[The Earl of Chesterfield]

So anyway, early days but maybe we can take a sideways glance at the formative table now we're six games deep.

And though Barnet and Wealdstone are surprise packages I guess it's more or less how we'd expect it.

To the point a post Wild Halifax have plummeted and Scunny continue to emulate the pre-takeover Town.

Meanwhile an Oldham beset by similar scandals are struggling to find their non league feet.

As for ourselves, it's both interesting and encouraging to note we've taken points off a selection of sides from up and down the division - including three of the top seven! Infact might it be argued we're only a moment of Brazillian madness at Dorking and unfortunate ball break at Notts away from a hundred percent record?

Okay, greedy perhaps, yet not beyond the realms of possibility.

Either way I'm thrilled with what Cook's delivered thus far. He's made players he inherited look like new ones and new ones look outstanding. There's also the fact goals are arriving from throughout the team, meaning Tshimanga can be re-integrated slowly as a long term injury victim should be.

Hell, no one embodies the side's work ethic more than a Joe Quigley who deserves far, far more than his current return.

We all remember last season, though. How a combination of ugly behaviour and ugly injuries de-railed destination EFL. However I do believe we're built on much firmer foundations this time. Obviously Cook'll attract attention as will his squad. Then there's the inevitable incompetence of officials we all know'll screw us up at some point. That said this manager must surely know summat special's possible here. He must surely know few clubs that'll come courting can match what he has at CFC. He must surely know none - NONE - can match the affinity he has with our fanbase. Just as he must surely know a successful campaign on Sheff Road can only be a win for both parties.

In short I simply don't believe Paul Cook will do the dirty. In any sense of the word...

This post has been edited by The Earl of Chesterfield: 29 August 2022 - 07:15 PM

[metallilad]

I think Cookie needed the reset just as much as we needed organising properly.
The last manager brought players in by taking as much budget out of other areas of the club as possible (eg Paul Lemon went) but Cookie has changed this by bringing in somebody to run a recruitment room. We now have coaches at the club and scouts.
It could be said that he's doing a better job with less budget because the team looks like it's got so many options and we're getting goals from all over the pitch now. I suppose that Cookie almost needed a project like he got here so he could build up his own confidence again ready for any future challenges.
I have 100% faith in Cookie that him, his assistants and his team will deliver for us.

[Johnnyspireite7]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 29 August 2022 - 07:10 PM, said:

So anyway, early days but maybe we can take a sideways glance at the formative table now we're six games deep.

And though Barnet and Wealdstone are surprise packages I guess it's more or less how we'd expect it.

To the point a post Wild Halifax have plummeted and Scunny continue to emulate the pre-takeover Town.

Meanwhile an Oldham beset by similar scandals are struggling to find their non league feet.

As for ourselves, it's both interesting and encouraging to note we've taken points off a selection of sides from up and down the division - including three of the top seven! Infact might it be argued we're only a moment of Brazillian madness at Dorking and unfortunate ball break at Notts away from a hundred percent record?

Okay, greedy perhaps, yet not beyond the realms of possibility.

Either way I'm thrilled with what Cook's delivered thus far. He's made players he inherited look like new ones and new ones look outstanding. There's also the fact goals are arriving from throughout the team, meaning Tshimanga can be re-integrated slowly as a long term injury victim should be.

Hell, no one embodies the side's work ethic more than a Joe Quigley who deserves far, far more than his current return.

We all remember last season, though. How a combination of ugly behaviour and ugly injuries de-railed destination EFL. However I do believe we're built on much firmer foundations this time. Obviously Cook'll attract attention as will his squad. Then there's the inevitable incompetence of officials we all know'll screw us up at some point. That said this manager must surely know summat special's possible here. He must surely know few clubs that'll come courting can match what he has at CFC. He must surely know none - NONE - can match the affinity he has with our fanbase. Just as he must surely know a successful campaign on Sheff Road can only be a win for both parties.

In short I simply don't believe Paul Cook will do the dirty. In any sense of the word...

Now that it will be highly unlikely that the rug will be pulled from under him by an owner and puppet who are not Town fans and only want us back to the level we belong or better, Cook is liable to be able to get Project Chesterfield through to it's highest potential.

[gordon_brittas]

I’ve said it on another thread I think the only thing that could cost down the title this campaign is poor refereeing decisions and injuries.

Very very impressed with the team and the style of play.

Plaudits so far to Cook, long may it continue.

[SpireRam]

Good post.

Today was arguably our most impressive result to date. A place we rarely (if ever) win. A goal down at half-time having lost our top scorer and player of the year so far and we still turned it around.

Last season we may as well have got on the bus home when that first goal went in but not this time.

Next week - again - will for me be our toughest test to date. Not so much in terms of quality of opposition but it will be the first time (aldershot aside) the team will be asked to line up differently. Asante has been such a vital cog in how we play in the opening games and Dobra sparks so much fear into opposition defences it’s untrue.

Our first major bit of adversity awaits and a chance for a couple of faces to come in and show why they should be starting moving forward.

The fact Sheridan will be in the opposition dugout gives it a little extra spice too.

Either way, a point should be the minimum we go there after. UTS.

[Westbars Spireite]

We should be 6/6 really.

[dtp]

gordon_brittas, on 29 August 2022 - 08:13 PM, said:

I’ve said it on another thread I think the only thing that could cost down the title this campaign is poor refereeing decisions and injuries.

Very very impressed with the team and the style of play.

Plaudits so far to Cook, long may it continue.

They often say "judge us after the first 10 games". We are just over half way to that having played just 6 matches. From what I've seen in those 6 games I think we should be in good shape after the first 10 as we currently need 6 points from the next 4 games to be averaging the desired 2 points a game as the recognised marker.

However, I've also been reasonably impressed with the opposition we have played and based on their performances against us I feel each and every one of those teams are capable of pulling off a few surprises during the season. I suspect the league could be a little stronger than last season from top to bottom.

Refereeing decisions will effect most teams in the league and it's possible according to reports that Oldaker got away with one in today's game.

Injury wise, Cook has been able to name quite a consistent line up so far and any changes he's made have been down to his decisions. Seems we have picked up a couple of injuries today but, hopefully, they are not too serious. However with something like 9 players not even making the chosen 16 Cook has options at his disposal. Certainly, we cannot say the squad is stretched like it was for chunks of last season.

Young Uchenbulam seems to have impressed when I thought he would be further down the pecking order. Similarly, when given the chance the likes of Gyasi, Sheckleford, Cook, Clements, Whelan, Clarke, Miller etc surely should be busting a gut to stamp their claims for a regular place. Fitsimons & Maguire have done ok when called upon. Meanwhile, Tshimanga, Cooper & Jones are getting minutes which should see them improving their fitness.

So, we can only take the season on has it comes but I haven't seen anything yet which frightens me other than our own mistakes which have led to dropped points. If Cook and the squad can iron out these lapses we will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

[Spireite93]

We're on course atm. Win all the home games give us 69 points plus 23 draws away is the magic 2 points per game that wins us the league and after today we're 2 up on that.

We won't do the above and I worry about Dibra being out but it's up to his replacement to come in and take his place. Jez did great today!!

I'll take a point at Oldham, reckon they will be there or there abouts with the feel good factor of new ownership much like the fishes last season.

Solihull, Clownty, Wrexham and Borehamwood will all be in the mix too

Dark horses currently look like Barnet (who played a decent game last Friday) Wealdstone maybe? Dorking?

But great start and the football is B****Y brilliant!

[Trigger]

Hope the dreaded manager of the month 'curse' doesn't kick in cos our next 4 are very winnable (vs currently, 14th, 15th, 17th and 22nd).

Even after that we haven't got to play world beaters

[h again]

dtp, on 29 August 2022 - 08:48 PM, said:

They often say "judge us after the first 10 games". We are just over half way to that having played just 6 matches. From what I've seen in those 6 games I think we should be in good shape after the first 10 as we currently need 6 points from the next 4 games to be averaging the desired 2 points a game as the recognised marker.

However, I've also been reasonably impressed with the opposition we have played and based on their performances against us I feel each and every one of those teams are capable of pulling off a few surprises during the season. I suspect the league could be a little stronger than last season from top to bottom.

Refereeing decisions will effect most teams in the league and it's possible according to reports that Oldaker got away with one in today's game.

Injury wise, Cook has been able to name quite a consistent line up so far and any changes he's made have been down to his decisions. Seems we have picked up a couple of injuries today but, hopefully, they are not too serious. However with something like 9 players not even making the chosen 16 Cook has options at his disposal. Certainly, we cannot say the squad is stretched like it was for chunks of last season.


Young Uchenbulam seems to have impressed when I thought he would be further down the pecking order. Similarly, when given the chance the likes of Gyasi, Sheckleford, Cook, Clements, Whelan, Clarke, Miller etc surely should be busting a gut to stamp their claims for a regular place. Fitsimons & Maguire have done ok when called upon. Meanwhile, Tshimanga, Cooper & Jones are getting minutes which should see them improving their fitness.

So, we can only take the season on has it comes but I haven't seen anything yet which frightens me other than our own mistakes which have led to dropped points. If Cook and the squad can iron out these lapses we will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

I'd say the league is better than last season, but perhaps it's a bit early to be sure. One thing that most teams seem to have picked up on is that rapid closing down in numbers is the way to go, as with Altrincham today.Of course it requires high levels of fitness, but that can be achieved much more easily then turning donkeys into classy footballers.
Good job Cookie thought of it first.

[Wooden Spoon]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 29 August 2022 - 07:10 PM, said:

So anyway, early days but maybe we can take a sideways glance at the formative table now we're six games deep.

And though Barnet and Wealdstone are surprise packages I guess it's more or less how we'd expect it.

To the point a post Wild Halifax have plummeted and Scunny continue to emulate the pre-takeover Town.

Meanwhile an Oldham beset by similar scandals are struggling to find their non league feet.

As for ourselves, it's both interesting and encouraging to note we've taken points off a selection of sides from up and down the division - including three of the top seven! Infact might it be argued we're only a moment of Brazillian madness at Dorking and unfortunate ball break at Notts away from a hundred percent record?

Okay, greedy perhaps, yet not beyond the realms of possibility.

Either way I'm thrilled with what Cook's delivered thus far. He's made players he inherited look like new ones and new ones look outstanding. There's also the fact goals are arriving from throughout the team, meaning Tshimanga can be re-integrated slowly as a long term injury victim should be.

Hell, no one embodies the side's work ethic more than a Joe Quigley who deserves far, far more than his current return.

We all remember last season, though. How a combination of ugly behaviour and ugly injuries de-railed destination EFL. However I do believe we're built on much firmer foundations this time. Obviously Cook'll attract attention as will his squad. Then there's the inevitable incompetence of officials we all know'll screw us up at some point. That said this manager must surely know summat special's possible here. He must surely know few clubs that'll come courting can match what he has at CFC. He must surely know none - NONE - can match the affinity he has with our fanbase. Just as he must surely know a successful campaign on Sheff Road can only be a win for both parties.

In short I simply don't believe Paul Cook will do the dirty. In any sense of the word...

The biggest difference this season is Cooks man management - you won’t see a revolving door transfer policy. It will be a settled squad and that team spirit within the squad will be something that’s a little bit of something that makes a difference.


OK crap refs won’t protect our players - and we could get injuries from down right thuggery- but I’d trust Cookie to find a way forward.



Cook is a top class manager outside the premier league - we’re lucky to have him

[Bobby Darling]

Wooden Spoon, on 29 August 2022 - 11:54 PM, said:

The biggest difference this season is Cooks man management - you won’t see a revolving door transfer policy. It will be a settled squad and that team spirit within the squad will be something that’s a little bit of something that makes a difference.


OK crap refs won’t protect our players - and we could get injuries from down right thuggery- but I’d trust Cookie to find a way forward.



Cook is a top class manager outside the premier league - we’re lucky to have him

Your last point is so true. He is the best manager in this League by a mile. His players play for him and he knows football from top to bottom inside out. Cook gives us a head start.

[Lincs Spireite]

Bobby Darling, on 30 August 2022 - 07:38 AM, said:

Your last point is so true. He is the best manager in this League by a mile. His players play for him and he knows football from top to bottom inside out. Cook gives us a head start.

That's the difference between JR and PC.

With PC the players respect and play for him because they want to.

With JR they were ruled by fear. Play poorly or give backchat and you are out.