rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 18, 2011 9:34:47 GMT
To say that we owe Crawley one is a bit of an understatement and personally, I would have rather we won this one than that against Bristol Rovers but six points will do me!  This is going to be tough and Crawley in second place have lived up to their pre-season favourites billing. They were unlucky to only draw 2-2 away to Port Vale on the opening day but have followed that up with good solid wins 2-0 and 3-0 against Macclesfied and Southend respectively. In fact, they are now 33 games unbeaten in the league and boy would I love to see that record end there! Of course we have already seen the Crawley team in action at Plainmoor earlier this year but for the last couple of games only Tubbs, Torres, McFadzean and Howell have started that featured in the FA Cup match. However, Bulman and Smith started at the Port Vale match and Knipers and Wilson have been on the bench and all of these were in the January game so it looks like the squad has been added to and generally improved. Incidentally, the Torquay line up for that match was Bevan, Robertson, Branston, Ellis, Nicholson, Zebs, Wroe, Mansell, Stevens, O'Kane and Benyon in a 4-4-1-1 type formation with Benyon on his own up front. My memory of that day was we lost the midfield battle and did not have much presence up front. Although only five players will probably start from that line up, again I think the midfield will be key again and a lot will depend on O'Kane having a good game. Sturrock commenting on the midweek Southend defeat against Crawley alluded to his side being bullied off the ball which doesn't normally happen and shows what a tough match it will be. Just to really cheer everyone up, Crawley also won their midweek match before their FA Cup win over us against a certain Cambridge United 3-0!  I like to think that we are a better side than back in January but then so are Crawley. A win here would probably be one of our results of the season! I cannot see Ling changing the side from the Rovers match but I wouldn't be surprised to see Lathrope back on the bench again although hopefully not at the expense of Macklin. |
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JamesB
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Post by JamesB on Aug 18, 2011 11:48:58 GMT
I've written this one off already. I think they'll have too much for us. Without Branston, I think we'll be more vulnerable if we get drawn into an aerial battle like last season, and their strikers will punish the defence more than Bristol Rovers and Aldershot - Barnett and Thomas both scored against us last year
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2011 12:34:49 GMT
I thought Crawley looked a good team when they came here in the Cup last Season. Since then of course they have strengthened considerably with some big money signings & are favourites for promotion in many peoples eyes.
On that basis I think my expectation that they will beat us is realistic. Pirate Paul apparantly plundered our best players & took them off to Rovers & we've brought in a few free transfers over the summer to fill the gaps.
So even if we do,as I expect, get beaten on saturday, hopefully I won't feel too downhearted. We've 7 points on the board already;more than a lot of Clubs who are expected to do far better than us have managed to acquire. The headlong fall back to the Conference which some predicted would happen this Season probably won't come true, & we're playing some decent football.
As we head towards the end of August the situation at Plainmoor is looking significantly brighter than many were predicting in the immediate weeks after Buckle left & when Ling was first appointed. I won't let a defeat by Crawley stop me from remembering that.
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Post by stefano on Aug 18, 2011 13:07:02 GMT
Let's hope our players don't go into the game with the same attitude as our fans!  |
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Post by register on Aug 18, 2011 13:22:24 GMT
I was playing golf with the chairman of the Boston supporters trust last week, and told him of our upcoming game! The very mention of Evans was enough for him to turn the air blue with expletives! Like him or love him though, Evans knows how to push all the right buttons, and he certainly had our last manager worked out a treat! Very difficult game on Saturday, and I hoped I wouldn't have to say this this season, but it depends which team turns up if we get a result or not...the Bristol team or the Aldershot team!  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2011 13:41:10 GMT
33 League games without defeat. Crawley will be much too strong for us. We're doomed I tell you...doomed !! But hang on a minute, there just might be one man who can save us.  |
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sam
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Post by sam on Aug 18, 2011 17:06:23 GMT
Well said Stefano. Bet the players have been eating raw meat and haven't had sex since Tuesday night. They had a point to prove at Bristol Rovers and will have even more so with Crawley. Expect them to come out fighting, believing they can win. No defeatist attitude from them.
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Post by Father Jack on Aug 18, 2011 17:24:21 GMT
Well said Stefano. Bet the players have been eating raw meat and haven't had sex since Tuesday night. They had a point to prove at Bristol Rovers and will have even more so with Crawley. Expect them to come out fighting, believing they can win. No defeatist attitude from them. I would hope they view it as just another 3 point league match, the way the Brizzle match was viewed (according to one player I spoke to), because to imbue it with some sort of grudge significance would likely lead to a red card or two given Gatport's habit of playacting. Some of the most horrific sporting injuries I've seen outside rugby, have been when we've played them, the sponge man must be a bloody miracle worker the way he heals amputated kneecaps etc etc  |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 19, 2011 7:03:26 GMT
I think you should always be looking for a win in a home match against oppositon from the same league! This will be tough but we generally have a good record against teams from the higher end of the division and there is no reason as to why we can't win this one. The play acting does grate and I'm sure this will contribute to a cup like atmosphere from the crowd.
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jj
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Post by jj on Aug 19, 2011 9:47:08 GMT
We (TUFC & The Yellow Army) can beat these bunch of *ums.Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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petef
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Post by petef on Aug 19, 2011 13:12:39 GMT
Good old Creepy Crawley (or Is It Royston Veysey FC) next on the agenda then. The circus is coming to town should be a close match and could go either way but on current form its crying out a draw but who knows? Tubbs ("we didnt burn him") now wasn't that a character from the black comedy series " The League of Gentlemen" Now there's irony if ever I saw it. Pauline played by Paul Raynor . Papa Lazarou played by Steve Evans with less than his usual amoumt of eye shadow and mascara ;D Now remeber if we are winning and winning well we must all sing to the tune of "Go West" Oo-are its a mascara. Oo-are its a mascara. Oo-are its a mascara. Oo-are its a mascara.  |
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Post by hullgull on Aug 19, 2011 19:57:06 GMT
you can bet we will be up this,no repeat from last season,might have to put both dugouts together though for telly tubby to park his arse,same attitude as last sat at brfc,will be enough to beat this lot,think we will get 2 or 3 tomorrow,COME ON YOU YELLOWS
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JamesB
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Post by JamesB on Aug 19, 2011 21:04:44 GMT
I did some research on Soccerbase earlier. Our record vs Steve Evans is pretty poor - 6 defeats from 10:
2 wins - Crawley away Nov 07, Crawley home Feb 08 (FA Trophy)
2 draws - Boston home May 06, Boston away Apr 07
6 defeats - Boston away Oct 05, Boston home Dec 06, Crawley home Apr 08, Crawley away Aug 08, Crawley home Apr 09, Crawley home Jan 11 (FA Cup)
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davethegull
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Post by davethegull on Aug 20, 2011 6:33:26 GMT
Would take a draw right now if offered. But I've a funny feeling that a Ling team is made of sterner stuff then a Buckshite one. Better organized and with players playing to their strengths rather than wondering what the feck is going on half the game.
Heart says 3-1 to us, head says 1-1 or a 0-1 defeat.
Gonna be a cracking atmos, I wish I was there. But, I will be on the Cyberterrace of Yahoo Messenger with Gray, Matt, Tokes and anyone else who cares to join in. We'll start a conf around 2-55ish, just add graygull, shawgull or matrattz and we'll invite you in.
COYY!!!!
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porky
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Post by porky on Aug 20, 2011 8:48:51 GMT
Unfortunately Bucks never knew how to play against an Evans and Raynor inspired team, as was evidenced at the FA Cup debacle. I think Ling and Evans also have history so it should be an interesting afternoon.
I remember the Boston game at home in December 06 Andy Marriott was inspired that day, unfortunately playing for them (just before their wages were frozen). I think there was a punch up in the tunnel involving Nathan Abbey and Steve Evans? Should be an interesting afternoon as it sounds like we have a bit of backbone. My first game this season I am plumping for 1 - 1 draw.
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This is going to be tough and Crawley in second place have lived up to their pre-season favourites billing. They were unlucky to only draw 2-2 away to Port Vale on the opening day but have followed that up with good solid wins 2-0 and 3-0 against Macclesfied and Southend respectively. In fact, they are now 33 games unbeaten in the league and boy would I love to see that record end there!
