Saturday 14th August

[BarraMatt]

How did Ozzie Zanzala play? I see he got an early goal.

Not sure, can't go for a few weeks. I'll leave you in the hands of the other two for that one. He went off early second half, assume Cooper isn't risking him for a full game yet.

 

[GTFCfish]

We're the better side, undoubtedly.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Disappointed with the result, good game mind and a draw would've been fairer.

That said our defending wasn't great and don't think we were strong enough in the middle of the park. Ferguson at this level worries me defensively, saw glimpses of it against better conference sides last year. Too easy to get past him. Sterry on the other hand is just class.

Can't fault our desire and the new lad Goodwin from Stoke looks a player. Burey again decent. Im starting to think we have what it takes to compete at this level. Long way to go mind.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Frustrating afternoon for us, some real slack defending has cost us today, Barra's had three shots on target and they all went in, I'm not gonna go overboard with the criticism, chalk this down to an early lesson for Pools, there isn't going to be an 'easy' games in this league.

We're desperately missing an experienced striker, happy to see both the young loanee's score but we need a proper, EFL striker up top, whether that turns out to be Cullen or someone else we'll have to see.

 

[Soz]

Good game at vale park, thought a draw was fair, think we had slightly more chances whereas Tranmere had 2-3 excellent openings without ever troubling covolan though.

Dan Jones is really good!

Start proctor for me on Tuesday

 

[AdamStag]

A particularly enjoyable afternoon coming out winners against a standard pathetic performance by the newport thugs.

What an embarrassing shitshow of a club they are, everytime you play them they dive, foul, cheat and the ref sadly fell for it. Thankfully football was the winner and mansfield came out deserved winners.

It’s the same every season and it means so much to overcome their “attempt” at football.

Anyway back to the game, for large periods mansfield were the better side and were deserved winners, we’ve got some ability and battle in us to ensure we can endure tactics like what was employed today but also have the quality to win.

6 points from 6, onwards

 

[Soz]

Oh and as much as I love our owners and think they're doing a fantastic job, get some fucking turnstile staff in. It was shambolic before the game. I turned up early because of similar before the cup game and still queued for 20 mins only to let in via a side door in the gate with a guy counting on a piece of paper.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Frustrating afternoon for us, some real slack defending has cost us today, Barra's had three shots on target and they all went in, I'm not gonna go overboard with the criticism, chalk this down to an early lesson for Pools, there isn't going to be an 'easy' games in this league.

We're desperately missing an experienced striker, happy to see both the young loanee's score but we need a proper, EFL striker up top, whether that turns out to be Cullen or someone else we'll have to see.

Yeah definitely no major criticisms apart from the defending. There is a step up in level we'll have to be on it every game to get past the 50 point mark.

We've got a number of forward options now, whether they are the answer is another thing. Think DC is still looking for a forward.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

How did Ozzie Zanzala play? I see he got an early goal.

Started brightly and took the piss out of the defence for his opener. Tired after half-time so was brought off early. Gonna be a very good signing.

Frustrating afternoon for us, some real slack defending has cost us today, Barra's had three shots on target and they all went in, I'm not gonna go overboard with the criticism, chalk this down to an early lesson for Pools, there isn't going to be an 'easy' games in this league.

We're desperately missing an experienced striker, happy to see both the young loanee's score but we need a proper, EFL striker up top, whether that turns out to be Cullen or someone else we'll have to see.

Funny, because to us it just seemed like Hartlepool only had two chances and scored them...

Thought we played well, bar the two goals conceded, dominating the middle of the park but also both wing backs really stretched the game. Josh Gordon was man of the match - doesn't look like he'll score many, but never stops running and has ability with the ball at his feet. A definite upgrade on last season's second strikers.

 

[hellogregory]

Looks like it’s not just us who are lacking a proper number 9.

Take the formation change and last 15 away we’ve been solid enough, think if we can add a proper number 9 we could be a half decent team.

 

[Pablosammy]

Oh and as much as I love our owners and think they're doing a fantastic job, get some fucking turnstile staff in. It was shambolic before the game. I turned up early because of similar before the cup game and still queued for 20 mins only to let in via a side door in the gate with a guy counting on a piece of paper.

We're struggling for staff too. Our owner said it was hard to get agency staff in hospitality right now, but I'm sure fans would volunteer in return for access to the match

 

[hellogregory]

Started brightly and took the piss out of the defence for his opener. Tired after half-time so was brought off early. Gonna be a very good signing.

Indeed. Said it last season, he could score 15-20 goals in this league if he gets a consistent run of games.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Started brightly and took the piss out of the defence for his opener. Tired after half-time so was brought off early. Gonna be a very good signing.



Funny, because to us it just seemed like Hartlepool only had two chances and scored them...

Thought we played well, bar the two goals conceded, dominating the middle of the park but also both wing backs really stretched the game. Josh Gordon was man of the match - doesn't look like he'll score many, but never stops running and has ability with the ball at his feet. A definite upgrade on last season's second strikers.

We had 17 with 5 on goal according the BBC. Neither side had loads of major chsnces except the goals but it was a decent game at a good tempo. I do think draw would've been about right but congrats on the 3 points.

 

[EricSabin]

Every team needs a striker in this league

 

[Chief Rocka]

Yeah definitely no major criticisms apart from the defending. There is a step up in level we'll have to be on it every game to get past the 50 point mark.

We've got a number of forward options now, whether they are the answer is another thing. Think DC is still looking for a forward.

I think he has to bring someone in, I like Burey but he is nothing more than a winger being asked to play upfront, Goodwin played well and I'd like to see him alongside an actual striker, took his goal well I thought, even though he looked off?

Draw would've been the 'fair' result on the balance of play over 90 but it sadly doesn't work like that, well done Barra.

 

[shoddycollins]

Take the formation change and last 15 away we’ve been solid enough, think if we can add a proper number 9 we could be a half decent team.

We might even stay up, but let's not get carried away with outrageous predictions.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

We had 17 with 5 on goal according the BBC. Neither side had loads of major chsnces except the goals but it was a decent game at a good tempo. I do think draw would've been about right but congrats on the 3 points.

My app says we had 10 shots and you had 14! Genuinely don't remember either keeper making a proper save (there were a few straight at them from distance I suppose). Burey looked good til he went off, but him aside it didn't feel like there was much pressure on our defence til injury time. Was Lawlor a make-shift striker at the end?

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Oldham looked decent, although we were missing both our CDMs and our only senior RB. Good game and we totally robbed them but it’s their own fault for some pathetic goalkeeping and a terrible penalty to give away. Good atmosphere all round.

 

[saddler78]

Utter garbage today honeymoon over for Taylor.

 

[James Frost]

A particularly enjoyable afternoon coming out winners against a standard pathetic performance by the newport thugs.

What an embarrassing shitshow of a club they are, everytime you play them they dive, foul, cheat and the ref sadly fell for it. Thankfully football was the winner and mansfield came out deserved winners.

It’s the same every season and it means so much to overcome their “attempt” at football.

Anyway back to the game, for large periods mansfield were the better side and were deserved winners, we’ve got some ability and battle in us to ensure we can endure tactics like what was employed today but also have the quality to win.

6 points from 6, onwards

You are the biggest cry baby little fanny on this forum

 

[Conker]

The referee today was absolutely abysmal and let Newport consistently get away with clear and obvious fouls, nothing too serious like previous seasons but constant bear hugging, pulling shirts, that sort of stuff.

I thought we were good value for the win, didn’t dominate but definitely the better team, but the performance from that referee ruined the game, he had no idea what he was doing. It’s hard to believe how he can be officiating at all. Mind blown.

 

[chipmunx]

Disappointed with the result, good game mind and a draw would've been fairer.

That said our defending wasn't great and don't think we were strong enough in the middle of the park. Ferguson at this level worries me defensively, saw glimpses of it against better conference sides last year. Too easy to get past him. Sterry on the other hand is just class.

Can't fault our desire and the new lad Goodwin from Stoke looks a player. Burey again decent. Im starting to think we have what it takes to compete at this level. Long way to go mind.

Sterry was your number 2? - yeah he had a very good game.
Burey scored your 1st, but the guy gets wound up very easily, mind there will be a few red cards involving him this season - both for him and for defenders who can't handle him.
How tall is Lawler by the way? He looks huge.
Add a little bit of steel to your defence and you'll be fine this season.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Battered by the undoubtably better side, so chuffed to have picked up a fortunate 3 points. On the plus side we should all get a week off once Devon Lad checks the result on his phone and goes into hiding for a spell.

I used to respect Orient fans, but you've been embarrassing today.
Can't you just celebrate a win?

 

[Chief Rocka]

Lawlor is 6ft4, we chucked him on at the end cos both our other strikers are injured at home, we had a 19 year old and a winger playing upfront.

 

[Soup Ladle]

My app says we had 10 shots and you had 14! Genuinely don't remember either keeper making a proper save (there were a few straight at them from distance I suppose). Burey looked good til he went off, but him aside it didn't feel like there was much pressure on our defence til injury time. Was Lawlor a make-shift striker at the end?

Yeah he was. We don't have any physical presence up top, Richie Bennett would've been an ideal option to have in those situations.

 

[AdamStag]

You are the biggest cry baby little fanny on this forum

Cool. not a cry baby just saddened by what we were confronted by today, it was embarrassing.

Still, the most important thing is to win against such shoddy tactics and teams and we did so.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Every team needs a striker in this league

Some of us more than others....

 

[hellogregory]

We might even stay up, but let's not get carried away with outrageous predictions.

We’ll stay up as things stand if we stay free of injuries. My concern is depth in defence. We’re 1 injury away from a crisis. So we do need to strengthen in that area as well as any long term injury could leave us in the mire.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

While Jamma stays fit we're more than well served up front. Just keeps getting better that lad.

 

[Stringy]

The whole Newport team was massive. They played some decent football in the early stages but then their entire game was move the ball to the sides and launch in as many long crosses as possible once they realised they could get in down the flanks and our centre backs are weak. I am amazed that we won that because one of our centre backs is a midget and the other despite being 6 ft 4 misjudges headers all the time, and was dwarfed in the second half by the Newport substitute.

My MOM was Clarke for his goal or Bishop who was very good in goal apart from one wayward kick.

I know we like to give referees a hard time but that was shockingly bad. Even Gassy who thinks wrestling moves are acceptable in football would have been wanting some free kicks.