Matchday Thread 31/8/15

[Chris FGR]

I wonder what FGR's secret is?



I wasn't sure about some of your signings this season but from what I've seen your squad looks a lot more balanced than in previous seasons. Pennock obviously has a plan and looks like it's working so far!

Doesn't guarantee success though.

Plan seems to be to be really tough to beat without being great, and hope that the individual quality we have up front or a set piece is enough to get the win. We might struggle against the better sides but we'll have enough to beat most of the rest, which could be enough.

 

[EnglishRed]

That plan seemed to work for Barnet last year!

 

[SomeMightShay]

Name that tune, it's been winding me up. What an earworm.

Baaaarrrooooooooowwwwww...

I've been smashed off my tits a few times in my youth. Glowsticks all over the place

 

[Son of Cod]

I've been smashed off my tits a few times in my youth. Glowsticks all over the place

I thought I heard that when I listened to our match against them earlier on in the month! I thought my ears were deceiving me though. Pretty sure that video is labelled wrong though, it's by Tiny Tot isn't it?

 

[BarnwoodCTFC]

You should save it. I predict you will finish about tenth, unless you invest heavily in January as the promotion contenders are all going to do. That isn't sour grapes, you aren't a bad side, probably the bestbside we have played so far this season, but comes from experience of 8 years down here. As for us we might just scrape a play off spot if we are lucky with injuries.

We also had a game on Saturday and play a high tempo game.

As for the penalty shout. It was a definite penalty and by the laws of the game would have been a red too. A little harsh as I doubt it was deliberate, but it was a clear goal scoring opportunity that Downes stopped.

Seems very negative for us both, if there are five better teams than either of us I would be very surprised English Red. Granted I do not know much about this division but I have a feeling top spot is between the two of us, Grimsby and Forest Green.

Also we will certainly invest heavily in January, Gary and his brother have been scouting players already and the board want to be absolutely sure we get promotion this season.

 

[Habbinalan]

Well looks like the Barrow "fans" have turned on the manager - almost always no coming back from that. Sad really, as the games I've seen we've played decent football and sounds like we were unlucky today.
Probably the same at most teams, but we usually have a couple of spells in the season where we are shite, then go on a run of 10 unbeaten - very little consistency. I think we've got a decent enough squad for mid-table, but probably not if they're going to dump the manager after 4 away defeats. If our home form's good then it won't be the biggest problem - we've had seasons where we haven't won on the road until about March.
Biggest problem is we've got Eastleigh next and defence is low on confidence. This could be a long season.

Took in the Shay for one of my 2 or 3 matches a season yesterday. The day confirmed my progressive disconnection from the club of my youth - I felt none of the pain and frustration that should have been there when they, firstly, took the foot of the gas like they did at my last match (Lowestoft), then handed over 3 points on a plate.

Halifax offered no significant threat for most of the match and looked a shadow of the play-off semi-final team - but they had Superkev Roberts, some lively youngsters and they were a TEAM. Having handed over an equaliser on a plate, Barrow had the arrogance to still think that they deserved a win and failed to do the basics through midfield as shape fell apart. I just hope that lessons were learned.

Much as I'd like to see Darren Edmonds and Jason Walker come good, both looked potentially out of their depth, for different reasons, as the season approached. I've loved watching Jason over the years but he looked a luxury yesterday. I thought and think that a more experienced manager than Darren (for recruitment and getting enough points at this level) was needed if Paul Casson is to get value for money from his investment. I haven't seen enough (or been bothered enough) to have strong views but this season promises to be a steep learning curve for chairman, manager, team and fans.

I hope that the performance, result and experience pulls the team together and triggers a good run. If it does, the "fans" who were getting at team and manager yesterday will soon come back on side. A win against Eastleigh is certainly doable. The team has goals in it, even with a big dependence on Cook. A clean sheet against Eastleigh would be a good start but I can't see it happening.

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

Shite.

 

[Habbinalan]

Shite.

Was that a Tourette's shite or a cry of joy at easing out a particularly clinkery offering?

 

[Mr Scooty]

Seems very negative for us both, if there are five better teams than either of us I would be very surprised English Red. Granted I do not know much about this division but I have a feeling top spot is between the two of us, Grimsby and Forest Green.

Also we will certainly invest heavily in January, Gary and his brother have been scouting players already and the board want to be absolutely sure we get promotion this season.

I thought you looked like a well organised competitive team, but nothing special. Based on last nights game, you look strong enough to get a playoff spot, but (like us) I'll be surprised if you win the title. And you won't be the only football club in this league strengthening their side in January.

Remember that teams don't tend to come down and win this league straight away. Most don't event get in the playoffs. A playoff finish would be an excellent achievement for Cheltenham. Be very content with that should it happen. And then curse your luck at Wembley when Wes York stops a certain goal with his hand and the ref doesn't give anything.

 

[Master D]

From the FA's website:

Handling the ball Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration: • the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand) • the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball) • the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement • touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement • hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement

By your own words it wasn't deliberate, ergo it wasn't a penalty.

I have seen them given though.

Seen them given due to it being a penalty. The deliberate ruling is an ass, we all know that as what sort of tool would ever "deliberately" handball it in the box unless it was stopping it going over the line in the last minute. Ref's view was probably obscured as there were a load of players around there, or he bottled it because he'd have to give a red too.

 

[EnglishRed]

Seems very negative for us both, if there are five better teams than either of us I would be very surprised English Red. Granted I do not know much about this division but I have a feeling top spot is between the two of us, Grimsby and Forest Green.

Also we will certainly invest heavily in January, Gary and his brother have been scouting players already and the board want to be absolutely sure we get promotion this season.

I hope you are right! After 8 seasons down here most Wrexham fans are fairly pessimistic.

I expect FGR, Eastleigh and Grimsby to contest the title.

That leaves us, Cheltenham, Gateshead, Woking and Tranmere contesting the two remaining places. There is usually a surprise team too. Dover or Borehamwood maybe. Possibly even Chester! (Heaven forbid)

You can take nothing for granted in this league.

 

[AÐALSTEINN]

I will be the first to say it. Cheltenham will win this noddy league very easily. Get over it Wrexham and others.

 

[chipmunx]

I will be the first to say it. Cheltenham will win this noddy league very easily. Get over it Wrexham and others.

you very nearly lost at home to us - you won't win a play off place never mind the league.....

 

[DarkSithLord]

I will be the first to say it. Cheltenham will win this noddy league very easily. Get over it Wrexham and others.

Oh dear. I may expect that sort of post from a Tranmere fan but not from a team with previous experience of this level!

 

[EnglishRed]

I will be the first to say it. Cheltenham will win this noddy league very easily. Get over

Ha ha yeah ok.

 

[Limerick Mariner]

Habitual slow start by Grimsby. They'll be fine. People just like rubbing their recent results in the faces of those who were predicting am imminent league pissing after their good preseason.

What the hell is up with FGR? It's no fun if they are actually good. Bring Hockaday back.

What is fine though? Failure to make the play-offs is saI'm sticking to the Alan Alger

I will be the first to say it. Cheltenham will win this noddy league very easily. Get over it Wrexham and others.

Quality irony that...

Has to be irony, or a post from the captain of Cheltenham's u10s team...

 

[CTFCfan99]

 

[AÐALSTEINN]

you very nearly lost at home to us - you won't win a play off place never mind the league.....

And you will be relegated.

 

[EnglishRed]

What is fine though? Failure to make the play-offs is saI'm sticking to the Alan Alger.

You'll make the play offs. Hurst or no Hurst.

 

[Mark kavanagh]

Who won?

Jennings was seen storming across the car park at 520 unshowered, and hes right we dont do winning unless its woking home

 

[Luke Imp]

Seems very negative for us both, if there are five better teams than either of us I would be very surprised English Red. Granted I do not know much about this division but I have a feeling top spot is between the two of us, Grimsby and Forest Green.

Also we will certainly invest heavily in January, Gary and his brother have been scouting players already and the board want to be absolutely sure we get promotion this season.

There's usually a surprise package in the season.

Macc last season (admittedly fell away in the final handful of games), Halifax the season before, Alfreton (also fell away in the final stages), likewise Southport four years ago.

 

[MTFC_07]

There have been so many overreactions after a handful of games of a 46 game season, like every year.
Grimsby and Tranmere fans are in meltdown, but Grimsby will finish top three and Tranmere should still challenge the top five.
I also see Cheltenham fans are doing the same thing every team that comes down here does - think they are going to cruise to a play off place at the very minimum because of a good start. How three teams relegated teams fared in the last 3 years after excellent starts.

2012-13 - Macclesfield were 1st after 8 games - Macclesfield finished 11th - (17 points behind 5th place)
2013-14 - Barnet were joint 1st after 6 games - Barnet finished 8th - (7 points behind 5th place)
2014-15 - Torquay were 2nd after 11 games (on a 6 game winning streak) - Torquay finished 13th - (18 points behind 5th place)

 

[chipmunx]

And you will be relegated.

 

[Railway Blue]

I will be the first to say it. Cheltenham will win this noddy league very easily. Get over it Wrexham and others.

You only stole a point a ours through a ghastly GK error.

 

[BarnwoodCTFC]

There have been so many overreactions after a handful of games of a 46 game season, like every year.
Grimsby and Tranmere fans are in meltdown, but Grimsby will finish top three and Tranmere should still challenge the top five.
I also see Cheltenham fans are doing the same thing every team that comes down here does - think they are going to cruise to a play off place at the very minimum because of a good start. How three teams relegated teams fared in the last 3 years after excellent starts.

2012-13 - Macclesfield were 1st after 8 games - Macclesfield finished 11th - (17 points behind 5th place)
2013-14 - Barnet were joint 1st after 6 games - Barnet finished 8th - (7 points behind 5th place)
2014-15 - Torquay were 2nd after 11 games (on a 6 game winning streak) - Torquay finished 13th - (18 points behind 5th place)

Thanks for sharing this MTFC that makes genuinely scary reading. I'd say the only thing which goes in our favour is that we are a bigger club than those three and almost certainly have a bigger wage/transfer budget not to mention having Gary Johnson in charge.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Seriously poor effort you two.

 

[Master D]

They are a historical tinpotter, all part of the natural order restoration project that is hopefully going to happen in the coming years.

 

[MTFC_07]

Thanks for sharing this MTFC that makes genuinely scary reading. I'd say the only thing which goes in our favour is that we are a bigger club than those three and almost certainly have a bigger wage/transfer budget not to mention having Gary Johnson in charge.

I doubt you have a higher wage budget (which makes scary thinking) than we did back then despite Cheltenham being a larger club. That is the main reason we are in this mess. Steve King was allowed to spunk £1m+ on a playing squad and we used around 50 players in total that season, makes me wince thinking about it.
I agree though, you have a very good manager for this level and are probably better run than how both ourselves and Torquay were run in those periods.

 

[ROBH]

There have been so many overreactions after a handful of games of a 46 game season, like every year.
Grimsby and Tranmere fans are in meltdown, but Grimsby will finish top three and Tranmere should still challenge the top five.
I also see Cheltenham fans are doing the same thing every team that comes down here does - think they are going to cruise to a play off place at the very minimum because of a good start. How three teams relegated teams fared in the last 3 years after excellent starts.

2012-13 - Macclesfield were 1st after 8 games - Macclesfield finished 11th - (17 points behind 5th place)
2013-14 - Barnet were joint 1st after 6 games - Barnet finished 8th - (7 points behind 5th place)
2014-15 - Torquay were 2nd after 11 games (on a 6 game winning streak) - Torquay finished 13th - (18 points behind 5th place)

Not many Cheltie fans think that way, from yesterdays evidence I still think Wrexham will be well in the final mix. Don't think I ever saw a "Conference" side knock the ball around when we were last in there as Wrexham did.

 

[SomeMightShay]

I thought I heard that when I listened to our match against them earlier on in the month! I thought my ears were deceiving me though. Pretty sure that video is labelled wrong though, it's by Tiny Tot isn't it?

Not sure who can claim to the original. My first copy of it was a Billy Bunter MC'd version from Helter skelter cassette.