CHELSEA U21's

[TPFKA Marvo]

Well this game couldn't come at a better time. With 4 defeats on the bounce (club record 7) this game should give us the chance to get back on track and find our scoring boots. The Chelsea youngsters lost 1-4 in their first game at League 2 MK Dons (spit) so it doesn't look like they are any great shakes.

[the grumpy old man]

JB said on Radio Northampton yesterday after the game that he cannot afford to have any more players injured and he doesn't yet know who will be playing.

I think he will play as many youngsters as he can get away with and to hell with the result. The Exeter game is more important.

[TPFKA Marvo]

JB said on Radio Northampton yesterday after the game that he cannot afford to have any more players injured and he doesn't yet know who will be playing.

I think he will play as many youngsters as he can get away with and to hell with the result. The Exeter game is more important.

I agree but 5 defeats on the bounce doesn't look good on the CV. It doesn't give circumstances in record books.

[GrangeParkCobbler]

Well, just a quick preview for this one as Chelseas youngsters come to town. As Marvo says they were soundly beaten in their previous group game at MK, but since then have won 3 of 4 games with wins over West Brom, Luton (League Cup) and away at Manchester City. The defeat came in their International Cup match at home to Lyon.
The Blues finished third in the Premier League 2 last year and are managed by former AFC Wimbledon manager Mark Robinson.

David Rock is down to ref the game, he makes his first visit to Sixfields since April 2022 when he oversaw the 0-0 draw with Bradford, he was in charge of our 2-1 win at Sutton late last season booking Leonard and Hylton. So far this season his six games have seen him hand out 24 yellow and one red card.

[DavCobb]

They should probably send the first team. Might have a chance at scrapping a draw.

[Tabasco Kid]

Im not sensing much enthusiasm for this one, as I havent even seen it mentioned yet.
Anyone actually going? Cheap tickets for those that do.

https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2023/september/chelsea_tickets_250923/

[Carton Lid]

Terry will be there with his half n' half scarf 

[Lizard68]

Im not sensing much enthusiasm for this one, as I havent even seen it mentioned yet.
Anyone actually going? Cheap tickets for those that do.

https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2023/september/chelsea_tickets_250923/

I'm going.

[Gustavo Palcrice]

I won't be attending this one. Unfortunately I have something better to do.

[Mysterious Curle]

JB said on Radio Northampton yesterday after the game that he cannot afford to have any more players injured and he doesn't yet know who will be playing.

I think he will play as many youngsters as he can get away with and to hell with the result. The Exeter game is more important.

But I thought he came up with a masterplan over the summer to avoid getting so many injuries?

If you recall we started the season with an unfit squad as we went light in pre season training to stop this very thing happening.

[Mysterious Curle]

I agree but 5 defeats on the bounce doesn't look good on the CV. It doesn't give circumstances in record books.

It doesn’t look good at all!

We’ve got rid of a few managers in the past for losing 5 on the bounce…

[west stand oap]

Not surprisingly we will not be risking certain players tonight and it could well be 5 defeats but it will not put pressure on JB's tenure.

[Ragdoll Cobbler]

Not surprisingly we will not be risking certain players tonight and it could well be 5 defeats but it will not put pressure on JB's tenure.

Nor should it, anyone questioning JB's tenure, needs to get a kin' grip!

I've already stated I want him to remain manager no matter what happens this season...

Our budget is obviously botton 4 & look at the squad he's currently got to work with (with the injuries too)

Hope he plays most of the youth team tonight...perhaps we might find an actual striker in there who can fill our first team bench ti Jan!

[Coolcat]

Nor should it, anyone questioning JB's tenure, needs to get a kin' grip!

I've already stated I want him to remain manager no matter what happens this season...

Our budget is obviously botton 4 & look at the squad he's currently got to work with (with the injuries too)

Hope he plays most of the youth team tonight...perhaps we might find an actual striker in there who can fill our first team bench ti Jan!

I also want him to remain - ditto. I like the guy. However, the injury excuses last season often outbalanced the real injury issues - echoed by many on here. The fact that as Mysterious says above, a change in approach was adopted in the summer to counter the number of injuries being suffered points to culpability on his and the management's shoulders to a fair degree!

[DavCobb]

I've already stated I want him to remain manager no matter what happens this season...

I’m as ardent a JB fan as anyone. However, we know every manager has a shelf life if results aren’t coming. He rightly has masses of support and has given himself more time than most managers if the run continues.
We could really do with picking up a win in the next 2/3 league games.
You can’t have a manager losing 5,6,7 on the bounce without some form of noise. It would probably come in the form of “sack the board” or “where’s our striker gone” rather than directed at JB and co.

I’d certainly be playing as few 1st teamers that the rules allow tonight.

[1HorshamCobbler]

I thought JB’s comments in todays Chronicle are quite telling. On Saturday ‘ I only had one midfielder and one striker to bring on’ and that’s before we get too far into the season. It’s entirely down to budget and it will only be a matter of time if he continues to battle with limited resources that he will be considering if his career lies elsewhere. I hope it doesn’t come to that as I really like JB.

[everbrite]

Im not sensing much enthusiasm for this one, as I havent even seen it mentioned yet.
Anyone actually going? Cheap tickets for those that do.

https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2023/september/chelsea_tickets_250923/

Funny sort of supporter, still  I am doubtful for tonight!  

[Mysterious Curle]

I thought JB’s comments in todays Chronicle are quite telling. On Saturday ‘ I only had one midfielder and one striker to bring on’ and that’s before we get too far into the season. It’s entirely down to budget and it will only be a matter of time if he continues to battle with limited resources that he will be considering if his career lies elsewhere. I hope it doesn’t come to that as I really like JB.

Is that because he spent the budget on defenders and had 3 of them sitting on the bench?

[DavCobb]

I thought JB’s comments in todays Chronicle are quite telling. On Saturday ‘ I only had one midfielder and one striker to bring on’ and that’s before we get too far into the season. It’s entirely down to budget and it will only be a matter of time if he continues to battle with limited resources that he will be considering if his career lies elsewhere. I hope it doesn’t come to that as I really like JB.

Depends what career he wants. If you leave it too long your options narrow, although the likes of Curle seem to have had a few goes. Wider did it the smart way, although wasn’t great for us.

[Coolcat]

Funny sort of supporter, still  I am doubtful for tonight

Worry not, JB has strongly alluded to playing the youth team tonight!