Yeovil (H) - Sat 28 Nov 15

[bungle]

As others have said, an efficient, professional performance given the conditions. Yeovil were far from the worst side I've seen this season. They were organised, quite crisp in their passing and pacey on the wings. I suspect they're bottom due to a complete lack of presence or cutting edge up front.

We had trouble getting behind them in the first half and the goal was always likely to come on the counter-attack. The beauty of our system is that the formation and team shape seems to transcend a reliance on individuals. O'Toole is excelling in his deep-lying midfield role - his passing and composure on the ball is a delight to behold - but he or Byrom can be replaced by Taylor or Watson without causing a fatal drop in quality.
Similarly, Wilder can choose between Adams, D'ath, Hoskins, Potter, Calvert-Lewin and now Holmes as the three behind the striker, all of whom can provide a goal threat and create assists. 

Diamond had an excellent game and seemed to be operating as a kind of libero-style sweeper at times. At one point in the first half he stepped into midfield, passed the ball to a midfielder and sprinted into the penalty box for the return pass. This could be something to work on if we come against sides who 'park the bus' against us at home.

Overall, I can't remember being more satisfied with our squad. I can't think of a member of the first X1 which I'd replace.


 

[HertsCobbler]

It's a bit of an anomaly that we've only travelled to one of the top 10 (Wycombe in 9th) so far this season. Definitely some tough matches to come. On the flip side, some nice-looking home fixtures on the horizon.

We've played Accrington away as well(!)

[BackOfTheNet]

Did anyone else think Sixfields felt a little flat yesterday? I expected the place to be absolutely rocking on the back of the week we've had but it seemed a little quieter than of late. Maybe it was just that everyone had let out that collective held breath and we'd all just slumped back into our seats to relax!

[Coolcat]

Hey, Mr Marquis, Your Excellency, any chance of unbanning Marvo so we can get the answer to this important information.

Cheers.

A meaningless stat v uncalled for direct attack on Trust (ref giving money back) in public media and constant smug arguing for the 'ell uv it...

[Monty]

We've played Accrington away as well(!)

You're correct, Herts, of course. I will have words with my research team. Nevertheless it's still a bit of an anomaly. And a lot of clubs at the top also seems to be the ones with the bigger budgets this year, which I guess isn't so surprising - need to mention Accy again (despite the fact that they have had some degree of new investment) being the only oned really punching above their weight. The rest of the season should be very exciting.

[Coolcat]

Did anyone else think Sixfields felt a little flat yesterday? I expected the place to be absolutely rocking on the back of the week we've had but it seemed a little quieter than of late. Maybe it was just that everyone had let out that collective held breath and we'd all just slumped back into our seats to relax!

I tried as usual, but yes! Several points;
The younger gen in the West Upper seem to have no concept of how 'Fields of Green' is our anthem and identity, often drowning out with inane generic numbers.
Gaz Harris at the front is passion personified, and always looking to rouse, though does seem to be overly obsessed with Posh - given the usual songs  
As mentioned with larger attendances, in my row at back of West, were mother, and young daughters and son - which is of course possibly the up and coming generation of Cobbs fans...but obviously, diluting any atmosphere.
Lack of away fans (understandably quiet 199) poses little opposition or raising of passion on the banter front.
Final excuse: weather was s***e!  

[HertsCobbler]

You're correct, Herts, of course. I will have words with my research team. Nevertheless it's still a bit of an anomaly. And a lot of clubs at the top also seems to be the ones with the bigger budgets this year, which I guess isn't so surprising - need to mention Accy again (despite the fact that they have had some degree of new investment) being the only oned really punching above their weight. The rest of the season should be very exciting.

One of the bigger budget clubs are Luton.  If rumours are to believed Mackail-Smith is on a fair wedge - suspect it would cover a number of our players wages.

Another way of looking at our away games is where the sides are in the "home" table.

We have played 4th (Notts), 8th (Barnet), 9th (Accrington), 11th (Wimbledon), 12th (Crawley).
Of the bottom 3 we have  played 0 away.

In terms of home games - at Sixfields we have played of the top away sides (we are 8th) just 3.

So perhaps we have had some easier fixtures who knows.

[defender]

Did anyone else think Sixfields felt a little flat yesterday? I expected the place to be absolutely rocking on the back of the week we've had but it seemed a little quieter than of late. Maybe it was just that everyone had let out that collective held breath and we'd all just slumped back into our seats to relax!

 I think that a lot of fans were just very satisfied that all the bad news had gone and they could relax and just enjoy the football/

[Artlenock Cobbler]

Did anyone else think Sixfields felt a little flat yesterday? I expected the place to be absolutely rocking on the back of the week we've had but it seemed a little quieter than of late. Maybe it was just that everyone had let out that collective held breath and we'd all just slumped back into our seats to relax!

I just don't think we are as passionate when everything is going well as we are when our backs are against the wall. Although you would expect Sixfields to be rocking given everything that has gone on, thinking about it, I'm not surprised it wasn't. That said, there was still a happy vibe, topped off with a win. The lads in the SW sounded loud from the North albeit 'wind assisted'.

Yeovil fans amused me with their gallows version of 'We'll never play you again'.

[defender]

 This win against Yeovil, would have been even sweeter if The fat one had still been manager, having said that by the way things are going, we may well get another chance when and if Cheltenham win promotion.

[Alwaysdark]

[boblarkin]

I thought the Cobblers played no more than OK against the bottom side who effectively stifled us until that breakaway goal ten minutes before half time. After that we were never going to draw or lose.

The home attendance (ignoring away fans) was the biggest of the season. Not bad for a miserable day in late November.

I was impressed by their loan striker Cornick who got through a lot of good work until he was subbed near the end. Apparently he is loanee from Bournemouth.

[Kaptain Kobbler]

The 11 minutes of highlights have reinforced my view that we played really well.  The conditions were atrocious and yet some of our passing was crisp and direct.  Also, don't forget - until we went a goal ahead, Yeovil were set up incredibly defensively.  It was a typical park-the-bus scenario.  We needed to keep knocking the ball about, getting them to chase.  It was a question of probing with patience till the breakthrough inevitably came.

[guest2677]

The 11 minutes of highlights have reinforced my view that we played really well.  The conditions were atrocious and yet some of our passing was crisp and direct.  Also, don't forget - until we went a goal ahead, Yeovil were set up incredibly defensively.  It was a typical park-the-bus scenario.  We needed to keep knocking the ball about, getting them to chase.  It was a question of probing with patience till the breakthrough inevitably came.

where can these 11 minutes of highlights be seen?

[Ryan Amoo 14]

where can these 11 minutes of highlights be seen?

On 'Cobblers Player'.  10-12 minute highlights package is published for every game.

[crazycobbler]

You're correct, Herts, of course. I will have words with my research team. Nevertheless it's still a bit of an anomaly. And a lot of clubs at the top also seems to be the ones with the bigger budgets this year, which I guess isn't so surprising - need to mention Accy again (despite the fact that they have had some degree of new investment) being the only oned really punching above their weight. The rest of the season should be very exciting.

The good thing though is that we look better away than we do at home! I think the players seem to enjoy away games especially at the higher clubs. It could be the pressure isn't as great and the onus is usually on the home team to come out and attack leaving us well positioned to counter which we do so well. The way we're playing on the road right now, I fancy our chances at all of those top sides.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

The good thing though is that we look better away than we do at home! I think the players seem to enjoy away games especially at the higher clubs. It could be the pressure isn't as great and the onus is usually on the home team to come out and attack leaving us well positioned to counter which we do so well. The way we're playing on the road right now, I fancy our chances at all of those top sides.

Plus the volume of the away support is much higher than that at library Sixfields...?

[crazycobbler]

Plus the volume of the away support is much higher than that at library Sixfields...?

Yes that's true. You do get many causual supporters at home who generally aren't that vocal. It seems as though a lot of fans get more excited at away matches and as we're all together in a smaller space, it seems so much louder.

[corno_ntfc]

Did anyone else think Sixfields felt a little flat yesterday? I expected the place to be absolutely rocking on the back of the week we've had but it seemed a little quieter than of late. Maybe it was just that everyone had let out that collective held breath and we'd all just slumped back into our seats to relax!

Very flat.  Surprising really, thought they'd be a buzz of the immediate future being secured!

[guest2677]

On 'Cobblers Player'.  10-12 minute highlights package is published for every game.

Cheers. I didn't realize it was that extensive.