New Years Day Match Thread

[LeonTheGreen]

A very tough and tight game between 2 good sides I thought. As you say the difference was up front. I thought we could have sealed it with Woolery's pace but with our makeshift defence there was always going to be a chance that Plymouth could take something.

Very happy with 3 points against a team that are clearly going to challenge this season. Get your firepower in and you'll surely go up.

Oh and what was that helmet doing running on the pitch and flicking V's in front of our fans? I'll never understand the mentality of people who do that, what has anyone got to gain from doing that!

God knows, kid was probably 12 looking at the photo! Parents must be proud.

Good limbs today as well lads. Best we’ve had at Home Park for a while. Nice to see a following in the Barnpark end.

I thought Isgrove was excellent first half, and no. 11 caused us problems with his pace when he came on. Off day for us today, Byron Moore got into some great positions and wasted it, Sarcevic burst into your box on two occasions and failed to score, and Mayor didn’t have an impact when he came on. Get something up front and I think we’ll be ok for playoffs or even top 3. You’ll be promoted.

 

[LS Bantam]

We were horrific again today, expecting a bit of a thrashing Vs Swindon.

 

[Hedonist Puncture]

Welcome 3 pts at Boundary Park. Better than of late from us, but Oldham were ordinary. We'll need to pick it up a little to make sure we consolidate mid-table. Great strike from our wide left man for the first goal.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

This will be seen as a pop but it isn't meant that way.
Genuine question.
Crewe fans why aren't you coming out in more numbers given the football you are playing?
Less than 4000 home fans today. They can't do anything more to attract crowds than winning and scoring

Our last home game we had on NYD was a pathetic attendance 2 years ago (granted we were in the relegation scrap at the time) where we only had 3300 fans with 250 of those being Grimsby.

Being up over 800 home fans on that shows we're heading in the right direction. STs have gone up considerably in back to back years because the football has improved dramatically from the Davisball era and we're one of those fanbases that demands adherence to the club's philosophy and entertainment. We weren't getting that under Davis and originally under Artell we were scrapping to survive as he needed time to build the squad in his image and so a lot of quality was lacking in our side as a result.

I've always said if we're playing well, we'll get overall attendances of 4000+ in League Two and 5000+ in League One. If we're playing like shit in either division, that crowd drops at least a thousand. If we keep up the form, it'll be similar to the business end of our last promotion season when we had big crowds for every fixture from the start of March onwards. Even if we don't go up this year, it'll be a financially rewarding year for the club after our last manager set us back 5 or 6 years and theoretically cost us millions in the wasted potential of the Academy.

 

[Indian Dan]

It’s not about playing shit or not - it’s about winning.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Tbf this football deserves sell out crowds.

 

[Crewelad87]

Tbf this football deserves sell out crowds.

The scary thing is it's not even a shock anymore. We score a goal like this nearly every game.

 

[Agombar stool]

Crewe only has a population of 70k and a good percentage of the population seem to go and watch Manchester United. (going by what I have seen at Crewe Station on my 2 visits).

It is a shame that they don't get bigger crowds, but its never likely to peak at much more than 6k realistically is it?

 

[Conker]

I think we’re both in the same boat tbh, though obviously we’ve had a few more games under our manager.

Both will be satisfied with ending their winless runs also.

Saturday is really important, we’ve finally got a win under our belt but we seriously need one at home, especially against another struggling side.

 

[Agombar stool]

We were horrific again today, expecting a bit of a thrashing Vs Swindon.

You are only 6 points behind us (with a game in hand) so you must be doing something right? Is it the old Arsenal style of winning 1-0 for Bradford?

I think our game might be a bit of a dirge on Saturday and likely to be only 1 goal in it, hopefully for us. Clearly Doyle can't play but has deserved a rest. I guess we'll move Yates up front and he's more than capable I believe.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Crewe only has a population of 70k and a good percentage of the population seem to go and watch Manchester United. (going by what I have seen at Crewe Station on my 2 visits).

It is a shame that they don't get bigger crowds, but its never likely to peak at much more than 6k realistically is it?

Genuinely would say since United's decline you don't see many of them in Crewe anymore which is an absolute dream given how much we all hate them here. They're obviously there but I think the next generation are too embarrassed to support the wheelman and his failing charges.

Pubs are usually packed here whenever Liverpool play and there's unfortunately a sizable Stoke contingent in the town so I'd say it's those two clubs more than United these days. Still, I'm confident crowds will improve throughout this year with the football on display.

 

[lordofthepies]

Crewe only has a population of 70k and a good percentage of the population seem to go and watch Manchester United. (going by what I have seen at Crewe Station on my 2 visits).

It is a shame that they don't get bigger crowds, but its never likely to peak at much more than 6k realistically is it?

We only averaged about 7,000 when we were a good Championship team.

 

[Agombar stool]

We only averaged about 7,000 when we were a good Championship team.

I was actually wondering what your attendances were like in the Championship - thanks for answering

 

[F!RTHY]

You are only 6 points behind us (with a game in hand) so you must be doing something right? Is it the old Arsenal style of winning 1-0 for Bradford?

I think our game might be a bit of a dirge on Saturday and likely to be only 1 goal in it, hopefully for us. Clearly Doyle can't play but has deserved a rest. I guess we'll move Yates up front and he's more than capable I believe.

Bowyer just sets up not to lose, but in his defence, we’ve had rotten luck with injuries and illness all season. We haven’t been able to play a consistent formation and/or starting XI all season - which is obviously a good sign for when it really matters in a few months when bodies hopefully start to come back.

We’ve got the best home form in the league and rarely conceded goals. Our biggest problem has been creating and scoring goals (Doyle wouldn’t be the answer either). The football (these past two months) has been incredibly shite to watch. Every opposition will say we’re shite and how they deserved to come away with something - it’s been that way all season - but hey don’t, and we just continue to pick up points.

Since the introduction to 3-5-2, we rarely concede, but we carry no attacking purpose whatsoever; leaving Vaughan completely isolated with no service - bringing Doyle back wouldn’t change this. The football on show will continue to be shocking until we sign a target man type in Jan, or Donaldson comes back from injury.

We have a great record and play decent football when we set up in a 442. We did this yesterday for 15 mins and scored the only goal in the game, hit the bar and were a pain in Morecambe’s arse all over the pitch - although you’d expect us to be.

That being said, I predict a heavy loss at Swindon. Not because I think you’re better than us, I just believe your Manager has bigger balls than Bowyer.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I was actually wondering what your attendances were like in the Championship - thanks for answering

Best average attendance was just under 8000 in 2003-04, 7741 to be precise. Half the league's teams sold two stands worth of fans that season at our place so I'd estimate we had 6000 home fans. I think if we made the Championship again in this new era where it's far more hyped than it used to be, we could surpass that. But it'd take a miracle for us to even get to that level again!

 

[shoddycollins]

The thing I really hate about this time of year when you're down the arse-end of the table is that when you do win, you only get a couple of days to enjoy that you've just won before you go and get beat again. Yesterday was abysmal but then I can't really comment on our performance as I turned my radio off at 1-0.

 

[Agombar stool]

Best average attendance was just under 8000 in 2003-04, 7741 to be precise. Half the league's teams sold two stands worth of fans that season at our place so I'd estimate we had 6000 home fans. I think if we made the Championship again in this new era where it's far more hyped than it used to be, we could surpass that. But it'd take a miracle for us to even get to that level again!

Not necessarily. If you are on an upward curve momentum plays a big part in moving on towards the Championship. Look at Wycombe for example! I doubt there would have been too many people that would have given Wycombe a prayer (I have them in multiple accumulators to get relegated!)

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Not necessarily. If you are on an upward curve momentum plays a big part in moving on towards the Championship. Look at Wycombe for example! I doubt there would have been too many people that would have given Wycombe a prayer (I have them in multiple accumulators to get relegated!)

Wycombe have been a side that have had a lot of continuity (Ainsworth as manager, not had many player sales and have replaced a lot of those players they lost on free transfers brilliantly.). For us, even if Artell stays long term, we genuinely rely on selling our best players to keep us in the black, and the development process at a higher level is a lot tougher. I think Artell could get us competitive in League One whereas Davis was a serial defeatist after our first season at that level, but he's not a miracle worker, and if we were to lose the core of our side very very quickly, we'd struggle to develop the next generation quick enough to consolidate our loftier position. Add to the fact that we don't like bringing in external players for massive fees since we squandered £1 million+ in 2008 and it becomes a tough act to consolidate and improve. But we've got the best man in charge to at least try, for now.

 

[Chris FGR]

I hate Jonny Maxted. Get out of the way you flexible fucker.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Good game. Clearly as others have noted we can’t put our chances away and Swindon can. Once Telford went off I was concerned. When he is on Joel Grant plays better, and when he is not in the pitch, Grant is anonymous.

In addition to the goal scoring Swindon’s general ball control was very good, better than any other team I have seen this year.

Bit of a common theme for us, plenty of chances in the first half, don’t take them and then play awful in the second. Sarcevic who has consistently been our best player played the worst I have seen him all season.

And that 12 year old plank I hope is banned.

 

[valefan16]

The Days of teams like Vale, Swindon and Crewe without severe investment making the Championship and being competitive sadly, you get the odd anomaly like Yeovil and Burton but even them both fell quickly, sad really as they were good days when you'd be beating the likes of Man City, Wolves, West Brom etc regularly at that level.

 

[Agombar stool]

Good game. Clearly as others have noted we can’t put our chances away and Swindon can. Once Telford went off I was concerned. When he is on Joel Grant plays better, and when he is not in the pitch, Grant is anonymous.

In addition to the goal scoring Swindon’s general ball control was very good, better than any other team I have seen this year.

Bit of a common theme for us, plenty of chances in the first half, don’t take them and then play awful in the second. Sarcevic who has consistently been our best player played the worst I have seen him all season.

And that 12 year old plank I hope is banned.

Exactly as I saw it as well. First 10 was all Plymouth and we looked quite sluggish. We came into it a bit and created some good chances. You scored and probably should have gone 2 ahead but for some good keeping from Benda as our makeshift defence looked lost. DJ scored a superb equaliser but we still had to be sharp to keep you out.

Second half I think we stepped it up a bit. Woolery's pace frightened your defence and Doyle finally got the chance he snaffles. We could have extended that on the break with better decision making but overall very happy with 3 points.

Plymouth are just 2 strikers away from being an automatic promotion side. I fancy this to be a League 1 fixture next season. What are your thoughts on your new stand? I read quite a few comments from our fans that it looked a bit odd. That said, its fantastic to have 15k plus fans in the ground, with room to spare. Plymouth are way too big to be in League 2 really.

 

[AdamStag]

Saturday is really important, we’ve finally got a win under our belt but we seriously need one at home, especially against another struggling side.

The fans will be expecting a win when the likes of Grimsby turns up, its been a home banker of late (though their record was decent before that).

However, we’ve failed to beat similar sides like morecambe and Stevenage at home, hopefully we can win this and get some confidence at home.

Having white back was massive.

 

[Trapdoor]

Forest Green were awful. Don't know how they are so high up the league. We were absolutely smashing them until the ref sent off Atangana for a nothing challenge. I think we will appeal it because there is no way its a red, maybe not even a yellow.

After the red card the FGR 12th man (fat prick of a ref) then decided they should have a penalty. Thankfully justice was done and Maxted saved it. We obviously had to then sit back and defend for 45 minutes but they couldnt have even scored if we had gone down to 9 men. Woeful up front....

 

[Gladders]

The fans will be expecting a win when the likes of Grimsby turns up, its been a home banker of late (though their record was decent before that).

However, we’ve failed to beat similar sides like morecambe and Stevenage at home, hopefully we can win this and get some confidence at home.

Having white back was massive.

As I said in another thread last week I know you was having a bad season but I didn't realise how bad until I saw the table. We are just behind you having played two games less and yesterday was our first win in 16 games (11 in the league without a win) I think, so God knows what your results have been to be that close in the table.

How long have you had your new manager now? Our performances have improved alot since Jolley left but we have struggled to score goals ( scoring just three lge goals in those 11 until yesterday). Hopefully yesterday gives them confidence again and with Holloway having his first game we should be looking to get a result.

 

[AdamStag]

As I said in another thread last week I know you was having a bad season but I didn't realise how bad until I saw the table. We are just behind you having played two games less and yesterday was our first win in 16 games (11 in the league without a win) I think, so God knows what your results have been to be that close in the table.

How long have you had your new manager now? Our performances have improved alot since Jolley left but we have struggled to score goals ( scoring just three lge goals in those 11 until yesterday). Hopefully yesterday gives them confidence again and with Holloway having his first game we should be looking to get a result.

It’s our home form that’s done us, we’ve won 2 all season in the league - 6-1 against Oldham who had 9 men for 55 minutes (they scored with 9 men) and Scunthorpe - who at the time were bottom and hadn’t won in 17 odd games.

We both won for the first time in ages yesterday (ours was 1st in 9 I believe yours was 12), GC came in after the 1-1 draw away at Crewe - we’ve drawn at home to Northampton and port vale and lost away to Bradford before winning at Cambridge under him.

Agreed with the table though, had someone said we’d be level with Grimsby on New Years folk in white costs would probably have took you away but the table doesn’t lie and dempster did such a bad job.

The last weeks of dempster were the first time there was dissent from some fans about the radfords and a clear divide between the board (who tried to rectify a terrible appointment by keeping him far longer than they should) and the fans.

Both sets of fans will go into the game Saturday a lot happier than a few weeks ago for sure.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Forest Green were awful. Don't know how they are so high up the league. We were absolutely smashing them until the ref sent off Atangana for a nothing challenge. I think we will appeal it because there is no way its a red, maybe not even a yellow.

After the red card the FGR 12th man (fat prick of a ref) then decided they should have a penalty. Thankfully justice was done and Maxted saved it. We obviously had to then sit back and defend for 45 minutes but they couldnt have even scored if we had gone down to 9 men. Woeful up front....

Captain One-eye writes again Can imagine the pants-pissing if one of yours got a studs high boot to the knee and you were lucky not have another off when Williamson raised his hands over nothing. Hope you do appeal, at least we'll get a laugh out the day if no points.

 

[Trapdoor]

Can imagine the pants-pissing if one of yours got a studs high boot to the knee

Watch it again. It's a 50-50 foot-to-foot... Nothing in it.

The fact your player was rolling around on the floor only to miraculously spring to his feet as soon as the card was shown isnt necessarily the problem. Its just a terrible decision from the worst ref I've seen this year.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Watch it again. It's a 50-50 foot-to-foot... Nothing in it.

The fact your player was rolling around on the floor only to miraculously spring to his feet as soon as the card was shown isnt necessarily the problem. Its just a terrible decision from the worst ref I've seen this year.

Don't think he intended it, mistimed as Frear came in quick, but he had his boot out knee height right in front of the ref, Easy decision and doubt you will appeal if your coaches have any sense. Idea Frear made a meal of it is bollocks too.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Exactly as I saw it as well. First 10 was all Plymouth and we looked quite sluggish. We came into it a bit and created some good chances. You scored and probably should have gone 2 ahead but for some good keeping from Benda as our makeshift defence looked lost. DJ scored a superb equaliser but we still had to be sharp to keep you out.

Second half I think we stepped it up a bit. Woolery's pace frightened your defence and Doyle finally got the chance he snaffles. We could have extended that on the break with better decision making but overall very happy with 3 points.

Plymouth are just 2 strikers away from being an automatic promotion side. I fancy this to be a League 1 fixture next season. What are your thoughts on your new stand? I read quite a few comments from our fans that it looked a bit odd. That said, its fantastic to have 15k plus fans in the ground, with room to spare. Plymouth are way too big to be in League 2 really.

I did not get a programme yesterday, they were all sold out before 2, so I don’t know his name but your 27 was best player on the pitch, possibly the best away player I have seen at Home Park this year. Totally ran the show. He is what we were told Mayor would be, but is not. Is 27 one of yours or on loan?

As to the Grandstand, have not been in it and never enjoyed it the few times I went in the old wooden seat days. What they have done is use the old framework, rather than start afresh. So I think that might explain why they think it looks odd. Personally, I like it esthetically, but you are very unlikely to find me within its confines. It is the Mayflower stand, but we tend to refer it to the Moanflower, hence why I am unlikely to visit until my eight decade except for when I do the hospitality. I will be happy when we have finished off the remaining corners.