Saturday 5th October

[hellogregory]

Colchester away.

Another nailed on defeat.

4-0 is my prediction.

Next…

 

[Boz]

Different beast under Lindsey and we are at home where we had a great record even under Williamson. Win.

Highly likely. Crawley beat us home and away last season. I'd imagine Adkins will adopt a damage limitation approach and try to make it difficult for you to score. Unlikely to succeed.

 

[Limerick Mariner]

I’m expecting our game to be a cracker, unfortunately though Donny always win here and we usually play dogshit against them too but hopefully different this time given our current form.

With Wrexham, Stocky and Mansfield all gone, there’s been fewer really tasty looking fixtures this season, Town v Donny looks to be competing as the pick of day with Notts v Vale…both ranking after Fleetwood v Bromley naturally…

 

[Meadow]

Salford away. We've had few league matches cancelled due to our pitch problems and international call ups. Given our strength we should win although I'd take a point.

 

[pontoonlew]

I think I’d combust if we won 4 in a row. Donny present a tough challenge yet again but we’ve had them all season, that’ll be 6 of the top 10 we’ve played already this season (and we’re one of them) and the next home game is bloody Walsall.

I’d take a point now to stay unbeaten, but we’re a totally proposition at the minute and we might just sneak it..

 

[Youpies]

That's how I felt when we had JJ starting at game at the San Sirrel.

It might be a stretch but due to Edwards injury, Robertson might be out most important outfield player due to lack of an adequate alternative.

Should be looking at circa 12,000 at the Lane.

Jatta says hi

 

[valefan16]

Yeah, perhaps I'm being a bit harsh.

Just feels like we need a proper performance to get everyone on side. There's been patches of good stuff interspersed with some really poor stuff. Some good management decisions interspersed with some really poor ones.

I do get the feeling that one week, everything will come together and we'll give someone a good hiding.

Not this weekend though. Feel like it's come at the wrong time.

Its an odd one, obviously this is far better than last season, the squad is much better than either L1 squad we had and better than the promotion squad in 2022 but that is adding a lot of pressure, fans frustrated despite being 6 unbeaten, especially with the tough fixtures we have had so far compared to some I guess shows how far we've come from the dross of last season.

With the squad we have and the money spent anything less than promotion would be seen as a failure so there is a lot more pressure on this squad to hit the ground running but I think we have to be a little patient as we have a lot of players to bed in, relationships to build etc.

I have felt we've been a little inconsistent at times and at times sloppy, other times we have been purring but first half Accrington and last 15 at Barrow and for half hour v Doncaster I think in the main we've been decent.

This will be a cracking test for us though, they will be looking at promotion, big crowd, very good away following, if our lads can't get up for putting in a competitive performance regardless of the result then questions will remain.

Ideally would take 2-3 points from these two tough away games and that would be most of the expected top sides played once bar Gillingham and on form so far Walsall.

Its just nice to be winning games and actually scoring goals and creating chances for a change after the last 18 months or so! Our strikers have more already then the ones we had last season notched all season!

Interestingly when you think back to our last meeting with Notts, a frustrating 0-0 in a relegation battle at the bottom of L2 both clubs have come an awful long way on and off the pitch in those 4 years or so which is nice to see. Always kind of seen County as one of the clubs most similar to us.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Likewise, historically Vale and Notts are similar and comparable in many ways.

 

[クレイグ]

Newport win if we persist with 442 again.

 

[longmover]

Barrow away so Flynn will have the opportunity to tinker about (again)

 

[ForzaCounty]

Likewise, historically Vale and Notts are similar and comparable in many ways.

Horrible accents?

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Horrible accents?

I'd say more dull as dishwater than horrible. I can think of more annoying accents instantly

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Still not sure McCann knows what his best team is, Maxwell and Westbrooke might be back. We were more energetic against Barrow due mainly to Close being dropped

 

[Crewelad87]

Looks like we've got potentially 10 players out injured including all 3 1st team strikers (Hemmings, Bogle, Long)

I can see this being a long afternoon in honesty. Gills have been inconsistent but they still have quality in that team and given our current injury list I can't see us competing.

Crewe 1-3 Gillingham

 

[Cloudy]

Still not sure McCann knows what his best team is, Maxwell and Westbrooke might be back. We were more energetic against Barrow due mainly to Close being dropped

Grimsby haven’t beaten Donny at BP in a league game for 34 years! There have been a couple of hammerings in there too.

Hopefully a close, competitive game this time. Doubt it will be 0-0.

 

[BarraMatt]

Barrow will pull our pants down and slap our backside until it's red raw!

It's a great time to be playing us. We haven't been able to rotate players over the three long away trips we've just had due to injury and illness and as such we looked shattered on Tuesday. Potentially only one returning in Spence, who's been badly missed over the last couple of games.

 

[DippyDon]

Colchester away.

Another nailed on defeat.

4-0 is my prediction.

Next…

There can't be many instances of a manager losing to the same club, at the same ground, 3 times in the space of 2 months.

Enter Mike Williamson.

 

[hellogregory]

There can't be many instances of a manager losing to the same club, at the same ground, 3 times in the space of 2 months.

Enter Mike Williamson.

He may be responsible for your two defeats, but tomorrow’s defeat isn’t on him. He can’t be expected to turn stagnant pond water into wine this quick.

 

[Son of Cod]

Grimsby haven’t beaten Donny at BP in a league game for 34 years! There have been a couple of hammerings in there too.

Seen a few people saying this and it's a bit of a nonsense stat really. We've only been in the same division as them for three of those 34 seasons. We didn't play them in the league after that win in 1990 until the 2016/17 season.

This is nothing on what the Bradord hoodoo was and this squad have put that one to bed already this season.

 

[Cloudy]

Seen a few people saying this and it's a bit of a nonsense stat really. We've only been in the same division as them for three of those 34 seasons. We didn't play them in the league after that win in 1990 until the 2016/17 season.

This is nothing on what the Bradord hoodoo was and this squad have put that one to bed already this season.

Not nonsense really. In the last 8 years Donny have won 5-1, 3-1 and 5-1 at Grimsby. I doubt many teams have performed that badly against any other team in League 2 over that time.

 

[Limerick Mariner]

Not nonsense really. In the last 8 years Donny have won 5-1, 3-1 and 5-1 at Grimsby. I doubt many teams have performed that badly against any other team in League 2 over that time.

Donny pissed on our chips on the last day of the 78/79 promotion season when we still had an outside chance of the title - I think one time Town favourite, Jack Lewis, with his splendid Mexican bandit moustache, scored agin us.

 

[OneDecentLester]

Walsall (H). Saw they sold out for this, so will be backed by 999 Saddlers (surely we can find one extra seat somewhere to round that number up ) in the corner of the east stand, hopefully will make for a good atmosphere all round as I think we’re expecting a home crowd of somewhere between 7,500 and 8,000.

I know nothing about how Walsall play or whatever, but clearly a good side with how they’ve started this season, and that game on Tuesday night I’ll put down as a freak result which happens to everyone over the course of a season. We’ll have to be bang at it if we’ve got hopes of winning this one I think.

Team news wise, and reading between the lines of Cooks presser, I THINK… we’ve got everyone back fit and available now (other than the long termers Palmer & Sheckleford, who IMO wouldn’t be starting anyway), including Fleck who could potentially be in line for a start this weekend (Oldaker & Naylor been playing too well to drop either though IMO).

Predicted line up…

Boot
Tanton Dunkley Araujo Gordon
Oldaker Naylor
Mandeville Dobra Berry
Madden

Thompson (GK)
Grimes
Fleck
Banks
Markanday
Colclough
Grigg

It’s virtually impossible to confidently pick a front 4 from what we have back available now, but I’m going with that as I think Dobra and Berry will defo come in after being on the bench Tuesday, and Madden / Grigg are likely to rotate on a game by game basis until one establishes themselves as first choice. Bench looks ridiculously strong tbh. Markanday, Araujo and Tanton all missed Tuesdays game but expect them all to be back involved tomorrow from Cook’s presser

3-1 Home win

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

A lot of names in that predicted Chesterfield lineup that are new to me but a front 4 of Mandeville, Dobra, Berry, Madden with Colclough and Grigg on the bench is very very impressive. Lots of creativity and goals there. No wonder you are dominating so many games.

Been a fan of Naylor for a long time very solid player and Oldaker since the National League playoff final. Unforgettable.

 

[saddler78]

Walsall (H). Saw they sold out for this, so will be backed by 999 Saddlers (surely we can find one extra seat somewhere to round that number up ) in the corner of the east stand, hopefully will make for a good atmosphere all round as I think we’re expecting a home crowd of somewhere between 7,500 and 8,000.

I know nothing about how Walsall play or whatever, but clearly a good side with how they’ve started this season, and that game on Tuesday night I’ll put down as a freak result which happens to everyone over the course of a season. We’ll have to be bang at it if we’ve got hopes of winning this one I think.

Team news wise, and reading between the lines of Cooks presser, I THINK… we’ve got everyone back fit and available now (other than the long termers Palmer & Sheckleford, who IMO wouldn’t be starting anyway), including Fleck who could potentially be in line for a start this weekend (Oldaker & Naylor been playing too well to drop either though IMO).

Predicted line up…

Boot
Tanton Dunkley Araujo Gordon
Oldaker Naylor
Mandeville Dobra Berry
Madden

Thompson (GK)
Grimes
Fleck
Banks
Markanday
Colclough
Grigg

It’s virtually impossible to confidently pick a front 4 from what we have back available now, but I’m going with that as I think Dobra and Berry will defo come in after being on the bench Tuesday, and Madden / Grigg are likely to rotate on a game by game basis until one establishes themselves as first choice. Bench looks ridiculously strong tbh. Markanday, Araujo and Tanton all missed Tuesdays game but expect them all to be back involved tomorrow from Cook’s presser

3-1 Home win

I think and thought before Tuesday's collapse we would lose this I'm going 2-1 Chesterfield

 

[GTFCfish]

Seen a few people saying this and it's a bit of a nonsense stat really. We've only been in the same division as them for three of those 34 seasons. We didn't play them in the league after that win in 1990 until the 2016/17 season.

This is nothing on what the Bradord hoodoo was and this squad have put that one to bed already this season.

I like the hoodoo we have over Man Utd, they haven’t beaten us in any competition since 1946.

 

[Limerick Mariner]

I like the hoodoo we have over Man Utd, they haven’t beaten us in any competition since 1946.

Don’t forget Everton haven’t beaten us since 1948 and we’ve played them home and away since…

 

[OneDecentLester]

A lot of names in that predicted Chesterfield lineup that are new to me but a front 4 of Mandeville, Dobra, Berry, Madden with Colclough and Grigg on the bench is very very impressive. Lots of creativity and goals there. No wonder you are dominating so many games.

Been a fan of Naylor for a long time very solid player and Oldaker since the National League playoff final. Unforgettable.

Oldaker has been arguably our player of the season so far alongside James Berry. I’ve always been a massive fan of him because of his quality on the ball, very easy on the eye, but struggled with the other side of the game when he first joined 2 seasons back. Each season under Cook he’s gone from strength to strength in that area though, and is now starting to look like a proper player at the moment. His aim will be to stay as consistent as possible all year, which is an area he’s received criticism for in the past.

 

[OneDecentLester]

I think and thought before Tuesday's collapse we would lose this I'm going 2-1 Chesterfield

We’ve lost one home league game since good friday 2023 (& that one loss came at the back end of last season against a side that went on to get relegated after we’d already won the league ) so I’m always confident at home. But, we have dropped some stupid points at home so far this year, especially the draws against Salford & Cheltenham, so we’ve got to be far more clinical against you lot if we’re wanting to take 3 points

 

[Si Robin]

It's a great time to be playing us. We haven't been able to rotate players over the three long away trips we've just had due to injury and illness and as such we looked shattered on Tuesday. Potentially only one returning in Spence, who's been badly missed over the last couple of games.

It will not make a difference. We're truly shite.

 

[joethegill]

478 pre sold for Crewe tomorrow, pretty good.

I've always considered it a bogey ground and it was for a good 30 years, but looking at recent results there and we've actually won 5 of the last 10 visits so perhaps not that bad after all. Similar injury news to midweek I think in terms of the long termers, but Hutton should come back in at right back and Dack should be on the bench having missed the midweek fixture as was always planned.

Not sure we'll make a whole heap of changes, I'd personally make 3 - Hutton, Lapslie and Gbode in for Coleman, Williams and Nolan, with a little reshuffle in midfield. Nevitt will be keen against his former club and with the pace and energy of Clarke, Lapslie and Gbode in behind him I think we could have some joy in forward areas. McKenzie and Little has been our best midfield combination so far so I'd revert to that, with Coleman and Dieng available to switch it up from the bench if needed.

Morris
Hutton - Ehmer - Ogie - Clark
McKenzie - Little
Gbode - Lapslie - Clarke
Nevitt

Ashby-Hammond, Hawkins, Dieng, Dack, Nolan, Williams, Wyllie

Had to leave out Coleman, Euan Williams and Wakeling which is a bit harsh, but that's the depth of the squad. Lord knows what Bonner will do when Turner, Masterson, Rowe and Andrews are back in contention as well.

1-1.