By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
As the temperatures plummeted post-Xmas it had been a pretty positive holiday schedule for the U’s, eight points from four games and with other results often going our way, we were just two places and three points outside the play-offs. The visit of Accrington would have offered the chance to potentially move into the play-off places. Fast forward to the rearranged fixture in the early throes of spring and we’ve lost two more key players to injury (Mbick and Araujo), our play-off challenge has faltered, and we’re now at the “it’s still mathematically possible” stage of the season.
Remember the good old days?
Still, back then we were talking to Brazilian footballers, these days it’s homegrown English footballers, so maybe that’s progress of sorts? Before we (re)consider Accrington Stanley, what about last Friday’s result against Swindon. I’m running out of superlatives to be honest, but for balance it would be only right to mention that Swindon were every bit as poor as we were good. Their only shot on target was in the final few minutes of the game, a daisy-cutter that Macey could have thrown his hat over to spare the effort of bending down to scoop up. And as for Holloway (or Hollowhead as his own supporters are calling him) – a gift that just keeps on giving, and with some serious dress code issues thrown in for good measure.
So, two wins out of two, and for now that mathematical chance is still in the room. As highlighted in my Saturday round-up, there are two challenges to that tomorrow night. First and foremost, we have to win…not just tonight, we have to win – Every. Single. Game. – and even that probably won’t be enough. However, the added complication is that the two most likely contenders for the single play-off place we can reach, Chesterfield and Grimsby, play each other tomorrow as well. A win for Chesterfield and we’re down to goal difference, a win for Grimsby and we have one point to play with, and they’ll still have a game in hand, so it has to be a draw realistically…
…and a few straight reds wouldn’t hurt…
…and maybe a few non-career threatening niggly injuries to key players if that isn’t too much to ask?
Anyway, back to Accrington Stanley, and my previous notes are more or less still fit for purpose, so here goes.
Since returning to the football league in 2006, Accrington Stanley have proved themselves to be no pushovers, grinding out generally lower mid-table finishes season after season. It was Andy Holt’s takeover in 2015 that changed that, taking them from plucky League 2 battlers to League 1 promotion in 2018, and where they stayed for several more seasons until relegation back to League 2 in 2023. They haven’t had a bad season all things considered, and sit comfortably in the midtable pack free from relegation worries, nor saddled by forlorn hope.
If anyone thinks that means an easy three points for the U’s, bear in mind our record against the ‘Owd Reds is not good at all. In nine league matches since their return to the football league, the U’s have just a solitary victory, two draws and the rest defeats – talk about a bogey team. That victory btw was under caretaker manager Scott Marshall during the infamous Wagmi-gate debacle, when Matty Etherington had to stand down for a game whilst our lawyers checked the fictitious contract hold that Crawley claimed they had over him. With the benefit of hindsight, maybe we should have stuck with Scott Marshall?
I’m struggling to find many (any) players who have played for both clubs, other than the main man Matt Macey, who had a brief loan there over a decade ago when he was still on Arsenal’s books. Probably not a loan he’ll remember with too much affection – four appearances, four defeats, and conceded 11 goals. If anyone can dig up any other players, I’m all ears.
As for tomorrows line-up, my previous prediction is above. Unless there are injuries (or other matters) I’m unaware of, I can’t believe Danny will mess with the starting XI from Friday night, so it’ll be as you were I reckon. The only caveat for me is whether Kane Vincent-Young and/or Bishop are going to be fit? If either are, they might move back into the starting line-up, but if I were Danny I wouldn’t risk it – and anyway, it would be a brave manager to drop Frankie Terry right now…
Substitutes: Akachukwu Back Chamberlain Kuffour Lisbie Tovide Williams
It’ll start as a bright sunny day tomorrow, with patchy clouds rolling in during the afternoon, but no rain forecast. By the time kick off arrives, it should be cloudy overhead and a mild 11 degrees in a gentle to moderate breeze from the south. The potential takeover rumours might bring in a few more bums on seats, but with barely a hundred from the northwest, I think we’ll be a bit short of 5,000 attendance.
Those who won’t be there will regret it though, as the U’s romp home 4-0 winners, with Goodwin continuing his good form with the opener.
Love your Durhamesque optimism Wessex. However, remember....
"our record against the ‘Owd Reds is not good at all. In nine league matches since their return to the football league, the U’s have just a solitary victory, two draws and the rest defeats – talk about a bogey team."
Good calls on all five, missed them. Btw, in the preview I shouldn't have overlooked that this will be the game after the very sad news of Nicky Smith's passing. I'm sure the club will mark this sad occasion with something appropriate, whether it be black armbands, a minutes silence/ applause, or something else.
Accrington Stanley, oo are dey? 'xactly! Part Deux on 22:13 - Apr 13 by wessex_exile
Good calls on all five, missed them. Btw, in the preview I shouldn't have overlooked that this will be the game after the very sad news of Nicky Smith's passing. I'm sure the club will mark this sad occasion with something appropriate, whether it be black armbands, a minutes silence/ applause, or something else.
Rest in Peace Smudger
Very sad to hear about Nicky Smith, I met him once while he worked as a police officer - lovely guy (and no I wasn't doing anything wrong). RIP
KVY back in for Iandolo, who isn't even on the bench - does this mean KVY on the right, Tucker and Hunt as centre backs and Terry on the left? Still no sign of Bishop, bench as called in my forecast.
Accrington Stanley, oo are dey? 'xactly! Part Deux on 22:13 - Apr 13 by wessex_exile
Good calls on all five, missed them. Btw, in the preview I shouldn't have overlooked that this will be the game after the very sad news of Nicky Smith's passing. I'm sure the club will mark this sad occasion with something appropriate, whether it be black armbands, a minutes silence/ applause, or something else.
Rest in Peace Smudger
The club have announced there will be a round of applause for Nicky in the 57th minute - nice touch!
Harder game than last Friday, we always find it hard to break down the Stanley. Lose pass leads to goal scorer getting to far into the box and should never had got a shot away with plenty in attendance. Vital to go in level with Goodwin shot finishing a fine move. Pressed on in second half and great pull back tees up Payne for a deserved winner, an outstanding contribution especially in the second half. Goodwin and Barbrook again impressed. Three wins on the bounce .
Onwards and upwards .
Great appreciation for Smudger with the applause in the 57th - let’s dedicate the win to him .
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
