Notts v Cheltenham

[LongEatonPie]

Form wise over the last 6 and 10 there is not much separating Notts and Cheltenham, Notts picking up a point more over 6 but level over 10

It’s Notts home form that is the big sway undefeated this season and I think just 1 loss at home since Nolan took over. Comparing that to the visitors and Cheltenham have won just once this season on the road.

Notts have only lost twice to Cheltenham both in the 2005/6 season and even how poor last season was overall the Pies did the double over them.

Have to win this really, 2-0 Notts.

 

[william death]

Cheltenham don't sound like pushovers this year, so I'm not expecting this to be easy. Our home form is excellent tho, so I'm predicting a narrow win. Although I hope it's not the case, I reckon Shola will be missing, I'd like Forte to replace him to help us chase down and harry Cheltenham high up the pitch and provide some actual pace up top, but you never know with Nolan.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

I trust Nolan. Forte seems to impress (the fans) more when not selected rather than when selected.

 

[CTFCfan99]

We don't win these sorts of games. 3-1 Notts

 

[longmover]

Agree with you CTFCfan99, after a solid result against luton I can see us going to pieces this Saurday

 

[Pieyedfry]

2-2 draw, got a hunch this will go the same way as Accrington. Cheltenham are not pushovers this season, chalking up some impressive results, and I think Shola will be a big miss if injured (which it sounds like judging by Nolan's post match interview) as Cheltenham are a big, physical side.

2-2 wouldn't be the worst result in the world, notts just need to keep within touching distance come january where presumably they'll go for it.

 

[longmover]

Not since the Cotteril era 1997 - 2002 have Cheltenham had a big physical side, much to our detriment in getting bullied all over the pitch by other teams big physical players. Its about time.

 

[william death]

Do Cheltenham really have 9 six footers? Or was that just Nathan Jones being bitter?

 

[longmover]

We can field a team with ten 6ft players (just) but there weren't nine on the pitch agains Luton. We have some very short slight players as well, Sellars, Eisa, Morrell and Hinds three of which played against luton.

 

[Si Robin]

As the other two Cheltenham fans have said, we'll get a pasting this weekend. We've managed to concede 3 goals in each of our last two away League games and that is likely to continue again on Saturday.

The only question is how many we'll get because although we're conceding, we're scoring as well. 3-2 Notts, with us scoring late to make it not look like the pasting I said we'd get.

 

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

If we are going to be seriously competing for promotion we have to win this type of game. I'm yet to be convinced we have the strength in depth and with our two key players on loan from forest January is critical with the recruit of a forward essential. Cheltenham seem inconsistent but have taken a point away at Wycombe and scored twice against Luton so could be a tougher opponent than their league position suggests. Usually Grant struggles to have a big impact against physical sides who manage to keep 11 players on the pitch.

 

[Youpies]

Hardy reckons that Grant is on a season long loan with a call back option in January. He's also said numerous times "he will be here next season"

What is the story on Yates - arguably he's had just as big an impact, even if he doesn't have the goals or the assists

 

[Si Robin]

If we are going to be seriously competing for promotion we have to win this type of game. I'm yet to be convinced we have the strength in depth and with our two key players on loan from forest January is critical with the recruit of a forward essential. Cheltenham seem inconsistent but have taken a point away at Wycombe and scored twice against Luton so could be a tougher opponent than their league position suggests. Usually Grant struggles to have a big impact against physical sides who manage to keep 11 players on the pitch.

A lot of teams' fans seem to say this about us - look at Luton last week.

 

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

A lot of teams' fans seem to say this about us - look at Luton last week.

Wasn't meant as any disrespect some people think everygame against the smalller teams is an automatic 3 points. Football doesn't work like that. How many do you anticipate will travel ?

 

[LongEatonPie]

Will Cranston be a big loss for you guys? Out for the season it appears.

 

[Si Robin]

It depends how Dan O'Shaughnessy does in his place. When he was injured early on in the season D O'S did well, and was a little unlucky to be dropped. He also played brilliantly when coming on Saturday.

Weirdly, last season, this sort of injury would have been celebrated by a minority of idiots, but Cranko has been a completely different player this season and he's definitely going to leave a gap on the left.

As for how many we bring, probably 2-300. We're not the best travellers and this is just another away game really.

 

[longmover]

Will Cranston be a big loss for you guys? Out for the season it appears.

Cranston is a loss (imo) he just adds an attacking element we need (as we are ballsing up so many chances) and can put a ball on a sixpence. Though O'Shaughnessy did step up against Luton and his throw causes all sorts of issues in the box, he will see this as golden opportunity to shine and stake a claim in the 1st team.

 

[william death]

Looks like Shola will be fit, which is a boost...

 

[longmover]

Our bench is very light, three players (inc keeper) who have never played league football and one who has never played league football for CTFC also one who hasn't started a league game for over a month.

 

[Si Robin]

As the other two Cheltenham fans have said, we'll get a pasting this weekend. We've managed to concede 3 goals in each of our last two away League games and that is likely to continue again on Saturday.

The only question is how many we'll get because although we're conceding, we're scoring as well. 3-2 Notts, with us scoring late to make it not look like the pasting I said we'd get.

So bloody predictable.

 

[longmover]

Cheltenham Town Fc: score one goal against us get one goal free

 

[Optipez]

Thought we deserved the win overall. Cheltenham looked pretty good going forwards, not so good defending although the keeper was very unlucky with the free kick which took a massive deflection.
Always felt we were going to win, we just seemed to have a little more to give.

 

[jacobncfc]

Pretty routine, should've had a couple more. Only concern was needing three set pieces to score. We created loads but our finishing was way off, hopefully keep plugging away until January and get that striker.

We're never going to beat anyone 7-0, but we keep picking up points...

 

[Youpies]

I'm starting to believe that we can basically keep just about winning. Certainly hoping so!

 

[Droo]

Have Notts played anyone decent yet?

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Yes Coventry, Mansfield , Crewe

 

[jacobncfc]

Been a long process, but I'm on the verge of just accepting that we're a good team now.

 

[Optipez]

If we keep Grant and Yates, we're basically a goal in three game striker away from a top three team.
Every player on the pitch today has scored for us this season and if we can just get a regular scoring striker in we have a real chance now.
Having watched us pre season I just never saw this coming.

 

[jacobncfc]

I think we're a top three team even without a striker. One of those who can score regularly and we'll win the league.

I also think that Yates is slightly overrated, which I know is controversial.

 

[bugsyncfc]

How dare you jacob. Straight to the naughty step