1st/2nd April Fixtures

[CTFCfan99]

Hard to argue. Even accounting for their penalty being the right decision - and I'm one of a few who thinks that (including Alex Hartridge apparently) - at least two of the penalty decisions he didn't give us were absolutely criminal.

First half we weren't in the game and Exeter could have been a couple up, but they weren't and for the second half I felt we were the better team. To have a ref be so crucial in the outcome is absolutely criminal.

Still, another apology letter will make up for the lost points I'm sure!!

Penalty decision 1:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1774819449750667618

Penalty decision 2:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1774831502653546854

Tend to agree on their penalty - harsh as it's blasted at him point blank but letter of the law it probably is a pen.

The ones we didn't get are laughable, especially that second one on Kinsella.

 

[Laker]

Solid but very important win. We didn’t set the world alight and only had a handful of attacks but we scored three good goals. The free kick for the third was a proper screamer.

Think we’re now one win away from safety.

 

[thewwfc]

Solid but very important win. We didn’t set the world alight and only had a handful of attacks but we scored three good goals. The free kick for the third was a proper screamer.

Think we’re now one win away from safety.

What’s made the difference in the way you’ve been playing?

Seemed that there wasn’t much confidence in Monk when he first came in (and the pastings v Lincoln/Reading can’t have helped) but Wigan are a decent side with expensive players so that’s a big result.

 

[SVH]

What’s made the difference in the way you’ve been playing?

Seemed that there wasn’t much confidence in Monk when he first came in (and the pastings v Lincoln/Reading can’t have helped) but Wigan are a decent side with expensive players so that’s a big result.

We switched to a back three and got our top goalscorer back from injury who had been out for three months. If he had stayed fit we wouldn’t be in this position.

Monk also recalled a young CB who has been on loan at Gateshead and getting rave reviews. He has made two starts and been outstanding on both games.

I also think the international break allowed Monk to properly asses the squad and get his message across. 6 points over the Easter weekend should see us on our way to being safe with a few games spare now.

 

[CTFCfan99]

Not surprised to read that today's referee was from Staffordshire. Burton or Vale fan then. All makes sense now

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Not surprised to read that today's referee was from Staffordshire. Burton or Vale fan then. All makes sense now

Doubt it. There's not many of either (THIS IS A JOKE)

 

[Pompeyblueboy]

I don't even support vale. I just know there away support is miles better than northamptons. You starting to sound like a derby fan only interested in talking about attendances than the actual game itself.

I've not noticed many posts from Derby fans about their attendances

 

[leedsvaliant]

Probably deserved a point from the game with the makeup of the game. Northampton just took their chances and we didn't...story of our season really. Ran a little bit out of ideas second half but I think Northampton managed the game well. Good manager is Brady. I didn't really expect anything but if we take one of Chislett's opportunities or Uche, we probably grab a point.

Still...no real damage done except it's a game less. We're in better form than a few down there but we have to pick up some points from these away games.

Still think that losing twice to Shrewsbury, Cheltenham and only 1 point from Fleetwood will ultimately be our downfall. We've left ourselves too much to do in all honesty but there's still hope! We're better than Burton and Cheltenham are stuttering. Can't believe Cambridge have suddenly turned into world beaters. No doubt Wigan won't be so accommodating to us on Saturday!

 

[valefan16]

Disappointing result but still in touch, sounds like we’ve ran out of gas a bit which is a slight worry second half but if we can get something from Wigan we’ve three winnable home games to give us a chance.

 

[Throbber_for_Dunk]

'Kin hell, what a different a weekend makes, eh?

Shout out to Godo scoring for Wigan to make it 2-1 (to us), giving it the big one to the home fans only to have Danny Andrew absolutely c*** one in and copy his celebration to the Wigan fans. Or just watch it, if that's easier.


Also big props to Big Mams and to the Gasman, the latter has 3 goals in 2 games after coming back from injury and we've missed his all round game. And Big Mams is just silly, youth product at 21 years old making his debut and home debut and looking like he's played at this level for years.

Monk might be a wildcard appointment that pays off, it's early days yet but still. Encouraging to see what having a bit of time with the squad can actually do, the first few games were the confusing soup of having had four managers in three months and no confidence.

Much more hopeful we'll be okay now, still got to get it done but now largely bullish about surviving and with less stress than last year.

Hard to argue. Even accounting for their penalty being the right decision - and I'm one of a few who thinks that (including Alex Hartridge apparently) - at least two of the penalty decisions he didn't give us were absolutely criminal.


Penalty decision 1:

Penalty decision 2:

The first one is like a throwback to the early days of English players diving, proper shite, the second is a bit nasty (if unmalicious) though so one penalty for me.

Obviously, I've no axe to grind with Cheltenham on the whole, but I think this was an exemplary refereeing performance.

 

[Si Robin]

I do think the way Thomas goes down doesn't help him, but there's no doubt he's been sandwiched off the ball.

The second one is the killer, coming straight after their penalty award.

 

[Luke Imp]

Good to get 6 points from what was a potentially tricky Easter weekend, three well worked goals yesterday as well.

I was slightly concerned with having to change the 'keeper in the warm-up because Wright hasn't played for a year but he seemed to do ok.

 

[Super_horns]

Tend to agree on their penalty - harsh as it's blasted at him point blank but letter of the law it probably is a pen.

The ones we didn't get are laughable, especially that second one on Kinsella.

At all levels handball seems to be such a lottery they probably just guess tbh .

 

[dannylad01]

I didn't see our game at Bristol Rovers yesterday, but judging by Hurst's comments of it was a League 1 game in name only, definitely not the quality, then it sounds like a thriller. Another "midweek" game where it appears we haven't shown up.

Drawing our way to safety. Portsmouth, Bolton and Charlton away (Bolton midweek so nothing there), with Wycombe and Orient at home. Should be able to scramble enough points given the 7 point gap.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

I didn't see our game at Bristol Rovers yesterday, but judging by Hurst's comments of it was a League 1 game in name only, definitely not the quality, then it sounds like a thriller. Another "midweek" game where it appears we haven't shown up.

Drawing our way to safety. Portsmouth, Bolton and Charlton away (Bolton midweek so nothing there), with Wycombe and Orient at home. Should be able to scramble enough points given the 7 point gap.

Yeah it wasnt L1 quality, we havent showed that for a while.
On Friday any L2 side would have beaten us, yesterday any top 10 L2 side would have beaten us.
Luckily most will be gone in the summer and Taylor can build his own team

 

[LordJord]

Port Vale could and should have scored yesterday, either through Uche or one of the earlier lesser chances. That being said it felt really comfortable from my perspective, didnt really feel like a huge head of steam was built and didnt feel like a particular urgency was there. I cant recall the last time a keeper spent so much time out of his box either, is that normal for Ripley? Thought the subs made you worse as well, the guy with the hairband looked tidy enough in the first half i thought.

A very professional performance from us, there was still effort being put forth and we were still organised, despite having nothing to play for. The tempo of the game felt slow and it did feel like we could have tried to up it if needed, but that wasnt really necessary in the second half as we were happy to try and counter.

Another 3 points on the board and past Brady's total of 54 which he said after the win was his initial target for this season. Delighted with the season, not just need to finish as strong as possible and find how to replace two of the best loanees we have had in Leonard and Bowie.

 

[Floreat Salopia]

I didn't see our game at Bristol Rovers yesterday, but judging by Hurst's comments of it was a League 1 game in name only, definitely not the quality, then it sounds like a thriller. Another "midweek" game where it appears we haven't shown up.

Drawing our way to safety. Portsmouth, Bolton and Charlton away (Bolton midweek so nothing there), with Wycombe and Orient at home. Should be able to scramble enough points given the 7 point gap.

From what I’ve been told today from somebody ‘ITK’ is that Hurst doesn’t rate the majority of the team. Could be a few surprise outgoings, apparently we won’t be looking to offer new contracts to players like Marosi, Dunkley, Flanagan, Bayliss, etc. Think the only one out of them that we would struggle to replace is Marosi who imo is one of the best if not the best goalkeeper at this level (minus his kicking). Thankfully I’m told that he does like Dan Udoh and we’ve offered him a new deal already, hopefully he signs it! Need to try our best to resign Jack Price at the end of the season too but let’s be honest, he’s far too good for us. Maybe he’ll stay though as he’s a Salop fan himself who knows.

 

[K-Win]

Happy with a point after going behind twice. Pretty tight game in tricky conditions.

We've been waiting for Moxon to get on the score sheet and what a time to do it. 7 points needed from 5 games now.

 

[91SPP]

Happy with a point after going behind twice. Pretty tight game in tricky conditions.

We've been waiting for Moxon to get on the score sheet and what a time to do it. 7 points needed from 5 games now.

Same happy with a point - stings a little when both Portsmouth goals should've been ruled out but tight decisions so won't moan too much. Portsmouth were well worth the point. Interesting that both games have played out a similar way with Portsmouth dominating possession, but needing to come behind to get a point.

Portsmouth are the only team in the top eight we haven't beat, albeit haven't lost either.

 

[GEORGE]

From what I’ve been told today from somebody ‘ITK’ is that Hurst doesn’t rate the majority of the team. Could be a few surprise outgoings, apparently we won’t be looking to offer new contracts to players like Marosi, Dunkley, Flanagan, Bayliss, etc. Think the only one out of them that we would struggle to replace is Marosi who imo is one of the best if not the best goalkeeper at this level (minus his kicking). Thankfully I’m told that he does like Dan Udoh and we’ve offered him a new deal already, hopefully he signs it! Need to try our best to resign Jack Price at the end of the season too but let’s be honest, he’s far too good for us. Maybe he’ll stay though as he’s a Salop fan himself who knows.

I've been very critical of our team this season. But got to say one of your full backs -- Think his name was Benning was the worst player I've seen all season.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

I've been very critical of our team this season. But got to say one of your full backs -- Think his name was Benning was the worst player I've seen all season.

He was bad, although not the worst LB on the pitch that day...

 

[dannylad01]

From what I’ve been told today from somebody ‘ITK’ is that Hurst doesn’t rate the majority of the team. Could be a few surprise outgoings, apparently we won’t be looking to offer new contracts to players like Marosi, Dunkley, Flanagan, Bayliss, etc. Think the only one out of them that we would struggle to replace is Marosi who imo is one of the best if not the best goalkeeper at this level (minus his kicking). Thankfully I’m told that he does like Dan Udoh and we’ve offered him a new deal already, hopefully he signs it! Need to try our best to resign Jack Price at the end of the season too but let’s be honest, he’s far too good for us. Maybe he’ll stay though as he’s a Salop fan himself who knows.

I agree in that I think most of the big earners will go in the summer given the accounts released last week. Not just the ones you've mentioned, but money will no doubt be saved with Bennett probably retiring and O'Brien going too.

Marosi would be difficult to replace. Where would we be without him this season?! Saying that we've had a few decent young loan keepers in Henderson obviously but also O'Leary and Sarkic, so I think we'll go down that route. Can't be any worse on the loan front then the ones we've had this season.

Like to think that Jack Price will stay given his long injury lay off and now he's home. I think he'll be captain next season if he stays.

 

[dannylad01]

I've been very critical of our team this season. But got to say one of your full backs -- Think his name was Benning was the worst player I've seen all season.

We signed Benning from Port Vale once Nurse was ruled out for the season right at the start of the season. Was initially cover for Shipley as a left wing back, but has become a regular. He's massively improved during the season and won our player of the month in January and February. Saying that, all of Oxford's early attacks on Good Friday came from Benning getting caught up the pitch. The Vale fans weren't too disappointed seeing him leave from memory. Would imagine he'll revert to a backup next season assuming Nurse is fit having now missed almost 2 full seasons.

 

[leedsvaliant]

I'd take Dunkley. Always looked a solid and big centre half.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Benning is gash. Nowhere near good enough for this level. He seems like a nice guy but just not up to it.

 

[Pompeyblueboy]

Same happy with a point - stings a little when both Portsmouth goals should've been ruled out but tight decisions so won't moan too much. Portsmouth were well worth the point. Interesting that both games have played out a similar way with Portsmouth dominating possession, but needing to come behind to get a point.

Portsmouth are the only team in the top eight we haven't beat, albeit haven't lost either.

You had a great following for a night game.

I thought it was a great game played in awful conditions.

Some nervy games to come for us

 

[dannylad01]

I'd take Dunkley. Always looked a solid and big centre half.

We're supposed to have an option of another year on him, but fair to say he's probably one of the big earners and the Club are trying to get costs down. I'd definetly keep him if budget allows. Think he is best suited in the middle of a 3 at the back rather than 2