Sunday 29th & Monday 30th December

[LS Bantam]

The absolute shame of the Chesterfield fans singing ‘you’re not fit to referee’ having been given a free kick by him every 4 seconds.

 

[BarraMatt]

Listened on the Radio and sounded like we were second best for the majority up to 70 minutes onwards, then all of a sudden we had 4 or 5 glorious chances to the win the game. Draw the fair result and I would've taken a point pre match given the side we fielded.

 

[SaddlerJonny]

Newport knocked it around well first half and we didn't have a kick until the 35th minute - though they didn't create anything at all in that time. We just couldn't retain the ball at all. We ended the half with the best chance of the game though.

Second half much better but still nowhere near our best on the ball - and it takes a bit of luck for our first to go in. After that Newports heads dropped and there was only one winner in the end. Nathan Lowe is a joke.

Not sure Newport was ever going to score, even after putting two giants up front and then still not hitting it long. They looked a pretty useful team, really worked us hard, moved the ball well.

In dreamland currently, not sure what is happening.

 

[Grimsby Road]

She won’t sack him, can tell you that for a fact. As I say if we serve this up against Cheltenham at VP can see things getting pretty ill-tempered.

Good following and noise from your guys in the morgue it G'd the home crowd up a bit today and it wasn't so bad

 

[valefan16]

First time I’ve heard a Moore interview like that, locked the players in the dressing room after forcing them to stand for a while in front of the fans and take the flack, blasted the unacceptable lack of desire today and apologised to the fans, usually doesn’t really put the players down but looks like he’s finally had enough.

Let’s hope for a massive reaction on NYD, back in first thing tomorrow.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Close enough.

Vale fans, cheer up, most of our fanbase wanted Maynard out 8 days ago and we're second now, it's just the way the league is this year.

Not most thankfully but a good proportion, fools.

Incredible game, enjoyed most of it. Soft as shit goals given away at the start of each half, set pieces Achilles heel but some of the passages of play, passing, quick transitions and accurate passing was a joy to witness in the flesh.

Impressed with the floppy haired Cheltenham lad on the right and small quick dude on the left both destroyed us out wide against makeshift defenders. Every cross was heart in mouth stuff but they couldn't handle Crowley, Palmer and Jatta and our quick passing especially on the counter. My Gambian Prince was superb , workout rate outstanding especially for a big man, and he's worth a pretty penny.

Some standout performances from front to back. Put your bedsheets away for a couple of weeks nobheads.

 

[Si Robin]

An absolutely wonderful game of football today almost ruined by an absolute whopper of an official.

Notts are, without doubt, the best team I've seen at Whaddon Road this season, their desire to battle for every ball is astounding, not to mention some of their slick football - one/two touch passing and quick movement at all times - I think they just edged the win in the end. First half they were phenomenal, second half we really got at them.

Some of the ref's decisions were truly baffling though - he gave a foul by Jordan Thomas despite the Notts player basically rugby tackling him to the ground, which meant Colwill's finish was disallowed (keeper had stopped to be fair to him). The corner from which Notts got their third goal was never a corner in a million years - the Notts player was sat on the ball as it went out. Take nothing away from the finish though, that was truly outstanding. The ref also gave some shockers the other way as well. I think I saw that it's his 3rd or 4th game at this level and it showed. The absolute calamity when dealing with the Notts player getting injured was embarrassing - the lad takes an age to go off (fair enough if he's injured), is allowed back on, walks about a yard or so, then sits back down. The ref then waits 3-4 mins for the Notts sub to get ready instead of just allowing the game to play on, as he should have. He was so abysmal he'll be on the Premier League list in no time.

I fear for Notts if Jatta is sold in January though - there's no doubt in my mind he can play much higher and if a Wrexham or similar come in they really will struggle to keep him. Sam Stubbs will be having nightmares about him tonight.

One of those batshit games where we take it on the chin and move on. Everyone in the ground really was entertained - the best game at Whaddon Road in some time.

 

[jacobncfc]

Agreed the ref was rubbish, but I think it just about evened out. The corner we scored from was never one, but neither was the free kick for Cheltenham’s first goal.

Very little chance we sell Jatta in January, or anyone for that matter. I reckon we fancy it this season having somehow found ourselves second at this stage after being god awful for about three months.

Can see Chelts getting top seven for sure, they were really good. Possibly the best we’ve played all season, just a great game to watch.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

God awful for 3 months? What are you on about? I know you were demanding Maynard was sacked just a month ago but that's absolute crazy talk.

Agree fantastically entertaining game and Si's summary is absolutely spot on. Impressed with both sides and Jatta is a star and a fantastic signing for £125k

 

[jacobncfc]

God awful for 3 months? What are you on about? I know you were demanding Maynard was sacked just a month ago but that's absolute crazy talk.

Agree fantastically entertaining game and Si's summary is absolutely spot on. Impressed with both sides and Jatta is a star and a fantastic signing for £125k

We had relegation form between Jones getting injured in mid-September and Salford a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully that performance seems to have sparked us into life and persuaded the manager to stop messing about with people’s positions - make a decent case we’ve put in our best three performances since promotion in a row.

 

[RavenBish]

Despite the troglodytes on social media calling for Montague’s head every time we dip in form - our recruitment has been incredible since he’s come in - so I’m not really worried about losing anyone - he replaced Langstaff who looked irreplaceable, who replaced Wootton - Jones replaced Roberts, Crowley replaced Rodrigues etc… etc…

I wouldn’t be shocked if we sold Crowley or Jatta in January, but I think both are highly unlikely unless it’s a ridiculous bid - in which case, win-win.

Good opportunity on Wednesday now, I think the number one criticism of Maynard has been how he’s approached games against the top sides (feels weird calling Vale and Gillingham that now) who have just as strong a side on paper as we do and come to Meadow Lane with a game plan to disrupt how we play and be really clinical in attack. A result against Walsall would start to ruin that narrative.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

What does Maynard do at Half time, were the worst team in the division at the start of every second half

More importantly he wins difficult looking games over the festive period including two on our travels. Not only that but he wins them deservedly so and comfortably.

He's also firmly pressed the entertainment button now Crowley is back with 10 goals in the 3 games and it should have been 15. Obviously in some folks eyes we won all three in spite of Maynard and not because of him. Players get the credit until we next lose then the bottom lips with go. It's been very entertaining watching his critics scramble around to find negatives during this run.

 

[Cloudy]

Good following and noise from your guys in the morgue it G'd the home crowd up a bit today and it wasn't so bad

Really? I thought they were the quietest visitors for yonks given they brought 700+

 

[BarraMatt]

1:45 onwards, not one, but two sensational misses.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

We had relegation form between Jones getting injured in mid-September and Salford a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully that performance seems to have sparked us into life and persuaded the manager to stop messing about with people’s positions - make a decent case we’ve put in our best three performances since promotion in a row.

But we haven't been god awful other than a couple of games during that period. Were we god awful against Wimbledon, Doncaster, Chesterfield, Carlisle, Walsall? No not even close on any of those games and you know it We've struggled for wins so points return was modest but 'I'd say we've been god awful maybe 3 times all season hence why we've been top 7 all season bar one or two weeks.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Us being 2nd is mental, we’ve spent most of this season calling for our manager’s head, been poor whenever we’ve played a decent team and had our best player out with a broken leg. Aside from Walsall, I can’t remember League 2 ever being this tight and unpredictable

It mental and it was also mental calling for the managers head when we hit the first poor run of the season recently. Embarrassing really, reminds me of the bad old days at the club with the constant cycle of online threads demanding sackings followed by threads excitedly looking at next manager odds and speculating on who the next boss would be. And repeat.

 

[Gladders]

But we haven't been god awful other than a couple of games during that period. Were we god awful against Wimbledon, Doncaster, Chesterfield, Carlisle, Walsall? No not even close on any of those games and you know it We've struggled for wins so points return was modest but 'I'd say we've been god awful maybe 3 times all season hence why we've been top 7 all season bar one or two weeks.

You can be god awful every other week and still be top 7 in this league.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

You can be god awful every other week and still be top 7 in this league.

You can if you don't draw any. We haven't.

 

[loz]

Chesterfield battered us in that first half and should've been three up at least. Second half was more even but if it wasn't for their number 5, we wouldn't have created a clear cut chance all game.

To be fair, he only did what our defenders were doing all through the first half. He was punished, our defenders weren't.

 

[GTFCfish]

Brilliant game, loved it. Think we deserved it but both teams really good.

Slightly tempered by being thrown out on 85 for taking a wrong turn after going for a piss, stepping half a yard out the ground and not being allowed back in.

Yeah but when that ‘wrong turn’ means you end up in the ladies bogs instead what did you really expect?

 

[Boz]

Listened on the Radio and sounded like we were second best for the majority up to 70 minutes onwards, then all of a sudden we had 4 or 5 glorious chances to the win the game. Draw the fair result and I would've taken a point pre match given the side we fielded.

Not at the game either, but the commentary I was listening to gave a different impression. Rovers started the brighter but heads dropped after the Barrow deflected opener and even after the equaliser, Barrow were the more threatening going forward. Despite all the let-offs, Kristian Dennis had a good chance to steal all the points late on, but fluffed his lines.

Playing a young striker in a midfield no 8 role, gives a good idea of the extent of Adkins' lost plot. Barrow should be at least comfortable mid-table

 

[Spireitelass97]

Chesterfield battered us in that first half and should've been three up at least. Second half was more even but if it wasn't for their number 5, we wouldn't have created a clear cut chance all game.

Earlier in week I was asked why I felt so pessimistic about our chances today…you nailed why. Good performance from us but defence are very capable of being shambolic & gifting goals from nothing.

Other than the errors thought we played well, especially first half. Markanday, Dobra, Sheckleford, Banks, Naylor all impressed.

Great day out.

 

[RavenBish]

It mental and it was also mental calling for the managers head when we hit the first poor run of the season recently. Embarrassing really, reminds me of the bad old days at the club with the constant cycle of online threads demanding sackings followed by threads excitedly looking at next manager odds and speculating on who the next boss would be. And repeat.

You missed the bit where everyone goes ‘cheap option then!’ regardless of who we appoint because it’s not someone they’ve casually heard of like Warnock, Cotterill or Danny Wilson.

Let’s not pretend Maynard’s record has been great, some of the ill will towards him is based on us being the worst team in the league for the second half of last season (I’ve always extended some sympathy for him having defenders like Cameron, Baldwin, Rawlinson and Brindley though!).

If we’d hired him in the summer, I don’t think people would have been as ‘Maynard Out’ as they have been (some will have of course but I also don’t think they actually want us to do well at all).

 

[Spireitelass97]

Impressed by Chesterfield. Probably the best team I've seen at home. Think a draw would have been a fair result. Thought it would have been a better game if it wasn't for the ref blowing for absolutely everything. Still not convinced by us. Defence is too leaky and we don't create enough. Hopefully, we can fix that in the Jan window. Good luck for the rest of the season Chesterfield fans. Great following and noise.

We were at our best in first half. Shame about the individual errors for your goals. You had a couple of horrible niggly players who gave us a hard time. Expected more from Cook tbh, he looked knackered in first half chasing balls between Naylor & Sheckleford.

Agree re ref and a draw would have been a fair result.

 

[Ainsty]

2 points dropped. Penalty in last minute and absolute shocker taken by MOM Patterson - work that one out. Fleetwood possession and overall work rate deserved better, but take nothing away from Harrogate who defended tremendously all the game. New manager will be disappointed but performance was streets ahead of what we have seen recently

I think Belshaw psyched him out. I was down at the other end of the pitch of course but I think Belshaw twitched his left arm towards the right corner as seen from Patterson's position (Belshaw's left). Patterson took the cue from this and kicked towards the bottom right corner where Belshaw was diving. I'm possibly reading to much into it but I wasn't surprised when Patterson kicked to his right and Belshaw made the save.

 

[Spireitelass97]

The absolute shame of the Chesterfield fans singing ‘you’re not fit to referee’ having been given a free kick by him every 4 seconds.

Come on, he let your lot get away with loads

 

[PaulHaddock]

Yeah, Vale were indeed pretty poor and just toothless all much. As the game wore on, despite us sitting back, there was very little threat.

Ripley was shocking for Vale. Think he was slightly at fault for all three goals but also can’t say anyone put in a bad performance for us. I expect we’ll rotate on Wednesday as some of our lot were rightly exhausted at the end. If we can get 3 points at Accy then it’s a perfect festive period. Thankfully we still have plenty room for improvement.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

First game I haven’t watched or been to this season haha typical. The turnaround since Salford has been unbelievable. They must have had a team meeting and decided they weren’t going to be shit anymore. Fair play.

 

[BarraMatt]

Not at the game either, but the commentary I was listening to gave a different impression. Rovers started the brighter but heads dropped after the Barrow deflected opener and even after the equaliser, Barrow were the more threatening going forward. Despite all the let-offs, Kristian Dennis had a good chance to steal all the points late on, but fluffed his lines.

Playing a young striker in a midfield no 8 role, gives a good idea of the extent of Adkins' lost plot. Barrow should be at least comfortable mid-table

Funny isn't it, I guess it's the position and form of both clubs that it's easy to get worried when the opposition come forward. Patrick sounded especially dangerous, but that wouldn't surprise me given he's a good player.

Are you playing Jennings out of necessity? Although it sounded like he battles well I'm not sure he's at L2 level, thought he'd dropped back into the NL a good while ago.

 

[LS Bantam]

First half we were beyond awful and Chesterfield ran rings around us, any press and we struggle to cope, big gaps in centre mid and centre halves who seem to take an age on the ball (Baldwin was mocked prematch and proved why, how we keeps Shepard out is a loss to me).
The equaliser totally knocked the stuffing out of them though, Alex Pattison is the ultimate get out of jail card and God only knows how much higher up the table we’d be if he could play more than ten games a season.
We were questioning at half time whether Sarcevic’s legs have gone but full credit for the way he pounced on the ball for the winner, took it around the keeper and finished.