Friday & Saturday 22nd & 23rd December

[Boz]

Rovers turned it round in the second half with a great strike from captain Tom Davies clinching all the points. However in the modern interpretation of handball, Swindon appeared to have been denied a handball penalty late on.

While I’ll gladly take all the points, think there needs to be some careful analysis of the performance, rather than resting on our laurels

 

[EnglishRed]

We managed to scramble 2 goals in from the long throw. Big win as that was a tough slog in that wind, we played on it more than they did when they had it with them.

Second half was all us and it could have been 4 or 5. Lee ran the show, he is ridiculous.

Brilliant to have Okonkwo back, Fletcher too (although to a lesser degree than Arthur.)

Just need Evans back from suspension, one of our RWBs to be fit and our CBs to stop getting injured and we'll be in a good place.

Hoping for a new striker option and possibly a CB or two (loans maybe) in the January window.

 

[Indian Dan]

I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve led in games and then collapsed - usually in the 2nd half. Even if we’d hung on it was still dreadful old shite. Sure was a handball and the disallowed offside goal was touch and go.

Seems we’re in a perfect storm of useless ownership, useless management, zero organisation and a mighty injury crisis - our keeper is now crocked.

Taxi for Flynn.

 

[GTFCfish]

After that retched performance today I’m gonna go buy some sprinklers and then Boxing Day morning go spray them onto the Field Mill pitch.

 

[AdamStag]

Interesting games over christmas for the top 4
stockport - Barrow away bradford away mansfield home
barrow - stockport home, accrington home, wrexham away
wrexham - swindon away, walsall away, barrow home
Mansfield - grimsby home, doncaster home, stockport away.

 

[joethegill]

Away to FGR for our first ever visit there as a club. Sold the first allocation of 400, not heard how well the second lot are going but 500+ for a Friday night in deepest middle-of-nowhere-shire is pretty good in any season, let alone with our terrible form. FGR seem shit too, so I can only foresee a home win in El Shittico.

Well we didn't lose. But absolutely deserved the El Shittico name. Garbage.

 

[AdamStag]

After that retched performance today I’m gonna go buy some sprinklers and then Boxing Day morning go spray them onto the Field Mill pitch.

Best thing you can do is sit back and try and get us to break you down, we’ve struggled badly when sides have done that at home, though we’ve still only conceded 5.

For the love of god don’t come out and play attacking open football.

 

[Stocky]

Grimsby on the beach and have been ever since their 10 minute spell of possession at our place back in October.

 

[Gunit]

Awful first half from Sutton but improved 2nd. Not sure why we’re playing Bouzanis, doesn’t even look like he’s in the best 2 keepers at the club on current form. Never saves anything and kicking is abysmal. Slightly unfortunate for that his flap landed on someone’s head to give Mansfield the lead but no more than we deserved for a terrible first half. Coley looked like a pub player and ran the ball out of play at least twice and miscontrolled several others.

Oddly we probably had the 2 best chances other than the goals - Smith should have scored at least 1 of them - and fortunately our keeper had barely anything to do (a showy easy one for the cameras from a free kick aside I don’t recall anything).

We’re too far gone unless we get a miracle worker as new manager. Even if we become better we can’t possibly get good enough to string enough wins together. Our best hope is 2 clubs going bust!

 

[Meadow]

Awful first half from Sutton but improved 2nd. Not sure why we’re playing Bouzanis, doesn’t even look like he’s in the best 2 keepers at the club on current form. Never saves anything and kicking is abysmal. Slightly unfortunately that his flap landed on someone’s head to give Mansfield the lead but no more than we deserved for a terrible first half. Coley looked like a pub player and ran the ball out of play at least twice and miscontrolled several others.

Oddly we probably had the 2 best chances other than the goals - Smith should have scored at least 1 of them - and fortunately our keeper had barely anything to do (a showy easy one for the cameras from a free kick aside I don’t recall anything).

We’re too far gone unless we get a miracle worker as new manager. Even if we become better we can’t possibly get good enough to string enough wins together. Our best hope is 2 clubs going bust!

So sad to read. As much as I want to win on Tuesday, there will be a tinge of sadness if we do.

Here's hoping you turn things around after you've played us.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

An update from our chairman last week said that we're not planning to sell any players in the January transfer window. If a club came along and offered stupid money we'd have to think about it. We'll have to get another striker anyway as Ali's off to the Asia Cup next month and will be missing for a few matches.

My biggest worry is Stockport's injury list. Joe Lewis and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans are on loan from there and they've both been excellent for us. I really hope that they're not recalled.

Very little chance of either being recalled I’d say. CB is now the only position where we don’t have an injury and all four of Horsfall, Pye, Byrne and Wright (when in defence) are performing well. Our fifth CB Pond, who’s on loan from Wolves, has looked decent on the rare occasion he’s been seen as well.

With Sarcevic and Collar out well into the new year and CLE being an attacking midfielder he should be an option for us but I doubt he will be. He didn’t show enough when deputising during their injuries last season and by all accounts already agreed a loan deal for a midfielder in Joe White.

 

[Meadow]

Very little chance of either being recalled I’d say. CB is now the only position where we don’t have an injury and all four of Horsfall, Pye, Byrne and Wright (when in defence) are performing well. Our fifth CB Pond, who’s on loan from Wolves, has looked decent on the rare occasion he’s been seen as well.

With Sarcevic and Collar out well into the new year and CLE being an attacking midfielder he should be an option for us but I doubt he will be. He didn’t show enough when deputising during their injuries last season and by all accounts already agreed a loan deal for a midfielder in Joe White.

Good to know. I've seen elsewhere that they could be recalled.

Both have been enjoying their football with us and played their part tenfold. I'd happily see us pay a fee for their services if we can afford it.

 

[Stocky]

Good to know. I've seen elsewhere that they could be recalled.

Both have been enjoying their football with us and played their part tenfold. I'd happily see us pay a fee for their services if we can afford it.

Don't think we'll sell Lewis but Evans could be had no bother. Lewis signed a new contract before he went to you and is well rated by our coaching staff, with a good season under his belt with you I think we'll want him here for next season.

 

[womble76]

Despite his dodgy shorts, he has been outstanding for us

Don't think we'll sell Lewis but Evans could be had no bother. Lewis signed a new contract before he went to you and is well rated by our coaching staff, with a good season under his belt with you I think we'll want him here for next season.

 

[chief]

So happy to get a win over that scum club who voted against our existence.

 

[Bianconeri 1862]

It

Awful first half from Sutton but improved 2nd. Not sure why we’re playing Bouzanis, doesn’t even look like he’s in the best 2 keepers at the club on current form. Never saves anything and kicking is abysmal. Slightly unfortunate for that his flap landed on someone’s head to give Mansfield the lead but no more than we deserved for a terrible first half. Coley looked like a pub player and ran the ball out of play at least twice and miscontrolled several others.

Oddly we probably had the 2 best chances other than the goals - Smith should have scored at least 1 of them - and fortunately our keeper had barely anything to do (a showy easy one for the cameras from a free kick aside I don’t recall anything).

We’re too far gone unless we get a miracle worker as new manager. Even if we become better we can’t possibly get good enough to string enough wins together. Our best hope is 2 clubs going bust

it's probably for the best, back where you belong etc

!

 

[Reginald Fodstain]

Only arrived in time for the second half, so can't speak for the first. My perspective of the game was hence us playing some really good stuff and Swindon struggling to deal with us. They did offer a threat going forwards, and it a great pass for the disallowed goal. The handball, you see them given, but it would have been harsh. Loved us winding the clock down at the end - we're never usually smart enough to do stuff like that.

 

[Boz]

Only arrived in time for the second half, so can't speak for the first. My perspective of the game was hence us playing some really good stuff and Swindon struggling to deal with us. They did offer a threat going forwards, and it a great pass for the disallowed goal. The handball, you see them given, but it would have been harsh. Loved us winding the clock down at the end - we're never usually smart enough to do stuff like that.

We were better in the second half. First half had been on top without really threatening a goal then Swindon took the lead with their first real chance, well executed from a tight angle. Were it not for a well-timed challenge from Lee O’Connor in the penalty box, could have been two down.

 

[Gunit]

It

it's probably for the best, back where you belong etc

Ah, still upset are we? Never mind.

 

[Optipez]

Ah, still upset are we? Never mind.

I've been shocked at your form to be honest. You absolutely decimated us first game, you were direct, powerful, strong and could finish. I didn't think you'd run away with the league or that we'd be bottom but I did think upper mid table to playoffs would be your target.

 

[Conker]

Sutton actually spent some decent money this summer looking at it (where did the money come from!?) but it’s obviously backfired and they have lost what made them effective, not stuck to their strengths.

 

[Conker]

Best thing you can do is sit back and try and get us to break you down, we’ve struggled badly when sides have done that at home, though we’ve still only conceded 5.

For the love of god don’t come out and play attacking open football.

Not beaten Grimsby in the league since 2019 and that was away, been mostly draws recently.

I am always significantly less optimistic at home, for some reason we just struggle to match the level of performance we manage away from home. That being said I’m hopeful to get a overdue win against them.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Despite his dodgy shorts, he has been outstanding for us

Can I ask do you/does he play out from the back and do you defend quite deep or play a high line?

His troubles with us defensively came from playing in a back three and be asked to be wider and higher than he was used to at Torquay where he just defended the box the centre of a back four.

Similarly he was incredibly jittery trying to play out from the back which is something we required at times in our formation last season.

 

[Gunit]

I've been shocked at your form to be honest. You absolutely decimated us first game, you were direct, powerful, strong and could finish. I didn't think you'd run away with the league or that we'd be bottom but I did think upper mid table to playoffs would be your target.

Feels like a lifetime ago! It did look positive opening day, obviously a complete one off for both clubs! And there was a sending off fairly early on. Oddly we’ve only won 3 league games and 2 of them have been by a 4 goal margin.

 

[womble76]

Can I ask do you/does he play out from the back and do you defend quite deep or play a high line?

His troubles with us defensively came from playing in a back three and be asked to be wider and higher than he was used to at Torquay where he just defended the box the centre of a back four.

Similarly he was incredibly jittery trying to play out from the back which is something we required at times in our formation last season.

We play a flat back four and though we press we don't really have a high line. He does play out from back but often out to full backs or longer diagonals. He never looks under pressure or jittery in our formation. I really can't explain quite enough how good he has been.

 

[chipmunx]

Despite his dodgy shorts, he has been outstanding for us

Ah - just realised you're talking about the "crimes against football strips guy" from your match at our place.

 

[Pilot_Phonic]

So happy to get a win over that scum club who voted against our existence.

I said this to my dad the other day, but can't find any proof of it on the internet. Do you have a link at all?