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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Oxford United A 20.01.23
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on: January 19, 2024, 08:26:02 am
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Any particular pubs Cobblers fans are likely to be visiting before the game?
There's usually an handful of Cobblers fans drinking in the Bowling complex next to the ground however it takes forever to get served. Some of other venues within the cinema complex also have bars (Crazy Golf place and Snooker club) but they tend to be home fans only. The Kings Arms (Chef & Brewer) in Sandford-on-Thames is a decent shout if you want food and drink. I think the water levels have receded by now. Approx. 30 mins walk to the ground and usually spaces for free car parking on the roads nearby or within the pub car park (remember to register your car reg in the pub to avoid a ticket). There's a couple of estate type pubs around 20 minutes walk from the ground - The Catherine Wheel in Sandford-on-Thames and The George in Littlemore but neither are great in my opinion. The nearest Wetherspoons (The William Morris) is in the Cowley Shopping Centre, around 40 minutes walk away from the ground. If drinking in the city centre, then there are plenty of good pubs such as The Royal Blenheim (Titanic Brewery), The Bear (said to be the oldest pub in Oxford), The Chequers (Nicholsons), Three Goat's Head (Sam Smith Brewery) and The Castle (Hook Norton Brewery) as well as a couple of city centre Wetherspoons. Also the tourist / College favourites such as The Turf Tavern, The White Horse (of Morse / Lewis fame) and the Kings Arms. The once brilliant Lamb & Flag has never quite been the same post-lockdown.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Welcome Tony Springett
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on: January 16, 2024, 13:30:11 pm
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He was in a similar mould to Josh Low in terms of polarising opinion, now a physio at Bolton. Low (still only 44, I feel old!) acting as legal counsel for a firm....maybe he could take a look at the letter. I remember bumping into Josh Low at a property networking event a few years ago when I worked in Bristol. He wasn't quite as enthusiastic as I was when recounting his cross-shot winner against Leyton Orient back in 2004.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Mods, re Messaging
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on: January 12, 2024, 12:27:20 pm
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Im still getting the garbled crap, and cannot access any of my previous despatched messages. Not too worried though, as I have few friends on here anyway. And I just thought you were ghosting me.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: January 2024 Transfer Window
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on: January 11, 2024, 15:30:54 pm
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We've had both good and bad keepers' over the years and Thompson probably sits somewhere in the middle. Steady, but unspectacular and certainly not the same level as Bunn or Welch.
It's a great opportunity to get a new No.1 in as we're looking like being at League 1 level at least for the next 18 months, so I can see it being an attractive chance for someone who wants to establish themselves and play every week.
Burge made a few mistakes earlier in the season so i'm not sure if he's up to it although he'll probably get a run of games now to prove himself.
This also frees up room for another loan signing.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Oxford United A 20.01.23
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on: January 02, 2024, 10:32:25 am
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Game 2 of block 6 is our first away game of 2024 and a short jaunt to boot.
1,471 tickets allocated and these will surely all go. A good number had already when I sorted my groups on Wednesday.
Get on board and let's complete our second double of the season.
(Good prompter Shoemender 🤣🫶🏻)
Very much looking forward to this one. Rendezvous in The Royal Blenheim circa 11am.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Geema is missing
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on: January 03, 2022, 15:32:09 pm
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I was sad to hear of Jeema's passing.
I happened to sit behind him on the CISC coach for my first ever away game (a 5-1 loss at Bournemouth). Me and my mates were fascinated by his constant swearing into the coach window the entire way home.
I got to know him better some years later as he often was around for our post-match pub crawls, heading into town after home games. There are some great stories and it seems like many have great memories.
I'm not sure if it was an urban myth but some said he never had a season ticket and got his tickets on a game-by-game basis. He wasn't best pleased at being turned away from a few all-ticket games although often helped out by others.
A real unique character, the sort which are the lifeblood of our great club.
RIP Jeema
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Harrogate away 11.12.21
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on: December 06, 2021, 16:01:10 pm
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A few years ago the CISC visited Harrogate on one of their yearly weekend away trips, the fateful weekend when we were relegated in Leeds. They have some rise since then.
One of the less eventful trips mind, however I do recall the local Wetherspoons having a very impressive interior with a feature staircase that lead down towards the bar which is well worth a visit. If I remember, one of our group was accosted by a bunch excitable women on a hen-party and it took several minutes for the bride-to-be to prized away.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: EFL Cup v AFC Wimbledon (h) - 24 Aug 21
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on: August 25, 2021, 15:54:41 pm
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My first visit to Sixfields in a long time last night.
I thought we played some decent football at times and it was certainly more enjoyable than watching us under Curle last season.
I must also commend NTFC on their refreshing approach to allowing fans to return to the stadium... and barely a face mask in sight. Long may it continue.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: New Year 2021 Transfer Window
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on: January 05, 2021, 13:21:36 pm
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I think we can stay up with the following transfer activity:
1) Send back Mitchell and sign a proven L1 standard goalkeeper with Arnold as back-up
2) Offload Adams to a promotion chasing L2 side and replace him with a L1 quality right wing back
3) Sign a target-man centre forward who can compete against the better centre backs in this league
Offloading Martin would also be bonus.
I don't think with KC's style of play that any wingers / flair players would have much chance of thriving in our team.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: 'Ull Sat'dy
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on: September 25, 2020, 11:55:34 am
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I don't blame Hull for not taking tests after seeing the fall-out from Leyton Orient this week. It's sensible that lower league clubs don't risk losing players for a couple of weeks especially when it has such minimal impact.
It's a shame that no fans are able to go and watch still. I can only hope some form of common sense prevails and fans can get back inside stadiums soon.
A big test for us on the pitch against one of the stronger sides. With a few players back from injury we should give them a good game, hopefully better than when my Cobblers childhood hero Jamie Forrester scored against us when Hull last visited Sixfields.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Summer 2020 Transfer Window
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on: September 25, 2020, 11:40:06 am
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I wonder if there was 'Gentleman's agreement' between us and Lincoln that they offered us Bolger for free if we withdrew our interest in Morton. We seemed to have a replacement lined-up soon after and I wouldn't always take KC's comments to the media as gospel.
For what's its worth I don't think he would be as effective without an Oliver type player alongside him.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Walsall 3rd August
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on: July 31, 2019, 08:05:28 am
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Almost impossible to predict what KC will start with. I doubt even he knows sometimes.
My preference would be for:
Arnold
Wharton - Goode - Turnbull
S.McWilliams - Lines - McCormack - Bunney Adams Warburton
Smith
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Opening day fixture
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on: June 17, 2019, 11:59:02 am
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Im not too bothered to be honest. But you can guarantee, that some muppet on social media, will claim to be "in the know", and try to convince everybody before the fixture list is announced. For me personally, at the end of the season, I would like to see either Plymouth or Exeter, so we can have a decent weekend away, as I fed up with going up north.
At least Scarborough doesn't appear to be on the cards and a subsequent chance for you to drop your fish and chips on the floor again.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Squad Appraisal for Next Season
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on: June 06, 2019, 15:53:57 pm
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Goalkeeper
It appears that Arnold will be our new No.1 with Cornell as back-up. I suspect Cornell may get some game time as our cup keeper as he's been quite good at saving penalties and Bradley Lashley may stick around the squad until Christmas before being loaned out to get some experience.
ACTION: None
Centre Backs
It seems KC is set on playing a back 3 and we are currently a little light in this department. A lot of talk about Pierre moving on however we should get some decent money for him to fund an adequate replacement. I'm happy with Turnbull on the left-hand side of 3. I think Jay Williams will stay around the squad and play a bit more than last season. Having watched him at Cheltenham, I think Ryan Hughes might benefit from a stint out on loan as I don’t think he’s quite ready for the first team.
ACTION: Replace Pierre if he leaves, sign a right-sided centre back and possibly a utility player who can play across any of the defensive positions.
Right Wing Back
There’s been some talk about Nicky Adams excelling in this position last season and it will be interesting to see how KC utilises him. I think Shaun McWilliams would do a decent job there and of course Cam McWilliams provides further back up.
ACTION: I don’t envisage any further transfer activity in this position.
Left Wing Back
I think Joe Martin will nail down this position although his recent fitness issues might mean we need to back-up in this position (unless Turnbull can cover). I didn’t see much of George Cox last season to judge but KC was happy to have him around the squad even when injured so I guess a younger player would be a sensible understudy
ACTION: Sign an understudy to Martin (possibly a youngster in on loan)
Defensive Midfield
A welcome sight for us to sign our first defensive midfielder since Jason Taylor. At 35 I think we’ll have to manage him and if we can get him to play in 70-80% of our league games we’ll be competitive.
ACTION: A DM is a bit of luxury at this level, so I don’t think there’ll be further signings in this position
Central Midfield
I think Chris Lines will be a starter with either Watson, Pollock or Shaun McWilliams alongside.
ACTION: I would have preferred the balance of having a left footer in central midfield someone in the Danny Rose mould, but I don’t think we’ll see any further movement in this position.
Right Wing
I’m not sure how much KC plans to utilise wingers next season but it’s always good to have a little bit of pace / trickery on the wing even if only as impact substitutes. As will are still lumbered with Hoskins, I guess he will take up this role in the squad. I’m hoping to see a bit more of Sean Whaler this season who might get some game time in the cup competitions
ACTION: None
Left Wing
I think much depends on whether Daniel Powell stays or goes for this position. Personally, would be happy to see him leave and I think we can find a better replacement who at least seems half interested. I’d like to see more of Morgan Roberts who again might have a chance of some minutes in the cup games.
ACTION: Sign a left sided winger / attacking player
Attacking Midfield
A lot seems to be resting of Matty Warburton’s shoulders in this position to bring some creativity to the side. One thing he will benefit from is having some battle-hardened League 2 pros alongside him to win the battles and allow him space to flourish. Always a bit of a gamble taking someone from down the leagues, and I hope this one comes off.
ACTION: None
Strikers
I think Harry Smith will be leading the line-up top on his own and he should get plenty of chances with players like Adams and Lines supplying crosses. I don’t think either Andy Williams or Morias are in KC’s plans, but they could both be useful squad players over the course of a season. I doubt either would be happy with that and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some further movement in this position.
ACTION: Replace either Andy Williams or Morias if they leave
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Welcome Back - Nicky Adams
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on: June 05, 2019, 14:49:57 pm
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I think the moving nearer home thing was over played.
Clearly didn't fancy his chances playing under the Page regime and playing in a higher division.
Happy to see him back and interesting to see if he'll play at RWB as has been suggested.
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The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Welcome - Alan McCormack
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on: June 05, 2019, 14:36:41 pm
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Good to see us sign some experienced battle hardened League 2 players.
The squad last year was far too lightweight and too meek to cause any problems in this league.
Squad is shaping up nicely. A right sided centre back and a new GK then we will be good to go
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