4-4-2's season prediction.

Quoted from upthestripes

Considering most of us seem generally quite upbeat, iit's interesting that the majority don't fancy us against Southport (myself included). Can we really be hopeful of the playoffs yet at the same time not expect a win against mid-table Southport? Maybe just opening day nerves?

It's a very good question.

Only one game and difficult to pre-judge these things until we see what happens.
But it's up to us to be aware of nerves etc, show the composure I talked of and overcome all these barriers - there's always gonna be potential pitfalls whoever we play.
At the end of the day, it's the same for both teams except there a bit more expectation on our shoulders than them.
But without sounding harsh, fact is to be successful we need to deal with these issues at some point, whether it's Southport or later on.

Sure we can gather momentum later but see no reason why it shouldn't start (and why we wouldn't want it to start) right now.
If we're gelling then so are Southport so it's the same for both teams.
We can't keep making excuses forever but let's remember we haven't even seen the game unfold yet.

Games come quick and fast in august, if there is a slip up there is another game in 3/4 days to rectify the reasons why. A draw isn't a bad result per se, and a win would be ideal. Lets not lose and build.

Quoted from Abdul19

Yeah, didn't Fleetwood get smashed at Barrow early last season?

Cooky monster got a hat trick against them.

Quoted from kevikov

Lets not lose and build.

Can I ask why you think this particular game is important not to lose ?

Anyway I'm offering you a point on Saturday now - will you take it ?  
Perhaps I should do this as a poll...

Cooky will run the show with another hatrick early season

Quoted from 1600

Can I ask why you think this particular game is important not to lose ?

Anyway I'm offering you a point on Saturday now - will you take it ?  
Perhaps I should do this as a poll...

Probably the psychological thing, start off well and take the initiative. All games for me are important not to lose.

If i'm proper honest, no i wouldn't take a point now, i'd rather chance it for the win. Bit gambly like but winning is a good habit to have. If we've come back from 2 down to draw 2-2 on saturday 5pm then yes i'd take a draw then! But right now i think we can win there and expect us to.

Yeah I feel the same.

When 3 draws = 1 win and 2 defeats perhaps it's worth trying to be positive.

I try to imagine whether the top teams will also get 3 pts.
Not that Southport are duff by any means ! (and a draw is no certainty either)
But if most other top teams can win there and we draw, then we're already 2 points behind them.

Don't get me wrong certainly not wanting to pressure anyone.
Already said a defeat wouldn't be the end of the world if we put in a positive performance that bodes well for the season.
Worse case scenario for me would be we play it too defensive, concede with 5 mins left thinking we should have taken the fight to them from the off.

Always swings and roundabouts how tactics and the final result can pan out (just look at our 1-0 at Crawley) but feel a couple of goals could bode well for our travels regardless of the result.

I just hope the players are licking their lips looking forward to the challenge instead of biting their nails.