The Zoko/Berrett/Beck/Madden Derby

[shoddycollins]

OK, Zoko is the only one of the four listed that didn't move direct from Carlisle to Yeovil but he's still at Yeovil and he's the only one to have been a success at both clubs. Could I add Andy Welsh to this list, think we signed him off Yeovil... Think he ended up at S****horpe with Madden too.

Yeovil have been on decent form, but hopefully that came to an end with defeat last weekend and we're able to do a similar job on them, and keep up the pressure on the top of the table.

No doubt Hello Gregory will be on here soon to tell us that this is the easiest three points Yeovil will ever earn, that we're one of the worse sides in the division and this weekend will be when it finally catches up with us, and that whatever the odds on them winning are, they're hugely overpriced and everyone should get on that and then laugh all the way to the bank.

I can see us winning myself. Good to have Raynes' suspension overturned, and we're still waiting I think on the fitness of Jones, Grainger and Jabo. With McKee definitely out for a few weeks we could find ourselves a bit short in midfield.

 

[hellogregory]

After a superb and unexpected point at Luton, we need to follow this up with a win.

Yeovil are decent but I fully expect a home win. In fact I think we will collect 9 points from these next 3 games which will set us up nicely for a massive home game with Grimsby to kick off 2017.

 

[shoddycollins]

Yeovil are decent but I fully expect a home win. In fact I think we will collect 9 points from these next 3 games which will set us up nicely for a massive home game with Grimsby to kick off 2017.

cufc17 HG is going to be furious when he sees you've hacked his account.

 

[cufc17]

I think we'll win, tough game mind considering Yeovil's recent form. We'll probably be missing a few players but I think we'll have enough.

After that we've got 2 out of form sides away from home and whilst I think we're well capable of 6 points, a win and draw wouldn't be terrible.

 

[hellogregory]

This is the toughest of the 3 games on paper, but I think we will scrape a win here. It won't be pretty and I think it will be backs to the wall at times. I then think we'll go to Crewe and Notts County and pick up two wins with decent performances. My concerns about our defence are still very much there and I do think we'll concede goals in the games, but I think we'll score enough. I was actually looking forward to seeing how we played with Brisley and Gillesphey at the back, but now Raynes is available it will be the same CBs no doubt.

 

[Carver]

I fully expect a home win. In fact I think we will collect 9 points from these next 3 games.

OH SHIT!

HG being positive.

 

[hellogregory]

OH SHIT!

HG being positive.

Remember when I predicted us to beat Newport

 

[Carver]

Remember when I predicted us to beat Newport

Yes I do and I hold you responsible for it.

 

[hellogregory]

Yes I do and I hold you responsible for it.

I thought we were blaming the pitch

 

[Carver]

I thought we were blaming the pitch

Oh yes the pitch was the reason wasn't it. Sorry but I just felt like blaming you for being positive for the first time ever, I don't like you when you're not being negative. Not as funny and I like to get angry at you too.

 

[shoddycollins]

This is the toughest of the 3 games on paper, but I think we will scrape a win here. It won't be pretty and I think it will be backs to the wall at times. I then think we'll go to Crewe and Notts County and pick up two wins with decent performances. My concerns about our defence are still very much there and I do think we'll concede goals in the games, but I think we'll score enough. I was actually looking forward to seeing how we played with Brisley and Gillesphey at the back, but now Raynes is available it will be the same CBs no doubt.

The more I see us defend, the more I feel that Raynes/Ellis is the correct centre-back pairing for us, but Brisley should probably be given more of a chance too. Decent by all accounts against Luton.

 

[hellogregory]

Not a big fan of Ellis. Never have been convinced by him. Can't knock his bravery, but Brisley and Gillesphey are superior imo.

 

[shoddycollins]

Not a big fan of Ellis. Never have been convinced by him. Can't knock his bravery, but Brisley and Gillesphey are superior imo.

Well he has a decent amount of pace, and sometimes we can look a bit flat-footed at the back.

 

[Carver]

Brisley has been good overall but he has gets outfought and on two occasions it has led to us conceding.

 

[AmbiguousBon]

The previous 2 games have probably been our best performances of the season (despite losing on Saturday) so hopefully can carry that on this week.

Would love to beat Carlisle after failing to do so in all 4 matches last season - Zoko's penalty still haunts me - but can't see that happening here.

Fully expect us to set up defensively and hit on the counter, will plump for an optimistic 1-1, mainly because I'm making the trek up...

 

[hellogregory]

Mike Jones definitely out. That is a huge blow for us, he is one of it not the best midfielder in this league.

I'm still fancying us to nick a scrappy win, but without probably our best player it will be 10x more difficult.

 

[shoddycollins]

Jabo has been injured so at least the Yeovil keeper can leave his neck-guard at home.

 

[shoddycollins]

Mike Jones definitely out. That is a huge blow for us, he is one of it not the best midfielder in this league.

I'm still fancying us to nick a scrappy win, but without probably our best player it will be 10x more difficult.

I think without Jones we probably need to rethink how we set up. The only other players I can think of who could replace him in terms of filling that position are Penn and Atkinson, and both of these are a) out on loan and b) out of favour.

________________Gillespie_______________
T.Miller___Raynes___Brisley___Grainger
_________________Joyce_________________
_________Devitt_______Kennedy_________
________________Adams_________________
____________Wyke____S.Miller___________

A diamond, sacrificing width in favour of more support for Joyce to try and keep control of midfield. I wonder if in this kind of arrangement where the full-backs are being relied on to provide width up front as well as in defence, McQueen would be a better option than Miller too.

 

[cufc17]

I'd go with Kennedy in the middle alongside Joyce and then Lambe on the wing, so that we can keep the same shape we've been using.

I'd like to see a bit more of Devitt, I've been disappointed with him so far (though he hasn't had a great deal of game time) but I still feel he's capable of becoming a key player here.

On another note, I hope we don't give Asamoah a new contract as he's had zero impact since he returned, that's despite the fact we might only have 2 fit strikers without him.

 

[hellogregory]

I think without Jones we probably need to rethink how we set up. The only other players I can think of who could replace him in terms of filling that position are Penn and Atkinson, and both of these are a) out on loan and b) out of favour.

________________Gillespie_______________
T.Miller___Raynes___Brisley___Grainger
_________________Joyce_________________
_________Devitt_______Kennedy_________
________________Adams_________________
____________Wyke____S.Miller___________

A diamond, sacrificing width in favour of more support for Joyce to try and keep control of midfield. I wonder if in this kind of arrangement where the full-backs are being relied on to provide width up front as well as in defence, McQueen would be a better option than Miller too.

Grainger is also probably out.

I'd go 3 at the back

Gillespie
T.Miller Raynes Gillesphey
McQueen Joyce Kennedy Adams
Devitt
S.Miller Wyke​

 

[Alan Partridge]

That's looks a real team, that.

The only area where we might struggle is down our left with relying on Adams having to track back.

 

[ProfessorGreen]

Something seems to have happened to Yeovil since we played them off the Home Park. It's good to see as it's a great club. Won't be an easy game for Carlisle on Saturday.

 

[shoddycollins]

Something seems to have happened to Yeovil since we played them off the Home Park. It's good to see as it's a great club. Won't be an easy game for Carlisle on Saturday.

Something seems to have happened to Plymouth since we played them off Brunton Park. It's good to see as it's a great club

 

[Carver]

WE MUST WIN

I kind of liked our rivalry with Yeovil last season especially in the FA Cup, even if it was dirty it was still entertaining.

 

[hellogregory]

The way Darren Way speaks about us you'd think Yeovil were Barcelona preparing to face Tony Pulis' Stoke side from 4 or 5 years ago.

 

[MrGloverLover]

WE MUST WIN

I kind of liked our rivalry with Yeovil last season especially in the FA Cup, even if it was dirty it was still entertaining.

That was quite a surreal match at Blackpool. Weird atmosphere. Great last gasp equaliser from Zoko though...

 

[MrGloverLover]

This is going to be a very tough test for us, I'd be happy with a draw. 1-1.

 

[shoddycollins]

The way Darren Way speaks about us you'd think Yeovil were Barcelona preparing to face Tony Pulis' Stoke side from 4 or 5 years ago.

It's been getting a bit old this season, as Way isn't the first opposition manager to give a pre-game press conference where he talks about things like physicality, set-pieces and big men in the box. In a way though (put not intended) it's good as it shows that we're still not really meeting the expectations of opposition managers, nobody's really worked us out really this season... apart from maybe Westley but we were just as culpable ourselves for that one.

We don't have the best players in each position, though we may have the best player in a couple of positions, the rest are players you'd expect to be capable of a promotion push, what we do have though, if opposition managers keep failing to set up to counter us, is perhaps the best manager in the division.

 

[AmbiguousBon]

If Grainger is out, that is great news for us - one of the best players I've seen at this level over the past couple of years.

As to the comment on physicality, I really don't understand why managers say that. Every team in this league is physical and will hit long balls, it goes without saying (although Carlisle were a bit over-physical last year...).

It will be interesting if Carlisle line up with 3 at the back, as we are strongest down the flanks with Khan and Hedges the most in form players, would back us to get something out of the game if that is the case.

 

[hellogregory]

If Grainger is out, that is great news for us - one of the best players I've seen at this level over the past couple of years.

As to the comment on physicality, I really don't understand why managers say that. Every team in this league is physical and will hit long balls, it goes without saying (although Carlisle were a bit over-physical last year...).

It will be interesting if Carlisle line up with 3 at the back, as we are strongest down the flanks with Khan and Hedges the most in form players, would back us to get something out of the game if that is the case.

He is definitely out.