Match Day Thread - 7th/8th March 2015

[Sparrow]

We're due a result against Grimsby. Gave them two goals in their 3-1 win earlier in the season, threw away a 2-1 lead in the 96th minute away, lost 2-1 in the last minute at home and robbed 1-0 at home. Our luck has to change at some point.

Come on Barnet and Bristol too.

 

[miagsygas]

It does amuse me when fans try and ramp up the pressure to other fans on an Internet forum like it's going to affect the players in some sort of Jedi mind trick.

If we lose today, it won't be losing due to pressure it'll be losing to a good team in Eastleigh. Same as if Barnet lose to FGR.

If either choke against a lower side, yes fair enough, but a loss today is nothing to do with pressure - besides, I'd say we've been dealing with more pressure than any club in this league and we're currently top, we're not the fragile club we were last year.

 

[Gashead]

If either choke against a lower side, yes fair enough, but a loss today is nothing to do with pressure - besides, I'd say we've been dealing with more pressure than any club in this league and we're currently top, we're not the fragile club we were last year.

Given some of our fans attitudes towards the lower league clubs at the start of the season, it's great to see large crowds getting behind the players, even at the points we were struggling in the games against Altrincham and Braintree. Think a large, vocal following does make a difference when you're doing well.

 

[Greenacres]

Given some of our fans attitudes towards the lower league clubs at the start of the season, it's great to see large crowds getting behind the players, even at the points we were struggling in the games against Altrincham and Braintree. Think a large, vocal following does make a difference when you're doing well.

If what you are referring to, in the attitude of your fans, is the expectation of teams relegated to the Conference that they will bounce straight back to the Football League. This has certainly happened in the past, when teams who I won't bother to name, thought that they would be a big fish in a little pool found that reality was something quite different and their stay was several seasons. If Bristol Rovers can go straight back up at the first attempt then I believe they will be in a fairly small group of teams who have achieved precisely that. You are right about the large vocal following, it certainly helped Luton in the end, but I think there are greater implications. A team who play in front of home gates of something like 6-7k should generate far greater income, and therefore have a larger budget to spend on players, than one who have gates a fraction of that. Having a large following can be a boost when things are going well, but it can have an opposite effect when they aren't.

 

[miagsygas]

Given some of our fans attitudes towards the lower league clubs at the start of the season, it's great to see large crowds getting behind the players, even at the points we were struggling in the games against Altrincham and Braintree. Think a large, vocal following does make a difference when you're doing well.

People talk of the pressure but I think that happens when things are going badly. When things are going well, it could give us a push, something that gives us an advantage over teams like Barnet who have a very atmosphere-less backing

 

[Gashead]

If what you are referring to, in the attitude of your fans, is the expectation of teams relegated to the Conference that they will bounce straight back to the Football League. This has certainly happened in the past, when teams who I won't bother to name, thought that they would be a big fish in a little pool found that reality was something quite different and their stay was several seasons. If Bristol Rovers can go straight back up at the first attempt then I believe they will be in a fairly small group of teams who have achieved precisely that. You are right about the large vocal following, it certainly helped Luton in the end, but I think there are greater implications. A team who play in front of home gates of something like 6-7k should generate far greater income, and therefore have a larger budget to spend on players, than one who have gates a fraction of that. Having a large following can be a boost when things are going well, but it can have an opposite effect when they aren't.

Exactly right, and we know about that all too well! Some instances over the last few years the atmosphere hasn't been great, but I think there's been a real change around the club. Undoubtedly some of that is about the success, but this team gives 100% every week. That helps, fans are able to get on the side of a team who don't give up, and keep going right until the end. Still a lot of work to do though, and the fans getting behind the team will be essential in the next nine games.

Re: your points about crowds and revenue. Revenue doesn't necessarily equal success, and crowds aren't necessarily the only source of revenue (as you lot and our opponents today will know all too well )

People talk of the pressure but I think that happens when things are going badly. When things are going well, it could give us a push, something that gives us an advantage over teams like Barnet who have a very atmosphere-less backing

I wouldn't say Barnet are atmosphere-less, they try and make a noise but they just have lower numbers. Doesn't help that they're situated outside of Barnet now. Certainly think when the Mem gets behind the team it makes a huge difference though.

 

[Gashead]

Brings me to another point...

Barnet fans, would you rather be at the Hive with its good facilities and (I believe) better sources of non-matchday revenue but with the lower crowds, or back in the area of Barnet (not necessarily at Underhill) with worse facilities/less non-matchday revenue but with bigger crowds? I'm guessing the latter but in the long run I suppose the Hive could bring in crowds given success.

 

[Luke Imp]

If our management team have anything about them, Mendy, Miller, Tomlinson and DSY will all come in today, replacing Caprice, Adams, Robinson and Burrow.

 

[Sparrow]

Think it will be 1-1 today, we're good enough for a win the way we're playing but we never get results against Grimsby.

Cole
Newton Clarke Jones. Arthur
Betsy. Ricketts. Payne. Goddard
Rendell. Odubade

Attendance - 2500 (700 Mariners)

I'd be surprised if Saah didn't start at CB, with Jones at RB and Ricketts at CM. That's what I'd do anyway.

It'd be nice if Aswad Thomas was back to, you know, score the winner.

 

[yellow]

Brian Saah should be an excellent defender at this level.

Good signing.

As for us today, I'm not going but I would fully expect a reaction after last weeks shambles.

Nice weather may keep the attendance above 2000 as I can't see Telford having many.

Got to be a win.

 

[Cardsfan]

I'd be surprised if Saah didn't start at CB, with Jones at RB and Ricketts at CM. That's what I'd do anyway.

It'd be nice if Aswad Thomas was back to, you know, score the winner.

Simply put that given that he signed yesterday. Otherwise, yes, Jones at RB and Newton on the bench

 

[Ban Fat Stan]

In response to gas head, on the big games Underhill was fantastic but to progress we had to move on IMO.

It takes time I think in new stadiums for fans to feel at home and congegate together and get the atmosphere going.

The facilities are only going to improve at the hive which means good things for the future of the club.

 

[Harrier94]

3-5-2 for us today? With Tunnicliffe coming in for Nicholson

The team
Lewis
Tunnicliffe, Gowling, Grimes
Hodgkiss, Byrne, Verna, Gittings, Green
Hughes, Wright

 

[Luke Imp]

Dover are doing well.

No team sheets, no internet, no programmes in the press area and elderly visiting fans aren't allowed in the seating areas...

 

[Gladders]

Palmer in for LJL is our only change today who I assume is on Paterny leave

 

[Vanni]

Another Akinde penalty boys. 1-0

 

[Urban]

Lovely start to the day

 

[JJH]

Agent Akinde.

 

[GTFC1979]

Do i need to ask who won the penalty?!

 

[yellow]

sigh

 

[Master D]

Akinde gets his penalty.

 

[Master D]

A win which I personally think you'll get, your players always have fight and desire in these games ours never turn up. As for the bus routes this bubble match is a farce! Needs to be done with

We turned up today finally, and again it should have been all over at half time. Great strike from Morris again, technically he's superb. Some bellend Chester fans in the home end, swiftly dealt with in the first half. Nice to know that they paid to get in and were thrown out just after the goal.

 

[Urban]

Fack

 

[Urban]

Turns out Parkin's one of those in the Lee Hughes mould who shushes fans supporting their team. He didn't even score ffs, how pathetic

 

[The_Boss]

Well no sign so far of us playing well again. So fucking slow to do anything. No urgency whatsoever.

 

[Vanni]

Big news - Lincoln have scored an away goal.

Even bigger - they've scored two now!

 

[Gladders]

Grimsby go 1 up from that man Palmer

 

[GTFC1979]

[QUOTE="The_Boss, post: 58451no sign so far of us playing well again. So fucking slow to do anything. No urgency whatsoever.[/QUOTE]
You seem very good at grinding those ones out though into one goal wins, so I expect you to win 1 0 or 2 1 second half.

 

[Luke Imp]

The Dover 'keeper has dropped both goals apparently.

That's now 3 he's dropped against us this season.

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

I- Is it happening? Is this the day?