Saturday 13th August

[Dirk Diggler]

Swindon's performances under Scott Lindsey have been crap. I wouldn't be surprised if it were Carlisle 4-0 Swindon.

That would be THREE performances of which Harrogate was a disaster, Salford was a battling point considering we played with 10 men for 45 mins and Walsall was a defeat played with virtually a second string eleven

 

[DearneValleyRover]

What do you think your chances are of a swift return to league 1 ? Hope the lad from Fleetwood is settling in well, best wishes for a successful season mate

Not over confident at the moment but we had a bit of good news yesterday. The walking wounded might be back playing in a couple of weeks. Having Taylor, Close, Anderson, Molyneux and Barlow available makes us a far stronger team. We also seem to have not settled on any kind of idea of what style of football we want to play. Cheers for the wishes and same to you, how’s Scott Brown doing?

 

[Conker]

Would be disappointed to lose at orient, but at the same stage could see it happening - imagine as terminator said it’ll be close, even when we win away it’s not by many like some seem to do.

we’ve been very wasteful infront of goal and need to improve this as a matter of urgency.

I never feel confident away against a decent team, hangover from last season. Weather going to take a affect on the game.

 

[MadJohn]

Coupon buster...

I've been thinking that for years (and years... and years...)

It's a curious one, as it's not as if the two clubs have always been horribly mismatched. Northampton's record up here isn't a great deal better, with Pools having won 24 of the 35 fixtures. Graham Carr's 80s team didn't win here, nor did Chris Wilder 30 years later. Home banker!

 

[shoddycollins]

There's been talk about giving McKirdy a warm reception, the sort you give you players you remember fondly, some light applause when he comes on, that sort of stuff... because that will annoy him, the guy thrives off being hated. It's not even like he did that much to be hated by the time he left here, there were some fans who disliked him for his attitude just as I know there are some Swindon fans who dislike him. The Public Enemy #1 status is something that McKirdy himself has gone out and engineered because he wants it.

Everyone knew when people started throwing burgers at him the last time Swindon visited that he'd have an outstanding game and score so it seems common-sense to not give him what he wants, like leaving Scooby Snacks in the away dressing room just before your Abandoned Fairground United are due to host Mystery Inc. FC. Even Paul Simpson has advised United fans not to give abuse to a player who is known to up his game in response.

I'd like to think that people are sensible and will take this on board, however just like any request for fans to not do the things they usually do in the interests of the club, this will make no difference whatsoever; people read these things, they understand, but as soon as they see McKirdy they decide to throw an item of fast food at him anyway, he'll score a hat-trick and celebrate in front of them.

DON'T DO IT PEOPLE.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Given the players available:
Mitchell
Knoyle Williams Long Maxwell
Clayton Biggins
Hurst Tomlin Rowe
Miller

Would be my preferred lineup.

Anderson, Molyneux and Taylor might be ready for Salford which would definitely strengthen us and Close by September

We’ve had some good news on the injury front, Anderson, Molyneux and Close all trained with the first team yesterday and Taylor and Barlow are both making good progress, we might have a virtually fully fit squad by the end of the month something we haven’t had for 18 months.
I’m hoping the lineup looks a bit like this tomorrow
Mitchell
Knoyle Williams Anderson Maxwell
Clayton Biggins
Molyneux Rowe Hurst
Miller
Bench: Jones Long Faulkner Tomlin Close Kuleya Agard
Looks a lot stronger

 

[LordJord]

As has been mentioned above, Cobblers V Hartlepool is a home banker both sides of the fixture. We are yet to find any particular fluency so far but think we will have enough for a scrappy win 1-0 or 2-1. We are no where near as solid so far this season, but there is the odd sign that we are trying to be a touch more expansive (at home at least). Hope we line up with 3 in midfield, dont want to see us go 4-4-2, does not work with the players we have.

 

[shoddycollins]

Looking at our injuries I think we could well line up as follows.

________________________Holy_______________________
Back______Huntington________Mellish______Armer
______________Guy_____________Moxon_____________
Gibson_____________________________________Hilton
_____________Dennis__________Patrick_____________

HG is right to be concerned, though he may be a little pessimistic in assuming that all the players who might miss the game will miss the game. There's a lot of players on our possibly-injured list so there's a decent chance that one or even two might turn out to be OK. I think Edmondson and Barclay are more doubtful than players who is totally ruled out.

We should still have options in midfield at least, with Devitt also available, Harris among those who are doubtful rather than definitely out, and Hilton looks like a good option though I'm not clear whereabout he can play also it may be a good opportunity to give Patrick his first start up front.

Defence is the big concern. Simmo said he doesn't want to rush Huntington straight into the starting line-up but I'm not sure how he can avoid doing that. Having Mellish in a back two is bad enough (Mellish is an enigma who can look like a completely different player depending on the formation and a back two is one I don't really trust him in, even though he can look very good in a back three). If Barclay turns out to be fit then this will feel a lot better but even then I feel as though not playing Huntington would be a bad idea.

 

[hellogregory]

Huntington won’t start. Up until yesterday he hadn’t done a training session since May. No way is he ready for 45 minutes let alone 90.

I don’t expect he’ll be involved at all, but at best he might be on the bench to get 10 minutes out of him.

I expect we’ll start 3 at the back with Whelan Ellis and Mellish as our 3 centre backs. There could be the option of putting Armer into the back 3, but then we don’t have another fit left back so that would present another problem.

 

[F!RTHY]

He’s got his mojo back - some character!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1558060732373164032

 

[Indian Dan]

In anticipation of the game McKirdy has dyed half his blue - although that might have something more to do with Chelsea. He’s wondering
what fast food will be chucked at him during the game. I think he’s more of a nuggets man than the fish supper he had last season.

 

[Limerick Mariner]

The defence and CM three will more than likely be the same as the opening two fixtures. We're still lacking options up top so I think it'll be Taylor on his own. Then it's two from Clifton, Kiernan, Wearne and JMD for the wide spots. Would be harsh on Clifton or Kiernan to lose their spots but Wearne and JMD have both scored off the bench in the last two matches and are both pushing to start. I'd personally switch Clifton out for Wearne. No reflection on Clifton's performance vs Northampton as I thought he did well, it was just clear to see that Taylor up top on his own is more effective with more attack minded players playing off him.

If PH does that I'd be shocked - a most un-Hurst like thing to do. I expect the same team as the Northampton game. My first visit to Spotland since the game Keith Alexander came on as sub, missed the easiest possible tap in from about 5 yards, and then was immediately subbed off.

 

[Robshep]

He’s got his mojo back - some character!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1558060732373164032

Obviously.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

Fully expecting Northampton to turn us over, I just hope we score, or at least look like coming close.

 

[Salvador]

Too hot for football this Saturday. Home to Colchester.

Aye. Just walked through Stockport to catch my train and its scorching already. Not a day for high energy football.

 

[Northenblues]

In anticipation of the game McKirdy has dyed half his blue - although that might have something more to do with Chelsea. He’s wondering
what fast food will be chucked at him during the game. I think he’s more of a nuggets man than the fish supper he had last season.

Was it not a burger last time?

 

[shoddycollins]

Huntington won’t start. Up until yesterday he hadn’t done a training session since May. No way is he ready for 45 minutes let alone 90.

I don’t expect he’ll be involved at all, but at best he might be on the bench to get 10 minutes out of him.

I expect we’ll start 3 at the back with Whelan Ellis and Mellish as our 3 centre backs. There could be the option of putting Armer into the back 3, but then we don’t have another fit left back so that would present another problem.

I did forget Whelan

 

[BlackHaddock]

Great for our travelling fans. 10:34 Cleethorpes to Manchester cancelled and these three for returning fans also cancelled, 19:18, 20:18 and 21:18.

 

[shoddycollins]

Was it not a burger last time?

There was certainly a bap involved

 

[Chief Rocka]

It must be the hot weather but I took Pools to win today, nearly 4/1 and two games played, big price.

I’m sure they won’t let me down.

 

[saddler78]

0-0, game abandoned when Steve Evans melts into a gelatinous pool

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

It must be the hot weather but I took Pools to win today, nearly 4/1 and two games played, big price.

I’m sure they won’t let me down.

You’ve got into my head haha. 6/1 on Bet365… you never know.

 

[Stocky]

Great for our travelling fans. 10:34 Cleethorpes to Manchester cancelled and these three for returning fans also cancelled, 19:18, 20:18 and 21:18.

That line is shocking. Train only ran back from yours last season because the police were desperate for our lot to fuck off from Cleethorpes on a Good Friday.

 

[Stocky]

Peter Hartley masterclass incoming over in Northampton.

Can see ours being a draw.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

Peter Hartley masterclass incoming over in Northampton.

Can see ours being a draw.

I know the signings have looked underwhelming, but if Peter Hartley’s getting another run out for the team i’m worried.

 

[Conker]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1558438220529934338

Initial reaction to our line-up today is I don’t like it.

Hewitt is at CB which is enough alone to terrify me, plus Gordon at RWB but he doesn’t know how to defend.

Hawkins, Bowery and Akins all out today too, midfield three is Boateng, Hartigan and Quinn so we are relying entirely on Boateng for legs.

 

[chipmunx]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1558438231280156673

 

[shoddycollins]

Starting lineup confirmed

______________________Holy______________________
_________Ellis______Whelan______Mellish_______
Back_____________________________________Armer
_____________Guy_________Moxon_______________
Gibson___________Dennis________________Patrick

The guess at formation is my own, Ellis starting is the one I don't think anyone predicted, and I'm assuming he'll join the more experienced defenders in a back three, as opposed to moving Back out of the position he's excelled in, or abandoning the back three formation Simpson seems to prefer. Either way the defence is there to be got at, and I'm sure Harry McKirdy almost came when he saw the lineup.

Jayden Harris is at least fit enough to go on the bench, alongside two youngsters, one of whom I've never heard.

 

[Conker]

Already had a penalty saved, classic Mansfield away.

 

[GTFCfish]

Only 15 mins in but we’re getting absolutely run ragged, not too worried yet though as lots of games last season we started like this but then came good in the end, Notts away in the league after 30 mins we should’ve been 3 or 4 down then for the last 60 put in our best performance of the season and ran out deserved winners.