Cobblers V Vale

[LordJord]

Now our cup run has come to an end its time to focus on the league. We have the second best home record in the league, with the best home goal difference. Vale rank 19th in terms of away form so on that alone I can be optimistic about a home win.

I feel like we have played a ton of games over the last few weeks so I am expecting some rotation for sure, especially chasing Derby around midweek, I think our new signings if fit will start.

Something along the lines of:

GK: Cornell
LCB: Wharton
CB: Jones
RCB: Goode
RWB: Marshall
LWB: Adams
CM: Watson
CM: Lines (Olayinka if fit)
CAM: Anderson / Hoskins
ST: Oliver
ST: Morton

We will have to be careful with getting caught behind our wing backs, Vale have attempted more crosses than anyone else in the league and David Worrall can cause us issues.

I cant see it being the prettiest game, ill go with a scrappy 2-1 victory for us.

 

[valefan16]

We have a poor away record... but its where the away results have come that gives us optimism.

We are an odd one, we are averaging 2 points a game against the 9 sides above us (2 defeats) and strangely only 1.15 against the ones below!

Last season was a memorable away day for us with us down to 10 men first half and 1-0 down to turn it around was remarkable and well deserved which all be sealed our EFL status and Pope getting his 100th for the Vale.

We've enjoyed playing against wing backs as Wozza and Amoo can exploit the space so should allow us some chances to get in behind but Cobblers seem pretty solid and a team of giants.

Manny Oyeleke returning is a massive boost, injured in the return fixture in August he is a massive player although expect he will be on the bench for this one and looks like Smith may be back who we really need if they are as aerial as they were at VP as whilst Legge heads anything Brisley isn't as solid whereas Smudge would head a nuclear bomb if it was falling above him!

Be a tough one but these are the games we have enjoyed this season and have done well against teams bang in form. Our season hinges on this week with Northampton, FGR and Colchester to play so a good return is crucial if we want to keep the challenge.

 

[kieran_vale]

As you rightly identified most of what we do goes through Worrall and in fits and starts Amoo also. Last couple of times we played Northampton our wingers particularly Worrall have done a lot of damage.

One thing to keep an eye on is whether Manny Oyeleke came through ok in a behind closed doors game that was scheduled for yesterday. My guess is he’d be on the bench to ease him in if he is good to go.

Think Northampton have to be favourites for it being at home. My main takeaway from the game at the start of the season was most of your players were huge and towered over ours so set pieces will be a problem. All that said despite the fact I can’t see it happening if can take points from here and FGR in midweek then maybe some of the current teams in the playoffs might start looking over their shoulders a little.

 

[Andy Proctor]

Northampton good at home us garbage away so got be a home banker really. We have won away at both crewe and Bradford though but it's our last few away performances where we have been abysmal at Swindon lost 3 nil morecambe lost 2 1 stevenage won 1 nil salford lost 3 nil all poor performances.
The ref for this match has given out 12 reds this season already and given that we regularly get red cards at Northampton and penalties given against us its a nailed of certainty that will happen again.
Away from home as soon as we fall behind we lose as we are toothless upfront only at home on our big pitch do our wingers look threatening so I say 2 nil Northampton 4688 crowd 412 away fans.

 

[valefan16]

Northampton good at home us garbage away so got be a home banker really. We have won away at both crewe and Bradford though but it's our last few away performances where we have been abysmal at Swindon lost 3 nil morecambe lost 2 1 stevenage won 1 nil salford lost 3 nil all poor performances.
The ref for this match has given out 12 reds this season already and given that we regularly get red cards at Northampton and penalties given against us its a nailed of certainty that will happen again.
Away from home as soon as we fall behind we lose as we are toothless upfront only at home on our big pitch do our wingers look threatening so I say 2 nil Northampton 4688 crowd 412 away fans.

The Salford one was pretty much a second string in the Leasing to be fair and most teams get walloped at Swindon.

The referee’s red card record is a concern! All be it the only red I think that went for an opponent of ours was given by him (Morecambe) excluding the Scunny one after full time.

Just hope we can put in a performance for once when we have the chance to really close in.

 

[valefan16]

On a side note final weekend for Max McLellan our head of media, incredible job he was done and become immensely popular... of course he was the butt of jokes last season when he got ejected out of Northampton when sorting the go pro for Pope’s penalty!

Huge loss that as he has transformed our previously non existent PR and media work and is genuinely gutting to see him leave.

 

[leedsvaliant]

I thought we should have beat Northampton at home but they've gone on quite a decent run since. They've got no real stand out names but clearly their size and organisation has troubled teams. They've also spent a lot of money, so I expect they will be under pressure to get promotion this year.

I can't see us getting anything as we are quite a small side and struggle against balls into the box. My only surprise is that they are likely to continue with wing backs. Our formation is perfect to exploit this.

Having said that, we're not great away from home, so I expect a 2-0 defeat but then get 4-6 points from our home games.

 

[valefan16]

I thought we should have beat Northampton at home but they've gone on quite a decent run since. They've got no real stand out names but clearly their size and organisation has troubled teams. They've also spent a lot of money, so I expect they will be under pressure to get promotion this year.

I can't see us getting anything as we are quite a small side and struggle against balls into the box. My only surprise is that they are likely to continue with wing backs. Our formation is perfect to exploit this.

Having said that, we're not great away from home, so I expect a 2-0 defeat but then get 4-6 points from our home games.

We are away Tuesday too. Although FGR probably suits us better as an opponent with the high press.

Saturdays chances will probably sit with what mood Amoo is in!

 

[darren gregory]

I'm sure Crewe fans will agree , just how on earth Vadaine Oliver is still a professional footballer is quite remarkable. Bound to score now i've said that.

Can't see anything other than a defeat tomorrow, we just haven't enough goals in us.
Hope he doesn't revert to type and recall Pope for this, stick with Bennett.

Expect a really hard backs to the wall game against a side who will be fancying automatic.
2-0 Oliver both

 

[EricSabin]

Vadaine Oliver is a key part of our ‘lump it to the big man’ strategy. Wins most aerial battles, shame he can’t actually do a goal at the end of it

 

[leedsvaliant]

We need Smith in if you are likely to lump it. We don't have enough ball winners otherwise. Our only hope is to keep it on the deck.

As others have alluded to, we don't score enough goals, so if we go a goal behind we're likely to lose by 2 or 3.

 

[valefan16]

We need Smith in if you are likely to lump it. We don't have enough ball winners otherwise. Our only hope is to keep it on the deck.

As others have alluded to, we don't score enough goals, so if we go a goal behind we're likely to lose by 2 or 3.

Legge is going to win a lot tomorrow being the monster he is but Brisley would worry me, looks like Smudge has recovered quicker than expected so likely to come in, going to have to concentrate at the back.

Intriguing one will be Monty, he has been decent at left back but missing out last week due to illness Clarke was immense on his second debut so a nice problem to have.

All good fun, at least now relegation isn't a concern for the first time in 4 seasons we can hopefully relax and enjoy the run in with less pressure than other teams fighting for the PO's.

 

[LordJord]

Oh we are going to lump it, there is no doubt about that. That is very much our plan A,B and C. Work from Oliver knock downs, get it wide and then get the ball in the box.

Oliver averages 6 more aerial battles per 90 minutes then any other player in the league, which is mental really (Oliver averages 28.53, next is Matt Harrold on 22.78!). The obvious downside to his play, his goal scoring ability is...... lets be kind and say not great. Only 3 league goals this season and 2 of them were in the last game! But with the way Keith Curle wants us to play he is very effective at winning headers and causing issues for CB's.

 

[valefan16]

Oh we are going to lump it, there is no doubt about that. That is very much our plan A,B and C. Work from Oliver knock downs, get it wide and then get the ball in the box.

Oliver averages 6 more aerial battles per 90 minutes then any other player in the league, which is mental really (Oliver averages 28.53, next is Matt Harrold on 22.78!). The obvious downside to his play, his goal scoring ability is...... lets be kind and say not great. Only 3 league goals this season and 2 of them were in the last game! But with the way Keith Curle wants us to play he is very effective at winning headers and causing issues for CB's.

Its all down to what works really, some people obsess about pretty football or playing like Barcelona but its league two, its about winning and its clearly working well for you guys this season.

 

[LordJord]

Its all down to what works really, some people obsess about pretty football or playing like Barcelona but its league two, its about winning and its clearly working well for you guys this season.

Absolutely. I will argue that as long as you are winning it is ok, seeing your team lose consistently in that fashion would get fans against you ASAP which we saw early doors this season when we were quite inconsistent.

Its a shame that our loanee James Olayinka from Arsenal is injured, he showed the ability to break up play and get the ball wide quickly. Getting the ball to Nicky Adams is a sure fire way to get goals in this league, same should still be the case with Mark Marshall.

 

[valefan16]

Marshall was class in his season with us in League One, seems to have stuttered a little bit since but on his day is unplayable.

What could be a good battle, Nicky Adams and David Worrall are the top two accurate crossers in the league this season statistically and Worrall is 1st and Adams 3rd in key passes made this season.

How was Anderson done for you so far? He is from the same town as me in Leicestershire and went school with my sister, local press were always on about him when at Liverpool and Forest but sadly one of them where injuries ruined a top career.

 

[LordJord]

Marshall was class in his season with us in League One, seems to have stuttered a little bit since but on his day is unplayable.

What could be a good battle, Nicky Adams and David Worrall are the top two accurate crossers in the league this season statistically and Worrall is 1st and Adams 3rd in key passes made this season.

How was Anderson done for you so far? He is from the same town as me in Leicestershire and went school with my sister, local press were always on about him when at Liverpool and Forest but sadly one of them where injuries ruined a top career.

Anderson has done really well in his second spell, better than he did first time around for us IMO. He seems fitter, he has a bit of a free role, not really playing as a traditional 10. Tracking players all over the pitch and popping up in pockets of space looking for second balls etc. Considering he came in after the season has started he has got into the first XI and not done anything to lose his place. Seems to fit into our squad ethos as well, clearly cares about the results and runs himself into the ground.

 

[kieran_vale]

Looks like Manny will be included in the squad for tomorrow then. That will provide a great boost to our midfield. Just hope people are patient with him getting up to speed. Since the Crewe game last season he has had very little competitive football so will take a little while to regain sharpness.

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Are you expecting many to travel?

 

[valefan16]

Looks like Manny will be included in the squad for tomorrow then. That will provide a great boost to our midfield. Just hope people are patient with him getting up to speed. Since the Crewe game last season he has had very little competitive football so will take a little while to regain sharpness.

Massive boost, hopefully get him on for some minutes tomorrow and ease him back in. If we can stay in touch with the top 7 finally having him and Jake in the midfield once he is back will be a big boost to our chances.

 

[valefan16]

Are you expecting many to travel?

Not sure to be honest, we have had a lot of away trips since New Year so might not be a large following, probably 5-600 I would assume.

 

[Pennywise]

Sold just shy of 300 pre match so no idea.

Terrible away day really but it’s a reasonably decent game.

 

[valefan16]

Amoo out so Monty back on the wing. Blow to lose Amoo though

 

[kieran_vale]

Signing up Mitch to give us that option again with Monty looking pretty smart right now.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Wow, you weren't kidding when you said that your only tactic was to lump it. Horrific. Keith Curles dinosaur management masterclass.

It's been a pretty poor game in windy conditions but I can't help feeling that if we get our foot on the ball a bit more then we've got a chance.

 

[valefan16]

Scrappy half but Bennett has missed a sitter right on half time.

Referee has been picky blowing up most times a ball goes into either box, Bennett has probably been penalised about 10 times!

Worrall should of done better when clean through and Northampton have had the odd decent chance but it’s been a poor watch, their long ball in the wind and a picky referee haven’t really seen any time get a foothold.

Not sure why their fans feel hard done too as we’ve been penalised down the other end as much.

 

[valefan16]

Wow, you weren't kidding when you said that your only tactic was to lump it. Horrific. Keith Curles dinosaur management masterclass.

It's been a pretty poor game in windy conditions but I can't help feeling that if we get our foot on the ball a bit more then we've got a chance.

Anyone’s game at the moment, we’ve got to concentrate and have done in the main but one switch off and the game could be gone.

If Pope was on that would be 1-0 right on half time. Bennett is so frustrating at times especially away from home.

 

[EricSabin]

Scrappy half but Bennett has missed a sitter right on half time.

Referee has been picky blowing up most times a ball goes into either box, Bennett has probably been penalised about 10 times!

Worrall should of done better when clean through and Northampton have had the odd decent chance but it’s been a poor watch, their long ball in the wind and a picky referee haven’t really seen any time get a foothold.

Not sure why their fans feel hard done too as we’ve been penalised down the other end as much.

Because we’ve had the rough end of Brakespear before and that’s biasing us. The more we complain the more chance we might have of getting the soft ones. Also Oliver has been manhandled in the box a fair few times, arm round the neck jobbies

 

[EricSabin]

Anyone’s game at the moment, we’ve got to concentrate and have done in the main but one switch off and the game could be gone.

If Pope was on that would be 1-0 right on half time. Bennett is so frustrating at times especially away from home.

Think we’ve had some really good half chances and the ball hasn’t quite dropped in the box for us

 

[EricSabin]

Also the header didn’t look as clear cut from the main stand, under a bit of pressure and he was underneath the ball a bit

The better chance was Worrall (?) when he went through one on one when Anderson lost the goal kick in the wind