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So, before I get into the match preview, and I suppose appropriately considering the context of why we’re doing this, two more sad pieces of information to share. After a bit of investigative work and online research, I am sorry to let you know that we believe both pwrightsknees and burnsieespana are sadly no longer with us.
It would appear PWK (real name Bob Olley), one of our more senior members, passed away in July last year, and there is a link to his obituary below. I never met PWK, but we shared a passion for history (military history in particular in his case), and liaised via e-mail on a couple of projects. Many of you will no doubt recall his contributions to several of my matchday blogs. I will share one memory with you though – he was always amused that the only match his mother attended was part of the record attendance against Reading, called off at half time for fog. She never gave it another go. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/notice/30628632.robert-patrick-olley-bob-olley/
Burnsieespana’s passing (real name Tony Burns) is much more recent I’m afraid. mfb_cufc last received a message from him on the 11th October relating to being in hospital, and a short while later there was an announcement in the Essex County Standard that a Tony Burns passed away on the 14th October after a short battle with cancer. I think I met Tony once, up at Cheltenham, when he was on a rare trip back to England, but he was always a regular contributor to the U’sual, and avid Prediction Leaguer. His tribute page includes a photo of Tony captioned “Enjoying life in Spain”. There is a donations link on the tribute, with proceeds going to Sarcoma UK, the bone and soft tissue cancer charity, if people wish to make a donation.
So, back to the matter in hand, TooT talked of whether the Walsall win could be the start of something special – well I guess after a dominant performance against a good Notts County side on Saturday, I’m going to ask the same question.
I must admit, after losing out on my trip to Walsall thanks to Storm Claudia, as much as I enjoyed watching on line, I thought “there goes my dream away day for this season”. I couldn’t have been more wrong. An uneventful journey brought me promptly to Nottingham, in time to get to Meadow Lane for a pre-match pint, forgoing the dubious ‘delights’ of Hooters en route. It was also great to bump into Gerry in the stand, amongst a vociferous crowd of 600 faithful, loud and proud throughout, so we enjoyed the game and chatted fondly about Durham together.
As for the game, pretty comprehensive really, not much more can be said. It was unfortunate to concede the own goal so early, but even at that point I wasn’t overly concerned, we were more than a match for Notts County. It didn’t surprise me at all when Anderson equalised, though it was amusing to see a player finally do so as soon as the crowd called “SHOOT”. Looking back at the highlights, Roos’ sudden rush of blood to his head was equally amusing, but that wasn’t quite as obvious at the time.
Halftime came and went with the U’s continuing to threaten at will, soaking up what little Notts County had to offer with ease, and breaking with pace whenever opportunity knocked. A sublime through ball from Lisbie set up Mbick for the second, and although Gerry called Goodwin’s offside immediately, there was no doubt about his second attempt to make it 3-1. Almost a perfect awayday – beer, mates, trouble-free travel – the only downer, seeing Flanagan carried off in considerable discomfort. I fear we won’t see him back for some time to come.
And so on to the visit of Cheltenham Town on Saturday under bandito hunter Steve Cotterill. The Robins have had a somewhat dodgy start to the season, but after back-to-back defeats managed to get a 1-0 win against equally dodgy Bristol Rovers last Saturday in the West Country derby. That being said, the Gas dominated possession and attempts on goal, even hit the woodwork once, so maybe Cheltenham Town haven’t quite turned the corner. Saturday will also be a chance to say hello to Ben Stevenson (what’s the betting he’ll score?) and fellow Colcestrian and son of legend Mark, Liam Kinsella.
As for my team prediction, the injury to Flanagan will probably mean we stick with the 4-4-2 that finished the Notts County game, assuming there are no other knocks or bumps to influence selection, so I’ll go with:
Macey
Vincent-Young Hunt Araujo Iandolo
Lisbie Tucker Read Anderson
Mbick Tovide
Subs: Smith, Powell, Edwards, Gordon, Goodwin, Oni, Williams
On paper, compared to the last two away games, this ought to be a piece of cake, which is exactly why I’m more nervous about this game than the previous two. If we want to mount a credible promotion challenge, we simply have to win this game. I’m reasonably confident that Danny and Nicky will have the team up for this, so I’m going for a suitably Durhamesque upbeat 3-0 to the U’s, with Samson getting us off the mark in the first half, followed by Tucker and Mbick in the second to wrap things up.
Expect it to be wet on Saturday, with a gentle breeze from the south west chilling the air to a brisk 7 degrees.
well that is very sad. RIP pwrightsknees and burnsieespana
Great review and preview Wessex
As for your team line-up, you just need to replace Tucker with Hunt as Tucker went into centre half after the injury to Flanaghan. Any news on Bishop returning?
As for a prediction - a scrappy 1-0 to The U's will do!
The Robins to be plucked by Danny's banditos on 19:17 - Nov 27 by ghughes11
well that is very sad. RIP pwrightsknees and burnsieespana
Great review and preview Wessex
As for your team line-up, you just need to replace Tucker with Hunt as Tucker went into centre half after the injury to Flanaghan. Any news on Bishop returning?
As for a prediction - a scrappy 1-0 to The U's will do!
Good call, you may be right on Hunt and Tucker, unless we go 5-4-1 with both of them in the back line, with Mbick dropping deep perhaps?
No news on Bishop that I'm aware of, and unless I missed it, no mention from Danny in his pre-match interview. Of course, that could be Danny's gamesmanship, in which case all bets are off in terms of line-up and formation?
The Robins to be plucked by Danny's banditos on 19:17 - Nov 27 by ghughes11
well that is very sad. RIP pwrightsknees and burnsieespana
Great review and preview Wessex
As for your team line-up, you just need to replace Tucker with Hunt as Tucker went into centre half after the injury to Flanaghan. Any news on Bishop returning?
As for a prediction - a scrappy 1-0 to The U's will do!
1-0 lead at halftime, and Anderson very close to making it two late on. Still look comfortable though, with Cheltenham enjoying midfield triangles, but really not doing much with it.
Regulation 2-0 win for the U's, but slightly disappointed it should have been at least three to match my prediction. We're up to tenth, two points outside the play-offs.
Would have dreamed of home games like these for the previous five seasons. Standard 2-0 with early goal in each half. Sublime finish for the second, Mbick looked like he had lost the opportunity when taken the ball inside, but standing off him given him time to look up and place a delightful shot into the top corner with plenty on the line . One side playing with confidence and one not, we have all, been there . Only blemish was the penalty.
The Robins to be plucked by Danny's banditos on 18:22 - Nov 29 by bwildered
Would have dreamed of home games like these for the previous five seasons. Standard 2-0 with early goal in each half. Sublime finish for the second, Mbick looked like he had lost the opportunity when taken the ball inside, but standing off him given him time to look up and place a delightful shot into the top corner with plenty on the line . One side playing with confidence and one not, we have all, been there . Only blemish was the penalty.
Yeah, Read hit it well, but it was always a good height for the keeper if he went the right way, which he did, and pulled off a good save. Benefit of hindsight and all that, but maybe his trademark straight down the middle next time?
Arthur Read seems to have taken over from Noah Chilvers as our pantomime villain. Maybe his miss was justice, as I thought the first foul contact by the Cheltenham defender was outside the box. However that fluff apart, I felt this was a better performance than against Walsall and Notts County as Cheltenham were completely snuffed out of the game, whereby we rode our luck a little against the other two. Also a good performance by the referee, which I has been as rare as rocking horse poo.
Hunt has never impressed me at full back. But last and this week he slotted into midfield well and did a great job. Payne and Bishop are key absentees, but Hunt as replacement could be the catalyst that prevents our wheels from coming off, combined with our finishers, JK Gordon, Edwards, Willams, Goodwin etc that allow Tovide, MBick and Lisbie to run until exhaustion and substitution.
My one annoyance, what clowns keep releasing balloons onto the pitch, then boo when they are punctured? Fortunately, none interfered with play, but so often they do. I also thought I detected an occasional whistle in the crowd from the Family Stand. Kids are supposed to have adult supervision. But we do appear to have some feral types.
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The Robins to be plucked by Danny's banditos on 11:28 - Nov 30 with 672 views
The Robins to be plucked by Danny's banditos on 07:48 - Nov 30 by noah4x4
Arthur Read seems to have taken over from Noah Chilvers as our pantomime villain. Maybe his miss was justice, as I thought the first foul contact by the Cheltenham defender was outside the box. However that fluff apart, I felt this was a better performance than against Walsall and Notts County as Cheltenham were completely snuffed out of the game, whereby we rode our luck a little against the other two. Also a good performance by the referee, which I has been as rare as rocking horse poo.
Hunt has never impressed me at full back. But last and this week he slotted into midfield well and did a great job. Payne and Bishop are key absentees, but Hunt as replacement could be the catalyst that prevents our wheels from coming off, combined with our finishers, JK Gordon, Edwards, Willams, Goodwin etc that allow Tovide, MBick and Lisbie to run until exhaustion and substitution.
My one annoyance, what clowns keep releasing balloons onto the pitch, then boo when they are punctured? Fortunately, none interfered with play, but so often they do. I also thought I detected an occasional whistle in the crowd from the Family Stand. Kids are supposed to have adult supervision. But we do appear to have some feral types.
On the subject of children, of course it's great that they are getting to see live professional football early in life, but some are maybe a bit too young to appreciate it! In the East Stand you have to be prepared to have the back of your seat kicked. They all seem to do it, and parents rarely tell them to stop.
I thought we were a bit passive towards the end of the first half. Much flailing of arms from DC. Overall it was not a taxing game against a very poor Cheltenham side. After a slightly below par first half, Mbick rediscovered his touch in the second half, and what a finish! Agree about Hunt. Looked very solid in that role. Araujo continues to impress. I don't think we miss Flanagan too much. And it's a promising sign that we can perform so well without Payne, who previously looked indispensable.
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The Robins to be plucked by Danny's banditos on 13:45 - Nov 30 with 638 views
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