The 'Focusing on the league' thread

[Shotsfan1993]

Not sure what to make after yesterday, thought we were worth a point, but can have no complaints that we didn't get it on the balance of play. We started very well and for the first quarter of an hour were the better team but FGR scoring a bit against the run of play knocked the wind out of sails and FGR dominated the rest of the half. Annoyed at the goal, should have been defended but Will Evans chose to stand waving his arms about rather than track Diodge. Second half we were far stronger and were as good a team as FGR, and deservedly got an equalizer with probably the best move of the game. To then lose the game in 90+3 to more weak defending was galling.

So we've played both the top two in the last 10 days and come up agonizingly short in both games, losing both to late goals. Shows where we are, and if we needed further evidence, got Lincoln next. We will know what we need to do to make the playoffs after that.

As always, our visit to TNL was a good one, the beer in the Village Inn was excellent again, and as usual the welcome we received in the Green Man was as warm as the beer. Just one whinge, why, when another of our dickheads decided to let off a flare, did the steward have to walk the entire length of the stand with it filling to whole stand with smoke, rather than dump it in the fire bucket next to him?

Will miss going there next year, because in true ChrisFGR style, FGR are HEAD AND SHOULDERS above anything else I've seen in this league for a very long time, and if Cooper fails to get them up, he should not only be fired, but never allowed to work in football again.

Agree with this, from a neutral's perspective we probably deserved something but we only have ourselves to blame for losing. Average/poor defending for both goals and some of our finishing was abysmal (Allen and McClure the worst culprits). Anything from the last 2 games would have been a bonus but to come out with nothing when we could/should have had 2 is probably the fine margins that might mean we finish outside the playoffs rather than inside.

 

[EnglishRed]

I'm sure this forum, is becoming a lets bash forest green forum, if truth be told , we would all take a big backer for the club that wee follow and love, whoever wins the league at the end of the season, will do it because there the best in our league end of, and if it is f green, fair play, I've been there 5 times now and always had a good crack , good set of lads and a loyal fan base, such as we have , some of the ex league clubs need to get of their high horses

I'm afraid that's bollocks. It's nothing to do with 'BELTs' or whatever putting down a little non league stalwart. Forest Green only get abuse on here because a couple of their fans are incredibly smug. They are the new Fleetwood. Remember what some of their fans were like as they were buying their way up the league ladder? Really obscured any decent attributes of their club (their community work and local regeneration)

They have been the favourites for promotion for two seasons now, and one of the leagues biggest spenders for longer. I do think this is the season they'll do it, and joining the league for the first time in their history will be huge . I really hope their fans enjoy it but I don't see why some of them have to very quite so unpleasant about it

 

[Chris FGR]

FGR are HEAD AND SHOULDERS above anything else I've seen in this league for a very long time.

Couldn't agree more.

Tbf Cooper is the one that has got us playing this way, as soon as he was appointed we had one hand on the trophy. Now if he would be so kind as to not fuck off to MK Dons and we don't appoint Steve King then can't see what could go wrong.

 

[DontBringBertie]

This has always annoyed me.. what does BELTs actually mean?!

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Bitter Ex-League Team I believe

 

[Bendubz]

not sure about the excellent value there... I think we are better value at 16/1 or 20/1

Let's face it though, 2000/1 with Skybet when we're 2 unbeaten, including a home win(!), you need to get on them odds before we #DoASutton

 

[Chris FGR]

This has always annoyed me.. what does BELTs actually mean?!

As a Woking fan you should be embarrassed to not know that.
The Woking lads on the Confguide/conference forum would be disgusted with an inexperienced tinpotter like you.

 

[slaphead]

Forgot to mention above, though it was interesting Tubbs played yesterday, is Cooper giving him games with a view to getting shot? Looked very poor compared with all the other attacking options FGR had, and couldn't believe both Carter and Murphy got the hook before him.

 

[Sparrow]

when another of our dickheads decided to let off a flare

Should be a points deduction. When are the National League going to CLAMP DOWN on this? I remember Chester having a similar 'problem' not too long ago.

 

[SomeMightShay]

Will do. As always.

7 points clear. And we're only gonna get better.

Until the wheel come off in the New Year as per usual and you end up losing in the play-off final to Tranmere?

 

[The_Boss]

Fuck the league, we're going to Wembley. Or somewhere else in round 2.

 

[SomeMightShay]

Just one whinge, why, when another of our dickheads decided to let off a flare, did the steward have to walk the entire length of the stand with it filling to whole stand with smoke, rather than dump it in the fire bucket next to him?

I huess you are looking for a reason other than that the FGR stewards are utter buffoons. And trust me after years of watching them at The Shay i know a buffoon steward when i see one.

 

[Greenacres]

Some decent comments on the game yesterday, from both sets of fans, displaying the usual mix of viewpoints. I agree with the point about Aldershot starting the brighter, the Rovers goal did knock them off their stride a bit, but the view where I sit was generally that a second goal was needed because of late we seem intent on gifting our opponents a goal. It was a pity that Allen was substituted, for them at least, as he did look to pose a threat. However, having received a caution for a fairly poor challenge he was an accident waiting to happen, on one occasion he visibly avoided making a challenge, so an obvious decision for their manager. What we did see was a fairly open game played between two decent teams, with a good atmosphere aided by a vociferous travelling support. If I'm honest I don't think we played anywhere near as well as the first hour of the game last week against the Daggers and had the game ended a draw then we would probably have deserved that for wasting a number of fairly decent attempts on goal.

When I went to Wembley last season, surrounded by all those Grimsby fans, I really didn't think we had what we needed to get into the Football League, or make a good fist of staying there. This season that feeling has gone completely, there is a ruthlessness to our approach, which starts from the manager. It is precisely that approach that helped us bounce back from the disappointment of conceding an equaliser so late in the game, we just don't give up, who knows how important those two extra points will be at the end of the season.

 

[Mark kavanagh]

Should be a points deduction. When are the National League going to CLAMP DOWN on this? I remember Chester having a similar 'problem' not too long ago.

Forest green would be pointless everyone wears flares down there

Sorry fgr xxx

 

[chipmunx]

Fuck the league, we're going to Wembley. Or somewhere else in round 2.

Barrow? (if we get through....)

 

[The_Boss]

Barrow? (if we get through....)

Rather not if that's ok with you!

 

[chipmunx]

Rather not if that's ok with you!

thats ok - we'd prefer someone shit like Morecambe or Blackpool.....

 

[Chris FGR]

Forgot to mention above, though it was interesting Tubbs played yesterday, is Cooper giving him games with a view to getting shot? Looked very poor compared with all the other attacking options FGR had, and couldn't believe both Carter and Murphy got the hook before him.

Agree Tubbs was poor, looked off the pace and kept getting caught offside. Cooper's not been happy with our strikers recently, so probably thought it was worth sticking him in after a decent loan spell at Woking. He wont get many more games for us if he keeps playing like that though.

Thought Aldershot looked a good side, not many teams will do the double over them, very well organised, quick to close down and get challenges in and knock it about nicely. Gallagher stood out for me, got everywhere and took his goal well, and can't believe that kid Kanu is only16, big prospect.

 

[GEORGE]

We did not deserve that. First half we weren't great, but so much better second half and a draw would've been a fair result.
Home support was pathetic from an embarrassment of a club. Top of the league and can only get 1400, whats the point? Just so frustrating losing to a club built solely on money

Actually I think you'll find the gate was 1600 +. Mind you still not very good for top of the league. Serious question FGR fans Will your gates improve with league football ? and if you are near bottom of table what gates will you get ?
Other than that I think you'll go up in a canter.

 

[Chris FGR]

Serious question FGR fans Will your gates improve with league football ? and if you are near bottom of table what gates will you get ?

Yes.

First season 1500-1600, if we carry on struggling after that less.

 

[Luke Imp]

They'll jump more than that. You can stick another 200-300 on just for away fans.

 

[Murphy]

Good on Forest Green as far as I'm concerned. Modern day football, even at this level, is beginning to become orientated by money and clubs are having to evolve to stay afloat and able to compete, regardless of attendence. FGR have a long non-league history. Since, I've been supporting the Daggers, I've enjoyed our matches with them in the Conference and they've always been a very nice, welcoming club. If they go up, fair play to them.

Stop it, you're not meant to be nice to the opposition.

 

[wybantam23]

47 Points is the average needed over the last 10 seasons to avoid relegation. Seems like the conference differs year to year with 42-46 being enough and others being 50-52.

Ferriby need 36 points from 27 games to stand a chance (unless a team goes bust, which would more than likely be Ferriby anyway so thats irrelevant) of staying up. Ferriby are more than capable of drawing games if it werent for the switch off at about 89 minutes.

Never have I seen a side however so incapable of putting the ball in the back of the net. If Ferriby had even a half decent striker who had a bit of confidence I would actually think there is a chance of staying up. At this stage anything above 30 points would be considered a success.

 

[Greenacres]

Actually I think you'll find the gate was 1600 +. Mind you still not very good for top of the league. Serious question FGR fans Will your gates improve with league football ? and if you are near bottom of table what gates will you get ?

The reported gate yesterday was 1638, which is about average for the season so far, but a bit below what might have been expected for a game against a team pushing for the play-offs. Our average after ten games is slightly below what it was at the same stage last season, although by then we had had our home game against Cheltenham that drew over 3000, which pushed the average up a bit. I would expect the gates to improve a bit if we were promoted, partly to there being a bit more interest locally but also because there are some fairly well supported teams in Division Two, several of which are reasonably close to where we are.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

Disappointing that BT Sport have forgotten to produce a highlights show this week. I'm sure us and FGR could have filled a 30 minute show (with 30 seconds at the end to recognise that Wrexham and North Ferriby shared a bore draw of course)

 

[Ancient Shot]

FGR gate included 266 away fans remember

 

[slaphead]

Couldn't agree more.

Tbf Cooper is the one that has got us playing this way, as soon as he was appointed we had one hand on the trophy. Now if he would be so kind as to not fuck off to MK Dons and we don't appoint Steve King then can't see what could go wrong.

To be honest, I would be more worried about Noble getting a long term injury than Cooper going. Noble from what I can see is the difference between a good midfield and a league winning one, I would be surprised if you had anyone else with his range of passing and reading of the game. He was the difference on Saturday, pulled all the strings.

 

[FrankTheTank]

To be honest, I would be more worried about Noble getting a long term injury than Cooper going. Noble from what I can see is the difference between a good midfield and a league winning one, I would be surprised if you had anyone else with his range of passing and reading of the game. He was the difference on Saturday, pulled all the strings.

Totally agree. Best player in the league, he's already got 8 assists and 3 goals. His vision to spot a pass and then actually have the ability to deliver it are L1 level at least.

 

[Chris FGR]

Agree, top player and a top lad. Amazed he's playing at this level tbh.

Got double figures in both goals and assists for a poor Notts side in L2 last season, if it wasn't for his discipline he'd be playing a lot higher. Seems to have that under control this season so far though, so credit to him and Coops for that.

Nailed on for National League player of the year if he carries on like this.

 

[FrankTheTank]

Agree, top player and a top lad. Amazed he's playing at this level tbh.

Got double figures in both goals and assists for a poor Notts side in L2 last season, if it wasn't for his discipline he'd be playing a lot higher. Seems to have that under control this season so far though, so credit to him and Coops for that.

Nailed on for National League player of the year if he carries on like this.

Dunno about that. Hard to look past Ricky Miller if he keeps his goal scoring rate up. 18 from 18 in all comps and 15 from 16 in the league. Could finish with 40 odd goals. That's if he doesn't get nicked in January of course.