Lincoln (h) 15/08/23

[Shoemaker]

  Not a true fan!

However he suffers from ill health so early nights for him!

I was in bed asleep with half hour to go.
Sounded like a great comeback.
A point towards safety.

[lordjord]

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.

[Worthless Recluse]

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.

He's delivering on the bums off seats thing.

[ntfclad]

Was gearing up for a 'we lost but we did play well' post until that grandstand finish. Fair play to the boys for that stirring comeback, chalk and cheese from the dead on their feet look against Stevenage.

Played some nice stuff first half but a lot of it was in front of Lincoln and relatively easy to defend against, and the best most incisive play came when we mixed up the pretty passing with going a bit more direct. Definitely need another forward player for me (which is in the works I'm assured). Hoskins take a bow again and Louis Appere, for all I say he's not a natural finisher he took that goal really instinctively yesterday which was good to see.

Also, crowd wise I thought yeah there was some moaning but on the whole very supportive and at times really loud. Whole West and North going in sync a fair few times and the North was the loudest I've heard it in ages so well done over there lads. Same intensity and atmosphere against those c**** from up the road Saturday......

[DrillingCobbler]

At half time, I feared the worst. Whilst having played 'alright' and having been the slightly better team overall, I couldn't help but think that we lacked a cutting edge, that the players would tire like they did in the other two league games and that we didn't have many options waiting on the bench. I couldn't see past a 2 or 3-0 defeat...

...but wow. What a transformation! We absolutely battered them and the longer the game went on the more we battered them. It was pretty relentless.

If it had been a boxing match, the ref would have stopped the fight going into time added on. Hardly anyone left, all the usual fans who leave early week in week out stayed put. You could sense what was going too happen. How often has that previously been the case?!

If Guthrie and Burge had been playing, I've no doubt that we'd have won that game comfortably....

Its fair too say that with average luck, we'd be sitting on 4 or 5 points minimum after these 3 games. We are 4-1 up as far as the woodwork is concerned, for starters! Post, off the line clearance and a stonewall penalty we didn't get all at 0-1 - we'd have rolled them over if any of those had gone our way. Sure of it...

Monthe is exactly the type of defender we thought we were getting. Would be more than useful in a back3, but in a 4-4-2 - hmmm. Even coming off the bench to manage a narrow lead he'd be earning his wedge. Luckily we didn't let the Lincoln players near him much. Id have Dyche in there ahead of him in a 4-4-2/4-3-3 personally.

Final point. Its glaring that we need a couple more attacking options. Unlike (Marvo I think said it), I don't believe they need to necessarily be guaranteed starters in the team but they need to be on a par with those playing now. Our bench needs strengthening, whether that's with new players or the ones we've currently got I don't mind. Budget will dictate. BUT. Last night we only had Appere and Hondermark who you could look towards as being viable forward options. Even though it was McGowan's influence that probably changed things the most. But that was a one off. We cannot expect to gain many late points if we are relying on bringing on a centre back and playing him up front when chasing a goal! Many of the injured players (9/10 in total) are defensive players so even if they all got fit then we'd still be a bit short of good options...

...I don't like to ask people to spend their money on a loss leader. But on this occasion, I think there is a strong argument that another couple of attacking players would reap the rewards on and off the pitch (financially) to make any 'investment' worth its while. In simplistic terms - we lack numbers. And you could tell from the interview afterwards that Brady isn't happy about it. He needs a bit more 'support' if we are too really kick on and establish ourselves in this division.

[TPFKA Marvo]

Come off it Marvo blaming Everbrite for the comment you made on August 3rd.

Okay Captain hindsight. Before a ball was kicked, who do you think would have been the easiest first home game of the season?

Stevenage came up with us. We nearly always beat them and like Everbrite said, they were bedding in a new team. Perfect circumstances for us.

[TPFKA Marvo]

I did not say or even infer some of the things you imagine. You still can’t say well done Team for last night’s performance! I reckon you will do better getting to a home game and enjoying the atmosphere.

Your response to Letchworth Cobblers when he said we might have been better going down the Stevenage route.

Not easy to gel so many new players! No point signing players who are not an improvement on those here! JB policy of extending current player contracts may well be the difference in establishing a good League One  side or one flirting with relegation.

[DavCobb]

I personally think it’s way too early to see how the league is going to pan out.
Stevenage could well go on to struggle and think it may be an open league this year. Teams like Derby have started indifferently.
Let’s just hope the P*sh don’t have a ‘W’ next to them every week.
Do you think they are the Cobblers of the Championship/L1? Struggle in the former, strong in the latter.

[guest3587]

3 league games in, too early to tell, there will be lots of chest puffing and ego massaging to come, and the occasional plate of humble pie as well

[Manwork04]

3 league games in, too early to tell, there will be lots of chest puffing and ego massaging to come, and the occasional plate of humble pie as well

As we all know wait for the first 10 games, personally I think we will be about 19th, depends if we manage to sign some quality and who leaves.

[guest3587]

As we all know wait for the first 10 games, personally I think we will be about 19th, depends if we manage to sign some quality and who leaves.

Anywhere above the bottom 4 and I'll be happy

[west stand oap]

Hi Marvo, Captain Hindsight here, boy you do like dishing out labels don't you? and calling yourself Marvo doesn't make you some sort of magician.

In answer to your question, no I would not have said Stevenage would be our easiest home game of the season. They looked a decent side in both games last season as we snatched a late winner away and the took a deserved point here. Yes they came up with us but so did Carlisle which surprised their own supporters and have not been able to make the signings that Stevenage have so I would have considered Carlisle weaker opposition. I would add to that Cheltenham who have lost their talisman Alfie May so I expect them to struggle as most years Burton do. So that is 3 teams without examining the transfer activity of other teams with the lower budgets.

Captain Hindsight signing off.

[TPFKA Marvo]

Hi Marvo, Captain Hindsight here, boy you do like dishing out labels don't you? and calling yourself Marvo doesn't make you some sort of magician.

In answer to your question, no I would not have said Stevenage would be our easiest home game of the season. They looked a decent side in both games last season as we snatched a late winner away and the took a deserved point here. Yes they came up with us but so did Carlisle which surprised their own supporters and have not been able to make the signings that Stevenage have so I would have considered Carlisle weaker opposition. I would add to that Cheltenham who have lost their talisman Alfie May so I expect them to struggle as most years Burton do. So that is 3 teams without examining the transfer activity of other teams with the lower budgets.

Captain Hindsight signing off.

That doesn't take into account our exceptional record against Stevenage, or the gelling Everbrite mentioned. I'm sure you now having the benefit of hindsight and seeing how clubs have got on in their first three matches you can now make a case for other sides but you wouldn't have said that before a ball had been kicked.

[guest3587]

Wonderful volley by Hoskins wasn't it?

[Melbourne Cobbler]

As we all know wait for the first 10 games, personally I think we will be about 19th, depends if we manage to sign some quality and who leaves.

Fúck me Manny run for it, Marvos coming.

[guest3619]

Anyone going to name people that left early ?
A man in a black shirt in the middle of the west got up and said he was bored after their second goal and didn’t come back.
A whole family also left before we scored our first goal .

[Manwork04]

One of the few times I have left early was Poxford away a few years ago when Rico scored the only goal of the game in the 91st min, in mitigation that car park at Poxford was shocking to get out of….

[west stand oap]

Hi Marvo, Captain Hindsight again.
You asked a question which I answered and hindsight after 3 games has nothing to do with it and is exactly what my thoughts were before a ball was kicked and also our previous record against Stevenage has nothing to do with it. I fail to see how anybody would think that Stevenage at home would be our easiest fixture but you clearly did. Stevenage were a better team than Carlisle when we played them last season and finished 9 points above them at the end of the season but I don't suppose you attended any of those games. It also does not surprise me that the other 2 teams I mentioned have yet to pick up any points. There really wasn't any point in you asking the question if you are not prepared to accept the answer and also accept some people have different opinions to yourself. We don't all have to bow down to the mighty Marvo and accept your views as gospel because you think you are never wrong.

Try leaving your keyboard at home and go and take in some matches I'm sure the club will welcome the extra income which would go a small way to boosting our budget. The club get the best part of £1000 from me from season ticket sales, season car park pass (I'm going to the football so I use the clubs car park although free parking is available), buying every match day program which I never read a word of and give away before entering the stadium, plus any money spent in the stadium. I think there are some people who complain about the budget who don't contribute anything to the clubs revenue.

[TPFKA Marvo]

Hi Marvo, Captain Hindsight again.
You asked a question which I answered and hindsight after 3 games has nothing to do with it and is exactly what my thoughts were before a ball was kicked and also our previous record against Stevenage has nothing to do with it. I fail to see how anybody would think that Stevenage at home would be our easiest fixture but you clearly did. Stevenage were a better team than Carlisle when we played them last season and finished 9 points above them at the end of the season but I don't suppose you attended any of those games. It also does not surprise me that the other 2 teams I mentioned have yet to pick up any points. There really wasn't any point in you asking the question if you are not prepared to accept the answer and also accept some people have different opinions to yourself. We don't all have to bow down to the mighty Marvo and accept your views as gospel because you think you are never wrong.

Try leaving your keyboard at home and go and take in some matches I'm sure the club will welcome the extra income which would go a small way to boosting our budget. The club get the best part of £1000 from me from season ticket sales, season car park pass (I'm going to the football so I use the clubs car park although free parking is available), buying every match day program which I never read a word of and give away before entering the stadium, plus any money spent in the stadium. I think there are some people who complain about the budget who don't contribute anything to the clubs revenue.

Well I don't believe you but as it cant be proven either way I'll leave it at that.

I've no idea how much money and time I've spent watching the Cobblers over 58 years, must be thousands and that's not counting the huge amount of money I lost by choosing to go to to a game and not working. However I realise that all that counts for nothing in many peoples eyes now I no longer go to games, preferring to watch on Ifollow. The last money the club got from me was the centenary shirt, haven't had the opportunity to wear it yet, perhaps never will. I never complain about the budget, nothing to do with me. You've also probably not noticed that I do not partake in the redevelopment thread. UTC.

[DavCobb]

Well I don't believe you but as it cant be proven either way I'll leave it at that.

I've no idea how much money and time I've spent watching the Cobblers over 58 years, must be thousands and that's not counting the huge amount of money I lost by choosing to go to to a game and not working. However I realise that all that counts for nothing in many peoples eyes now I no longer go to games, preferring to watch on Ifollow. The last money the club got from me was the centenary shirt, haven't had the opportunity to wear it yet, perhaps never will. I never complain about the budget, nothing to do with me. You've also probably not noticed that I do not partake in the redevelopment thread. UTC.

But you were never voted Supporter of the the Year so it doesn’t count. 

You can definitely have Wind up Merchant of the Year. I think that’d take pride of place. 
I agree on the telly watching, you get a far better insight into what is actually going on.