WYCOMBE.......be there!

[MK_Cobbler]

Surprised Platt didn't come on, even if only for 5 minutes. Really thought ADB would have wanted to throw everythink including the kitchen sink for a win...

A kitchen sink would probably stand a better chance of scoring.

[betamax toploader]

Exeter will not win both of their games. 

And would you also have predicted us winning none of the last four?

[GrangeParkCobbler]

A kitchen sink would probably stand a better chance of scoring.

'ADB' or whatever you like to call him said in his post-match that he's saving Platt...he also made out that the team would be that much stronger if Langmead and Platt were in it...making out that they are both stronger than those who are in the team at the moment....Langmead wants to play on Sat, but Aidy says no chance but he will be back for Barnet.

[abington_cobbler]

'ADB' or whatever you like to call him said in his post-match that he's saving Platt...he also made out that the team would be that much stronger if Langmead and Platt were in it...making out that they are both stronger than those who are in the team at the moment....Langmead wants to play on Sat, but Aidy says no chance but he will be back for Barnet.

It sets it up for a late, late Langmead goal to secure a play off semi win

[Winslow Lee]

'ADB' or whatever you like to call him said in his post-match that he's saving Platt...he also made out that the team would be that much stronger if Langmead and Platt were in it...making out that they are both stronger than those who are in the team at the moment....Langmead wants to play on Sat, but Aidy says no chance but he will be back for Barnet.

While we haven't really been letting in any more goals without Langmead and Platt still hasn't reached the 6 goal mark to see insider dance round the pitch naked, the one area which was very fruitful but now seems to have dried up is set pieces where both Langmead and Platt excel.

[betamax toploader]

the one area which was very fruitful but now seems to have dried up is set pieces.

And there lies the problem.

[IwishIwasafly]

We are looking at three extra games for Platt to make it to Severn goals then.

[A view from the east]

Match report from somebody who went please. ( not an expert , just a fan if possible )

[tcobb]

Just got home, we huffed and puffed all game ,never looked like losing,but dont kid yourselves we never looked liked winning either. Could have done with a couple of decent subs,Bayo is finished as a Cobblers player as far as im concerned.

[BackOfTheNet]

It was an ok performance tonight. A LOT better than Saturday (not that that would take much) but still not great. We struggled to make many clear cut chances, just a few half chances from headers. We were pretty solid at the back, although Wycombe still managed a few half chances of their own now and again. The way the game had gone I was waiting for a sting in the tail in stoppage time when they got a couple of corners but thankfully that didn't come.

I think we were the better side but didn't do enough to win it. A loss would have been an injustice so on balance you have to say a draw is a fair reflection of the game.

[MKMal]

I would seriously take CC and Widdowson out of the firing line on Saturday, both of whom are a booking away from suspensions.

Only Widdowson is still in danger of suspension. The 10 cards for two games rule ended last weekend, but the fifteen cards for three games applies until the end of the season. Not sure about during play-offs.

[JollyCobbler]

Just got home, we huffed and puffed all game ,never looked like losing,but dont kid yourselves we never looked liked winning either. Could have done with a couple of decent subs,Bayo is finished as a Cobblers player as far as im concerned.

Thought Bayo did an half decent job tonight considering he ploughed such a lonely furrow. Made some decent lay-offs but you could see his frustration as the game went on

[guest170]

We never really looked like scoring, a couple of maybes but with the pressure Bayo and anyone else who went forward got they couldnt get any power on their headers to beat the keeper. Seemed we didnt have a plan B when we got near the box, would like to have seen a few more shots from outside the box from midfield. Bayo I thought did ok in the first half, not sure anyone on the bench would have offered much more but he needed bringing off on the hour, either he gave up or he was tired but didnt contribute from then which meant everyball forward came back just as quick.
I would say Wycombe never looked like scoring but I still get nervous everytime the had a corner or freekick!!

Top 3 now is all but gone but this has been a funny season so who knows. Hopefully Cheltenham will do us a favour on Saturday so there is less pressure on the Barnet game but still need to secure 4th or 5th if not top 3.

[ntfclad]

Thought it was a much improved performance last night, should of taken the win and had some good chances.

Lee Nicholls: Didn't have much to do, did what he had to well and his distribution was somewhat improved.

Ben Tozer: Thought he played well, did a lot of throwing and managed to get some good tackles. His passing down the line was a bit shoddy at times.
Clarke Carlisle: Thought he was good last night, some good clearing headers and had a couple of half chances.
Lee Collins: Collins was awesome last night. Good on the ball, good at the back, get him signed up NOW!
Joe Widdowson: Played better than he has recently, seemed to get forward more last night.

Chris Hackett: Anyone else think he's lost a yard of pace? Lacked a final ball.
Luke Guttridge: Broke up the play well and had a good return to the side. Looked to get the ball down and pass it.
Ben Harding: Improved performance from him, was better on the ball but still a bit sloppy.
Lewis Hornby: Glad he was brought back, didn't look out of place and helped reinforce the midfield.
Roy O'Donovan: Showed good energy (as always) but missed a couple of good chances.

Adebayo Akinfenwa: Lazy, his touch let him down but managed to get a few headers away.


Loudest away game I've been at this season, properly awesome support. That ring of fire songs seems to have become a good song for getting everyone involved in! Special mention to the steward who ballsed up their half time routine which involved walking spread across the pitch like a forensic team from the half-way line to the penalty area. Every other steward stopped apart from one who carried on and had to quickly backtrack, cue a lot of songs aimed in his direction!

[everbrite]

Thought it was a much improved performance last night, should of taken the win and had some good chances.

Lee Nicholls: Didn't have much to do, did what he had to well and his distribution was somewhat improved.

Ben Tozer: Thought he played well, did a lot of throwing and managed to get some good tackles. His passing down the line was a bit shoddy at times.
Clarke Carlisle: Thought he was good last night, some good clearing headers and had a couple of half chances.
Lee Collins: Collins was awesome last night. Good on the ball, good at the back, get him signed up NOW!
Joe Widdowson: Played better than he has recently, seemed to get forward more last night.

Chris Hackett: Anyone else think he's lost a yard of pace? Lacked a final ball.
Luke Guttridge: Broke up the play well and had a good return to the side. Looked to get the ball down and pass it.
Ben Harding: Improved performance from him, was better on the ball but still a bit sloppy.
Lewis Hornby: Glad he was brought back, didn't look out of place and helped reinforce the midfield.
Roy O'Donovan: Showed good energy (as always) but missed a couple of good chances.

Adebayo Akinfenwa: Lazy, his touch let him down but managed to get a few headers away.


Loudest away game I've been at this season, properly awesome support. That ring of fire songs seems to have become a good song for getting everyone involved in! Special mention to the steward who ballsed up their half time routine which involved walking spread across the pitch like a forensic team from the half-way line to the penalty area. Every other steward stopped apart from one who carried on and had to quickly backtrack, cue a lot of songs aimed in his direction!

Fair do's !  Defence played pretty well restricted WW to long range efforts. Midfield was better and was not outplayed or overrun as in previous games. Hornby was a bit sloppy at times. Tozer played very well against a tricky winner but as mentioned his passing occasionally let him down. Once again ROD at least for me was disappointing as was Bayo who looked totally knackered in the last 30mins. Bayo was unlucky with a header which hit the cross bar. Harding and Gutts had a moan after a well positioned free kick - Gutts took (to Hardings surprise) but ballooned it.

Finally a word on the support - it was magnificient, very good turn out and very committed. Where I was sitting two very young teenage fresh faced girls came in; they clearly wanted to be part of the support behind the goal; they clapped, cheered and sang. In some ways it was quite moving - whilst we have such overall support as we did last night then all is not lost. As for those who chose not to turn up; if those young girls could make the effort why could'nt you

It seems like that the team may have turned the corner ....................at last

[Monkey]

Just wanted to say fair play to ADB too who came in to the crowd (via a non cooperative steward) to speak to a chap who got smashed in the face by Roy or Jake in the warm up. He looked a little dazed but is hopefully OK. Shortly afterwards, another guy's coffee (and subsequently his clothes) took the brunt of another Roy/Jake wayward shot. ADB didnt bother with him though.


As for the game, we did boss possession and rarely looked in danger of conceeding. Unfortunately we just don't look like scoring. Bayo was doing well to get in the positions, and looked most likely (along with CC from set pieces) but struggled to get sufficient power or direction on his headers. They were only half chances in general, but he was burying similar chances on a regular basis before Christmas. Funny how the crowd were getting on his back and asking for Platt to come on and replace him. Who'd have thought it?

Also, what the hell were the stewards doing at half time???

[JollyCobbler]

We never really looked like scoring, a couple of maybes but with the pressure Bayo and anyone else who went forward got they couldnt get any power on their headers to beat the keeper. Seemed we didnt have a plan B when we got near the box, would like to have seen a few more shots from outside the box from midfield. Bayo I thought did ok in the first half, not sure anyone on the bench would have offered much more but he needed bringing off on the hour, either he gave up or he was tired but didnt contribute from then which meant everyball forward came back just as quick.
I would say Wycombe never looked like scoring but I still get nervous everytime the had a corner or freekick!!

Top 3 now is all but gone but this has been a funny season so who knows. Hopefully Cheltenham will do us a favour on Saturday so there is less pressure on the Barnet game but still need to secure 4th or 5th if not top 3.

AB said at the weekend that Bayo has been playing through injury, and was doing well to put a shift in. He also said Platt could of played, but as he too is carrying an injury he needed to save him??

[TheEdgeyMole]

While we've got support like last night we'll be ok.

Improved from the team but still not quite good enough.

[HertsCobbler]

It was an improvement - which to be frank was not hard.

Gutts return was a big part in the display - for a short-arse he is an absolute warhorse.   Bayo should come off as he was knackered.  Wycombe were good to pardon Aidy's pun at game management such as using Bayo as a climbing frame and something to pull which was oblivous to the rotund ref Mr Malone.

We had a shout for a penno on O'Donovan - whatever it was it was not a diver as the pork-meister Malone suggested.

[Coolcat]

Just got home, we huffed and puffed all game ,never looked like losing,but dont kid yourselves we never looked liked winning either. Could have done with a couple of decent subs,Bayo is finished as a Cobblers player as far as im concerned.

Agree with everything there...though could see us easily losing in the final moments!