Northampton Vs Crewe

[Crewelad87]

Back to league action and back on the road for us. Plenty of our fans who bought rail tickets in advance abit miffed at the rail strikes so it looks a difficult game for fans to get too. I've decided take my son on the coach though, so looking forward to this. Our away record has been very good this season, only one loss in all competitions at Newport and that was a robbery. This will be tough though, our record at Northampton isn't great, Keith Curle also seems to get the better of us more often than not. I'm expecting a very direct physical, ditect style from the cobblers which were going to have to stand up to.

Injuries seem to be clearing up apart from Lancashire (no loss) Nolan and Powell have trained and should be available, plus the bonus that Jaaskelainen is rushing back from international duty to play in this.

I'd go for this team if everyone is fit.

Jaaskelainen

Ng Nolan Mbula Pickering

Lowery Wintle Green

Dale Porter Kirk

Subs: Richards, Hunt, Jones, Finney, Ainley, Powell, Anene

Northampton 1-1 Crewe (Oliver, Kirk) 4,855 (430 Crewe)

 

[JJ1532]

Could do with getting something here. Given the EFL Trophy and then stuff with the FA Cup over the last week, people forget we put in 2 dismal performances in our last 2 league games, scoring 0 and managing 1 point.

Yes, we are away so you'd give us more chance of winning, but Northampton are a decent side who are finally getting their act together. We could get punished if we don't start on time or make too many mistakes. I'd take a point right now if offered.

 

[Jigsaw]

In recent years, Northampton away has always been a fixture we never seem to get anything from. I'm hoping a break from the league and the fact we actually have some kind of away form this seasons means we return with something.

Hoping Nolan will return and Powell at least makes the bench for this one. I'll take a score draw.

 

[EricSabin]

Beat Crewe twice last year, once on our bobbly pitch and at Gresty where our ‘roughhouse’ tactics won the day. Fancy us to win here too, little bit of momentum is building

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Beat Crewe twice last year, once on our bobbly pitch and at Gresty where our ‘roughhouse’ tactics won the day. Fancy us to win here too, little bit of momentum is building

A low sun whilst kicking towards the South End in the second half looks like a good excuse for this one?

 

[The Alex]

As stated above they did us twice last year and they’re doing well at the moment, can see us losing.

I’d start Powell, he should be chomping at the bit to do well against his old club and I’ve been reasonably impressed by his performances and effort with us.

 

[TimeyWimey]

I'm sure, despite us being near or at the top all season, 99% of predictions go with us losing. We seriously lack self-esteem.

Crewe win 2-0, Dale and Porter. Vale's big cup final was an anomaly, FA Cup probably came at a good time for some mental rest from the league.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Two free kicks lumped into the box. Two goals for Northampton. Ffs, seriously.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Wow, this is pathetic defending. Hello old Crewe.

 

[The Alex]

This could get ugly (uglier). Shit house Curle tactics, shit house defending.

 

[The Alex]

Incredibly frustrating that we have players running absolute rings round them but we can’t deal with them pumping balls into our box. I’m expecting at least 6 Northampton goals here.

 

[EricSabin]

Yep Crewe the better side but are getting bullied. 3-1 up but expecting more goals.

In hindsight, both defences have been pretty inept

 

[GTFCfish]

I thought Crewe were supposed to be good?

 

[The Alex]

What happens when we play an ancient fullback alongside someone with basically no experience at centre back.

 

[The Alex]

I thought Crewe were supposed to be good?

I know, crazy isn’t it, how dare a supposedly good league 2 team lose.

 

[EricSabin]

Comfortable second half and the expected onslaught didn’t arrive. Into the playoffs.

 

[JJ1532]

Some of our fanbase need to grow up. I am sick to death of hearing management, players and fans whine about shithouse L2 tactics. Jesus christ, it's been that way since the dawn of time and it'll be that way long after we've all passed on and our grandkids are watching football. There will always be Keith Curles' and Steve Evans', managers who rely on big physical players and a direct no nonsense brand of football. It's what makes lower league football so unique, its blend of styles and tactics. Would I want to watch that every week, god no. But we're going to have to deal with it and beat it if we want to go up.

Yes, it's frustrating when you see fouls being committed from every set piece, but they have to deal with it. Either they deal with it, overcome it and be in promotion contention come May or whine every time it happens and be stuck in mid-table until the end of time.

The only people to blame are the management for not sorting this defence out over the summer(fuck me, was Lancashire the best player available). I mean, playing a 36 year old that wouldn't look out of place in the Football Museum and a 23 year old who was making his EFL debut at CB says it all. Pickering was toss, as was Lowery. Green has also been low key ineffective since he came back from suspension.

Missed good chances at 0-0(Hunt at the far post), 1-0(Kirk sitter), 2-0 and 3-1(Kirk hitting the post, that goes in, who knows). The brainless penalty from Hunt killed it, as did him going awol for the 4th. He needs to go back to what he was signed for, an emergency last ditch option when there is no other choice. Go with Nolan and Mbulu, then try Ng, Wintle, Sass-Davies, hell even Artell before you start Hunt again.

We'll be fine in the long run. It might sound ridiculous, but out of our next 21 games, only 5 sit in the top half. We have a very favourable schedule and should be able to get enough points to stay in the top 7, or within very close distance of them. The drop off after Plymouth in 11th is dramatic. The top 11 are all relatively decent to varying degrees. After that its a whole lot of mediocre to shite.

Get Nolan back next week, bring back Powell at RW. Beat Morecambe, get whatever we can from Forest Green and then make sure we beat Stourbridge/Eastleigh. This is a short term blip I'm sure. Got to put things right, starting with next week.

 

[EricSabin]

‘Would I want to watch that every week? God no’

An enjoyable 4-1 home win, I think you probably would.

 

[dannyc5]

Can't disagree with much of that. Lowery was toss 2nd half (we were to a man), however he was excellent 1st half.

 

[The Alex]

I think the people who need to grow up are the ones suggesting the season is over when we’re 4th, not those having a tongue in cheek dig at hoofball.

We’re always shit against Curle and Northampton.

 

[Crewelad87]

Keith Curle football is our kryptonite always has been. I was relatively pleased 1st half, I though we were the better team, and after we pulled one back I was expecting us to have a real go 2nd half, that just never happened. Northampton were just better where it mattered today and that was in the two boxes.

 

[lordofthepies]

I'm not too concerned about today to be honest. A lot of teams will try and play like that against us but not many of them will be as good at it as Northampton were. Nicky Hunt isn't good enough to play every week but Eddie Nolan will be fit next week so he won't have to.

Everyone was trying and we kept trying to play. No need to panic yet. I might not say that if we don't win next week though...

 

[The Alex]

Just seen the goals back. Shambolic defending for the first 3, no foul play that I can see, and the 4th what’s the goalie doing? All stems from a lack of Eddie Nolan, they didn’t have any confidence in each other. Mbulu starting ahead of Nolan away at Northampton is a ludicrous decision, and overconfident from Artell. I saw this coming after the past few league games.

 

[lordofthepies]

I'm guessing that maybe Nolan wasn't fit enough to start...

 

[WilsdenBantam]

‘Would I want to watch that every week? God no’

An enjoyable 4-1 home win, I think you probably would.

People used to say that against us under Parkinson, in fact a Chesterfield fan said to me our style of play was a cancer on football, talk about dramatic and the best thing was we'd beaten Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge only a few months before! Who cares if you win, fans want to see teams winning.

 

[LordJord]

No team has a higher XG against us in the league this year. Game could have been different, however we are always going to pose Crewe problems with our style.

5 wins in 6 and into the playoff positions, everything starting to come together. Our season hinges on Alan McCormack, if he stays fit for 25 more games this year I think we go up, its obvious why hes played at a higher level throughout his career.

 

[Crewelad87]

No team has a higher XG against us in the league this year. Game could have been different, however we are always going to pose Crewe problems with our style.

5 wins in 6 and into the playoff positions, everything starting to come together. Our season hinges on Alan McCormack, if he stays fit for 25 more games this year I think we go up, its obvious why hes played at a higher level throughout his career.

Wasn't ours higher on Saturday I'm sure I read it was.

 

[EricSabin]

No team has a higher XG against us in the league this year. Game could have been different, however we are always going to pose Crewe problems with our style.

5 wins in 6 and into the playoff positions, everything starting to come together. Our season hinges on Alan McCormack, if he stays fit for 25 more games this year I think we go up, its obvious why hes played at a higher level throughout his career.

Yeah Alan McCormack is the key, absolute class above at this level

 

[LordJord]

Wasn't ours higher on Saturday I'm sure I read it was.

Ah thats what i meant, that Crewe's was the highest against us this season.

 

[Crewelad87]

Yeah Alan McCormack is the key, absolute class above at this level

I thought Lowery gave him the run around 1st half on Saturday. 2nd half he was very good though.