Saturday 2nd August

Oldham at home. They were usually a lot of fun to play against in L1. We absolutely hammered them 6-2, 5-0, and even 7-0 (club record).

More of that will do nicely, and failing that, absolute worst case, an entertaining 4-4 draw I would take if we start poorly. Just don’t lose and start as badly as last year when we were 0-2 down to Bradford inside the first 5 minutes.

 

Fantastic that you're doing your thing over here Alfie. Always liked your match stats and layout.

First game of the season, got to be optimistic haven't you?
Newport v Notts. Away win.
Looking forward to this, I'm far more optimistic than most Notts fans seem to be. Yesterday confirmed my suspicions that we're going to try and steamroller our way out the division rather than tip tap our way. Plenty of midfield options, right side of the pitch much more balanced than last season.
Jatta suspended for five games and a lack of creative playmaker only clouds on the horizon and I'm expecting us to sign a no 10 pretty soon.

 

I’m cautiously optimistic now I think. It’s pretty obvious what Paterson and the board have tried to do with the recruitment and pre-season, we look way more physical and aggressive than we have over the last two seasons, particularly in midfield with the additions of Norburn and Iorpenda. We’ve been picking up cards in pre-season at a much higher rate than we were in competitive games last season.

My doubts are still whether the formation is right for the players we have, particularly getting the best out of Jones and Jarvis, who are our two outstanding technical players, and then whether we have a good enough ten. I like Grant, but he’s more of a supporter to the main man in that position, that’s the one thing we still really need to
sign.

If we can keep our ability to dominate and control possession with the new physicality to go alongside it then we might be alright. The change in a year or so has been massive - it feels like we’re going into this season with a very solid defence and team that isn’t going to be pushed around, but with doubts over whether we’ve got enough creativity and goals in the team.

 

Some really interesting betting odds there, always intriguing how the bookies see it.

opening day results always seem to be a bit of an anomaly based on previous seasons, so expecting a couple of surprise results (Oldham away at MK opening day feels like one that’s got upset written all over it).

I think we’re in a similar position to last year, cautiously optimistic we’ll be better than we were at the end of last season but clearly a bit undercooked personnel wise.

Newport look like real relegation fodder too so anything less than a win and the moaners will be out in full force from the off

 

To be honest I think we might be looking at a post Jodi Jones team. The triallist looked like a bigger stronger and faster version of him. Nor do I think Jones is technically good enough to play as a 10, right foot not strong enough. Hope I'm wrong about that and he gets out back on the left where he shines.
Also not sure that Paterson fancies Jarvis seeing as how he didn't get on the pitch yesterday. He looked frail stood next to the rest of them, some proper units in there now.
It'll be interesting, we took almost maximum points from the bottom eight last season but only beat Bradford in the top six. I can see us doing better against the top teams but dropping points through lack of creativity to some of the strugglers this season.

 

Given our record there 3-0 loss we'd be a good result.

In all seriousness I see this as a free hit. Would be nice to go there and pick so.ething (anything) up but most won't, so it would be no great loss.

Jigsaw seems almost complete. Maybe a centre half short, and definately 2 strikers but there will be incoming this week no doubt

 

Barrow are good money at 4/1. We could go either way 1st game really, and 4/1 away win doesn't reflect that.

 

I am expecting goals, at both ends.

I’ll go for a 3-3 draw.

 

Brilliant news, great to have you over!

 

I'm torn between, 'we're going to paste Fleetwood' and 'they'll come and stink the place out and beat us 1-0'.

We have 8 injuries apparently and one of them is to our only goalkeeper, Owen Evans. Got the Newport game beforehand which I think will be treated as a bit of friendly but will show who's available saturday from that game.

 

Yeah I think you're right about Jarvis unfortunately. I don't think it's realistic to start him at wing back, maybe we'll see more of him when we're chasing games or if we do end up changing formations. Doesn't look like we have enough full back options for that to be a long term plan though.

If Newport are going to be as bad as predicted, this is a game we should be looking to win. Would have said the same about Sutton two years ago of course...

 

Walsall Away. We've already sold over 2,000 for this and really looking forward to it. Despite off field matters being crap the optimism within the fan base for the new season is overriding that. The fact that only 4 players (Ripley, Wright, Clarke & Smith) are guaranteed starters shows the depth of this years squad. We have at least 20 players who, if they were in the first 11, wouldn't disappoint. Walsall on the face of it appear to have had a good pre-season like ourselves so cannot call this one. Having said that I'd take a draw now if offered as the rest of our fixtures in August seem winnable.

 

Fancy Bromley to welcome Shrews with open arms and giving them a welcome to League two mixed in with home wins at Col, Chesvegas, Cleethropes and Bristol

Stodgy away draw for Notts on the cards. Opening day is often terrible for us

 

It’ll be like still being in NL with Norwood & Haughton up front for them lol

 

Really not sure what to expect tbh. Barrow will be tougher than some might think. Happy with a win or draw first game. So ready for start of season now

 

We have a pretty horrible record on the opening day, add that to the fact we've got a horrible record at Salford (never won there) I'm not expecting much.

 

Barrow away at one of the pre-season faves screams upset to me. Pretty sure they did Stockport at EP on day one a few seasons ago.

 

I think Barrow are in for a good season personally, their results picked up big time after Whing came in last year & I think they’ve made some good signings. They’re my shout for surprise package this season to possibly sneak into the play offs & that’s where I put them in my league prediction…

Will have a go at predicting line up & score later on this week as I still expect us to make a signing or two before the game..

 

We have Kenlock (long-term so already factored in), Kizzi (completely out of favour and on the transfer list), Ndlovu, Stead and apparently Evans and Tavares injured. Who else is injured?