Friday 29th January to Tuesday 2nd February

[Si Robin]

There'll be as many fans there as there were at the Old Firm game the other week tbf.

Touché

Hang on now, it is same title of thread on the Cheltenham forum.
Easy to find for those of us scanning next opponent's forum.
Some bloody amusing comments on it. Some of your posters make Masai and Carver look rank amateurs.

There's also comments on there slating the term, and they're certainly not my posters.

The term wasn't even intended for this game, it was intended for a game between Gloucester City and FGR in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round in 2014. The fact that media use it doesn't give it any credence, it's still a fucking embarrassing phrase, "Oh aren't we clever, see what we did, we took El Clasico but, instead of clas we use Glos!!! Fucking Genius!"

As for it being a derby - my millions of previous comments still stand. I care for FGR like I do Newport, Carlisle and Exeter. If we lose on Saturday, I'll be more pissed off at how it affects our promotion push than the fact it's to FGR - and that will never change.

 

[E10rifle]

Imagine we’ll lose to Bolton, which will be a bit embarrassing.

 

[The Globule]

So, a resurgent (well, surgent anyway) Morecambe against a resurgent Tranmere?

Can't believe we're up there in the autos and although not dominating opponents we are grinding out results week on week. Winning 2-0 at Exeter on Tuesday has really consolidated our position as contenders.

I expect this to be a tough match. We continue to be down to bare bones - 5 or 6 out for "confidential" reasons, probably Covid and a small squad, to boot.

Any result a bonus - I predict 1-1

 

[hellogregory]

We’ve got some more positive COVID tests. Don’t think it’ll be enough for another 3 game postponement however.

 

[chipmunx]

We’ve got some more positive COVID tests. Don’t think it’ll be enough for another 3 game postponement however.

will you ever play a match again this season?

 

[GTFCfish]

Imagine we’ll lose to Bolton, which will be a bit embarrassing.

Surely it can’t be any more embarrassing than losing to my shower of shit?

 

[BlackHaddock]

Our rained off game at Barrow will have helped us (I hope); giving Paul Hurst more time to train our donkeys to tackle, pass, move and shoot.

It's only Stevenage in Cleethorpes this Saturday, so if we don't win we deserve to go down.

 

[Greenacres]

I agree that the term El Glosico has become a bit cringey, as pointed out it was coined to describe an FA Cup game between Rovers and Gloucester some years ago but seems to have stuck for any game played between teams in the area...mind you it is no worse than Robins fans using the term Cheltenhamshire as if they will be struck down for blasphemy if they utter the word Gloucester in any form, it is like taking a trip back to the life of Brian.

 

[chipmunx]

Our rained off game at Barrow will have helped us (I hope); giving Paul Hurst more time to train our donkeys to tackle, pass, move and shoot.

It's only Stevenage in Cleethorpes this Saturday, so if we don't win we deserve to go down.

a draw would be a good result for Us in that match - it would mean we're still ahead of you and with 3 games in hand after our match at Bradford gets snowed off....

 

[E10rifle]

Surely it can’t be any more embarrassing than losing to my shower of shit?

You were pretty decent that day. Really clinical in front of goal.

 

[hellogregory]

will you ever play a match again this season?

I’m confident that by Easter we will have played again.

 

[chipmunx]

I’m confident that by Easter we will have played again.

2021 or 2022?

 

[Casey]

Cambridge v Crawley.

Played each other a few times over the last 20 years or so. Never been easy even when Cambridge had a crap side in the conference (how did I forget the cows!).

Crawley won earlier in the season in a good game between, on the day, two decent sides (One of my little bugbears in football. Just because one side wins doesnt make the other side crap.). Ironside scored in the first five minutes but we fought back to win with goals from Watters and Nichols but Hesketh was sent off in the 87th minute and we've hardly seen him since.

Rumour we might be losing players this week and the covid infection taking out five players, no idea when they will be available. Plus injuries and such it's a bit hard to call this. If we get a decent squad out I fancy us to grab a draw but don't put the rent on it.

Casey

 

[Monkey Tennis]

Our recruitment has been a bit mad of late, and anything less than a comfortable win will have our online fans wetting themselves over the money we've spent.
Bradford (away) are probably the last team I'd want to be playing right now, given their form and their ex-Barrow strikers desperate to prove a point. I'd take a draw.

 

[Si Robin]

I agree that the term El Glosico has become a bit cringey, as pointed out it was coined to describe an FA Cup game between Rovers and Gloucester some years ago but seems to have stuck for any game played between teams in the area...mind you it is no worse than Robins fans using the term Cheltenhamshire as if they will be struck down for blasphemy if they utter the word Gloucester in any form, it is like taking a trip back to the life of Brian.

Given it's only sung in one song (our main song admittedly, but the point stands) - I think it's reasonable, but I see your point.

I don't know of anyone who actually claims to come from Cheltenhamshire.

More on Saturday's game, Michael Duff is expecting at least one signing before the game, potentially two. We're desperate for a bit of bite in midfield and could also do with something different up top, although Alfie May seems to have found a bit of form again.

It should be a good game in fairness, they usually are between the clubs. Will hopefully make some good listening on Radio Glos.

 

[The Terminator]

Our first away game of 2021 at Bolton, I am gutted not to be there as the Reebok Stadium has been on my list for a number of years. Oh well, there is always next season hopefully.

Our form has been completely hit and miss and we're somehow 10th.

-We've lost 10 games - more than any other side in the top half.
-But we have won 11 - as many as the top sides
-We've not drawn a game since late October and have had only 3 draws all season.
-We've lost 4 of our last 5 away games and have conceded 2 goals in all 5 of those away games - the odd one we didn't lose we beat Port Vale 3-2 somehow.
-We've scored in all but 3 games this season, we're usually good for a goal.

Bolton are out of form, but so are we away from home our last 4 games have been home games and we've won 3 - amazingly our home form all season hasn't been too bad, won 7 of the last 9 I think.

We're short on strikers with Danny Johnson and Lee dodgy hamstrings Angol both injured, young Ruel Sotiriou will likely lead the line but he has been struggling for fitness and form this season.

I will take a draw - I've forgotten what one feels like.

 

[Boz]

So, a resurgent (well, surgent anyway) Morecambe against a resurgent Tranmere?

Can't believe we're up there in the autos and although not dominating opponents we are grinding out results week on week. Winning 2-0 at Exeter on Tuesday has really consolidated our position as contenders.

I expect this to be a tough match. We continue to be down to bare bones - 5 or 6 out for "confidential" reasons, probably Covid and a small squad, to boot.

Any result a bonus - I predict 1-1

I think it's likely we'll select the same side as have won the last 3 games, though none that comfortably. Some of the senior players were looking very jaded by the end of the Harrogate game and while my initial thought was it might be a game too far, if the Shrimps are depleted in numbers then our chances of coming away from the Lancs coast with something have improved.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Very wet overnight in the Shire but I expect ElGlosico to be played. The ground drains well.

In recent years ElGlosico was both club's Cup Final - always biggest crowds of season at Whaddon and Nailsworth.
Obviously with pandemic it is different this season plus Cheltenham had their Cup Final match against Man City.
They played well above their normal level and it will be interesting to watch and see if they can maintain that extreme high standard.
Michael Duff is on record as saying that FGR were the best team that Cheltenham have played this season. I'm not sure if that is a Machiavellian ploy to wrong foot FGR , after all Cheltenham did win that game.

Publicity surrounding this local derby match has revealed that FGR are making good friends with the other two top teams in the County. The Chairman of Gloucester City send Dale V a message of support and Mark Cooper in his pre-match interview was very complimentary towards Cheltenham. It seems he has conversations with members of the Cheltenham Board: Cooper was very respectful towards M Duff and Cheltenham.

In previous games, Cheltenham lined up some players who were previous FGR. Today it could be Chris Clements as the only one to have had that honour. Carl Winchester, who was arguably was one of the best players to play for both teams, has been transferred away to Sunderland. A big loss to FGR.

 

[Si Robin]

Very wet overnight in the Shire but I expect ElGlosico to be played. The ground drains well.

In recent years ElGlosico was both club's Cup Final - always biggest crowds of season at Whaddon and Nailsworth.
Obviously with pandemic it is different this season plus Cheltenham had their Cup Final match against Man City.
They played well above their normal level and it will be interesting to watch and see if they can maintain that extreme high standard.
Michael Duff is on record as saying that FGR were the best team that Cheltenham have played this season. I'm not sure if that is a Machiavellian ploy to wrong foot FGR , after all Cheltenham did win that game.

Publicity surrounding this local derby match has revealed that FGR are making good friends with the other two top teams in the County. The Chairman of Gloucester City send Dale V a message of support and Mark Cooper in his pre-match interview was very complimentary towards Cheltenham. It seems he has conversations with members of the Cheltenham Board: Cooper was very respectful towards M Duff and Cheltenham.

In previous games, Cheltenham lined up some players who were previous FGR. Today it could be Chris Clements as the only one to have had that honour. Carl Winchester, who was arguably was one of the best players to play for both teams, has been transferred away to Sunderland. A big loss to FGR.

Ummm - what???

Bloke wouldn't get in the top 10 players to play for Cheltenham in the past 5 years.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Ummm - what???

Bloke wouldn't get in the top 10 players to play for Cheltenham in the past 5 years.

Teams have 11 players so presumably Carl would be selected.
I think I'm right in claiming that he was captain of both Gloucestershire teams and it was only after he signed for local rivals FGR that Cheltenham fans turned on him.
That did not turn him overnight to a bad player. Towards the end of his time at FGR he was our best player in a team near top of table.

 

[Si Robin]

No, let me be clear - he's no doubt a decent player, but in a best 11 of the past 5 years (so since 2016) Carl Winchester would not get in any Cheltenham fan's team. I'm confident of that.

For me personally - 532:

GK - Dillon Phillips (though Scott Flinders runs him close)

WBR - Sean Long

CB - Charlie Raglan
CB - Ben Tozer
CB - Jacob Greaves

WBL - Chris Hussey

CM - Jake Doyle-Hayes
CM - Liam Sercombe
CAM - Ryan Broom

ST - Mo Eisa
ST - Alfie May (or Dan Holman on his 15/16 form)

So as I said - Winchester doesn't even get close to being one of our best players in the past 5 years. All 3 CM's in my team run rings round him. I'd also have Harry Pell, Asa Hall and Kyle Storer ahead of him personally.

 

[Luke Imp]

You must've had some bang average RB's for Sean Long in your best XI? Not that he's bad of course, but doesn't pull up any trees.

 

[Bottega Don]

Just noticed Colchester haven't won since they beat us in the reverse fixture, second time within a week we've been in that exact same scenario

 

[dedwardp]

Just noticed Colchester haven't won since they beat us in the reverse fixture, second time within a week we've been in that exact same scenario

Until that point, we'd been awful all season and somehow blagging results. The game at your place was the perfect case in point whereby you battered us and somehow we robbed a 1-0 which had happened quite often in the earlier part of the season. Since then the results have stopped going for us too. Statistically, based on things like xG we've been one of the worst two or three teams in the league this season and the luck has run out so we currently appear on a bit of a death slide (sorry to come over all Port Vale on you).

Must win tonight as February and March doesn't look the kindest and I think we'll continue to slide worryingly close to the bottom two. It also seems we've written this season off now as a midtable finish and have started trying to cut costs, but I think that might be a little premature.

 

[Bottega Don]

Until that point, we'd been awful all season and somehow blagging results. The game at your place was the perfect case in point whereby you battered us and somehow we robbed a 1-0 which had happened quite often in the earlier part of the season. Since then the results have stopped going for us too. Statistically, based on things like xG we've been one of the worst two or three teams in the league this season and the luck has run out so we currently appear on a bit of a death slide (sorry to come over all Port Vale on you).

Must win tonight as February and March doesn't look the kindest and I think we'll continue to slide worryingly close to the bottom two. It also seems we've written this season off now as a midtable finish and have started trying to cut costs, but I think that might be a little premature.

You just need to score the first goal tonight like you did the other game, we won't stand a chance if you get any early goal.

If we score first then we will probably win.

 

[valefan16]

The worry for Scunthorpe tonight would be fitness. They looked completely knackered, especially the forwards after an hour.

 

[dedwardp]

You just need to score the first goal tonight like you did the other game, we won't stand a chance if you get any early goal.

If we score first then we will probably win.

In the eight games since we played you, we've only scored four goals - one was a penalty, two were own goals and the other was scored by Norris who has since left.

I don't think we'll actually go down because we've built up enough of a cushion (however fortuitously) over Southend and Grimsby that I think we'll nick enough results to keep our heads above water. But I do think we could end up pushing it pretty close and there's always a side that sinks like a stone. It was this time last week that Scunthorpe were three points off the bottom, and tonight they can go above us - it doesn't take long to swing.

 

[codaplenty]

I dont think there are hardly any Morecambe fans on here. Looking at the table they are doing fantastic although their goal average is very average

When I was a kid watching Fleetwood in the late 50's the highlights of the season were always the matches against the Shrimpers, we invariably got stuffed, I remember being at their old Christie Park ground on the Saturday following the Munich Air Disaster in 1958. So the point is I used to hate them as we nearly always got beat ( cue a 5-4 win against them with a guy called Tommy Lawrence scoring the winner - a rarity may I add )

Now I am older and more mature ( my wife would totally disagree ) so I am delighted to see them doing so well,
it would be incredible if they got promoted, probably more of an achievement not to be struggling at the other end of the table, I do hope this is not the kiss of death for them.....

 

[Si Robin]

You must've had some bang average RB's for Sean Long in your best XI? Not that he's bad of course, but doesn't pull up any trees.

He was injured in his first season for us, was fantastic last season, and has been injured for all of this until last week.

Ryan Broom did a great job at RWB, but he's better as a 10.

We've actually missed Long this season in my view. Sometimes a club and a player just fit.

 

[Bottega Don]

The pitch is awful tonight, ball is bobbling all over the place. Our games are never classics but I think this is going to be a poor game.