Tuesday 17th August

[Indian Dan]

I’d happily take that!

I’ve heard we’ve loosened up a few bulbs in the floodlights just in case things aren’t going our way.

 

[AdamStag]

Apparently you can buy tickets for colchester as an away fan.

However to do so -
You must complete the purchase within 5 minutes
You can only do so while operating a pogo
While operating the pogo you must also purchase the tickets with one hand behind your back
While operating the pogo, purchasing the tickets with one hand behind your back you must also be blindfolded.

Absolute farce (not that i’d have gone) for a lower league club that has no fans it’s crazy that any chairman would come up with the idea that he has - it’s half-baked at best.

 

[kieran_vale]

Apparently you can buy tickets for colchester as an away fan.

However to do so -
You must complete the purchase within 5 minutes
You can only do so while operating a pogo
While operating the pogo you must also purchase the tickets with one hand behind your back
While operating the pogo, purchasing the tickets with one hand behind your back you must also be blindfolded.

Absolute farce (not that i’d have gone) for a lower league club that has no fans it’s crazy that any chairman would come up with the idea that he has - it’s half-baked at best.

I don’t get Cowlings approach on this. All it’s doing is losing Colchester what I presume is much needed revenue. Its especially bizarre when say at Old Trafford there was 70000 packed in there on Saturday for example with no restrictions for Colchester to put up these barriers to entry.

Other clubs like Vale and Walsall had some issues on Saturday albeit they sounded more competence based than by design but at least they both apologised and said they’d do something about it not double down like Cowling.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Oldham at home. We still have plenty of players out or just returning from injury, but if we lose this after Stevenage it wont be pretty at the final whistle.

 

[Indian Dan]

Would Wael have the balls to sack Barton?

 

[AdamStag]

Would Wael have the balls to sack Barton?

He shouldn’t be managing in the first place, i’m surprised they appointed him and surprised even more so that they didn’t suspend him after the alleged attack.

Wales did so with giggs when he was accused of the same thing, so unsure what the difference in approach is for?

 

[Indian Dan]

Maybe Wael is waiting/hoping he’s found guilty so he can sack him and not have to pay him off. Makes sense financially but a dreadful decision for the footballing side of things.

 

[hellogregory]

So tonight, Port Vale looking for their first win of the season. I'm sure even Shoddycollins would agree that when teams are looking for their first win, or to end a winless run, Carlisle United usually oblige.

One of the factors in us plummeting last season was our away form, think we only won 6 away games all season. That has to improve this season, but back to back away wins? Think that's asking a bit too much as Port Vale do have players that are very capable at this level and sooner or later they'll click and turn these performances into wins. Taking all that into account, I honestly can't see anything other than a Port Vale win. I'd love to be completely wrong.

Port Vale 2-1 Carlisle United

 

[shoddycollins]

So tonight, Port Vale looking for their first win of the season. I'm sure even Shoddycollins would agree that when teams are looking for their first win, or to end a winless run, Carlisle United usually oblige.

One of the factors in us plummeting last season was our away form, think we only won 6 away games all season. That has to improve this season, but back to back away wins? Think that's asking a bit too much as Port Vale do have players that are very capable at this level and sooner or later they'll click and turn these performances into wins. Taking all that into account, I honestly can't see anything other than a Port Vale win. I'd love to be completely wrong.

Port Vale 2-1 Carlisle United

Why you have me down as some starry-eyed optimist who requires the word 'even' when suggesting that my expectations might be realistic? You're the one who goes into every game 100% certain of what's going to happen.

I'm sure though we're not the only team who think we're specialists at ending poor runs, I see fans say it all the time, last season we went there and ended their good run so we do that too. We're only two games into the season so Port Vale's lack of a win in the previous two won't make them much more or less likely to get it against us. We're away to one of the fancied sides pre-season so I'll:

• take a draw
• not expect a draw
• believe we're more than capable of getting a draw or even all three points

That enough optimism for you?

 

[kieran_vale]

So tonight, Port Vale looking for their first win of the season. I'm sure even Shoddycollins would agree that when teams are looking for their first win, or to end a winless run, Carlisle United usually oblige.

One of the factors in us plummeting last season was our away form, think we only won 6 away games all season. That has to improve this season, but back to back away wins? Think that's asking a bit too much as Port Vale do have players that are very capable at this level and sooner or later they'll click and turn these performances into wins. Taking all that into account, I honestly can't see anything other than a Port Vale win. I'd love to be completely wrong.

Port Vale 2-1 Carlisle United

Both teams are creating openings even if we haven't taken any of them yet. It's an even game and certainly based on the game at Brunton Park last season two teams who tend to play the game in very similar styles too.

We have created openings this season and depending on how you value xG both teams have been quite threatening in open play even if the end result hasn't been right for us at least. I think home advantage may just pay off for us but it certainly wouldn't shock me if you came away with the points either.

 

[Casey]

Devils playing with Sulphur*. What could go wrong?

Salford look to have bought (sic) in some quality players so I can't see this as an easy game but I'm hoping we can get our season up and running with a win.

I wouldn't expect new signing, Appiah, to be in the squad so our forward play is going to rely on whether Nichols is fit to play. We look quick but lightweight without him.

2-1 to to Crawley.

Jim Baker

*A pun on the teams nicknames.

 

[Bottega Don]

In both our first two games we've had two players forced off with injury, I wonder who the victims will be tonight. We already have 8 first teamers out for tonight which is lovely on the 3rd game of the season.

I imagine we will play our winger Devarn Green up front tonight as we have no fit strikers and we will have 3 at the back again to play for a point.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Oldham at home. We still have plenty of players out or just returning from injury, but if we lose this after Stevenage it wont be pretty at the final whistle.

Is Barton in the dugout? Look forward to seeing him on Saturday where I'm sure he will get a warm welcome...

 

[GEORGE]

Is Barton in the dugout? Look forward to seeing him on Saturday where I'm sure he will get a warm welcome...

Oh no -- I bet he's shaking in his boots.

 

[valefan16]

Both teams are creating openings even if we haven't taken any of them yet. It's an even game and certainly based on the game at Brunton Park last season two teams who tend to play the game in very similar styles too.

We have created openings this season and depending on how you value xG both teams have been quite threatening in open play even if the end result hasn't been right for us at least. I think home advantage may just pay off for us but it certainly wouldn't shock me if you came away with the points either.

Tricky one tonight, just need a bit of luck and be more clinical though as the past two games have been "Frustrating" (could include the Northampton game in that as well I suppose!)

I expect a close game, probably low scoring decided by the odd goal, hopefully in our favour as we have two away games at teams who've picked up 6 points already to follow.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Yep. In spite of Carlisle fans being quite pessimistic about their team, they've made a solid start and are normally one of the stronger teams. We seem on the cusp of a convincing win, but until that happens it will all be a bit nervy I suspect.

I think once we get off the mark we look to have the makings of a team to challenge at the right end but I expected us to have a slow start. The combination of a new team trying to gel and a really tough run of fixtures in August/September might see us in the bottom half but I think we'll pick up after that.

Tonight I'm hoping for a 1-0 but wouldn't surprise me if we were on the wrong end.

 

[hellogregory]

Why you have me down as some starry-eyed optimist who requires the word 'even' when suggesting that my expectations might be realistic? You're the one who goes into every game 100% certain of what's going to happen.

I'm sure though we're not the only team who think we're specialists at ending poor runs, I see fans say it all the time, last season we went there and ended their good run so we do that too. We're only two games into the season so Port Vale's lack of a win in the previous two won't make them much more or less likely to get it against us. We're away to one of the fancied sides pre-season so I'll:

• take a draw
• not expect a draw
• believe we're more than capable of getting a draw or even all three points

That enough optimism for you?

The ‘even’ was more in terms of you rarely agreeing with me, rather than me having you down as an ultra optimist.

I’m never 100% certain what’s going to happen, they are simply predictions.

 

[hellogregory]

Yep. In spite of Carlisle fans being quite pessimistic about their team, they've made a solid start and are normally one of the stronger teams.

We are? This is our 8th successive season down at this level, and in that time we’ve finished in the top 7 once.

 

[TheDon]

Went on Saturday and thought we weren't too shoddy given the time we've had to put a team together. As ever a decent striker needed, don't suppose Charlie Austin would give us a go!!!! Going tonight, fond memories of games against Tranmere and good to be back in the ground. Most supporters I talked with were optimistic, especially regarding ownership and the improvement in communication from the club. Early days but could be worse, could be a gashead.

 

[leedsvaliant]

We are? This is our 8th successive season down at this level, and in that time we’ve finished in the top 7 once.

I'm surprised at that. Always have the impression that you're a top half team.

 

[kieran_vale]

I'm surprised at that. Always have the impression that you're a top half team.

They’ve always seemed competitive at least and as I said earlier I think they’d have been playoffs last season if it wasn’t for covid. Think Beech is a good manager too.

Having to watch it on iFollow tonight as one more day of self isolation to go. Thankfully good to go Stevenage at the weekend and they are words never thought I would use.

 

[Bottega Don]

Us and Walsall have a combined win total of 10 games out of a possible 57 games in 2021, tonight is going to be a slobberknocker.

 

[shoddycollins]

They’ve always seemed competitive at least and as I said earlier I think they’d have been playoffs last season if it wasn’t for covid. Think Beech is a good manager too.

Having to watch it on iFollow tonight as one more day of self isolation to go. Thankfully good to go Stevenage at the weekend and they are words never thought I would use.

Since we've been down here it's been:

20th (Kavanagh sacked in September and replaced by Keith Curle)
10th
6th (beaten by Exeter in PO semi)
10th (Curle quit following the end of the season)
11th (John Sheridan appointed, but quit in January with us 4th and replaced by Pressley)
18th (Pressley sacked in November and replaced by Chris Beech, then season ended on PPG)
10th

So I suppose from the perspective of other fans, we've only finished bottom half twice and each of those times has been an especially bad season in which the manager is sacked in autumn. There's never been a season where we've finished bottom half and it's just been 'OK' and we've accepted it.

 

[AdamStag]

Is Barton in the dugout? Look forward to seeing him on Saturday where I'm sure he will get a warm welcome...

Don’t wind him up he’ll slap your mrs

 

[Pablosammy]

Was tempted this morning to go to Swindle, but there's no pay on the gate plus Swindon are a true bogey team for us. I'll probably just check how much we've lost by in the morning.

 

[Back in the DHSS]

I’ve heard we’ve loosened up a few bulbs in the floodlights just in case things aren’t going our way.

Best bring some spare bulbs, a spark and a generator with us just in case then!

 

[shoddycollins]

Clough on the bench then eh. Starting lineup unchanged, as it has been all season.

 

[Bottega Don]

No strikers and 6 defenders playing for us. Our most experienced player on the bench has 4 FL appearances, the 6 have 10 combined. Three games into the season and we can't fill a bench due to our injuries.

We will play for a 0-0, if Walsall score it could get ugly.

 

[kieran_vale]

Am good with this lineup I think. Proctor gives us more of a focal point up top.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1427687945121771524

 

[hellogregory]

Further down the line, think once fit Clough will come in for Alessandra. I like Alessandra, he keeps hold of the ball well, but he hasn’t really been producing enough with it. Probably better to come on late on if we have something to protect.