1st Matches of 2021-22 Season: 7th August 2021

[F!RTHY]

Exeter bound without Yann Sango’o and Caolan Lavery. Lav’s isn’t fit and Yann has a knee problem.

No idea how we’ll line up or in which formation. Something like this, maybe….

GK: Richard O’Donnell

RB: Oscar Threlkeld
CB: Paudie O’Connor
CB: Niall Canavan
LB: Liam Ridehalgh

CM: Elliot Watt
CM: Levi Sutton

RW: Alex Gilliead
CAM: Callum Cooke
LW: Abo Eisa/ Lee Angol

CF: Andy Cook

Never seem to play well or get a result in Devon. I’d be happy with a draw, but I guess now is the best time to play Exeter, so quietly confident we’ll return to West Yorkshire with all 3 points.

1,000 City in attendance.

 

[Bottega Don]

Not sure if we will go 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 for Saturday but I would guess 4-4-2. Think we will line up like this.

GK: Billson

RB: Jai Rowe
CB: Harry Davis
CB: George Taft
LB: Lewis Thompson

RM: Devarn Green
CM: Alfie Beestin
CM: Alex Kenyon
LM: Harry Bunn

ST: Ryan Loft
ST: Tyrone O'Neil

Two huge strikers but neither seem to be very good with their heads, I can see a lot of them holding the ball up back to goal with zero movement around them.

 

[Huntsman94]

Genuinely can’t wait for tomorrow. A game of football with no restrictions and a decent sized crowd. I’m even made up that Walsall will be bringing a large away following as will make for a great atmosphere.

It’s been a really tough 18 months for everyone and for many, football is a release where you can genuinely go and enjoy the day either with family or with mates. That’s certainly the case over here on the Wirral. Hope everyone has a quality day tomorrow and all the best for the coming season.

 

[EricSabin]

Genuinely can’t wait for tomorrow. A game of football with no restrictions and a decent sized crowd. I’m even made up that Walsall will be bringing a large away following as will make for a great atmosphere.

It’s been a really tough 18 months for everyone and for many, football is a release where you can genuinely go and enjoy the day either with family or with mates. That’s certainly the case over here on the Wirral. Hope everyone has a quality day tomorrow and all the best for the coming season.

Likewise, I’m also buzzing and pleased Vale are bringing a load

 

[Conker]

I must admit I do miss being bitterly disappointed all Saturday evening on the regular.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Not sure if we will go 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 for Saturday but I would guess 4-4-2. Think we will line up like this.

GK: Billson

RB: Jai Rowe
CB: Harry Davis
CB: George Taft
LB: Lewis Thompson

RM: Devarn Green
CM: Alfie Beestin
CM: Alex Kenyon
LM: Harry Bunn

ST: Ryan Loft
ST: Tyrone O'Neil

Two huge strikers but neither seem to be very good with their heads, I can see a lot of them holding the ball up back to goal with zero movement around them.

Granted we had O’Neil a couple of season ago,but looked like he’ll never make a EFL footballer as long as he’s got a hole in his arse.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Despite everything, I am still looking forward to tomorrow, especially seeing how this almost completely new team will gel.

Likely to be

Dawson
Sweeney Ray Grounds
Key Atangana Dieng Sparkes
Brown Jay
Nombe

Have already arranged the pre match pint and looking forward to getting in the ground and seeing a full away end.

Bring it on.

 

[Agombar stool]

Not sure if we will go 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 for Saturday but I would guess 4-4-2. Think we will line up like this.

GK: Billson

RB: Jai Rowe
CB: Harry Davis
CB: George Taft
LB: Lewis Thompson

RM: Devarn Green
CM: Alfie Beestin
CM: Alex Kenyon
LM: Harry Bunn

ST: Ryan Loft
ST: Tyrone O'Neil

Two huge strikers but neither seem to be very good with their heads, I can see a lot of them holding the ball up back to goal with zero movement around them.

This says probably more about me than anything else and I'm not trying to be disrespectful but I haven't heard of any of your players.

Where are your dangers likely to come from and what style do Scunny adopt?

 

[Bottega Don]

This says probably more about me than anything else and I'm not trying to be disrespectful but I haven't heard of any of your players.

Where are your dangers likely to come from and what style do Scunny adopt?

It's because all of our players are terrible and wouldn't be playing non-league if it wasn't for us.

Cox generally plays quite rigid, it's not exactly flowing football. I would say our biggest threat is Devarn Green on the right wing, he's a typical lower league winger though. He will glide past your LB with ease before shanking his cross onto the railway line.

Ryan Loft on his day can be very difficult to deal with, its just his day rarely ever comes. He's strong and holds the ball up well but we saw him isolated far too many times last year with nobody near him.

I can't imagine there being many goals in this one really.

 

[Agombar stool]

It's because all of our players are terrible and wouldn't be playing non-league if it wasn't for us.

Cox generally plays quite rigid, it's not exactly flowing football. I would say our biggest threat is Devarn Green on the right wing, he's a typical lower league winger though. He will glide past your LB with ease before shanking his cross onto the railway line.

Ryan Loft on his day can be very difficult to deal with, its just his day rarely ever comes. He's strong and holds the ball up well but we saw him isolated far too many times last year with nobody near him.

I can't imagine there being many goals in this one really.

I reckon a dabble on 0-0 could indeed bear fruit. FWIW our line up is probably going to be something like

GK. Wollacott
CB. Odimayo
CB. Baudry
CB. Conroy
LWB. Hunt
RWB. Kesler Hayden
DM. Grant
CM. Payne
CM. Gladwin
CM. Mckirdy
ST. Simpson

Ben Garner has already said we won't have a reduced bench so will be bringing 5 or 6 kids for the bench.

 

[kieran_vale]

Trevor Kettle listed as fourth official for tomorrow for our game so no doubt he will find some way to make it all about him.

Other than that looking forward to it. Appears that apart from a couple of long term injuries got no other concerns on that front so will see how it goes.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

We're starting against Stevenage again (last season's opener was a 1-1 draw). I don't think there will be much between us two this season, but think we might struggle on Saturday.

We've a much better squad than 12 months ago, but we're without an out-and-out striker for the first few matches (we were last season too, with Quigley suspended/injured).

Our first XI for Saturday will be something like:

Paul Farman

Remeao Hutton
Mark Ellis
Matt Platt
Joe Grayson
Patrick Brough

Ollie Banks
Tom White
Jamie Devitt

Josh Gordon
Josh Kay

 

[Bone Idle]

We're starting against Stevenage again (last season's opener was a 1-1 draw). I don't think there will be much between us two this season, but think we might struggle on Saturday.

We've a much better squad than 12 months ago, but we're without an out-and-out striker for the first few matches (we were last season too, with Quigley suspended/injured).

Our first XI for Saturday will be something like:

Paul Farman

Remeao Hutton
Mark Ellis
Matt Platt
Joe Grayson
Patrick Brough

Ollie Banks
Tom White
Jamie Devitt

Josh Gordon
Josh Kay

Allo Allo... who are these 2 forwards you got?

 

[chipmunx]

Allo Allo... who are these 2 forwards you got?

Josh Gordon - ex Walsall
Josh Kay - who played at left wing back last season

Dmitri Sea may start as another forward in place of Kay and then Kay's pace be used off the bench - but who actually knows at present.
Zanzala only started training on Monday - so is probably a couple of weeks away from starting, and our 5th Striker Luke James is being linked with a return to Hartlepool.

 

[BarraMatt]

and our 5th Striker Luke James is being linked with a return to Hartlepool.

Is he?

 

[chipmunx]

Is he?

yep

Hartlepool United interested in re-signing Barrow attacker Luke James

Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor hasn't ruled out a move to re-sign Barrow attacker Luke James this summer.

the72.co.uk

 

[Chief Rocka]

yep

Hartlepool United interested in re-signing Barrow attacker Luke James

Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor hasn't ruled out a move to re-sign Barrow attacker Luke James this summer.

the72.co.uk

It's all we ever do.

 

[Bone Idle]

Josh Gordon - ex Walsall
Josh Kay - who played at left wing back last season

Dmitri Sea may start as another forward in place of Kay and then Kay's pace be used off the bench - but who actually knows at present.
Zanzala only started training on Monday - so is probably a couple of weeks away from starting, and our 5th Striker Luke James is being linked with a return to Hartlepool.

I see a little bit of humour is lost on you my friend.

 

[Agombar stool]

I see a little bit of humour is lost on you my friend.

I don't think he was listening very carefully and you'll only say it once.

 

[chipmunx]

I see a little bit of humour is lost on you my friend.

yes - fake French humour is a bit too subtle....
Gorden Kaye...

 

[F!RTHY]

Derek announces Canavan as captain, just so you know.

Our captains’ harder than yours.

 

[SELatic]

We’ve got 5 out with covid apparently. Expecting another joyless start to another joyless season

 

[Essex2Wessex]

Jamille Matt named as our captain. The right choice IMO.

 

[leedsvaliant]

It's because all of our players are terrible and wouldn't be playing non-league if it wasn't for us.

Cox generally plays quite rigid, it's not exactly flowing football. I would say our biggest threat is Devarn Green on the right wing, he's a typical lower league winger though. He will glide past your LB with ease before shanking his cross onto the railway line.

Ryan Loft on his day can be very difficult to deal with, its just his day rarely ever comes. He's strong and holds the ball up well but we saw him isolated far too many times last year with nobody near him.

I can't imagine there being many goals in this one really.

Ryan loft was terrific against vale when we played you at your place. Great movement. Good in the air, good touch, gave our defence the real run around. I wouldn't have minded him coming to vale.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Genuinely can't predict tomorrow. I don't know whether Northampton got relegated because they were shit or because they weren't ready for league 1 after a surprise promotion the year before. Seems like they are going to be athletic and physical with pace which should create a good match up against our giants. Sir John always said you should have at least 6 x 6 footers in your team.

We can't really take much from our preseason as we've generally played teams from above us and I never really give much value to friendlies. Legge virtually admits that he doesn't even try in them.

I think we'll be competitive in most games due to the size and athleticism of our team but I do worry that we haven't got enough pace which can really hurt teams at this level. I think we might grind a lot of results out rather than being entertaining. A lot will depend on Wilson and Rodney up front. Rodney could go on to play much higher with consistency and Wilson looks to have the classy touch and awareness of a man who has played for Man United. If they start well then we have the best midfielder in the division in Conlon to supply them.

I think we might start slowly however, August is a tough month for fixtures and I can see a draw or narrow defeat tomorrow.

 

[hellogregory]

Colchester look like they’ve strengthened well. Have brought in a load of proven experienced players from a higher level. Think this is a really tough start for us, 1 because of the quality Colchester have recruited and 2 because we frequently get off to slow starts anyway, just as we did last season.

Zach clough likely to miss out tomorrow through injury is a blow. He’s got that bit of extra quality in the attacking third we could have done with last season, and for that reason plus the fact i think we’re a weaker defensive unit this season, I can’t see anything other than a Colchester win.

Carlisle United 1-3 Colchester United

 

[valefan16]

Genuinely can't predict tomorrow. I don't know whether Northampton got relegated because they were shit or because they weren't ready for league 1 after a surprise promotion the year before. Seems like they are going to be athletic and physical with pace which should create a good match up against our giants. Sir John always said you should have at least 6 x 6 footers in your team.

We can't really take much from our preseason as we've generally played teams from above us and I never really give much value to friendlies. Legge virtually admits that he doesn't even try in them.

I think we'll be competitive in most games due to the size and athleticism of our team but I do worry that we haven't got enough pace which can really hurt teams at this level. I think we might grind a lot of results out rather than being entertaining. A lot will depend on Wilson and Rodney up front. Rodney could go on to play much higher with consistency and Wilson looks to have the classy touch and awareness of a man who has played for Man United. If they start well then we have the best midfielder in the division in Conlon to supply them.

I think we might start slowly however, August is a tough month for fixtures and I can see a draw or narrow defeat tomorrow.

Hard to call, we've made so many changes and strangely have only played 2 friendlies in the past 3 weeks so do wonder if we will be match rusty, not sure why we didnt even try and play a local Leicestershire side when on the camp rather than 10 days without a game which would have helped us gel. DC suggests his sides always start slow in seasons so doesnt bode well.

Got a feeling we are going to draw a lot this season!

We do have pace up front if Dave is fit, terrifying pace but with Amoo not fit its limited a bit, although think James Wilson is meant to actually be fairly pacey for a big man.

Our central midfield is probably going to be the best or one of the best in the league, especially if Conlon carries on his level's of the past 18 months, if that three of Walker, Pett and Conlon can click it could tip the odds in our favour but may be a slow start.

Draw would be ok tomorrow.

 

[kieran_vale]

Genuinely can't predict tomorrow. I don't know whether Northampton got relegated because they were shit or because they weren't ready for league 1 after a surprise promotion the year before. Seems like they are going to be athletic and physical with pace which should create a good match up against our giants. Sir John always said you should have at least 6 x 6 footers in your team.

We can't really take much from our preseason as we've generally played teams from above us and I never really give much value to friendlies. Legge virtually admits that he doesn't even try in them.

I think we'll be competitive in most games due to the size and athleticism of our team but I do worry that we haven't got enough pace which can really hurt teams at this level. I think we might grind a lot of results out rather than being entertaining. A lot will depend on Wilson and Rodney up front. Rodney could go on to play much higher with consistency and Wilson looks to have the classy touch and awareness of a man who has played for Man United. If they start well then we have the best midfielder in the division in Conlon to supply them.

I think we might start slowly however, August is a tough month for fixtures and I can see a draw or narrow defeat tomorrow.

Northampton got a couple of players out I think for tomorrow. Don’t know how key those players are but always thought quite highly of Sam Hoskins who is one of them.

Think the majority of the team picks itself just whether we try to get Dan Jones into the lineup at either LCB or LWB to use that long throw.

 

[Bottega Don]

Ryan loft was terrific against vale when we played you at your place. Great movement. Good in the air, good touch, gave our defence the real run around. I wouldn't have minded him coming to vale.

That was probably his best performance of the season, unfortunately he doesn't perform like that very often.

 

[Loyal Dale]

Derek announces Canavan as captain, just so you know.

View attachment 15016

View attachment 15017

Our captains’ harder than yours.

He was hard as nails for us, but as clumsy as Rory McArdle. Glad he's not back at Dale to be honest.

Mind you; we have a clownshoe of our own in Jim McNulty. Very similar player to be honest.