1 hour ago, PV1973 said:

Problem is if you look at recent league one history. Both Cheltenham and Cambridge were winless for a long time in the last 2 seasons, when they eventually found some form they both struggled to claw back the points and were in the end relegated. 

For the last 3 seasons, 3 of the teams in the bottom 4 after the first 10 games were relegated after the 46. Hopefully we’ll do enough in the next 3 games not to be in that four so at least that ‘stat’ can’t be thrown at us - there’s even a very unlikely combination of results that could see us out of the bottom four by as early as tomorrow teatime 🥴.

2-1 Vale .  Easy eh? 

Today's the day. Safe travels to the 475 or so making their way down to Exeter. The wife & I will take in the sights in the morning before heading to the ground. My first ever visit to Exeter! Law of averages states the wife will visit every charity shop.

I wonder if Gauci will be involved? He was on the other side of the world 4 days ago so I'd imagine the sports scientists who pick our team will probably say that he needs a rest.

I'm seeing a lot of criticism of Moore's rotation/sport science again, which I personally criticised last season but then heavily regretted as we looked fresh and lean with very few injuries in the run-in.

Our late season form was genuinely really good as others struggled. Crewe and Walsall, who refused to rotate early in the season, absolutely cratered. We lost 4 of our last 22.

We do need to remember that we went winless in 8 around Christmas and then figured it out. This current poor run is the exact same length, and we're playing significantly better than we did then. It's just because it's at the start that it's getting more weight put on it.

Last season was only 8 games ago but some are treating it as if it is a bygone era which must be ignored. Let's not forget the lessons; that the rotation sort of paid off, and that Moore had a similarly sticky spell (with much worse performances) and worked it out.

13 minutes ago, bobbymanc said:

I wonder if Gauci will be involved? He was on the other side of the world 4 days ago so I'd imagine the sports scientists who pick our team will probably say that he needs a rest.

I do a lot of flying. I rarely get jetlag going East to West. Always seems a lot worse West to East. I'd have thought he'd be OK after 4 days.

1 minute ago, JoeB2 said:

I'm seeing a lot of criticism of Moore's rotation/sport science again, which I personally criticised last season but then heavily regretted as we looked fresh and lean with very few injuries in the run-in.

Our late season form was genuinely really good as others struggled. Crewe and Walsall, who refused to rotate early in the season, absolutely cratered. We lost 4 of our last 22.

We do need to remember that we went winless in 8 around Christmas and then figured it out. This current poor run is the exact same length, and we're playing significantly better than we did then. It's just because it's at the start that it's getting more weight put on it.

Last season was only 8 games ago but some are treating it as if it is a bygone era which must be ignored. Let's not forget the lessons; that the rotation sort of paid off, and that Moore had a similarly sticky spell (with much worse performances) and worked it out.

Overall I agree. We've been outplayed in 2 halves, even in those games with a more fortune we could easily have got draws. Defensive record is mid table, scoring goals has been the issue. It's not been a great run of results but I don't think its been due to changes of personnel. The real issue is the longer the winless run continues the more tense management, fans and players become. The run will end one of 2 ways, a scrappy win by an odd goal; or giving someone a right thrashing.  Let's hope it's today!

5 minutes ago, JRC said:

I do a lot of flying. I rarely get jetlag going East to West. Always seems a lot worse West to East. I'd have thought he'd be OK after 4 days.

A good rule of thumb is that you generally need 1 day per 1 hour of time zones crossed.

You, or more specifically your Circadian rhythm, feel worse going east because the local day you experience is shortened compared to your Circadian day.

 

Nowhere near panic stations yet but lets say it now,this has become a very big game for us imo and also a very big game for DM,lose this and the pressure will really turn up,we know Carol sticks by managers but i am sure she will get twitchy if it's no wins in 8.

I hate predicting but i do think our season will turn today which will see us starting to pick up some points and get out of that bottom 4

So over to DM and the boys to do their stuff

12 hours ago, 1 said:

Get the team settled and the points will come. I prefer to have an 11 that we stick with, then others ready to take their place if their performance drops, rather than rotating 4-5 every game.

I tend to agree with this but it's not how DM has really done things in his career so far apart from the odd occasion and for the most part it seems to have worked for him

Whoever he picks today you would be hoping that they want to bust a gut and impress to try and claim a place for the Arsenal game,if DM is going with a front 2 today then imo he has got to start with Paton and Cole,it will be nice to see Hall play a part as well

36 minutes ago, bobbymanc said:

I wonder if Gauci will be involved? He was on the other side of the world 4 days ago so I'd imagine the sports scientists who pick our team will probably say that he needs a rest.

Personally I hope he will be

Last time we were in League 1 we had already picked up 16 points by this stage, W5 D1 L1. Just goes to show how long the season is. If we are still in this position end of October then that would be worrying.

2 minutes ago, Doha said:

A good rule of thumb is that you generally need 1 day per 1 hour of time zones crossed.

You, or more specifically your Circadian rhythm, feel worse going east because the local day you experience is shortened compared to your Circadian day.

 

I do 20 plus trips a year with 5 hours plus time differences. About 10 years ago I started going for a run or a walk every morning at 4:30 am and just going to sleep a lot earlier. I've never really had a problem since with jetlag, other than going home for holidays; when family life messes with my routine. Always helps drinking 5 double whiskies at the airport/ during takeoff so I sleep well on the plane. Gauci does it a lot so probably has a routine, hopefully without the alcohol. 

Todays the day i can feel it in my bones 

3:0 vale

COME ON THE BOYS

1 hour ago, NTVALE said:

Last time we were in League 1 we had already picked up 16 points by this stage, W5 D1 L1. Just goes to show how long the season is. If we are still in this position end of October then that would be worrying.

What happened after that though 😮