Stevenage (H)

[Traf]

2 minutes ago, Lostock Whites said:

Also, another huge positive. Rotherham United are officially relegated to League 2 and we will not play them next season regardless of what happens.

This is the best news I've heard this season so far. 

I hate that club.

Yep, horrible place/club

[Johnnyrotten]

1 hour ago, waffer cup 07 said:

Proof tonight that Conway is a midfielder, not a full back.

He played tonight as he would if he'd been a wingback - up and down the left.

More like proof he's a wingback for me, but I don't care really, he's just a good footballer, class on the ball.

4 or 5-1 up against 10 men maybe not the time to judge though.

[Johnnyrotten]

1 hour ago, Marc505 said:

A decent result Saturday and it stops us having to go to a hot atmosphere at Bradford needing something.

We'll need a result regardless if we want to finish 3rd. 

[Johnnyrotten]

46 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

Football, bloody hell! 

Expected drudgery, got destruction

Simple game when we start fast and score first.

They've only one plan, was out the window after half an hour

ACD and Kenny in the same side are our route to glory. If we win Saturday slippers on for those two till first leg. Don't want them nobbling in two dead rubbers

No dead rubbers till we've secured 3rd, and if not 3rd definitely 4th.

[FrancisFogarty]

14 minutes ago, Leyther_Matt said:

The lad who got sent off had absolutely stuck a bet on himself or has a holiday booked. Could have easily picked up two bookings prior to that, and then comes up with that piece of fuckwittery. 

I said first thing that he was going to be a handful. Fortunately nobody got injured in his tomfoolery and he got first use of the soap early on.

[BeeversLeftPeg]

Great performance, thoroughly deserved. Yes they had 10 men for the second half but I loved that there was no let up, especially after going 3-0 up just after half time.

Even when they pulled the goal back straight back at it to take the sting right out the game by scoring the 4th.

Players coming back into fitness making all the difference, still got Simons & Ehrahon to come back in to, offering something different again to that side.

Roll on Saturday.

[ianofcleveleys]

1 minute ago, Johnnyrotten said:

No dead rubbers till we've secured 3rd, and if not 3rd definitely 4th.

If we're playing Bradford and both of us are in play offs there's no way I'm risking any of ACD, Kenny or even Rodrigues and giving them a chance to do a Maghoma on one of them, on their scruffy pitch, before the play offs start. Send Apter, Cissoko and McAtee out for that one, hope Bradford aren't that arsed and scramble a draw.

[L/H White]

 

[Johnnyrotten]

Very enjoyable that.  First 4 goals outstanding and proper entertainment, that's been a long time coming.

Rodriguez class when it comes off, can be frustrating as because he has the skill and composure, he tries to beat a man when it isn't always on, and Stevenage broke a couple of times because of that in the 1st half.

Sheehan still crap I see.  

The pace of both Kenny and ACD in tandem is a game changer, especially when Tutu comes to the party.  He played like he used to, not sure why he's been holding back for so long.

Forino some fantastic old fashioned robust challenges.

Can see why Stevenage nick results, played rubbish tonight and still could have scored 4 including the one they got, 3 of them with 10 men.

[Tombwfc]

Christ, you watch that and wonder how on earth we've looked so turgid so often this season. That was our first home win by more than one goal since the 8th November.

Actually thought Stevenage looked pretty good and there wasn't much in it at 11 vs 11. But the difference was having the quality of ACD and Rodrigues who looked a class above. And that in turn opened everything up for others to look equally as dangerous.

Great win. I'm not expecting another 5-1 but there's no reason we can't look as quick and incisive again on Saturday.

 

[Johnnyrotten]

7 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

If we're playing Bradford and both of us are in play offs there's no way I'm risking any of ACD, Kenny or even Rodrigues and giving them a chance to do a Maghoma on one of them, on their scruffy pitch, before the play offs start. Send Apter, Cissoko and McAtee out for that one, hope Bradford aren't that arsed and scramble a draw.

I do accept that point of view, its not an easy one with those 3 because I agree they have to stay fit.

I'd just rather not be going to Bradford or Stockport for the 2nd leg under the lights.  

So even if we play Sharon partnering Lofty up front, I'll be willing us to get results in the next 3 games.

 

[Lostock Whites]

6 minutes ago, Tombwfc said:

Christ, you watch that and wonder how on earth we've looked so turgid so often this season. That was our first home win by more than one goal since the 8th November.

Actually thought Stevenage looked pretty good and there wasn't much in it at 11 vs 11. But the difference was having the quality of ACD and Rodrigues who looked a class above. And that in turn opened everything up for others to look equally as dangerous.

Great win. I'm not expecting another 5-1 but there's no reason we can't look as quick and incisive again on Saturday.

 

Like I said before this game it's all down to us. I know other teams could say the same, but I genuinely believe we are the best and have the best players out of the play off sides. Stockport close but we edge it with our full squad when fit. 

It's down to the mentality of the squad at the end of the day, we all know how well we can play. 

These tough fixtures on paper have looked daunting but I believe they are a blessing in disguise and a great test and reminder to our players to keep their levels high into the play offs

Cardiff game aside, we've virtually completed and done well in nearly all of our games against the top sides this season. We tend to up our game against stronger teams.

Got to follow it up now into our final games.

Edited April 14 by Lostock Whites

[Rizlar]

Don’t get this going on about Oxford they did a number on us because of there manager having the tactical nous to overcome how we played , I don’t see SS letting that happen this time. 

[BeeversLeftPeg]

Is 7 points from the last 3 enough for 3rd?

[Krimzon]

11 minutes ago, L/H White said:

 

And to add ........Love this from the BBC ......

SUBSTITUTIONSpublished at 21:03 BST

21:03 BST

Bolton 3-0 Stevenage

Amario Cozier-Duberry has had an early curtain call as he returns to full fitness.

Steven Schumacher thinks this is done, and he's probably right. Sam Dalby also comes off with Mason Burstow and Rob Apter coming on to join the fancy dress party.

Bolton have come as the 1970 Brazil side, it would appear, based on some of their play tonight.

[Traf]

19 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Sheehan still crap I see.  

Horseshit, man

[TM Trotter]

1 hour ago, Rizlar said:

Don’t get this going on about Oxford they did a number on us because of there manager having the tactical nous to overcome how we played , I don’t see SS letting that happen this time. 

Especially when it's *very* unlikely we'll line up in the playoff games with the same starting 11 as we did tonight (what central midfield?!?)

High risk, high reward.

That was a delicious watch start to finish. We didnt give Stevenage chance to dig in, like so many do, with some clinical early finishing. The highlights are a treat. Not getting carried away, but that was a proper response to the disappointment of Saturday. 

--

Just to add, Stevenage conceded more tonight than they had in their previous 9 games *combined* (including games v Stockport, Bradford, Plymouth, Reading)! Rattling a side who've proven themselves to be extremely tight at the back must do wonders for our confidence.

Edited April 14 by TM Trotter

[bolton va va]

After being a bit critical of SS at Cardiff, tonight he got the team selection spot on & the substitutions just right & well timed.

Having ACD, Kenny & Rodrigues in, gives us all sorts of threats & no doubt helped Gale.

With all those attacking options along with the excellent Dalby, I'm feeling much more positive again tonight !!! 

EIEIEIfuckingO

[Burndens Bogs]

Plymouth away

Stockport home

Cardiff away

Stevenage home

We're fairly happy with 7 points from this little run of fixtures Shirley?

[Krimzon]

 

[Alf Hartigan]

2 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

 

The point of Apter is to keep ACD out of the firing line so that he only plays between now and the play offs when he has to.

You'll be telling me Conway will never be a central midfielder next.

[Krimzon]

Decent interview. 

[Zico]

they'd conceeded less than a goal a game before tonight

[green genie]

Blimey, great result and response to Saturday 

Hopefully the Lincoln bandwagon rolls over them on Saturday to re-open the door slightly but suspect that will be for Luton now.

[masi 51]

6 hours ago, Rizlar said:

Don’t get this going on about Oxford they did a number on us because of there manager having the tactical nous to overcome how we played , I don’t see SS letting that happen this time. 

The only number he did on us was get Maghoma taken out in the first three mins. Evatt had been worked out 6 months before Oxford. Two players having exceptional games [Murphy and Rodrigues] Won them that game. Yes the same Rodrigues who ran the show tonight.