[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Saturday is must win.

Crewe are unbeaten in six but have won only one of those, though that includes a draw at Wigan and coming from two down at Rochdale. In short they're demonstrating a degree of form and fight.

On the other hand we're five without a win including three straight defeats and a real problem scoring goals. In large part due to fielding players who should be finding their feet in the reserves rather than a struggling first team. And now our only experienced central midfielder is out for three games.

However there are positives.

For all their shortcomings the returning Novak and E-B are the best forwards we've got and at least carry a threat. Then the arrival of a genuine full back - at long last - means Donahue might return to the position he was signed to play in. Even if that could mean two inexperienced youngsters in the 'engine room'. Better than the non tackling yet able play-maker Banks and rarely impressive Herd? Certainly more mobile, anyway. Could O'Neil be back in contention? He's been steadily improving - without any real 'wow' factor, perhaps - and offers another option. Maybe in CM, another recruited in that role but press-ganged into an unfamiliar job.

I'd love to believe Allen would sanction another incoming, preferably a proven forward who's featured at a higher level than Ilkeston Town or Wednesday's development squad. Over to you Mr Chairman.

As someone else has said our season starts Saturday. Three points with a couple or three players to return in the not too distant future and we'd all breath slightly easier. Slightly. Defeat is utterly unthinkable.

This post has been edited by MDCCCLXVI: 17 February 2016 - 06:11 PM

[Mr Mercury]

MDCCCLXVI, on 17 February 2016 - 06:08 PM, said:

Saturday is must win.

Crewe are unbeaten in six but have won only one of those, though that includes a draw at Wigan and coming from two down at Rochdale. In short they're demonstrating a degree of form and fight.

On the other hand we're five without a win including three straight defeats and a real problem scoring goals. In large part due to fielding players who should be finding their feet in the reserves rather than a struggling first team. And now our only experienced central midfielder is out for three games.

However there are positives.

For all their shortcomings the returning Novak and E-B are the best forwards we've got and at least carry a threat. Then the arrival of a genuine full back - at long last - means Donahue might return to the position he was signed to play in. Even if that could mean two inexperienced youngsters in the 'engine room'. Better than the non tackling yet able play-maker Banks and rarely impressive Herd? Certainly more mobile, anyway. Could O'Neil be back in contention? He's been steadily improving - without any real 'wow' factor, perhaps - and offers another option. Maybe in CM, another recruited in that role but press-ganged into an unfamiliar job.

I'd love to believe Allen would sanction another incoming, preferably a proven forward who's featured at a higher level than Ilkeston Town or Wednesday's development squad. Over to you Mr Chairman.

As someone else has said our season starts Saturday. Three points with a couple or three players to return in the not too distant future and we'd all breath slightly easier. Slightly. Defeat is utterly unthinkable.

I think I collared the season starts Saturday quote. Like you said, a few players back, a quality loanee, a few games v teams a outside the top third and a real chance to move away from the bottom four. Sadly our present league situation means that unless we put together a play-off type run of wins we'll be looking over our shoulders for probably the rest of the season. But we do need wins and quickly!

[Tha Knows...]

At least its not boring hey lads?

[DIFH]

MDCCCLXVI, on 17 February 2016 - 06:08 PM, said:

Saturday is must win.

Crewe are unbeaten in six but have won only one of those, though that includes a draw at Wigan and coming from two down at Rochdale. In short they're demonstrating a degree of form and fight.

On the other hand we're five without a win including three straight defeats and a real problem scoring goals. In large part due to fielding players who should be finding their feet in the reserves rather than a struggling first team. And now our only experienced central midfielder is out for three games.

However there are positives.

For all their shortcomings the returning Novak and E-B are the best forwards we've got and at least carry a threat. Then the arrival of a genuine full back - at long last - means Donahue might return to the position he was signed to play in. Even if that could mean two inexperienced youngsters in the 'engine room'. Better than the non tackling yet able play-maker Banks and rarely impressive Herd? Certainly more mobile, anyway. Could O'Neil be back in contention? He's been steadily improving - without any real 'wow' factor, perhaps - and offers another option. Maybe in CM, another recruited in that role but press-ganged into an unfamiliar job.

I'd love to believe Allen would sanction another incoming, preferably a proven forward who's featured at a higher level than Ilkeston Town or Wednesday's development squad. Over to you Mr Chairman.

As someone else has said our season starts Saturday. Three points with a couple or three players to return in the not too distant future and we'd all breath slightly easier. Slightly. Defeat is utterly unthinkable.

Crewe had a player injured last night and they have a Cardiff loanee due to go back after our game. We'll have to see how their form goes after our game.

Anything on the appeal yet, other clubs have their appeals reported on SSN.

Think we should congratulate Ollie after last night rather than go over old ground. It's down to the here and now situation DA has obvious;y sanctiomed something as with John joining today.

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Mr Mercury, on 17 February 2016 - 06:18 PM, said:

I think I collared the season starts Saturday quote. Like you said, a few players back, a quality loanee, a few games v teams a outside the top third and a real chance to move away from the bottom four. Sadly our present league situation means that unless we put together a play-off type run of wins we'll be looking over our shoulders for probably the rest of the season. But we do need wins and quickly!

Sorry to infringe copyright, my friend; please don't sue!

Seriously, though, what we need is the kind of unbeaten run Saturday's opponents have put together. Six without defeat and a couple of wins thrown in? That'd be ten potentially priceless points just when we need them most.

A coupon killing three pointer at Gillingham would be unbelievable. Remember how we conspired to lose to struggling sides when Champions elect in L2? Time to turn the tables, methinks.

[Mr Mercury]

MDCCCLXVI, on 17 February 2016 - 06:30 PM, said:

Sorry to infringe copyright, my friend; please don't sue!

Seriously, though, what we need is the kind of unbeaten run Saturday's opponents have put together. Six without defeat and a couple of wins thrown in? That'd be ten potentially priceless points just when we need them most.

A coupon killing three pointer at Gillingham would be unbelievable. Remember how we conspired to lose to struggling sides when Champions elect in L2? Time to turn the tables, methinks.

My lawyers are watching!

[Spire-Heights]

We will WIN Saturday.

[Goku]

Spire-Heights, on 17 February 2016 - 07:19 PM, said:

We will WIN Saturday.

Ok

[Spire-Heights]

Goku, on 17 February 2016 - 07:23 PM, said:

Ok

You agree?

[Tips M'Gee]

Hope so, wouldn't mind an attacking midfield player on loan though. Im happy with Novak up front.

[Mr Mercury]

Spire-Heights, on 17 February 2016 - 07:24 PM, said:

You agree?

It's not a point of agreeing, it's a football match , it involves variables too many to mention, so yes you could be right and we will win, but ya never no!

[Ernie Ernie Ernie]

djs, on 17 February 2016 - 07:41 PM, said:

Satdi's game is pivotal, but the game against Fleetwood in a few weeks will be the one that will define our season!

If we haven't picked up a fair few points before we play Fleetwood that game could be of an irrelevance.

[Spire-Heights]

Mr Mercury, on 17 February 2016 - 08:10 PM, said:

It's not a point of agreeing, it's a football match , it involves variables too many to mention, so yes you could be right and we will win, but ya never no!

I think we will win, got a good feeling about this one. I can see us finishing 5th from bottom, above 4th from bottom by a point.

[jack bauer]

Can see it being a tough game, they will be right up for it, we have to make sure we are, be good to get off to a good start for once, the longer the game goes without us scoring the more nervy the Proact will become. COYB

[lindo-spireite]

Personally I'd start Simons up with Novak, get a bit of movement up there. Foodbanks Blake (the best nickname I've ever seen) can come off the bench if needed.

[Brimington Barry]

MDCCCLXVI, on 17 February 2016 - 06:08 PM, said:

Saturday is must win.

Crewe are unbeaten in six but have won only one of those, though that includes a draw at Wigan and coming from two down at Rochdale. In short they're demonstrating a degree of form and fight.


As someone else has said our season starts Saturday. Three points with a couple or three players to return in the not too distant future and we'd all breath slightly easier. Slightly. Defeat is utterly unthinkable.

It could happen, but I doubt it; still think it'll be a draw.

Baz

[Ernie Ernie Ernie]

jack bauer, on 17 February 2016 - 08:30 PM, said:

Can see it being a tough game, they will be right up for it, we have to make sure we are, be good to get off to a good start for once, the longer the game goes without us scoring the more nervy the Proact will become. COYB

Can you see any game between now and the end of the season not being tough?

[jack bauer]

Ernie Ernie Ernie, on 17 February 2016 - 11:54 PM, said:

Can you see any game between now and the end of the season not being tough?

no

[martatcross]

Spire-Heights, on 17 February 2016 - 07:19 PM, said:

We will WIN Saturday.

like we should have done against other teams this season Don't count your chickens