Saturday 7th October

[Stocky]

I'd love to have Kyle Wootton back at Meadow Lane. We've not exactly missed him but as an extra option up front he'd make a big difference over a season.

Wootton was great for us last season. He got a knee injury in April and is closing in on a return. Hopefully comes back in the same form as last season. Great hold up play, works well for the team laying balls off getting others in the game, started adding more goals although I wouldn't describe him as an out and out goalscorer. We're playing a different way without him but I'd love to see Wootton, Olaofe and Barry all on the pitch at the same time.

 

[Meadow]

I think we'll try to play, and expect our formation and side to be unchanged barring injuries, but will be quite happy to concede possession and make you play through us which we've been very good at preventing so far.

Looking at the stats we both create chances - you've had 200 shots (1st) to our 175 (3rd). But at the other end, neither give much away - 101 (24th) for us and 117 (21st) for you.

Given our recent record against Mansfield and Clough's record against us generally (saw us spanked for 6 once), I'd be absolutely delighted if we just cancel each other out and grab a 0-0. If we do get a point I'll begin to think we might actually stick around near the top this year.

I'd be happy with a point and overjoyed if we won. We won 5-2 (I think) at Field Mill back in the Conference days. Might be our only win there.

 

[BarraMatt]

On a stag do so can't make it. Typically it'll be a 6-6 thriller.

 

[AdamStag]

I'd be happy with a point and overjoyed if we won. We won 5-2 (I think) at Field Mill back in the Conference days. Might be our only win there.

You did! in the days of david holdsworth (urgh) when he played 5 at the back and you scored after like 10 seconds

You also were 2-0 at field mill last season after 15 mins or so!

 

[jacobncfc]

I'd love to have Kyle Wootton back at Meadow Lane. We've not exactly missed him but as an extra option up front he'd make a big difference over a season.

I loved Wootts, but I’m not sure he totally fitted our style of play. Was almost too unselfish and did his best work in areas you don’t necessarily want him.

Was nice to see Morias actually get on the pitch the other night. We are presumably going to need him at some point.

 

[EnglishRed]

The bigger shock is Mansfield actually making it to League One one day. Only 1 season in their last 30 spent above League Two level. We've spent 21 seasons above League Two level in that time...

A damning stat. Even we spent 10 years of the last 30 above this level and we've been in Non league for half of it.

 

[AdamStag]

A damning stat. Even we spent 10 years of the last 30 above this level and we've been in Non league for half of it.

It s a very unfortunate stat and one that i’m well aware of, however, it doesn’t deflect from the legitimate post earlier today, the points accrued now by crewe and crawley for instance will give them a much needed head start over those at the bottom and could well be pretty sure of safety with a few more wins. It’s these type of early season stats which always make it fun at this time of year. League 2 is a close one, anything is possible (probably apart from us going up)

Less so if you follow cheltenham in the league above mind!

 

[Optipez]

I loved Wootts, but I’m not sure he totally fitted our style of play. Was almost too unselfish and did his best work in areas you don’t necessarily want him.

Was nice to see Morias actually get on the pitch the other night. We are presumably going to need him at some point.

I think Williams would find a way of utilising him. Ardley, Birchnall and Challinor all did so no reason to suppose Williams wouldn't.
I agree, Morais will play a fair few more minutes as Langstaff is going to run his legs off by Christmas unless we can sub him regularly, same with McGoldrick.

 

[AdamStag]

I think Williams would find a way of utilising him. Ardley, Birchnall and Challinor all did so no reason to suppose Williams wouldn't.
I agree, Morais will play a fair few more minutes as Langstaff is going to run his legs off by Christmas unless we can sub him regularly, same with McGoldrick.

What the thoughts with notts? great start, confidence growing. The fans too cautious to believe or there the hope of a double promotion.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

I'm amazed how you can have fourteen injured and still put a team out, our squad just isn't big enough to cope with that many out. We'd be playing the second year apprentices who aren't even top of the Notts Alliance standard.

I'd love to know who these 14 out are tbh. Seems a bit of an exaggeration. I challenge DVR to name them.

We have 9 out- Wootton, Hippolyte, Powell, Camps, Knoyle, Touray, Byrne, Rydel and Stretton. Some massive players there. 5 or 6 are expected back in the next few weeks so we should start looking stronger.

Sterry, Wood, Maxwell, Senior, Ravenhill, Hurst, Taylor, Miller, Griffiths, Lavery, Hurst, Long, Biggins. Apologies only 13 out.

 

[Optipez]

What the thoughts with notts? great start, confidence growing. The fans too cautious to believe or there the hope of a double promotion.

We're playing some great football going forwards but defensively we are prone to individual errors and looking a bit lightweight at times. We've conceded five goals twice already.
I hope we stay in the mix until the transfer window and can then strengthen the squad as we're light on genuine first team numbers.
Finishing top three was way beyond my expectations pre season and I still think it's a big ask but apart from Sutton who absolutely whooped us first game we've not looked out of our depth against anyone so far.
Very early still to be talking promotion ...but, of the 24 teams I'd say top three is gone for ten of them already so we have a 3 in 14 chance which doesn't sound impossible.

 

[jacobncfc]

What the thoughts with notts? great start, confidence growing. The fans too cautious to believe or there the hope of a double promotion.

I think it’s possible, our midfield and attack is as good as anything I’ve seen at this level previously really, just depends how the defence can hold up. We’ve got a small squad as well which is how Williams likes to operate (three or four of the current ones never get much of a look in), but there’s areas where an injury or two would kill us.

Just enjoying the ride to be honest still though rather than thinking about where we end up. Every game is entertaining, we try and win them all and they leave everything out there, can’t really ask for much more than that.

 

[Meadow]

You did! in the days of david holdsworth (urgh) when he played 5 at the back and you scored after like 10 seconds

You also were 2-0 at field mill last season after 15 mins or so!

Then Chris Gunter was incorrectly sent off which completely changed the game. We have a much better team now and hopefully with a better ref we'll get the points.

 

[GTFCfish]

It s a very unfortunate stat and one that i’m well aware of, however, it doesn’t deflect from the legitimate post earlier today, the points accrued now by crewe and crawley for instance will give them a much needed head start over those at the bottom and could well be pretty sure of safety with a few more wins. It’s these type of early season stats which always make it fun at this time of year. League 2 is a close one, anything is possible (probably apart from us going up)

Less so if you follow cheltenham in the league above mind!

Your point about Crawley and Crewe is very valid as you only have to look at this time last season when Stevenage and Carlisle were up there and thankfully the good starts they both had meant that they both avoided relegation pretty comfortably in the end.

 

[womble76]

I'd be happy with a point and overjoyed if we won. We won 5-2 (I think) at Field Mill back in the Conference days. Might be our only win there.

We also won 1 nil with Sebastian brown saving 2 pens

 

[womble76]

Tough game this sat.and could be a step too far for us after a long away trip tuesday night. We will attempt to win but you might find us fairly direct in behind you full backs.
I'd also take a point now.

 

[Gladders]

Your point about Crawley and Crewe is very valid as you only have to look at this time last season when Stevenage and Carlisle were up there and thankfully the good starts they both had meant that they both avoided relegation pretty comfortably in the end.

He also said the same thing about those two at this time of the season too!

 

[Master D]

Your point about Crawley and Crewe is very valid as you only have to look at this time last season when Stevenage and Carlisle were up there and thankfully the good starts they both had meant that they both avoided relegation pretty comfortably in the end.

If Carlisle can get out of this league then anyone in the top half must fancy their chances of promotion.

 

[Youpies]

Cautious. An injury to Palmer or Bostock and we will slide rapidly

 

[Stocky]

Sterry, Wood, Maxwell, Senior, Ravenhill, Hurst, Taylor, Miller, Griffiths, Lavery, Hurst, Long, Biggins. Apologies only 13 out.

Fair enough pal. Battle of the walking wounded Saturday then. You making the trip across?

 

[Conker]

Doubt we will play to the same standard as Tuesday so a bit worried against an improved Wimbledon side with the best away form in the league so far.

 

[Cloudy]

Tranmere home form isn’t too bad despite their lowly position. Had a very good record v Grimsby over recent years so 2-0 home win

 

[GTFCfish]

Tranmere home form isn’t too bad despite their lowly position. Had a very good record v Grimsby over recent years so 2-0 home win

Yeah the only time I can ever remember us winning at Tranmere was the year we had Ivano Bonetti here and before Brian Laws decided that the best course of action going forward was to break his jaw.

 

[gary]

Another month and the table will start to take shape, you’ll always get anomalies at this early stage such as crewe and crawley up there, or forest green and tranmere down the other end, these things happen.

As for us, i’d give us a B so far, to be points wise where we are with the injuries is a cracking effort, though as i suggested a few weeks back, they’re catching up with us.

wimbledon have started well, and i’m sure will be up to avenge the 2 heavy defeats we dished out to them last season, it’ll be interesting to see if they come play. Hopefully another decent performance which this time gains the 3 points.

We will come to get a result by whatever means. We have technically good player's in midfield and pace up front and play long ball so basically we mix it up.

 

[mightyshrimp]

Cheers for letting me join ,will be interesting to see what Morecambe squad turns up on saturday ,having only won 6 away games over the last 3 seasons it has been a very difficult watch at times ,but the win away at Forest Green last Saturday might have just been the click in form that the team needed ,minding out that Colchester had a very good result last weekend.We have a very young strike force ,Mellon from Burnley is doing well ,and has been picked again for international duty + others ,so are game against Crawley has been postponed

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

A damning stat. Even we spent 10 years of the last 30 above this level and we've been in Non league for half of it.

So was 2001/02 the Year of the Stag, or was it 1976/77?

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Cautious. An injury to Palmer or Bostock and we will slide rapidly

Sad but true

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Treating Mrs TheEndIsNigh to a weekend in the Lakes so while she’s enjoying the natural beauty and peace of Coniston I’ll be enjoying the natural beauty and peace of er Barrow’s away end. An away end which to be fair, has mixed reviews. At best.

A low point of our time in non league was a 3-0 rinsing at home by Barrow which included Scott Quigley celebrating aggravatingly in front of us so I’m hoping it’s gonna be a bit better than that.

 

[Son of Cod]

Treating Mrs TheEndIsNigh to a weekend in the Lakes so while she’s enjoying the natural beauty and peace of Coniston I’ll be enjoying the natural beauty and peace of er Barrow’s away end.

This is exactly the technique I am adopting to get FGR away signed, sealed and approved next month.

 

[Indian Dan]

I'm amazed how you can have fourteen injured and still put a team out, our squad just isn't big enough to cope with that many out. We'd be playing the second year apprentices who aren't even top of the Notts Alliance standard.

Thought squad size as limited to 24 - minus keepers and U-21s