Subs  Cartright, Efete, Glennon, Khan, Ainley, Andrews, Gardner

For those wondering why people got annoyed when we signed no forward players on deadline day, this was why

They get their expensive goalscorer back in the starting lineup, our two goalscorers are out injured, wonderful. Has anyone got Glen Downey's phone number?

No Rose, so it must have been him Hurst was on about in his prematch talk. Pyke has his chance to show what he can do and has to be better than his previous appearances.

Jeez!

5 at the back and defend for your lives by the look of it.

Our two biggest threats out.

Just got here. Everyone very flat with the news

Quoted from pontoonlew

For those wondering why people got annoyed when we signed no forward players on deadline day, this was why

What do you class Pyke as then ?

Oh sodomist.

Totally lack of goal scoring depth about to be exposed?

Quoted from ginnywings

Jeez!

5 at the back and defend for your lives by the look of it.

Our two biggest threats out.

Considering all their supporters reckon they're shite at the back and the way to beat them is to actually get at them I'm not exactly optimistic we're going to get anything out of this afternoon if we just sit back and try to weather their attacks and set pieces. Long afternoon ahead.

Quoted from ancientmariner54

What do you class Pyke as then ?

I class him as our only fit forward player, which feels completely avoidable

Quoted from pontoonlew

For those wondering why people got annoyed when we signed no forward players on deadline day, this was why

Yep. This is where a big beast up top would earn their corn.

Eek. That doesn’t look great on paper and I can agree with the disappointment at not signing another forward.
We look thin in attack and we really did have the opportunity not to be in this predicament.

Looks bleak. Probably win 3-0 as we always seem to when it looks bad

Quoted from ginnywings

Jeez!

5 at the back and defend for your lives by the look of it.

Our two biggest threats out.

Seems that way. Would have liked Efete's pace and power against Mclean to get us up the pitch, rather than Waterfall slotting in the three instead of Mullarkey. Mullarkey is solid, but I just don't see him as a wing back. First few games, he offers more defensively but I think he doesn't offer a great presence going forward. Unless injured.. I'm also disappointed to not see Hunt on the bench too..

Ah well.. fingers crossed..

Reynolds there for the revenge arc in the third series of the docu then. Ruin it with a 1-0 smash and grab, Town.

God help us.

Khan
Wilson
Vernam
Eisa
Rose

All injured or not fit enough to start at the same time  Not a single defensive player out. Times like this I almost believe in a god. And he's a vindictive little cünt

Football is a funny game so who knows how it will go. But we can have a good guess

Not sure what fans want ph to do all the above out injured no choice but to go with todays lineup , not his prefered lineup but it is what it is

The problem with Wrexham is you won't stop them scoring.
We will need 2 or 3 goals to maybe get a point...
Can you see that happening...?

Quoted from immariner

Khan
Wilson
Vernam
Eisa
Rose

All injured or not fit enough to start at the same time  Not a single defensive player out. Times like this I almost believe in a god. And he's a vindictive little cünt

I like the way someone gave that a gold star!

Quoted from immariner

Khan
Wilson
Vernam
Eisa
Rose

All injured at the same time  Not a single defensive player out. Times like this I almost believe in a god. And he's a vindictive little cünt

A cluster of injuries to our attacking players is unfortunate, but the balance of the squad to respond to it is within our hands. Maybe I need just need to deal with my obsession but I would wish for a modern day Keith Alexander to come in for situations like this…

The only positive I can find is that, in full Marcus Bignot-style, this won’t be what Wrexham will have anticipated. In the Bignot era, that only ever ended up brilliantly or a complete and utter disaster.

We shall see.

I hope I'm wrong but could see it being a rout for Wrexham setting up to try and nick something.

I’ve got a horrible feeling that we are about to get a proper pasting!

I hope I'm wrong but can't see us winning with this line up. Prove me wrong Town. Cracking atmosphere here excrement stand

Quoted from chaos33

I’ve got a horrible feeling that we are about to get a proper pasting!

Or it could be all hands to the pumps and we scrape a win. :)

I feel as flat as everyone else. Ah well, we won when it mattered.

*puts on tin hat

McDirty is starting as well for them after international duty.  He is quite good apparently.

Cue at least a draw for then, against all expectations. Waterfall can be go at both ends. A bit like last time? 😇👍

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

A cluster of injuries to our attacking players is unfortunate, but the balance of the squad to respond to it is within our hands. Maybe I need just need to deal with my obsession but I would wish for a modern day Keith Alexander to come in for situations like this…

Oh I don't disagree. Not getting in another out and out forward, even on loan, was a bit of a shocker. But still, having 5 of our 7 attacking players out at the same time is hard to legislate for

It’s only a league game. We’ve only lost one. So what if we lose, hardly a season defining result is it…

Sensing bad vibes all round for this one - no strikers of note and 5 at the back.
5-4 town then!

Sucks a bit, and probably a bit earlier for Pyke than Hurst would like, but it's an opportunity. Please step up, son.

I'm guessing we are going to soap up some pressure and look into bringing in Glennon, Khan, Ainley, Andrews for last 20 and see if we can grab something. We really could do with Khan back and fit enough for an impact ASAP.

Let's not forget, Wrexham are petrified of Waterfall!

Edit: BBC has waterfall on the wing! Watch out Wrexham https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66760435

Fans drained because of injuries and lack of attacking force.
Fans accepting or expecting a heavy defeat.

Typical Hurst will pull a win out the bag here.

Utm

Mullins on the floor already.

Can feel a Mullin penalty coming up already.  Time for Gnaoua to show his mettle.

Quoted from fishcake63

Not sure what fans want ph to do all the above out injured no choice but to go with todays lineup , not his prefered lineup but it is what it is

Perhaps sign a striker in the window?

Good early booking for McClean

Could be worse, we could play “football” like Wrexham!  Such long ball merchants, nothing subtle in their approach.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Perhaps sign a striker in the window?

Rose, Wilson, Pyke. Considering we go 1 up top, we have 2 backup option. Unfortunately, we're down 2. If we were down 2 goalkeepers, we'd also be in deep excrement. Down 2 wingers and we don't have an option to freshen up.

Usually, you'd have 2 squads of 11. If weakening all comes in one area, you'd going to struggle. Strikers are expensive and how many good ones do you think we can afford to have on the bench or not in squad for 80% of the season?

Mullin is the only player in the EFL to have studs on his shorts, true.

Quoted from promotion plaice

Mullin is the only player in the EFL to have studs on his shorts, true.

Does he use a bar called ‘the tool box’

Wrexham just like Gillingham, ball over the top and long throw.
male masturbators

Gnahoua started well, good touches

Astonishing decision not to give a yellow card to whoever that Wrexham player was just before

Bollox

Text book goal 1-0 down

Hard to see from the camera angle, but Palmer looked a good couple of yards offside there.

SHOCKING defending. Perhaps add another couple of defenders Hursty! 😁

Miles offside

Shade of offside?  Nice cross, that's where we fail.  Take too long to get the ball in the box.

Shouldn’t McClean have got a second yellow for that rugby tackle on Pyke a few mins back?

Quoted from TAGG

Miles offside

Still going to plan - first goal in the semi was a pen that wasn’t.

Quoted from Brummie Codfather

Shouldn’t McClean have got a second yellow for that rugby tackle on Pyke a few mins back?

Money talks.

2-0

Junk schoolboy defending. Indefensible rubbish to concede like that with so many defenders on the pitch.

Good goal that.
We're copulated already. No way back from that as we have ZERO goal threat.

Thats it then   cricket score coming up

Game over. We can rightly moan about the lack of attacking options at our disposal today but we’ve just conceded two very basic goals.

Despite being 2-0 down, we've not been poor....
We lack the firepower that they've got unfortunately.

Easypeasy, they know where the ball is going and don't defend it. 2-0

Can’t see us scoring 2, let alone 3 today

Serge Makofo offered more than Rekeil Pyke

Let's give the new lad a run out.

Fear the worst now

Fukin rubbish
Need a goal now to get us back into this game.
3 CBs and still can't defend crosses  :B

Quoted from TAGG

Fukin rubbish
Need a goal now to get us back into this game.
3 CBs and still can't defend crosses  :B

Our worst performances seem to coincide with Waterfall. Just an observation.

Really important to get in to ht without conceding another . Thought we’d done ok and knocking the ball around well .

Game dead and gone within half an hour.. Nice one Paul.

I predict 18 pages by 6pm Sunday.

Pyke is lazy, greedy and has zero awareness.

Always going to be one of the most difficult games of the season

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Our worst performances seem to coincide with Waterfall. Just an observation.

It’s the same as last season. Ultimately it’s central midfield that is our weakness. And that’s with Conteh who’s probably the best player of his type in the division.

Our midfield trio today is like having 3 cars- one is a brand new Ferrari, but we’ve got 2 diesel Vauxhall Corsas either side of it.

Quoted from Chrisblor

Pyke is lazy, greedy and has zero awareness.

Sounds like he’ll fit in nicely

Quoted from GtfcGarner

Game dead and gone within half an hour.. Nice one Paul.

Hurst is too comfortable and complacent in the job.

Quoted from bawarmy

Hurst is too comfortable and complacent in the job.

Who’d you suggest instead?

Quoted from Poojah

Yeah I know. But we play deeper to accommodate his lack of pace and don’t press as well.

Quoted from bawarmy

Hurst is too comfortable and complacent in the job.

This Wrexham team would do well in league 1, let's not forget that bit ... I know we all like a moan, but we've been the better team apart from 2 dodgy bits of defending from 2 crosses

I looked at the team and said we’ll get done 3/4 today . Injuries have done us in now .

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

Who’d you suggest instead?

Not a clue

Quoted from bawarmy

Hurst is too comfortable and complacent in the job.

You can be upset without having to form a lynch mob, you know. You think Hurst wants this? What top team hasn't had a bad half and conceded multiple goals? Arsenal were doing real well and they get injuries and excrement goes sideways. It doesn't matter how good you are, how good your manager is or what your budget. excrement can often not go to plan in football and it's how you respond to it.

The only team that gets everything seemingly going their own way is Man City. Maybe that's a better option for you if you cannot handle a lack of perfection.

This is what hurst gets us with a milion to spend  crap.. Wouldnt trust him to do the shopping for half time tea and oranges .. Pathetic . Who ever puts their trust in him needs to get their bumps felt  starting with Stockwood and Pettit .

Showing how much our failure to add to the frontline in the summer has come to hurt us already. Was always going to be one of the harder games of the season but I just don't see what we are trying to do?

I think some on this thread need a cup of tea and a calm down at half time.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Yeah I know. But we play deeper to accommodate his lack of pace and don’t press as well.

Our pressing has been fine today and we've had more possession. We're losing due to two bits of lazy defending originating from set pieces and an inability to create anything with the possession when we're in the final third, not because we've sat deep to accommodate Waterfall.

Quoted from denni266

This is what hurst gets us with a milion to spend  crap.. Wouldnt trust him to do the shopping for half time tea and oranges .. Pathetic . Who ever puts their trust in him needs to get their bumps felt  starting with Stockwood and Pettit .

Imagine how embarrassing it must be for Stockwood and Petit to be outspent by multi millionaires. They should take a long hard look in the mirror.

There’s some excrement being posted on here today looked like all the doom merchants have stayed at home

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

Who’d you suggest instead?

Well going on GollyGTFC's post I'd suggest Mike Brewer.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

Who’d you suggest instead?

I wouldn't sack him as I believe it's a project and he's the right man for the job but if the reason for not sacking him is because we believe there isn't available managers is far from true. Plenty of managers in the NL that would do a very good job. Mike Williamson at Gateshead, Darren Saarl at Woking and Dean Brennan at Barnet all young managers that will go on to have very good careers above the NL.

Can see a Red Card in this game for sure, just lack that bite up top not happy with the attacking/delivery so far, just need a player to gamble in the box and pick up some of these balls.

Another note 5 at the back and looks all over the place 🤷🏼‍♂️.

We have Hope get in half time, sort the shape out and hope they relax and switch off

Quoted from GtfcGarner

Showing how much our failure to add to the frontline in the summer has come to hurt us already. Was always going to be one of the harder games of the season but I just don't see what we are trying to do?

I don’t disagree with that, but the bigger issue today is that we’ve been uncharacteristically bad defensively.

I don’t actually think our build up play has been that bad, but desperately toothless up front which says a lot when they have a dodgy defence themselves.

Defensively though we’re struggling to handle Mullin and Palmer to the point where it looks like they’re going to score every time they break forward. McClean a quality player and has a wicked cross.

Quoted from AncientExiledMariner

Imagine how embarrassing it must be for Stockwood and Petit to be outspent by multi millionaires. They should take a long hard look in the mirror.

On that basis then the league tables should already be decided before a ball is kicked off.

Take off Waterfall, go 442 second half???

Quoted from Poojah

I don’t disagree with that, but the bigger issue today is that we’ve been uncharacteristically bad defensively.

As we were at Notts and Mansfield.

That was excrement.
Totally outclassed in every department and would have been 3 or 4 down if Mullin was at his sharpest.
Can't be arsed to even watch the second half.

HT 2-0
Realistically we won't get anything from this, hopefully we can avoid a thrashing.

Quoted from GtfcGarner

Showing how much our failure to add to the frontline in the summer has come to hurt us already.

Apart from Rose, Eisa, Vernham, Gnahoua, Pyke and Wilson?

I don't have an agenda against PH but he's bottled this one today

What's JT on? First he said Clifton got a yellow , when it was Conteh and then he just said the Wrexham player gets the first yellow of the afternoon.  Or  is it my hearing?

Ultimately, we’ve got three centre halves on the pitch (four if you include Mullarkey) and we’ve conceded from two headers in our own box and failed to get anything on it from set-pieces in theirs.

Waterfall off, Ainley on and have a go at em. Been a great servant for us but Waterfall just isn't at that level anymore, the way we want to play doesn't suit him. Too easy for them to just stick it in behind because he's got no pace which means we can't go and press high, if we do it stretches the game and makes us so open.

Quoted from Mayaman

What's JT on? First he said Clifton got a yellow , when it was Conteh and then he just said the Wrexham player gets the first yellow of the afternoon.  Or  is it my hearing?

Probably your hearing because it’s Matt Dean

Quoted from GtfcGarner

On that basis then the league tables should already be decided before a ball is kicked off.

No, you give it a go, but you accept that statistically you're likely to get copulated by bigger teams with a bigger budget. We beat Southampton and Luton, but no one was surprised when we got beaten by Brighton. I'll assume Wrexham's team costs a lot more and has a bigger wage bill. They have players that can play at a higher level, and probably will. They could very well go up this year or next.

The thing is, there is 3 automatic spots, and another play off spot. We've had a excrement of a run. We'll dust ourselves down, get players back fit and throw ourselves in contention. This game isn't over yet, of course, but it's going to be hard. It could be an opportunity to give Khan and our new players some minutes.

Got to get Waterfall off at half time. Too deep and chaotic at the back. The starting eleven was asking for this.. An extra one at the back and we lose our pressing game..

If Hurst doesn't make at least one change and a change in formation, he's given up on us even getting a point..

Quoted from Mayaman

What's JT on? First he said Clifton got a yellow , when it was Conteh and then he just said the Wrexham player gets the first yellow of the afternoon.  Or  is it my hearing?

Maybe he read the thread on sectarian chanting!?!?

Sneak a goal back early on and a point is still on .

Quoted from pontoonlew

Probably your hearing because it’s Matt Dean

Oh yeah.  I 'll get my ear syringe.

Quoted from Chrisblor

Our pressing has been fine today and we've had more possession. We're losing due to two bits of lazy defending originating from set pieces and an inability to create anything with the possession when we're in the final third, not because we've sat deep to accommodate would be winning Waterfall.

You mean we are losing because we have let in two goals and haven’t scored?

I'm not really arsed if we lose today against a team with a budget probably four times what ours is. What I will be annoyed about is if it turns out Eisa and Rose are out for any prolonged period since what today is demonstrating is we have absolutely zero depth and without those two playing we look incapable of scoring any goals.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Our worst performances seem to coincide with Waterfall. Just an observation.

Got to love fans like this , both goals are headers for sure one where rodgers plays everybody onside the other where holohan weak as urine out wide & maher weak to not win header but yes make somebody else a scapegoat

They look a good side. Quality all over the pitch.

Some silly comments about Hurst on this thread. We will lose some games.

We're doing well in the middle third. Knocking it around well but don't have someone who will have a go from anywhere in and around the box.

Wrexham I always find so strange. Play in such a different way to any other team. They clearly work on a certain routine when clearing their lines to hoof the ball in am area Mullin will always be, run into or for Palmer to flick on. They seem to always get us 2v2 at the back on the break and if it isn't from a corner or throw in this is how theyll punish team.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

As we were at Notts and Mansfield.

Didn’t Waterfall play in those too?

Lets see if hurst makes any changes at half time or sticks to his usual form and waits untill 80 mins and puts another defence minded player on

btw for anyone worried about chanting the most vile one I've heard from the away end has come from the Wrexham fans going "we're flipping rich" over and over. How gauche!

Otis on for Waterfall, good change

Khan for Waterfall

We had about a 30% chance of winning this game, which fell to about 10% with the injuries.

Just hope we don't get a shoeing.

Quoted from fishcake63

Got to love fans like this , both goals are headers for sure one where rodgers plays everybody onside the other where holohan weak as urine out wide & maher weak to not win header but yes make somebody else a scapegoat

It’s not just the goals, it’s the defensive line being at least 10 yards deeper to accommodate his lack of pace. I love what Luke has done for us but he’s not suited to the way we’re trying to play.

Thought we've played well in open play, apart from the final third, our crossing has been dreadful and its painful how little goal threat we offer.

Could be a tanking but we need an early goal and fingers crossed for a massive dose of luck!

Quoted from fishcake63

Got to love fans like this , both goals are headers for sure one where rodgers plays everybody onside the other where holohan weak as urine out wide & maher weak to not win header but yes make somebody else a scapegoat

Otis on, shape change. QED Hurst got it wrong.

Nothing to lose now, just go for it see what happens. They've been woeful defensively at some points this season, put it on them.

Mullin is such a diver. How are refs not aware of this? Its every single game.

This ref is having a mare. How has Boyle stayed out of the book?

To put things in to perspective - by the end of next Saturday - Town will have played against all of the current top 6.
It appears Town have had the toughest fixtures in the division - points total not that bad - just need to capitalise against current bottom five teams

The fundamental difference between the two teams today has been the quality of the balls into the box. It’s as simple as that.

Quoted from Teestogreen

To put things in to perspective - by the end of next Saturday - Town will have played against all of the current top 6.
It appears Town have had the toughest fixtures in the division - points total not that bad - just need to capitalise against current bottom five teams

We’ve lost two out of our first games, we’ve played most of the favourites, and we’ve got injuries.

I won’t be too disheartened today, besides, the game we played against Wrexham that mattered we won….

Can we please start training our players how to cross!

Quoted from Poojah

The fundamental difference between the two teams today has been the quality of the balls into the box. It’s as simple as that.

Shocking .  Something you can pratice easily.

This ref is male masturbation. Every time a Wrexham player drags down town on the break he doesn't book them or in Khan's case just now didn't even give a foul. Every time a Wrexham player goes down on the counter the town player gets booked, including when Mullin dived to get Maher in the book. Are Disney bribing the girl private or is he just inept? Who could say!

Another Town cross; straight into the ‘keeper’s arms.

Embarrassing crossing from a group of pros. How hard is a 20/30 yard ball to hit somewhere between the six yard box and penalty spot?

Better cross but nobody attacking the ball.

Really cannot handle watching this inept Clifton Holohan pairing in midfield for much longer. Yes they put the effort in but there's zero quality between the two of them. We need players in there who can unlock a defence, not blast shots into defenders and fluff crosses.

good job wrexham left shooting boots at home missed at least 5 1v1s

It’s been all town second half . Just missing a man in the middle up front to put the Wrexham defence under pressure

Quoted from Chrisblor

Really cannot handle watching this inept Clifton Holohan pairing in midfield for much longer. Yes they put the effort in but there's zero quality between the two of them. We need players in there who can unlock a defence, not blast shots into defenders and fluff crosses.

100% agree. Two players full of effort and devoid of quality. No balance.

Same old really. Grimsby do not have a striker.

Time for Michee - our most potent attacking threat on the bench. Probably our potent threat in the fit squad atm…

On holiday so only just seen the score. But honestly, that team was never going to succeed. Trying to match a team who are established with 5 at the back with 5 at the back ourselves is nonsensical.

Rubbish from Maher, let his man get across him too easily and then Mullarkey too slow to react to the cross. Defence has been atrocious today.

3-0 down and speechless. An inept attack and very poor defence. At least we won the match that mattered.

Sometimes you just can’t beat quality

Game, set and match. Wrong from the start today, Pyke really offers us nothing up there by himself. For a big lad he wins 0 headers and has 0 movement. Don't think anyone has had a good game today, only positive is that Khan has got 45 minutes under his belt.

Worrying now the number of late goals they score

10 mins to go so put that young lad and give him some game time.

Definitely tin hat time. See you next week.

Goal dif gone in one go. What a tin pot team we have .. Hurst out before tea .

Don't think we have played that bad we just can't score we definitely miss Rose and eisa today. We haven't got a big squad with quality after the 1st 11 we struggle.

Quoted from zorro_is_a_Mariner

Don't think we have played that bad we just can't score we definitely miss Rose and eisa today. We haven't got a big squad with quality after the 1st 11 we struggle.

And today showed we can't defend even though we all knew where the goal threat from them would come from.

Dread to think how weak this squad would be if we didn't make the FA Cup quarters. There's zero depth to it even with an extra million quid in the budget. What have we actually spent all that money on?

we have been terrible keeper redundant but these played like champions so not to worry too much , budgets always help just dont think we are at this level yet , no panic up

Andrews looks like our best player already and he's only been on the pitch 5 minutes

Quoted from zorro_is_a_Mariner

Don't think we have played that bad we just can't score we definitely miss Rose and eisa today. We haven't got a big squad with quality after the 1st 11 we struggle.

And what a sorry statement that is. Read this and you have GTFC. Look good and produce fu!k all. Come May that will be the story of our season.

Perspective people. They were big favourites. Beat Crawley next week and we're back on track.

Pretty sure the story of the season will be any defeat being massively over reacted to on the Fishy.  Saying that though, that’s the story of every season ….

Quoted from heppy88

And what a sorry statement that is. Read this and you have GTFC. Look good and produce fu!k all. Come May that will be the story of our season.

Definitely need to add to squad in January.

Feel for them that went all that way to see hursts team of defenders that cannot defend . Stockwood needs to man up and act .

Quoted from denni266

Feel for them that went all that way to see hursts team of defenders that cannot defend . Stockwood needs to man up and act .

And do what? Dabble in the managerial merry go round?

An injury ravaged town have just been beaten by one of the promotion favourites. It happens.

Quoted from Brummie Codfather

Pretty sure the story of the season will be any defeat being massively over reacted to on the Fishy.  Saying that though, that’s the story of every season ….

Roll up all the people that expected todays result. Just for a change wouldn’t it be great if people expected us to win for a change. GTFC to be the feared team? Never going to happen with this regime. Although I back Hurst. We’ll never be the team everyone else fears.

Well, all I say is a big thank you to all1,025 travelling mariners. You deserved better than that display, have a safe journey home and thank you all for going to support the team.

Going to get plenty of red x’s for this but I can see plenty of positives today. Kept possession well and knocked it around well . Khan made a big difference second half . Having a player of Contehs quality in cm has made us a far better team .
We just miss quality up top . We should’ve found better considering the ££ we had but maybe it was a choice between conteh and a striker. I’d be happy with the decision to get KC . Plenty of time to find and invest in a striker of similar quality. Ross and Eisa missing could’ve cost us . But no back up cost us more . L2 budgets against Wrexhams makes the difference.

Quoted from denni266

Feel for them that went all that way to see hursts team of defenders that cannot defend . Stockwood needs to man up and act .

Shut up you bore. How many times are you going to say PH should be sacked, when we know it isn't going to happen?

We lost a football match to a better team, with a much bigger budget. It happens and it will happen again. I can live with it, and I'm going out for a beer.

What will hurst say after the game .. They are a very good side  bla bla bla. Round hairy things ...Try looking  at the truith  we are crap because of the crap you got in the doors and the way you set them up nearly every week  Utter crap

Beaten by a much better side. I don't think any of our players would get in their starting 11.

They are not the yardstick in this division. They're an absolute outlier. Thought between the boxes we matched them, they just had so much more quality.

The knee jerk reaction to losing against Wrexham will be /is bizarre

Even with a full strength team we would have struggled to get a result .

Win against Crawley next week and it's a good start .

I still maintain the second 10 games will shape our season ,one way or the other . With most winnable ,at least on paper .


The first 10 were overly tough and we have probably played 3 at least , maybe 2  more ,who will be in the top 7 , likely top 3 challengers .

It's not the end of the world

No argument from me today . Before social media this was a shrug your shoulders game and do it should be today

Quoted from zorro_is_a_Mariner

Definitely need to add to squad in January.

We definitely needed to add to the Squad in August to be fair.

Feel sorry for the travelling fans today. Never ever set up to win, don't mind losing at all but absolutely gutless and did we even test the keeper? Won at a canter and was eating Jelly and Ice-cream from 75 minutes onwards. Recurring theme, dropping a late goal to Bradford, conceding to Walsall... Midtable at best for us this year I think.

Don't think at all for one minute that Hurst should get the sack but he's not going to be the bloke to take us out of this division. All depends on what our 'vision' is in the future. I'd actually like us to go attack teams and be abit risky. Just so frustrating to watch week after week.

Quoted from ginnywings

Shut up you bore. How many times are you going to say PH should be sacked, when we know it isn't going to happen?

We lost a football match to a better team, with a much bigger budget. It happens and it will happen again. I can live with it, and I'm going out for a beer.

No way will i shut up while things are as they are . Hurst needs to go he dont have a clue  never has.  sick of the crap he spouts and the teams he puts out and how he plays them .No i dont like him one bit

Quoted from denni266

No way will i shut up while things are as they are . Hurst needs to go he dont have a clue  never has.  sick of the crap he spouts and the teams he puts out and how he plays them .No i dont like him one bit

Here he is…

Quoted from denni266

No way will i shut up while things are as they are . Hurst needs to go he dont have a clue  never has.  sick of the crap he spouts and the teams he puts out and how he plays them .No i dont like him one bit

Must be all pot luck he’s got us promoted twice then. You sir, are ridiculous

I have no qualms about today. We had the majority of possession, but we don't have their strength in depth. They have players capable of playing in League 1 and higher, all over the pitch.

My regrets are not winning at Walsall and Bradford, when we were the better side, which shows where we need to improve. I'm sure PH wanted another striker through the door before the window shut, but the ones that we could sign were no improvement and the ones we wanted chose to go elsewhere.

Quoted from denni266

No way will i shut up while things are as they are . Hurst needs to go he dont have a clue  never has.  sick of the crap he spouts and the teams he puts out and how he plays them .No i dont like him one bit

Just stick to fishing then and tell it to the carp.

We know your feelings as you happen to mention it every other post.

It's not that they were brilliant but the manner we failed to defend their goals, especially since we knew they would be sending the ball high into the area.

Hopefully, we should have Rose and Eisa back next week but Pyke is out of his depth. I think it's best to write this game off as poor day at the office and hopefully they'll sharpen up against Crawley next week.

Quoted from ginnywings

I have no qualms about today. We had the majority of possession, but we don't have their strength in depth. They have players capable of playing in League 1 and higher, all over the pitch.

My regrets are not winning at Walsall and Bradford, when we were the better side, which shows where we need to improve. I'm sure PH wanted another striker through the door before the window shut, but the ones that we could sign were no improvement and the ones we wanted chose to go elsewhere.

Strikers aren't this mythical thing. They exist. It's up to Hurst to allocate funds accordingly to get the right one in. When we're getting to three windows in and we're still missing out on a striker, questions should rightfully be asked. I get some are overly negative on here, but being positive and apologetic for the sake of it is no more productive than they are.

My regrets are supporting a team that most people expected to lose today.
My regrets are that whilst our supporters say consolidation Wrexham say promotion.
My regrets are that we say look good, Wrexham say win.
My regrets are we should have won this and should have won that, but we didn’t!!
And that’s what counts!!!

Quoted from DB

It's not that they were brilliant but the manner we failed to defend their goals, especially since we knew they would be sending the ball high into the area.

Hopefully, we should have Rose and Eisa back next week but Pyke is out of his depth. I think it's best to write this game off as poor day at the office and hopefully they'll sharpen up against Crawley next week.

It was never anything more than another league game, of which we’ve only lost 2 so far. Hardly something to cry about like some do.


We’ll learn and move on.

There’s a documentary tonight, about famous people abusing their power to take advantage of vulnerable people who’ve likely had their lives ruined or badly affected by the trauma, makes losing at Wrexham seem irrelevant really…

Quoted from Mariner93er

Strikers aren't this mythical thing. They exist. It's up to Hurst to allocate funds accordingly to get the right one in. When we're getting to three windows in and we're still missing out on a striker, questions should rightfully be asked. I get some are overly negative on here, but being positive and apologetic for the sake of it is no more productive than they are.

Yes, they do exist, but ones that are better than what we have, we can afford, and want to come here are a bit thinner on the ground. We have improved on last years batch, but we came up one short and have injuries to two.

Shite lads n lasses....nothing more nothing less...
Gulf in budget and f@ck me it shows...
Steven Fletcher was next level, we need someone of that ilk and experience, we just do not create enough chances, doesn't matter who's up top, Messi would struggle to score in this tram I'm afraid.

Quoted from heppy88

My regrets are supporting a team that most people expected to lose today.
My regrets are that whilst our supporters say consolidation Wrexham say promotion.
My regrets are that we say look good, Wrexham say win.
My regrets are we should have won this and should have won that, but we didn’t!!
And that’s what counts!!!

I don’t regret supporting Town, win/lose/or draw.  I doubt you do either and are letting the emotion get the better of you.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Shite lads n lasses....nothing more nothing less...
Gulf in budget and f@ck me it shows...
Steven Fletcher was next level, we need someone of that ilk and experience, we just do not create enough chances, doesn't matter who's up top, Messi would struggle to score in this tram I'm afraid.

Someone who has gone for over 20 million pound worth of transfers in his career and is in double figures for international goals?
Seems unrealistic.

Quoted from Brummie Codfather

I don’t regret supporting Town, win/lose/or draw.  I doubt you do either and are letting the emotion get the better of you.

Yep you’re probably right. But we seem conditioned to expect we’ll always be second best.

I wonder if Rose and Eisa where injured and is so whether just a niggle and could have played but Hurst being pragmatic we ain’t going to win this so rest for next week.

Quoted from ginnywings

I have no qualms about today. We had the majority of possession, but we don't have their strength in depth. They have players capable of playing in League 1 and higher, all over the pitch.

My regrets are not winning at Walsall and Bradford, when we were the better side, which shows where we need to improve. I'm sure PH wanted another striker through the door before the window shut, but the ones that we could sign were no improvement and the ones we wanted chose to go elsewhere.

Who were they?

Should have kept our usual formation. Same back 5. Harry moved to the left, Pyke up top, Arthur on the right. Hunt, Ainsley or the new lad from WBA, or Evan in the middle with Holohan and tried to press the intercourse out of them. Might have been a similar result but matching their formation was stupid.

Quoted from heppy88

Yep you’re probably right. But we seem conditioned to expect we’ll always be second best.

The opposite is all the 'dream, believe, achieve' dogwater that makes people think if they want something enough they will have it.

Yes, sometimes we'll upset the odds and it's beautiful but mainly things will play out according to the quality of resources/talent that clubs have.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Who were they?

McNeill was the main target wasnt he? Went to Stevenage to sit on the bench.

Quoted from Mariner93er

Strikers aren't this mythical thing. They exist. It's up to Hurst to allocate funds accordingly to get the right one in. When we're getting to three windows in and we're still missing out on a striker, questions should rightfully be asked. I get some are overly negative on here, but being positive and apologetic for the sake of it is no more productive than they are.

Totally agree with this post, obviously we do not have unlimited finances, but continuously bringing in unwanted,  unheard of fringe players from
other clubs, who quite regularly prove moderate( to be kind), isnt a sensible  way of handling your budget IMO, theres no doubt that Hurst does
bring good players to the club, but they have been outnumbered by some right duffers IMO, you  usually have to pay for quality, particularly
forwards, one transfer fee and wages for one goalscorer would be paid for by not signing mediocrity in numbers.
Like most, i didnt expect a result today regardless of injuries and with the brutal set of early season fixtures i think we have done well to
accrue the points we have , but with the points lost from winning positions it is also very frustrating.
On the injury situation, we  always seem to have so many, who are then missing for strangely long  periods,i know injuries are a fact of life,
but  whether is it something with the training regime, or the medical care they receive aftterwards, who knows?
or the medical care they then receive?

Naive to keep seeing we had a lot of possession so that’s a positive Teams like Wrexham are happy to let you have possession and go direct when they would otherwise have had their share of possession.

You watching the same game as me it was a mis match they f****d about last 15 mins couldn't get a touch it could of been 6 or 7 to them

Flipping heck. Some ridiculous hissy fits on here tonight. I feel for fans who went and we're all disappointed with the result, but the lack of realism is bizarre. If you're down to the bare bones up top due to injuries and defend poorly in a game against a team which cost many multiples of your own, you have to just accept defeat and move on. Let's aim for revenge in the return game at BP in March, hopefully with a fully-fit squad including perhaps another attacker or two signed in January.

Oh, and stop replying to denni, FFS. Don't feed the trolls.

Quoted from heppy88

My regrets are supporting a team that most people expected to lose today.
My regrets are that whilst our supporters say consolidation Wrexham say promotion.
My regrets are that we say look good, Wrexham say win.
My regrets are we should have won this and should have won that, but we didn’t!!
And that’s what counts!!!

I don't regret us beating them in that play-off game
I don't regret a long term plan , if that involves a period of consolidation , if that's for the greater good of the club
I don't regret going to Weymouth , Solihull or Dorking

But glad I'm not going back  


We can compete with most of league 2 , when our first 11 is fit and firing - I suspect how many of the 46 games we can get them on the pitch together will dictate how well we do ; beat Crawley next week and we will be back in the top 10 . Close to the play-offs .

To think we can compete with the top 4 or 5 teams with half of our team missing is rather fanciful .

Quoted from denni266

This is what hurst gets us with a milion to spend  crap.. Wouldnt trust him to do the shopping for half time tea and oranges .. Pathetic . Who ever puts their trust in him needs to get their bumps felt  starting with Stockwood and Pettit .

Grow up!

Quoted from denni266

What will hurst say after the game .. They are a very good side  bla bla bla. Round hairy things ...Try looking  at the truith  we are crap because of the crap you got in the doors and the way you set them up nearly every week  Utter crap

Wow you are an angry little child, aren't you!

Quoted from heppy88

My regrets are supporting a team that most people expected to lose today.
My regrets are that whilst our supporters say consolidation Wrexham say promotion.
My regrets are that we say look good, Wrexham say win.
My regrets are we should have won this and should have won that, but we didn’t!!
And that’s what counts!!!

Sounds like what you should actually regret is choosing to support a team with the stature of Grimsby Town and pinning yer’ happiness on them!

I think many people (the doom merchants) don't have a clue.

We got out of the conference. At the time, we were reliant on McAtee. When he wasn't playing, we were screwed. He was going to leave for free. We had to sell. We did, and we replaced him. Not like for like, but across the board, so we're no longer reliant on 1 or 2 players. Waterfall has been solid for us, but he's a year older. We've prepared for that. Taylor was good on his day but past his prime. We've had to deal with that. Football throws so many problems at you, and you have to deal with them. You cannot always get your own way. You've just got to hope that after the event, you're stronger.

Are we stronger than last year, and the year before? Yes. Are we reliant on 1 striker? No. Do we have aging vets in our first team that we can rely on now, but not in the future? Not really. We've got a pretty solid platform. We have a solid 1st 11, and some good options off the bench when we need them. Do we have that at our disposal right now? Nope. Will we? Yes.

Can we expect to win away from home against the top teams? Probably not. Can you get promoted without winning away against the top teams? Yes. If we bring these teams home, and do them over, then we're neutral. We just have to make sure we get more points against the smaller teams in the league, at home, and away. Can we? Hopefully, but we've not faced many yet, so we'll have to see when we meet them.

We have Khan back. An international who was a starter last year. Imagine him and Eisa playing, and Gnahoua on bench or getting in the team when either fall out of form. Imagine Wilson coming back and offering something up top. Imagine when Vernam comes back in January against the backdrop of this. Is Pyke young? Yes, Has he had a proven career as a striker. Not yet. Did we buy him as the finished article? No. Hurst improves players as he works with them. He's played in league 1 and been trusted to do a job, albeit at wing back. Hopefully he'll come good, but he's not ready yet. I think we expected Wilson and Rose to shield him a bit until Hurst and Doig could work with him more, and we haven't had that luxury.

There is plenty of positives and we have improved in most departments.

We had a bad day, and came unstuck while depleted against a team with League 1 quality throughout. We only have to deal with that a few times per season, fortunately.

Quoted from AncientExiledMariner

I think many people don't have a clue.

We got out of the conference. At the time, we were reliant on McAtee. When he wasn't playing, we were screwed. He was going to leave for free. We had to sell. We did, and we replaced him. Not like for like, but across the board, so we're no longer reliant on 1 or 2 players. Waterfall has been solid for us, but he's a year older. We've prepared for that. Taylor was good on his day but past his prime. We've had to deal with that. Football throws so many problems at you, and you have to deal with them. You cannot always get your own way. You've just got to hope that after the event, you're stronger.

Are we stronger than last year, and the year before? Yes. Are we reliant on 1 striker? No. Do we have aging vets in our first team that we can rely on now, but not in the future? Not really. We've got a pretty solid platform. We have a solid 1st 11, and some good options off the bench when we need them. Do we have that at our disposal right now? Nope. Will we? Yes.

Can we expect to win away from home against the top teams? Probably not. Can you get promoted without winning away against the top teams? Yes. If we bring these teams home, and do them over, then we're neutral. We just have to make sure we get more points against the smaller teams in the league, at home, and away. Can we? Hopefully, but we've not faced many yet, so we'll have to see when we meet them.

We have Khan back. An international who was a starter last year. Imagine him and Eisa playing, and Gnahoua on bench or getting in the team when either fall out of form. Imagine Wilson coming back and offering something up top. Imagine when Vernam comes back in January against the backdrop of this. Is Pyke young? Yes, Has he had a proven career as a striker. Not yet. Did we buy him as the finished article? No. Hurst improves players as he works with them. He's played in league 1 and been trusted to do a job, albeit at wing back. Hopefully he'll come good, but he's not ready yet. I think we expected Wilson and Rose to shield him a bit until Hurst and Doig could work with him more, and we haven't had that luxury.

There is plenty of positives and we have improved in most departments.

We had a bad day, and came unstuck while depleted against a team with League 1 quality throughout. We only have to deal with that a few times per season, fortunately.

You think we signed Rose to be a back up? Codswallop

Quoted from sam gy

Sounds like what you should actually regret is choosing to support a team with the stature of Grimsby Town and pinning yer’ happiness on them!

Just disappointed that’s all. Disappointed with the result and the reaction to be honest. For all our possession we lost 3 0. It was the same at Walsall and Bradford. I thought we deserved the 3 points in both. But ended up with a point a piece. Yeh I admit my comments were melodramatic but that’s only because I care. A few have said the result was a forgone conclusion, but if that’s the case then why as supporters do we even turn up?

When we get promoted all you hear is consolidating and building. But when Wrexham get promotion everyone talks as if they have a right for back to back promotions. Notts are not doing too bad either. Every time Hurst gives an interview he spends a good proportion bulling up the opposition. Listen back it’s almost a habit. It’s as if he wants to prepare us and possibly himself for the worst possible outcome.

People comment that we didn’t stand a chance because their (Wrexham) spending power is so much more than ours. Again this is mentioned by Hurst. There will always be teams with inflated spending, does that mean we should just rollover and admit defeat before a ball is kicked?

For someone who began supporting the Mariners at the beginning of the Buckley era, the last 20 years have been hard to take (league positions). It’s as if a real apathy and defeatist mind set has set in and we  seem to be afraid to dream big, something that was not evident in the late 80’s and 90’s.

Quoted from Hagrid

You think we signed Rose to be a back up? Codswallop

Where did I say that? Do you even read what you respond to?

Rose was clearly a proven striker, in a promotion winning team. Wilson probably an option of the bench. Pyke was likely third choice. A project, that could come good with the right training and opportunities. Though with every unproven player, it can always go two ways and you can never guarantee which.

Quoted from AncientExiledMariner

Where did I say that? Do you even read what you respond to?

Rose was clearly a proven striker, in a promotion winning team. Wilson probably an option of the bench. Pyke was likely third choice. A project, that could come good with the right training and opportunities. Though with every unproven player, it can always go two ways and you can never guarantee which.

Apologies. I read it as Rose and Wilson to shield Pyke as in Pyke being first choice. Sorry

Quoted from heppy88

Just disappointed that’s all. Disappointed with the result and the reaction to be honest. For all our possession we lost 3 0. It was the same at Walsall and Bradford. I thought we deserved the 3 points in both. But ended up with a point a piece. Yeh I admit my comments were melodramatic but that’s only because I care. A few have said the result was a forgone conclusion, but if that’s the case then why as supporters do we even turn up?

When we get promoted all you hear is consolidating and building. But when Wrexham get promotion everyone talks as if they have a right for back to back promotions. Notts are not doing too bad either. Every time Hurst gives an interview he spends a good proportion bulling up the opposition. Listen back it’s almost a habit. It’s as if he wants to prepare us and possibly himself for the worst possible outcome.

People comment that we didn’t stand a chance because their (Wrexham) spending power is so much more than ours. Again this is mentioned by Hurst. There will always be teams with inflated spending, does that mean we should just rollover and admit defeat before a ball is kicked?

For someone who began supporting the Mariners at the beginning of the Buckley era, the last 20 years have been hard to take (league positions). It’s as if a real apathy and defeatist mind set has set in and we  seem to be afraid to dream big, something that was not evident in the late 80’s and 90’s.

I’ve been a fan a lot longer and, in many ways, this is as frustrating as it gets. The club is on a much firmer footing yet we still seem scared of way too many other clubs who just happen to stand in our way.

We constantly field a team that’s focused on stopping the opposition rather than imposing our own game. We constantly replace flair players with effort players which, I’m guessing, is down to our dour manager and his even more dour assistant.

We look like we’re happy to be mid table already. Very underwhelming.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I’ve been a fan a lot longer and, in many ways, this is as frustrating as it gets. The club is on a much firmer footing yet we still seem scared of way too many other clubs who just happen to stand in our way.

We constantly field a team that’s focused on stopping the opposition rather than imposing our own game. We constantly replace flair players with effort players which, I’m guessing, is down to our dour manager and his even more dour assistant.

We look like we’re happy to be mid table already. Very underwhelming.

Where’s the inspiration, the confidence, the belief? Managing expectations is right . But I honestly believe we do it to the extreme. It doesn’t have to be a delusional, false belief, in something unachievable. But a bit of self confidence and a belief in our ability to achieve good things wouldn’t go amiss.

Quoted from heppy88

When we get promoted all you hear is consolidating and building. But when Wrexham get promotion everyone talks as if they have a right for back to back promotions. Notts are not doing too bad either.

They’ve both spent and are spending an eye watering amount compared to us. Look at the calibre of players they can afford to have on their books.

I don’t like it one bit, but it is what it is. It’s an obvious advantage which is why people are talking them up so much. We’re not blessed with the spending power or the ability to attract the same type of players so naturally are more realistic…if we weren’t, we’d just be disappointed.

I too was around for the Buckley days, but the game has changed and unfortunately there’s a lot more money around these days. And it’s not for the best.

Not saying we can’t be successful, but it’s gonna take time.

We lost to a team that is easily spending top league 1 lower championship money . Yes we didn't lay a glove on them .But you get games like that .It's disappointing .But I'm not worried for the season . The squad we have will give us more good days than bad .Hopefully in the end we might scrape a play off place .We might not .But it's part and parcel of following our Team UTM