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61  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: January 2024 Transfer Window on: December 28, 2023, 12:29:22 pm
My 'realistic' wish list would be to bring in the following:

Priority1. A tricky winger/impact player. I believe our current options from the bench and within the squad as a hole in terms of having someone to stretch the game when we need to, is our biggest weakness. Note - this player doesn't necessarily need to be better than the players currently in the starting x1, but needs to bring something different to the party. An upgrade, if you like, on Wright-Phillips who we brought in last January.

Priority2. A lump up front. Again, with the above in mind. Something we currently do not have. We simply do not have the option to go long and change our approach.

Priority3. Goalkeeper. I'm not adverse to Thompson having his loan spell extended to the end of the season. He's 'alright', I've seen far worse keepers play for us. Depending on Burge's situation, this position could be priority1 but Im basing my thoughts on Burge being fit again in the short term.

Obviously if we lose Leonard (example) then a replacement would be top priority. As things stand and with the current squad, I would just like to see the options from the bench more plentiful and different to the usual clutch of defenders we have in our matchday 18!
62  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: The 'Clare Balding' POTS Stevenage (a) December 26th 2023 on: December 28, 2023, 12:10:20 pm
Thompson.

Only outfield players to come out with any credit were McGowan, Simpson and Hoskins. The latter two purely for their effort levels.

The rest of the team were appalling!
63  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Stevenage away on Boxing Day on: December 26, 2023, 20:04:01 pm
I think we are being harsh on Brady. When we saw the line up, it made total sense. McWilliams was absolutely shattered after the Oxford game (really noticeable in the last 15 minutes and I had him down as mom - only one on here when I last looked despite the sponsors giving it to him). So given our lack of cover in midfield coupled with Stevenage's direct play, it made total sense to start with wing backs and try and snuffle out their long balls.

Of course after 2 minutes, that approach and pre-match strategy went totally t1ts up with the shocker of a goal we gave away. That aint down to Brady, that was individual error(s). Sherring came across, if he'd stayed in position then we'd have dealt with their non attack and maybe settled in to the game.

We did settle but then of course Sherring himself got injured. We reverted to type and to be honest, it made us worse. This despite Simpson really putting himself about and building on his goal v Oxford.

I think today was down to after the lord mayors show. An ultra effort (think Blackpool followed by Pompey) and then a few days later, up against a side hurting a little from previous results but clearly a very good side. Put simply, today was a game when we needed to make 3 or 4 changes without weakening us, but of course Brady doesn't have that luxury. We have a small squad and an even smaller pool of players who can excel at this level against the top sides.

We know where we are. On reflection, I believe the likes of Bungle (who I always respect on here) will soften their views on how things went so wrong today when proportioning the blame/reasons for it. Circumstances did not favour us.

There is no escaping from the fact that we didn't turn up. Not as bad as Derby (far from it) but it has to be included in the 'totally over-run' category that has 3 entries. Derby, Pompey and today. That's not bad from 23 games.

On each occasion it was against a top side and only 3 or days from the previous match. Food for thought in terms of how we take our current team 'to the next level'.

Also, on each occasion we conceded early and there was no way back...

Lincoln will be another tough match. Id expect S McWilliams to start whom I believe was 'rested' today. Time will tell on that theory, I have no inside info on that!! But that for me made sense. If we'd been in the game after 60 minutes, Id have expected us to bring him on and go for it but as things happened, keeping him benched and playing the long game (as Brady often references) makes more sense to me.

Sowerby should be good to go on Friday (60 minutes today). Leonard bless him seems immune to fatigue. So our midfield 3 should be in good shape to 'go again'. Bowie today must have simply had too much turkey or hit the booze yesterday, by far his worst game of the season and probably during his time here! No idea what happened, he's been brilliant these last 6 games or so.

For me only Hoskins and Simpson come out with any real credit today. Both ran themselves into the ground. Thompson easily mom and kept the score down.

A bad day at the office. Lets see what happens at Lincoln on Friday!

64  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: The 'Clare Balding' POTS Oxford Utd (h) December 23rd 2023 on: December 24, 2023, 12:53:20 pm
McWilliams. I thought he was brilliant, and just edged Pinnock for MOM for me.

Lots of 8's and a sprinkling of 9's yesterday.
65  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: January 2024 Transfer Window on: December 11, 2023, 13:19:26 pm
Its unlikely that Hoskins would command a big fee because clubs at our level (well certainly most) only spend big bucks (like Boro do) on players that have a potential resell value. In Super Sams case, because of his age its unlikely he would command any kind of fee in a couple of years time. Admittedly, someone like Wrexham might splash out a million quid for him, but that wouldn't be good business for us, the trade off would be very much not in our favour.

Sherring and McWilliams are clearly our two players that are worth a decent wedge. Both of whom are out of contract at the end of the season, and both are at an age where if they are too step up then they are nearing their peak playing ages. I'm not convinced either would attract much attention from championship clubs but what do I know! We are in danger though of losing them to the a club like Charlton or Barnsley if we don't get them too extend their contracts. Which of course means more £. Swings and round-a-bouts.

At some point we will need to cash in on someone too balance the books.

Which is why I think our best option in that regard would be too flog Mitchy Pins.

Playing football manager. Id cash in my chips on the left footed wonder, and use that £ to secure McWilliams and Sherring on better terms.

Id then offload Simpson and Hylton, try out a couple of loans to see us through until May - and then reassess. I wouldn't pay inflated prices for someone like Cole Stockton (as an example).

I love Pinnock. I just don't think he's consistent enough too be a top half league1 player. He would command a fee, and would likely be in demand when it comes to the big spenders in league2 trying to make the step up. We are pretty much at the top of our current ceiling in terms of league positioning. Without big investment (or big chucking the cash down the drain!) - the only way we can start competing with the clubs above us in the transfer market is by doing some trading and raising some funds.

In an ideal world you'd just get rid of the worst players and keep getting upgrades. But that isn't the world we live in!

66  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: The 'Clare Balding' POTS Fleetwood (h) December 9th 2023 on: December 09, 2023, 18:43:08 pm
Mitch. Superb performance.
67  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Goals Timetable on: December 05, 2023, 13:42:44 pm
Id have expected us to struggle in the back end of games given our 'bench' but the complete opposite, thus far! Funny old game.

Generally, it appears that whoever scores the first goal wins.

Not sure what Brady can glean out of this data. Other than too tell his players too come out of the traps quicker, I guess. But that never seems to be an issue anyway, most of the games we've lost (even on Saturday) we've started off alright!

I think perhaps the biggest telling factor to come out of them though is that once we are behind, the opposition will tighten up and our creative players are given even less space to work in. We kind of know where we are limited and these stats at least back that up. Although in other areas, there's a lot of conflict with them.
68  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: January 2024 Transfer Window on: December 05, 2023, 10:36:34 am
Of all our regular first team starters, Pinnock is the one who I would be most relaxed about him leaving.

If a League Two club chasing promotion was prepared to give us some money then that could be a good deal all round. PROVIDED of course, the transfer fee and wages saved were put into a proven League One attacking midfielder. Perhaps someone who is out of favour in one of the higher placed teams or who hasn't been successful in making the step up to the Championship. No names for you, just musings in my own tiny mind.

Happy for him to stay, but he is the one from the contract extensions that was the most likely to be classed as good League Two player. I might also have said that about McGowan, but now he is playing regularly, he has been showing his worth.

I could of written this myself, other than maybe not as grammatically correct.

Just too add. He's likely to be on one of the highest wages in the squad, so when it comes to playing football manager, juggling your budget around etc...it would all point too moving Mitch on. Plus of course factoring in that some one in the league below with cash on the hip would probably chuck us a couple of hundred grand for him as well, knowing he will get a tonne of assists and help them get promoted.

My only concern would be that he appears to be one of the stickiest glues we have in and around the dressing room. All players seem to mention him in interviews. He's clearly a really good lad. So given that our USP is team spirit, it would be a tough call and a bit of a g@mble. Not sure when his contract runs out but if he's got another year after this season, then Id be inclined to keep him until the Summer and then cash in. But would we get the same amount, offered?! Probably not. I wouldn't want us too rock the boat too much in January, unless 7 points from the drop zone becomes around 12....it kind of highlights what a tough gig being a football manager, particularly when it comes to proportioning your budget!
69  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Home against Portsmouth 02.12.23 on: December 03, 2023, 16:34:08 pm
Totally and completely disagree with this. Blackpool, Derby and Bolton for much of the first half certainly were far more the quicker, sleeker Championship bound teams.
Pompey largely relying on breaks (as we were to an extent).
At Derby, we were shocking. At Blackpool, we were fantastic... yesterday, we were okish!
[/quote

Think your being harsh Rob! We've sung that arrogant chant, I recall at Donny last season in particularly...enjoyable on the day. It is what it is. They 'owned us' on and off the pitch yesterday, in the 2nd half. We all just gave up and went home early. I did actually see it out too the bitter end, but only because I was in hospitality.

Its not always been like that though. Our tremendous win there to cap off Wilders championship season being a good example. We stayed over there that night, their fans were brilliant too us. Had a soft spot for em since. I also remember going there on a Tuesday night (lost 5-2 with 10 men in the league cup) and despite us being 'tinpot' and them being prem league, they still sang throughout and created a really good atmosphere. I think they've got one of the loudest fan bases around, certainly in the top10 of the 92.
70  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Home against Portsmouth 02.12.23 on: December 03, 2023, 11:55:38 am
Portsmouth the best team we’ve seen this season IMO.

They looked like they had more gears too.

Write it off, it was a free hit, they’ll get promoted and we’ll stay up.

Nice to hear fans singing “you’re staying down” rather than “you’re going down”

Their fans were superb. As Pompey fans always are. I didn't enjoy the 30 minutes during the 2nd half when their team AND their fans were toying with us. Although their rendition of 'you should have gone Christmas shopping' did amuse me!
71  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: The 'Clare Balding' POTS Portsmouth (h) December 2nd 2023 on: December 03, 2023, 10:20:31 am
McWilliams
72  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Home against Portsmouth 02.12.23 on: December 03, 2023, 10:20:13 am
Perfect storm yesterday. None of our players played particularly well (all 6's bar a couple of 5's and a 4 for our keeper), they scored pretty much from every chance they had and Tuesday nights epic 'work out' at Blackpool clearly took its toll because our energy levels were no where near as high as they were 4 days previous. Then you add into the mix a crap goalkeeping display...and how well the opposition played!

As others have said, we need Burge back prompto. Young Max I'm sure will become a very good goal keeper, but he isn't ready to play at this level yet. He really does need too work on his kicking. Same thing happened at Blackpool, a few times he failed to get any height or length on his kicks and it could have cost us. Each time it happens it puts us on the back foot and allows opposition attackers to turn our defenders. That's really basic stuff. Its strange because I think he commands his box really well and his handling is usually very good. Most times its those areas that stop a keep progressing, because every keeper can hoof it high in the air and past the half way line! Yet he seems too struggle in that regard. Quite weird!

As has been mentioned, our season will not be defined at Derby and at home to Pompey. It will be though in games like we've got next weekend. As John says, this is definitely a split division and against the teams around us we are doing really well. Less so against the teams towards the top, Blackpool and Boro aside. But freak results/performances do happen. (and goals!!).

Week off, then we need to be right on the ball next Saturday.

73  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: After the lords Mayors show on: November 30, 2023, 13:21:38 pm
Interesting and in that respect we were perhaps ahead of our time in the IA bought in a sports phycologist 25 years ago - unfortunately the vast majority of players didn’t take her seriously and she was referred to as Planet Janet and didn’t last that long however IA still used a number of other phycological ploys - one of the better known ones was he had the away dressing room decorated in an all grey miserable colour. No doubt in my mind along with skill, tactics, fitness the mind plays an important role in results.

The season we made the playoffs and lost too Grimsby, was our best season in the last 57 years or so! So if she was working for us that season, Id say bring her back into the building with immediate effect! And paint the away dressing rooms again!  Grin

Maybe the phycology worked in reverse, and the players thought 'we don't need that idiot, we will prove that'!
74  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: After the lords Mayors show on: November 30, 2023, 12:28:46 pm
Sports Phycology has interested me greatly for many years. Indeed, I remember well having conversations with people at least 20 years ago saying if I was in charge of a football club, Id employ a full time phycologist. Only recently (I believe) this side of things has been taken much more seriously. Even so, Id proportion much more of whatever budget I had too spend in this area. I believe it is massively under-valued, especially in the lower leagues where clubs will usually chuck every penny they can into the playing budget and neglect infrastructural/support investment.

I said to my lad on the way back from Derby after our complete horror show too expect a reaction. The Barrow result/performance simply added to it (with a slightly weakened team). Since then we've won the following 3 league games on the bounce.

I was also strangely confident before Tuesdays game. I said that Blackpool would potentially be complacent. You could see early doors that the high line they were employing implied that they thought we were there for the taking and I don't believe they took us seriously enough, brought on by over confidence. Coupled with our immense pressing, its fair too say we 'did a job on them'.

Pompey will still be smarting from their battering last Saturday. Brady needs to fully utilise whatever phycologist resources he has at his disposal to make sure we are fully at it. I'm sure he's on the case!! Pompey will certainly be taking us VERY seriously...it is the most dangerous time to play them. They have had a 'wobble' with the FA defeat at Chesterfield added to the pot as well.

Thanks for the stats John. Really interesting thread this. I too was at both the Mansfield and Scunny games. The longevity of the poor runs we've had after a big win though surprised me, much less so than the following game straight after one!
75  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: November 27, 2023, 15:16:36 pm
I thought the catering was "in house" Shane ? I also suggested an awning over the decking outside Carr's Bar, to be told it wasn't possible because of the gilders that support the roof. Having worked in construction, I didn't think this was correct, so I took some photos and sent them to a couple of awning companies. The reply was no problem at all, so I went back to NTFC with this and was then told it would be too expensive. I suggested asking Carlsberg to pay for it with a big advert on it but I don't think anyone asked the question.  Why Huh??
 

Sorry, when I say catering Im on about the food outlets around the ground, not the restaurant (hospitality). Food was dam good in there on Saturday, by the way. Best bit of duck I've had I reckon...in fact I cant remember ever having duck in a restaurant unless it was in a Chinese!  Grin

As for the awning. I couldn't comment. In theory it would be a decent idea. Bear in mind they've done that too expand the hospitality area a few times when we've had a really big game. Those occasions they did use temporary structures. Doing some basic maths, if an extra 200 people each bought two drinks (that is being bloody optimistic across a 23 game plus season), that's only about 800quid profit a game I guess so max 15 grand a year (ish). (profit after the actual drink costs). That's before you've got to pay out for the structure/awning or whatever it is. It would soon get knackered if it was a permanent fixture.

You know more about this stuff than me but from where Im coming from Im struggling too see how it would turn over a profit. Logistics play a part as well. Aint gonna be a simple job. Which is probably why they haven't bothered. If they could make £ from it, I've no doubt they'd have done it, surely?
76  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: November 27, 2023, 14:03:14 pm
In our league, Fleetwood is very good, Orient, Exeter, Cambridge, Stevenage, Lincoln, Wycombe, Burton and Shrewsbury all make the effort to cater for away fans, and take our money. Derby and Reading have big grounds with lots of facilities, so do Wigan but they, in my opinion, just put up with away fans, not very welcoming.
    Worse than us, Peterborough, Oxford, Bristol Rovers and the others are on par with us, again this is my opinion.

Its fair too say that these clubs (in the main) have a large supporters bar which can be frequented by both home and away supporters. Cheltenham I believe have one as well (I've certainly been in it a few times).

Carr's bar is tiny and is rammed with home fans.

The club needs a decent bar, Id use it if it was alright and served reasonable food. I cant comment on most of the above but certainly Stevenage's bar only serves proper Tony Ansell standard food but it is what it is and fills a whole. They've got the advantage that there isn't any bars/pubs close by...you've got to go somewhere like Nando's!  Indeed many of those clubs are in a similar kind of location and don't have much within close proximity, which of course isn't the case with Sixfield's.

The 'new east stand' should/hopefully will have a decent venue built within it to tick this box. Id be surprised if it hasn't.

The only real option at present is to have a fan's village but that's been debated too death. I can see the arguments for and against. Saint's one is brilliant. But of course they get 12-13k plus every game. Different demographic as well (I suspect their supporters on average are more affluent but that's an assumption and a bit of a generalisation).

As for the TV's. We were in hospitality and the snooker was on ha ha. And yeah, we were told it was internet issues. Fair enough. Sh1t happens. Its the only time I've been in there and it wasn't on.

Taking the catering inhouse would be a logistical nightmare (staffing it).

Like I say, the only significant improvement that could be made in my opinion is having a decent size bar. That wouldn't be financially viable unless its included within the new build. Its just very frustrating that we've been saying the same thing for 25 years or more.



77  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Cambridge United at home 25.11.23 on: November 26, 2023, 10:12:43 am
When Simpson came on I remarked to my mate that it was nice of us to go down to 10 men as well too level things up! How that guy gets any minutes now is beyond me....his complete lack of desire is painful too see. I think his confidence is shot too bits and he's just 'hiding' but for a young man on (lets guess 5-6k a week at Huddersfield) and with his contract ticking down, he really needs to sort himself out. Otherwise he will drop out of the game very quickly. Need to do our best too terminate the loan in January...

Aside from the last 15 minutes once they (out of nothing) scored their goal, we looked like we were heading towards a very very comfortable win. Maybe a 3 or 4-0er. Of course though, that goal changed everything. Prior to that I thought some of our passages of play were sublime (after we'd taken the lead that is). Bowie worked tirelessly, he's a real tryer. The polar opposite too the aforementioned Simpson. His goal summed up what he is all about, chasing down a lost cause and getting his rewards after a mix up between keeper and defender. Super Sam's goal came at the end of what was a wonderful move involved a fair few players.

The only negative (other than my Simpson rant) was that we really made things hard for us during the closing stages. We should have kept Bowie on. I know why we didn't but that sub changed everything. We stopped pressing their defenders and retreated way too deep. Monthe's dithering at the end could have cost us the game, all he had too do was concede the throw in and the fulltime whistle would have probably been blown before they could have got the ball back in our box. That's basic stuff!

In the end though, it was job done. 4 points outside the bottom 4, with a not too bad injury list. Interestingly (I was in hospitality yesterday) Fox was interviewed and after hobbling through the restaurant in his protected cast thing, seemed too suggest he was hoping for a January return. Not sure whether he meant a return too training or actually playing. But either way, that contradicted too the rumour on the other thread that he wouldn't be playing again this season. Fingers crossed, he's a good player and clearly a really good lad, and has been really unfortunate with injuries.
78  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: The 'Clare Balding' POTS Cambridge Utd (h) November 25th 2023 on: November 26, 2023, 10:00:15 am
I was one who didn't think McGowan would be good enough for this division and given our collection of fullbacks, it made sense too move him on.

However these last two matches have suggested that many of us, probably including Brady, were very wrong.

Looking like a smart move too extend his contract...so McGowan for me, mom!
79  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: MK Dons away Bristol Street Motors Trophy 21/11/23 on: November 22, 2023, 11:42:56 am
Jesus, over 400 of our lot at the game. I thought we'd take about 50 max!  Grin

Had literally zero interest in the game, other than I did occasionally nip on twitter to see the line up, 3 of 4 score updates etc. Not even sure why I did that, but I was interested to know how (in particular) Guthrie got on with his comeback.

Anyway. This point about cup results under Brady. It is appalling, there is no way of denying that. It is though in stark contrast to our league form during the same period.

I put it down simply that during the last 3 seasons or so, we've had a decent X1 and a few decent back ups, but beyond that core group our players are simply not good enough. And its those players we rely on when the selection of the team is mixed up a bit. Individually they are fine in most cases, but chuck 4,5 or 6 on all at once and it shows big time!

I believe last seasons league2 champions - Orient - lost all 5 of their cup games last season too. So perhaps they were in the same boat as us.

Our record I guess has been even more atrocious given that I cannot recall a single cup game for what seems like an age, where we have gone in to it without at least 5 players missing through injury. So you add them to the changes made, and it makes us even more weaker.

I am more irritated by our record with injuries. I simply do not understand how we are so badly effected. Even last night, two of our players limped off apparently.

I 'get' that we take risks on players with questionable fitness because you can attract better quality in. Its a trade off. Take Fox for example. If he hadn't of been injured for half a season at Grimsby before we signed him, then *maybe* he would have commanded a much higher wage, and put him out of our reach. We seem to rely on striking lucky and finding another Bayo/Gypes...but for some time now it hasn't happened. They just get injured. Time and time again!

However. What cannot be denied is that our recruitment strategy did get us promoted. And its currently keeping us up in this division. So perspective is needed. Its a tough balancing act and when you are operating on a tighter budget than some/many of your rivals, you have to do things a different way to compete with them over a 46 match season. But just don't expect any cup runs with that strategy, unless you get very lucky with the core group of players all staying fit throughout the first half of the season when most cup games (or in our case all of them!) are played...

80  The Hotel End / Other Football & Sport / Re: Former Cobblers Exploits on: November 19, 2023, 12:24:59 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI7OEUvR9Hc

Our favourite goalkeeper still continues too give so much!
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