As mentioned there were several that played very well, thought Brough, Appere, Leonard and others were excellent. Im going to go for Sherring though who seemingly won every header and displayed composure throughout despite the defence changing personnel and shape on different occasions.

I am all for rotation under normal circumstances in this competition. However with no game for another 11 days afterwards I would still want to see a strong line up. Yes there is not a lot of cash for winning the game, but there is some. I understand the need to get some players minutes, but with such a long break afterwards I hope we see our key bodies still play. If we were playing on Saturday I would happily say full rotation, but if the budget is as constrictive as is suggested I would try to raise funds through any and every cup competition I could.

I know we didnt win but I find it completely refreshing that we have developed our playing style to be more expansive. I would also say that its not passing for passing sake as we have seen with some teams in the past. We are creating chances which is something we struggled to do at times in previous seasons under JB, just need to start putting them away. Also it makes sense to play this way when you consider that both Appere and Simpson are amongst the least capable in the league in the air (not slating them its just factual).

Off topic but does anyone know the last time we scored 4 goals in a league game? Cant remember it occurring during JB's time with us.

Time to see what else we’ve got up our sleeve…

Think there is any chance of more than 1 coming in?

I'm sure you've misheard...he's finished. literally. He's on loan in Finland.

Hes not finished, hes only 28! All time classic 

Kieran Bowie has been called up, have we lost any others?

Seems strange that Leonard has not been called up also, would think he would be a guarantee for the squad.

I agree with everything you say, I just think without those play-off games being on tv, raising the profile with most people watching following the pandemic, the sale would have been lower.

Does that only count if he leaves at the end of his contract (june), so won't have an impact?

Fair point, I cannot disagree with that to be honest!

I have tried to research how him being 24 just prior effects any compensation we would be due if he were to leave. I have not been able to find a definitive response anywhere unfortunately, someone here will surely know!

I really hope the extension is Sherring. If he's then sold soon after, he could well exceed Goode's transfer record. Looking back, I'm still not sure how we managed to get Brentford, obviously a well run club, to play £1mil+ for him. Sherring's a class above and a ball-playing cb to boot, so we should be aiming for £2m at least in the current market.

Goode had really been excellent that season though. He was very dominant in the air and despite Sherring arguably being more comfortable on the ball, Goode as part of the back 3 would really bring the ball out a long way and whip in dangerous balls from within the opposition half. Could see how his style of play could transition levels above.

As others have said a deserved win yesterday. Leonard really has gone up a level, I guess with more emphasis on retaining the ball it just enhances his skill set, he is absolutely integral in how we play currently. I dont think anyone else can mimic what he does in the squad as he picks up the ball so deep and just dictates the tempo, going to be interesting to see how far he goes in his career.

The Sherring / Guthrie combo looks fantastic, lets hope they can stay fit as they are really do look comfortable at this level.

I know there was a small debate about Brough but I think outside of some ropey moments he has added to us going forward. He could and should have scored against Stevenage and Wigan and nearly added one yesterday, was also in the box for Hoskins goal.

The positive thing is that there is clearly more to come from us in an attacking sense. Yesterday a bit more composure was needed in the final 3rd with an extra pass or getting our shots away but I think that will come. It would be nice to see the wingers try and take on the fullbacks one on one, to me that is the area I would like to see us make an addition in the most (someone in the style of Poku at Posh who was very direct). Yes I think we could upgrade our strikers, but they done always get a lot of service anyway. Plus it is clear Super Sam is involved much less in general play nowadays as he is trying to find more central areas to get shots away, something we are very much benefiting from!


Very clear to see the fitness coming to the fore also, lots of late goals recently. Wouldnt be surprised to see Hondemarck start at some point soon, he has been excellent in the last few games off the bench, something Brady alluded to also after the game.

Lets hope for another 3 points next week against a very beatable Wycombe side.

Me too. However it had nothing to do with the players involved, I'd have said the same had it been the other way round and Brough shot.

Two seasons ago there was a game where Hoskins shot when he had someone waiting for a pass and a tap in. On that occasion he missed, we drew. You don't have to have a long memory to recall what a difference those 2 points would have made. All water under the bridge now.

Very true. Pinnock tried to square one last week when I thought he should have shot. All ifs, buts and maybes but just happy it went in and we got a well deserved 3 points!

There is something badly wrong with football. What were we doing wearing those s***e peppermint shirts? What is the process bud?

Whats wrong with them? I think they look really nice.

I must say I was shouting square it when it happened! But then again Sammy seems to consistently score from that angle and Brough did miss from only a few yards out against Wigan. Regardless its great to see his purple patch continue, UP THE TOWN!

If you are wheeling and dealing you need the most money possible. Who s worth the most in your opinion? The Cheltenham commentators were enthusing about Appere. Also Bowie but of course we can't sell him.

I think they would have been enthused by any forwards considering how lackluster theirs were today (along with the rest of their team). I appreciate the ground that Appere covers, but his lack of goals and general play to me does not suggest he would command much of a fee. Im not slating him, but I have never particularly rated him personally.

I guess there are two ways you could look at, who can we sell for the most (I would imagine someone like Sherring due to his age, potentail and the way sides want CB's comfortable on the ball or Hoskins because every side is looking to add goals and he has provided them in the last 12 months). There are ample examples of players going through a purple patch lower in the lower leagues being sold for good money despite never being effective at higher levels, people like Omar Bogle pop to mind.

That being said I would not want to lose either.

Obviously the likes of Haynes or Hylton we are unlikely to shift, so you could think whilst not ideal, who is expendable to free up wages?In which case the likes of Odimayo or Sowerby would pop into my head. Both are reliable players, but we have others better in their respective positions IMO.

A complete hunch but I think we will get one more in.

Completely agree, Cheltenham are absolutely there for the taking. Its clear they are low on confidence and have offered zero threat so far. This is where those options off the bench would really prove to be valuable, could see Simpson coming on and getting us a winner at some point. Just need a bit more composure in the final 3rd and we can move to the dizzy heights of mid table.

For all the talk of replacing Pinnock I hope we don't end up losing him but simply add to our options. Yes we always want to improve on what we have, but we also need sufficient numbers and we simply dont have that in forward areas currently.

Been told there's nothing in the Burge rumours and he is actually injured....

Also, told that we do want another forward player

Good to know! Do you think we could get two more bodies in still? Still interest in Olaigbe?

First things first I want to give massive kudos to the job Brady and his staff have done in transforming our playing style in such a short period of time. Yes we are yet to yield the deserved benefits of it yet when you look at the points our performances have given us, but for me it is so much more enjoyable and refreshing to see a team look to pass the ball in the way that we did yesterday.

Yes, improvements can be made, they always can be. But I brought along a few mates yesterday who occasionally come and one who had never been to Sixfields before, all commented on how good the football was to watch and will be coming with me again soon. Massive props to Brady and the players for being able to implement that, it takes a lot of self confidence from the players and trust from the manager to stick to it despite going behind and from the classic "get it up there" fans.

Positives:
Whatever we are paying Marc Leonard it is worth it. Absolute class and is going to have a long career at a much higher level (somewhere he could easily be playing now tbh).
Mitch Pinnock was back to his best, good deliveries into the box, going past players and immense work rate.
Two excellent finishes from Appere and Hoskins.
The passing football at times really was fantastic to watch.
Thought the crowd really got behind the team in general.

General musings:
Monthe didnt look massively comfortable on the ball, he often just ran into Brough's space instead of just giving the ball to him.
Ive never been convinced by the Sowerby / Leonard combo, feel like Sowerby gets a little lost as Leonard picks up lots of spaces all over the pitch and Jack gets isolated.
The full backs were pushed really high but could probably be used even more, good to see though.
Simpson has a real turn of speed and was way more effective running into the channels / balls over the top.
Looked a nailed on penalty on Bowie and I was certain their CB who scored their header was way offside, oh well.
We simply need more options up top, bringing on Max Dyche was understandable but as JB aluded to not ideal. A winger / forward would be a HUGE help.


All in all a really enjoyable game and night and great to get off the mark. Onto Saturday!



Up the Town.

Lincoln are no mugs at all and I expect them to be fighting for a playoff spot this season. That being said we simply have to get off the mark today points wise to get our season up and running. With Brough going close in both games wouldnt be surprised to see him pop up with a goal, would be great to see Simpson up and running with his goal tally also.

Head says 1-1, heart says 2-1 win.

Accroding to the chron JB has said that is likely us done in the window other than potentially a back up keeper.

Obviously we are more than well stocked throughout defence and CM, surely we would benefit from another forward / wideman though. Considering Hylton is injured and past it now going through the whole season with Hoskins, Pinnock, Bowie, Appere, Simpson seems insufficient.

5 players for 3 is just not enough. Especially considering we have 11 defenders (I think) for 4 or 5 slots.

Hopefully its just a case of us waiting till later in the window to try and get one more, hopefully someone ITK can shed some light on it all.

Announced today that Hoskins and McWilliams will feature on Saturday but Lintott is still recovering from the injury he had at the end of last season and that Fox picked up a niggle at the end of the MK Dons friendly, so he will be out for a few weeks with that.

Particularly frustrating around Fox as I think he looked fantastic at points last season, but A) he does seem injury prone (hency why he dropped to non league with Grimsby) and B its not uncommon to pick up niggles after a lengthy injury absence.