Saturday 14th August

[FGR Stroud]

2nd league games of season and 3rd match.
By 5pm pundits will have a better idea of early form and possible league placings.
FGR usually do okay at Walsall but have yet to win a game against our nearest Northern neighbours.

 

[BarraMatt]

Don't think we've ever beaten a Challinor side. 0-1.

 

[Myblueheaven04]

I'm hoping we have some players available for Bradford away, if we have then we will give them a game.
We almost held Newport yesterday with no strikers on the pitch so hoping for at least 4/ 5 players back for sat, roared on by 2000 plus I would imagine.

 

[Salvador]

I’m going to struggle predicting Dale for the first few games. So many new faces. A pissed up Scunny fan I met yesterday reckons they’ll beat us 4-0 next week. I’m Not sure about that score line but wouldn’t be too surprised with a few losses to start the season.

 

[Chief Rocka]

I'll be going to this game most likely, we should bring a decent amount across, hard to make predictions based on only one game, DC will set us up exactly like he always does, three at the back with our threat coming from attacking fullbacks, our front two looked good yesterday but we're still lacking any sort of weight and height upfront, whilst both strikers played well with the ball at feet we won nothing in the air.

 

[Indian Dan]

You’ll have to be beyond terrible for Scunny to beat you. We’re hoping for 10,000 v Carlisle. They thumped us 4-1 at the CG when it was Wellens’ first home game and a very close 3-2 couple of seasons back.

Better forget that nonsense with Garner!

 

[E10rifle]

Another weekend where most of the sides I predict to be finishing in the top 10 are playing each other. Already expected the table to take longer than usual to take shape, but this is going to exacerbate it. Don’t think we’re going to get a clear picture until Christmas. Apart from Scunny finishing bottom, natch.

As I alluded to elsewhere our record against Exeter is dreadful, so not expecting more than a point. Would take a 0-0.

 

[Bottega Don]

Christ this is going to be depressing, another side who's players have known each other for a week yet they'll walk all over us.

Rochdale 3-0 Scunthorpe

 

[hellogregory]

I know I’m not the most overly positive of fans, but I can’t really see where a win is going to come from in these early games.

Last week I was looking at Swindon and Hartlepool as potential victories, but they seem by all accounts to be better than a lot anticipated judging by yesterday’s reports. Leyton Orient and Salford are our next 2 home games but I have them both as top sides in my prediction table. After Swindon on Saturday we go to champions elect Port Vale.

Crawley away on 11th September is the first genuine potential winnable game for us in my opinion. But by then we could be well adrift if we’re as I expect without a win.

 

[JaredSUFC]

This would have been difficult enough if as originally intended we were playing this at GGL. Away this will be more difficult, but a good step on the learning curve.

 

[valefan16]

I know I’m not the most overly positive of fans, but I can’t really see where a win is going to come from in these early games.

Last week I was looking at Swindon and Hartlepool as potential victories, but they seem by all accounts to be better than a lot anticipated judging by yesterday’s reports. Leyton Orient and Salford are our next 2 home games but I have them both as top sides in my prediction table. After Swindon on Saturday we go to champions elect Port Vale.

Crawley away on 11th September is the first genuine potential winnable game for us in my opinion. But by then we could be well adrift if we’re as I expect without a win.

Don’t think a single Vale fan has even predicted we would come top 3 let alone top?

 

[EricSabin]

Colchester away. No idea how it’ll go. I’m certainly not going though because it’s a depressing away day and I’m not making it my first away game in yonks.

 

[BlackCountrySaddler]

Another interesting game coming up, we have had a tough start with both Tranmere & FGR as our opening two fixtures, two teams you expect to see up there come the end of the season.

The obvious threat is Jamille Matt, itll be interesting to see how Taylor/Monthe deal with him. I also see Kane Wilson at the club, he was awful on loan at our place.

Hopefully we get this striker sorted in the week. If not, id like to see Phillips start up front, he seems more of an out and out striker than Wilkinson.

How many FGR fans are we to expect this weekend?

Im going to predict a score draw, 1-1.

 

[Essex2Wessex]

Expecting Walsall to be quite a challenge, with Labadie and Monthe in particular very obviously among those to worry about.

Kane Wilson has been reasonably decent at our place, albeit has been used more as a sub than a match-starter. He was out injured for quite a while last season, but did make some impact when he came back. I think the departure of Chris Stokes means we're still working out how our defence is to function.

We took 270 fans to our previous league encounter with fans at Bescot two years ago (also the first away match of the season): I reckon it'll be a bit fewer this time, not least as it's unclear if the supporters club are running a coach (supposedly they will, but no details anounced yet). Our turnout at the Sutton game was a bit down on past first matches of the season, too. I'd guess 150 to 200 or so -you're still among our nearest neighbours in this league.

I'd also predict a draw of 1-1

 

[leedsvaliant]

Another tough game against Tranmere. Our August is a really tough month fixture wise.

I expect Tranmere to be a decent team and will probably cause us a few issues. It all depends whether they have replaced the goals they have lost.

If we go behind then we are screwed as at the moment we are lacking that player to change a game. We're going to be a low scoring team that tries to nick a goal and then be solid.

I can see us struggling in the first month or so as we are playing some of the better teams whilst trying to gel as a team ourselves.

 

[F!RTHY]

Oldham (h) - expecting a tough game, but honestly, just being back amongst it with the lads will be enough. Seing folk you haven’t seen for months, swilling too much ale and talking absolute bollocks after a 12 hour session - I’ve missed it.

Not sure what the club are playing at regarding away ticket info. All this talk about wanting a bumper crowd of circa 20,000, but have given Oldham fans just days to purchase tickets. Can only think the council are having some kind of say in this - which is bollocks in itself.

No idea how many tickets have been sold thus far, apart from the 13,000 ST’s. North-West Corner (2,300 capacity) is looking relatively full - our new ‘singing section’.

I’m sure it’ll be a massive anti-climax, but I’m buzzing for it already. Should be a cracking atmosphere.

Songo’o might be back, after missing the game yesterday and the game against Forest on Wednesday. Lavery might make the bench.

With that being said, I can’t see any changes. Perhaps Angol might make way for Eisa.

GK: Richard O’Donnell

RB: Oscar Threlkeld
CB: Paudie O’Connor
CB: Niall Canavan
LB: Liam Ridehalgh

CM: Elliot Watt
CM: Levi Sutton

RW: Alex Gilliead
CAM: Callum Cooke
LW: Lee Angol/Abo Eisa

CF: Andy Cook

3-1 City -

 

[Soup Ladle]

No idea what to expect from Barra. They're not one of the better sides so we've gotta look to get something out of this.

The fact we were miles better on the day v Crawley who were top half last season gives a lot of encouragement but far too early to tell if it means owt.

Should be a very strong Pools following and I'm already looking forward to it tbh.

 

[AdamStag]

After yesterday we’ve got the 2nd of 3 straight home games (as newport are doing some much, much needed work on the pitch) so here we are again.

We normally do well against newport at home so hopefully we can follow it up with another win

 

[loz]

I'm hoping we have some players available for Bradford away, if we have then we will give them a game.
We almost held Newport yesterday with no strikers on the pitch so hoping for at least 4/ 5 players back for sat, roared on by 2000 plus I would imagine.

Do Bradford EVER beat Oldham?

 

[F!RTHY]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1424445304808644625

 

[Boz]

Vale v Rovers, expecting another close game from two teams expected to be near the top end of the table. Whatever the criticism of Clarke he set Walsall up beautifully to nullify our attacking threat and expose defensive frailties at the time we were going well and not to be underestimated in that regard.
Will make a prediction nearer the time when we’ve a better idea who’s available for Rovers.

Vale fans; any idea how many away tickets likely to be available? Total silence from Rovers on this so far. Our own arrangements for away tickets for the Walsall fans were very last minute.

 

[Randolph Haggerty]

Away end holds 4k mate, I’m not sure what the crack is with tickets etc..

 

[kieran_vale]

Vale v Rovers, expecting another close game from two teams expected to be near the top end of the table. Whatever the criticism of Clarke he set Walsall up beautifully to nullify our attacking threat and expose defensive frailties at the time we were going well and not to be underestimated in that regard.
Will make a prediction nearer the time when we’ve a better idea who’s available for Rovers.

Vale fans; any idea how many away tickets likely to be available? Total silence from Rovers on this so far. Our own arrangements for away tickets for the Walsall fans were very last minute.

You’ll probably get an initial allocation of about 1000 then more if required. Just to note you can pay on the day and the away end holds 4500 so should be ok for tickets. May be the case our ticket office has been swamped as they are having to sell Sunderlands away allocation for the League Cup game due to all their ticket office getting pinged so not sure if that’s the actual reason but might explain the delay.

As for the game itself there were some good things from Saturday in retrospect but it was very clear this is a brand new team finding it’s feet with each other. I think Jones to go to LCB and then Benning at LWB as don’t think we’ll change from that right now. Either way need to get Worrall more advanced down the pitch.

 

[FGR Stroud]

355Bet odds that were unavailable this morning at time of 1st post

 

[AdamStag]

355Bet odds that were unavailable this morning at time of 1st post
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you’d think salford at 4/5 would be good odds

 

[kieran_vale]

355Bet odds that were unavailable this morning at time of 1st post
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Just as a flyer wouldn’t be against Oldham at 5/2 at Bradford. They were an excellent away team last season and if Bahamboula is in the mood could do some damage.

Vale v Tranmere bookies got that one too close to call and given the turnover in both squads that’s right. Wouldn’t touch that game with a barge pole.

 

[valefan16]

The plus from our game with Tranmere is our nemesis Vaughan has retired! Christ he will go down as one of those that send shivers down Valiants spines with his goals down the years against us like Luke Beckett and Akinfenwa.

Not arsed with the Sunderland tie, this is the real home coming and can’t wait after 520 plus days to be back watching the boys. Was lucky to get to England v Germany and gave me the taste of it again (all be it less quality on show Saturday I’m sure!)

Could do with taking something from this one, even if a point just to settle the nerves after yesterday’s disappointment. Tough game though.

Would hope for an 8000 plus crowd for this one assuming Tranmere bring 1500 or so.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Another weekend where most of the sides I predict to be finishing in the top 10 are playing each other. Already expected the table to take longer than usual to take shape, but this is going to exacerbate it. Don’t think we’re going to get a clear picture until Christmas. Apart from Scunny finishing bottom, natch.

As I alluded to elsewhere our record against Exeter is dreadful, so not expecting more than a point. Would take a 0-0.

I've seen plenty of defeats at Brisbane Road (or whatever its called these days) so I might also take a point.
Rumours are we may sign someone this week, we played ok on Saturday but missing a bit of creative flair in midfield and only had one (very) clear chance.
I won't be going but expect us to take a few.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Don't think we've ever beaten a Challinor side. 0-1.

Long May it continue.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Day off for Yems' gob on Saturday