Saturday 3rd September

[Cas]

Walsall at home for us. We didn't create that much against Crewe last time out, but we didn't really look like conceding either. We've only scored twice and are yet to concede at home. We're a side who seem to be more comfortable playing against teams who come to play as opposed to teams who might come and try to slow things down. I'm not sure what type of team Walsall are under Flynn. If they come to play then I would back us to pick up the three points, but if they come to shut up shop, then we'll play out another draw.

Despite us putting in a good performance last night against Sheffield Wednesday, I don't think the team will differ that much from the one that started against Crewe. I'd like to see Young keep his place in the team, with Angol dropping to the bench. Perhaps a start for Foulds and that'd be it. Quite a few selection headaches for Hughes, which is always good, I reckon.

2-0 City. Up the Chickens.

 

[BarraMatt]

Another hard game in what is a tough run of fixtures to start the season. I think we've dealt with it quite well so far.

 

[Agombar stool]

Gillingham away. As tv sketch show goodness gracious me once said, the blandest team in the 92. Probably a draw.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Absolute must win for us already at Colchester, mid week win was a confidence booster, lose and I dunno where we go from there.

 

[F!RTHY]

Walsall (h) - Michael Flynn is still highly thought of round these parts - Huddersfield too.

Cas has predicted the same starting XI, but I’m not so sure. I think the only change will come at LW. Lee Angol is completely wasted out there, and with the introduction of Tyreik Wright, I think he might slot straight in. I’ll apply the same theory if Pereira comes in.

GK: Harry Lewis

RB: Brad Halliday
CB: Matty Platt
CB: Romoney Critchlow
LB: Liam Ridehalgh

CM: Ritchie Smallwood
CM: Alex Gilliead/Ryan East

RW: Scott Banks
CAM: Harry Chapman
LW: Tyreik Wright

CF: Andy Cook

3-0 City

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Absolute must win for us already at Colchester, mid week win was a confidence booster, lose and I dunno where we go from there.

Hopefully he will stick to 5-3-2 & even though i‘m no Featherstone fan,I’d leave the team alone apart from bringing Umerha back.
Two up front is a must,with Umerha & either Ndjoli or McDonald as his strike partner.
Defeat is unthinkable, after finally getting off the mark Tuesday.

 

[Salvador]

Carlisle away. Some promising comments from those who attended the mid week Pizza cup game. Not arsed about the result there or that comp in general but good to see we scored 3 after being 2 down and had some practice with taking and saving (or attempting to save) penalties.

That game suggests Bentley has the ability to give the squad a kick up the arse when needed.
I can't go on Sat. It would be very Dale like to win when I'm not there. So, an optimistic 1-2 win my prediction.

 

[BogDaddyO]

Back to the league after our deliberate 5 - 0 drubbing at Oxford.

At the moment I fancy us to beat anyone, but it's Orient so I don't want to be too confident.

Had Tranmere as one of my tips for promotion before the start of the season - it's been a bit stop/start from them so far, so it's hard to know how good they actually are. Expecting a sterner test that Colchester or Hartlepool though.

If we keep our best players fit and continue to slowly improve week in week out I could see us going all the way this year, particularly Paul Smyth, he is simply too good for this level, no other way to put it.

Orient 2 - 1 Tranmere.

 

[LordJord]

At home to Barrow, a game I am by no means confident about. We are still looking very shaky at the back, very much in need of Sherring and McGowan to get back fit again to help us out back there. Also up top we are very much yet to click despite scoring lots. Danny Hylton has a silky touch but us going long to him does not suit his game whatsoever. We also have one the leagues best creators in Mitch Pinnock playing centrally when he got a ton of assists out wide last year.

We are still far from fluid but picking up results. Very much impressed with Barrows start, not what i was expecting at all. According to the numbers you are way above your XG so I am curious to see how you continue on this season. Think this one could be a draw or even a sneaky away win tbh.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Hopefully he will stick to 5-3-2 & even though i‘m no Featherstone fan,I’d leave the team alone apart from bringing Umerha back.
Two up front is a must,with Umerha & either Ndjoli or McDonald as his strike partner.
Defeat is unthinkable, after finally getting off the mark Tuesday.

Umerah is doubtful for Saturday.

Probably looking at starting McDonald and Ndjoli, we'll just have to stepover them out of it

Be madness if he changes the team really, but I'm expecting he probably will, in another new formation.

 

[JaredSUFC]

Harrogate at home for Sutton. We’ve got an impressive home record in league and cup so far this season, and I like to think we can continue.

It was interesting that Tope Fadahunsi started last night in the pizza cup, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start again on Saturday. Charley Kendall came off the bench last night, possibly they could be our strike partnership for Saturday.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

At home to Barrow, a game I am by no means confident about. We are still looking very shaky at the back, very much in need of Sherring and McGowan to get back fit again to help us out back there. Also up top we are very much yet to click despite scoring lots. Danny Hylton has a silky touch but us going long to him does not suit his game whatsoever. We also have one the leagues best creators in Mitch Pinnock playing centrally when he got a ton of assists out wide last year.

We are still far from fluid but picking up results. Very much impressed with Barrows start, not what i was expecting at all. According to the numbers you are way above your XG so I am curious to see how you continue on this season. Think this one could be a draw or even a sneaky away win tbh.

Can't see us winning this one (I think I've said that about every game this season), but a draw would be a good result. There was a gulf between us on the last day of the season, so hopefully we've closed that gap a bit over the summer.

Teams that have done their homework will start to figure us out eventually, but we've coped well against long-ball sides and those that pass it around at the back forever so far.

Not really one for xG, but is that implying we're scoring half chances or not missing sitters?

 

[shoddycollins]

According to the numbers you are way above your XG so I am curious to see how you continue on this season.

Not really one for xG, but is that implying we're scoring half chances or not missing sitters?

Scoring half-chances. If you were creating lots of sitters then your xG would be really high.

Your xG looks to be about a goal a game. But you're scoring almost two a game on average. It's a bit early to draw conclusions from that though, the first two games you scored three goals in each, since then your goalscoring has been more in line with your xG and you're still winning. Presumably defending well.

 

[LordJord]

Can't see us winning this one (I think I've said that about every game this season), but a draw would be a good result. There was a gulf between us on the last day of the season, so hopefully we've closed that gap a bit over the summer.

Teams that have done their homework will start to figure us out eventually, but we've coped well against long-ball sides and those that pass it around at the back forever so far.

Not really one for xG, but is that implying we're scoring half chances or not missing sitters?

Yeah we played well the last day of the season, but the defence is still yet to gel this season which is causing us problems. The loss of Horsfall has left a gap and injuries have meant we are yet to put out our best back 4.

We have been massively reliant on Sam Hoskins scoring for us, which he cant keep doing forever from out wide. Our strikers need better service and to be more selfish in front of goal.

The XG thing you are spot on about. I know a lot of people dislike it but I think it helps on occasions. Basically saying someone like Gordon for example has been clinical so far.

 

[Conker]

Donny won 3 out of 3 at home, Mansfield lost 3 out of 3 away.

Sure we can get something out of it if Clough picks our best eleven. O’Toole sounds a doubt which is a big kick in the balls, obviously no Oates either. so maybe Harbottle/Hawkins/Perch at the back? Just seems crazy we would be relying on a RB, Striker, and a very young CB to make up our defence.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Umerah is doubtful for Saturday.

Probably looking at starting McDonald and Ndjoli, we'll just have to stepover them out of it

Be madness if he changes the team really, but I'm expecting he probably will, in another new formation.

One upfront, Hastie on the wing, back four, Cooke and Featherstone CM

 

[Cas]

Walsall (h) - Michael Flynn is still highly thought of round these parts - Huddersfield too.

Cas has predicted the same starting XI, but I’m not so sure. I think the only change will come at LW. Lee Angol is completely wasted out there, and with the introduction of Tyreik Wright, I think he might slot straight in. I’ll apply the same theory if Pereira comes in.

GK: Harry Lewis

RB: Brad Halliday
CB: Matty Platt
CB: Romoney Critchlow
LB: Liam Ridehalgh

CM: Ritchie Smallwood
CM: Alex Gilliead/Ryan East

RW: Scott Banks
CAM: Harry Chapman
LW: Tyreik Wright

CF: Andy Cook

3-0 City

Swap out Wright for Pereira and that's what I'd go with.

 

[BarraMatt]

If that's the case hopefully we will have the season xG told us we were having for the last two seasons.

 

[Son of Cod]

Tough one away at Newport where Bogle is nailed on to score. Think this will be a proper battle, expecting a physical match to be won by a bit of quality. Would snap your hand off at a draw after the win at Walsall. Hopefully we won't start as slowly as we have in recent weeks as I think we've gotten away with it a bit and looking at Newport's form they could be out of sight before we've got going if we aren't careful.

 

[Soup Ladle]

One upfront, Hastie on the wing, back four, Cooke and Featherstone CM

Oh yes please. Make it happen Paul

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Donny won 3 out of 3 at home, Mansfield lost 3 out of 3 away.

Sure we can get something out of it if Clough picks our best eleven. O’Toole sounds a doubt which is a big kick in the balls, obviously no Oates either. so maybe Harbottle/Hawkins/Perch at the back? Just seems crazy we would be relying on a RB, Striker, and a very young CB to make up our defence.

I’m expecting a hard fought draw, just don’t be expecting to be playing the same shite as you did in the cup last season, we are a totally different animal now.

 

[Conker]

I’m expecting a hard fought draw, just don’t be expecting to be playing the same shite as you did in the cup last season, we are a totally different animal now.

Even when we play well away we completely fuck it up so I’m not expecting us to get anything - happily take a point!

 

[Fedora Dale]

Carlisle away. Some promising comments from those who attended the mid week Pizza cup game. Not arsed about the result there or that comp in general but good to see we scored 3 after being 2 down and had some practice with taking and saving (or attempting to save) penalties.

That game suggests Bentley has the ability to give the squad a kick up the arse when needed.
I can't go on Sat. It would be very Dale like to win when I'm not there. So, an optimistic 1-2 win my prediction.

I'd keep much the same team as Tuesday. Bring Kelly or Sinclair in for Tulloch and hopefully whichever CB is fit to replace "No Longer The Biggest Jim" at the back. Henderson and Diagouraga on the bench, to bring experience on to (hopefully) hold on to a lead.

 

[Boz]

Back to the league after our deliberate 5 - 0 drubbing at Oxford.

At the moment I fancy us to beat anyone, but it's Orient so I don't want to be too confident.

Had Tranmere as one of my tips for promotion before the start of the season - it's been a bit stop/start from them so far, so it's hard to know how good they actually are. Expecting a sterner test that Colchester or Hartlepool though.

If we keep our best players fit and continue to slowly improve week in week out I could see us going all the way this year, particularly Paul Smyth, he is simply too good for this level, no other way to put it.

Orient 2 - 1 Tranmere.

I thought we'd be about mid-table, a combination of injuries to key players; Morris Davies, a switch of emphasis to a more attacking approach and the recruitment of development players, but a not entirely balanced squad, short up from and out wide. With loaning another central defender, Rovers may be able to revert to the preferred back three option at the weekend. I thought the Os would be promotion contenders, but not get off to such a good start. While the hosts are the more likely winners, I don't rule out Rovers coming away with something from this game.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

One upfront, Hastie on the wing, back four, Cooke and Featherstone CM

3-0 win for Col U then.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Expected lineup Saturday
Mitchell
Knoyle Williams Faulkner Rowe
Clayton Biggins
Molyneux Tomlin Hurst
Miller
Subs: Jones, Long, Maxwell, Kuleya, Taylor, Agard, Woltman.

It’s getting stronger
Barlow, Olowu and Griffiths by the end of the month
Anderson will play 2 miss 5
Close getting no closer
Younger in the new year

 

[Gunit]

Harrogate at home for Sutton. We’ve got an impressive home record in league and cup so far this season, and I like to think we can continue.

It was interesting that Tope Fadahunsi started last night in the pizza cup, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start again on Saturday. Charley Kendall came off the bench last night, possibly they could be our strike partnership for Saturday.

Harrogate have brought in 4 new players on deadline day, will be interesting what they do with their line up.

Hopefully we can produce the goods at home again, we’ll need to win these sort of games to be up there again this season.

I’d be very surprised with that forward line as they both would be suited to the position played by Donovan Wilson to date. My gut says one will start with Bugiel if he is fit and Kouassi/Thomas if he’s not.

 

[chipmunx]

Northampton away and another game that in theory could be close and go either way.
After the 1st couple of wins followed by the dodgy loss at Sutton most people were still taking little to no notice of us, but now 5 wins out of 6 and some at least are sitting up and taking notice - a win or draw at Northampton would cement that whilst even a defeat would see us remaining top 5.
We won there last season (1st time ever I think) and will go into the game confident.
I'll predict a draw, but if Northampton's defence is as dodgy as their fans say another win is possible.
6 wins from 7 and even the Swindon Town podcast friends of Fyfie guys might stop saying we'll still end up near the bottom of the table.

 

[Crewelad87]

Stevenage at home. Expecting a tight game probably similar to the home game vs Sutton a few weeks ago where 1 goal probably nicks it. Weve often struggled vs Steve Evans teams and there style. Hopfully though this Crewe team have abit more about them, we've stood up to it well so far and have a decent amount of physical presence ourselves.

Crewe 1-0 Stevenage (Baker-Richardson) 3,544 (150 away fans)

 

[RiftHouseLad]

Northampton away and another game that in theory could be close and go either way.
After the 1st couple of wins followed by the dodgy loss at Sutton most people were still taking little to no notice of us, but now 5 wins out of 6 and some at least are sitting up and taking notice - a win or draw at Northampton would cement that whilst even a defeat would see us remaining top 5.
We won there last season (1st time ever I think) and will go into the game confident.
I'll predict a draw, but if Northampton's defence is as dodgy as their fans say another win is possible.
6 wins from 7 and even the Swindon Town podcast friends of Fyfie guys might stop saying we'll still end up near the bottom of the table.

We lost there 2-1, We could have won as well.
Expected more from northampton.