FGR v Exeter

[Chris FGR]

What could have been a massive game for us if we'd held on at Crewe is now an exercise in not getting any injuries or suspensions ahead of the playoffs. Expect us to rest quite a few, certainly Cooper gave that impression in his press conference yesterday which is good news for the Grecians. Problem for them is they need Morecambe to do them a favour v Newport, even if they win here.

Expecting a big crowd (for us) of over 4000 with family activities etc on before and after the game with the player of the season awards afterwards as well. Chance to celebrate our best ever season, I'll definitely be having a few, it's been bloody brilliant tbf, big improvement.

 

[Moomin]

I’m not too concerned about our game as I think we will get the win required, especially as FGR will rest a few key players. I’m just convinced that Newport will also win at Morecambe.

Having said that, tomorrow is far from a given victory as FGR fringe players will presumably want to stake a claim for a play off starting place, so players like Reid and McCoulsky could well be up for it.

I expect we will go unchanged from the Oldham win, so hoping the front three of Bowman, Williams and Martin click as they looked excellent vs Oldham.

2-0 City - Bowman double

1-0 Morecambe - Ellison overhead kick in the 96th minute.

Lovely

 

[shoddycollins]

Come on you Veeeeegaaaaaaaans!!!

Old Dale Vince had a farm e-i-e-i-o
and on that farm he had a ... solar panel, e-i-e-i-o
with a tofu here and a bean curd there...

 

[Chris FGR]

Come on you Veeeeegaaaaaaaans!!!

Old Dale Vince had a farm e-i-e-i-o
and on that farm he had a ... solar panel, e-i-e-i-o
with a tofu here and a bean curd there...

You got to the pub early.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Got my tickets just, so will be making my first appearance on the South Stand this season. Better late than never

 

[shoddycollins]

A little word of warning to FGR on the perils of resting players and taking it easy in order to be fresher for the playoffs.

If you have to go away from home in the second leg, that can be tiring in itself and cancel out the advantage gained by being fresher, especially if you have to go to extra time.

Exeter may well be your opponents in the playoffs if you let them win then they get a rest too, you don't want to give them the boost of going up against you having just had a free shot at beating you.

If you're trying to avoid injuries then you want to try and keep possession and keep Exeter at bay. If you get sloppy and end up chasing them then you're more likely to get injuries and or suspensions.

Momentum matters, there is no better training opportunity for an important game than the game before it.

Beat Exeter and you could well end up in fourth place and then someone like Carlisle will have to come to you in the second leg. That would be a great chance for you to make the final. Far better than you having to go to Exeter or Tranmere or somesuch.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Tend to agree shoddycollins but then you have to factor in our vastly better away than home form so maybe we don't need to bother too much about that second leg home tie advantage.

 

[denzel ecfc]

A little word of warning to FGR on the perils of resting players and taking it easy in order to be fresher for the playoffs.

If you have to go away from home in the second leg, that can be tiring in itself and cancel out the advantage gained by being fresher, especially if you have to go to extra time.

Exeter may well be your opponents in the playoffs if you let them win then they get a rest too, you don't want to give them the boost of going up against you having just had a free shot at beating you.

If you're trying to avoid injuries then you want to try and keep possession and keep Exeter at bay. If you get sloppy and end up chasing them then you're more likely to get injuries and or suspensions.

Momentum matters, there is no better training opportunity for an important game than the game before it.

Beat Exeter and you could well end up in fourth place and then someone like Carlisle will have to come to you in the second leg. That would be a great chance for you to make the final. Far better than you having to go to Exeter or Tranmere or somesuch.

I seem to remember a team with a secure playoff spot played a team in eighth place a couple of seasons ago, with the lower placed team winning. Can you help me out on the teams involved please??

 

[denzel ecfc]

It will be a difficult game. I fear we won't win. Nightmare is if we draw and Newport do the same.
Still, it's been a good season and we could do with a break for a change

 

[RebornKirtonRed]

 

[RebornKirtonRed]

I seem to remember a team with a secure playoff spot played a team in eighth place a couple of seasons ago, with the lower placed team winning. Can you help me out on the teams involved please??

I much prefer to remember the two following games.........and yes, I'm now proudly in possession of the very boots what clinched it that night thanks to Jack kindly donating them to the Adam Stansfield Foundation for auction.........would've loved for him to have stayed a Grecian but he had his head turned by those mad Hatters nearer home

 

[Stripes]

After last weeks’ stark reminder, we can’t handle the pressure when we really need to win, other than against Tranmere! This is a game of some ambiguity for us. It would be preferable to finish fourth, and we can do this if we win and MKD loose, but we have already achieved the play-off spot! Therefore, mentally we will almost certainly fall between the two and fuck it up. This was the problem last week against Crewe, we just went for it, but got caught in two minds when 3-1 up what to do next. Of course we were playing a very good Crewe side who played good football, but the manager was at fault for not giving a clear indication which route to take. The players followed suite.

Today will be similar, plus all indications are we will not be playing a fall strength side. But only the manager knows that for sure! I think we need to restore some confidence after last weeks beating and give this a good go. I can’t see Newport loosing, but if they do and Exeter beat us, we could still end-up playing each other at Wembley, that would be advantage to them. So long as it’s not a repeat of last seasons finally, a 3-1 defeat at home to Grimsby when we similarly had a big attendance. Should be between 4-4500 today, with a good following from Exeter, a good atmosphere assured to start with anyway. Best have a few beers before hand

 

[shoddycollins]

I seem to remember a team with a secure playoff spot played a team in eighth place a couple of seasons ago, with the lower placed team winning. Can you help me out on the teams involved please??

You saying this because it all turned out well for the team that started in 8th place? Trust me, you don't want to be in the playoffs, take a season off, it's bad for your blood pressure.

 

[denzel ecfc]

No Nicky Law for us. Interesting line up from FGR....

 

[Stripes]

Three regular starters for us! Exeter making hard work of it. If they remain patient they should take this. However they are a very dirty side, could be a few off yet!

 

[Moomin]

Dominated the first half but no goal to show for it.

You can just see what will happen in the second half....FGR goal incoming

 

[Trapdoor]

Incredibly frustrating game. On another day could have had a penalty and 3 goals. So disappointing.

 

[Moomin]

Keeper spills a cross and not one player is there to tap home.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Story of our season.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Terrible game of football, well worth crossing continents for Exeter must have squandered four or five solid chances first half. Our makeshift lot never really got going but thought Reuben looked handy after he came on.

 

[Stripes]

Not a brilliant game of football but thought we did well to hold Exeter, who didn't really believe in themselves.

They were unlucky but really failed to take a great opportunity. A good turn out by your fans though. Bad luck.

 

[Moomin]

Ah well, a shame we didn’t quite do it, but ultimately we’re not good enough, which I’ve been saying for a few months.

Taylor has done really well in his first year as manager and he will hopefully bring in 3-4 key players to elevate us to top three challengers.

Good luck to FGR in the play offs. Fancy them to do well.

 

[Chris FGR]

Decent result, although Exeter should have won it really given the chances they had. Some real sitters. Great turnout from them as well.

5th is as good as we could have managed given MK won, so all in all things turned out pretty well for us.