Saturday 14th December

[Alfie]

 

[Alfie]

 

[Alfie]

 

[Alfie]

 

[BarraMatt]

Now if it was us going strong in the league, coming off the back of a superb away win and then facing a team at home who are winless in the league for some time, I know exactly what would happen. It just won't happen the other way round.

The Bescot has been a happy hunting ground for us the last four seasons but can't see that continuing.

 

[Alfie]

Comparing the form table agin the League Table, it seems MK are on fire: - full points for last six and should they win games in hand they'd be in auto promotion.
I'll keep my eyes open for this in-form team.

 

[leedsvaliant]

We're bang out of form and Bromley are bang in form. They're the sort of team we historically struggle against...Big, direct, solid.

We really need to get back on the horse quickly and impose ourselves on other teams rather than worrying about them. We've got an expensive squad, we need to start using it.

 

[Coalite]

Not been to Carlisle for ages so I quite fancy this one.

Have we stumbled on a decent DM partnership in the absence of both Naylor and Oldaker? Hard to tell I think because Tranmere were extremely limited. May as well let Banks and Mandeville carry on.

 

[SaddlerJonny]

Now if it was us going strong in the league, coming off the back of a superb away win and then facing a team at home who are winless in the league for some time, I know exactly what would happen. It just won't happen the other way round.

The Bescot has been a happy hunting ground for us the last four seasons but can't see that continuing.

It would be very Walsall to go and lose to you, don't write us off!

 

[Pie and chips]

Salford away in the early kick off for notts we need to get back on the horse hopefully with dan crowley back in the team to add a bit more creativity and finally get us over the line and get a first win in over a month.

 

[Kauto Star]

Much improved performance yesterday, however, pressure on the team to collect their first 3 points for quite a while at home to Swindon as we have a tricky set of fixtures after that including Notts Co, Port Vale and Chesterfield.

I would go as far to say Alexander could be in trouble if we don't beat Swindon.

I think we will sneak a nervy 2-1 win.

 

[OneDecentLester]

Not been to Carlisle for ages so I quite fancy this one.

Have we stumbled on a decent DM partnership in the absence of both Naylor and Oldaker? Hard to tell I think because Tranmere were extremely limited. May as well let Banks and Mandeville carry on.

Posted this on our forum, but when you think about it it’s actually quite surprising that Mandeville hasn’t played in CM before for us, because all his attributes stack up to him actually being a very good central midfielder at this level. He’s good on the ball, his work rates second to none, he’s not afraid to put a tackle in etc…

Intrigued to see how the rest of the season plays out for him, I can see him staying there.

 

[Scum.]

Gillingham at home, 7 wins in a row please.

 

[Optipez]

Our league position now matching the form table and the results reflect the football I've been watching.
We've had injuries like every team but there comes a point where the owners are going to have to make a decision on the manager.
Lose to Salford and I think he has to go. It would be a 31% win ratio over 44 games, no knee jerk decision after a season and good backing.

 

[Spireitelass97]

Not been to Carlisle for ages so I quite fancy this one.

Have we stumbled on a decent DM partnership in the absence of both Naylor and Oldaker? Hard to tell I think because Tranmere were extremely limited. May as well let Banks and Mandeville carry on.

Worth a try isn’t it. They did well yesterday & we’ve not much option!

 

[kieran_vale]

We’ve had a bit of a lull lately but if it happens (which it will for everyone) and you’re still four points clear of fourth spot it’s not exactly crisis time. Bromley from the bits I’ve seen of them are a solid team and hit some form so nothing guaranteed but shouldn’t be beyond us to win this. The way we play currently does seem more suited to away games.

Good news for us is Byers is back now so I’d be starting him, opportunity to get him some more minutes if he needs them at Doncaster in the whatever it’s called trophy midweek too.

 

[leedsvaliant]

My first trip to Bromley. Meeting a mate in Central London and then leaving it as late as possible to get to Bromley. Can't imagine that there's an awful lot in Bromley but London is pretty cool at this time of year.

 

[Tallow]

My first trip to Bromley. Meeting a mate in Central London and then leaving it as late as possible to get to Bromley. Can't imagine that there's an awful lot in Bromley but London is pretty cool at this time of year.

Depends what you want to do.
If you only want a few beers, there's some good pubs in Bromley.
The Cask & Keg, The Bricklayers Arms and the Richmal Crompton (Wetherspoons) spring to mind.
Good craic both pre and post match.

 

[Limerick Mariner]

Much improved performance yesterday, however, pressure on the team to collect their first 3 points for quite a while at home to Swindon as we have a tricky set of fixtures after that including Notts Co, Port Vale and Chesterfield.

I would go as far to say Alexander could be in trouble if we don't beat Swindon.

I think we will sneak a nervy 2-1 win.

You have us at home after that - according to the form book nothing is trickier than that, although I think the last time we won at your place I still had hair...1991?

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Our league position now matching the form table and the results reflect the football I've been watching.
We've had injuries like every team but there comes a point where the owners are going to have to make a decision on the manager.
Lose to Salford and I think he has to go. It would be a 31% win ratio over 44 games, no knee jerk decision after a season and good backing.

I still remember with a shudder that godawful performance at home to Salford last season, what was it, 4th or 5th home defeat on the trot. He should have gone after that.

We smashed em away what a performance that was, can’t see a repeat. Can’t really see them getting rid until well into the new year to be honest.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

But these owners aren't like the old owners or many of the supporters thank goodness.

 

[Optipez]

But these owners aren't like the old owners or many of the supporters thank goodness.

No they're not, I'm also glad about that. Sacking managers without a pre season or transfer window after fifteen games is nothing like giving a manager forty four games and a pre season and being well backed.
Hopefully we'll get the win but if not I would go for a change before the transfer window opens.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

How many games of those 44 were before the required pre season and summer transfer window.

Due to poor and easily influenced impatient owners our fanbase got very used to demanding and calling for a new manager every time the latest person in the hot seat had a bad period of about a 10-12 games resulting in yet another mid season managerial change.

I'm very glad if these owners hold on, back and stay with their managers for a little too long each time. Will make a refreshing change and give us more chance of success.

 

[spireite]

Posted this on our forum, but when you think about it it’s actually quite surprising that Mandeville hasn’t played in CM before for us, because all his attributes stack up to him actually being a very good central midfielder at this level. He’s good on the ball, his work rates second to none, he’s not afraid to put a tackle in etc…

Intrigued to see how the rest of the season plays out for him, I can see him staying there.

The only thing you'd say is maybe his positioning there. But he's a busy enough player and not without pace to kind of make up for that. You could probably stick him centre half and he'd do a job, he's just that kind of player.

 

[Meadow]

Doncaster at home. Nearly all our defence and midfield injured. This will be interesting.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

.

 

[Crewelad87]

We're fast becoming the West Brom of league 2 with all the draws we're getting. 10 games unbeaten in the league but far too many draws recently.

Grimsby away this week, not at all confident about this one. Last season Grimsby was the poorest we probably played over 2 games, with them beating us comfortably twice. I just feel like we're due a loss and this is exactly the sort of game it will come in, just before Xmas, a fairly long away trip, there will be a small away following.

We're also without Shilow Tracey who got his 5th yellow card so will be suspended, although Chris Long is back after serving his 3 game ban.

Grimsby 2-1 Crewe (Obikwu 2, Lankester) 6,450 (250 Crewe)

 

[SuperHans]

The only thing you'd say is maybe his positioning there. But he's a busy enough player and not without pace to kind of make up for that. You could probably stick him centre half and he'd do a job, he's just that kind of player.

Spot on - he’d do a job anywhere. Can see him being in the squad until he retires, probably end up at RB in a Drew Talbot role.

 

[Cloudy]

We're fast becoming the West Brom of league 2 with all the draws we're getting. 10 games unbeaten in the league but far too many draws recently.

Grimsby away this week, not at all confident about this one. Last season Grimsby was the poorest we probably played over 2 games, with them beating us comfortably twice. I just feel like we're due a loss and this is exactly the sort of game it will come in, just before Xmas, a fairly long away trip, there will be a small away following.

We're also without Shilow Tracey who got his 5th yellow card so will be suspended, although Chris Long is back after serving his 3 game ban.

Grimsby 2-1 Crewe (Obikwu 2, Lankester) 6,450 (250 Crewe)

There was a period when Crewe seemed to beat Grimsby on a regular basis,whatever their respective league position. In last few fixtures Grimsby have done a little better I believe (?)

Grimsby have started to get some form, starting Luker and Obikwu has certainly helped and the return to some sort of fitness of Thompson & Davies are big pluses.

I am little surprised you only expect to bring 250 considering your league position and only a 2 and a half hour drive away.

Would be delighted if your prediction is correct, but with you missing Tracey and us also having Rogers suspended I predict a draw

 

[valefan16]

Bromley away, tricky, they seemed to be nose diving back to non league after a good first month of the season but fair play to them, they seem to have stopped the rot, hit form and maybe are getting used to the higher level now.

We tend not to be great on tight pitches against sides that will bully us so not an ideal game to stop a stutter of form but if we want promotion we need to be turning this around quickly.

Key players coming back should help, the one positive from Saturday was George Byers being back, massive massive boost, so all of a sudden 3 of our 4 central midfielders are available after only having 1 in the past month or so.

Ideally we need to not get drawn into Bromley's style of play, get the ball down and play the game best suited to us and make them worry about that, but the one frustration with Moore is we seem more bothered about countering our opponents that setting up to be ourselves so imagine he will get the 6ft plus players out there and play to that.