Barnet's testing time

Barnet are coming up to a testing time fixture wise starting on 22nd Nov.

Woking away
Bristol Rovers away
Macclesfield home
Torquay away

If we can continue as of late its going to become exciting.

Have to be realistic, even if we were going to walk the league I would be suprised if we didn't drop points during that time. Nine consecutive wins is a pretty mean feat.

Think our upcoming games are tougher, from the 22nd November we have Kiddy, Woking, Telford, Macc, Lincoln, Macc, Dover (away) then Barnet.

Most are difficult games, I think Dover will be purely because of the distance involved.

In comparison they have Aldershot twice, Chester, Dover at home and Lincoln (not in that order mind) after the games you've quoted up to their game against the champions elect.

I note that Barnet gave away free tickets last night to 'boost' the crowd to 1750

Sounds like they really missed the two suspended lads last night. Hopefully our larger squad might give us some advantage over others as the season goes on. Would love to see Parslow tied down for the rest of the season.

They have one of those players that can throw the ball into the box from a throw in, quite an advantage with big powerful men up front.

Only last week Barnet were 12 points ahead now they are only 6 ahead and they have us to play twice yet.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Would love to see Parslow tied down for the rest of the season.

Ooh, kinky!

Quoted from promotion plaice

They have one of those players that can throw the ball into the box from a throw in, quite an advantage with big powerful men up front.

We do as well, McLaughlin's done it a few times when he's been on the pitch when we've been trailing late in a game.

Quoted from cmackenzie4

Only last week Barnet where 12 points ahead now they are only 6 ahead and they have us to play twice yet.

Exactly

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Would love to see Parslow tied down for the rest of the season.

I have heard from York fans that he will sign permanently in January.

The tightness of our current goals against record is going to be highly significant for the rest of the season - |i would take every 1-0win going in crap games until we are promoted - this defence could be our saviour this year, as it has consistently been the down fall in the important play off games in the last couple of years.

The current squad seems to have really got together with a great understanding, and we even now have a deputy holding midfielder in Disley if needed.

Clean sheets mean less pressure on the rest to score multiple goals to win - may not be pretty or draw in huge crowds, but has to be the solid way forward now we have a clear 2nd best goal difference.

Some tough and trying games coming up to the year end, but by the New Year, I would hope that we are at least knocking on Barnet's door and worrying their heels - could it be so good that we go past them, like Luton did with Cambridge's lead last season - is it our turn this year ????

Quoted from psgmariner

I have heard from York fans that he will sign permanently in January.

That'd be superb. The fact he can cover right back, centre back and centre mid could be invaluable as the season goes on.

What are people's thoughts on Pell?

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

What are people's thoughts on Pell?

I saw him at Braintree and was impressed,

He could be a very useful player to have in the squad if we can keep him a bit longer.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

That'd be superb. The fact he can cover right back, centre back and centre mid could be invaluable as the season goes on.

What are people's thoughts on Pell?[/b]

He's pretty good at breaking up the opposition and he is a real physical presence. However I wouldn't call him cultured. His control is average. Overall a good signing and would be good if we could keep him for the season.

All teams have to play each other twice at some stage. There are no nailed in wins I this league, teams have take them one by one a work damned hard to succeed. No team will win every game and we the fans have to learn not to get too negative if we lose one. It happens, move on.
With regard to Harry Pell, think he is a good player at this level and we should try to keep him. With him, Brown, Clay, Diz , Parslow and Paddy we should always be able to field a good central mid. However, with Brown coming back, finances might dictate that he goes back.

Quoted from grimsby pete

I saw him at Braintree and was impressed,

He could be a very useful player to have in the squad if we can keep him a bit longer.

A live wire that has physic in his favour, I think he will get better with more games ie match fitness

There's other teams we need to worry about besides Barnet. Bristol Rovers, Forest Green and Eastleigh were all fancied ahead of us at the start of the season and there'll all within a few points of us and we've got to play some of them twice yet. They've all got bigger squads than Barnet (and us in some cases).

Quoted from GrimRob

There's other teams we need to worry about besides Barnet. Bristol Rovers, Forest Green and Eastleigh were all fancied ahead of us at the start of the season and there'll all within a few points of us and we've got to play some of them twice yet. They've all got bigger squads than Barnet (and us in some cases).

True! still not bothered though

I would hope to keep Harry Pell to January he will be a good asset when we play Lincoln at home with there threat from free kicks and throw ins.

Quoted from fiveallive

I would hope to keep Harry Pell to January he will be a good asset when we play Lincoln at home with there threat from free kicks and throw ins.

Despite his height i dont think he is very effective in the air. Doesnt get off the ground

Quoted from oldun

All teams have to play each other twice at some stage. There are no nailed in wins I this league, teams have take them one by one a work damned hard to succeed. No team will win every game and we the fans have to learn not to get too negative if we lose one. It happens, move on.

Such a great point !

Quoted from acko338

Clean sheets mean less pressure on the rest to score multiple goals to win - may not be pretty or draw in huge crowds, but has to be the solid way forward now we have a clear 2nd best goal difference.

Agree with you tbh but FWIW I'm gonna throw a note of caution in too.

If you rely on your defence to keep clean sheets too much (say each and every game) it's expecting a lot.

Even if you defend magificently without error, all it can take is one unlucky deflection off a defender (and who knows WHEN) to set you back and put the onus back onto attack.

Now obviously Hurst will be working to improve in all areas.
But I hope our mindset doesn't become too defensive or obsessed with clean sheets.

Because the point has already been made we've a lot of good attacking quality in the squad too.
Is this not ultimately the same sort of point many have already made about "scoring goals" whether they're "doubters" or not ?

Quoted from BIGChris

Despite his height i dont think he is very effective in the air. Doesnt get off the ground

Do you think that's crucial or a "deal breaker" ?
FWIW I've wondered if he's 100% committed in the challenge.

But whether he brings enough in other areas is the debate perhaps ?
Let's be fair Neilson or Arnold (albeit not CM) aren't great in the air either but we wouldn't turn down them down just cos of that.

Quoted from 120797

Do you think that's crucial or a "deal breaker" ?
FWIW I've wondered if he's 100% committed in the challenge.

But whether he brings enough in other areas is the debate perhaps ?
Let's be fair Neilson or Arnold (albeit not CM) aren't great in the air either but we wouldn't turn down them down just cos of that.

I was responding to a specific comment about his usefulness when we face an aerial bombardment against Lincoln!!!

Fair enough then Chris sorry.
Was just wondering if you were suggesting it might not be a good idea to sign him.
Even if you were it wouldn't be "bad" of course - it's all about opinions anyway...

I don't think we have seen the best of him yet. He seems to take a breather at times during the game and then picks up again. May be a fitness thing.

Well aware of the threat from Gateshead and the other teams up there but there is a long way to go but only a few weeks ago many on here were saying we had no chance of catching Barnet but now come the start of next year , its going to be a lot more interesting.
All PH and the team can do is take one game at a time,  but given the better work rate and desire this season I think we can look forward, rather than back.
We all need to back the boys and make some noise.
See many of you at Altrincham!  UTM

Quoted from oldun

I don't think we have seen the best of him yet. He seems to take a breather at times during the game and then picks up again. May be a fitness thing.

I noticed that too!