Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th August

[Scum.]

We will beat Colchester 1-2.

Maybe not, might instead be a Jack Payneful day, with our defence now having conceded an impressive 26 goals in our last 7 competitive games.

 

[Carver]

It’s not just Barclay though. Vela is decent but Harrison Neal is a terrible player. I don’t know what people see in him. I don’t think he’s even national league standard to be honest. We need two midfielders in to cover us until Guy and Robson return in October/november. If we don’t then the next couple of months are going to be extremely unpleasant.

Barrow fans rated him quite highly at this level, but the fact we have a good budget now you'd think surely we should be doing better as the lad looks like he's running in quick sand.

It's turning out to be a pretty poor summer for transfers and there is just 2 weeks left.

 

[joethegill]

I'm genuinely impressed you guys have managed to injure Nevitt. He missed 12 games in the last 3 seasons and already for you, he's up to 1. What injury does he have and how long is he out for?

I know, pretty good going eh. All a bit smoke and mirrors regarding the type of injury to be honest, various reports seems to suggest around 6 weeks out in total though - but that did start a couple of weeks back.

 

[dedwardp]

Maybe not, might instead be a Jack Payneful day, with our defence now having conceded an impressive 26 goals in our last 7 competitive games.

Three assists and a goal now in his first two appearances, looks an excellent signing.

 

[F!RTHY]

Three assists and a goal now in his first two appearances, looks an excellent signing.

He’s quality at this level - no one could say he isn’t.

 

[womble76]

Would hope we win ay bromley again on sat. Twice in a week may be an ask. Wouldn't be surprised at a draw but hope for 3 points

 

[Scum.]

Three assists and a goal now in his first two appearances, looks an excellent signing.

Indeed, we should have gone in for him. Some of our fans were a bit 'meh' about him towards the end of his time here, despite him having a very good season. He's way too good for L2.

 

[BlackHaddock]

There was a time when we couldn't lose to Cheltenham, then it flicked the other way and we couldn't buy a win against them. I am hoping the worm has turned again and it's our season to start a winning streak against them once more.

 

[GTFCfish]

There was a time when we couldn't lose to Cheltenham, then it flicked the other way and we couldn't buy a win against them. I am hoping the worm has turned again and it's our season to start a winning streak against them once more.

The switch flicked in that play off final, beat them home and away in the league then didn’t turn up in the final.
Saying that we beat them away and drew at home in our last games against them in our relegation season so maybe it’s already turning.

 

[Si Robin]

I used our great record against you on the pod last night, only for our host to point out we've won one of the last 5, and drawn 2.

 

[Boz]

Trip to Port Vale, one of the pre-season favourites and where Rovers have had a reasonable return on recent visits. It was a surprise that Adkins made 7 changes for the Accrington game and some good impressions made by the newer yoinger players like Josh Williams in midfield.

The starting xi for the season opener was lacking pace. Although Omari Patrick won the MoM last night, think I'd opt for bringing in Harvey Saunders, probably at the expense of Josh Davison, due to his greater defensive contribution. Patrick can be introduced in the second half.

Most likely result would be a narrow home win, but all outcomes feel possible.

 

[GTFCfish]

I used our great record against you on the pod last night, only for our host to point out we've won one of the last 5, and drawn 2.

That win at your place was our best performance by far in our relegation season, Owura Edwards we had on loan from Bristol City and your defence couldn’t handle him so Ben Tozer decided the only way to try was to stamp on him the dirty fucker.

 

[Alfie]

 

[Alfie]

Guys, advice please.
I've just added betting odds to weekend's games in fractions. I prefer decimals.
What do you guys prefer? I'll go by majority vote.

 

[GTFCfish]

Fractions.

 

[Agombar stool]

Fractions.

 

[Si Robin]

That win at your place was our best performance by far in our relegation season, Owura Edwards we had on loan from Bristol City and your defence couldn’t handle him so Ben Tozer decided the only way to try was to stamp on him the dirty fucker.

To be fair, we should have gone in front but for the most blatant handball ever not being given. Destroyed George Lloyd's confidence for all of eternity that did. He could have been a superstar.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Trip to Port Vale, one of the pre-season favourites and where Rovers have had a reasonable return on recent visits. It was a surprise that Adkins made 7 changes for the Accrington game and some good impressions made by the newer yoinger players like Josh Williams in midfield.

The starting xi for the season opener was lacking pace. Although Omari Patrick won the MoM last night, think I'd opt for bringing in Harvey Saunders, probably at the expense of Josh Davison, due to his greater defensive contribution. Patrick can be introduced in the second half.

Most likely result would be a narrow home win, but all outcomes feel possible.

I'm expecting a tough game as I really rate Adkins. We're still 3 or 4 players short of what I would consider our strongest team and we're still getting used to each other with virtually a whole new team. We were just stronger than Salford last week but not really free-flowing. I'd say it's a good time to play us.

Hoping Garrity is OK, he's such a threat at this level and also maybe Chislett to come back in. Benicio may start as he has real pace and trickery but other than that I expect it will be similar to last week.

 

[Son of Cod]

I don't necessarily buy this narrative that Cheltenham are gonna struggle. Despite not doing brilliantly at Walsall and Swindon, Flynn is a very solid L2 manager and a good fit for Cheltenham. They're a bit of a mystery box for me, could go either way but I reckon a comfortable midtable season is on the cards.

Expecting a difficult match on Saturday. Both sides have loads of new players and are in transition phases and seem to be playing quite open so I could potentially see a few goals. I'm gonna be optimistic and go for a 3-1 win for Town. Vernam (mkII) to finally get off the mark in the EFL for us with a brace.

 

[Si Robin]

I don't necessarily buy this narrative that Cheltenham are gonna struggle. Despite not doing brilliantly at Walsall and Swindon, Flynn is a very solid L2 manager and a good fit for Cheltenham. They're a bit of a mystery box for me, could go either way but I reckon a comfortable midtable season is on the cards.

Expecting a difficult match on Saturday. Both sides have loads of new players and are in transition phases and seem to be playing quite open so I could potentially see a few goals. I'm gonna be optimistic and go for a 3-1 win for Town. Vernam (mkII) to finally get off the mark in the EFL for us with a brace.

A lot of our fans believe the same thing. You could tell me any position in the league for where we'll finish this season, and I would believe it to be true. And I do mean any position from 1st to 24th.

If we can get an experienced centre-back in, then I'd be more confident of us finishing at the top end rather than the bottom end. The midfield and attack look quite decent already, but defence worries me a lot.

 

[Son of Cod]

A lot of our fans believe the same thing. You could tell me any position in the league for where we'll finish this season, and I would believe it to be true. And I do mean any position from 1st to 24th.

If we can get an experienced centre-back in, then I'd be more confident of us finishing at the top end rather than the bottom end. The midfield and attack look quite decent already, but defence worries me a lot.

Yeah, weirdly I just listened to one of our pods after that post and there was a guy off one of your pods on it (assuming it wasn't you as I think they were called John) and he was pretty much saying the same thing. Also mentioned about the lack of experience at CB. I'd imagine Flynn will address that before the end of the window.

 

[Si Robin]

That was probably Jon Palmer, who's our local journalist.

 

[Agombar stool]

A lot of our fans believe the same thing. You could tell me any position in the league for where we'll finish this season, and I would believe it to be true. And I do mean any position from 1st to 24th.

If we can get an experienced centre-back in, then I'd be more confident of us finishing at the top end rather than the bottom end. The midfield and attack look quite decent already, but defence worries me a lot.

Flynn started off last season like a house on fire, but there was always a nagging doubt that his kamikaze football couldn't get results forever and that proved to be the case. He didn't *appear* to have a plan B and what with a terribly flimsy squad it caught him out. We could score goals, but the defending was awful. If he's learned from his mistakes, Cheltenham could have an entertaining, and ultimately decent season. I'm not convinced though.

 

[F!RTHY]

Salford (H) -

First home game of the season - I’m looking forward to it.

There’s a case for some of our fringe starting at the weekend, following some decent performances by the likes of Clarke Odour and Bobby Pointon at Grimsby in midweek. For me, I’d keep the same XI as per last weeks win at MK.

GK: Sam Walker

CB: Aden Baldwin
CB: Niall Bryne
CB: Ciarán Kelly

LWB: Tyreik Wright
RWB: Brad Halliday

CM: Antoni Sarcevic
CM: Ritchie Smallwood
CM: Alex Pattison

ST: Calum Kavanagh
ST: Andy Cook

1-1 City

17,101 (Cook)

 

[SuperHans]

Not having much luck with injuries at the minute.

Sheckleford, Palmer, Madden, Mandeville, Colclough and Grimes all out (Naylor and Tanton doubts) - I may have missed others.

Boot
Tanton (hopefully) Dunkley Araujo Gordon
Banks Oldaker
Jacobs Dobra Berry
Grigg

Could potentially see Markanday start.

1-1

 

[spireite]

Not having much luck with injuries at the minute.

Sheckleford, Palmer, Madden, Mandeville, Colclough and Grimes all out (Naylor and Tanton doubts) - I may have missed others.

Boot
Tanton (hopefully) Dunkley Araujo Gordon
Banks Oldaker
Jacobs Dobra Berry
Grigg

Could potentially see Markanday start.

1-1

Yea I was much more confident before picking up more injuries in the Carabao. They're mounting up now, and we still need a keeper. Araujo has great pedigree but is a bit of an unknown. Still have good weapons going forward though.

 

[JJ1990]

Are Colclough and Grimes out? Colclough was on the bench Tuesday and Grimes came on for 22 minutes. They'll be in the squad no?

 

[SuperHans]

Are Colclough and Grimes out? Colclough was on the bench Tuesday and Grimes came on for 22 minutes. They'll be in the squad no?

Colclough has done his calf. Can't imagine he will be in a squad for the foreseeable, Mandeville ankle too so will be out for a while. That was Grimes first 22 minutes for a month since he picked up a knock. He will probably be on the bench. We are definitely thin on the ground.

 

[OneDecentLester]

Colclough has done his calf. Can't imagine he will be in a squad for the foreseeable, Mandeville ankle too so will be out for a while. That was Grimes first 22 minutes for a month since he picked up a knock. He will probably be on the bench. We are definitely thin on the ground.

I asked this question earlier in the thread, but is Colclough actually out?
Cook said post match he’d done his calf, but he was on the bench?
Are we sure he wasn’t just nursing it?

Anyway, even if he’s fit enough to be in the squad I can’t see him starting with the doubt about his calf. Would likely be an attacking midfield 3 of: Jacobs Dobra Markanday

We have ridiculous depth in that area of the pitch really don’t we

 

[GTFCfish]

Salford (H) -

17,101 (Cook)

Cook’s decent but come on he’s not that good.