22nd of October

[shoddycollins]

Carlisle v L'Orient
Creepy v Mansfield
Crewe v Donny
Gills v Barra
GY v Bratfut
Harrogant v Tranny
Newport v Colchester
Rochdale v Wombles
$alford v $tockport
Satanage v Northampton
Sutton v Walsall
Swindon v Hartlepool

Big big game for us. Could be a good time to play Orient who seem to have settled down from their earlier imperiousness, and at home too.
Our record v the top half versus our record v the bottom half tells a story... even more if you split the division into thirds.

Top 8 - P3 W0 D2 L1
Middle 8 - P3 W2 D1 L0
Bottom 8 - P7 W4 D3 L0

So IDK, some *cough* HG *cough* might argue we're in a false position, having played over half our games against teams in the bottom 8 and that 24 points from that particular set of fixtures represents an average haul more befitting of a mid-table side than a promotion chaser. Someone more positive might argue that some like Donny (and I think Grimsby) were in the top 8 at the time we beat them. Charitably though it suggests that there are still tests we haven't really faced yet and one of those tests is playing someone from the top 7 at home, so this weekend is a first for us and hopefully an opportunity to show that we're not just where we are because our fixtures have been heavily skewed towards the bottom end of the table.

 

[F!RTHY]

Grimsby away:

Lewis

Halliday - Platt - Critchlow - Foulds

Gilliead - Smallwood

Pereira - Chapman - Wright

Cook

Alex Gilliead to come in for Ryan East, and possibly Scott Banks (if fit) to come in for Dion Pereira.

It was 24 years (yesterday) since Grimsby last beat us. We’ve played each other 16 times since, with Bradford City coming out winners on 11 occasions - It’s fair to say our record is very good against them.

It won’t be an easy one. It’ll be a near sellout, which highlights just how big of a game it is for the Cleethorpes club. It’s these types of games where I would’ve predicted a loss under previous managers, but not under Hughes. Infact, I’m more weary of your Colchester’s and Stockport’s, where we think we just have to turn up in order to win. The significance and magnitude of this game will be echoed around the training ground all week - so we should be ready for it.

I don’t think we’ll lose, but I think a win might be a little too confident. I’d take a draw.

 

[Chief Rocka]

We’ll get absolutely nothing here.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

The return of the real “el crapico” apparently we will have our new person in charge before the game

 

[Casey]

Although we won v Newport it wasn't the great turnaround some are claiming I can see Mansfield turning us over quite comfortably but that doesn't mean we haven't got better. The problem with being at the bottom. Every win we are the greatest, every loss, sack the lot.
It will be interesting to see who is in goal. Betsy's first choice, Balcombe, is back from injury. Three keepers to choose from.

Casey

 

[Soup Ladle]

We’ll get absolutely nothing here.

I wouldn't even bother booking the team bus for the way down

 

[Indian Dan]

We struggle to break down even the most innocuous looking opposition whilst giving up a right sitter most games.

We’ll have 70% possession, 6 shots with 1 on target. Hope it goes in.

 

[Conker]

Although we won v Newport it wasn't the great turnaround some are claiming I can see Mansfield turning us over quite comfortably but that doesn't mean we haven't got better. The problem with being at the bottom. Every win we are the greatest, every loss, sack the lot.
It will be interesting to see who is in goal. Betsy's first choice, Balcombe, is back from injury. Three keepers to choose from.

Casey

We do tend to do stupid things against teams at the bottom end of the league, it’s already happened this season at home vs Hartlepool.

 

[Cas]

Grimsby away:

Lewis

Halliday - Platt - Critchlow - Foulds

Gilliead - Smallwood

Pereira - Chapman - Wright

Cook

Alex Gilliead to come in for Ryan East, and possibly Scott Banks (if fit) to come in for Dion Pereira.

It was 24 years (yesterday) since Grimsby last beat us. We’ve played each other 16 times since, with Bradford City coming out winners on 11 occasions - It’s fair to say our record is very good against them.

It won’t be an easy one. It’ll be a near sellout, which highlights just how big of a game it is for the Cleethorpes club. It’s these types of games where I would’ve predicted a loss under previous managers, but not under Hughes. Infact, I’m more weary of your Colchester’s and Stockport’s, where we think we just have to turn up in order to win. The significance and magnitude of this game will be echoed around the training ground all week - so we should be ready for it.

I don’t think we’ll lose, but I think a win might be a little too confident. I’d take a draw.

Yep. Seems the poorer the opposition the poorer we play, so it's no real surprise we put in our worst performance against Stockport. Grimsby are a much better side, although they're better away than at home? We've won our last four away so should be confident. As you said, I think a point would be decent if we can back it up with a home win in the following game. I'll go for a 2-2 draw.

 

[The Terminator]

The big challenge for me on Saturday as I embark on my 13th visit to Brunton Park, is will I be able to get a train up there which takes me only the usual three and a half hours to get to Carlisle or will I have to stomach the 5 hour one via Newcastle.

Coming home also looks set to be a challenge as I have to go to Newcastle to hopefully catch the 19.30 Lumo train.

Its rare, but I am gonna have to take clean underwear with me on Saturday in case I can't get back.

 

[RiftHouseLad]

I wouldn't even bother booking the team bus for the way down

Now maybe somebody can explain to us thick fucks, WHAT benifit it is staying over night in a hotel
Costing god knows what.

 

[Kendalcufc]

The big challenge for me on Saturday as I embark on my 13th visit to Brunton Park, is will I be able to get a train up there which takes me only the usual three and a half hours to get to Carlisle or will I have to stomach the 5 hour one via Newcastle.

Coming home also looks set to be a challenge as I have to go to Newcastle to hopefully catch the 19.30 Lumo train.

Its rare, but I am gonna have to take clean underwear with me on Saturday in case I can't get back.

I once took the Cumbrian coast train upto Carlisle from Kendal.

4 hours 40 minutes!

Epic and mental.

 

[shoddycollins]

The big challenge for me on Saturday as I embark on my 13th visit to Brunton Park, is will I be able to get a train up there which takes me only the usual three and a half hours to get to Carlisle or will I have to stomach the 5 hour one via Newcastle.

Coming home also looks set to be a challenge as I have to go to Newcastle to hopefully catch the 19.30 Lumo train.

Its rare, but I am gonna have to take clean underwear with me on Saturday in case I can't get back.

If the game goes according to my wishes you could be needing it anyway.

 

[pontoonlew]

This is the sort of game we’re nailed on to lose, coming in off the back of 2 good wins, another win should put us right in the play-off hunt and a full sell out (Home end usually is but rare we get a decent away following).

To top it off I now technically live in Bradford, although I try to dispute it (Apperley Bridge for the Bradford residents amongst us). So there’s absolutely no chance of us winning this and I’m basing that off no footballing reasons whatsoever.

 

[LS Bantam]

This is the sort of game we’re nailed on to lose, coming in off the back of 2 good wins, another win should put us right in the play-off hunt and a full sell out (Home end usually is but rare we get a decent away following).

To top it off I now technically live in Bradford, although I try to dispute it (Apperley Bridge for the Bradford residents amongst us). So there’s absolutely no chance of us winning this and I’m basing that off no footballing reasons whatsoever.

Well at least it’s a nice part of Bradford, and you could always sneak across to training, Bielsa Vs Derby style on Friday dinner time to see our starting 11.
We’re so unpredictable this season and I don’t like the fact we seem to have an undeserved arrogance at times. No doubt we do better against the better teams but (without wanting to go all ‘massive’, and based on the crowd figures) this will be a bigger game for Grimsby and I’m not convinced we’ll match it as was the case against Stockport at home. 2-0 home win.

 

[Chief Rocka]

We struggle to break down even the most innocuous looking opposition whilst giving up a right sitter most games.

We’ll have 70% possession, 6 shots with 1 on target. Hope it goes in.

Our defenders make the Keystone Cops look like a competent unit.

 

[Cas]

Well at least it’s a nice part of Bradford, and you could always sneak across to training, Bielsa Vs Derby style on Friday dinner time to see our starting 11.
We’re so unpredictable this season and I don’t like the fact we seem to have an undeserved arrogance at times. No doubt we do better against the better teams but (without wanting to go all ‘massive’, and based on the crowd figures) this will be a bigger game for Grimsby and I’m not convinced we’ll match it as was the case against Stockport at home. 2-0 home win.

Nice place in Bradford. Not saying much is it? It's like bragging you've got the biggest cock in a room full of women. I live in Shipley which is just a hub for manky-legged pigeons and white lightning drinking chavs. The worst city in this country by an absolute mile.

I like your way of thinking as regards the game. I went for a 2-2 draw in my earlier post, but think your reasoning is sound. Probably lose.

 

[LS Bantam]

Nice place in Bradford. Not saying much is it? It's like bragging you've got the biggest cock in a room full of women. I live in Shipley which is just a hub for manky-legged pigeons and white lightning drinking chavs. The worst city in this country by an absolute mile.

I like your way of thinking as regards the game. I went for a 2-2 draw in my earlier post, but think your reasoning is sound. Probably lose.

Aye, I sacked Bradford off for Farsley about 9 years ago and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. On the game, let’s just say it - it’s their cup final and we’ll ponce around playing between the back four, the first press and we’ll cough over possession, rinse and repeat.

 

[Cas]

Aye, I sacked Bradford off for Farsley about 9 years ago and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. On the game, let’s just say it - it’s their cup final and we’ll ponce around playing between the back four, the first press and we’ll cough over possession, rinse and repeat.

You reckon we'll finish in the playoffs?

 

[LS Bantam]

You reckon we'll finish in the playoffs?

If we click, but that’s such a big if - I said before I don’t know if we have a third gear after everyone saying we never get out of second. I think we will, the big squad and especially it’s depth will be a big advantage when the pitches turn and the games properly go Tues/Sat. I do think we need a proper centre mid though to partner Smallwood in January as I don’t but the Gillead love in.

 

[Cas]

If we click, but that’s such a big if - I said before I don’t know if we have a third gear after everyone saying we never get out of second. I think we will, the big squad and especially it’s depth will be a big advantage when the pitches turn and the games properly go Tues/Sat. I do think we need a proper centre mid though to partner Smallwood in January as I don’t but the Gillead love in.

I don't think we'll click. I think that we're seeing is what we are - an average League Two side. Cook's goals dry up and we're sliding down the league in all honesty. Be blown away if we finish top 7.

 

[shoddycollins]

If we pick up any more injuries, Carver could get a run-out against Orient

 

[hellogregory]

During COVID, games were getting postponed due to clubs not having enough players to fulfil a fixture. Well does the same happen if you don’t have enough players to fulfil a fixture due to injuries?

We are not far off that. Think we might just about have enough for Saturday if training goes well this week, but the rate ours are dropping by the match, I’d say it’s unlikely we’ll be able to fulfil the Tranmere game the week after.

 

[Gunit]

Could do with turning over Walsall for the first time. We have 2 tough aways after (Northampton and Stockport) and then Bradford so could do with some cushion ahead of those to keep us clear of the bottom. Hopefully no new injuries which would allow a similar side to the 1 at Wimbledon. If we can get a first choice centre half back too that would be ideal as then no need to play a winger right back.

 

[AR27]

I don't think we'll click. I think that we're seeing is what we are - an average League Two side. Cook's goals dry up and we're sliding down the league in all honesty. Be blown away if we finish top 7.

If we are an average side, we just need to make sure we're consistent throughout the season because most likely four average sides will go up. I haven't seen anyone who I would say is a good side yet.

 

[Indian Dan]

I know it’s said every season but the overall quality of sides is way down this season. Orient looked decent but everyone else I’ve seen so far, including ourselves, looked distinctly average.

 

[Kauto Star]

This is the sort of game we’re nailed on to lose, coming in off the back of 2 good wins, another win should put us right in the play-off hunt and a full sell out (Home end usually is but rare we get a decent away following).

To top it off I now technically live in Bradford, although I try to dispute it (Apperley Bridge for the Bradford residents amongst us). So there’s absolutely no chance of us winning this and I’m basing that off no footballing reasons whatsoever.

You live near me then mate. As LS says you could spy on us at Woodhouse Grove as Mark Hughes plots your downfall

 

[Son of Cod]

I don’t think we’ll lose, but I think a win might be a little too confident. I’d take a draw.

Deal. 4 points from Stockport away and Bradford home will do.

What's happened to Levi Sutton? Thought he was doing well for you last season? Was hoping we might see him pick up another instant red card against us.

 

[F!RTHY]

Deal. 4 points from Stockport away and Bradford home will do.

What's happened to Levi Sutton? Thought he was doing well for you last season? Was hoping we might see him pick up another instant red card against us.

Levi is a very average, League Two midfielder. I was surprised to see us offer new terms in the summer. We’re crying out for a decent DM to play alongside Smallwood, and Levi was never going to be that player.

He’s had plenty of game time purely because there’s no one else, in most cases. He’s very much a fringe player and once Jamie Walker, Abo Eisa, Manny Osadebe are back from injury, he won’t even make the bench.

I suppose his lack of game time is testament to this seasons recruitment. I can see him, amongst others going out on loan in January.

 

[The Terminator]

Just when transport issues can't get any worse:

Carlisle bridge derailment could shut line for weeks

Services along Carlisle to Newcastle route are hit after wagons loaded with cement left the tracks.

www.bbc.co.uk

Strong chance I may have to skip the game now, but we shall see..............