Plebbing it up in the National League 03/12/16

[Monkey Tennis]

We do now have a great record against the top sides except the Barrow game. If we can get players back fit for the next 5 months and keep them fit we could be right up there come April. Very pleased at the half way point with our positiion, just have to look at York the poor sods.

Someone on our forum made a mini league between the top 6 before this weekend, so I've added in yesterday's result.

D&R W3 D1 L2 pts =10 (4 home, 2 away)
Dover W3 D0 L3 pts =9 (5 home, 1 away)
Tranmere W2 D2 L1 pts =8 (2 home, 3 away)
Barrow W2 D1 L2 pts =7 (all away!)
Lincoln W2 D0 L3 pts =6 (1 home, 4 away)
FGR W0 D3 L2 pts =3 (4 home 4, 1 away)

With all the away games, and a game in hand over Dover and Dagenham, I reckon ours and Tranmere's record are definitely more impressive than Dover's.

 

[Mark kavanagh]

Its pointless beating teams from the top 6 if your gonna let york complete a win double over you or lose at home to boring wood.

Your just doing the other contenders a favour

 

[Leewilson]

Dagenham just seem to pull a result out when you least expect it.

It gives me confidence we might finish top 5. We have been absolutely decimated but are hanging on in there at a hard time so when players are back we could go on a charge. Or at the very least, put up a fight in the play offs.

 

[Luke Imp]

When are Clubs game in hand being played? The BBC doesn't seem to have updated the fixture list.

Ours is December 20th at Solihull.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Huge game for us on the 17th, not just because it's Lincoln but more for the momentum. Crowds are starting to rise and a win at Lincoln could see a huge home crowd on Boxing Day against Macclesfield.

Seen a few Lincoln fans bring up the game at Prenton Park, which might seem a good marker, however the squad will have 4-6 different faces to the one we had that day, a new manager that had made players believe in themselves, similar to the Cowleys impact there.

In terms of the title race it's all very exciting and you could make a case for any of the top 4 being favourites. I wouldn't rule Dagenham or Dover out, but they both seem to blow hot and cold to the extreme.

 

[Mark kavanagh]

Lincoln away at solihull three days after a tough game against us..... potential banana skin imo

 

[White Army]

Looking forward to the Lincoln game, wish it was next Saturday to be honest instead of this pointless Wrexham game. Like Tranmerewhite said, we're a totally different team since the last time we played. Under Brabin we would have set up in this type of game to not lose, but under Mellon we'll go all out for the win, like we did at Forest Green which meant for a brilliant game of football, hopefully it will be similar for this one.

If i had to make an early prediction i'd go for 1-1, Lincoln scoring first and Tranmere equalising in the second half. 7-800 Tranmere fans to travel.

 

[Mark kavanagh]

Hopefully 801 if my boss is in a good mood and lets me swap

 

[Leewilson]

Huge game for us on the 17th, not just because it's Lincoln but more for the momentum. Crowds are starting to rise and a win at Lincoln could see a huge home crowd on Boxing Day against Macclesfield.

Seen a few Lincoln fans bring up the game at Prenton Park, which might seem a good marker, however the squad will have 4-6 different faces to the one we had that day, a new manager that had made players believe in themselves, similar to the Cowleys impact there.

In terms of the title race it's all very exciting and you could make a case for any of the top 4 being favourites. I wouldn't rule Dagenham or Dover out, but they both seem to blow hot and cold to the extreme.

If we can stay in and around it until the Xmas period is done, I wouldn't rule us out. We were top only just over a month ago. We've suffered at late with the injuries but I'd fancy us if we can get the majority back soon, plus they'll be fresher in the home straight. Having John Still is a big factor too.

 

[The_Boss]

No point starting a new thread, but we're away at Wrexham tonight. Just the one change, Paul Lewis out for Kingsley James. Richie Wellens onto the bench.

Could really do with a win to just about keep touching distance with the top 6, but got a feeling a point is the very most we'll get. After the Lord Mayors show and all that.

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

Aaaaaand we still can't finish.

 

[Master D]

Just waiting for Macc to score and then that'll be the game done and we can all go home.

 

[chipmunx]

It's a good job you are 9 points above the relegation zone already - otherwise you might have to start applying for the League of Wales just in case you go down

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

We remembered how to score!

 

[The_Boss]

Sounds like we've been excellent again and managed to hit the net tonight. Very happy with that!!

 

[The Jovial Forester]

So that's how you beat Wrexham away.

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

Shame to have played Wrexham twice already. Even the referee giving them a last minute resulted in the ball flying wayward.

 

[Master D]

Sounds like we've been excellent again and managed to hit the net tonight. Very happy with that!!

You were good to watch, always are, so I quite enjoyed that. Saying that the first goal was a deflection and the second is only the WORST calamity in the history of football, that's all. Apparently there was another goal and a penalty miss, but luckily I was already on the way home.

What's the next Macc home game, I'm going to ask Siôn Corn for a half-season ticket.

 

[Blue Lion]

We were good but Wrexham made it far too easy for us. The 1st goal was a bit lucky with the deflection, the 2nd I can't even start to describe, the 3rd was actually quite good with a few nice touches involved. Up to 7th now with games in hand and still in the cup.... all going well.

 

[Railway Blue]

Askey and McCarthy must be the best £4£ managers in this league.

 

[fifaking]

sounds like we were absolutely abysmal last night, and Keates hasn't held back in his post match interview.

will be dragging myself to Sutton away on the 17th as it's a close game for me. 4 massive games coming up now: Sutton A, Southport double header, Woking H.. If we don't do well in them games we are firmly in the relegation scrap.

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

https://twitter.com/thesilkmen/status/806459758756724736

Last night's goals on twitter. 2nd is worth a watch for comedy value.

Loved Hamza when he was here, based on both games vs Wrexham this year he's still playing well for us.

 

[EnglishRed]

I couldn't go last night thankfully but from all accounts we were even worse than our terrible display at Macc earlier in the season.

Keates has a really hard job fixing the mistakes left by Mills . Some of (most) these players just aren't good enough.

Askey does seem to get a lot out of his players and on their apparent cash strapped status constant top ten finishes is an achievement of sorts. I'm not sure McCarthy has really done enough to warrant that tag yet.

 

[Bluandwite]

https://twitter.com/thesilkmen/status/806459758756724736

Last night's goals on twitter. 2nd is worth a watch for comedy value.

Loved Hamza when he was here, based on both games vs Wrexham this year he's still playing well for us.

I don't get Bencherif, I've seen fans of his previous clubs say some good things about him but he's never looked anything other than completely useless against us. What is he doing there!?!?

Kingsley James having some fun there as well in the build up to the third.

 

[Chris FGR]

How the fuck did we lose to Wrexham?

 

[Luke Imp]

I don't get Bencherif, I've seen fans of his previous clubs say some good things about him but he's never looked anything other than completely useless against us. What is he doing there!?!?

Kingsley James having some fun there as well in the build up to the third.

He was a lot better in L2 before he snapped his ankle at Macc. Never really been the same since.

 

[Master D]

How the fuck did we lose to Wrexham?

A bottle deficit.

 

[Master D]

I don't get Bencherif, I've seen fans of his previous clubs say some good things about him but he's never looked anything other than completely useless against us. What is he doing there!?!?

Kingsley James having some fun there as well in the build up to the third.

He's a big lump and he isn't the brightest as you can tell. He's a likeable bloke and does give it everything though, unlike a lot of journeyman at this level. Where we are now is basically his level, lower half Conference.

 

[White Army]

You Wrexham fans getting worried about relegation?

 

[The_Boss]

Asked at Macc is just a great fit, I'm not sure he would work as well somewhere else with a bigger budget. He's managed to avoid wholesale changes in the playing squad each season, and has added bits of extra quality here or there, just without having the budget to keep a Connor Jennings or Scott Boden away from bigger and better paying clubs. A lot of it this season will be down to Steve Watson and his top level experience - though I expect him to be looking for a number 1 job at some point.