Saturday 22nd January

[Roger Stone]

Bossed it 1st half and should have been 2 or 3 up at HT. Missed a pen too. Scunny keeper kept them in it first half with a string of fine saves. Second half not so comfortable but we scored finally and saved their pen. Azaz and Cooper had great games again and ran the show. Hopefully we can keep hold of them this month. Orient away up next on Tuesday will be tough.

 

[Bottega Don]

Just watched our highlights and how Newport's player wasn't sent off for our penalty I will never know.

It's a tap in at the back post if he doesn't drag him to the ground, it's a clear goalscoring opportunity and he makes no attempt to get the ball.

We would have still never scored even if they had 10 men but still.

 

[Agombar stool]

Christ he's only 19 as well, some talent!

I have to say the police got it spot on today, they were present but didn't overstep/over reach. It was nice not to be held in the stand after the game and I saw no trouble at all after?

Yeah apparently he was offered a contract at Leicester Rugby but chose football instead, built like a brick shithouse obviously and pretty good with the ball with his feet - awful in the air mind.

I didn't go but haven't heard of any incidents which is positive given the excellent numbers from both home and away.

 

[Casey]

Not much to say about the action in the Crawley v Tranmere game. Tranmere were, just about, the better side but I was not best pleased with our performance.

We didn't bottle out of it, we kept trying but our passing was off all game. Even the easy ten yard pass to the wide men were making them check the runs. It was as though we were so afraid to give the ball away that we had no confidence in ourselves.

As for Tranmere. As Robshep said catenaccio. Just stopped us and waited for us to gift them a goal.

I can see why Tranmere fans get peeved at their side when things go against them. It's not a great spectacle but it will get them promoted.

Shout out to the Tranmere fans today. Good support all game.

Casey

 

[Roger Stone]

Just watched our highlights and how Newport's player wasn't sent off for our penalty I will never know.

It's a tap in at the back post if he doesn't drag him to the ground, it's a clear goalscoring opportunity and he makes no attempt to get the ball.

We would have still never scored even if they had 10 men but still.

Couldn’t make out what happened, not sure what the ref was doing faffing around for a couple of mins, talking to lino.

 

[Essex2Wessex]

We were a bit clumsy, in various areas (most obviously passing, shooting in the vague direction of the goal) at times, rather more than we might like. At times in the first half we were pretty scrappy, and Carlisle seemed to have upped their game a bit since the away fixture.

But...then, the second half happened. It was a bit nerve-wracking being only one goal up , until we weren't, as errors or luck can change things quickly.

We've played better than we did today, but I don't think (hmmm...maybe against Scunthorpe away last season, corner after corner after corner...was it 19 of them?) I've seen us be quite so dominant. Just in control, confident, smoother and more playful, with the threat that Carlisle had posed initially being thoroughly neutralised. And working so well together as a team.

If we do go up, I think we will struggle in League One though....

 

[Bottega Don]

Couldn’t make out what happened, not sure what the ref was doing faffing around for a couple of mins, talking to lino.

Our player is making a run to the back post to tap in the cross and your RB drags him to the ground, if you watch the highlights it's clearly on purpose.

The ref didn't even give it somehow, he only gave it once the lino told him it was a penalty.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

I think thats a fair and accurate summation and I think you've called the bit about the agressive/roll on the floor bit spot on. Williams does spend a LOT of time on the floor and at times I'm very sceptical as to whether he is fouled each time. I personally did think Rovers were pretty aggressive but without being dirty.

Simpson is on loan from Ipswich, he's improved drastically this season, so strong and intelligent with the ball, lovely finish, shame he couldn't square it to McKirdy in the second half when he shot wide.

Thought your midfield 3 of Finley, Evans and Coutts were very good, you've definitely improved since the last game at the Mem.

Personally I'm happy with a point from a tricky Derby and a 12,650 crowd. (hopefully police costs won't cut into our profits too much)

Ive seen a lot of opposition fans calling Williams a diver on various forums. It's a shame because he is a good footballer and doesnt need to make his game all about that

 

[E10rifle]

Well. Delighted to be back at a game after six weeks. Pity it was that game.

 

[Bottega Don]

Not looking good for Oldham and Scunny. As much as I dislike both of them, I'd rather be playing them than not

What did we ever do to Tranmere?

Never thought we'd have a Tranmere fan feel any kind of way about us

 

[Pablosammy]

What did we ever do to Tranmere?

Never thought we'd have a Tranmere fan feel any kind of way about us

You know, I'm not even sure any more I think there was some grievance from the League 1 promotion chasing days, but it's a residual dislike if there is anything at all. I won't be gloating on your forums if you go down, put it that way.

 

[RLC]

I think both with and without the ball, we are a lot better to watch than some above are suggesting.

It was a superb away performance today I thought. We strangled the life out of Crawley, but played some decent stuff ourselves, particularly when Spearing got on the ball. The victory should have been by a bigger margin, with both Nevitt and McPake missing good chances.

It will take a very good team to beat us the way we performing at present (hopefully not next week).

 

[Robshep]

Not much to say about the action in the Crawley v Tranmere game. Tranmere were, just about, the better side but I was not best pleased with our performance.

We didn't bottle out of it, we kept trying but our passing was off all game. Even the easy ten yard pass to the wide men were making them check the runs. It was as though we were so afraid to give the ball away that we had no confidence in ourselves.

As for Tranmere. As Robshep said catenaccio. Just stopped us and waited for us to gift them a goal.

I can see why Tranmere fans get peeved at their side when things go against them. It's not a great spectacle but it will get them promoted.

Shout out to the Tranmere fans today. Good support all game.

Casey

Its not hard to watch if you aren't the nervous type. Nightmare if you are. Its the total determination thats so admirable but we can play a bit you know.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

It’s actually scary how shite we are. Biggest threat in the squad is our left back. Graeme Lee is clearly out of his depth, a squad that simply isn’t performing and we wouldn’t look like scoring if we were still playing now. Early points on the board and the cup runs are papering over the cracks. If there isn’t a handful of signings in the next week we are in big trouble…. It’s a good job Raj saved half of the budgets from DC eh??

 

[Conker]

I think Hartlepool need to get a proper manager in, bit of a daft appointment for your first season back in the FL - surely someone with a bit of experience was a better option.

 

[Casey]

Its not hard to watch if you aren't the nervous type. Nightmare if you are. Its the total determination thats so admirable but we can play a bit you know.

I can see you can play. Not doubting it for a moment but WHEN things go against you I feel playing as you do will have the nay sayers screaming abuse.

Casey

 

[Soup Ladle]

I think Hartlepool need to get a proper manager in, bit of a daft appointment for your first season back in the FL - surely someone with a bit of experience was a better option.

A number of managers turned us down before we got these two. They still look genuinely stunned to be in the hotseat. To be honest we all are.

If we had any ambition at all we'd have gone for Wild at Halifax but I think word has got round about Raj Singh, withheld transfer budgets and the fact he's a massive prick. Kinda puts people off, that.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Yep it's a lot of pass, pass, pass, pass, followed by a big welly boot from Byrne to no one

I thought at least Fela gave us a bit of drive when he came on, his push into box from out wide was the start of our goal, wanna see him start more but for whatever reason can't get a game.

Fela should be picked more often, he'll blow very hot and cold but he was much more threat than Molyneux and Cullen. He's more of a winger I think, we should really change the shape as we are far too predictable and one dimensional. It is embarrassing seeing us punt the ball to two midgets up top. Then again I don't think Lee and Nelse have any firm ideas how they want their sides to play.

 

[Indian Dan]

Usual moronic comment from Barton

‘Not many sides will come away from here with a point’

Yeah, sure. We’ve played 13 home games. 10 clubs have gone away with something.

 

[Uncle Pastuzo]

Did Scunthorpe publish a figure for away support?

 

[Pablosammy]

I can see you can play. Not doubting it for a moment but WHEN things go against you I feel playing as you do will have the nay sayers screaming abuse.

Casey

We've already seen exactly that earlier in the season. Up the fickle Rovers!

 

[Robshep]

I can see you can play. Not doubting it for a moment but WHEN things go against you I feel playing as you do will have the nay sayers screaming abuse.

Casey

A regular but small amount on twitter find fault when things ARE going our way. Fortunately most of our supporters these days understand that we are never going to be perfect and have realistic expectations. The unrealistic angry types tend to support Everton. The people running Tranmere think in the long term and intend to leave the club with a secure future when they hand over control. The manager just concentrates on each game. As it should be.

 

[Gassy]

Usual moronic comment from Barton

‘Not many sides will come away from here with a point’

Yeah, sure. We’ve played 13 home games. 10 clubs have gone away with something.

If that upsets you, you really need to chill out fella

The bloke lives in so many heads rent free on this forum it’s hilarious

 

[Indian Dan]

If that upsets you, you really need to chill out fella

The bloke lives in so many heads rent free on this forum it’s hilarious

It doesn’t upset me at all. Just another example of him being an idiot.

 

[Stringy]

You forgot to mention Banks who probably worthy of 4 yellow cards but the referee bottled it. First yellow for Rawson looked daft too but I’d like to rewatch.

Didn’t see the Stirk incident or hear anything about it from on here, Stagsnet or Barrow commentators so I’ll have to wait and actually see/hear about it more.

All in all a good three points, absorbed the little pressure we received in the second half and got the game killing goal, cannot ask for more.

Banks was exactly the same in the reverse fixture. He only stopped off the balling our players when he could hear the lower west stand signalling to watch him to the linesman. Easily the dirtiest visiting player out of the majority of home games that I've watched.

 

[AdamStag]

Usual moronic comment from Barton

‘Not many sides will come away from here with a point’

Yeah, sure. We’ve played 13 home games. 10 clubs have gone away with something.

He’s a bit special bless him.

Doing a cracking job of making rovers look crap too by the looks of the table.

 

[AdamStag]

Banks was exactly the same in the reverse fixture. He only stopped off the balling our players when he could hear the lower west stand signalling to watch him to the linesman. Easily the dirtiest visiting player out of the majority of home games that I've watched.

Yeah, you could see it in him.

Referee was so poor, so unbelievably biased it was laughable, one rule for barrow and one for us, it was absolutely ridiculous. To come out with a win despite him is a magnificent achievement.

 

[Bottega Don]

Did Scunthorpe publish a figure for away support?

Nope, we never do for whatever strange reason. Will be in the programme though on Tuesday.

Were you at the game? I remember there was a tannoy announcement about reports of discrimination in the Newport end, was anyone actually thrown out?

 

[Indian Dan]

He’s a bit special bless him.

Doing a cracking job of making rovers look crap too by the looks of the table.

Tbh, they didn’t look too bad at all in the midfield. Up front they didn’t have much and their young defence were a bit ‘tanglefoot’ at times.

They all knew how to put the foot in, though!

 

[Huntsman94]

I think both with and without the ball, we are a lot better to watch than some above are suggesting.

It was a superb away performance today I thought. We strangled the life out of Crawley, but played some decent stuff ourselves, particularly when Spearing got on the ball. The victory should have been by a bigger margin, with both Nevitt and McPake missing good chances.

It will take a very good team to beat us the way we performing at present (hopefully not next week).

I agree thought we were much the better side in truth. We had more clear cut chances and in the second half, Crawley didn’t look like scoring at all. It’s worth noting that Crawley were one of the form teams in the league as well and they never really laid a glove on us.

Our defensive record is truly remarkable and Peter Clarke is simply outstanding. He had a central midfielder with him yesterday playing at CB and it looked like they’d been our chosen two all season!

It’s exciting times for us because we’re playing an efficient style of football and have a very good squad now. The recruitment is starting to turn for the better and we’re seeing the rewards. When we have Glatzel and Hawkes back we have even more options going forward. Combine that with our defence and defensive midfield options and we’re looking sound. O’Connor by the way has been absolutely outstanding the last couple of months. Really hope we can sign him permanently from Celtic as he’s going places that lad.

The FGR game should be a belter. Im all about looking up the table rather than looking down so would like to win to start putting pressure on them. Especially as we host Stevenage and go to Barrow in the two after that which you’d fancy us to take 6 points from. I’m still not used to this “being in the automatic promotion places” lark though!