Season 2013/14

So, we're underway. Anyone have a good result on opening day? We had a typical Crewe 3-3 when we should have won in all honesty, but could have lost by the end. It felt like Crewe of old and the only reason I can think for the nerves was an unconfident Alan Martin behind an all academy defence. It suprised me that we lined up like that. 8 academy players in total started, but we needed either Steve Phillips in goal to control them or Ellis at CB with his experience outside of Crewe to gel the back 4. Ryan Colclough our young winger really took the piss out of their defence which was promising though. He looks a level above already.

2-2 didn't go as I play cricket in August but know Frank Fielding made a howler

We notched a decent 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers. Managed to get to this one, to see us pretty much play Rovers off the park, apart from a ten - 15 minute spell in the second half. Sam Parkin looked great up front, won virtually everything in the air.

And Sexton, we played 3 academy products from the start, and had another 4 on the bench. If we keep going like that, we could do alright this season. QPR up next in the league cup.

We got put out the league cup by Forfar lol

Steve Davis admitted he played Alan Martin (gk) and George Ray (young CB) based on pre season and training, but I get the sense he was not impressed, and has given everyone a warning that if you get picked on merit you have to back it up or you'll lose out the next game. Hopefully it will create positive pressure for places.

That's quite a decent cup draw for you grec, is it home or away? Sometimes the cup fixtures and congestion worry me, but this season our squad is big enough to rotate, and if we can beat Bury we can play ourselves into form and get good rotation with the cup games.

Fergie, how good is your squad this season, do you think you will find it easy to get promoted again?

Its alot better than last season, think its 8 new signings, mostly SPL players, but we cant register them till 1st September because the transfer embargo the bastards at the SFA gave us.

Will easily be promoted again.

Sexton Hardcastle wrote:

That's quite a decent cup draw for you grec, is it home or away? Sometimes the cup fixtures and congestion worry me, but this season our squad is big enough to rotate, and if we can beat Bury we can play ourselves into form and get good rotation with the cup games.

 We're home. Bit disappointed it's not on TV, to be honest. QPR is the plum draw of the round, but Sky have plumped for a local derby, and Wolves for some reason.

yeah, you'd think QPR at an away ground on a tuesday would be the one Sky would want. It's almost like a warm up for the FA cup.

or we could get knocked out of every cup in the first sound and focus on the league... Bored of Wembley tbh

Well we beat Gillingham 2-0

Jnr....?

 

We've actually conceded 5 from set pieces so far. Clearly not enough organisation at the back. Alan Martin has to be dropped for Phillips and we need Ellis at CB if this carries on. Especially as so many teams use long throws now. Another season of football vs set piece ball.

We got knocked out by QPR. Deflected goal after three minutes, QPR pretty much took it easy after that, and we couldn't quite make it through them.

Still, we've only won one league cup match in 25 years now, so this isn't anything new!

Rangers sure love their toilet paper

Finally an away win, first one of 2013. Hopefully we will be able to kick on from here and put a string of results together.

Out of context a 1-0 loss at MK is acceptable, but after the start we've had, it hurts a bit. I'm not sure our formation is settled yet and we're trying to fit our best players in the forward line, which is more difficult with Pogba injured, as he can play on the wing and through the middle, whereas Max and AJ prefer to play in the middle, as does Chuks really and Colclough is a good winger, but we lack balance. The goal was a bit weak too, as Mellor can keep up with their winger, but he got too close and showed him down the line and then it was too late, he'd gone.

Going to be a long and disappointing season for me and fellow arsenal fans.

Wenger needs to sign some players £100mil we was told he had to spend and he's spent none of it just free transfers so far pull your finger out.

Benteke was valued at 22m wasn't he? haha.

We finally won! Colclough is another level, as previously said. Aneke was off pace though

Comfortable 2-0 win for Exeter over Wimbledon, unbeaten after three (2 wins, one draw in the league), another academy product makes his debut (Matt Grimes, supposed to the Next Big Thing for us), puts us fourth at this early stage.

Biggest problem we may have is Swindon announcing their new manager early next week, and Paul Tisdale is the odds-on favourite, to the extent that some bookies have closed the book on him. not helped by Swindon losing today, which I think means their caretaker, Mark Cooper won't get it.

Great opening day win over Swansea, thought it would of been a closer game. Welbeck and Van Persie played well, glad Welbeck got on the score sheet and has doubled his tally from last year. Rooney played a hand in the 3rd and 4th goals so that was glad to see, even if he doesn't want to be here.

Jack, are you reading much into Rooney not celebrating?

Grecian wrote:

Jack, are you reading much into Rooney not celebrating?

Not really. I think beforehand he was tackled and from the pictures I've seen it looked like he had a small limp.

So after nearly a week to reflect I'm still not convinced we'll do a nothing this season apart from being in a dog fight at the bottom.

PDC started with 5 of the 10 new signings. I understand that they need time but when your opponents only have one shot on target and its the winning goal you have to ask questions. Was it lack of understanding between the defence? Was it a laps in concentration? It could be a mixture of both as the goal was an individual error by one of the new signings.

On the plus side I'm pleases he started with Kieron Weatwood in goal. I still believe he can rise the same as Mingolet did.

Southampton away this weekend. I can't see us getting anytihing. On a plus side Cardiff will keep us of the bottom of the league as they play man city...

Another decent home win from my lot today. three home games, three wins. Quite happy so far.

Another easy win for us.

4 - 1
0 - 3
0 - 6
5 - 0

With a goal difference of 17 already, i think this league might be won...

I thought Nile Ranger was in prison, so was shocked when he popped up with a goal today haha. We got completely raped, which is apt with our up coming court dates. No matter how much we plan, it has to be on their minds. Finally got a reason to swap keepers too, need a presence in goal.