'rugged' Northampton at the weekend, and would hope to see off Burton with the same ease. Having said that, we lost at home to the Shrews last week, so it may not be as comfortable as it appears.

Burton took Michael Bostwick from us this summer. The man's a legend (for Posh as well), but getting a bit old methinks - he missed large chunks of last year injured. Nice photo on the BBC website of him squaring up to some Ipswich player. He'd eat him for Breakfast. But, by all accounts, quiet and considerate off the pitch.

 

[Luke Imp]

Neal Eardley as well.

Certainly don't to draws at home, it's either lose or win. Shows how good our away record is when we're 2nd but have a mid-table home record.

Obviously got to be targeting a win in it. A midweek off is what we need at the minute, we're not even filling the bench. Fingers crossed we'll see Jackson, Bridcutt and McGrandles back in and around the squad for it.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Fancy us to beat Fleetwood on Boxing Day given they look inconsistent on paper but they're clearly no mugs and will be a tough, physical side if managed by Joey Barton.

Seen Ched Evans has been binned off by them but Callum Camps and Paddy Madden very dangerous players that will give our defence a tough time. But we've got a formidable home record and I genuinely believe we'll keep the winning run going. Sadly no fans attending thanks to Cheshire going into Tier 3.

2 wins from Fleetwood and Rochdale over Christmas will have us in a very nice position for when we inevitably get shithoused 1-0 by Steve Cotterill ffs.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Charlton away for us. But to be honest I am not that bothered about the result, just hope that all the players, coaches and support staff on both sides stay well.

 

[Davidimp]

Tempted to actually watch a game on iFollow as not bothered since the early weeks of the season.
No midweek game for us as Hull is off as they have covid in the squad, so we can go for it knowing we have a week off again.
Pity we can't be there to see former imps in Bostwick and Eardley, although I think Eardley is injured.

A sort of a win will do, can’t see it being 4 0 again butyou never know.

 

[Gassy]

MK away tomorrow. Not sure what to expect, the squad was off for a couple of weeks with a covid outbreak so all the good work Tisdale has done will probably have lost us momentum.

Plus we had 3 (i think) first team members test positive, so I’ll expect them still out.

Mind you, Tisdale being the ex-MK manager you never know what can happen. Should be a good game.

Merry Christmas everyone

 

[dannyc5]

.

 

[Luke Imp]

With no game on Tuesday and no midweek game last week either, I doubt we'll rotate anyone. We're still without four or five but we should have Bridcutt, Jackson and McGrandles back after today's game.

Youngest squad in the league vs the oldest squad in the league today.

 

[Tinnion's right foot]

Very comfortable for us today - I don't think our keeper actually made a save. On average we're ten years younger than Burton, and it showed. They looked OK in posession, but very slow, whereas we looked quick going forward and had the game won after ten minutes. TBH - we probably should have had more, and Burton will be lucky to escape the drop.

We're top of the league, and we're pinching ourselves. This is beyond our wildest hopes.

 

[PuB]

Are Burton the new Yeovil?

 

[Tinnion's right foot]

Are Burton the new Yeovil?

You have to wonder.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Cracking result. Was expecting a tight game like Wigan where they frustrate us. Made all the difference with those 2 early goals. I didn't think Burton were THAT bad, they kept pushing and pushing but struggled to test Palmer. They just couldn't deal with our pace when we broke and it really could have been more. A great response since the Sunderland game +8 GD!

 

[Luke Imp]

Game was done in 6 minutes and we should have scored 7 or 8 really, it was a training session at times.

Burton can handle the ball ok but the lack of pace in their side means they have to pass sideways, whereas we have tonnes of pace and always look to pass vertically.

Shame about the mix-up between Palmer and Montsma, the latter should have dealt with it but a good result.

Managed to fill the bench for the first time in a while, good to see Jackson back and Bridcutt doing the warm-up even though he wasn't in the squad.

 

[codaplenty]

Fancy us to beat Fleetwood on Boxing Day given they look inconsistent on paper but they're clearly no mugs and will be a tough, physical side if managed by Joey Barton.

Seen Ched Evans has been binned off by them but Callum Camps and Paddy Madden very dangerous players that will give our defence a tough time. But we've got a formidable home record and I genuinely believe we'll keep the winning run going. Sadly no fans attending thanks to Cheshire going into Tier 3.

2 wins from Fleetwood and Rochdale over Christmas will have us in a very nice position for when we inevitably get shithoused 1-0 by Steve Cotterill ffs.

A draw was a fair result today, both teams will have felt they could have won it but Crewe are a good side so this was a descent result for the Cods. Card happy ref, I thought at one time he was going to give me one for my protestations, supposed to be playing Donny on Tuesday but this looks doubtfull with the Covid cases around
Crewe fans can be well pleased with their form and results, Dale on the wing is a real handfull

 

[lordofthepies]

A draw was a fair result today, both teams will have felt they could have won it but Crewe are a good side so this was a descent result for the Cods. Card happy ref, I thought at one time he was going to give me one for my protestations, supposed to be playing Donny on Tuesday but this looks doubtfull with the Covid cases around
Crewe fans can be well pleased with their form and results, Dale on the wing is a real handfull

Agreed, neither side could have really complained if the other side had won. We were a bit fortunate with our goal as it looked like handball and although the camera didn't show all of Fleetwood's defensive line, it looked like it might have been offside as well... I felt we were good value for the point against a good team without actually playing particularly well. Happy with that.

 

[Davidimp]

Treated myself to an ifollow purchase and bloody glad I did as at times we were unplayable breaking with such pace.
Most of the goals were close range finishes but it was the build up play that impressed me.
First time we've been top of the third tier at this point of the season since 1982!

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

A draw was a fair result today, both teams will have felt they could have won it but Crewe are a good side so this was a descent result for the Cods. Card happy ref, I thought at one time he was going to give me one for my protestations, supposed to be playing Donny on Tuesday but this looks doubtfull with the Covid cases around
Crewe fans can be well pleased with their form and results, Dale on the wing is a real handfull

Couldn't agree more. Tight affair between two top half sides. We were very fortunate for the goal. Blatant handball but believe Jordan Rossiter should've walked for that shocking foul. An injury prone professional ought to know better.

I like the work Joey Barton has done up there. I believe he'll be on to bigger things in the future. But he's plying his trade well at Fleetwood when many predicted him to fail. Good luck for the rest of the season!

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Good attractive game. Bit disappointed in a draw after leading twice, but looks like we have our mojo back. Jephcott scored a brace, makes me think someone is going to come in for an offer for him in January.

Typical game for us, dominated first half did not take our chances and then played mediocre in the second.

We had to share Radio London commentary and have to say Emma Jones and Sam Parkin were excellent. Clearly done their homework, knew all about us and offered good insight. Parkin was especially complementary of Jephcott and Hardie in the first half.

 

[codaplenty]

Couldn't agree more. Tight affair between two top half sides. We were very fortunate for the goal. Blatant handball but believe Jordan Rossiter should've walked for that shocking foul. An injury prone professional ought to know better.

I like the work Joey Barton has done up there. I believe he'll be on to bigger things in the future. But he's plying his trade well at Fleetwood when many predicted him to fail. Good luck for the rest of the season!

Cheers mate, there were plenty of doubters when he came, including me . The Chairman has backed him from day one and he has repaid with his work ethic, an excellent academy with some very promising players coming through. In particular he has never been afraid of throwing young players in at the deep end and they have grown in confidence which can only auger well for the future. His 3 yr contact finishes in the summer so it will be inetersting to see what develops, without doubt Fleetwood's stature as a football club has grown under him. Of course we can throw in the odd grenade or 2....Are you old enough to remember Steve MacCauley who Crewe signed fronm us, think the fee was around £25k which was a lot of money for the club in those days
Best to you for the remainder of the season

 

[Bartonyellow]

You have to wonder.

If we do not sack Buxton...then yes.
And we are not a sacking club.

 

[Bartonyellow]

Game was done in 6 minutes and we should have scored 7 or 8 really, it was a training session at times.

Burton can handle the ball ok but the lack of pace in their side means they have to pass sideways, whereas we have tonnes of pace and always look to pass vertically.

Shame about the mix-up between Palmer and Montsma, the latter should have dealt with it but a good result.

Managed to fill the bench for the first time in a while, good to see Jackson back and Bridcutt doing the warm-up even though he wasn't in the squad.

Fair assessment of the game. You look very good.
We are powder puff at the back.
Have to make changes with management and now.
Same squad as last year which was flirting with the play offs till Easter.
Disaster season.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Cheers mate, there were plenty of doubters when he came, including me . The Chairman has backed him from day one and he has repaid with his work ethic, an excellent academy with some very promising players coming through. In particular he has never been afraid of throwing young players in at the deep end and they have grown in confidence which can only auger well for the future. His 3 yr contact finishes in the summer so it will be inetersting to see what develops, without doubt Fleetwood's stature as a football club has grown under him. Of course we can throw in the odd grenade or 2....Are you old enough to remember Steve MacCauley who Crewe signed fronm us, think the fee was around £25k which was a lot of money for the club in those days
Best to you for the remainder of the season

My first season watching us was Macca's last season in the early 2000s. Went his testimonial as well. Believe in the late 80s and early 90s we signed a lot of Northern Premier League lads like Tony Naylor, Shaun Smith (who also got a testimonial with Macca) and we had another lad from you lot I believe. But slightly before my time.

Can only imagine Barton will get offered a new contract. He's done a terrific job. But could the implementation of a salary cap for this level possibly hinder that? Even though it's been introduced, the rules have been kind to players on existing contracts before it was introduced. So I think a lot of clubs at the top end of this division are facing shit or bust and those that fail to go up will lose players next Summer unless they accept a pay cut. And I can't see many players being willing to take a cut in pay either.