Match Thread Away V Cheltenham Saturday 20th February @ 3.00pm

It was more a reference to him looking, and acting like one of the Peaky Blinders. As someone mentioned before, he’s the sort of guy who can get into a fight in an empty pub.
I apologise. I didn’t mean to come across as xenophobic (I doubt Bernard Manning could have spelt that).

 

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 goes back to right players in right roles, something we used to despair about over Stuarts leadership. And how people were clamouring for 4-4-2 for some bizarre reason last week when 4-2-3-1 has been the crux of our success. The fixation that some have for putting Rowe in the '10' role when our play revolves around Cooke in that very role. Haven't we learnt from previous managers who played Cooke out of that position, he's not half the player.
The main difference is now is the swagger of the players when they step out of the tunnel, they genuinely believe they have the ability between them to beat anyone in the division, pre T & S they couldn't bare to be on the same pitch together. How mant times did we say they looked beat as they took the knee?

 

I understand what you are saying but I do think it is a bit harsh, yes. AOC has been here for nearly 3 years and for the majority of that time, we've been pretty dreadful most of the time with glimpses of mediocrity here and there. That has to be frustrating for any player, and whilst I agree the way he has handled himself at times has not done him any favours, he has still had far more good games than bad in his time here. I for one would be happy to see him still here next season, and that's coming from someone who never wanted him to play for us again immediately after armband gate.

 

It's the first time in three years hes been has here has there been anything like an organisational structure at the club. I don't think people appreciate just how important a business and football strategy are from the top down of that organisation. This should certainly be taken into account when looking at the offering of new contracts in the summer. Because 2 months ago the fans would have hardly offered any new contracts to any of them due to complete mismanagement from the owner and CEO for 4 years.

 

I agree ability wise, there's absolutely no doubt he's good enough but the catch 22 is that we're now judging him again during a good run. When that run ends, which it inevitably will, which AOC will we still have in the squad?

He's certainly performed very well under T&S though so assuming his wage is in line with his contribution to the team then I see no reason why the management team wouldn't want to keep him regardless of which division we find ourselves in next term.

 

The Capital One Cup final was on Sky late last night ,I watched the whole game and still fell asleep with a smile on my face after yesterdays result.

 

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

 

Well , what a fantastic result yesterday. I would have gladly taken a point yesterday, whilst hoping for a win.
The result shows how far we have come in such a short space of time under the interim duo.
We are now looking up the table not down, which is great . Even if the playoff's are out of reach for this season, can we keep up this form? The momentum towards next seson is fantastic, i hope the club are now seriously in conversation , with regards to a longer contract for the management duo.

 

I,m very impressed by the way most of our platers "kill" the ball now when it comes at them at speed!!-it does,nt bounce off them.An obvious sign that the basics are being worked on.

 

Playing AOC at right back shows that T&S are studious and more than happy to tweak the playing style when they see something isn’t quite right. Our one up front 4-2-3-1 formation encourages teams to push their full backs up as their back line only has one player to mark. Exeter read this and exploited it brilliantly. Next match bang AOC and CW both much more conservative in when they push up, plus Cook used as a battering RAM to keep the centre halves on their toes with Vernam given a licence to roam. This keeps the oppositions full backs on their toes and nullifies the deficiencies highlighted by Exeter. T&S are an absolute breath of fresh air, can’t wait till Tuesday

 

As Shankly said... "Football is a simple game made complicated by people who should know better"

 

Hi everyone, Cambridge Utd supporting Sean here. I first posted on here after our 0-0 draw with you at our place and then wished you well in beating Southend...which you did! That’s a hell of a run you guys are on. Congratulations! You may recall that I had family from Bradford so always keep an eye out for your results and wish you well. That was a great result yesterday and I honestly thought Cheltenham were good for automatic promotion ....but this league is proving to be very unpredictable to say the least.

Anyway we’ve got them at our place on Tuesday and wondered if anyone has any views on how good/bad/indifferent they were. All advice gratefully accepted and thanks in advance! Sean

ps see you in League 1 next season??

 

Don’t concede any throw ins and you’ll be ok

 

They seem to be genuinely having injuries to key players and a weird lopsided squad with 6 forwards and no reserve midfielders.

Yours to win I'd say

 

From today's football league paper

 

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

 

Agree but also, the player has to have the basic skill in the first place.

 

The cynic in me is that this season he is in search for a contract here at City or a new club so has to up his game. His previous seasons apart from the odd games - has he warranted his wage. Our central defence with him being part of it have made silly mistakes, have been poor at defending crosses and set pieces/corners.

 

Judging by how often the commentators mentioned that game I'd say they're worried about you. Cheltenham seemed to get get really rattled once we took the lead (especially Duff and May) so I'd say the first goal is vital. The commentators seem to think they'll definitely be a big reaction after this defeat, I'm not so sure. Home win for me.