In your favour, the more intangible fact you've generally had it over us at The Abbey in recent years. That said, as far I remember, they were mostly horrible matches all round still.
The 2-2 on the final day of the season in 2022 was pretty good, it was more of a party atmosphere though given both teams were safe and had nothing to play for, but the following couple weren't great.
I would be shocked if this isn’t the lineup Cook goes for - can see goals though (at least more than zero)
I have a sneaky feeling Bonis is going to get the nod over Grigg you know. Started the last PSF and scored, and we all know how Cook works…
Bonis is clearly the medium-to-long term replacement for Grigg but suspect the latter will get the nod initially. Could be wrong though obviously. Regardless it’s the only position there’s any sort of question mark over.
Colchester away. Not the easiest of starts, one in which I'd probably take a draw. Assume we'll line up like Mcgee/Murphy O connor. Smith. Turnbull Norman. Bristow Smallwood. Kenneh. Whittaker. Patrick. Davison.
I’d actually go Grigg myself, but I just know what Cook’s like and normally if a player played well the game before, they’re in, friendly or not! Either or, it’s just nice to have two proper options at last rather than one first choice & one clearly back up.
We haven't been dangerous for years! No news on any further signings this week, so we have little creativity in midfield. Be nice to get off tk a winning start. Given social media pictures over the weekend, hope the stadium has been given a bit of a clean with the birds nesting in the summer!
No longer take notice of pre-season as 90% of the time it holds no effect on what happens during the season, especially on the opening day when there tend to be a few shocking results. However, the first team looks relatively settled so I imagine we'll go for this: Pym Rodgers - Tharme/Lavelle - McJannet - Sweeney McEachran - Khouri Burns - Walker - Vernam Kabia Injuries to Danny Rose, Svanthorsson and the new lad Gilsenan might have seen them start but that team looked cohesive against Lincoln and Peterborough. Only possible changes would be Warren who is the more natural RB for Rodgers, and Geza Turi for Khouri but then we'd have two similar players in there. Might see 1/2 more through the door before Saturday but Artell likes to take his time over loan signings.
Think the last 2 or 3 additions will be loans and unlikely to arrive by Saturday. Assuming Burns & McEachran are fit I think your line up is pretty accurate although I think Green may start ahead of Walker. I’d expect Tharme to get the nod ahead of Lavelle but that is maybe just my personal preference
Interested if we go with the players to start who did well last season Pym Warren Tharme Mcjannett Sweeney Gm Khouri Green Burns Vernam Rose (if fit ?) Not sure if Rose is injured or they are just being cautious?
It came to my knowledge that we're currently 6 games unbeaten at the Abbey Stadium (W5, D1). However, when comparing that record to our opening day record, I'm certain it's going to be a draw now. My starting XI would be: GK - Joe Day RB - Arkell Jude-Boyd CB - Jacob Mazionis CB - Robbie Cundy LB - Taine Anderson CM - Luke Young CM - Liam Kinsella RW - Jordan Thomas CAM - Ryan Broom LW - Ethon Archer CF - George Miller
We are injury riddled in midfield, 2 out of 3 of (what I'd guess) is our 1st choice midfield out, and we are also at least 1 striker down in our transfer business. Given we have only played 2 pre season games, and not scored yet, I'm pretty much writing this one off. Its probably come 2 or 3 weeks too soon for us, but that was always going to be the case with not playing the play off final until June 1st. I'd be ecstatic with a point
Away at Grimsby. I really don't know as there are too many changes. A couple of injuries to contend with but nothing major. The most notable being Perira. I'm not sure if our tame thug ( Williams) will be fit to start. If not I'd try Papadopoulos there. We tend to line up in variations of 343 or 3 box4 3 and no wide defenders. Here goes. Davies Barker Conroy Flint. Williams Scott Anderson Forster Brown McKirdy Tshminga Subs Sandford (gk) Radcliffe Flower Papadopoulos Mukena Forster Cashman Kyle Scott has been getting lots of praise since he signed. You can't miss him. He wears a nappy on his head. Casey
Sold out the away allocation at Rodney parade. Expecting a tougher game than people think. Tuesdays mid week carabao will have given them a bit of match sharpness and they are at home. We have historically been awful first day of the season for good measure.
After 10 years out of this division nothing more screams welcome back to the basement of the football league with Bromley at home. Think we’ll lineup with this:- GK) Elyh Harrison RWB) Luca Hoole CB) Sam Stubbs CB) Will Boyle CB) Tom Anderson LWB) George Nurse CM) Sam Clucas CM) Harrison Biggins CM) Alex Gillead ST) Anthony Scully ST) John Marquis Reckon Bromley will come to frustrate and let us have majority of possession and we’ll break them down late on. 1-0 Salop.
Don't know about you but im absolutely ecstatic to be playing our football in the basement of the football league
