Saturday 26th February

[devilofajob]

Christ. This could be double figures for us, and that's by half time. What a starting 11 we've put out.

Nurse, Nurse!!

 

[AdamStag]

I hope you're on a wind up about the ref. He gave us fuck all despite Cook being dragged to the floor at every opportunity. Two of your lads could easily have seen red too.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Should be a good game, I think against a fellow promotion chaser it will show how much we will miss both our CBs though.

Looks like we will be without one (Diabate) and we loaned out George Ray which isn't looking too smart now

 

[AR27]

The only thing I noted about the referee was him (rightly) booking Quinn for a late challenge in the first half but in the next 15 minutes the same thing happened to him twice and he didn’t book them.

Cook shirt was getting pulled a lot by Rawson who had him in his pocket to be fair. But Oli Hawkins gets his shirt ripped off most games and referees never give anything for that. Your comment is the first I’ve seen or heard about a red, and ultimately the referee did not affect the result so it’s time to lay down and take a deep breath

Tell your commo lads to stop being cringy about Hughes too, at one point they started going on about how he’s just heard Valley parade tannoy system for the first time like it’s a proud moment

The whole club social media has been one big wank fest over the last few days. Bit cringe tbh

 

[AdamStag]

The whole club social media has been one big wank fest over the last few days. Bit cringe tbh

There were 2/3 decisions when bradford should have got a yellow, but he didn’t seem bothered.

 

[E10rifle]

Looks like we will be without one (Diabate) and we loaned out George Ray which isn't looking too smart now

You are more than welcome to have him back.

 

[Alain]

Well that was 90 minutes of entertaining football and to be honest we should have put the game to bed much before they got their first which made the last 10 minutes a bit of another nail biting end to a game which we usually let the opponents get something - fortunately the Ref saw the foul on our keeper Morris and rightly disallowed the injury time goal for FGR - we now have Oldham, Scunthorpe and Bristol Rovers all at home in the next 14 days - so we have to match the performance today if we want to climb up the league.

Good to see some of our injured players making a comeback in the side - although it looks like Oteh is out for a few weeks after the knock he took today.

 

[AR27]

There were 2/3 decisions when bradford should have got a yellow, but he didn’t seem bothered.

Robinson should've been in the book for that stray arm in the first half for sure

 

[WilsdenBantam]

The red certainly wasn’t bias towards us that’s a first I’ve heard of it I don’t even remember Mansfield fans complaining at any decisions other than a corner that was given as a free kick. Their number 6 got away with murder all game, seemed like a right clogger just a shame we didn’t have an Oates to take advantage as even Cook looked as quick as that back four. A fair result but not what I’d call dominant, just had quality in the final third where we have non that was the difference between the sides. Vernam and Walkers pace and bit of quality may have made a difference but they’re injured so it’s all its and buts.

 

[Conker]

The red certainly wasn’t bias towards us that’s a first I’ve heard of it I don’t even remember Mansfield fans complaining at any decisions other than a corner that was given as a free kick. Their number 6 got away with murder all game, seemed like a right clogger just a shame we didn’t have an Oates to take advantage as even Cook looked as quick as that back four. A fair result but not what I’d call dominant, just had quality in the final third where we have non that was the difference between the sides. Vernam and Walkers pace and bit of quality may have made a difference but they’re injured so it’s all its and buts.

Hewitt and McLaughlin are not slow, Rawson did a great job on Cook, I think the referee missed some blatant yellows but referees being inconsistent in this league is a given.

I think we were decent today but nothing special, it was not a dominant performance but it was one of those where you could tell we did our homework and adapted which ultimately made it comfortable in the end.

 

[AnotherStagsFan]

We just scored at crucial times, there wasn’t much in the game at all and I thought we were poor (especially first half).

Bradfords strikers were useless though, definitely need to improve that unless you have some out injured.

 

[valefan16]

On reflection a big win, closes the gap on the top 7 and top 3 now with games in hand on most above us.

Emotional scenes at the start with the players united for DC and the ground rocked to Darrell Clarkes black and white army for about three minutes either side of kick off which was nice to see.

We started relatively ruthlessly, great ball from Gibbo from a dead ball and flicked off a Stevenage head to give us a lead after 6 minutes, then we had a chance when Edmondson I think it was burst into the area but the keeper saved with his feet and the rebound went to a Stevenage player, moments later in the 12th minute some lovely play in the channel and a drilled ball across from Gibbo again and Edmundson slotted home… at this point I’m thinking these can’t defend and we are going to hit 5 or 6 here…

The next 78 minutes then just became a bit of a non event, Stevenage were awful, knocked the ball around ok but had zero up front and we just seemed content like Tuesday at 2-0 to let them probe for 78 minutes and stopped the fast pace play and going for the jugular.

Some fans are suggesting and wondering if it’s due to the huge amount of games we have to go and have been playing recently and if we just wanted to conserve energy with the game seemingly won… maybe but it cost us midweek!

One worry is Worrall who went off with a knee injury, hopefully it’s nothing serious as we are finally getting key players back and fit.

Gibbons was immense again today… say it all the time but bar the FGR lads no one comes close as a wing back to him at this level. He’s different gravy and it’s been so frustrating with his injuries, especially last season which really hurt us. It’s imperative we get a new deal sorted out for him.

Overall 8 unbeaten, clean sheet, solid win but not very exciting to watch. Another huge game Tuesday and a chance potentially to hit the top 7.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Hewitt and McLaughlin are not slow, Rawson did a great job on Cook, I think the referee missed some blatant yellows but referees being inconsistent in this league is a given.

I think we were decent today but nothing special, it was not a dominant performance but it was one of those where you could tell we did our homework and adapted which ultimately made it comfortable in the end.

I don’t know who they are but your CBs were very slow, we just didn’t have our two quickest players to exploit it. Our trouble is our attackers are slow and Andy Cook has put a lot of weight on since Christmas and it’s really effecting his performance imo, the rest of our attack is just dog shit. Robinson is our second best striker ffs…

We had the same amount of chances each, you didn’t need to do any homework as we just aren’t good enough to score without luck.

 

[Conker]

I don’t know who they are but your CBs were very slow, we just didn’t have our two quickest players to exploit it. Our trouble is our attackers are slow and Andy Cook has put a lot of weight on since Christmas and it’s really effecting his performance imo, the rest of our attack is just dog shit. Robinson is our second best striker ffs…

We had the same amount of chances each, you didn’t need to do any homework as we just aren’t good enough to score without luck.

You always need to do your homework mate, even if the opposition are shit.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

You always need to do your homework mate, even if the opposition are shit.

It was tongue in cheek, but it wasn’t a case of some tactical master class we’re just to easy to play against. 4 losses on the trot, only bright side is in £200 up as it’s free money.

 

[Back in the DHSS]

Speechless after Tranmere’s performance in Newport!

 

[Soup Ladle]

Poor from us yesterday but credit to Walsall. Well up for it, dominated all physical battles, won every second ball. Played some decent stuff at times. Think Flynn will sort them out.

We just ran out of steam, lots of games played recently. We can't play Liddle again in a back 4 and our midfield 3 are too lightweight. Joe White should not be picked on the wing again.

Nothing really to play for now but that's fine we'd have all taken that in August.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Poor from us yesterday but credit to Walsall. Well up for it, dominated all physical battles, won every second ball. Played some decent stuff at times. Think Flynn will sort them out.

We just ran out of steam, lots of games played recently. We can't play Liddle again in a back 4 and our midfield 3 are too lightweight. Joe White should not be picked on the wing again.

Nothing really to play for now but that's fine we'd have all taken that in August.

Talented player White but he's a centre midfielder, nothing else, with Grey making an appearance on the bench yesterday hopefully means he'll be sorted to start on Saturday and White can move back to the middle, agree with your point on Liddle, he's too slow to play in a back four, been excellent for the most part this season but it's time to look elsewhere next season.

 

[AdamStag]

It was tongue in cheek, but it wasn’t a case of some tactical master class we’re just to easy to play against. 4 losses on the trot, only bright side is in £200 up as it’s free money.

Ha i used to do that a few seasons ago, i remember us being like 20th and cheltenham were 4th or so, they were 3/1 to win and 6/1 -1, stuck £50 on both and they won 3-0 lol

 

[AdamStag]

I don’t know who they are but your CBs were very slow, we just didn’t have our two quickest players to exploit it. Our trouble is our attackers are slow and Andy Cook has put a lot of weight on since Christmas and it’s really effecting his performance imo, the rest of our attack is just dog shit. Robinson is our second best striker ffs…

We had the same amount of chances each, you didn’t need to do any homework as we just aren’t good enough to score without luck

I said that during the game, you had a good 4-5 free headers which thankfully from our perspective weren’t on goal, our defending from set pieces yesterday was abysmal but as we won no-one focuses on it,!l however given suspensions to keep a clean sheet was a cracking effort.

Cook is an odd one, as you could tell yesterday we binned him off and got oates, he’s far better than cook in well basically everything, but i always liked cook, proper decent lad and you know he’d always try, odd he’s put so much weight in, wonder what hughes will do with him

 

[FGR Stroud]

On the other site there has been a conversation concerning attendances.
FGR, with one of the lowest attendances in the EFL, stay well clear on engaging in debate.
However on both sites attendances are prominent in THREADS. With that in mind I checked yesterday's attendances and thought 'sod it' I'll copy it onto this thread. Sorry.

 

[Indian Dan]

God, there’s more than a few piss poor attendances there.

 

[AdamStag]

On the other site there has been a conversation concerning attendances.
FGR, with one of the lowest attendances in the EFL, stay well clear on engaging in debate.
However on both sites attendances are prominent in THREADS. With that in mind I checked yesterday's attendances and thought 'sod it' I'll copy it onto this thread. Sorry.
View attachment 16804

attendances don’t mean anything, sides like you, salford and the like will always be artificially inflated to places they wouldn’t be normally due to owners but it it is what it is, nothing against you or FG etc it is what it is. I’ve always enjoyed trips to FG

Bradford will get more than bournemouth, doesn’t mean much, mansfield have several non league neighbours who get more fans than we do, it’s not really relevant

 

[shoddycollins]

attendances don’t mean anything, sides like you, salford and the like will always be artificially inflated to places they wouldn’t be normally due to owners but it it is what it is, nothing against you or FG etc it is what it is. I’ve always enjoyed trips to FG

Bradford will get more than bournemouth, doesn’t mean much, mansfield have several non league neighbours who get more fans than we do, it’s not really relevant

The amount of teams getting sub 3k crowds in, especially those who are established league teams though.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Talented player White but he's a centre midfielder, nothing else, with Grey making an appearance on the bench yesterday hopefully means he'll be sorted to start on Saturday and White can move back to the middle, agree with your point on Liddle, he's too slow to play in a back four, been excellent for the most part this season but it's time to look elsewhere next season.

Liddle is outmuscled regular as well. Walsall all over far stronger physically. I'm not surprised Lee has been looking to add that but we are still short of strength and aggression in both defence and midfield.

I'd also release Lids at the end of the season. Still good enough for a pro contract somewhere and good luck to him but we can't keep players who aren't up to the physical demands of league football.

 

[Gassy]

Just had a look at the other forum, 1000 Exeter fans in the home end apparently

 

[denzel ecfc]

Just had a look at the other forum, 1000 Exeter fans in the home end apparently

I wonder who is posting on there....

 

[AdamStag]

The amount of teams getting sub 3k crowds in, especially those who are established league teams though.

Standard crowds for those teams too.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

I said that during the game, you had a good 4-5 free headers which thankfully from our perspective weren’t on goal, our defending from set pieces yesterday was abysmal but as we won no-one focuses on it,!l however given suspensions to keep a clean sheet was a cracking effort.

Cook is an odd one, as you could tell yesterday we binned him off and got oates, he’s far better than cook in well basically everything, but i always liked cook, proper decent lad and you know he’d always try, odd he’s put so much weight in, wonder what hughes will do with him

I like Cook myself, he’s best of a bad bunch and always gives his all. But does miss a fair few and is overweight atm, maybe he’s lost motivation under Adams hopefully bringing in Mark Hughes will get more out of what is a poor team. That said we do currently have 8 players out injured, Vernam and Walker for sure would have made a difference as would Ridehelgh as he struck up a good partnership with Vernam early season. Plus our left back yesterday was appalling and totally at fault for the first goal. Having watched both goals back on Quest they were so avoidable and shocking really. But if the difference between us and one of the better teams in the league was a few individual mistakes from players that otherwise wouldn’t normally be playing then I’m at least a bit more optimistic than last night, that we’ll stay up…

 

[Casey]

I despair of ever getting our attendances up. The four people I normally stand with saw the team we put out yesterday and decided to stay down the pub! They are just fed up with the dull football and tendency to sit back and concede towards the end of games (their words not mine).

In other news Yems is a happy bunny. He had two refs to moan about yesterday. He called the second half ref a clown. To be fair he had a point as he booked our keeper for time wasting while we were making a sub!

Casey