2020/21 General Match Thread

[Plumbob]

Glad I didn’t go too. Apparently the Tranmere fans who went by train didn’t make it today as the service was up the wall between Manchester and Sheffield, followed by cancellations to Lincoln from Sheffield.

You didn't miss anything. Poor game, poor ref, 2 very average sides that offered very little.

 

[Kim Mitten]

A good point today and a fairly solid performance. I think Sol is going to get his first win soon.

yep, finally some heart and fight shown for an entire 90 minutes. Same shambles of defending for the Rotherham goals but quite easily the best home performance of the season.

Spoke to four Rotherham fans after who all said they don't think we'll go down! Don't know what's being pumped into the air in Rotherham but I'll certainly have some of it.

 

[Millerbri]

yep, finally some heart and fight shown for an entire 90 minutes. Same shambles of defending for the Rotherham goals but quite easily the best home performance of the season.

Spoke to four Rotherham fans after who all said they don't think we'll go down! Don't know what's being pumped into the air in Rotherham but I'll certainly have some of it.

We are just nice people

 

[RLC]

I thought we were the better side prior to the red card today and looked pretty comfortable when we were down to ten men, which makes the defeat difficult to take. Lincoln were poor and offered very little creativity.

We certainly did not get the rub of the green with refereeing decisions: the sending off was harsh, for two nothing offences really, and even the goal looked debatable from the other end of the pitch (did the ball actually cross the line ?).

However, we regularly fail to score when we are on top in games and hardly ever keep a clean sheet, which is why we are firmly in the relegation mire.

 

[Davidimp]

I thought we were the better side prior to the red card today and looked pretty comfortable when we were down to ten men, which makes the defeat difficult to take. Lincoln were poor and offered very little creativity.

We certainly did not get the rub of the green with refereeing decisions: the sending off was harsh, for two nothing offences really, and even the goal looked debatable from the other end of the pitch (did the ball actually cross the line ?).

However, we regularly fail to score when we are on top in games and hardly ever keep a clean sheet, which is why we are firmly in the relegation mire.

Boyeson is a terrible ref stitched us up against Bristol Rovers 3 months ago, missed a blatant handball and then gave them a very soft penalty, kicked off their season.
Did hear he's two years past retirement age but the lack of referees coming through means he stays on the list like Kettle

 

[wangle]

I thought we were the better side prior to the red card today and looked pretty comfortable when we were down to ten men, which makes the defeat difficult to take. Lincoln were poor and offered very little creativity.

We certainly did not get the rub of the green with refereeing decisions: the sending off was harsh, for two nothing offences really, and even the goal looked debatable from the other end of the pitch (did the ball actually cross the line ?).

However, we regularly fail to score when we are on top in games and hardly ever keep a clean sheet, which is why we are firmly in the relegation mire.

You were definitely the better team for the first 20 minutes, but, other than the final 5 minutes, I thought you did nothing and was never concerned that you were going to score. That said, we were absolutely garbage. Got into decent positions plenty of times, but the delivery was awful. Never thought we were going to score to be honest. As has been said, both teams were poor going forward and I can't really remember either goal keeper doing anything. Thought both defences were strong.

Referee was shite, he did get the red right decision right (complete brain fart moment from your lad), but you had a clear penalty turned down.

 

[RLC]

We did not exactly create a hatful of chances, but I thought our football was better in the first half. We at least had pace and movement up front, whereas you offered very little at all. After the red card, I thought we defended very comfortably. Forgot to mention the blatant foul on Danns.....

I thought we deserved a point and defeat was really damaging, having failed to beat Accy last week. Huge game against Wimbledon next Saturday.

 

[Plumbob]

We did not exactly create a hatful of chances, but I thought our football was better in the first half. We at least had pace and movement up front, whereas you offered very little at all. After the red card, I thought we defended very comfortably. Forgot to mention the blatant foul on Danns.....

I thought we deserved a point and defeat was really damaging, having failed to beat Accy last week. Huge game against Wimbledon next Saturday.

You looked comfortable enough. I'd politely suggest this is because we played at half pace throughout the game. We were sluggish from start to finish. Extra passes and touches seem par for us this season. Time and again we had wide players in massive space and refused to get is to them quickly, instead rolling the ball across 3 players to get there.
The lad had to go for the second yellow. In honesty, I wasn't even sure his first was a foul let alone a booking. Think you should have had a pen late on, when our lad looked to drag the player down as he was heading the ball. We've had this ref a few times, he's dreadful. Fortunately, and for the first time, we got the rub in this game.
Draw would have been fair, as neither side really offered any great attacking intent in a pretty dull showing from 2 ordinary looking sides on the day.

 

[Stanleyfan]

Delighted with another great home win today 4-1 v Pompey following the 7-1 win in our last home league game. We're starting to hit some form now and finding the net after going 5 games without a goal a few weeks back.

Away games at Doncaster and Blackpool coming up for us next

 

[Marked Ox]

No complaints at our loss at MK Dons. They scored with the only shot on target from both sides and we were woeful. Trevor Kettle was his usual awful self although alarmingly one of the linesman was even more incompetent.

1st visit to the stadium and unless a vital game will be my last. Whoever designed that stadium couldn't have made a better atmosphere sponge if they'd planned it as it drains it all away (even a bloody drum). Also, actually pity the MK fans trying to create some atmosphere as all the key moments when atmosphere could be generated (teams coming out, goals etc), MK Dons whacked on overly loud music on an awful tannoy system. Awful stadium that actually makes the Kasstad look like it has a decent atmosphere.

 

[codaplenty]

Tough conditions for everyone at Highbury yesterday and in the end I think a draw was a fair result for both sides. More attacking intent from us after we had gone in front, but following their fine equaliser it opened up both end and tbh it was a nervous 10 minutes or so at the end
Now where oh where is Ashley Hunter ??

 

[Luke Imp]

A pleasing week for us with back to back wins and clean sheets.

We're still in no-mans land a bit in terms of style of play, so we're often looking a bit ponderous, slow and quite average but you can see what Appleton is wanting, we just don't have enough players who are able to do it - yet. With January on the horizon it's not too much longer before we can tweak things.

After a home league game for the first time in two months, we're now on the road again for the next two.

 

[Pugwash]

codaplenty "Now where oh where is Ashley Hunter ? "

If rumours correct, then training with the youngsters and told to find a new club by Barton.

I very rarely criticise individuals within the club, but I have to admit I am getting totally belwilderd and peed off with Joey Barton. For the Gills game he stated that he picked the team for the conditions, which was very windy. So he drops Eastham and Coutts, 2 of our better ball passers, in favour of hoof ball tatics (genius). Our sole attacking plan is, Keeper to Cole to Burns hopefully a cross into the box into which our strikers amble into some 20 seconds later. Although they occassionally get the timing wrong and arrive the same time as the ball and we MAY get a shot on target or even the odd goal. But this move has always got to go down the right wing. If the oppo team twig this we are fecked and it appears they are increasing doing so, Blackpool a prime example.

Within the squad I think we have a good number of talented and committed players, yet as a team we are pretty clueless, for me this is down to the manager. One final gripe, we get pleanty of corners in games but I cannot recall the last time we scored from one, don't teams practice these set plays in training?

 

[Davidimp]

A pleasing week for us with back to back wins and clean sheets.

We're still in no-mans land a bit in terms of style of play, so we're often looking a bit ponderous, slow and quite average but you can see what Appleton is wanting, we just don't have enough players who are able to do it - yet. With January on the horizon it's not too much longer before we can tweak things.

After a home league game for the first time in two months, we're now on the road again for the next two.

Only 9 away games after the turn of the year and 13 home games in the second half of the season hopefully work to our advantage

 

[Shrimpurh]

yep, finally some heart and fight shown for an entire 90 minutes. Same shambles of defending for the Rotherham goals but quite easily the best home performance of the season.

Spoke to four Rotherham fans after who all said they don't think we'll go down! Don't know what's being pumped into the air in Rotherham but I'll certainly have some of it.

Oh we'll definitely be going down but on Saturday it was nice to see us actually competing in a game of football.

Today it has been 1 year and 1 day since we last won a 3pm Saturday game at home. Sums up how bad we've been.

 

[Muzzle]

Oh we'll definitely be going down but on Saturday it was nice to see us actually competing in a game of football.

Today it has been 1 year and 1 day since we last won a 3pm Saturday game at home. Sums up how bad we've been.

Well, we'll both go down fighting and upsetting a few teams along the way....rebuild and start again

 

[codaplenty]

codaplenty "Now where oh where is Ashley Hunter ? "

If rumours correct, then training with the youngsters and told to find a new club by Barton.

I very rarely criticise individuals within the club, but I have to admit I am getting totally belwilderd and peed off with Joey Barton. For the Gills game he stated that he picked the team for the conditions, which was very windy. So he drops Eastham and Coutts, 2 of our better ball passers, in favour of hoof ball tatics (genius). Our sole attacking plan is, Keeper to Cole to Burns hopefully a cross into the box into which our strikers amble into some 20 seconds later. Although they occassionally get the timing wrong and arrive the same time as the ball and we MAY get a shot on target or even the odd goal. But this move has always got to go down the right wing. If the oppo team twig this we are fecked and it appears they are increasing doing so, Blackpool a prime example.

Within the squad I think we have a good number of talented and committed players, yet as a team we are pretty clueless, for me this is down to the manager. One final gripe, we get pleanty of corners in games but I cannot recall the last time we scored from one, don't teams practice these set plays in training?

Fair points mate, where we sit all of us could not understand why Coutts/Eastham were not playing and the old timer Clarke was. What is frustrating is as you say, and pretty much everybody else would agree-we have a lot of good players and as a team should be in a stronger position in the league, in that respect the manager has to stand up and be counted, you never know Rotherham away might see Barton get his act together to improve our dire performances on the road. Think he still has plenty of credit with Pilley but anything less than a play off position come season end would be a massive disappointment
Yes, the rumours were flying around re Hunter and very uncomfortable. Wrongly accused of leaking team selection for the Blackpool , Dunne was the culprit and was sacked as a result ?
Lets hope they are not as bad as we fear

 

[Shrimpurh]

Well, we'll both go down fighting and upsetting a few teams along the way....rebuild and start again

Big game Saturday!

 

[Luke Imp]

At Coventry tomorrow.

Despite the league positions, we have similar records but it's the draw/loss column that is the difference. Wins, goals scored, goals conceded are all similar.

 

[Muzzle]

Big game Saturday!

Oh yes. You've picked up some form in the last 3 matches as well

 

[Kim Mitten]

Oh yes. You've picked up some form in the last 3 matches as well

I leave early in the morning more in hope, and very little at that, than expectation.
Sadly it's what I've come to expect with this bunch of arseholes. When a game has gone ok the performances afterwards have tended to be horrific.

Beat Milton Keynes 1-0, follow that up with an epically bad performance losing 1-0 at home to Accrington.
Draw 1-1 with Tranmere, follow it up by 'achieving' the biggest home defeat in the history of the football club.
Win 3-1 against Wimbledon in the nonsense trophy, followed by literally nobody trying as Oxford wiped the floor with us 4-0.
Decent point at Burton - fall apart in the 2nd half and lose 4-2 against Bristol Rovers.

I've gone 3-1 Bolton on a bet. At least we won't be bottom at Xmas!

 

[DearneValleyRover]

We’ve got a free scoring Stanley today, we create plenty but have no one to put the chances away. We have never beaten them in the league and I don’t expect that to change today.

 

[Shrimper92]

Relegated before January, impressive

 

[SuffolkBlue]

Lambert hasn't a clue. 6 changes each weak, no system. Don't mind losing if you can see a clear plan or progress. But there's nothing there

 

[RLC]

That was a classic 1-0 battering. If we had a prolific striker we would have won comfortably by three or four goals, but the three points are welcome and vital nonetheless.

Wimbledon offered very little indeed and I get the impression they would be nailed on for relegation if it was not for Forss's goals.

The Wimbledon fans we drank with before the game were fine, but as with Chichester the other week, I will call out the element who sang cliched 'Scouser' songs at us, including one little ditty about food banks. Utter bellends.

 

[GeneralLee]

Pretty much dominated proceedings from the first whistle. Went one up, Akinfenwa got sent off... I must profess that I thought Mousinho looked like he wanted to get the man sent off which if that translates in reality isn’t good. That being said, Akinfenwa allegedly gripped Mous’ throat in which case whether he’s flung himself to the floor or not, he’s merely made the referees decision easier.

The sending off obviously didn’t help Wycombe. Evidence suggests that we didn’t see a side that are table toppers - Everyone is due an off day and the sending off was hugely avoidable. One way traffic all game; but a great win in summary.

 

[Millerbri]

We were there for the taking today, with a 4th choice defender and midfielder as centre backs. Illness and injuries meant we had a youth player on the bench who I'm not sure has a full contract.

But both times Fleetwood went in front the seemed happy to sit back and not bother to go for the jugular.
In fact we could have won it despite being pretty useless for 70% of the game if Morris had been a bit more composed.

Our home form continues to be unimpressive and puts extra pressure on our away games.

I can't see a top six finish as it stands unless we do some decent transfer business.

 

[Marked Ox]

Pretty much dominated proceedings from the first whistle. Went one up, Akinfenwa got sent off... I must profess that I thought Mousinho looked like he wanted to get the man sent off which if that translates in reality isn’t good. That being said, Akinfenwa allegedly gripped Mous’ throat in which case whether he’s flung himself to the floor or not, he’s merely made the referees decision easier.

The sending off obviously didn’t help Wycombe. Evidence suggests that we didn’t see a side that are table toppers - Everyone is due an off day and the sending off was hugely avoidable. One way traffic all game; but a great win in summary.

I thought it was lovely out-shithousing Wycombe.
That the sending off occurred in the melee after Kashket (I think) had been a fanny trying to claim a foul/injury to get Gorrin booked (he succeeded) by diving was lovely karma. Also, Akinfenwa's 1st yellow card was a ridiculous challenge off the ball for no purpose, so he only has himself to blame. Also, you can't raise your hands, especially right in front of the Ref.

We really should have put that game to bed though, even in the 1st half.

It appears the Wycombe keeper didn't understand his team was losing with the amount of time he took on goal kicks etc.

Just to say a good performance by the Ref Lee Swabey (if I remember his name correctly) didn't let the dark arts from both teams ruin the game and was pretty consistent (in general and yellow cards).

 

[codaplenty]

We were there for the taking today, with a 4th choice defender and midfielder as centre backs. Illness and injuries meant we had a youth player on the bench who I'm not sure has a full contract.

But both times Fleetwood went in front the seemed happy to sit back and not bother to go for the jugular.
In fact we could have won it despite being pretty useless for 70% of the game if Morris had been a bit more composed.

Our home form continues to be unimpressive and puts extra pressure on our away games.

I can't see a top six finish as it stands unless we do some decent transfer business.

And I was thinking it had been a good away day for us...I would have settled point before the game, our away form matches yours at home. Still a 2-2 draw is good entertainment and keeps us within touch of the leading teams. Be interesting to see things looks come end of January

 

[Back in the DHSS]

That was a classic 1-0 battering. If we had a prolific striker we would have won comfortably by three or four goals, but the three points are welcome and vital nonetheless.

Wimbledon offered very little indeed and I get the impression they would be nailed on for relegation if it was not for Forss's goals.

The Wimbledon fans we drank with before the game were fine, but as with Chichester the other week, I will call out the element who sang cliched 'Scouser' songs at us, including one little ditty about food banks. Utter bellends.

I thought that was our best performance over 90 minutes I’ve seen this season, albeit against the poorest away team performance I’ve seen at Prenton this season. Apart from the odd cynical foul Wimbledon offered nothing. Thought it was going to be one of those games where the oppo score in injury time and make you pay for all those missed opportunities.
The lights on my Christmas tree seem to be shining brighter tonight than what they were a week ago.