Match Discussion: York City (Home)

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:08:11:21:04:03 by Deadly Submarine.

a great test for us, i have no idea how we will do next season, i dont think anyone will really know till 6-10 games in, york ended last season 17 league games unbeaten and are one of this seasons favourites to go up, i have no idea whats gonna happen saturday, i think id take the draw

For me a draw on saturday is not what is required, a win is a must.

We need to establish again , "fortress Prenton".

So no compromise, no negativity, let's go for it

All you pessimists who hide under the guise of realism, for once BELIEVE.

We will beat York, honest.

i admire your optimism lets be honest, its based on nothing but blind faith, but fair play to you

Quote:

corpac
For me a draw on saturday is not what is required, a win is a must.
We need to establish again , "fortress Prenton".

So no compromise, no negativity, let's go for it

All you pessimists who hide under the guise of realism, for once BELIEVE.

We will beat York, honest.

Completely agree!

Tranmre are good enough to beat York and should be looking to beat York, but whether it happens or not is a different thing, but in order to try and establish some early season momentum, then a loss will provide no such catalyst and a draw will only be of merit when backed up by a couple of wins in the next 2-3 league games.

Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.

york are in good form tho results from january they would be top of league 2

The only question mark for them on the back of that form, is what impact incoming players would make and if any key performers went on to richer deals elsewhere, what loss of impact their departures would herald.

On paper the end of season form would suggest a potential top 6 finish, but like any season establishing form over the first 6-8 games, will indicate what they will be likely to achieve, but I wouldn't expect them to be damp squibs this season, like Wycombe were last season.

Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.

I will be just as interested to see the size of the attendance (even allowing for holidays) - which will reflect the level of optimism for both sides

I think it's a very good test for us. They were in and around the playoffs last season so it will be good to see how we compare to a team in that position.

However, it's an unknown. We've got a new manager, new way to play and pretty much a new team. From what ive seen so far and alright it's pre-season but I've been impressed.

Let's just see what the season brings.

Quote:

Matt34
Tranmre are good enough to beat York and should be looking to beat York, but whether it happens or not is a different thing, but in order to try and establish some early season momentum, then a loss will provide no such catalyst and a draw will only be of merit when backed up by a couple of wins in the next 2-3 league games.

i`m not having a go but you have absolutley nothing to base that on

It will be a win for the white men. Come on the rovers........

Every ball is a white ball............TRFC

york beat sheff utd in their last friendly and by all accounts were impressive
still, we're at home, and full of confidence
go get em

Based on blind optimism of course we will beat york and then Shrewsbury away the following week and come the end of the season we will be right up there in the mix for promotion, sat morning iam off to the bookies and £50 on tramere getting promoted for me. S.W.A

I always go to the games feeling optimistic we will win. Foolhardy approach last season, I know BUT lots of new players, an enthusiastic manager who doesn't say 'no doubt about dat' and hopefully who doesn't wash diy linen in public, so to speak. And maybe even makes tactical changes in matches. I can live in hope. So, optimistic me based on absolutely nothing other than our luck must change soon, am going for 2-1, with York scoring first .

Absolutely agree that we should not be satisfied with a draw against York. New division, new outlook, new players, new manager. Optimism coupled with wholehearted support can transmit positivity to the players. We have no loan signings I'm aware of so the players can play for US.There is no reason why we can not be challenging the rest of the teams in this division and promotion is a realistic aim. Sure we are not the richest but a good start breeds belief which can more than make up for so called lack of funds at this level. COME ON ROVERS. Can't wait till Saturday comes!!!

well you never know what could happen on the day, im keeping postive and saying 2 vs 1 rovers

COME ON TRANMERE

For me you have to be optimistic on Day 1 of any season. We have a new manager, new players and nothing to base optimism on, but if we can't be optimistic about this game, then god help us for the rest of the season.

On a practical note, I think its a great game for Day 1. A team that was in the Play Offs. team that will obviously fancy themselves as promotion contenders.

So Optimistic at 3pm. How will I feel at 5pm. God only knows.

I get the feeling after 3 or 4 different threads that Will H thinks it will be a draw LOL

Just for abit of fun and because I can't wait until tomorrow, just wondering what you think will be the starting line up v York or who you would like to see init?

Here's what I would like to see,

GK - OFW
RB - Holmes
CB - Holness
CB - Ihiekwe
LB - Woodards

RCM - Rowe/Laird (still undecided)
CM - Power
LCM - Koumas

LCF - Kirby
RCF - Richards
CF - Stockton

That's as a 433/451 however it could change to a 442 with Richards joining cole up top and Kirkby shifting to the left midfield!

Couldn't agree more!!!

Same only I think Laird should play for sure!

So should Rowe. I'd leave Kirby on the bench but RE won't.

Why? Have you watched the preseason games and therefore making that judgment based on that or is it based on your view of him last season?

Would agree with the OP, however Boland starts according to max powers twitter photo

Quote:

Hoots Mon
So should Rowe. I'd leave Kirby on the bench but RE won't.

Agreed Rowe seems to have come on quite a bit since last season judging by his pre-season performances and deserves a starting place IMO



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:08:08:14:32:09 by Reremnart.

That's assuming we line the starting 11 shirts up together. I can't see why he would be stating, but his shirt is next to powers and stocktons. Not in numerical order either.

i see holness is captain tho not koumas or power

What point are you making, Goosed?

not a winning start for me, york are decent, hope i`m wrong but i`m going for 2-2

Quote:

will_hunting
not a winning start for me, york are decent, hope i`m wrong but i`m going for 2-2

Agree. I'm going for a 1-1 draw.

I just hope its a tight game with very little in it. A heavy defeat in the first game at home would be bad all round.

2-1 Tranmere. Att 4850

4-1 rovers! Stockton 2, Richards and Baggie

We will win or draw or lose

Try the Prediction League.

Every other season for the past how many years we have known what we are up against in terms of who we are playing, this year I haven't got a clue what to expect. I've always viewed the bottom tier of football as a kick and rush division with 6ft 4 inch hairy ar$ed strikers and Norman Hunter type midfielders, not a great deal of skill but loads of muscle. Having seen the likes or Rotherham walk through league 1 last season I guess the basement league has become a lot more cultured. Important we keep our best players fit for the season if we are to succeed.
If our strikers click then we could be in for more good times, difficult to judge from pre season results, if Rob knows his best starting eleven and has done his homework then I think the start of season enthusiasm will see us win 2-1, don't think any other clubs rate our chances in this division, they seem to be ignoring that we were the best of the relegated teams, maybe they see the loss of Ryan, Jenno and Wallace as significant, personally I am more than comfortable seeing Cole, Max and Koumas in at the off. Also we have a manager who has ambition, knows the division and has been able to build his own side, something J Mc didn't have.
Can't wait for tomorrow, I've got a good feeling this year, there are no stand out teams in this division, there for the taking.

Those who have first day optimism are right.There is always an element of uncertainty about the season ahead and that is compounded in a new league.all of which justifies optimism.On the other hand ours is an untried squad with a fair number lacking experience and some not able to command a regular place at this level with their previous clubs.
Mid tale could represent a good start by Edwards. Hill could be a very useful signing and I hope that he plays tomorrow

Am goin 2-1 rovers, though I think it will be a tough game!


I think Cole (if he starts)will have a tough game tomorrow, in the second half of last season they went on 10-15 game unbeaten run or didn't concede for a good x amount of games, am not quite sure but remember seeing a Nigel worthington interview at the end of last season and he was saying how the signings of john mcombe & Keith Lowe had made there defence solid. Two defenders who know this league inside out!!

No just saying everyone wanted koumas as captain a few weeks back as he isnt any thorts or is no one bothered who it is. ??

Quote:

kiws
. I've always viewed the bottom tier of football as a kick and rush division with 6ft 4 inch hairy ar$ed strikers and Norman Hunter type midfielders,

Norman Hunter was a defender and a significant class(Premiership and England class) above league 2 (4th division in old money.)

Having said that whilst he was a class defender he could also be one dirty b@8tard.

[">www.youtube.com]

have a look of this clip of auld 'bite yer legs' in action from 1:03 on.

Kiws , understand your point you were making generally about Div2, and wouldn't disagree

[link to youtube didn't work , if you are interested try going in on the subject norman Hunter and Franny Lee

im going along with S.A White! A hard fought 1-1 draw.
think that will be a good resultto kick the season off!

the most important question is can anybody beat me in the prediction league?

1 1 Stockton crowd about 4800

Got to be optomistic...First game at home..crowd full of anticipation, and a few Birkenhead brewery beers..What could be better..let's get off to a flying start and set the tone for the rest of the season...I am confident we will win and my prediction is a 3-0 win ...!!! followed by a few more Birkenhead brews and a nice Madras to finish off what would be the perfect day...

Many a team have finished a season unbeaten & been@#$%&the following season,it is a new start,we have a good spirit through the club& I would start Rowe over Kirby any day.I am optimistic we will finish top 10 at least

3-0 York and optimism stunted I reckon.

only worry, is that Mooney will have a blinder, sure cole will beat him tho and we'll start with a win :-)

Thought we deserved the draw. The one thing I've taken from the game (other than how stupid a section of our fanbase are on matchday) is how poor the standard is in League Two... Terrible!

We had the clearer of the chances first half and started the second half well. Thought neither Holness not Laird looked very good but Koumas looks class but clearly unable to play 90 minutes hence him going off.

Stockton also looks good as did Power and Rowe when he came on so plenty to be positive about.

if koumas cant finish 90 minutes now he never will do, got to agree laird was awful, puzzles me why he never got subbed, or rowe didnt start ahead of him, richards was quite throughout the game, kirby not very good either, think we were lucky to get a draw, hard to pick my man of the match, ok the team has to gel together, but games come thick and fast and we need to improve on this if we want to beat forrest and so on. holness i thought did very well, and hope he is ok for tuesday.

Happy with the draw me, could of been worse. Early days so not going to be critical of anyone yet, just taking the positives

A dissapointing game number 9 is terrable!!what does he actualy do?? Kirby dissapointing and no attacking at all max powers what happend there??after watching the games against everton and bolton im a bit dissapointed Owf played well and kicks well improved a draw is a plus point but if we pkayed the same style as we did against everton or bolton we would have won

The pre-season bubble well and truly burst, thought the defence played OK other than being caught out for the goal from the corner, do we have enough muscle from our midfield to help them out, I don't think so, considering all we heard from RE is that he knows the league inside out where on earth did he find Laird and Richards, Kirby was awful as well, was he told to pass back every time he got the ball and don't try to beat a defender. Believe Stockton will work hard over the season and looked to be up for the physical challenge ahead from the brick walls that he will be up against each week, good performance from OFW other than still being scared to come out for a cross, superb attendance today but as always the team ruin it with a horror show.

well said smartrover, were is our scoreboard mr jeremy butler ?? is sooooooooooooooooo embarrassing !!!

Haha,goosed and his scoreboard.
Thought we were quite poor really,laird had a shocker of a game,he tries little passes and couldn't even manage them.defence looked decent enough and with working together they will only improve.
Stockton has the touch of an elephant,if he is up front on his own then he needs good control as its pretty certain someone will be on him quickly but all too often he lost it,so I can see why he hasn't played much over the last couple of seasons.
Would like to see Rowe,Koumas and Max as the midfield 3 if that's the formation we are going to play.

Well done James Rowe for salvaging a point against one of the favourites for promotion....I thought the back 4 did well but Laird was dreadful....weak in the tackle,off the pace and constantly gave the ball away.Rowe and Bell-Baggie were a breath of fresh air when they came on,getting behind their big defenders with some clever one-twos.All in all a decent start with a lot for RE to think about.

I do sometimes wonder if some people were actually watching the same match??? I thought Holmes and Woodards were very good today - holness a few moments of concern but defence looked ok. Maybe I'm the only one but I really do t think our defence quite trust fonners - there were a few times where there was a bit if indecision between them and the keeper. Power did ok not his usual self and I think u could tell that by his face when he came off - I think u gotta give Richards and Stockton some credit cos they chased everything and koumas was classy. Laird .... Well hopefully it's just a bad day at the office.

A decent result and room for improvement, but I'm sure the improvement will come.

Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.

Interesting first day. Some of the players looked as if they hadn't met before. Everyone will improve including the manager. Looked better when we went 2 up front in my opinion. But a point is a point. And I think I would take another point next Saturday as well.

Put it down to nerves as RE said post match, at least we didn't start with a loss.

People to quick to judge players, give them a chance! 1 bad game doesn't make them bad players, we'l see in another 5-6 games or so when the team gels.

Think we do lack abit of creativity, but on a positive we'v got Bruna to come into the team!!

Today certainly proved the point that Rowe must start. Apart from his goal,he put a wonderful through ball to Baggie who wasted a great chance by trying to pull it back to a non existent colleague rather than shooting.

I was quite happy to take the draw after the performance which left plenty of room for improvement. Thought that the defence by and large were pretty decent although OFW still doesn't call for the ball on crosses when he should. Though Holness played well till he was injured-anybody know what's up?

The midfield,apart from Rowe when he came on,were all pretty anonymous.Tried hard but a lot of things didn't work. Don't even start me on Kirby.

Cole didn't have much support or chance up front. We will have to play differently to get better things out of him.

First games of the season don't prove much but it's better to have drawn than lost obviously. Onwards and hopefully upwards.

They do say it is always good if you play poorly &don't lose.At least Fonners was getting the ball away quicker, great double save, how the hell did Kirby stay on for 90 mins, did nothing all game, for me we can only improve, Chester & Huddersfield lost 5-0 &4-0 at home today, so stop having a go & get behind the team

Agree re concerns over lack of physical presence in midfield.
Funny - I expressed concerns about Laird after the Everton game, and was roundly condemned - can't see what he has to offer at all - a vast improvement is required.
Koumas is playing too far forward, so he isn't seeing enough off the ball - clear tactical error. He can play, and will play 90 minutes, problem as we all know, is that he hates pre season training, and with the emphasis on ball work, as opposed to conditioning, we are not yet fit- regardless of Danny Holmes' comments.
Kirby's new nickname - wall pass - yet on the occasions he took on his man - he did produce something.
However, with both JK and ABB, they consistently fail to play wide and stay on the touchline - drifting inside, taking away space from the forwards.ABB tried to play in the hole, yet he only produces things when running into space or at the full back, as opposed to standing still with his back to goal with no space.
Deadly - please elaborate as to the stupidity of the fan base- all in all a poor performance, weaker and often slower and less committed than the opposition- don't think it deserved too many plaudits.
As regards comments re nerves - don't forget they had five debutants.
Remember performances like that could knock 1500 or more off the gate, I will be surprised if the Forest game attracts more than 3,ooo despite concessions and pricing. Many will think season ticket holders stupid after performances like that!
Positives - the defence - even Holness (may well have started with dodgy hamstring- but again questions conditioning).
Stockton kept on battling - he needs some help.
Referee, could have been worse - looked like a handball - and forgot that somebody should have worn an armband when holness went off and took it with him.
Nonetheless - very disappointing

What happened to the promise by RE of high tempo attacking football at home?
6000 expectant fans who had bought into it will have left underwhelmed by todays performance.
4-5-1 with Cole completely isolated was more Les Parry.
Not helped by playing Koumas and Richards out of position.
Laird was York's best player. His mistake lead to the corner that lead to their goal. He should have been taken off after that hospital pass to Holmes in the first half.
Put Koumas in his position with either Rowe or Power; and Richards up front with Cole in a 4-4-2, and we would have won the game.
Today shows that we have the players to do well in this division. We just need RE to pick them and play them in their proper position in a progressive formation.
RE needs to learn quickly otherwise I agree with Beb - gates will dwindle.

Best to listen to RE post match comments....

It's just one game which we got a draw in-let's just see what tomorrow brings.

Edwards' comments post game are spot on which is refreshing to say the least.

As I said above I felt we deserved a draw but agree that we were lucky to get one as Rob stated.

I was surprised the attendance was that high and hopefully some of those will see the positive points from today and keep coming back.

Onwards and upwards from today! Not too bad a start!

Quote:

Hoots Mon
It's just one game which we got a draw in-let's just see what tomorrow brings.

''Tomorrow'' is now today.

2nd highest attendance in the division. Been a while since that happened

Not a bad result. They're tipped to do well this year so can't complain on that front. We played badly and didn't lose, give the team a few games to gel and hopefully we can start producing decent performances.

Didn't go to the game, so can't comment on the performance, but it's points that get you promoted!

First game of the season it doesnt really show how the season will pan out. Couple of players had poor/awful game for me kirby and laird.
Hopefully league 2 isnt as poor as yesterday looked with a lot of hoof ball.

Poor performance with for me only Fon Holmes & Woodards playing well, Laird Holnes & Power were awful the passing was misplaced the link up play left a lot to be desired there was no cohesion and we didn't look like we had even trained together.

The plus side was we got a point that we didn't really deserve and there is plenty of room for imrpovement

Disagree about holness. One bad pass that I remember but he was vocal in organising defence. I didn't rate kirby. Worst part of game was the smartass behind me who insisted on giving a running commentary and coaching instructions to the players! Also reached coronary level when the substandard referee got another decision wrong again..

Quote:

IAmARightDivaWithoutMySnickers
Disagree about holness. One bad pass that I remember but he was vocal in organising defence. I didn't rate kirby. Worst part of game was the smartass behind me who insisted on giving a running commentary and coaching instructions to the players! Also reached coronary level when the substandard referee got another decision wrong again..

I thought Rob Edwards sat in the dugout .

Perhaps we all think that our team had it's poor moments because we are a new team and are trying to gel together and of course York is a unit that played together for a while trouble with that is, the team York put out had six new signings in it and they had their two main strikers out due to injury so they to were a new unit,both as good or bad as each other only good point out of that was they were missing their main strikers who may have punished us more had they played.

Good to see a good showing from the fans yesterday.interesting to see we had the 2nd highest attendance in the league.onto the game thought our back 4 done well personally would of given Danny Woodards mom won every tackle and looked very assured.richards worked hard and fits in well.personally have him on the right and try and bring a left winger in.havent seen anything of Baggie or Kirby that makes me think there good enough.kirby is too negative plays the ball backwards all the time.

Agree whole heartedly on kirby. Baggie flatters to deceive. Looks like he can take players on but final ball generally poor. Still, early days.

+1

With a day to think about it a bit more, it wasn't a bad result at all. York are one of the favourites but I thought we handled them well and at times we were on top of the game. What I would say though is that if they are one of the favourites, then the standard definitely isn't great. I'm sure they could play better but so could we.

Rob's comments were definitely encouraging, but I expect to see changes before the next game. Laird has to be benched, he was woeful yesterday, we cannot have a player like that in the team that clearly is not good enough. His mistake lead to the goal and that just isn't exceptable. I would also say the same of Kirby although not quite as severe. He doesn't have a footballing brain at all, he has fairly good skill but his end product isn't good at all.

I felt sorry for both koumas and Richards yesterday, both look isolated and frustrated but it was very much down to the tactics. Robs decision to take max off was definitely the wrong one. Laird should have been taken off after his poor showing although I understand the Koumas substitution because it was tactical. I am struggling to unrest and though why we can't play 442. Stockton played well but it would have been much better if Richards was alongside him. We need to give Koumas the ball more too. When we did, he completely unlocked their midfield and we looked very threatening. That needs to happen more.

On the postive side, I though the defence looked good. Apart from the mistake at the corner, they looked a good unit. Koumas played well as did Max and I thought Stockton did well up front on his own. We created enough chances to win the game which was encouraging, but we need to out them away. I'm surprised at Cole, but I don't think he was expecting it. We could and should have won the game as the chances we created were more threatening than the ones they created. Overall, it's a start and I just hope we can continue against Shrewsbury.

i thought it was appalling, some of the players couldnt pass the ball 2 yards, we were crying out for a bit of width and it never happened, koumas and power looked lost, 1 up front at home never works, stockton was isolated and when he did get the ball his first touch and decision making were shocking, mark laird was york`s best player he found a red shirt with every pass, it was that bad you didnt know weather to laugh or cry, the only plus points were holness the left back and the point, forest will kill us if we repeat that performance tomorrow night

Actually agree with all those points

Will
as regards width - assume that is why RE brought on ABB- unfortunately after the penetrative move when there was a cross rather than shot, ABB then decided to play in the middle.
Yes he knocked the ball down, but certainly did not look to play as a winger - explains why he is no longer a first choice starter

Agree with above comments regarding width! Definitely need at least 1 wide player to come in!

ABB - Never really rated him anyway, he's fast but no end product or real quality! For me I'd of let him go pre season, doesn't play enough or score enough goals/make enough assists for a attacker!

Kirby - not a wide player for me, not direct enough in running at defenders, he'd be better suited to the so called number 10 position!

Rowe - probably our best option to play out wide at the minute although again he is a central player,think he could potentially be 1 of our best players this season if given the chance!

Richards - works hard but you can tell he's a striker, put him up top with cole, think that's were we are going to get the best out of him!

Bruna - hopefully will be the creative spark we need, think he could cause mayhem for opposition defences with koumas in support but again not a wide player!

So to sum it up think we need a proper winger and if am being greedy another striker then I'd be happy that we could challenge for automatic promotion!

SWA

As expected performance and frankly we were lucky to get a point.The passing was woeful and far too often depended on a punt up field to an isolated Stockton.

The midfield was awful and I was left wondering how Laird ever got picked for Southend. The tatics were negative suggesting that RE thinks we will struggle. There was little sense of a fresh start and yet again we look like a side that will struggle to win regularly at home.

All that said. The game on saturday represents our past and over time I feel that Palios will give us a sense of direction. His comments today made some of the statements that were made at the end of last season look naive. We have a hard season ahead but the paradox is that we may also have a brighter future beyond this year