Friday 12th & Saturday 13th March

[FGR Stroud]

Form guide

Bet365 odds

 

[FGR Stroud]

 

[Shrimper_95]

This is a must win for us on Saturday, nothing other than 3 points will do!

 

[shoddycollins]

If the two teams were still the teams who met at Valley Parade earlier in the season then this would be a routine Carlisle win.

Bradford obviously a very different team now with a different manager. We're still the same team on paper, same players, same manager but our confidence is gone. If we can see some sort of return to confidence then we can give them a game but that feels like a lot to ask.

Rescuing a point late on against Grimsby might just feel like a turnaround in fortunes after a run of defeats, being in games until the final whistle is the sort of thing we haven't been doing of late so it was good to see even a tiny bit of fight return.

 

[BarraMatt]

Big chance for us to get three points which would really take advantage of the last couple of matchdays. I have no idea what Walsall are like after Clarke left, they've been up against some decent sides in the last 6, and are one of the teams that you hardly hear about.

I'll go for a 1-1 draw, but a win for us may get them looking over their shoulder a bit.

 

[CTFCfan99]

We have a habit of responding well to a defeat, but if we defend like we did yesterday we'll get battered.

 

[stevowanderer]

This is one against Vale I’m really nervous about considering the earlier fixture. We are a much better side now and still on a good run but we’ve still got to play Morecambe, Forest Green, Newport, Exeter and Salford of which 4 of them are away. Another must win. Feels like every game is must win at the moment. Port Vale fans what are you expecting? Looks like you created a lot against Oldham. What’s your pitch like at the time of the season?

 

[valefan16]

This is one against Vale I’m really nervous about considering the earlier fixture. We are a much better side now and still on a good run but we’ve still got to play Morecambe, Forest Green, Newport, Exeter and Salford of which 4 of them are away. Another must win. Feels like every game is must win at the moment. Port Vale fans what are you expecting? Looks like you created a lot against Oldham. What’s your pitch like at the time of the season?

Yesterday was probably the best performance we’ve put in since October, did everything but score the goals our play deserved and that was largely down to the surprise recovery of Dave Worrall. Amoo and Oyeleke returning was a boost too. We won’t know who is fit though until 2pm Saturday as Clarke keeps it quiet so might have more back who knows.

Rodney limped off so he might miss out so Santos might be chuffed about that!

Tough game, everything clicked at Bolton and we had most big players fit for a rare occasion but still missing a couple and expect a different kind of game.

I said pre season I expected Bolton to have a slow start then improve like Plymouth last season with the turnover and losing culture that needed to be blown away so I’m not surprised to see the change in fortunes.

Pitch is bobbly. Not great for footballing play. It wasn’t as bad as it has been but was suggestion we didn’t treat it as much before Cambridge to make it harder for them so may do the same.

If we put in the performance levels of last night and effort I will be happy even if it may not be enough to avoid defeat, would take a point but as long as positive signs for the upcoming games are still there and built on from Tuesday I will be happy enough.

Would I be shocked if we won? No. Do I expect us to win? Probably not.

 

[kieran_vale]

I know this is not quite the morally right thing to do or anything like that but I’d be willing to sacrifice this game by resting up our best players and then throw everything into trying to beat Newport and Colchester next week. It’s a risk as nothing guaranteed and seen it backfire on other teams in the past but needs must.

 

[chipmunx]

I know this is not quite the morally right thing to do or anything like that but I’d be willing to sacrifice this game by resting up our best players and then throw everything into trying to beat Newport and Colchester next week. It’s a risk as nothing guaranteed and seen it backfire on other teams in the past but needs must.

Vale v Colchester could be shit or bust for both of you if you both lose this weekend - baring in mind that would mean Grimsby had beaten Colchester.

 

[Huntsman94]

All the best to Harrogate, Oldham and Port Vale. God speed

 

[stevowanderer]

I know this is not quite the morally right thing to do or anything like that but I’d be willing to sacrifice this game by resting up our best players and then throw everything into trying to beat Newport and Colchester next week. It’s a risk as nothing guaranteed and seen it backfire on other teams in the past but needs must.

I agree 100%... do that

 

[Shrimper92]

Not scored in 4

Stevenage not conceded in 5

0-0

 

[valefan16]

Vale v Colchester could be shit or bust for both of you if you both lose this weekend - baring in mind that would mean Grimsby had beaten Colchester.

Got Newport prior to that game also.

Could be a big game, probably need another 8 points so winner in that goes a long way to safety.

 

[valefan16]

I know this is not quite the morally right thing to do or anything like that but I’d be willing to sacrifice this game by resting up our best players and then throw everything into trying to beat Newport and Colchester next week. It’s a risk as nothing guaranteed and seen it backfire on other teams in the past but needs must.

I imagine he may rotate anyway and no game in a league match is unwinnable especially at home regardless of form. Whilst it’s an option on the flip side another 45 in the tank for players like Amoo and Manny would mean they are more likely more up to speed for those two games.

Not sure if Wozza will play but considering he played 90 minutes at full intensity last night on his return for injury i wonder if he’s been “fit” for longer but wasn’t rushed back? Surely if your injured for 2 and half weeks you don’t come back like that!

 

[Robshep]

All the best to Harrogate, Oldham and Port Vale. God speed

Pizza Trophy for us. Could everybody playing a top 7 team win please. Thank you.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Massive game for us. A win would show real intent. Just need to stop the ball going dead and we will be fine

 

[AdamStag]

our game vs crawley looks an absolute belter.

not

 

[masi51]

I imagine he may rotate anyway and no game in a league match is unwinnable especially at home regardless of form. Whilst it’s an option on the flip side another 45 in the tank for players like Amoo and Manny would mean they are more likely more up to speed for those two games.

Not sure if Wozza will play but considering he played 90 minutes at full intensity last night on his return for injury i wonder if he’s been “fit” for longer but wasn’t rushed back? Surely if your injured for 2 and half weeks you don’t come back like that!

The last time we played you had lost your last 5 and we had won 4 on the bounce.
So history could repeat itself.

If you have any half fit players they are going to be soon exposed we are a totally different team now than the one you played in November

 

[valefan16]

The last time we played you had lost your last 5 and we had won 4 on the bounce.
So history could repeat itself.

If you have any half fit players they are going to be soon exposed we are a totally different team now than the one you played in November

They’ll have to be fit enough to do the high press or Clarke won’t throw them in, but we got minutes into Manny and Amoo yesterday so expect we will look to give them more at the weekend.

 

[The Terminator]

Not scored in 4

Stevenage not conceded in 5

0-0

We had similar stats on Tuesday when we played them, they weren't the most adventurous of teams and relied more on waiting for errors than forcing them through play.

Our game ended in a drab 0-0.

 

[kieran_vale]

I imagine he may rotate anyway and no game in a league match is unwinnable especially at home regardless of form. Whilst it’s an option on the flip side another 45 in the tank for players like Amoo and Manny would mean they are more likely more up to speed for those two games.

Not sure if Wozza will play but considering he played 90 minutes at full intensity last night on his return for injury i wonder if he’s been “fit” for longer but wasn’t rushed back? Surely if your injured for 2 and half weeks you don’t come back like that!

Yeah everything we do this weekend needs to be in mind of everyone in the squad being in peak condition for the Colchester game the week after. That is the bigger one for us really as nice as it would be to pick up a league double.

Only thing I would consider defensively is having an honest conversation with Leon about how he can hold up throughout the coming schedule and it may be the Huddersfield lad comes in to give him a quick recharge either Saturday or Tuesday. Midfield again I’d do the same for Joyce at least and Rodney who has hit the wall. If it was me picking the team I’d go with (baring in mind prioritising Colchester)

Brown

Mills
Smith
Olagunju
Crookes

Manny
Burgess
Taylor

Amoo
Cullen or the traffic cone
Hurst

 

[Shrimper92]

We had similar stats on Tuesday when we played them, they weren't the most adventurous of teams and relied more on waiting for errors than forcing them through play.

Our game ended in a drab 0-0.

Can't wait

 

[Casey]

our game vs crawley looks an absolute belter.

not

The reverse fixture ended 3 all and included an absolute screamer from Max Watters. Two goals for Mansfield in the last ten minutes if I recall correctly.

Casey

 

[Monkey Tennis]

Walsall was one of those games we should've won early in the season but somehow conspired to throw it away. And on paper they're even worse now.

I expect our ex-loanee Jayden Reid to come off the bench for them and grab the winner.

 

[valefan16]

Yeah everything we do this weekend needs to be in mind of everyone in the squad being in peak condition for the Colchester game the week after. That is the bigger one for us really as nice as it would be to pick up a league double.

Only thing I would consider defensively is having an honest conversation with Leon about how he can hold up throughout the coming schedule and it may be the Huddersfield lad comes in to give him a quick recharge either Saturday or Tuesday. Midfield again I’d do the same for Joyce at least and Rodney who has hit the wall. If it was me picking the team I’d go with (baring in mind prioritising Colchester)

Brown

Mills
Smith
Olagunju
Crookes

Manny
Burgess
Taylor

Amoo
Cullen or the traffic cone
Hurst

Legge seems back to his best since coming back in and did have a month plus off so don’t see him being dropped, plus once we get next week out the way bar Easter I think we only have one double game week left.

I don’t think Clarke has anything on his mind other than winning games so wouldn’t risk weakening the side unless forced through injury.

Hard to predict even the formation under DC though so neither us nor the opponents will have a clue until 2pm Saturday.

Would be a surprise if we went 4-4-2 in this one, maybe his preferred 3-5-2 to be solid first and foremost.

Don’t know what Crookes has been eating lately mind he was outstanding again last night! He has really stepped up since DC came in and actually even looks ok at LB.

Need Mills to have a second decent game on the spin too.

Free hit really, no league home game at Vale Park should we feel unwinnable and should be looking to win first and foremost but will be a tricky task.

Knowing Vale we will beat Bolton and then get pumped by Colchester! Now that would be typical Vale!

 

[Pablosammy]

All the best to Harrogate, Oldham and Port Vale. God speed

Not sure about Exeter v Cheltenham though. Head wants a draw with plenty of red cards, heart wants Cheltenham to lose so we have a better chance of winning the league!

 

[Huntsman94]

Not sure about Exeter v Cheltenham though. Head wants a draw with plenty of red cards, heart wants Cheltenham to lose so we have a better chance of winning the league!

I think a draw would be best especially as Exeter still have a game in hand against us. If they can draw this and we’re then able to beat them in 10 days time then that puts a good bit of distance between us

 

[Si Robin]

I've got a feeling a draw is on the cards - we drew there last season and we haven't won there since 2013.

As 99 says, we've bounced back well from defeats this season, but this will be a tough one. Fortunately, we tend to do better against the better teams as well.

 

[E10rifle]

Always disappointed to look at this thread and see we’ve got a home game, because I’m pretty much duty-bound to watch it as I’ve already paid for it.

0-0 or 0-1.