Cheltenham Vs Crewe

[Crewelad87]

Probably game of the weekend two teams flying and two teams playing good football. We've won 4 out of 5 away from home and I think Cheltenham are the same at home so something has to give. I'm actually looking forward to a team having a go at us, as recently all teams have done is sit deep and crowd the midfield, I actually think on the counter attack we could be even more lethal. Since the play off final our record Vs Cheltenham has been pretty poor 1 win in 8.

I'd guess we will go with the same side that beat Salford

Jaaskelainen

Ng Nolan Hunt Pickering

Lowery Wintle Jones

Dale Porter Kirk

Subs: Richards, Lancashire, Abedesi, Ainley, Finney, Powell, Anene

We haven't drawn in forever, I think it's 19 games so surely were due one and I'd certainly take one.

Cheltenham 2-2 Crewe (Varney, Broom, Dale, Lowery) 3160 (400 railwaymen)

 

[TimeyWimey]

The next six games will give us an idea if we’re going for the autos or play-offs. Some real tough games, starting with this one.

We just need to play for 90 mins as opposed to the 45 we’ve been putting out and we stand a decent chance.

 

[JJ1532]

An excellent acid test for us. Probably the toughest game we've had all season.

We need to cut out the silly mistakes at the back and I include them all in that. Can't have a slow start either, got to expect Cheltenham to come out the blocks flying and give us no peace. Just hope they get it as wrong as Grimsby did and sit off us.

I'd happily take a point.

 

[Si Robin]

We're going through a run of what at the start of the season would be considered a very difficult run of games and have won 4 in a row.

I've got a bad feeling about this weekend, but only because I struggle to accept just how good our home form is. Crewelad mentioned 4 wins in 5, what he didn't mention is that we're unbeaten at home since January, currently 15 games unbeaten. That run has to come to an end, and with Crewe starting the season as well as they have then all the stars are aligning.

I'll take a draw.

 

[Howzy]

I think it will be a high scoring affair, Our last home game against Bradford we played some outstanding football that at times would not look out of place at a much higher level. We do give away chances and Crewe have conceded more goals than anyone in the top 7 while being 3rd best in goals scored (Robins being top and most of them at home).

Now i have said that it will probably be a boring 0-0 with no shots on target!

 

[Jigsaw]

Really looking forward to this one... I think with the run of Cheltenham, Exeter, Mansfield, Carlisle and then Swindon in the next 5 games will really give us a good insight into Crewe and if we really are a genuine top 3 side this season.

After Salford, the team picks itself to be honest so wouldn't expect any changes and hopefully will be a good attacking game where both sides will go for it. No reason why Artell wouldn't change it but I hope he doesn't allow the occasion get to his head where he set's up the side to try and be more physical (Vale away last season). Cheltenham look a very decent side, especially at home from what I have seen so I would be very happy to leave with a point (We are long overdue a draw).

 

[The Alex]

We’re terrible at Cheltenham, lose.

 

[Crewelad87]

We’re terrible at Cheltenham, lose.

And were even worst Vs Exeter, so could do with breaking a few hoodoos otherwise our good start will get wiped out.

 

[Terry Tibbs]

Comfortable home win

 

[Agombar stool]

Match of the weekend in L2. I'll be keeping a keen eye on this one as got my train tickets for the Crewe game in a few weeks.

Both sides have started strongly and Crewe look to have hit a sweet spot with their latest line of youth talent that look like a cracking group of talent. You have to hand it to them for continuing to create such good young players.

This game has a score draw written all over it.

 

[CTFCfan99]

Fancy a Desmond in this one, 2-2 with Varney snatching a late equaliser to stay unbeaten at home. Should be a cracking game and a good atmosphere, gutted I can't make it!

 

[Crewelad87]

He's made one change Powell coming in for Dale. Not sure I agree with it though, Powell has really lacked with his end product so far. Suppose it adds abit more size to our team for an away game.

 

[Crewelad87]

We've conversed alot of early goals this season, looks like it's going to have to be another comeback.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Come on lads.

 

[JJ1532]

Well, that was shaping up much like a lot of our first halfs this season. Control the play, create a few chances but don't take them, get undone by the oppositions first attack of the game and go in 1-0 down.

Not sure why the tactic has been trying to hit 50 yard diagonal passes which have mostly been overhit. First bit of good football we played and bang, 1-1. No more than we deserve, just annoying that we spend so long doing the wrong things.

 

[Crewelad87]

Cheltenham had me worried after 10 mins, but since then they've dropped back and let us have the ball, which has given us the upper hand. Great finish from Porter and so close to another a minute later. Powell has to come off he's been poor. Hopefully we play more quick short passing and bring Dale on and I'm confident we can get a positive result.

 

[The Alex]

Discipline again! Cheltenham winner incoming.

 

[The Alex]

Get in! I don’t know how we haven’t lost that. Terrific result and resilient performance.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Great point given the circumstances but boy we need to cut out the red cards and penalties.

 

[Crewelad87]

I will take that, we looked like bring the team that would go on to win it but after the red card we had to hang on. Shows despite the good football we can play, we also have a resilient side. A shame Exeter scored in injury time to stop us going top of the league, but we will save that for next week when we play Exeter. Far to many bookings and offsides today was the only real disappointment but all in all got to be happy with a point at Cheltenham with there home record.

 

[The Alex]

Exeter, get in the bin with that consolation.

 

[JJ1532]

Discipline is starting to become an issue, something I never thought I'd say about a Crewe team. 3rd red card in 11 games, not good enough. Deserved point, but disappointed by some of the decisions today. Far too many offsides as already mentioned, Powell and Kirk were dreadful, for some reason we kept hitting long diagonals which usually missed their intended targets.

Overall, probably shaded it for most of the game before the red, then hung on well despite some nervy moments. I'll gladly take the point and move onto Exeter next week.

 

[The Alex]

I’m just delighted we didn’t lose. Red cards a slight concern (thankfully only lose NG for 1 game), and not going top is a slight annoyance. But look how good Cheltenham are at home, and we ground out an away point with 10 men, that really is fantastic for us considering the dross and capitulation we have served up for years.

Losing NG for the Exeter game is concerning but I’m sure we’ve got someone who can come in and cover at RB. One door closes etc...

Get the Exeter thread going now, huge game next week.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Don’t we lose Ng for two games as the second yellow was his 5th of the season.

Talking of reds, I think we’ve missed Green massively so a big plus he’ll be back.

 

[Crewelad87]

Don’t we lose Ng for two games as the second yellow was his 5th of the season.

Talking of reds, I think we’ve missed Green massively so a big plus he’ll be back.

Not sure how that one works. It will be a big miss though.

 

[dannyc5]

We have won 2 and drawn 1 without green....

 

[Si Robin]

Fantastic game today. A good advert for League 2 - that being said, I don't think I've seen a bad game at Whaddon Road this season.

We came out of the traps well, and got our goal. For some reason though, apart from nearly scoring a minute or so later, we then sat back and invited the pressure from Crewe. It took them the whole first half, but they eventually got the goal they deserved on the stroke of half-time.

Second half started as a bit of end-to-end stuff with Crewe looking better, but as we were settling into it their player was sent off and then it became a bit like the Alamo, with Crewe trying to catch us on the break. Varney and Broom both missed absolute sitters, but the Crewe keeper also made some important stops - I thought he was fantastic today by the way. His save immediately before our goal, and then just after (which would have been disallowed anyway, but he wasn't to know that) truly were top drawer.

All in all, I'd say a draw was a fair result. Crewe played some lovely stuff and we more than matched them. And with Crewe playing Exeter next week, we have a chance to actually go top.....I think I'm getting slightly light-headed.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Exeter, get in the bin with that consolation.

I really wouldn't worry about us. If we play like that again next week you will be above us