Match Thread Away V Leyton Orient Saturday 28/8/2021 @ 3.00pm

I remember the game in question but don't remember it being said the change was made after an argument. Even if it was, he was here for 3 years so it is stretching it a bit to say he is disruptive based on one incident when he was possibly a bit cross.

 

Not sure they get worse. The premier league has definitely got better and with all the money filtering down to the Championship, them as well. They have large academies and hoover up all the talent.

 

I agree. I think this idea that the standard in L2 has dropped is bunk. Some of the football played in L2 nowadays is amazing compared to the lump it forward, clogging stuff played on mudbath pitches in the past. For instance, the speed and accuracy with which we moved the ball forward between several players to create chances in our last two games.
I was watching a Sky Premier Years game from ten years ago the other day. I was amazed at how poor it was compared to the current standard. The skill level has increased dramatically in recent years and I believe that has filtered down to the lower divisions. I think our expectations have increased accordingly, by comparison with what we see in the top divisions, often blinding us to how good the standard is now.

 

Sounds like midfield is their weak spot, imo midfield is our strong point this season.
Songo, Watt and Cooke pulling the strings then we could have some joy.
3 or 4-1 if Cook has his scoring boots on.

 

Too true, very strong starting 11 with bags of experience. Stronger, faster and fitter. Zanzala looked promising for first 10 minutes but offered little and the rest were just like their team last season, full of yellow cards.

 

Without wishing to disagree, another interpretation could acknowledge that Harrogaate are looking pretty good this season - yet to drop a point.

 

From what I’ve seen so far and looking at FGR’s “ beaten “ opposition we don’t have anyone to worry about.
They and Harrogate both have full points, but sincerely look who they have played. We have had the largest threats to the top 6 likely teams in Exeter, Stevenage and Mansfield in 3 of our 4 games.2 away. I believe all those that we suspected will be there or thereabouts, won’t necessarily be there at all, come the run in? We just need that touch better quality in depth, one in the middle, one up front and probably a utility defender and we should be extremely strong throughout the season?

 

Thats something you will not have to worry about in London, food!

 

Yes that could be it, either way it highlights the gap that continues to grow. Villa only had 1 starter from the weekend and a kid who was on loan in non league last season bagged a hatrick. I’m just surprised it wasn’t 10. Cooper apparently went into a rant about Barrows poor facilities, it’d be interesting to compare them to ours since it always seems to crop up on here.

 

Agreed.

 

The standard of football has improved in the lower leagues with better coaching and especially the pitches have helped, As an aside I watched highlights of the big match on itv4 it was Chelsea v Millwall and one player swung a punch at another player, he retaliated with a great punch sending him to the deck, he then got up and punched back as both sets of players joined in to have a go, Result? Free kick to Chelsea, no cautions or sendings off, not even a telling off to the culprits, 3 pitch invasions near the end and players off twice before finishing the game, Those were the days

 

I remember that game.
Wasn't it around the Landsdowne Road abandonment??
Im sure it was.
English football fans in the news again.
Few months after City were at what was the new McAlpine stadium.
There was loads of trouble there too.

 

yes it was. 1 week apart.
City at Town was a few weeks after.

 

If you look at who tends to follow England at games etc its not surprising the two are interlinked. Real shame that Wembley wasn't made more Northern, just to get away from some of the deviants in the South

 

One of my mates asked me at the start of the season my thoughts on Bradford as he had them in his acca for the season. I said based on the manager not the squad we could well be up there. Maybe I was doing a slight disservice to the squad? Its tricky

 

The one that culminated in second division promotion for Chelsea?

Mental scenes with the manager having to come on the pitch to address the fans.

 

TBH League Two/Division Four has always been poor. Precisely why it's the bottom league in professional football. Consistency is the key. The higher up the pyramid you go, players are more consistent in their week to week performances.

 

Yes pretty sure that was it, Watching games from that era with lots of mental tackles that were allowed by refs

 

Yes….I was confident during pre season and that confidence has grown. Of course we shall see, but I do think those teams that were going to be up there , ie Salford , Orient etc, might just NOT be.
Orient fans are not happy bunnies if you read their forum. I should hope it’s 3 points providing, Cooke isn’t injured. He would be a big loss the way he is playing at the moment.