Another tough away tomorrow which could be VERY pivitol in our maybe forthcoming celebrations.
With the likely hood of Holmes,Ritchie and Ferry all quoted as starters the side should look a bit more familiar than the side of Tuesday evening which given its due plaudits did have a far easier task.
Morecambe have Craig Curran on loan from Carlisle and their own Stewart Drummond also likely to start in the team which is rumoured to be very much the same as beat Oxford at the Kassam last weekend. So no easy push overs, and lets not forget these guys dominated the league for a long time prior to Christmas.
If memory serves they are quite a larger robust squad of guys who are capable on the day of passing the ball about quite well, so from the very beginning we need to be on our toes and aware of the early goal threat.
It seems that Connell is working out of his skin to get a start alongside Benson who it is said is over his neck injury. No doubt his legs will still be at maximum speed come the final whistle, let us not forget, Benson makes most other forwards look lazy with his non stop effort and commitment. Lets hope he draws good dividend for his efforts tomorrow.
Our recent loan of left back Jay McEveley seems to be blending in well after only a couple of appearances, while Club Captain Paul Caddis is rumoured NOT to be available until after Easter. The up till now the favoured Scot is still suffering with his ankle problems. One thing for sure, he will get a MASSIVE reception from the faithful on his return, and the right sided triangle of Caddis Ritchie and Ferry which has been a big part of our success this season can be re established, a very big plus going into the last few games. Of course it cannot go without mention the massive input of Macca since the Caddis injury and the purple patch of form which Joe Devera has found at precisely the right moment in the season.
Another pressure game as they all are now, and for once right now, I'd settle for the point, but three would really put the pressure on our following pack. The weather man says its going to be cold, so I hope the pitch is a decent one to play on.
More to come at Morecambe ?
posted on 5/4/12
I did mean to add, that I can't make away games, but I do have simply massive respect for the travelling army this season, They portrayed this club in the best possible light on every occasion, and have often out chanted, sang and supported the home side, and becoming that ellusive3 twelfth man and that is something to be very proud of, a VERY BIG WELL DONE TO THEM ALL..
posted on 6/4/12
Fan, I can't make home games! Nor can I go to Morecambe! But my heart is with all that can. The support, I'm sure, has given us points.
Will try to get to Bradford tho', poverty & flat feet permitting!
posted on 6/4/12
RED,
I do remember from the old 606 days that you had a strong affiliation with Bradford. Did you used to work up there or something. I can also recall the old Bradford PA, who used to tussle it out with Workington, Barrow and often Hartlepool for re election before the Conference
posted on 6/4/12
I'd be very happy with a point today. And it would be nice to see Billy put one past the Creepies!
posted on 6/4/12
Billy played the full game but didn't score. I see Austin scored another today, but the important goal came from Benson who was fed a good ball from Holmes.
We got the three points which I see as brilliant, Creepies are now 10 points behind on the same "games played" as us. Ling keeps up the pressure but could only score the one goal against Stanley.
Hope O.U win tonight so as to close in on Creepies, not that it matters but would just love the Slug to be forced down into the play off's and then loose.
posted on 6/4/12
Swindon Fan,
I went to uni in Bradford. Totally differentt to life in Wiltshire.
But I rented a hovel at the other end of Park Avenue from the ground, still only a 5 min walk.
I used to go there to watch matches 'cos it was cheaper than heating the place. I saw them get put out of the league. Then I watched them in the Northern Premier league......"We hate Wigan Athletic etc..."
How fortunes change. I was an outsider, but made a great number of mates. A pint with pie & peas after the game is one of my greatest memories, & those guys would never let me pay for it! One of them played Sunday league with me. He was so much PA that he wouldn't go to watch them at Bradford City, 'cos he begrudged them the gate money.
Salt of the earth!
We have to be grateful that we still have a decent club to support.
I can't change, neither could those PA fans.
posted on 6/4/12
Red,
Are Park Ave still going ? I always remember your fond remarks that their supporters were as you have just described. I suppose being that close to the club it gets in your blood, and there is nothing wrong with that. Sadly the world has changed since those days you refer to, I think you know what I mean. Nowt so strange as folk, and not going to the City ground, but you have to admire the man and respect him for his principles, not many like that today. They were good days and the less people had the more they wanted to share, as they knew only too well what it was like to go without.
posted on 7/4/12
PA still exist, albeit in a minor league & at a different ground. The old PA ground is gone, but it was a classic of its day. In some ways, similar to the CG of the 60's. You could change ends at half time, buying a pie on the way round! Guys with tea urns on their backs - remember them? - would walk round the pitch.
But, as their fortunes waned, the ground saw no improvements. Although, as a bonus, the other side of the biggest stand was a Yorkshire county cricket ground, where I used to go some Sundays to watch the John Player League games. Some cynics thought that it was built facing the wrong way!
I lived in Bradford for 10 years, as a student then working. Both my girls were born there, but there is only one side they support. COYR!
posted on 7/4/12
Yes, Red, I do remember the guys with the urns on their backs, also the Football Pink, the First Aid collections when we threw coins into the upheld blanket, the smelly god awful toilets between the Bank and Shrivvy Road stand where the river of pee used to run across the concrete after half time, and the small match day programmes that were 6d in proper money. The old green painted Shrivvy Road stand with the outside stair cases, and swapping ends at half time, especially if it was raining when we were stood on the bank. The pie's were always a bit so-so and Ginsters was an abbreviation for an upset stomach the following day. I don't know if todays youngsters would have put up with it all, and listening to Sports Report going home in the car, with a heater that was nowhere as efficient as the air con and climate in todays vehicles, windows misted up etc . Going back to Abingdon along the A420 and watching steam trains going by on the embankment and seeing the fire box briefly in the engine, a school boys dream come true, especially after a Town win on a wet windy and totally inhospitable winters afternoon, complete with cold fingers and toes. There always seemed to be a plane on its way to Lyneham passing overhead at some point in the game, sometimes two. I might be nearly 60, and don't ask me about yesterday, but yes, I can remember the best days of my life.
posted on 7/4/12
Wouldn't swap Swindon for any other club. But the pies were much better in Bradford. And the beer! Devilish v Tetleys, no contest!