[Devongone]

Playing a team we very rarely beat anywhere AWAY.

Agin a team that's already beaten us easily this season.

They are again chasing promotion.

We are the worst side in the country.

It's the cup, BOTH sides know we can't win it.

They're expected to win easily.

We're showing slight signs of improvement, but only we've noticed.

No one in the right mind thinks we've got a chance. Even the opposition.

Is this a potential scenario for a cup upset ....... or does it just mean we lose 6-1?

[bluepooch]

Im going ,no idea why but Ive a feeling we could get something ,no logic to it except we are a better team now than 2 months ago.Even though we have the same players .
Does the league table lie ? you know something I think it can.We are definitely not the worst team in this division as proven by the last 5 or 6 games and I hope Bradford dont treat us with any respect and we can go and play our game and maybe,just maybe surprise them .
If we get hammered I will be a little disheartened but we will take heart from the fact that that Jack will recruit in the transfer window and move us forward .

[Dancingwilldoit]

I've got that sneaky feeling myself. Don't know if forlorn hope, wishful thinking or a genuine belief. Whatever I just fancy us.

[Devongone]

Well you guys watch full games ....... What is obvious is that getting hammered would be a huge setback for us, but playing well would equally be a real boost.

[Dancingwilldoit]

Did anybody see that flare/fire on the pitch at Hyde last night? Is it me but after all the fire safety measures post Bradford, how the hell can such flammable material be used for a playing surface? Just imagine - Oh there's a fire in the stand - Lets get down on the pitch its safer there, oh wait a minute.........

[Dancingwilldoit]

Prediction changed. Just seen Anyon is in goal.

[spireitematt]

Did anybody see that flare/fire on the pitch at Hyde last night? Is it me but after all the fire safety measures post Bradford, how the hell can such flammable material be used for a playing surface? Just imagine - Oh there's a fire in the stand - Lets get down on the pitch its safer there, oh wait a minute.........

I saw that. It was stupidity. I don't understand why clubs are going for these 3G and 4G pitches they can cause injuries to players especially if studs get caught in the fibre you can turn your ankle, also you can't tackle because if you slide tackle it burns and can also rip the skin.

Also the ball moves quicker on 3G and 4G pitches and doesn't take the bounce out of the ball like it does on grass.

[St Charles Owl]

Did anybody see that flare/fire on the pitch at Hyde last night? Is it me but after all the fire safety measures post Bradford, how the hell can such flammable material be used for a playing surface? Just imagine - Oh there's a fire in the stand - Lets get down on the pitch its safer there, oh wait a minute.........

I saw that. It was stupidity. I don't understand why clubs are going for these 3G and 4G pitches they can cause injuries to players especially if studs get caught in the fibre you can turn your ankle, also you can't tackle because if you slide tackle it burns and can also rip the skin.

Also the ball moves quicker on 3G and 4G pitches and doesn't take the bounce out of the ball like it does on grass.

Its all about cost. Grass needs maintenance and will end up like a mud heap and all cut up come February. These pitches allow clubs to be able to use the pitch all week, whether its for themselves or for other people who rent it, therefore bringing in revenue. They shouldn’t be allowed in the FL, but in non-league they can save clubs thousands of pounds each year.

Regarding flares, they are dangerous and stupid in a tightly packed area like a football ground!!! They won’t likely cause fires as there are few wooden stands left now but they are so dangerous to those around them. Can’t really restrict sales but there must be a severe penalty for any fan setting one off, and with CCTV at most grounds that is doable!!

[bluepooch]

So anyway I thought we did ok today, played around nicely without hurting them too much but still more purposeful than under Caldwell.
The difference in physical strength between the two teams was there for all to see but we battled well .
If I have to make one observation and this needs addressing quickly its the Hird/ Evatt combo just does not work ,both are far too slow and its easy to cut through them as they did today .Hird has always had a mistake or two per game in his locker and although he does a lot of things right Im afraid he is becoming a liabiilty and he must be replaced quickly .His decision making leaves a lot to be desired and he lunges in and quite often gets muscled out of it and leaves the rest of the defence exposed.He was at fault for their first ,committing himself when it wasnt needed and getting the wrong side of their player who turned him easily and set their striker away to score. He just isnt strong enough or quick enough to be a central defender nowadays.I hope Jack sees this and I assume the reason he doesn't play Wiseman in there is because we havent got a left back.
I thought Anyon did ok but it was his type of game ,there weren't many high balls to deal with and he make a couple of decent saves from long range efforts.
All in all we cant grumble too much against superior opposition away from home but we need to continue with the performances and hope we can get something at Swindon next week.

[Devongone]

Well Pooch, Dancing and I having been saying this all season ....... so here goes again ........ play Maguire and Evatt at the back and stick Hird just in front of them and build a team from there.

The result, the performance, none of it really mattered to me. Once I saw Tommy wasn't fit yet again the Vanarama alarm bells went off big time. If his fitness is so much in doubt it will stop him getting the games he urgently needs and prevent Jack building a settled, coherent defence won't it? Joe Anyon wants to do well but long-term he just isn't capable and a few good saves only provide false hope.

3 minutes 59 seconds must be one of the shortest cup runs in history. In a cup match the opposition is happy to let you play a bit without causing too many problems if they are in front. They're just waiting for the inevitable error to come and their second goal ........

4 minutes into our cup run and we go 1-0 down to Newcastle United. Odd world, football innit?