Saturday 7 March Games

[Si Robin]

I don't hide from the fact that we got away with one today. Port Vale outplayed us, and the ref was very much a homer.

We'll agree to disagree on the penalty decision.

 

[kieran_vale]

If you slow it down it seems there’s certainly enough doubt there to not award the penalty. Hard to say definitively but I can’t say it was a bad decision. Would also say Pope on his post match interview said neither were so that’s good enough for me.

Either way although we could and probably should have won not many teams come away from there with anything so overall am pleased.

 

[valefan16]

I don't hide from the fact that we got away with one today. Port Vale outplayed us, and the ref was very much a homer.

We'll agree to disagree on the penalty decision.

Three good battles this season and one of the better sides at VP, where was Addai as he was probably the best opposing player at Vale Park this season? Good to see Raglan coming on well too.

Good luck in your automatic quest. You’ve got a chance.

 

[darren gregory]

Just back, bitterly disappointed with the draw .
The ' penalty' which was given was right by me. Never a penalty in a million years however I don't get how the ref can give it with a perfect view yet eagle eyes 200 yards away rules it out
The same eagle eyes who didn't give us a throw in despite it being a yard out and 6 feet from him. Kevan our assistant manager Yellow carded as a result.
Also as Si rightly says Legge should of walked . His first yellow was a joke but the fact he was on a yellow meant his clumsy challenge on the touchline was a second yellow . Bottled it the ref did.
Thought overall we played most of the constructive football and in the main were comfortable.
It's a good draw but feels very underwhelming too

 

[valefan16]

The referee was a championship ref last season but for some reason this was his first game this season which seems crazy to give him this game between two promotion rivals when he’s clearly not up to speed and seemed way off the pace and his judgement wasn’t there. Surely a dead rubber would have been a better choice to get him back into it.

Notice Jake Taylor was missing today with the flu so have to hope that doesn’t affect any of the squad this next week! Quite funny as the handshakes were banned yet at the end when May stamped on Clark and all the players pilled in most to try and defuse it started shaking hands!

 

[darren gregory]

Handshakes banned but players hugging and kissing as I watch Quest !!

 

[valefan16]

Handshakes banned but players hugging and kissing as I watch Quest !!

Bit pointless, if it’s not safe to shake hands then it can’t be safe to play and Andy Holt the Accy chairman is spot on.

Players grapple at corners etc it’s a contact sport so shaking hands makes no odds when you’ve got a big hairy centre half hugging you at a corner!

Seems an over reaction but I guess we will see in the next week or two how it will pan out... be typical if Vale make the play offs for the first time in 27 years and we can’t bloody go and watch it!

 

[TimeyWimey]

The handshake thing is the biggest token gesture in the entire Coronavirus hysteria. Just wash your fucking hands and get on with life.

 

[Indian Dan]

Dreadful showing from us. We looked ponderous and FGR deserved the 3 points. Tbh, the loss wasn’t a huge surprise based on our last couple of home games where we looked similarly off the pace but won. Doughty, Anderson and Yates poor today - Isgrove should be starting and how Woolery didn’t get on in preference to Hope(less) and the Admiral I really don’t understand.

The ref was abysmal as per usual - the same clown who allowed Northampton’s goal earlier in the season which was 10 yards offside.

Thought FGR played their game plan out very well, though.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Dreadful showing from us. We looked ponderous and FGR deserved the 3 points. Tbh, the loss wasn’t a huge surprise based on our last couple of home games where we looked similarly off the pace but won. Doughty, Anderson and Yates poor today - Isgrove should be starting and how Woolery didn’t get on in preference to Hope(less) and the Admiral I really don’t understand.

The ref was abysmal as per usual - the same clown who allowed Northampton’s goal earlier in the season which was 10 yards offside.

Thought FGR played their game plan out very well, though.

You still made several decent chances though, even though I thought we defended well with a makeshift back line and pressed hard. That one flick your lad improvised that hit the woodwork again would have been a class goal if he'd had the luck. Other one stood out was when someone was through and squared rather than shot. So if that's your worst you've not much to worry about.

 

[Chris FGR]

Swindon had chances but at the end of the day we had a left back and teenager as our CB pair and still kept a clean sheet against Doyle, Yates etc which is a good effort.

Don't get this no handshake thing, players are in close physical contact during the game anyway so what difference does it make?

 

[valefan16]

Swindon had chances but at the end of the day we had a left back and teenager as our CB pair and still kept a clean sheet against Doyle, Yates etc which is a good effort.

Don't get this no handshake thing, players are in close physical contact during the game anyway so what difference does it make?

Be interesting to see what happens in regards to Coronavirus and League Two... the assumption is it will break out in the country in big numbers shortly so seems inevitable that it will have a big effect unless it’s held off another seven weeks.

 

[Greenacres]

Be interesting to see what happens in regards to Coronavirus and League Two... the assumption is it will break out in the country in big numbers shortly so seems inevitable that it will have a big effect unless it’s held off another seven weeks.

Agreed, will be interesting, but I feel the response and decision on what to do will be taken out of the hands of the clubs and those running the game. I'm listening to the radio while I type this and they are talking about Italy, who are several weeks ahead of the UK regarding this situation, putting a quarter of their country into lock-down. To me that seems a bit excessive but if it is seen as the only way to stop Coronavirus spreading then other countries, including our own, may follow their lead.

It seems bizarre to be talking about stuff like this on a matchday thread.

 

[valefan16]

Agreed, will be interesting, but I feel the response and decision on what to do will be taken out of the hands of the clubs and those running the game. I'm listening to the radio while I type this and they are talking about Italy, who are several weeks ahead of the UK regarding this situation, putting a quarter of their country into lock-down. To me that seems a bit excessive but if it is seen as the only way to stop Coronavirus spreading then other countries, including our own, may follow their lead.

It seems bizarre to be talking about stuff like this on a matchday thread.

One solution if it does happen is continue it behind closed doors to finish the season but what they could do is make it all on IFollow to UK fans so they can still watch games and the clubs get a tenner a piece from it to help the financial impact I guess. If cancel the season I guess the only option is top 4 at the time go up and bottom goes down but then over the EFL the fall out on teams going down would be an issue as they wouldn’t accept it!

 

[Andy Proctor]

Askey in his interview said hes watched it back and both were penalties. Pope in his interview said neither were penalties. I think the first one wasnt a pen but the second one was. The ref had a shocker hope both clubs give him a low mark. Cheltenham I think will go up automatically they drew this game even though they didnt play that well. We are drawing too many games need to turn some of them into wins. 3 draws in a row would have been better with 1 win 1 draw and 1 loss. 9 games left going need 5 wins and a draw but we will most likely win 2 draw 6 and lose 1 and finish 8th or 9th.

 

[Chris FGR]

One solution if it does happen is continue it behind closed doors to finish the season but what they could do is make it all on IFollow to UK fans so they can still watch games and the clubs get a tenner a piece from it to help the financial impact I guess. If cancel the season I guess the only option is top 4 at the time go up and bottom goes down but then over the EFL the fall out on teams going down would be an issue as they wouldn’t accept it!

Can't see them ending the season early, teams wouldn't accept it and you'd end up with a lengthy legal battle dragging into next season. Gotta be behind closed doors if anything. Don't get why there's talk of banning over 70's though, they could just as easily catch it off all those younger people that are still going to games.

 

[dedwardp]

I've seen it and he absolutely toes the ball away from your player. Look how the ball changes direction - never a pen.

That is never a penalty, clearly wins the ball before the player goes over his leg.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

The handshake thing is the biggest token gesture in the entire Coronavirus hysteria. Just wash your fucking hands and get on with life.

Swindon had chances but at the end of the day we had a left back and teenager as our CB pair and still kept a clean sheet against Doyle, Yates etc which is a good effort.

Don't get this no handshake thing, players are in close physical contact during the game anyway so what difference does it make?

Normally our Tunnel Cam shows the players from both teams interacting, often with handshakes and the like. I suspect when yesterday’s tunnel cam comes out exactly the sam thing will happen. I did note Chris Sarginson, the Ref, at the end declining hand shakes and fist bumping instead.

I did find a lot more people were washing their hands in the loos.

 

[LeonTheGreen]

Another solid performance yesterday, we aren’t missing Sarcevic or Sawyer. Conor Grant has really stepped up in that CM role and McFadzean has been very good slotting in at CB.

It was the Danny Mayor and George Cooper show yesterday. Both were excellent. Maccie weren’t bad but we were much more clinical.

I remember the names we were linked with in Jan.. Maynard, Akinde, Bogle and Pitman, and feeling slightly underwhelmed when we signed Ryan Hardie, but the bloke is different class. Rapid and knows where the net is.

Coming together nicely now, and with Swindon slipping up, it gives us and Crewe the chance to pounce for that top spot.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Agreed, will be interesting, but I feel the response and decision on what to do will be taken out of the hands of the clubs and those running the game. I'm listening to the radio while I type this and they are talking about Italy, who are several weeks ahead of the UK regarding this situation, putting a quarter of their country into lock-down. To me that seems a bit excessive but if it is seen as the only way to stop Coronavirus spreading then other countries, including our own, may follow their lead.

It seems bizarre to be talking about stuff like this on a matchday thread.

I hope that they do not go to closed doors before the Pasty Derby on Monday 23rd March.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Another solid performance yesterday, we aren’t missing Sarcevic or Sawyer. Conor Grant has really stepped up in that CM role and McFadzean has been very good slotting in at CB.

It was the Danny Mayor and George Cooper show yesterday. Both were excellent. Maccie weren’t bad but we were much more clinical.

I remember the names we were linked with in Jan.. Maynard, Akinde, Bogle and Pitman, and feeling slightly underwhelmed when we signed Ryan Hardie, but the bloke is different class. Rapid and knows where the net is.

Coming together nicely now, and with Swindon slipping up, it gives us and Crewe the chance to pounce for that top spot.

Do you agree that moving Mayor into the centre improves things no end? We normally attack primarily from the left, but now with Danny in the middle we attacked equally from both left and right, and Danny’s presence created space for Hardie and Jephcott. That dribble from Mayor when he twisted the defender this way, that way and back again for Coops first goal was divine. As you say Hardie is different class, that goal was stunning ( and the disallowed goal was pretty sound too).

 

[darren gregory]

That is never a penalty, clearly wins the ball before the player goes over his leg.

Play off rival in no penalty shocker !!

 

[ProfessorGreen]

Danny Mayor finding his form for the run in really is superb news. Fingers crossed he keeps it up.

 

[Greenacres]

Can't see them ending the season early, teams wouldn't accept it and you'd end up with a lengthy legal battle dragging into next season. Gotta be behind closed doors if anything. Don't get why there's talk of banning over 70's though, they could just as easily catch it off all those younger people that are still going to games.

I think the behind closed doors option is preferable to ending the season early, if that is what it comes to, but even that would involve players moving around the country. We do have a lot of fans over the age of 70, the people who sit either side of me definitely are (I think one is in his 80's), the biggest concern has to be for those who have ongoing health issues or perhaps a reduced immune system.

What happened when the leagues were suspended for the World Wars (not that I am suggesting that this is in any way comparable, before people start having a go at me for my understanding of history), did the football authorities just stop everything on a particular date? How did the leagues start up again after the respective wars, did they just resume from where it had been suspended? I genuinely haven't a clue what happened, my knowledge of footy generally goes back to the 70's and not much further!

 

[TimeyWimey]

Normally our Tunnel Cam shows the players from both teams interacting, often with handshakes and the like. I suspect when yesterday’s tunnel cam comes out exactly the sam thing will happen. I did note Chris Sarginson, the Ref, at the end declining hand shakes and fist bumping instead.

I did find a lot more people were washing their hands in the loos.

They all must have thought they were some immunity god that sweats Dettol before last week.

 

[shoddycollins]

First half was fairly even... We started OK and 2-0 flattered Colchester a bit. Second half we faded away, especially after going 3-0 down. What was evident from our performance was a lack of leaders on the pitch, probably ended up with too many young players, not enough senior pros and for all his faults, Webster was missed.

Collin also had an especially poor game. He's kept the score down on many occasions but yesterday wasn't one of those.

 

[valefan16]

I think the behind closed doors option is preferable to ending the season early, if that is what it comes to, but even that would involve players moving around the country. We do have a lot of fans over the age of 70, the people who sit either side of me definitely are (I think one is in his 80's), the biggest concern has to be for those who have ongoing health issues or perhaps a reduced immune system.

What happened when the leagues were suspended for the World Wars (not that I am suggesting that this is in any way comparable, before people start having a go at me for my understanding of history), did the football authorities just stop everything on a particular date? How did the leagues start up again after the respective wars, did they just resume from where it had been suspended? I genuinely haven't a clue what happened, my knowledge of footy generally goes back to the 70's and not much further!

WW2 broke out in the first week of September so assume it barely started so wasn’t much of an issue... it ended in Europe in May but think it was 46 before it started again.

 

[Indian Dan]

Playing behind closed doors wouldn’t make much difference to some!

I reckon the only reason we didn’t score yesterday was that our players didn’t want to celebrate what with this ‘ere virus thingy

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Great time to be following FGR, no danger of finding yourself in a big crowd.

 

[Greenacres]

WW2 broke out in the first week of September so assume it barely started so wasn’t much of an issue... it ended in Europe in May but think it was 46 before it started again.

OK, so maybe my initial post was a bit lazy...so I checked on Wikipedia, not always to be trusted, and there is a page about the Wartime Leagues:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wartime_League

This backs up what you posted and states that the leagues went back to normal for the 46/47 season. It also mentions the number of players who joined up from each team, the majority contributed dozens...the exception being Norwich, with one!!! (Perhaps their club emblem should be a bird with white feathers, not yellow!)