National League Matches 10 April

[jacobncfc]

Boreham Wood vs Wealdstone 3pm
Maidenhead United vs Barnet 3pm
Bromley vs Dagenham and Redbridge 3pm
Altrincham vs Halifax Town 3pm
Torquay United vs Weymouth 3pm
King’s Lynn Town vs Chesterfield 3pm
Wrexham vs Stockport County 3pm
Eastleigh vs Woking 3pm
Hartlepool United vs Notts County 5:20pm

Most interesting thing this week is that Sutton don’t play, so Hartlepool have the chance to go top with a win in the big game of the day. Albeit they will have played four games more. A win for Torquay over Weymouth, which should be a formality really, would mean they have the chance to overtake Sutton on Tuesday when the two play each other at Gander Green Lane.

Interesting trip to Hartlepool on the tele for us. We’ve only lost one away game all season (now the Dover calamity has been struck from the record books..), and have generally been far more consistent on the road than at Meadow Lane for some reason. Burchnall has his feet under the desk a bit more now with two consecutive wins, albeit neither entirely convincing. Lewis Knight’s pace off the bench has played a big part in both of those wins, while Jimmy Knowles will probably start with the returning Kyle Wootton after his hat-trick at Woking. Hopefully Cal Roberts might be fit for another cameo off the bench.

We owe Hartlepool one really after losing 1-0 to them at ML around Christmas despite laying siege to their goal for the entire second half. I’d expect a tight game.

 

[TheShayWay]

Alty seem abit hit and miss at the minute. But I'm expecting another tough game for us. Summerfield is back but hasn't had any minutes so is unlikely to start.
Kosylo will probably score however we know how Volitile he can be aswell so he may well get targeted to test his temperament.

3 points is all that matters at this stage. I'd take 1-0

 

[Chief Rocka]

Best home record in the league, 9 wins from our last 10 at home, 13 unbeaten, we should be looking to add another three points here, at the very least a point would be fine, losing really puts the pressure on us.

Should be a good game though, was a decent game of footy to watch at their place earlier, two teams that play football, none of this hit and hope, Dark Arts stuff we see too much of.

 

[jacobncfc]

Best home record in the league, 9 wins from our last 10 at home, 13 unbeaten, we should be looking to add another three points here, at the very least a point would be fine, losing really puts the pressure on us.

Should be a good game though, was a decent game of footy to watch at their place earlier, two teams that play football, none of this hit and hope, Dark Arts stuff we see too much of.

Weird that you’ve still got such a big disparity between your home and away records even though there’s no fans in. We’ve gone the other way!

 

[EnglishRed]

Apparently we may have a new face in by the weekend. No sign yet though, and as it has to be someone who was out of contract on the 31st January itll be a kid or a has-been, neither of whom will have played for months.

Third loss in a row coming up and a slide out of the play offs.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Weird that you’ve still got such a big disparity between your home and away records even though there’s no fans in. We’ve gone the other way!

I think we're doing better at home BECAUSE there's no fans in, we have at times an incredibly toxic home support.

 

[JaredSUFC]

A draw at Hartlepool would be nice.

 

[jacobncfc]

Looks like Roberts being left out on Monday really was just a precaution and he’ll be involved again on Saturday. Sighs of relief all round.

 

[CFC91]

We've not played King Lynn yet so not sure what to expect?

They seem more than capable of picking up a result and spring a suprise on people so won't be an easy game.

Our run in after this is tricky with Wrexham, Hartlepool, Torquay, Halifax and Bromley x2 left this month so on paper this is a game we really need to win.

 

[Soup Ladle]

I think we're doing better at home BECAUSE there's no fans in, we have at times an incredibly toxic home support.

This.

If fans were in I bet we'd not be higher than top 10. Teams come to the Vic and get up to allsorts as they know the crowd turns that's why our home record is usually terrible.

 

[Optipez]

It's getting to the sharp end of things now and us, Hartlepool, Stockport and Chesterfield are on six pointers.
I'm really not sure what our best team is although I think we have to go 352 to make us competitive in midfield and two up front or we struggle to score.
A win would be massive, it would put us in with a shout of finishing top despite never looking champion contenders all season, a draw would be pretty decent from where we've been just a week or so ago.
If everyone draws it's a great day for Sutton.

 

[TonyM]

We've not played King Lynn yet so not sure what to expect?

They seem more than capable of picking up a result and spring a suprise on people so won't be an easy game.

Our run in after this is tricky with Wrexham, Hartlepool, Torquay, Halifax and Bromley x2 left this month so on paper this is a game we really need to win.

To be honest, I have watched (streamed) all our home games this season and have no more idea than you what to expect. Since furloughing the majority of our squad we seem to have gone back to the possession / short passing game that served us so well in the past two seasons with back to back promotions, only real difference is there is no cutting edge with Marriott being on furlough.

If recent games are anything to go by we will set up pretty defensive and then bring forwards on later to chase the game but depends who we have available / can last 90 minutes (lots of lads who we have brought in still seem to be struggling with the step up but adjusting to the pace better each game)

 

[John Still]

I think we’re on a hiding to nothing at Bromley, last season at Bromley a heavy defeat meant the chop for Taylor so could the same happen with McMahon if we take a beating here? Either way 100% nailed on home win.

 

[springerbfc]

Huge game for us. If we are to stand any chance of surpassing the mighty Hyde in either goals conceded or goal difference, we need to be going to places like Maidenhead and getting stuffed by at least 3 or 4.

Signing two new players might not help but we should still have enough wasters out there to give ourselves a chance.

 

[chief]

The brotherly thing to do would be to allow Stockport the 3 points so they can continue the mission of restoring normality at this level, in leaving only tinpotters behind.

 

[Chief Rocka]

This.

If fans were in I bet we'd not be higher than top 10. Teams come to the Vic and get up to allsorts as they know the crowd turns that's why our home record is usually terrible.

Aye, I mean we had two situations last season were we had fan(s) running on the pitch trying to batter the ref, when it gets toxic at Pools it can go from 0 to 100 in no time, first time was Dover which was shameful on our part, the second was Ebbsfleet which was entirely manufactured by their players allegations and subsequent shithousing afterwards.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

I’ve had a look on the Notts forum & most think it’s a forgone conclusion that County will beat us,after wins against Wrexham & Woking.
I think they’ll find we’re a far different proposition to those two.

 

[jacobncfc]

I’ve had a look on the Notts forum & most think it’s a forgone conclusion that County will beat us,after wins against Wrexham & Woking.
I think they’ll find we’re a far different proposition to those two.

Unless you’re on a different forum, no they don’t? About evenly split in predictions between win, draw and loss which is probably about right. Pools 11 unbeaten at home, Notts 13 unbeaten away, something has to give!

 

[CFC91]

To be honest, I have watched (streamed) all our home games this season and have no more idea than you what to expect. Since furloughing the majority of our squad we seem to have gone back to the possession / short passing game that served us so well in the past two seasons with back to back promotions, only real difference is there is no cutting edge with Marriott being on furlough.

If recent games are anything to go by we will set up pretty defensive and then bring forwards on later to chase the game but depends who we have available / can last 90 minutes (lots of lads who we have brought in still seem to be struggling with the step up but adjusting to the pace better each game)

If you sit I fancy us to break you down eventually. I think the times we've looked most vulnerable under Rowe have been when teams have come and had a bit of a go, ran at us with a bit of pace in wide areas. Altrincham jumps out but also to an extent Weymouth had a bit of a go for 20 minutes and we looked a bit shaky.

Saying that our defensive record under Rowe is 13 clean sheets in 19 so we must be doing something right. We've won 3 of our last 4 1-0 so wouldnt bet against that again.

Is the stream any good? Probably will get it as I plan on staying in watching the Golf all weekend!

 

[MWS]

I predict a nil-nil draw against Wrexham. Keates-ball and Rusk-ball will mean there will be 95% of action in the centre third of the pitch with 2.5% in each other third for when each team pings one over the top which runs out of play.......................

 

[EnglishRed]

I’ve had a look on the Notts forum & most think it’s a forgone conclusion that County will beat us,after wins against Wrexham & Woking.
I think they’ll find we’re a far different proposition to those two.

If our forum is anything to go by, most fans pay zero attention to other teams, even their own performances.

 

[LongEatonPie]

We have only won 3 times at Hartlepool since 1959. I'll leave that here.

Pools are notorious tough for us and we have sacked 2 of our recent managers after defeat to them. Like Yeovil they seem to always get the better of us. Had we been playing under NA id have hoped for a draw.

The same can be said for IB but with a hint of optimism. Survive the opening 20-30 and i think we will come good. Roberts and Knight from the bench.

I'll go 2-2 though.

 

[Wooderson]

Unless you’re on a different forum, no they don’t? About evenly split in predictions between win, draw and loss which is probably about right. Pools 11 unbeaten at home, Notts 13 unbeaten away, something has to give!

I don’t know any Notts fan that think we’ll easily win this. I suspect most would be very happy with a draw, keeping us 9 points behind Pools with 5 games in hand. A win, putting us just 6 behind with 5 in hand, and a better GD, would be exceptional

Think it’ll be a tight game, perhaps one goal in it either way, if not a draw. If we can keep it close for an hour we at least have some good options on the bench (assuming Roberts is fit).

Sounds like Hartlepool have a few injury issues. What’s your back up keeper like?

 

[Chief Rocka]

I don’t know any Notts fan that think we’ll easily win this. I suspect most would be very happy with a draw, keeping us 9 points behind Pools with 5 games in hand. A win, putting us just 6 behind with 5 in hand, and a better GD, would be exceptional

Think it’ll be a tight game, perhaps one goal in it either way, if not a draw. If we can keep it close for an hour we at least have some good options on the bench (assuming Roberts is fit).

Sounds like Hartlepool have a few injury issues. What’s your back up keeper like?

He's had one game against Ilkfreston City or some shite in the cup, he could walk past me in the street I wouldn't recognise him.

 

[B2TF]

Can any Altrincham fan talk me through the process of watching your match stream tomorrow?

 

[springerbfc]

This is actually way more exciting than I had first thought!

 

[TonyM]

If you sit I fancy us to break you down eventually. I think the times we've looked most vulnerable under Rowe have been when teams have come and had a bit of a go, ran at us with a bit of pace in wide areas. Altrincham jumps out but also to an extent Weymouth had a bit of a go for 20 minutes and we looked a bit shaky.

Saying that our defensive record under Rowe is 13 clean sheets in 19 so we must be doing something right. We've won 3 of our last 4 1-0 so wouldnt bet against that again.

Is the stream any good? Probably will get it as I plan on staying in watching the Golf all weekend!

We do have a bit of pace out wide (Gyasi) but he is often described a 'raw' ie looks really quick and dangerous but very little end product

I think most would say the stream is expensive (£12) and variable, we have had changes in personnel and flitted between one or three cameras and replays are a bit hit and miss, last game was back to three cameras and replays. If you can, I would suggest finding an alternative commentary - Stephen Cleeve (our renowned chairman) isn't bad with some interesting insights on football at this level and he is actually pretty neutral but his co-commentator (club's general manager) leaves a lot to be desired unless you like 90 minutes of brown nosing and absolutely no insight on the what is happening or the players involved.

 

[B2TF]

We have only won 3 times at Hartlepool since 1959.

HAHAHAHartlepool are one of the few teams we've beaten more often than they've beaten us, and we've played them A LOT. The other teams are mostly dead, or buried somewhere in the pub leagues.

 

[Optipez]

I’ve had a look on the Notts forum & most think it’s a forgone conclusion that County will beat us,after wins against Wrexham & Woking.
I think they’ll find we’re a far different proposition to those two.

They just tend to be positive in the score predictions. I don't think many fans think it's a foregone conclusion or are really expecting the win.

 

[Wooderson]

Oates struggling for Pools too? Be happy not to see his name on the team sheet, tore us a bit of a new one at ML