The first of three tough matches coming up starting with Orient.

They seem to have hit some form but hopefully lessons learnt against Shrewsbury should get us a win.

We need a good result for goal difference so 18:0

Darren Pratley, won't be playing Saturday sent off tonight.

10 hours ago, waffer cup 07 said:

Darren Pratley, won't be playing Saturday sent off tonight.

Is that a bonus or what? 😀

Just now, Whitesince63 said:

Is that a bonus or what? 😀

Always liked Pratley. Skipper through an incredibly shit time off the pitch for us. Always thought he was a good grafter who conjured up the odd bit of class along the way. 
 

Hats off to him he’s still playing a part at this level even now. That move to orient looks like it’s been a good one.

Just now, tomski said:

Always liked Pratley. Skipper through an incredibly shit time off the pitch for us. Always thought he was a good grafter who conjured up the odd bit of class along the way. 
 

Hats off to him he’s still playing a part at this level even now. That move to orient looks like it’s been a good one.

To be fair to him he was decent last night until he stupidly got sent off. They look like they have some good replacements though on last nights showing.

Pratley getting the boo boy treatment with us was extremely bizarre and ridiculously undeserved.

I'll still never understand it to this day.

 

Last time we palyed these at home we shot into an early 3-0 lead, he came on at half time and bossed the second half, we ended up hanging on a bit for a nervy 3-2 win

55 minutes ago, Gonk said:

Last time we palyed these at home we shot into an early 3-0 lead, he came on at half time and bossed the second half, we ended up hanging on a bit for a nervy 3-2 win

Yes he did but he won’t be doing that this time thankfully. 🙂

2 hours ago, Gonk said:

Last time we palyed these at home we shot into an early 3-0 lead, he came on at half time and bossed the second half, we ended up hanging on a bit for a nervy 3-2 win

Yes he did, fair play to him, especially at 39 or whatever. 

Although that winger Theo Archibald tore us a new one down our right, looked real quality, he didn't play last night so hopefully we won't have that problem on Saturday.

 

Total respect to Pratley that he's still playing, and at a decent level.  When he played for us I liked his general attitude and leadership qualities, but I remember he had this wierd habit of running with a ball for 10 or 12 yards then as soon as anyone came near him he did this odd stumble, not sure if he was trying to win a free kick or he was just exhausted or had run out of ideas and wanted the move to end one way or another. 

I'd be lieing if I thought he was a good player for us, he always seemed to be a disappointment even when we were in L1 (although he was injured a lot that season).  

54 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

When he played for us I liked his general attitude and leadership qualities, but I remember he had this wierd habit of running with a ball for 10 or 12 yards then as soon as anyone came near him he did this odd stumble, not sure if he was trying to win a free kick or he was just exhausted or had run out of ideas and wanted the move to end one way or another.

There’s a similarity with Matete, there. Not the going down, but advancing forward in a promising manner with the ball, before failing to execute a decent pass, cross or shot.

4 hours ago, Gonk said:

Last time we palyed these at home we shot into an early 3-0 lead, he came on at half time and bossed the second half, we ended up hanging on a bit for a nervy 3-2 win

He also turned the game at their ground last season when coming off the bench.

I always liked him, I thought he was badly treated by the fans and used incorrectly by the club with the latter contributing to the former.

Not related to his football but I once had the misfortune of meeting Darren Pratley when I was asked to do a job for the landlord of a house he was renting. He came across as a right cunt . Fit Mrs though who was a bit of a diva and the house looked like it needed a wipe with a good duster and some pledge.

I didn't boo him when he played against us though 

Not read the full thread, but watched last nights game, Pratley was quality. (Sent off 89mins though second yellow)

They are good, Williams was quiet, tough, tough game..

Nearly a must win already again...

9 hours ago, gonzo said:

Pratley getting the boo boy treatment with us was extremely bizarre and ridiculously undeserved.

I'll still never understand it to this day.

 

Each to their own, but I thought he flattered to deceive.

Worked hard I suppose, but I didn't think he offered that much. Maybe another who needed some of his defensive responsibilities taking away from him.

Always mental how folk remember this people with hatred but then have nothing but fondness for a manager who fucked off for a break and rocked up at Newcastle weeks later. Costing us any compo etc. 

11 hours ago, gonzo said:

Pratley getting the boo boy treatment with us was extremely bizarre and ridiculously undeserved.

I'll still never understand it to this day.

 

I always felt that with Bod. Proper hounded by some. Oh how we miss him now 😁

54 minutes ago, Big E said:

Always mental how folk remember this people with hatred but then have nothing but fondness for a manager who fucked off for a break and rocked up at Newcastle weeks later. Costing us any compo etc. 

way too simplistic my Welsh/dutch chum.

If you can’t look back on the big Sam times with fondness then I’m not sure Bwfc is good for your health or pass time.

I was fuming with fat Sam when he rocked up at Newcastle. Felt like he’d cheated on me and that opening day was minging as you knew it was gonna be the start of a slippery slope.

Now as I’m starved of a good team and I get a little wiser through age (allegedly) I look back and remember only the good. 
 

Also with hindsight he was absolutely right to can us off as we (the board) didn’t want to go on the journey with him. Whether that was through choice or we simply couldn’t afford it, that’s a different matter.

Did it work out for him. I’d argue not. He absolutely deserved a shot at being at the top table. I’m just glad taggart retired a bit later when he had been caught up as that would of been minging.

Those years were amazing and I’m fully big Sam again now.

Edited February 19, 20251 yr by tomski

4 minutes ago, tomski said:

way too simplistic my Welsh/dutch chum.

If you can’t look back on the big Sam times with fondness then I’m not sure Bwfc is good for your health or pass time .

I was fuming with fat Sam when he rocked up at Newcastle. Felt like he’d cheated on me and that opening day was minging as you knew it was gonna be the start of a slippery slope.

Now as I’m starved of a good team and I get a little wiser through age (allegedly) I look back and remember only the good. 
 

Also with hindsight he was absolutely right to can us off as we (the board) didn’t want to go on the journey with him. Whether that was through choice or we simply couldn’t afford it, that’s a different matter.

Did it work out for him. I’d argue not. He absolutely deserved a shot at being at the top table. I’m just glad taggart retired a bit later when he had been caught up as that would of been minging.

Those years were amazing and I’m fully big Sam again now.

They were but people forget the shit bits and are clambering for him to come back in some daft role. He is massively what we don’t need right now. 
 

“he knows players”…..he’s a 70 year old who’s not managed for a few years now so I can’t see him knowing hidden gems 

11 minutes ago, Big E said:

They were but people forget the shit bits and are clambering for him to come back in some daft role. He is massively what we don’t need right now. 
 

“he knows players”…..he’s a 70 year old who’s not managed for a few years now so I can  see him knowing hidden gems 

I’d not thought about it but you make some good points.

70 year old=student of the game.

Not managed for a bit=out of the coal face so can take a step back and look bigger picture.

His black book is priceless. Aligned.

 

2 minutes ago, tomski said:

I’d not thought about it but you make some good points.

70 year old=student of the game.

Not managed for a bit=out of the coal face so can take a step back and look bigger picture.

His black book is priceless. Aligned.

 

Nah. His black book hasn’t been any use for a long time. 

2 minutes ago, Big E said:

Nah. His black book hasn’t been any use for a long time. 

If It still has Snorrason and Morini in it they are bound to break through soon.

2 hours ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Each to their own, but I thought he flattered to deceive.

Worked hard I suppose, but I didn't think he offered that much. Maybe another who needed some of his defensive responsibilities taking away from him.

Agreed, not very creative and despite looking strong, not very good at winning the ball.  Not dissimilar to Tomo in that he always seemed to be a yard slower than his opponent (in the championship) and so conceded a lot of fouls.   If you'd told me he'd still be playing in a good L1 team at 39 or 40 I'd have laughed, so loads of respect to him for that.

He did concede too many free kicks.

Similarities in that midfields were caught out and had to get back quickly. 

Unbalanced. 

He was a more attack minded type though for me.

Tomo seems at his best pressing and spoiling higher up the pitch, working the ball quicker in transition. 

 

3 hours ago, tomski said:

If It still has Snorrason and Morini in it they are bound to break through soon.

next year could be Vaz Te's year