The Days Other Games (Season 2021-21)

[Altobelli]

Not for us. We only have one player on international standby so our away game v Sheff Wed goes ahead on Saturday along with 4 other League 1 games - and a full League 1 programme the following weekend. And League 2 is unaffected both weeks so if you're bored you could always nip down to Rochdale for a laugh

Great news for you and yours Wanderlust

[wanderlust]

Great news for you and yours Wanderlust

Mixed views. At our level we are playing tons of games, often twice a week plus cups etc so given that it's hard enough to afford 11 decent players the demands on the squad mean enforced rotation and concerns about injuries to the better ones - we've already lost a few to injury.
For the fans it's great because we are trying to play attractive attacking football (albeit with lower quality players) so it's always exciting win or lose. As mentioned elsewhere in league matches so far this season we've scored 20 and conceded 15 so there's no lack of goal action.
But if the club is seriously hoping for a playoff spot and a sniff at back to back promotions we need to look after the players better.

[Altobelli]

Tuesday Result

National League

Bromley 3 Weymouth 0

[wanderlust]

Thought you'd gone on holiday Alto

[Altobelli]

Thought you'd gone on holiday Alto

I had, got back last week

[Altobelli]

Tuesday Game (05/10/21)

National League

Bromley 19:45 Weymouth

[wanderlust]

The Papa John's Trophy last night v Liverpool U21's
This is a proper Mickey Mouse competition but it throws up some interesting games for nerdy talent spotters like me and although my initial reaction was that it's a waste of time I quite enjoyed the game.
Liverpool fielded a very young side of talented kids - plus Nat Phillipps who had probably put his hand up to help them out and make a return to our club where he was an apprentice a few years back (son of club legend Jimmy)
We put out our second string - a mix of past it old stagers like Baptiste, Delfuoneso and Gilks, players returning from injury and young hopefuls. Technically speaking it could be argued that our lot included 5 internationals if you count lads who once played for Wales or Burkina Faso
Anyhoo as you'd expect the Liverpool kids were very tidy on the ball and were lively with good movement at times but only one looked a real prospect to me - Elijah Dixon-Bonner - and perhaps Burnley might want to take note for future reference? The others have some developing to do IMO.
Nat Phillipps was excellent as expected.
Some pleasing things from our perspective which I won't bore you with other than to say we threw on a kid who was so small he reminded me of Jimmy Johnstone - if only he develops Jimmy's talent! Still he was quick and won a pen.
End of the day it was men against boys and we battered them 4 - 1 but I reckon both teams benefited from the run out albeit in different ways.
I know you are one of only 4 premiership teams not participating this year, but I think it's no bad thing as far as youth development goes so maybe next year?

[Altobelli]

Before we got into the biased and over hyped Premier League I used to enjoy the Saturday 3pm kick offs and the occassional Tues/Wed games, it was a lot different especially in the 70's, you had some tin pot cup comps like the Anglo Scottish Cup's but we seemed to managed, well at least 99% of players actually got up after getting properly whacked, unlike today's play acting with every other brush with an opponent resulting in pathetic cheating tactics.

This EFL Trophy seems to be totally useless to me, OK the players get a chance to play in a game of competition, but for me it used to be the Reserves which also gave me enjoyment when I could not get to an away game.

[Altobelli]

Tonights Result (08/12/21)

League Two

Tranmere Rovers 2 Colchester United 0

[wanderlust]

Bolton 2 Gillingham 2
Disastrous couple of weeks for Notlob. Battered by Wigan and Plymouth and 2 down with 5 minutes to go against a bog standard Gillingham side. Plus the captain was sacked midweek after an alleged bust up the details of which the club have tried to keep under wraps.

Relegation form recently, with the manager still trying to play "attractive football" despite injuries and suspensions for key players.
Finally..in the last 5 minutes of this game, he put two up top for the first time this season and we salvaged a draw.

Overall, we look like a mid table League 1 team - which ain't bad for a newly promoted side - but at times have flattered to deceive and could end up anywhere. What is clear is that the squad is paper thin and the manager needs to be prepared to abandon his principles if/when the situation requires it.