Smokegate II - The Black and Amber match

[BeesKnees]

Can't see a Barnet v Cambridge thread so here goes.
Firstly although it's not something I can do much about I just want to repeat the apology for the way Cambridge fans were treated on their last visit. It was the first time decent away numbers turned up at the Hive, the club and police made mistakes in ensuring everyone could get in and out safely. Things have improved significantly for those not carrying inflatable fish.

We have a couple of bench warmers from last years Cambridge squad, they haven't done much wrong in their backup roles but neither have they made fans clamour for them to start. We have been told that as many as four first teamers are injured so no Stack, Lisbie, Yiadom and possibly Togwell. Also those that saw us against Wolves would rather Batt and Muggleton didn't start so that makes options limited. If Togwell isn't fit then Champion will play.
Stephens
Hoyte Dembele N'gala Johnson
Vilhete Weston Togwell Gambin
Akinde McLean
There is also the possibility that Allen will try wing backs again or 4-5-1,, but really this is just a sign that he is struggling to work out a formation and selection good enough to compete at this level.

Expecting a comfortable win for Cambridge.

 

[Habbinalan]

I'm giving up guessing what team Richard will put out for a few months,

This has all the makings of a cracking performance but last I heard, BBB Corr had his ankle in a bucket of ice. It would be nice if the Admiral was on show - Slew would probably enjoy that. Tom Champion will get a warm reception from U's fans even if he doesn't get a run out. I hope that we just ignore Nelson rather than winding him up.

I'm giving this one a miss to head north for Cumbria today - taking dad to sheepdog trials and meeting up with old buddies at the Patterdale Sheepdog Trials and Herdwick Show followed by some refreshment at Millom and Broughton Agricultural Show.

Big decisions - do I make the effort to get back for D & R in the JPT? or even make the effort to get over to the Shay on Monday?

 

[Laker]

I've got my tickets for this, missed our previous visit as I was on holiday. It'll be tough but it's the sort of game where we'd put in a decent performance after last week's shocker.

Looking forward to seeing Champs again, total legend.

 

[Arbury]

Caught in two minds whether to go to this as I am about the result, haven't a clue what team dickie will pick but I have heard that a couple of players aren't very happy with what happened last week, I really really hope dickie doesn't lose it like last season, we all know how stubborn he can be but the Wimbledon gave me faith that maybe he's mellowing some what.

I'll go for 1-1 with 700 u's.


KTF.

 

[AtaturkOzgutson]

My main hope is that more people aren't victims of the scum at the Met Police.

Sod the result.

 

[Mucca Mad Bee]

My main hope is that more people aren't victims of the scum at the Met Police.

Sod the result.

Change the record mate...

Interesting comments from Martin Allen in his match preview:

"“Richard Money has been able to bring in a lot of good players from their FA Cup run last year."

“We tried to sign some of those players."

“Unfortunately we can’t match what they can pay, after those two cup games against Manchester United."

“Two weeks ago I had a member of the Cambridge United staff offering us players that can’t get into their squad."

“So I thought that was quite interesting – they’re offering the players who aren’t good enough for Cambridge to us!"

Cambridge fans - What players do you think were offered to us? Not surprised given the fact we gave Tom Champion a 2 year contract following his release in the summer.

 

[Laker]

Josh Coulson, Robbie Simpson, Jordan Slew, Greg Taylor.... ie all the ones we put on the transfer list at the beginning of the season.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Likewise I hope to be treated a bit more like a human being this time around but based on what I've heard and seen happen there since our last visit I'm not particularly hopeful, although I've not heard any horror stories yet this season.

On the pitch, fuck knows in reality, on the XI and the result, assuming Corr is out injured I'd be happy with a point. I expect Liam Hughes will start in central midfield, and Ryan Donaldson will start somewhere and more than likely do absolutely nothing yet again. I sincerely hope Robbie Simpson gets a start up front, Morrissey does in midfield, that our defence actually looks a bit like they were worth all the hype this summer, that whoever is in goal looks at least semi-competent without conceding more than 1, and that Michael Nelson gets some game time for Barnet, then we might have a chance.

Assuming no Corr, Keane and Omozusi as suggested I would go (4-4-2 diamond):

Beasant, Taylor (absolutely no other options at RB sadly), Coulson, Legge, Dunk, Hughes, Newton, Morrissey, Berry, Simpson, Blyth.

2-2 draw would be where my money is.

 

[SVH]

Mind games from mad dog there I reckon. Most likely offered you Taylor or Coulson. No chance we would be offering you Slew or Simpson.

 

[Urban]

Well they've got a huge barrier to the squad in Muggleton so I don't think there'd be any point to them in playing for us, they wouldn't be anywhere near the first team.

 

[Vanni]

Mind games from mad dog there I reckon. Most likely offered you Taylor or Coulson. No chance we would be offering you Slew or Simpson.

I don't know, but I wouldn't say no chance. According to Allen, he was approached two weeks ago, and as you well know, the situation with the players has changed since then, most notably with Corr.

I think we'll get a point at least, but something tells me we'll win this 2-1. Don't know why but I have a feeling this season will mirror last years, in that the side will play better on the road than at the Abbey.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Not much of a feel-good feeling on our message board this week. However, I don't think we're as mediocre as some there believe us to be...

 

[Urban]

Not much of a feel-good feeling on our message board this week. However, I don't think we're as mediocre as some there believe us to be...

Our message board is an embarrassment at the best of times. So much BS and hyperbole thrown about all the time. So many people have not-so-hidden agendas on there - it's always the club at fault, or the manager, or the fans, or the players. Something unfortunate happens, TK/MA is at fault etc. Batt plays about 90 minutes of football so far, and apparently MA is sabotaging our season by not playing a 17 year old winger ahead of him...

I really do have concerns over the state of our fanbase at times. I hope players don't read the posts on that place because if they do they'll be jumping off cliffs in no time.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Our message board is an embarrassment at the best of times. So much BS and hyperbole thrown about all the time. So many people have not-so-hidden agendas on there - it's always the club at fault, or the manager, or the fans, or the players. Something unfortunate happens, TK/MA is at fault etc. Batt plays about 90 minutes of football so far, and apparently MA is sabotaging our season by not playing a 17 year old winger ahead of him...

I really do have concerns over the state of our fanbase at times. I hope players don't read the posts on that place because if they do they'll be jumping off cliffs in no time.

Amen to that! The thread about David Stephens is a case of that.

 

[Urban]

Amen to that! The thread about David Stephens is a case of that.

That thread and some of the posts after the Rovers game are highlights (not of the good kind either). I know I'm a pessimistic moaner at the best of times but there are 5/6 prominent posters on there which just take it way too far! To think everyone apparently wants to club to succeed just as much as everyone else... Madness.

 

[BeesKnees]

I think our message board is just reacting to a less than ideal start. I also think there is an assumption that a hidden agenda is in operation rather than people just reacting to what they see. Two poor performances in a week is bound to raise questions, as is the sidelining of a player that 12 months ago would've been first name on the team sheet. Shomotun brought the game to life against Palace so it's understandable people want to see more of him, I'm going to Yeovil next week in the hope he will get a chance.
However you look at it the new signings in midfield and attack haven't really worked yet and we have been failing to take the chances we do make. We've had a very tough August, but hopefully things will pick up soon enough.

 

[Lee Watkins]

Would like to think more than 700 would make the trip, it's an hour down the road!

 

[BeeSting]

Well TK has come out and said we recruited all of Allens first choice recruits bar one. How can a player like Lisbie be a first choice signing? Wrong side of 30 and injury prone, his career was shot well over a year ago, I bet his wage isn't cheap either.

The summer recruitment is what's got most fans backs up, we all feared for our lack of creativity and relying on Akinde for goals and at the start of the season those fears have been obvious to see for the whole season so far.

 

[Arbury]

Probably won't know until Saturday whether I'll be going, anybody know whether I can still get tickets on the day? Easiest way to purchase etc

 

[Urban]

Well TK has come out and said we recruited all of Allens first choice recruits bar one. How can a player like Lisbie be a first choice signing? Wrong side of 30 and injury prone, his career was shot well over a year ago, I bet his wage isn't cheap either.

The summer recruitment is what's got most fans backs up, we all feared for our lack of creativity and relying on Akinde for goals and at the start of the season those fears have been obvious to see for the whole season so far.

Lisbie was a gamble in the same way McDonald was a gamble - when fit they're both great players for that respective level, as well as offering great experience to the younger players as well as a great opposite to Akinde's style of play. Unfortunately, early signs are showing that Lisbie has backfired while McDonald prospered. That's just how things are - although whether or not there were better options than Lisbie available I don't know.

It's a long old season and I'm sure we'll see a fit Lisbie playing again at some time. When fit he's good enough for this level, definitely.

As for the lack of creatvity signed, well... TK kind of confirmed that our current style of play is what Allen has decided is most likely to bring success. I guess that makes sense - brute force must be cheaper than technically gifted. We'll just have to wait and see how that works - as long as we're clear of relegation (which we'll have more of an idea about when we actually play those 'weaker teams' rather than the playoff or above standard we've had so far) then I'm a happy guy.

 

[BeesKnees]

Not sure I agree, macdonald made 30 appearances in league one in the season before he came to us and was 33 years old. He finished the season fit and ready to play so wasnt a gamble at all. That he got an injury during the season was unfortunate for him and he is now in the same position as Lisbie that Boreham Wood have taken him on as a gamble.
Lisbie managed 7 games last season and finished it injured. With Lisbie being the wrong side of 35 and unable to get fit in over a year I would suggest he was a gamble.

 

[PBBee]

Probably won't know until Saturday whether I'll be going, anybody know whether I can still get tickets on the day? Easiest way to purchase etc

You can definitely get tickets on the day. Easiest is to go online and get the ticket emailed to you then just scan the ticket from your phone at the turnstile, or print it off.

Cash maybe even still accepted at the away end turnstiles, if not you just buy a ticket at the ticket office in the car park.

 

[Urban]

Not sure I agree, macdonald made 30 appearances in league one in the season before he came to us and was 33 years old. He finished the season fit and ready to play so wasnt a gamble at all. That he got an injury during the season was unfortunate for him and he is now in the same position as Lisbie that Boreham Wood have taken him on as a gamble.
Lisbie managed 7 games last season and finished it injured. With Lisbie being the wrong side of 35 and unable to get fit in over a year I would suggest he was a gamble.

He also made 30 appearances with us last season, which by your own statement makes us signing him just as much of a gamble as Borehamwood.

Regardless, Lisbie was signed to fill the void left by MacDonald. We're three weeks into a season, my personal thoughts are to leave it a little longer before seeing if he's below this standard.

 

[E10rifle]

Not much of a feel-good feeling on our message board this week. However, I don't think we're as mediocre as some there believe us to be...

Not much of a feel-good feeling? I must hasten to disagree, old bean; if they're saying you're as good as mediocre, they're being deludedly happy-clappy.

 

[BeesKnees]

He also made 30 fear appearances with us last season, which by your own statement makes us signing him just as much of a gamble as Borehamwood.

Regardless, Lisbie was signed to fill the void left by MacDonald. We're three weeks into a season, my personal thoughts are to leave it a little longer before seeing if he's below this standard.

No because I in also made clear that Macdonald finished the season fit when he joined us. He joined Borehamwood having just had a knee operation.
Lisbie isn't below this standard but the fear at his age has to be that his playing days are over.

 

[Urban]

No because I in also made clear that Macdonald finished the season fit when he joined us. He joined Borehamwood having just had a knee operation.
Lisbie isn't below this standard but the fear at his age has to be that his playing days are over.

Oh well excuse me then

So again, by your own reckoning, Lisbie wasn't on the treatment table when he joined us either seeing as he had a pretty sizable pre-season. So the point stands - Lisbie was virtually a like for like signing with MacDonald. It doesn't matter what state he was in joining Borehamwood either, that is completely irrelevant here.

 

[SVH]

We took 640 to Wimbledon on a Tuesday having pre-sold 450. We had pre-sold 450 ish as of yesterday so I think we'll most likely have 800-900 on Saturday.

Some people I know are staying away due to what happened last season.

 

[BeesKnees]

Oh well excuse me then

So again, by your own reckoning, Lisbie wasn't on the treatment table when he joined us either seeing as he had a pretty sizable pre-season. So the point stands - Lisbie was virtually a like for like signing with MacDonald. It doesn't matter what state he was in joining Borehamwood either, that is completely irrelevant here.

Are you really struggling to see that in Macdonald we signed a player who was fit and ready to play and in Lisbie we signed a crocked striker who was a gamble as to whether at he would ever get over his injuries and play again. If you really can't see that then I can't help you.
There was never any doubt over whether Macdonald would be fit to start the season with us, can you really say the same is true of Lisbie? Every attempt he made last season to play resulted on him picking up another muscle injury, I really hope we do see him recover and play but at the moment I suspect he is here to fill the Kabba role.

 

[rudebwoyben]

We took 640 to Wimbledon on a Tuesday having pre-sold 450. We had pre-sold 450 ish as of yesterday so I think we'll most likely have 800-900 on Saturday.

Some people I know are staying away due to what happened last season.

Whatever happened last season didn't have anything to do with us!

 

[BeesKnees]

Good news for us with Yiadom and Togwell both fit to play.