2020/21 General Match Thread

[Craig]

Bristol Rovers at Oakwell. They're in a poor position but looking at the stats only one team has conceded less goals than them, luckily it seems they can't score either so I'm going to go for a scrappy 1-0 win if we play like we have been recently but hoping we turn it on and vent some frustration on them with a big win.

 

[GFC4EVA]

Bradford at home this is MUST win game for both sides as both in terrible form also think failure to win for us will see the end of Lovell

 

[Bartonyellow]

Posh at home tomorrow.
And I am going to put my cock on the block and say we will beat them. We are playing well lately. We seem to perform better in the big games. A point away at Pompey and a home win over Sunderland to name 2.
3-2 win for me.

 

[K-Win]

I'd be shocked if he got sacked regardless, apparently nobody would take the job in the summer hence us starting the season off with a total amateur. He may walk though.

I know it's not unprecedented, but the Bradford collapse has been pretty incredible. Just looked back at when it started - form was fine leading up to winning on Jan 1st. Looking good for promotion after coming as close as possible previous season. The collapse since then has been breathtaking and just plain weird from an outsider's perspective.

So was McCall massively over-achieving with the players he had? Should the board have stuck with him after six straight losses, but still in 6th place? Basically, what the hell happened?

 

[finley]

Bradford at home this is MUST win game for both sides as both in terrible form also think failure to win for us will see the end of Lovell

You’ve got an easy win don’t worry about it

 

[Bottega Don]

We play Plymouth at home.

We're proper shite and half our team is injured. They don't seem to be great either so this game will be awful.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

I know it's not unprecedented, but the Bradford collapse has been pretty incredible. Just looked back at when it started - form was fine leading up to winning on Jan 1st. Looking good for promotion after coming as close as possible previous season. The collapse since then has been breathtaking and just plain weird from an outsider's perspective.

So was McCall massively over-achieving with the players he had? Should the board have stuck with him after six straight losses, but still in 6th place? Basically, what the hell happened?

Hard to pin point one thing, with so much unconfirmed, but one big cluster fuck behind the scenes for me. At the time I wasn't bothered to see McCall leave, he did a great job but it was well known he didn't get on with the owners. So I thought a new manager with everyone pulling in the same directions would be a big help, 4 managers later how wrong was I. If you google us we've been in some nationals recently about how the clubs been run, that will give people a better idea.

We do have around 15 injuries at the moment, although most aren't great I think they'd at least make us competitive for a lower mid table finish, but that feels a long way off atm. The only saving grace is we are still only 1 win from getting out of the relegation zone as it stands, which just goes to show we aren't the only pile of shit in the league.

 

[K-Win]

Thanks Wilsden. 15 injuries is indeed a lot. I'll dig out some of those articles.

 

[Jamo]

Bristol Rovers at Oakwell. They're in a poor position but looking at the stats only one team has conceded less goals than them, luckily it seems they can't score either so I'm going to go for a scrappy 1-0 win if we play like we have been recently but hoping we turn it on and vent some frustration on them with a big win.

I can see us conceding at least 1, we've been rife with errors at the back the last few games, conceded same amount of goals (7) in the last 3 as we did in the previous 10.

Really need to get back to winning ways and stop playing complacently as I feel we've done in the previous 2 defeats. Go out there, blitz them from the off and hopefully bag a few before half time when we'll inevitably tire.

First time we've played Rovers in a league game in my lifetime so always look forward to playing a new team.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Not sure about tomorrow, Butler and Mason suspended and the court case hanging over Wilks. We’ve ridden our luck at times but been very wasteful

 

[LS Bantam]

Thanks Wilsden. 15 injuries is indeed a lot. I'll dig out some of those articles.

Some well written articles on here K-Win that helps explains the situation a bit.

 

[Maple Hatter]

AFC Wimbledon away today and a match which you would expect us to win given both teams contrasting form. This all depends on whether we have learnt from similar games we played last season. Poor performances at Port Vale, Barnet and Chesterfield, all struggling at the time, set a worrying trend. We allowed them to dictate play from the off and gain in confidence which knocked us off our rhythm. I'm hopeful however that those type of performances are behind us now and that we can play our normal game and put Wimbledon under pressure from the whistle. Wimbledons fans seem a little unhappy at the moment and an early goal from us could really put the pressure on. In a tight little ground its easy for the players to hear the fans dissatisfaction. As for our line up. Not too much to change. A team in form and playing with confidence and worryingly for the opposition we have found last seasons scoring boots. Its a good time at the moment watching the Hatters. We are playing attractive football and are starting to believe in our own ability. Hylton back and firing, Pelly this seasons revelation, a much improved defence and quality on the bench. Looks promising and most of us are enjoying the ride. We know what the rollercoaster ride has to offer.

 

[Daz_3000]

Southend at home today who in history have a decent record against us, albeit at Roker Park. Hopefully we can get another 3 points in the board.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

AFC Wimbledon away today and a match which you would expect us to win given both teams contrasting form. This all depends on whether we have learnt from similar games we played last season. Poor performances at Port Vale, Barnet and Chesterfield, all struggling at the time, set a worrying trend. We allowed them to dictate play from the off and gain in confidence which knocked us off our rhythm. I'm hopeful however that those type of performances are behind us now and that we can play our normal game and put Wimbledon under pressure from the whistle. Wimbledons fans seem a little unhappy at the moment and an early goal from us could really put the pressure on. In a tight little ground its easy for the players to hear the fans dissatisfaction. As for our line up. Not too much to change. A team in form and playing with confidence and worryingly for the opposition we have found last seasons scoring boots. Its a good time at the moment watching the Hatters. We are playing attractive football and are starting to believe in our own ability. Hylton back and firing, Pelly this seasons revelation, a much improved defence and quality on the bench. Looks promising and most of us are enjoying the ride. We know what the rollercoaster ride has to offer.

Some of those defeats last season, Port Vale being the one that stands out for me, Jones had one of those games he has every once in a while where he decided seemingly on the hoof (im sure it wasnt but it felt like it!) to change the side for seemingly no reason. I think Chesterfield may have been the same and was also when Hyltons injury became known. Hopefully he wont be doing that today as we seem to have a nice little formula going at the moment.

First goal is quite important for us it seems as it allows us to counter attack which with the pace of Stacey and Justin on the wings and the ability of Grant/Shinnie to pick out passes can make for some great sweeping counter attacking. In fact with how good we looked on the counter, on Tuesday, and indeed when we have been up in games previously, its a little surprising we havent picked up more points away. Hopefully we can get another 3 today.

Like you say im enjoying the ride at the moment, we are playing some great stuff and looking to go at teams, not really much more you can ask for.

 

[mowgli]

Walsall away today and it's about time we had another away win but a draw looks likely for me. If Ainsworth sticks with 4-4-2 we've played in our last 2 games and won we'll be okay but if he goes back to 4-3-3 we'll be overrun in midfield and definately get beat.

 

[Bucket_]

Tough game today, fully expecting Accy to be on it, it'll be very interesting to see how we go, especially with Naylor out.

 

[Stanleyfan]

Tough game today, fully expecting Accy to be on it, it'll be very interesting to see how we go, especially with Naylor out.

Yeah looking forward to it - should be a great game. I love the atmosphere Pompey create and I'm sure our Clayton End will be in fine voice too.

 

[Hooped Wizard]

Loss for us today I think, Coventry in good form.

 

[LS Bantam]

Seeing today’s team, Gills should be winning by 2-3 easily, our bench looks like a youth game.

 

[finley]

13 injured players the worst defensive line up I’ve ever seen,6 teenagers on the bench.We’re in big trouble today,easy home win 3-0.Only 40 tickets sold it will be our lowest away attendance possibly ever.

 

[Cas]

Too busy playing Red Dead Redemption 2 so I'll get my post out of the way now.

Congrats Gills on your win. Your 9th goal was an absolute joy to witness.

Down we go.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Following from afar it sounds a pretty poor game so far but we have taken the lead a few moments ago with Ruddock.

Had a golden opportunity to put some distance between us but Hylton has finally missed one of his chipped penalties which was bound to happen sooner rather than later. Hate it when he does that, you very rarely go wrong with smashing it to a corner. Hope it doesn't cost us.

 

[Cas]

3-0 down. Still time for my 9-0 to come in.

 

[Cas]

4-0 Gillingham. Eaves has hit the post, missed two sitters and missed a pen. It really could have been 9-0. Fuck me.

Where's Firhty gone btw.

 

[Bobbin']

Hit the bar.
Miss a penalty.
Hit the post.
Have 2 goals disallowed.

Lose 1-0.

I love football.

Jesus fucking Christ Bradford by the way.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

2-0 victory then so the penalty miss didnt end up being a big deal for us. Elliot Lee with a typical Lee type goal from the sounds of it to seal it.

Sounded like we upped it in the second half and Wimbledon just didnt have the quality to put us under any undue pressure to make it difficult for us. The game didnt sound great to me so be interested what those there thought of it, but its good that we won without showing our best perhaps.

6 defeats on the spin for AFC Wimbledon though, surely has to be time for Ardley? Was surprised Pigott was only on the bench, thought he was one of their best players?

 

[Jamo]

That is absolutely hideous by Bradford, I thought we were shit the first half of 15/16 but that's taking the biscuit.

Morale boosting 3 points today despite the referee's best efforts - good to see us grind out a win after two crappy defeats in the last 7 days.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

First half we were awful,second all over Cov but couldn't get the equaliser.

 

[Don Tonberry]

Not a terrible result for us but you can guarantee Bradford sack their manager and they'll up their game for us next week. We have to start winning again as our lead is now just two points at the top.

 

[Cas]

Portsmouth and Peterborough up next in the league. What's the lowest ever points for a league one side?