10 Games Gone

[Indian Dan]

10 games seems a reasonable number for the league to start shaping up for the season.

In all honesty, we are the best team I’ve seen so far, although our midweek games have all been a nightmare - can’t understand it but it’s a carry over from last season.

Best team we’ve faced is Colchester, who seem to have us figured out. Next month should shake things up a bit. Apart from Exeter and Cheltenham we’ve played, and beaten, teams who probably won’t be troubling the top 7, and our first 3 October fixtures are Bradford, Plymouth and Crewe.

 

[JJ1532]

Excellent start for the Alex. Scoring goals with contributions from all over the pitch, which is excellent. Playing excellent football too.

Defence is a concern, they have one major mistake in them a game. Let in the most of any sides in the top 7. Need to get better at that.

Got a tough next month though, playing 5 of the current top 10, including all 4 of the top 5. We shouldn't fear anyone, but we'll see how good we truly are by the end of October.

 

[valefan16]

I’m relatively pleased, on paper we have probably had the toughest fixtures, only three in the bottom half, two of which are two of the favourites in Plymouth and Mansfield!

If you’d offered me only three defeats from those ten games especially with the injuries I’d snap your hands off.

Probably unlucky not to have a few more points with Salford and Cobblers games probably should of yielded 4 more points than it did and a bit unlucky to lose at Newport (although we nabbed a point yesterday).

We look much better than last season with a clear plan of how we want to play and more options up front and pace. Most opposing managers have mentioned how much fitter we look in terms of energy.

Best opponent probably Argyle even though we won we had to put everything in to get the win and they looked quality on the ball.

Worst Salford were dreadful and mugged us, looked very weak.

Kinder run of fixtures until Xmas so hopefully injuries clear up and we can haul in points. Think we will probably finish where we are now, around 10-14th.

 

[Gladders]

Watched all our games except lge cup and its been a decent start for us, I don't think we are as a good as our position.

Think we are on for a mid table position, maybe pushing into top half. Depends on rest of the league. Much better than last season, seem to be fitter and have fight in us as we don't give up when going behind but we lack creativity in midfield, conceding sloppy goals, as well as one dimensional going forward. If we can change things around when lumping to Hanson doesn't work we might push on, but not seen many signs of that yet, except second half against Vale.

Best team I've seen is Crewe who passed us of the park but also created things unlike FGR who also passed us of the park but only in their half. Worst team I've seen is Salford were we passed them off the park but still lost.

 

[Crewelad87]

Couldn't have asked for a better start really. Some of the football we've seen this season has been of a very high standard. We've probably been the better team in every game bar the Plymouth game on the opening day. But even then we showed signs of what was to come.

Nobody else has really shone Vs us. I'd probably say Plymouth looked the best but it's hard to read into the opening game.

The next 5 or 6 games will be a good test playing the likes of Exeter, Cheltenham and Swindon. If we're still towards the top we will have a god chance. Our biggest battle might come in January. Kirk, Lowery, Ng, Wintle and Pickering are going to be in demand if this type of form continues.

 

[Moomin]

Superb start from us. We’ve not been spectacular but very hard working, efficient and we have enough quality to give us the edge over a number of teams. We’ve scored a lot of goals in the final 10 mins so our fitness is very good and the blend between youth and experience is pleasing.

That said, we currently lack a top striker. Bowman is decent but realistically will be a 12-15 goal man. Ajose has the potential but has struggled to fit into our system and is now injured for a month.

I’ve said a number of times that a lot will depend on how we cope with our first couple of defeats. If we get back on track quickly then I will believe we can reach top 3 but 10 games is still too early to tell for sure where we will be.

I still think the likes of Bradford and Argyle will come good. If we’re top in 5-10 games time I will be a believer that this will be a promotion season.

 

[dedwardp]

Very mixed for us, with a slow start caused by an inability to score. It has started to come together a little recently though with 13 points from the last six league games, one defeat in nine and knocking out Palace at Selhurst Park in the League Cup.

Still feels a bit underwhelming really but the margins are fine and we could very easily be in that cluster on around 20 points. On paper I think we're stronger than recent seasons, so it would be very disappointing to not make at least the top seven.

 

[Gerald Hattrick]

Looking at the first bunch of games, it looked tough for the Alex with 3 of the relegated teams and the 2 promoted teams. After Plymouth i was worried but the team looks fairly settled and playing some good stuff, more importantly winning games. Need to cut out the mistakes but it’s been a great start and need to be confident going into the Cheltenham game next week.

 

[The Alex]

Superb start from us. We’ve not been spectacular but very hard working, efficient and we have enough quality to give us the edge over a number of teams. We’ve scored a lot of goals in the final 10 mins so our fitness is very good and the blend between youth and experience is pleasing.

That said, we currently lack a top striker. Bowman is decent but realistically will be a 12-15 goal man. Ajose has the potential but has struggled to fit into our system and is now injured for a month.

I’ve said a number of times that a lot will depend on how we cope with our first couple of defeats. If we get back on track quickly then I will believe we can reach top 3 but 10 games is still too early to tell for sure where we will be.

I still think the likes of Bradford and Argyle will come good. If we’re top in 5-10 games time I will be a believer that this will be a promotion season.

If Bradford “come good” as you say and are up there, then I will be very disappointed. The game I saw them they were completely disjointed, disorganised and extremely poor, they came across as a club that thought they should do well purely based on money and the fans they get through the gate. Obviously Plymouth beat us 3-0 but it seems they’ve been found out since then and things won’t be as easy as they thought, and their opening day (against us) was a flourish of confidence. Top 3 as it stands for the rest of the season please.

 

[LeonTheGreen]

Compared to pre season expectations, it’s been a poor start.

We started well, but we are currently giving away far to many sloppy goals. Yesterday was a good example.

We are creating a lot of chances, but currently seem to lack the composure when it comes to putting the ball in the net.

Danny Mayor has been fantastic, most exciting player we’ve had in an Argyle shirt for a long time.

I think it’ll come good. Crawleys keeper got MOM against on Tuesday, and against Cheltenham we created heaps of chances. Get our strikers fully fit and I think we’ll start climbing up the table.

 

[AmberRich]

Best start since our return to the football league, massive improvement compared to this time last year. Still a lot of room to improve, especially defending set pieces, but from what I've seen we should be good enough for a nice relaxed season in mid table. If we're to get any higher then that then the silly mistakes at set pieces need to stop and our appalling home form needs to improve.

Been a little unlucky with injuries to the likes of Jones, Carruthers, and Hannant. Hannant so far has been our best player, Paul Lewis has proved to be a threat from midfield.

Played some tricky teams. Swindon probably the best from who I've seen us play.

Highlight of the season so far was in the cup though against Brentford.

 

[LS Bantam]

An unconvincing start from us yet we’re 6th.
The rebuild over the summer was mixed in that attack/defence was good but midfield (centrally at least) was poor and the wingers we signed came in very very late so their positive effect on the team is only in its infancy. As we settle down we’ll only get better though we’re a few injuries from being short in key areas. I’ve been critical of Bowyer but current form has us finishing in or a point or so away from a guaranteed play off spot at the end of the season.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

In the play-offs without even bothering to score goals, just wait and see what we do without one hand behind our backs.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

If Bradford “come good” as you say and are up there, then I will be very disappointed. The game I saw them they were completely disjointed, disorganised and extremely poor, they came across as a club that thought they should do well purely based on money and the fans they get through the gate. Obviously Plymouth beat us 3-0 but it seems they’ve been found out since then and things won’t be as easy as they thought, and their opening day (against us) was a flourish of confidence. Top 3 as it stands for the rest of the season please.

You’ve seen us for one game so not sure how you can say you’ll be disappointed.

Though what you say about us being disjointed is spot on, we played 3 at the back for the one and only time against you and I have no idea why as it looked like the players had never played together. Plus Akpan who’s finally been dropped from the squad was given the job of running things in midfield, last time he ran anywhere was to the door when his takeaway arrived.

We had our worst game against you no doubt but we’re a new team still finding its feet, last 4 games we’ve played the same formation and won 3, lost 1. All 3 of our losses have been against sides in the current top 5, all by 1 goal and 2 away from home.

We haven’t hit our straps yet, but if we keep with a settled side no reason we won’t be up there. I look forward to our game against your lot later in the season, you’re the best team we’ve played so far but we’ll be a far different proposition.

 

[Crewelad87]

You’ve seen us for one game so not sure how you can say you’ll be disappointed.

Though what you say about us being disjointed is spot on, we played 3 at the back for the one and only time against you and I have no idea why as it looked like the players had never played together. Plus Akpan who’s finally been dropped from the squad was given the job of running things in midfield, last time he ran anywhere was to the door when his takeaway arrived.

We had our worst game against you no doubt but we’re a new team still finding its feet, last 4 games we’ve played the same formation and won 3, lost 1. All 3 of our losses have been against sides in the current top 5, all by 1 goal and 2 away from home.

We haven’t hit our straps yet, but if we keep with a settled side no reason we won’t be up there. I look forward to our game against your lot later in the season, you’re the best team we’ve played so far but we’ll be a far different proposition.

We will already be promoted and in full party mode by the time we play you so won't be to bothered.

In all seriousness in looking forward to that one is I'm expecting it to be a big crucial game in the run in.

 

[AdamStag]

I think for expectations before the start of the season to where we are now, we must win (unless Scunthorpe had designs on promotion).

Frankly it’s been a complete shitshow from start to finish. Redford was coaxed into promoting john dempster after flitcroft was sacked, something which clearly at present isn’t panning out, the pre-season was a shambles and results have been absolutely pathetic, with the run of fixtures we’ve had in the first 10 games they should be looking at 20 points, not 10!

Alas, there’s no tactics, no idea, no fitness, no communication, no discipline (on or off the field) 2 players got suspended for beating up a youth-team player where the police weren’t involved and 1 was sacked.

we’ve shipped 3 at home to orient and 4 to Cambridge! The same mistakes happen game in game out, we couldn’t beat Morecambe in 2 successive games at home and even drew with bottom of the table Stevenage 0-0

There’s currently a boardroom struggle going on now JR has woken Upto the fact what’s going on back home, and the fans are in disagreement on whether the manager should be sacked or not.

So in general, this season has been a complete disaster to date.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

We will already be promoted and in full party mode by the time we play you so won't be to bothered.

In all seriousness in looking forward to that one is I'm expecting it to be a big crucial game in the run in.

If we continue to improve and keep a settled side and you maintain your early season form, there’s no reason it won’t be a big 6 pointer.

 

[The Alex]

Mansfield can spend all the money in the world and they’ll still be a bottom half 4th division side in my eyes, so glad to see them struggling. Don’t deserve the investment, nobodies.

 

[TimeyWimey]

It’s going ok. Room for improvement.

 

[OhGodGlovePuppet]

10 points ahead of the drop zone.

It's going swimmingly.

 

[BlackHaddock]

Not really happy with our style of play, but we have had a decent start compared to last season. We have never been a 'long-ball' team before (well not since I started going in the 60's), so it's been a bit of a culture shock. By Christmas we'll know if our 'pump it up to Hanson' system works or not. 50/50 so far.

 

[Indian Dan]

I’ve no problem with the hump, but it is so short term. Get promoted playing it and it will get you nowhere. Surely teams have to implement a style/system that gives them a chance of further progression - unless L1 is the only aim.

 

[BlackHaddock]

I’ve no problem with the hump, but it is so short term. Get promoted playing it and it will get you nowhere. Surely teams have to implement a style/system that gives them a chance of further progression - unless L1 is the only aim.

I complained that we were not direct enough and had no pace anywhere on the park. So it came to pass that we are now direct and have pace, I don't like that either!

Hopefully the neat little triangles and running with the ball will return a bit once we settle into the season. Mid-table with a fleeting look at the Play-Offs is what I expect by May though.

 

[LS Bantam]

Not having the idea that ‘pumping it up’ is only a short term method of success at all, play to your strengths - if tippy tappy suits and works for you good, if you’ve a big unit with people feeding off then utilise it. It’s hard to play against especially down here, with progression up the league comes better players and naturally better football but play the hand you’re dealt for now.

 

[Conker]

Mansfield can spend all the money in the world and they’ll still be a bottom half 4th division side in my eyes, so glad to see them struggling. Don’t deserve the investment, nobodies.

We’ve been a top half L2 side for the past few seasons that is unacceptable.

I can confirm we will never get out of this league, but our club not be infested with nonces either so swings and roundabouts.

 

[Conker]

We basically need to get a new manager and it has to be for the first time in absolutely years the correct one or this season will be a massive mid-table embarrassment.

 

[SELatic]

We are a proper striker and a decent creative midfielder away from being a top 10 side at this level. Unfortunately without that, we’re a fair way off still.

Performances have improved over the last couple of weeks and despite our lunatic of an owner, we should stay up thanks to Bury going bust and the absolute poverty of teams at the bottom of the league.

 

[Agombar stool]

Not seen us live this season, but based on our performance against Macclesfield we look a very good side. Wellens has us playing slick, passing football and we have added goals to the side with Yates and Doyle up front and Isgrove providing the ammunition. Rob Hunt is an improvement on Knoyle, who I was disappointed to lose pre-season.

What Wellens has also done is got a tune out of Keshi Anderson and Ellis Iandolo as AMC and LWB respectively.

There are lots of positives so far, our next 4 games, Newport, Plymouth, Bradford and Crewe are going to be a good litmus test to how high we can aim this season. I might go to Crewe as its going to be a cracking test between 2 good sides.

 

[shoddycollins]

We've been shit

 

[darren gregory]

We've been shit

Concise summing up