Saturday 17th February

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Top all time league 2 goal scorer screams national league level striker.

Punctured his lung pre-season and hasn't been the same since.

For the modern day League Two, barring injury that record could be under threat this season?

Back in the 60s the keepers didn't wear gloves and you could score by pushing them into the back of the net, so that don't count.

 

[saddler78]

Never know what Walsall will turn up this season so based on that its a tough one to predict.DJ is still injured and a couple of weeks away stags fans lol.

 

[Son of Cod]

Found his level last season.

Been saying for ages now that all the lower league experts wanking themselves silly over Mullin in pre-seaaon were going way OTT. Decent enough lower league clogger type striker nowadays but as I've said all along, he was never gonna be dominating the division to the extent people were saying he was going to.

 

[AdamStag]

Been saying for ages now that all the lower league experts wanking themselves silly over Mullin in pre-seaaon were going way OTT. Decent enough lower league clogger type striker nowadays but as I've said all along, he was never gonna be dominating the division to the extent people were saying he was going to.

Still worth their weight in gold though at this level - like andy cook at bradford, solid league 2 player, but not higher.

 

[TheDon]

For the modern day League Two, barring injury that record could be under threat this season?

Back in the 60s the keepers didn't wear gloves and you could score by pushing them into the back of the net, so that don't count.

But defenders could kick the shit out of forwards don't forget!

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

But defenders could kick the shit out of forwards don't forget!

They could if they could catch em.

Obviously the games progressed massively since then as you would expect but if you ever see 60/70s football now , with today's context, and it's flipping awful by comparison.

 

[Indian Dan]

Home to Franchise. They don’t seem to rate Kemp much, probably because he doesn’t want to be there. We’ve played some really good stuff since Mad Gav took over - racking up the attempts and, unfortunately, giving them away too. Reckon this could be a real good watch. Looking forward to it. Young McGurk looks a real diamond.

 

[pontoonlew]

I’m still utterly convinced Artell is the right man and we’re going to come really good. However, lose on Saturday and the voices of panic will get louder.

Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t think we’re even close to being a relegation side.

 

[AdamStag]

I’m still utterly convinced Artell is the right man and we’re going to come really good. However, lose on Saturday and the voices of panic will get louder.

Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t think we’re even close to being a relegation side.

As previously discussed here though, surely anyone worth their salt would do what’s necessary to get you over the line and then implement it rather than install straight away with average players and alienate fans?

Surely also from a communication perspective if he said that this was his plan, fans would be more on board than how he’s gone about it so far….

Regardless of club if you’re a stubborn fucker and/or then get the fans back up straight away you’re sabotaging yourself as a manager than anything else for when things go wrong.

Had he carried on as it was and did it this summer he wouldn’t have already had this bad spell which will cause him problems down the line.

 

[Optipez]

I’m still utterly convinced Artell is the right man and we’re going to come really good. However, lose on Saturday and the voices of panic will get louder.

Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t think we’re even close to being a relegation side.

If Colchester and FGR win on Saturday and you lose I'd start to worry a bit. Conteh seems a big played to lose mid season.

 

[Boz]

Home to Stockport, not the kind of game you want after two consecutive defeats. Adkins approach of conceding a lot of ground has already seen Milton Keynes and Morecambe take advantage. Adopt a similar approach at the weekend and the visitors, after struggling against Crewe's high pressing game may fill their boots. I'd like to see us go for damage limitation and pack the midfield. Brad Walker's likely return may lead to better game management, but in isolation won't be enough.

 

[Gladders]

I’m still utterly convinced Artell is the right man and we’re going to come really good. However, lose on Saturday and the voices of panic will get louder.

Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t think we’re even close to being a relegation side.

I'm convinced he will come good too, however our fans don't have the patience to allow someone like him to come good. If we don't get a win on Saturday feel he will lose the fans for good.

 

[PaulHaddock]

I like to think I’m patient with managers, as many of us would agree Hurst’s time was up and we were going nowhere fast. And I’m more than willing to give Artell 2-3 more games to see how things develop. However, 2 wins in 12 is an appalling record for any manager and the odd decent performance, with a defence that isn’t improving, isn’t filling me with confidence. I just don’t want a repeat of the last relegation season, where Hurst took too long to instil his tactics and style, which did eventually happen but far too late. A third relegation from League 2 would be terminal and, considering our position before we appointed Artell, would be inexcusable for a number of people within the club.

 

[Kauto Star]

Home to Franchise. They don’t seem to rate Kemp much, probably because he doesn’t want to be there. We’ve played some really good stuff since Mad Gav took over - racking up the attempts and, unfortunately, giving them away too. Reckon this could be a real good watch. Looking forward to it. Young McGurk looks a real diamond.

Kemp certainly played like he couldn't be bothered at Valley Parade on Tuesday. Got hooked after we went 4-0 up.

Franchise had plenty of possession against us, but one free kick apart, which our keeper saved, they never looked like scoring.

 

[Kauto Star]

What’s up with Mullin? Forgot he existed.

He was in Matty Platt's pocket all game last week against the Bantams. Just resorted to diving as usual which didn't fool the ref thankfully

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

I'm shocked that Grimsby are way down in 21st, before a ball was kicked this season under Hurst's pragmatic approach and all thsr cup cash i was thinking top half for certain.

Could be wrong but a point a game keeps you up in L2 and despite badly struggling Town are on course. Sutton and FGR are still well off, to get those 8 points back when you rarely win games is a real tough ask even with a good manager in charge. They aren't far from last chance saloon and a week or two with results going against them and it's over imo.

Under Artell Grimsby won't go down and won't go up.

 

[Gladders]

I'm shocked that Grimsby are way down in 21st, before a ball was kicked this season under Hurst's pragmatic approach and all thsr cup cash i was thinking top half for certain.

Could be wrong but a point a game keeps you up in L2 and despite badly struggling Town are on course. Sutton and FGR are still well off, to get those 8 points back when you rarely win games is a real tough ask even with a good manager in charge. They aren't far from last chance saloon and a week or two with results going against them and it's over imo.

Under Artell Grimsby won't go down and won't go up.

hope your right, because I think in a couple of seasons we could be back at the right end if given time. Think most town fans didn't expect us to be where we are. Expected a decent top half, still in with a shout of the play-offs as a minimum.

I was one of Hursts biggest fans before this season, but for whatever reason it went badly wrong, don't know what he did to the defence, normally is biggest strength, but we haven't got one this season and its showing.

 

[Y Ddraig Goch]

Been saying for ages now that all the lower league experts wanking themselves silly over Mullin in pre-seaaon were going way OTT. Decent enough lower league clogger type striker nowadays but as I've said all along, he was never gonna be dominating the division to the extent people were saying he was going to.

Fair but.....He had a terrible injury, didn't get any pre-season in (which wasn't the best for the whole team), was rushed back and hasn't had a proper partner all season, mostly being partnered by Dalby who is a WIP at best.....He has still scored a goal every other game. This season is about getting back up to speed for PM, and we are lucky that Lee stepped up massively at the start of the season.

Evans seemed to do his hammy against Sutton, if he is out then it changes what we do a lot, less control and more energy in midfield. Dalby was dropped completely from the squad and the other four strikers did well enough in there spells, I'd expect Mullin to come back in to start with Fletcher or Palmer, swapping those two on the hour. Young or Jones for Evans, and anybody's guess if he shuffles the centre halfs.

 

[mightyshrimp]

Away to Wimbledon ,expecting a tough game ,but after Tuesdays win against Tranmere confidence will be high

 

[Pilot_Phonic]

He was in Matty Platt's pocket all game last week against the Bantams. Just resorted to diving as usual which didn't fool the ref thankfully

He didn't have a good game, and been off it since the injury in the summer. Missed some sitters as well, which would have been in the back of the net last season. Thought there was a blatant pen not given when sandwiched between 2 bratfud players though and was brought down.

Anyway, don't know what to expect from County after Williams left. He was a 1 trick pony and easy to manage against. Seems like a change in formation and moving JJ to the other flank has worked when in Newport in the week, whilst we struggled to overcome come-bottom-of-the table Sutton. Another injury this time for Evans, so be interesting what team we put out, again! Defensively, we have had 12 different back 3 defensive partnerships - serverely testing our squad depth to the max. I can't see a change this weekend from the Boyle - EOC - Cleworth that played in midweek. EOC was part-assister for the winner on Tuesday, running to the edge of the final third un-opposed from the centre of the 3, something which Tozer doesn't do, so be happy for Toer to be on the bench for this one.

If anyone has watched the W2W documentary, you can see our tactic was something similar to ensure we smother the absolute life out of Langstaff, who is having another fantastic season in front of goal. If we can stop him (again) and cut off the supply to him, then we stand a chance of getting a result.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Seems like a good time to play Crawley but obviously our improvement has hardly turned a clown show into world beaters overnight. Do have more of the ingredients in place though and pretty optimistic. Two wins on the trot would put us in touching distance and the wind really in our sails.

 

[Reremnart]

Home to Stockport, not the kind of game you want after two consecutive defeats. Adkins approach of conceding a lot of ground has already seen Milton Keynes and Morecambe take advantage. Adopt a similar approach at the weekend and the visitors, after struggling against Crewe's high pressing game may fill their boots. I'd like to see us go for damage limitation and pack the midfield. Brad Walker's likely return may lead to better game management, but in isolation won't be enough.

Just hoping for a better showing than the last 85 minutes against Morecambe where half the team didn`t look like they couldn`t be bothered. Brad Walker coming back will be a bonus as would Paul Lewis never playing for Tranmere Rovers again. That guy is a fraud. Having said that it would be typical Tranmere to put in the performance of the season and beat Stockport only to go and lose to FRG next week.

 

[Youpies]

Normal service to resume this Saturday in Wales as Wrexham will get the win

Notts are still a bit too powderpuff and struggle if we concede first

Set pieces will be key

 

[Indian Dan]

How many of those teams towards the top of L2 operate with a dedicated DM?

 

[Master D]

How many of those teams towards the top of L2 operate with a dedicated DM?

We do, George Evans sits in front of our defence but is more of a playmaker than a destroyer.

 

[Conker]

We usually play a diamond and Reed sits at the back of it in front of the defence but that’s to distribute the ball, not really got the attributes to be called a DM.

 

[Indian Dan]

What about Boateng?

 

[northstandexile]

What about Boateng?

He has been playing the right side of the diamond when he occasionally starts. When he comes in as sub he plays anywhere in midfield.

 

[gary]

Home to Morecambe tomorrow and home to Crawley on Tuesday. Simply put if we can't beat these teams at home we don't deserve to make the play offs. We have some key player's out injured but we should still be capable of winning these games.

 

[The Globule]

Away to the real Dons tomorrow and away to Walsall on Tuesday. Simply put, if we can't beat these teams away we don't deserve to make the play offs. We have some key player's out injured but we should still be capable of winning these games.