Match Thread Most liked posts in thread: Away V Cheltenham Saturday 20th February @ 3.00pm

It's nothing to do with armbandgate for me. Like I've said before, he looks a million dollars in a confident team who are winning games. Ability wise, he's more than good enough for the division above too.

Unfortunately though, in a struggling team when backs are to the wall he's probably the absolute last person you want to see alongside you in the trenches.

That might be me being harsh, I don't know but I've definitely witnessed the above with my own eyes at various times during AOC's time here.

 

It was clear that AOC could play right back, yet the two previous managers insisted on having 'attacking' full backs - which merely get caught out of position all the time

It's quite simple if you've got great creative options like us, have the full backs defending and winning the ball back

 

Cook and Cooke in the team of the day and T&S as managers of the day

 

Thanks Hippo, Botswana Bantam and bailiff bridge bantam. I’ve read through the whole thread now so have a really good insight into them ....good luck on Tuesday!

 

As others have said, their main threat is from set pieces - corners and Tozer's long throws. They created very little to worry us from open play, because we closed down their midfield quickly.
They are clearly in the midst of a serious injury crisis, leaving their midfield short of creativity and balance. Their best centre back is out and they have a teenage goalkeeper who looks very vulnerable against the high ball. I would say this is an ideal time to be playing them.

 

Funnily enough, on couple of zoom ins on Tozer before his throw-ins, spotted Clayton D near the respective bucket looking very "relieved," readjusting his trackys with a cheeky grin on his face.

 

Actually anyone on here who's liked my posts I'll buy you a pint in a pub of your choosing before the Bradford-Cambridge game next season. No need to describe myself. I'm from Cambridge so will be the guy in the Panama hat, wearing a suit from a film set of 'Our Man in Havana' and lisping through the real ale selection in one of Bradford's fine inns....now Park Bantam...how's that for buying likes!!

 

Matty Blair's a good player, too.

What's massive about Cheltenham's form is, prior to the Man City cup tie is they didn't win a single game out of the 7 prior league games. It would be easy to add 1 + 1 together and say that's the distraction of the cup, ala our promotion season out of League Two back in the day, but actually only two of those games were played with knowledge of the City game. Both draws.

Since that game, they seem to have come to life with three wins from four - but against sides I personally don't rate.

The issue for us is Cheltenham feel like the team MOST similar to Exeter - and we weren't good in that game. However, for me, we didn't have a 'real' forward in that game. I like Vernam, he even scored in that game, but I like him better in the position he occupied against Morecambe.

If Rowe is back, I'd say we're going to get a draw down there. If Cook remains up front, slightly less optimistic, but certainly doable.

I honestly think having a good centre forward will correct the long ball issue (we'll play it less, because we're less desperate and concerned about the ball coming back at us, but when we do play it we've a chance), and it will help out the defence as we'll be competing in a top-to-bottom fashion.

If we're really lucky, we might stun 'em like we stunned Tranmere.

 

I think Cheltenham will be more worried about us than we are of them.

 

As long as we apply ourselves then we are capable of getting a result anywhere.
I would look to bring O Donnell back in and maybe Rowe for Cooke.
Cooke has been quality but nothing wrong with a little rotation to keep the squad fresh.
Apart from that same as Tuesday.

 

Don't get the clamouring to bring ROD back.
Woeful captain, woeful organiser, woeful long shot stopper.
Very good at blaming others for his errors though.

 

Exeter didn't get bogged down. I've seen far worse pitches at this level. Our own pitch on Tuesday night was sodden and it wasn't a problem. This is league 2 - we're not going to play on bowling greens every week.

 

Mention of Windass reminds me of the only time when I've seen City play at Cheltenham. I think Dean interfered with one of their defenders and got him sent off for retaliation.

 

I never said he had excellent distribution. I said it's better than O'Donnell's. Admittedly, that's a very low bar.
I do think, however, that Hornby puts fewer kicks into touch and is more accurate with his kicks down the middle. He found Rowe with several kicks towards the end of Tuesday's game. He also rolls the ball out to our defenders more often and more quickly than RO'D.

 

Like the man in the orthopedic shoe, I stand corrected.

 

Big test for us tomorrow with the form Cheltenham are in, get a win and the play offs are definitely on! IMO

 

I can see your point. Just daring to dream for the first time in years.

 

No it doesn't. It simply highlights that some of the teams we play are better than others, and Cheltenham are one of the better ones. Games against good teams are usually tougher than games against poor teams.
Having confidence that we can go there and win, which we should have given our current form, doesn't alter the fact that Cheltenham are likely to be tough opponents.

 

But we have to get to a point in which a draw feels like a defeat.

Not saying matches will be easy. Games are not easy but having that winning mindset is what needs to be created.