POSF 2nd Leg Histon v Torquay United 4th May 2009

NOTE to Dave R.........you're right Dave , it is funny. Second edition!


I'm really looking forward to this match, not too far from me, but more importantly, look at me and all the people i'm taking with me.



Firstly, i'm going to pick up VD1 , and then i'll head SOUTH a bit and pick up SYPHILITIC SUE and then of course i'll pick up ACTIVE (as opposed to passive) ANTON !!!


When we get to Histon we'll all head to The Red Lion , and who knows, we might even bump into Merse !

Yes, it still makes me laugh Dave!

I'm glad you're so relaxed about it Sam - not so sure myself as Histon showed some of the attributes that got them the deserved place when we played them on Friday!
It only takes a moment of madness from a player or an official to change the whole outcome of the game - and likewise a moment of class or steely determination (or even a bit of luck or a scrappy goal - they all count) from one of ours to put it more or less beyond their reach.
I would hope that we would get at least one goal - which would leave a huge task for Histon to get anything from the game. As is always the case when a two-legged tie is balanced in this way, getting the first goal is going to be massive for both teams.

When it comes down to it, I can't imagine that they have the sort of crowd that can "suck the ball into the goal" like the Deepdale crowd on the night that Preston overturned our 2 goal lead and intimidate the officials. I think that makes a difference - rather than the big terraces of hugely vociferous, partisan fans we will be the supporters that can get behind their team.
On the other hand, they will not have the big crowd getting jittery if they dont get off to a flying start and they know that they have slayed some giants there - Burton, Crawley, Swindon, Leeds and Oxford this season.

I can't see much in the way of team changes tomorrow - perhaps Sturrock could drop to the bench and Benyon might start. I would be surprised if Green was in the 16.
I don't think having Naisbitt's return will make any difference - Roache did very well on Friday (as expected) and I don't think any keeper stood much of a chance with either goal.

I feel that our performance on Friday will have given the players (and the fans) so much confidence and they still looked fresh and focused - whereas last season our first leg lead was disjoined and the players looked jaded and it was no surprise when Exeter notched their first that we collapsed.
I wouldn't say I'm looking forward to the match, but know that with a fantastic following of supporters, a full squad and many lessons learned from the last two years or so we have a real chance.

Is Benyon fit to start the game today?

I'm sure Histon will take much heart after seeing Cambridge who went into the second game two goals behind and went on to win three goals to nil. Our team will need to make sure they do not let Histon dominate the game at any period.

I'm sure Bucks will look to get us attacking at every opportunity as trying to sit back and hold on to any lead is in my book a recipe for disaster. Have to say I thought Phillips worked his socks of for Cambridge and you could see just want the win today meant to him.

I'm still positive we will book our place at Wembley today, but Cambridge sure look like a side that would take some beating, if they turned up with the same wining attitude they showed today against Stevenage.

Still think we should start with the same line up, only one I might change would be Toddy and it would be Hodges I would play and only due to him having more experience over Ellis.

Two legged football is a funny one to approach and in many ways going into the second leg with a deficit is a lot easier to manage from the point of view of focus and sense of purpose than the rather ambiguous position of being two goals ahead.

For Histon there is only one way to play as there was for Cambridge today and that suits rather limited sides who do not readily embrace the more sophisticated aspects of the game.

The hours leading up to kick off can be vital and each individual needs to approach this time in his own way. Not for me would it have been sitting in front of a telly watching "the other" game. I would have had a nice little pasta lunch, followed by a lay down and snooze and then a stimulating shower and walk outside before boarding the coach. I'm not the sort who can focus on a game by being distracted by another one and even to this day if I am in a pub pre-match I take no notice of the action on any big screen, and that's only as a spectator!

I've always been an enthusiast of the practice of running through an approaching game in my imagination, envisaging different scenarios and "tasks" in hand. I found this particularly useful when I was refereeing, especially as a safeguard against getting caught unprepared for any eventuality.

I've just got a feeling that the pace and control of Green and Caryol could be more than useful weapons to have on the bench this afternoon if the pressure and physical bombardment of Histon becomes unbearable in the later stages..................a good "outlet" weapon, but I also think the hold up qualities and experience of Sturrock and Christie could also be the answer; so where do we go? We need a sub keeper and a spare central defender on the bench to cover for possible dismissals or departure through injury, so all in all no easy task for Paul Buckle who has a lot more to consider and decide upon than his Histon counterparts.

...how long has this day dragged

Wish i was there....

Come on lads, cool heads....and scrap for everything.

I want to go to Wembley...

Ellis in for Christie on the bench as well, right?