Friday 22nd April / Saturday 23rd April

[hellogregory]

Well last week against Mansfield was a flash in the pan. Back to the turgid shite of recent weeks today. The players have downed tools, they are on the beach. A disgraceful inept performance.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Keeping Phil Brown will be a mistake I reckon.

But it would be great for the local sunbed centres

 

[Soup Ladle]

I'm really concerned with these two in charge for next season.

I wouldn't actually be surprised if Raj goes and sacks them soon

 

[Conker]

Hartlepool are another who definitely need to change management.

 

[Cas]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517875647913283584

If anyone fancies a laugh...

 

[kieran_vale]

Decent win today Vale didn’t really trouble us in fairness expected more from them.

So did we

No complaints though you were good value for the win. Am thinking for Newport I’d be changing both the wingbacks. Worrall and Benning were extremely ineffective today and if Gibbo and Hussey feel good for close on 90 I’d be going with them.

 

[Chief Rocka]

I wouldn't actually be surprised if Raj goes and sacks them soon

Both signed three year deals didn't they?

We might be stuck with them.

 

[chipmunx]

Crazy game at our place, and a fully-deserved win.

Did all the hard work only for (braindead) Josh Kay to mouth off at the ref and get a second yellow celebrating the goal.

Didn't really see what the ref gave Sutton a penalty for but it seemed innocuous - I was expecting the ref to award a corner. The penalty save though was the moment of the season for me.

And then some dickhead went and said something racist (*allegedly). If only our fans and players were gagged before entering the stadium...

As far as Phil Brown goes, I guess he has to get the job now. The turnaround has been incredible, purely in terms of the effort and work rate he's instilled in the players. Still have huge reservations about the players he's likely to sign and if he has any other tactics to draw upon, but he feels like he's got a connection with the fans that most previous managers haven't.

The Sutton forward was backing into Connor Brown who reacted and pulled him down - ref only saw the reaction and gave the penalty. Phil Brown got booked (again) for protesting about it.

 

[chipmunx]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517875647913283584

If anyone fancies a laugh...

I did wonder how Scunthorpe had 0 shots, 0 shots on target at HT - but had scored a goal.....

 

[EricSabin]

What a day

 

[shoddycollins]

I did wonder how Scunthorpe had 0 shots, 0 shots on target at HT - but had scored a goal.....

surely that counts as a shot though

 

[The Terminator]

Lost to the better side in the end, have to say Northampton were deadly in the first half, took their chances very well and clearly a side high on confidence. Alot of people thought the third goal was offside, I didn't think it was myself but that seemed to be the only gripe.

Frustrating we didn't make the most of a few nervy slips by Northamptons backline in the first 20mins, would've made the game a more interesting test had we'd taken the lead.

Second half we changed shape, brought on Jordan Brown who IMO should've started the game and forced our way back into it. Had chances to make it 4-3 as well to really crank up the entertainment value but for some heroic Northampton defending by both their centre halves. In terms of entertainment it was a good game. I was happy with our second half effort, even if Northampton clearly took their foot off the gas as I think they only got into our box once second half with the damage done.

Game was over when Ogie got sent off, he has had this done to him a few times this season with opponents going through on him with nasty tackles and he's ended up their faces and been lucky not to be sent off himself, but today he didn't get away with it and his season is now over. Awful challenged by Rose mind.

Would fancy Northampton in the playoffs on todays showing if they let third place slip.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517875647913283584

If anyone fancies a laugh...

Came off Bass last and wasn’t going in definitely an own goal, only shot they had until the 80th minute.

 

[Red Dragon]

Congratulations to Forest Green. Attended three matches there this season, two as a neutral.
Genuinely wanted Stevenage relegated but not to be unless Latics pull off a miracle once their game resumes v Salford. On saying that, they may get points deducted for the pitch invasion.
Vale are the team surprised me most. Tremendous unbeaten run of results and now lose two on the bounce.
Vale rely on Exeter now it appears as Exeter have Northampton H and then host Vale on the final weekend.
Sell out St Jame's Park

 

[kieran_vale]

Congratulations to Forest Green. Attended three matches there this season, two as a neutral.
Genuinely wanted Stevenage relegated but not to be unless Latics pull off a miracle once their game resumes v Salford. On saying that, they may get points deducted for the pitch invasion.
Vale are the team surprised me most. Tremendous unbeaten run of results and now lose two on the bounce.
Vale rely on Exeter now it appears as Exeter have Northampton H and then host Vale on the final weekend.
Sell out St Jame's Park

I think given the run we were on there was always going to be a dip as that sort of form is not really sustainable right to the end of the season. Suppose one good thing is we will know what we have to do by the time we play Newport a week on Monday. Also pretty much confirmed for the playoffs now so that’s a positive at least.

 

[Casey]

Losing 2-0 at Mansfield would be what I expected before this mornings shit show. To only lose by that after this morning and down to ten men I can brush off.

Fair play Mansfield. It appears you deserved the win.

Oh, DevonLad. I think you may have folded too early on the were/was issue. Ambiguous usage with those two.

Casey

 

[valefan16]

I think given the run we were on there was always going to be a dip as that sort of form is not really sustainable right to the end of the season. Suppose one good thing is we will know what we have to do by the time we play Newport a week on Monday. Also pretty much confirmed for the playoffs now so that’s a positive at least.

Look like we’ve run out of steam with the injuries and number of games we’ve had to play to catch up.

Add in we’ve looked nervous as hell since that superb performance at Salford when we got to third. Hopefully with 9 days off and being outside the top 3 we can be back to our best for the last two games and see what happens.

We’d have taken top 7 a few weeks ago but if we go into the play offs like the last couple of performances we won’t be going to Wembley that’s for sure.

Today was just sloppy, we know it’s Walsall’s cup final and they looked more up for it which is bang out of order from our point of view.

They’ve been awful both times we’ve played them and beat us twice… that’s how bad we’ve been in this fixture, Benning has been outstanding in recent weeks but was like a baby foal with the ball at his feet today.

 

[Bottega Don]

Fair play to our young lads today. When you consider some of them were playing for Conference North/Northern Premier teams just a month ago they did well today. Battled well against senior pros.

It was our senior pros that let us down today, calamity Delaney at the back and that useless tosser Feeney.

 

[kieran_vale]

When similar happened in our game at Leyton Orient a few seasons back, they announced it as abandoned to get everyone to leave and then played the rest behind closed doors an hour later.

Turns out they pretty much did as you said there. Was just a formality in the end with other results today still awful for Oldham fans.

 

[chipmunx]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517922171196166145

 

[denzel ecfc]

Not really. Was a good quality game with Northampton being excellent in the first half. Their opener was an absolute thunderbolt from miles out, the second a bit of pinball from a set piece and the third yards offside. We gave them pretty much all they could handle in between and dominated the second half. Cobblers a good side with the ball but by fuck are they dirty. Took it in turns to scythe us down as we countered and the red card was a play-acting embarrassment on Rose’s behalf after he had put in a disgraceful challenge on Ogie. Frustrating stuff and beaten by a better side, but in no way a lifeless end of season capitulation from us.

Cheers, doesn't sound like the sort of side we do well against. Three points on Tuesday to calm the nerves needed then

 

[denzel ecfc]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517922171196166145

I wonder what those 12 minutes were like? A shame Oldham didn't score two goals in that time, that would have been an interesting development

 

[Spanishstag]

Pretty comfortable win for Mansfield, in truth MOTM was Crawley goalkeeper.

Biggest thing today other than the three points is Akins and Murphy finally scoring hopefully that will set them off with the last few games + potential play-offs.

Autos good sir ,

 

[chipmunx]

I wonder what those 12 minutes were like? A shame Oldham didn't score two goals in that time, that would have been an interesting development

If i had to guess i'd say like that Austria v West Germany World Cup match years ago.

 

[Kauto Star]

Curious which of the many former Scunny players for Bradford will score today, it was Songo’o earlier this year. Can see it being Gilliead today.

Do you want Gilliead back. If so, I will drive him over myself. He has been shocking for most of the season and was totally anonymous today

 

[northstandexile]

Look like we’ve run out of steam with the injuries and number of games we’ve had to play to catch up.

Add in we’ve looked nervous as hell since that superb performance at Salford when we got to third. Hopefully with 9 days off and being outside the top 3 we can be back to our best for the last two games and see what happens.

We’d have taken top 7 a few weeks ago but if we go into the play offs like the last couple of performances we won’t be going to Wembley that’s for sure.

Today was just sloppy, we know it’s Walsall’s cup final and they looked more up for it which is bang out of order from our point of view.

They’ve been awful both times we’ve played them and beat us twice… that’s how bad we’ve been in this fixture, Benning has been outstanding in recent weeks but was like a baby foal with the ball at his feet today.

You do know that Mal Benning is a Walsall lad and played many times for them in League One.

 

[valefan16]

You do know that Mal Benning is a Walsall lad and played many times for them in League One.

He was their best player today! He had a stinker.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Both signed three year deals didn't they?

We might be stuck with them.

We might be, I'm not personally calling for them to go, they need time and a summer to do what they think needs doing. Raj did similar ruthless stuff at Darlow so I'm just saying I wouldn't be that surprised. He won't be happy with the last two months (but he is culpable in this) and now we're heading down to 4000 home fans.

Last two months have been an absolute fucking joke, I'm not usually one to question effort and desire but it was so painfully obvious that no fucker fancied it today. Where's the motivation coming from the bench? Nothing. Nelse's record at Blyth, well we know how cack that is. Lee is a decent bloke but has he got the respect of that changing room? They're not playing for anyone and not even themselves to get a move. Something not right behind the scenes?

 

[leedsvaliant]

I knew it would be a dangerous game before it kicked off and it showed. Walsall played with freedom and the two players that their fans slated before the game in Osadebe and Miller played like peak Zidane and Henry for half an hour in the second half. It's absolutely classic that these teams 'happen' to find their form against us.

We looked like a nervous, scattered wreck with seemingly no game plan. I'm surprised we didn't lose by more. We peaked away at Salford 3 weeks ago and since then we've scraped past a train wreck in Oldham, a Hartlepool team long since on the beach and got beat by a decent but functional Bristol Rovers and a bang average Walsall.

We desperately need the rest but I think by Newport it will be all over for the automatic spots.

As I said on the other thread any other team in our position would have ensured at least a draw against Bristol Rovers and would have won today comfortably. I guess that's what comes in being one of the least successful clubs in the entire leagues, we're just not used to being in this position, whereas your Exeters and Northamptons are virtually in this position every other season.

 

[LordJord]

Not really. Was a good quality game with Northampton being excellent in the first half. Their opener was an absolute thunderbolt from miles out, the second a bit of pinball from a set piece and the third yards offside. We gave them pretty much all they could handle in between and dominated the second half. Cobblers a good side with the ball but by fuck are they dirty. Took it in turns to scythe us down as we countered and the red card was a play-acting embarrassment on Rose’s behalf after he had put in a disgraceful challenge on Ogie. Frustrating stuff and beaten by a better side, but in no way a lifeless end of season capitulation from us.

Yeah definitely would not say you were on the beach. I think you moved the ball well in spells and think you will be up there for sure next season. That first half was our best 45 mins of the season and as you say Pinnocks goal was an absolute screamer (not his first one of the season).

We definitely have some players that can put it on others but I think most good teams do. The elite teams (not comparing us to them!) are always getting yellows for stopping counters, needs to be done at times. Rose annoys me tbh, we bring him on for the last 10 mins and 2 things are inevitable, 1 he wont score, 2 he will get booked. Thing is he does wind up the opposition and the defender shouldnt have reacted in that way.

Didnt Harry Smith just come back from injury? Seemed like he was struggling so badly towards the end surprised they didnt take him off just to ensure it didnt get worse.
All in all a great game and hopefully we continue that into next week.