Match Day Thread - 7th/8th March 2015

[rudebwoyben]

Very important win for us yesterday, with Eastleigh beating the Gas. Will probably need to over take one of the top 4 to make the play-offs as Eastleigh look in good enough form to win their games in hand.

We were very solid and dealt well with conceding the expected Akinde penalty. Need to see it again as there were suggestions it was outside the box. Akinde's a good player, but seems surprisingly weak given his size, as he seems very prone to falling over at the slightest contact.

Our cracking equaliser from Dale Bennett was crucial as after it Barnet seemed to fade, and played a lot of aimless hoofball, something we're happy to play against. The second half in particular was woeful from them, they looked to have no ideas and just seemed to wilt. The pitch was a bit bumpy, but still much better then some at this level so I was surprised to see so little of the passing football that had ripped us apart last season.

Jon Parkin got his customary goal, the minute you saw Frear cross coming to him there was only one outcome, to have such a sure fire finisher in the side could make a real difference in the run in. He might be big, but having settled he's proving to be a class apart at this level. He's been unstoppable since December. Kurtis Guthrie's bullet header from Rob Sinclair's inswinging corner was another well taken goal, but defensively it was poor from Barnet's perspective. He just seemed to want it far more then any of their defenders, poor given the importance of the game.

After that both Barnet and a number of the home support seemed to give up, with the team producing very little threat and a number of fans heading for the exits about 15 minutes early.

Given Barnet's position in the table I was surprised at the negativity around the place, surely they can't have become such a poor team over night and I'm sure with an experienced head in Allen in charge, they'll still have a say in the title race. They need to play a bit more football though.

That's a very fair summary.
The penalty looked inside the box to me. We stopped playing any football after Luisma was taken off and you could sense the nervousness in our team whereas your lot played like a team in good form. Compared to your display at the Hive last season, which was very disjointed, you've really progressed as a team.

 

[Chris FGR]

That's a very fair summary.
The penalty looked inside the box to me. We stopped playing any football after Luisma was taken off and you could sense the nervousness in our team whereas your lot played like a team in good form. Compared to your display at the Hive last season, which was very disjointed, you've really progressed as a team.

Fair enough re the penalty, Arnold was a bit rash and there were few complaints at the time. Luisma was your no.15 I think? A lot seemed to through him and yes it was a surprise you took him off, maybe injured?

We've become a lot more organised and resilient this season, which has been helped by having more continuity in team selections and a smaller squad. Even when we don't play well, we've got the battling qualities to stay in games, and add that to the fact that our forwards, Parkin in particular, are a lot more clinical, it's all added up to a team that seems to be clicking at the right time this year.

 

[CrazyImp]

Welling aren't getting out of this now. Desperately poor side.

 

[Luke Imp]

At least they've got a short trip and a local game to look forward to on Tuesday night...

 

[Shotsfan1993]

I cant believe im saying this after where we were a month ago but I would have preferred Welling to have won today. Hoping we can catch a few sides by the end of the season so not great for us in my opinion.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Fair enough re the penalty, Arnold was a bit rash and there were few complaints at the time. Luisma was your no.15 I think? A lot seemed to through him and yes it was a surprise you took him off, maybe injured?

We've become a lot more organised and resilient this season, which has been helped by having more continuity in team selections and a smaller squad. Even when we don't play well, we've got the battling qualities to stay in games, and add that to the fact that our forwards, Parkin in particular, are a lot more clinical, it's all added up to a team that seems to be clicking at the right time this year.

Yes, he's our no. 15 and he wasn't injured.
Clovis did pretty well for your lot yesterday. You lot are definitely not a soft touch to play against nowadays whereas under Hockaday that was what you were known for.

 

[Chris FGR]

Yes, he's our no. 15 and he wasn't injured.
Clovis did pretty well for your lot yesterday. You lot are definitely not a soft touch to play against nowadays whereas under Hockaday that was what you were known for.

Strange sub then, like I said he looked your most creative player.

It's down to the likes of Clovis in midfield that we're no longer a soft touch, players who get stuck in and show proper commitment Shame he couldn't reproduce last weeks goal, but I doubt he ever will tbf. He got a nice reception from your lot, obviously a popular player..

Our midfield has been completely overhauled and it's made us much tougher to beat. Hockaday wanted footballers, but didn't instil proper discipline or work ethic so we ended up prancing around getting kicked out of games too often. Pennock's Stoke learnt approach has changed that.

 

[springerbfc]

FGR were a strong, organised unit with pace up front. Not much pretty football but it was a fantastic away performance and deserved victory.

We lacked creativity, even with Luisma on the pitch, pace and seemingly any game plan. Akinde thrives off turning defenders and yet all we did was lump high, hanging balls that held up in the wind making them meat and drink for the FGR defence.

A very poor display and big improvement needed at Eastleigh and Halifax before we face four of the current bottom five, four games which we must win if we are to have any say in the title race.

 

[PBBee]

We lacked creativity, even with Luisma on the pitch, pace and seemingly any game plan. Akinde thrives off turning defenders and yet all we did was lump high, hanging balls that held up in the wind making them meat and drink for the FGR defence.

That is seriously the most disappointing thing to watch recently, why the bloody hell do we go long ball. Akinde is actually crap in the air, it's his weakest part of the game and he is absolutely deadly with the ball at his feet either holding players off or running against them.

I'd be happy enough if we were playing well each game and losing to decent teams each time but unfortunately this isn't the case. The confidence has gone.

Only positive is that our start to the season mean we still have a chance (with drastic changes needed asap) to win the league and if not we should be in the play offs.

 

[Sparrow]

Grimsby players in the changing room after yesterdays game when they nicked a load of wigs from our supporters.

What trophy did Grimsby win on Saturday? It really was their cup final! We've come a long way to force celebrations like that from a full-time side.

 

[Son of Cod]

Auto Wigscreen Shield.

 

[GTFC1979]

Ollie Palmer must go to the same gym as me as he has the same physique as mine.........

 

[Jemfy]

I never got around to updating this before, but Diamonds edged out a 2-1 win at Eynesbury thanks to a 95th min penalty. They all put 3 points on the board though, and it's 3 points closer to our aims.

We dominated, but the only goal we could find in the first half was in from the defender at a corner, and this time not one of our defenders who have been notching more than our forwards recently. The second half was more even by all accounts. Despite earlier committing a rash challenge while already booked, Eynesbury top goalscorer Basett was able to grab an equaliser from outside the box at 85 mins. Diamonds had a couple of earlier opportunites in the game, but the ref finally blew for a penalty in the 95th min. Keeper got a touch on the ball, but not enough to stop AFCR&D maintaining the lead at the top of the table.

Wisbech won at Newport Pagnell, staying 4 behind with 1 game in hand. (not Wellingborough as I had suggested! They played Thurnby Nirvana - two teams with pleanty of goals at both ends in recent weeks played out a 3-2 win for the visitors.)

Promotion rivals Holbeach lost in the UCL KO cup to division 1 side Potton. In recent weeks Holbeach have lost both co-managers, first Graham Drury then Jon Chand. These departures were interspersed with first team coach Jay Harrison also tendering his resignation. Since Drury's departure it's been a stream out of the exit doors, with a number of their better players leaving for pastures new. They did however add Tidswell, who was the top goalscorer in the UCL Premier for Spalding last season despite missing about a third of it with injury. And the previous season where he won it with Holbeach. This move was in the pipeline and rumoured for a couple of weeks before the departures started however. They have picked up a total of 5 points in their 4 league matches since the vase loss appears to have triggered Drury to call time.

 

[Gladders]

What trophy did Grimsby win on Saturday? It really was their cup final! We've come a long way to force celebrations like that from a full-time side.

All our away games are now theme games and you can thank FGR stewards for that, the players are just joining in the party atmosphere and enjoying their football. One day Woking might have some fans which the players can feed of

 

[springerbfc]

That is seriously the most disappointing thing to watch recently, why the bloody hell do we go long ball. Akinde is actually crap in the air, it's his weakest part of the game and he is absolutely deadly with the ball at his feet either holding players off or running against them.

I'd be happy enough if we were playing well each game and losing to decent teams each time but unfortunately this isn't the case. The confidence has gone.

Only positive is that our start to the season mean we still have a chance (with drastic changes needed asap) to win the league and if not we should be in the play offs.

I don't mind a long ball game if it is part of a deliberate tactic to turn defences - FGR did it superbly in the second half for example, causing havoc from every drop kick. Most of Akinde's goals/penalties have come from long balls in behind defences or balls played down the channels. He outpaces and outmuscles defences and then scores or is brought down. It's pretty basic but it can be extremely effective at this level.

Our problem is that when teams sit deep or when we are playing into the wind, we don't adapt when things are not working and contrary to what people have said about our squad, it has always looked pretty feeble once you scratch beneath the surface.

That said, it's only the better teams who are able to nullify the threat of Akinde/our long ball game.
As we did vs Southport, we can get away with playing poorly and yet still come away with convincing wins when our superior fitness really comes to the fore late in games.

The real positive to take from our current position is that we still have a number of struggling sides to face. We beat most/all of them and we will continue to fight for the title, even without wholesale changes in personnel or performance.

 

[ShrewdBlue]

All our away games are now theme games and you can thank FGR stewards for that, the players are just joining in the party atmosphere and enjoying their football. One day Woking might have some fans which the players can feed of

Taking the piss out of heavy handed stewarding or not, why is there a "party atmosphere" in the dressing room for a win against Woking (no offence to Woking). You used to be in the Championship ffs.

 

[Luke Imp]

Allen did the same against us at the beginning of the season. Just resorted to hoof way, way too early and made it easier than it otherwise would have been.

 

[TheGas]

Taking the piss out of heavy handed stewarding or not, why is there a "party atmosphere" in the dressing room for a win against Woking (no offence to Woking). You used to be in the Championship ffs.

They're getting ahead of themselves. Our players don't celebrate after a win. All level headed and just keep saying 8 more cup finals to go ect ect be silly what the grimsby players done

 

[pontoonlew]

Disagree, they're just posing with wigs. It's hardly champagne popping with flags is it?

This whole positive away atmosphere is why we're the best away side in the league and why we're in with a shot at the title. It's come from the fans and credit to the players for buying into it and rewarding the fans. Two 'themed' away days and 2 of our best away displays all season.

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

Yeah I am 99% certain the players weren't wildly celebrating a win over bloody Woking, nor the two results above us. As you can clearly see they're enjoying the support from the fans and showing the support back. God forbid players can smile after winning a game of football, must be some right miserable clubs down here.

 

[TheGas]

Yeah I am 99% certain the players weren't wildly celebrating a win over bloody Woking, nor the two results above us. As you can clearly see they're enjoying the support from the fans and showing the support back. God forbid players can smile after winning a game of football, must be some right miserable clubs down here.

Was they taking selfies in the dressing room

 

[Gashead]

Ah give over, the Grimsby players were having fun with the fans for their 'wig day'. It's hardly like they were doing laps of honour and preparing to lift a trophy!

EDIT: Grimsby fans, with the inflatables and now this, is there something planned for all the remaining away games? Can't help but think you'll run out of ideas

 

[GTFC1979]

Ah give over, the Grimsby players were having fun with the fans for their 'wig day'. It's hardly like they were doing laps of honour and preparing to lift a trophy!

EDIT: Grimsby fans, with the inflatables and now this, is there something planned for all the remaining away games? Can't help but think you'll run out of ideas

I heard today we are doing ,'jesters at chester' on saturday (no shit)!!!

 

[GTFC1979]

Taking the piss out of heavy handed stewarding or not, why is there a "party atmosphere" in the dressing room for a win against Woking (no offence to Woking). You used to be in the Championship ffs.

Why don't you and Urban go for a drink together sometimr, i think you would get along...... :+

 

[ShrewdBlue]

Why don't you and Urban go for a drink together sometimr, i think you would get along...... :+

I'll invite him to Chester for our game against Woking so if we beat them we can get hammered with Steve Burr celebrating Chester's giant-killing.

 

[Jemfy]

Whatever gets you going I suppose with regards to the wigs etc. Probably induces a higher and noisier away following for the rest of the season. If Grimsby do go up, and by either means, I would suspect that this might have a significant impact. I hope someone is planning a theme for your playoff away leg, and I hope it's epic.

 

[Gladders]

Taking the piss out of heavy handed stewarding or not, why is there a "party atmosphere" in the dressing room for a win against Woking (no offence to Woking). You used to be in the Championship ffs.

As others have said it wasn't celebrating beating Woking (though the win helps) it was celebrating with the fans and the wigs the same as the inflatables after Barnet, and whatever other themes the fans come up with for the rest of the away games.

Its obviously working as we have the best away record in the league and the players are loving it. Pittman tweeted on Saturday that he hasn't enjoyed football for the last three seasons and he is currently on a high everyday but the job is no where done.

 

[GTFC1979]

I'll invite him to Chester for our game against Woking so if we beat them we can get hammered with Steve Burr celebrating Chester's giant-killing.

http://thumbnails-visually.netdna-ssl.com/life-is-too-short-to-not-smile_53b5242cd5bc6_w1500.jpg

 

[GTFC1979]

Yeah I am 99% certain the players weren't wildly celebrating a win over bloody Woking, nor the two results above us. As you can clearly see they're enjoying the support from the fans and showing the support back. God forbid players can smile after winning a game of football, must be some right miserable clubs down here.

Plus as we have Paul 'wouldn't have mattered If we'd lost' Hurst in charge, no way he would have let them get too carried away!

 

[pontoonlew]

Think it's either jesters or Vikings at Chester. Not sure if it's been decided, it certainly makes going to away games more appealing.