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And so, Danny and Nicky enter their second century of games managing the U’s, at home to struggling Newport – let’s hope it starts a bit better than the first century finished. There won’t be many games we score three and lose, trouble is there’ll be even fewer where we concede four and win. That being said, I couldn’t fault the first hour of the Salford game, with the U’s in control of a game against good opposition, and on a typically heavy pitch. Then we kind of fell apart, certainly defensively, helped in no small part by a masterclass from ex-U’s Luke Garbutt (how is he only in League 2?). Credit must also go to 250+ of the faithful, a long trip starting at stupid o’clock – they deserved more than that for their support.
Now to the Exiles on Saturday. Newport were one of the earlier managerial merry-go-round entrants this season, sacking David Hughes back in mid-November with his side rooted at the bottom of the table with just three wins from 16 games. His replacement was somewhat of a surprise, former Leicester City (and Austria) defender Christian Fuchs. A very good footballer in his day, but other than assistant coaching at MLS side Charlotte FC, virtually no managerial experience to speak of. Results seem to bear out that concern as well, with still only three wins this season, but from 20 games now. Mind you, they do have a reputation for grinding out results away from home where needed (2-2 at Crewe on their last trip a good example), so I hope our defence has taken on board the learning from Moor Lane.
There are three League 2 games tonight, none of which involve teams that can overtake us in 12th place, although Grimsby (one of the 1230 kick-offs tomorrow) can leapfrog us temporarily if they win at the League 2 surprise package Bromley. A welcome return to a 3pm kick-off for us, and though we can’t quite reach the play-offs from this game, wouldn’t it be lovely sitting down for Christmas dinner knowing the U’s were within a point or two of doing so ahead of our Boxing Day visit to the Creepy Crawlies.
As to the line-up for Saturday, a tough one to call given Jack Payne was back in the matchday squad last Saturday, and assuming Lisbie has recovered from his shoulder injury. I also haven’t heard any news on Macey’s facial injury, but I would have thought that was something more superficial. I’m going to take a punt on Lisbie starting, Payne on the bench but coming on for the last 20-30 minutes, and why else recall him from loan, Frankie Terry on the bench. Hunt to keep his starting XI slot, KVY on the bench as well.
They’re all must-win games, not sure why people even say that, but after a hard-fought draw against a very physical Gillingham, and the disappointment of letting a two goal lead slip, this really is a must-win game if we want to cement our place as genuine play-off/ promotion challengers. Someone is going to have to suffer the backlash from Salford, and I reckon it’ll be the Exiles – 5-0 to the U’s, with a long overdue opener from Samson.
The weather forecast for tomorrow looks very fair, sunny intervals with a slim chance of a few scattered showers during the afternoon, and the temperature at about 8-9 degrees, though in a gentle breeze from the south east, it’ll feel a few degrees cooler.
And as this is the last game before festivities begin, Merry Christmas everyone!
Nice one wessex. I saw earlier that Kuffour Jr is out injured until the new year and that Ronnie Harvey has been recalled from Chelmsford so maybe we've got a few more injury concerns. Hoping Payne is ready for some minutes tomorrow.
Exiles to be sent back in exile on Saturday on 18:48 - Dec 19 by bwildered
For the record does anyone know what the record is for the Cowley’s hundred games is ?
In all competitions, won 33, drawn 38 and lost 29. On a points per game metric, he's currently 24th in our list of all managerial stints (i.e. not adding together separate periods in charge). However, in terms of our more recent post-Conference history for managers who have reached 100 games, although he's got a bit of a way to go to catch up with Parky (12th), he's well ahead of Geraint Williams (35th) and Steve Whitton (36th), and already on a par with Wignall (22nd), McGreal (23rd) and Ward (25th). I haven't included Big Roy (13th) as his figures are heavily skewed by the last season in the Conference.
Needed three points after last week. Visitors best player scores the best goal of the game with the long ranger. Took early control made it by getting the ball in the right places. Good to see goals shared around for a comfortable victory.
This wasn't the easiest watch but we won and move on. Remarkable for the crowds reaction to the Newport goal - most standing up and applauding its audacious and precision
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Exiles to be sent back in exile on Saturday on 19:46 - Dec 20 with 428 views
Exiles to be sent back in exile on Saturday on 19:06 - Dec 20 by Witham
This wasn't the easiest watch but we won and move on. Remarkable for the crowds reaction to the Newport goal - most standing up and applauding its audacious and precision
That had to be close on 70 yards. Absolutely brilliant but have to ask what Macey was thinking about about!
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Exiles to be sent back in exile on Saturday on 20:50 - Dec 20 with 401 views
Exiles to be sent back in exile on Saturday on 19:46 - Dec 20 by gerry_us
That had to be close on 70 yards. Absolutely brilliant but have to ask what Macey was thinking about about!
Haha - what happened to goalkeepers code Gerry? I don't think Macey was unnecessarily out of position considering the context of where the ball in play was, just beaten by a sublime strike from nowhere. If it's any consolation, we might have just seen the goal of the season, never mind the month.
Rightly so , had the majority of the crowd applauding, it was a wonderful strike even though against the U’s, making the score line 3-1, but thankfully the team had learnt the lesson from the previous week and managed the game to its conclusion.
Back in the day, before goals were scored from such distances, can remember Bobby Gough scoring with a shot/ lob from the half way line against Blackpool ( Hendesford the keeper ? ) towards the Layer Rd end. The ball landed on the muddy goal line with the momentum and low bounce just carrying it over the line . A great memory of a much underrated U’s player from the past .
Exiles to be sent back in exile on Saturday on 09:02 - Dec 21 by bwildered
Rightly so , had the majority of the crowd applauding, it was a wonderful strike even though against the U’s, making the score line 3-1, but thankfully the team had learnt the lesson from the previous week and managed the game to its conclusion.
Back in the day, before goals were scored from such distances, can remember Bobby Gough scoring with a shot/ lob from the half way line against Blackpool ( Hendesford the keeper ? ) towards the Layer Rd end. The ball landed on the muddy goal line with the momentum and low bounce just carrying it over the line . A great memory of a much underrated U’s player from the past .
[Post edited 21 Dec 13:45]
Yes I remember that goal, what a great little player he was.
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Exiles to be sent back in exile on Saturday on 20:08 - Dec 21 with 107 views
Exiles to be sent back in exile on Saturday on 19:04 - Dec 21 by Addy
Yes I remember that goal, what a great little player he was.
I would never underrate Bobby Gough, one of my childhood heroes following the U's. That list contains a lot of names, including Packer, Svarc, Walker, Cook, Leslie, Garwood, Froggatt, Dowman, Allinson, Dyer, Foley, Smith and Wignall to name but a few.
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