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Post by autistichatter on Apr 23, 2023 13:24:15 GMT
So what can we say about Orient other than the ran away with the title with, at the time of going to press, a record of P 43 W 25 D 12 L 6 F 58 A 29 (the stingiest defence in the league, County's own D being the second stingiest with just 36A).
Their H record is also impressive - P 22 W 15 D 6 L 1 F 32 A 10, which ranks as No1 in the league, no surprise there then. For the record the Ws are Grimsby 2-0, Mansfield 1-0, Hartlepool 4-2, Tranmere 2-0, Walsall 1-0, Gillingham 2-0, Salford City 1-0, Bratfut 3-0, Sutton 2-0, Wombledon 1-0, Rochdale 2-1, Crawley Town 1-0, Carlisle 1-0, Harrogate Town 2-2 and Crewe 2-0. The Ds are Northampton Town 0-0, Stevenage 0-0, Donny 1-0, Barrow 0-0, Swindon 1-1 and Colchester 2-2. The L was Newport County 1-2 on the 1st October, prior to which they had W all 5 of their H games. Newport took the lead in the 22nd and then added a Penalty by Bogle in the 26th, Drinan pulling one back for the Os in the 64th. There looks to be a real trend there in games being fairly cagey and low scoring.
They spread the goals around a bit - joint top scorers on 10 each are MF George Moncur and F Paul Smyth, then comes F Ruel Sotiriou on 8, F Charlie Kelman on 6, MF Theo Archibald on 5 and D Tom James on 4. A further 6 players have scored 12 goals between them.
At the back they feature 6' 2" Omar Beckles (39 starts) and 6' 6" Dan Happe (23 starts), albeit he was injured in Jan which lead the Os to sign 6' 1" Jamie McCart (5 starts) on loan from Rotherham and D Ed Turns (16 starts) on loan from Brighton. Between the sticks they have the 6' 4" Lawrence Vigouroux (43 starts). Ah yes, all those 6 footers, much more like the lower league teams of my vintage.
All in all the stats suggest another Os win but some would say they weren't that much better than County back in Nov when they won 1-2 - County taking the lead through Hippolyte but the Os replying via Pratley (20) and Beckles (67). As ever an early goal would make a big difference and maybe an incisive pass from Madden to set Tanto running would be the way to put the skids under their celebration. Hmmm, I reckon a D would be a good result here... fingers crossed.
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Apr 23, 2023 13:29:27 GMT
We created a Match Thread around the same time, AH! Turning yours into the definitive one, whilst adding an edited version of my original post with some travel info.  For any travelling Hatters taking the Underground, be aware that part of the Central Line will be closed next weekend - so you may wish to plan an alternative route into Leyton (where there is a London Overground station - Midland Road - five minutes away from Blackhorse Road, which has a Tube station on the Victoria Line). |
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Post by ceefer on Apr 23, 2023 14:39:46 GMT
We created a Match Thread around the same time, AH! Turning yours into the definitive one, whilst adding an edited version of my original post with some travel info. For any travelling Hatters taking the Underground, be aware that part of the Central Line will be closed next weekend - so you may wish to plan an alternative route into Leyton (where there is a London Overground station - Midland Road - five minutes away from Blackhorse Road, which has a Tube station on the Victoria Line). Thanks for the info Maccy.
I'll be doing Luton to Midland Road via the Black Horse (sounds like a pub or a Lloyds bank branch!) |
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Post by ceefer on Apr 23, 2023 14:43:09 GMT
At the back they feature 6' 2" Omar Beckles (39 starts) and 6' 6" Dan Happe (23 starts), albeit he was injured in Jan which lead the Os to sign 6' 1" Jamie McCart (5 starts) on loan from Rotherham and D Ed Turns (16 starts) on loan from Brighton. Between the sticks they have the 6' 4" Lawrence Vigouroux (43 starts). Ah yes, all those 6 footers, much more like the lower league teams of my vintage. I hope we don't play hoofball with Wootton out. Tanto won't stand a chance against those six footers. I'm hoping we take the sparkle out of their promotion party with an emphatic win. We will need to hit the barn door a bit more though.
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Post by autistichatter on Apr 23, 2023 18:29:44 GMT
At the back they feature 6' 2" Omar Beckles (39 starts) and 6' 6" Dan Happe (23 starts), albeit he was injured in Jan which lead the Os to sign 6' 1" Jamie McCart (5 starts) on loan from Rotherham and D Ed Turns (16 starts) on loan from Brighton. Between the sticks they have the 6' 4" Lawrence Vigouroux (43 starts). Ah yes, all those 6 footers, much more like the lower league teams of my vintage. I hope we don't play hoofball with Wootton out. Tanto won't stand a chance against those six footers. I'm hoping we take the sparkle out of their promotion party with an emphatic win. We will need to hit the barn door a bit more though.
This comes back to a point I made a while ago, we need another big man up front. Assuming that we can't get anyone in on loan (although I'm not familiar with the rules on loans) then I guess we could get Quigley back but he hasn't figured much for Rochdale lately so I guess he might be injured. Back in the days when I used to watch Leek Town they had a CB called Martin Filson who played up front for them, to great effect. I remember Leek playing Runcorn (if I remember right) and the contest between Filson and Sir Alan of Finley was, ummmm, full blooded, and full of swear words too. In DC's interview after the Rochdale game he said Woots could be out for 6 - 8 weeks or up to 4 months - yikes - which means missing the start of next season. still, at least MSH will be back by then. although it'll be interesting how things work out between MSH and Kyle Noyle who seems to have been a very good signing. Still, always good to have competition between players. Between you me and the gatepost I'd reckon Wootton and Noyle would be strong contenders, along with Collar for player of the season. |
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Post by hermannsays on Apr 23, 2023 18:46:30 GMT
Thanks for another top write-up, AH.
LO are another example of how work ethic, organisation and discipline (ie defensive record of a side) have mattered more across the season than having 20/30 a season strikers.
It's never easy to know what you'll get against a side which might not have the edge they would have had if points had been the be all and end all. There's often a 'play with freedom' concept as if Rochdale being down results in them turning into Brazil.
I'm more into the thought that sides drop from their standards because they 1) don't want injuries, 2) make changes that don't quite work after a midweek game or 3) they're actually better playing when it matters... given they're Champions, they've played well under stress, right?!
That said, being at home one last time this season may be a spur to keep the record and 'sign off i style' - who knows?
Here's hoping we take it all the way to the final day with a shot at autos. Good luck. DC and the boys!
* Just seen the Quigley mention, AH. As he was sent out on loan 'til the end of the season, I don't think he can be recalled at this stage.
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Apr 23, 2023 19:41:23 GMT
Speaking with my media counterparts from 'Dale yesterday, they were pretty well unanimous in believing that, a decent debut notwithstanding, Quigley had done nothing of note to impress in his time at Spotland. Could see him moving back down into the National League (but probably not with 'Dale, based on what their view of him was) for next term.
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Post by countyfan on Apr 24, 2023 10:51:28 GMT
Focusing on ourselves
And not the fact we're playing the
Champions with some attacking football from
The start see's County run out 0 - 2 winners.
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Post by gazz on Apr 25, 2023 9:28:02 GMT
I'd be tempted to play MSH further up the field where he can really do some damage, but that would mean a formation change and I don't think DC has any intention of doing that.
I think the opposition on any given week may very well determine who starts from those two. However, even though Knoyle has been a top quality signing, I'd go with the dynamism of MSH every time.
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Post by gazz on Apr 30, 2023 7:09:36 GMT
Well, it's happened, it's gone right down to the last day of the season and a win won't guarantee us promotion, but hopefully Tranmere will do us a massive favour!
Whatever the result, however, it's been a fantastic season back where we belong, especially after that horrendous start with at least a play-off place now secured.
Of course, Northampton could easily go over the water and smash the plastics all over Prenton Park and have promotion sealed in the first half hour, but it could also go down to the final minutes with everyone glued to their flash scores etc.
I personally believe we're going to do this. I don't know why, because I don't usually make predictions, but something tells me that we're going to grab that final promotion place - it's going to be tense.
Congrats to DC, his staff, his players, and thanks to the 12th Man that have travelled up and down the country following this great club of ours - it's been a great first season back no matter what happens from here.
I really want this to happen, mostly for all those that stuck by us during our darkest days, that still kept dragging themselves to EP to watch us getting turned over by teams that are now at least two divisions below us once more - they know who they are and they deserve it more than anyone else.
Come on, County!
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Post by ceefer on Apr 30, 2023 15:50:06 GMT
Fantastic day out with an electric atmosphere. We beat them on the pitch and our support was immense. There support was poor and I am not sure how they have won the league. Congratulations to the team and management - what a day! Onwards and upwards.Great to see Sam Minihan in the crowd.
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Post by gazz on Apr 30, 2023 17:20:35 GMT
I am not sure how they have won the league. I think it's simply a case of them starting really strongly and remaining consistent, mate - they got out of the blocks well and didn't really drop off. |
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