1st fixtures: 30th July

[leedsvaliant]

James Wilson? D

Hope you get battered and your fans realise it won't be a cake walk, I've seen some arrogance in my time in this division, this is our 3rd spell since 2003, however you lot really are the most arrogant and self entitled c*** to ever step foot in the league.

Yeah, James Wilson. He'd easily be one of your best players if he played for you. Touch, vision and skill of a Championship player....just ask Swindon or Mansfield, he led them a merry dance.

I reckon he'll stand out in this league.

 

[kieran_vale]

I do expect us to be good, especially riding a high in the first game in front of what looks to be close to a 30,000 crowd.

Knight, Bird and Sibley are the Crown Jewels of our academy and they’re still here ready to go.

Importantly, we were able to tie down Curtis Davies who had his best season in probably half a decade last year.

Hourihane, Mendes-Laing, Barkhuizen, Smith, Roberts, Chester, Collins and McGoldrick have added quality to the overall squad. Wildsmith, it remains to be seen, already can see that he’s a good shot stopper but lacks elsewhere. I would be happy to see another keeper through the door.

My only real concern is at right back at the moment, due to the ongoing issue with Byrne, but it looks like we’re planning to use Knight there at least early on in the season. Maybe Smith who has played there before.

We actually have options going into the season, something we drastically didn’t have last season, so it’s a good position to be in.

I have little doubt we will be much improved on last season, however it’s a different league and different expectation so we will wait and see.

For what it’s worth in terms of Derby I’m predicting a slow-ish sort of start and then maybe pick up as the season goes on and maybe able to add one or two in January once you know what you’re dealing with. What Derby I guarantee will happen is at some point early on say Morecambe away you’re going to get your proper welcome to L1 moment and cop one. Happens to all the bigger clubs that end up down the leagues.

 

[Floreat Salopia]

James Wilson? D

Hope you get battered and your fans realise it won't be a cake walk, I've seen some arrogance in my time in this division, this is our 3rd spell since 2003, however you lot really are the most arrogant and self entitled c*** to ever step foot in the league.

Sunderland were the worst fans I’ve come across for arrogance. They’ll take some beating from what I experienced when I went to the SOL.

 

[BarrieOwl]

Yeah, James Wilson. He'd easily be one of your best players if he played for you. Touch, vision and skill of a Championship player....just ask Swindon or Mansfield, he led them a merry dance.

I reckon he'll stand out in this league.

He wouldn't, he played for them c*** across the city and was wank, he will be bang average at best in this league.

 

[BarrieOwl]

What are you actually talking about you fucking weapon.

I'm a weapon? Shut up you cheating c***, your fans on DCFCfans are utterly fucking deluded and you fall into that category you little bellsniffer

 

[kieran_vale]

Looks like tickets are selling at a nice pace for tomorrow. Both the Lorne Street and Railway sold out (in the case of the Railway the capacity is reduced due to 80% due to the safety certificate). Not sure what Fleetwoods support is like away from home these days but for opening day say about 300 or thereabouts?

 

[valefan16]

He wouldn't, he played for them c*** across the city and was wank, he will be bang average at best in this league.

He played 8 times...

He is a different animal now, he'd fell out of love with football and is back towards his best now hes back home (he is from around the area).

I think he will be decent at this level, not necessarily the best or one of the best but will be a huge plus for us to have him, he wont look out of place put it that way.

 

[valefan16]

Looks like tickets are selling at a nice pace for tomorrow. Both the Lorne Street and Railway sold out (in the case of the Railway the capacity is reduced due to 80% due to the safety certificate). Not sure what Fleetwoods support is like away from home these days but for opening day say about 300 or thereabouts?

Yeah Paddock and Stand now gone so only the Bycars left for home tickets so looking like a similar crowd to the end of season games so good to see the fans are coming back this season rather than just last seasons big games with promotion in mind.

 

[BarrieOwl]

He played 8 times...

He is a different animal now, he'd fell out of love with football and is back towards his best now hes back home (he is from around the area).

I think he will be decent at this level, not necessarily the best or one of the best but will be a huge plus for us to have him, he wont look out of place put it that way.

So he shouldn't given his grounding but to make outlandish claims like the LeedsValiant does no favours.

I can see him being integral to you but that is about it. IMHO and 8 or 80 games if you play for them c*** you're tainted.

 

[91SPP]

I'm a weapon? Shut up you cheating c***, your fans on DCFCfans are utterly fucking deluded and you fall into that category you little bellsniffer

Don’t be a daft c*** your whole life mate.

 

[BarrieOwl]

Don’t be a daft c*** your whole life mate.

No that's you. You're a little bolshy fucker aren't you.

 

[kieran_vale]

Yeah Paddock and Stand now gone so only the Bycars left for home tickets so looking like a similar crowd to the end of season games so good to see the fans are coming back this season rather than just last seasons big games with promotion in mind.

Yep definitely, think that was the challenge for the club to keep hold of some of them day-tripper types going into this season and so far so good, only have to see the ST sales for that. Be even better for this game if had already managed to sort out the Hamil swap but c’est la vie.

 

[valefan16]

Yep definitely, think that was the challenge for the club to keep hold of some of them day-tripper types going into this season and so far so good, only have to see the ST sales for that. Be even better for this game if had already managed to sort out the Hamil swap but c’est la vie.

Its only just popped into the mind that when 7000 plus of us are singing Penny Arcade pre kick off... obviously its a big Rangers anthem isn't it! Will go down well with Fleetwood's manager that!

 

[valefan16]

So he shouldn't given his grounding but to make outlandish claims like the LeedsValiant does no favours.

I can see him being integral to you but that is about it. IMHO and 8 or 80 games if you play for them c*** you're tainted.

Willo has the potential but it would be wild to say he will walk in and boss the division though, need to get him fit first!

 

[kieran_vale]

Its only just popped into the mind that when 7000 plus of us are singing Penny Arcade pre kick off... obviously its a big Rangers anthem isn't it! Will go down well with Fleetwood's manager that!

Yeah he’s going to think we’re on a right troll job when that starts getting played when it actually isn’t anything of the sort. From what he was known to be as a player if it triggers him in to doing something daft all the better.

Just on Wilson all I can say is once you see him for an extended period of time you really appreciate what he can do. I’m not comparing him against anyone else as it’s a pointless exercise but with us we’ve found the perfect role for him and he’s thrived. His stats might not be overwhelming to those who just look at that but last season a lot of opposition fans were pointing him out as the big difference after we beat them and for good reason.

 

[BarrieOwl]

Any pompey fan coming up tomorrow if you see this man please chip in whatever you can.

Owls welcome Sheffield legend!

The Owls are delighted to welcome local fundraising hero John Burkhill to Hillsborough tomorrow! The 83-year-old has been raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support for almost 15 years and has been recognised nationally with awards for his incredible contribution to the charity.

www.swfc.co.uk

 

[thewwfc]

Sunderland were the worst fans I’ve come across for arrogance. They’ll take some beating from what I experienced when I went to the SOL.

I found their fans (like most I guess) to be a mixed bag really, but the ones I met certainly weren’t all arrogant. You can only go on personal experience though I guess.

 

[codaplenty]

Looks like tickets are selling at a nice pace for tomorrow. Both the Lorne Street and Railway sold out (in the case of the Railway the capacity is reduced due to 80% due to the safety certificate). Not sure what Fleetwoods support is like away from home these days but for opening day say about 300 or thereabouts?

Would like to think we will have nearer 500 but difficult to gauge. Really pleased your lads are back in league and wish you well ( exc tomorrow and at home ) Much optimism at Fleetwood surrounding Scott Brown and the quality of the players which have been brought in. I'll be happy with a draw tomorrow 1-1

 

[BarrieOwl]

Our weakness last season was conceding from set pieces and from what I've seen so far this summer it still is.

Michael Morrison 40s FGS is as certain as George Hirst was in the last meeting.

Tomorrow won't define a season but we all like a good start.

 

[kieran_vale]

Would like to think we will have nearer 500 but difficult to gauge. Really pleased your lads are back in league and wish you well ( exc tomorrow and at home ) Much optimism at Fleetwood surrounding Scott Brown and the quality of the players which have been brought in. I'll be happy with a draw tomorrow 1-1

Be good numbers those if you did. Going to be a good occasion. Think it was mentioned earlier in the thread you were the last team we played at this level so it’s funny how things work out you’re the first one this time. Enjoy the trip down if you’re coming if not the result.

Am expecting a typical close fought opening day encounter. Until last season we did have a pretty great opening day record but then as always used to say it was the other 45 that was the problem for us. One thing that I think is in our favour is the likely starting eleven will be the bulk of last seasons team so it won’t be a case of them having to get used to playing with each other.

 

[codaplenty]

Be good numbers those if you did. Going to be a good occasion. Think it was mentioned earlier in the thread you were the last team we played at this level so it’s funny how things work out you’re the first one this time. Enjoy the trip down if you’re coming if not the result.

Am expecting a typical close fought opening day encounter. Until last season we did have a pretty great opening day record but then as always used to say it was the other 45 that was the problem for us. One thing that I think is in our favour is the likely starting eleven will be the bulk of last seasons team so it won’t be a case of them having to get used to playing with each other.

And may the best team win eh, still got great memories of when Vale and Mr Pope came to Highbury, a cracking game with super attacking play from yourselves. In case you don't remember 2-5 ouch !

 

[valefan16]

And may the best team win eh, still got great memories of when Vale and Mr Pope came to Highbury, a cracking game with super attacking play from yourselves. In case you don't remember 2-5 ouch !

One of my favourite away days that, you weren’t bad on the day but attacking wise we were in a spell of form when we were battering teams (won 6-2 v Rotherham the week before). The Louis Dodds finish with the outside of the boot was unbelievable.

Was really impressed with the set up there especially the supporters club.

Should be a good game tomorrow and both will look at it as a chance to get off the mark.

 

[leedsvaliant]

He wouldn't, he played for them c*** across the city and was wank, he will be bang average at best in this league.

So your opinion is based on the fact that he played a handful of games for your rivals? Ok....

I don't think he will be the best player in the league but he would be one of the best players technically in any team in league 1. As good a technical footballer as we've had since the mid 90s

Again, people need reminding that this is the 3rd division.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Would like to think we will have nearer 500 but difficult to gauge. Really pleased your lads are back in league and wish you well ( exc tomorrow and at home ) Much optimism at Fleetwood surrounding Scott Brown and the quality of the players which have been brought in. I'll be happy with a draw tomorrow 1-1

I think you've made some good signings and although Brown was a bit marmite as a player, he always struck me as a leader.

I think this might be tough. We're not quite set yet and it feels like we'll be a bit under prepared for the first few games. We've only had 2 proper friendlies, so I'd imagine we're a bit behind.

I'd take a draw right now.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Yeah he’s going to think we’re on a right troll job when that starts getting played when it actually isn’t anything of the sort. From what he was known to be as a player if it triggers him in to doing something daft all the better.

Just on Wilson all I can say is once you see him for an extended period of time you really appreciate what he can do. I’m not comparing him against anyone else as it’s a pointless exercise but with us we’ve found the perfect role for him and he’s thrived. His stats might not be overwhelming to those who just look at that but last season a lot of opposition fans were pointing him out as the big difference after we beat them and for good reason.

I think Garrity and Proctor stood out the most against us home and away respectively, but you can see Wilson has a lot of quality.
The ball he put through to Dan Jones at your gaff was sublime.

 

[valefan16]

I think Garrity and Proctor stood out the most against us home and away respectively, but you can see Wilson has a lot of quality.
The ball he put through to Dan Jones at your gaff was sublime.

The one he put through in the final for the first was equally good.

Garrity is the one I worry about making the step up, 12 goals last season from midfield he delivered when the expectation was he wouldn’t be more than a squad man… can he make the step up against better opposition?

 

[BRFC_Gas]

The one he put through in the final for the first was equally good.

Garrity is the one I worry about making the step up, 12 goals last season from midfield he delivered when the expectation was he wouldn’t be more than a squad man… can he make the step up against better opposition?

Yeah we have plenty that are unproven in L1 too.
Having been in this league 2 seasons ago im quite confident we are miles better than the one that finished bottom. So unless the league has improved massively I think we'll both be fine.

 

[kieran_vale]

The one he put through in the final for the first was equally good.

Garrity is the one I worry about making the step up, 12 goals last season from midfield he delivered when the expectation was he wouldn’t be more than a squad man… can he make the step up against better opposition?

For me Garritys problem is if we were to move away from a three man midfield to a two. He doesn’t have the passing ability to do it in my opinion and it takes away from his game. In a three he’s great as it gives him license to make those late runs into the box and will say for him he has one of the best leaps to get on the end of crosses I’ve seen from a Vale midfielder since we had Van Der Laan.

I think the other to watch will be Pett, I think he is capable but I think he tried step up before with Lincoln and they eventually moved on.

 

[Arbury]

Finally we’re back to football on a Saturday, looking forward to it and feeling confident which is pretty alien to me, we’re 3/1 on 365 to beat mk which is just too big imo.

Cambridge, Oxford and Exeter treble for me today, good luck to all who are having a bet!

UP THE U’S

KTF

 

[leedsvaliant]

Finally we’re back to football on a Saturday, looking forward to it and feeling confident which is pretty alien to me, we’re 3/1 on 365 to beat mk which is just too big imo.

Cambridge, Oxford and Exeter treble for me today, good luck to all who are having a bet!

UP THE U’S

KTF

First day of the season is always so hard to predict. Even for the teams predicted to do well. Even some of the better teams can take time to gel. I seem to recall Sheffield United losing their 1st 4 games in this league a few years ago and they got promoted comfortably.

It's a bit of pot luck in some ways.