1 hour ago, ValiantHan said:

Tbf he will be short of match fitness given how he didn't play in a single pre-season game for Portsmouth nor has he made any matchday squads in the league for them.

Excellent.  Let's hope he's on for 90 minutes then! 

How many have we sold?

I would guess that Moore will go with the 3 up top again with Headley on the left(I actually think that is also the ideal role for Shorrock as well) but not sure if Brown gets on the right or not

1 hour ago, leedsvaliant said:

How many have we sold?

My m8 who goes most away games said they sold all the cheaper tickets and his bro who lives in swindon had to buy his and his daughters at dearer prices 

There were 500 cheaper ones so defo 502 

1 hour ago, leedsvaliant said:

How many have we sold?

13 hamburgers, 7 balti pies and a piece of string! (Sorry ill get my coat)😁

Sold around 900 for this so far.

Desperately need to get that league win under our belts. Reading play 4 3 3, so I think he may revert to 3 5 2 (not strongly enough to take a bet). I'm coming around to his rotation policy. Anyone whose done half or full marathons or triathlons will tell you how hard it is to get your legs moving properly for up to a week after. Moore is expecting the wingbacks, midfielders and forwards to do a lot of running. When John plays centrehalf he also covers a lot of grass. It was noticeable that Croasdale and Ojo were tiring about 20 minutes from the end of the Stevenage game. I'd expect one or two to drop out from the Birmingham game. I'd be surprised if Byers, Clark and probably Ojo don't start. Tough call at left wingback as Gordon and Headley bring different things. Centrehalf is tough to call. I don't think its clear if removing Humphreys at half time was precautionary, tactical or a full on injury. I'd expect Hall to come back in (another who does a surprising amount of running in a game if you watch him closely). My hunch is Heneghan won't play as he's looked particularly strong when he's been against a front 2 (second half Tuesday Birmingham went more of a 2) when he's been able to attack the ball coming into the box. Although if he doesn't play it would be harsh. Thought Moore's handling of Walters this season was odd but it seems he was injured preseason, so building up fitness was important. My best guess

Gauci

John Debrah Hall

Clark Croasdale Byers Ojo Gordon

Faal someone else I couldn't even guess

Bench Marosi Henegan Walters Garrity Headley 2 from Curtis Paton Waine and Brown

Gabriel looked a lot closer to full fitness on Tuesday night. I think from now on its a real dingdong battle between him, Clark and John. I'm not uncomfortable with any of them and all 3 can also play right centrehalf.  Now Garrity is building minutes Walters lasted a full 90 midfield is just as competitive.  I'd expect Gabriel, Walters and probably Garrity to get a full 90 in the Trophy games. If they come through that then I've no idea what Moore does; as September has no more midweek fixtures; other than Arsenal.  I may be tempted to have a small wager on that one as we'll be able to put out a strong and fresh side against what will be a largely second choice Arsenal side.

If next week does go ahead, we will be without Gauci who has been called up to the Australia squad.

IMO the silver lining to Tolaj going is that we look a better balanced team with the 3-4-3. Tolaj was great but wasted on the flank and not a target man. DM said before the season started we would be multi dimensional this year and the squad certainly reflects that. How do I join the happy clapper club? 

This'll be my first game of the season, travelling up on the train for this one, I've a feeling we will do really well in this one. We're on a high since the cup win & cup draw against Arsenal so I think that will be the difference. See you all there.

1 hour ago, JoeB2 said:

If next week does go ahead, we will be without Gauci who has been called up to the Australia squad.

Davies will be able to come back as goalkeeper/cover against Leeds U21 on Tuesday.

Whilst I have read and appreciate people who take stats like xG seriously. IMHO it's not stats that win or lose games. It's the human mind, and human instinct and human reactions that convert or bollcks up goal scoring opportunities. At present we seem to have players who are lacking in belief at that vital moment.  There's the world of difference between hoping to score and scoring. Going on a run of not scoring just increases the negativity and vice versa.

On 28/08/2025 at 08:37, JoeB2 said:

The wins will come. Absolutely inevitable with the way we're playing.

If we don't win this, keep your heads. Northampton, Exeter, Wimbledon, and Mansfield all within the next month. Faal will go from missing two sitters a game to scoring every other week.

If performances were poor I'd be fuming too, but they're as good as they've been in ages. Let's be one of those fanbases commended for their patience when results are poor but performances good. Doncaster did it with McCann and look at them now. Caldwell had a dodgy start at Exeter and has since posted three decent mid-table finishes.

Let people have their jokes and let's see where we are in May.

 

On 28/08/2025 at 09:44, manc_vale said:

Indeed, lets not be like the lardies and call for changes... Look at it through the long lens. 

Top post, the like emoji doesn't cover it. I need a special emoji but there is none so I'll write an appreciative message instead.

🙇

 

 

 

Xg is something daft dreampt up by fantasy football players and mangers. Expected this, that yr the other is just b8llocks as any person who is married or played football knows. .. I expected the wife to love , honour and obey....that <ovf censored> soon went out the window. When playing armature foot ball I expected all the players to play nicely,to the rules and in the spirit of the game. Yeh lots of 6ft plus pub defenders explained that expectation are only valid if you MAKE THEM HAPPEN.

Really looking forward to this game spesh after Tues. whole club and fans on a high so lets hope it continues.

It also makes it my 62nd ground ticked off out of the 92.