FGR - Barnet

[BeeArmy]

Really looking forward to the season.

Hopefully it doesn't rain seeing as we are being shifted to the uncovered terrace. Despite losing to Concord and the inevitable meltdown on our forum, I am confident we can start well.

Stephens
Taylor Clough Santos Johnson
Taylor Fonguck
Ryce Bover Akpro
Akinde

The team could be anything.
0-1 (Akinde)

Hopefully Marsh Brown is kept quiet.

 

[FrankTheTank]

Doubt KMB will start given we've been playing a 5-4-1 formation in preseason and he's been on the bench.
We'll probably start something like this with 6'5" Manny Monthe there to stop any aerial balls to Akinde and to provide him with the obligatory penalty (or two).

B.Collins
Bennett, Iacovitti/Evans, L.Collins, Monthe, Laird
Traore, Cooper
Noble, Brown
Doidge

Though we started last season playing three at the back and it lasted all of one game, at least we have two players capable as playing as proper wing backs this season unlike the two wingers we used in a midfield five last term. But don't we surprised if we switch to match your 4-2-3-1 formation, which is what we played at the end of last season and which got us promoted.

3-2 (Doidge, Laird, KMB; Akinde pen x2)

 

[BeeArmy]

Doubt KMB will start given we've been playing a 5-4-1 formation in preseason and he's been on the bench.
We'll probably start something like this with 6'5" Manny Monthe there to stop any aerial balls to Akinde and to provide him with the obligatory penalty (or two).

B.Collins
Bennett, Iacovitti/Evans, L.Collins, Monthe, Laird
Traore, Cooper
Noble, Brown
Doidge

Though we started last season playing three at the back and it lasted all of one game, at least we have two players capable as playing as proper wing backs this season unlike the two wingers we used in a midfield five last term. But don't we surprised if we switch to match your 4-2-3-1 formation, which is what we played at the end of last season and which got us promoted.

3-2 (Doidge, Laird, KMB; Akinde pen x2)

I won't imagine there being many long balls to Akinde. Rossi has us playing on the floor and for a big man, he isn't good in the air at all.

 

[FrankTheTank]

I won't imagine there being many long balls to Akinde. Rossi has us playing on the floor and for a big man, he isn't good in the air at all.

Well then perhaps to try to match him physically.
Sounds like it should be an entertaining game if both sides play proper football on the ground!

 

[rudebwoyben]

We have a decent record at both of the Lawns. Long may it continue!
I decided that the combination of a trip to the lovely Cotswolds, a chance to sample the unique Vegan food, a possible glimpse of Keanu Marsh-Brown, seeing how we shape up on Saturday and the experience of witnessing FGR's first ever Football League game were temptation enough for me to be there on Saturday.
I have no idea how we're going to line up on Saturday and I hope that Brindley will be fit enough so that for the first time in over a season we actually have a proper right-back in place.

 

[Chris FGR]

Think this should be a good game, 2 sides who play football on the deck with a lot of youngsters on both sides so can't see there not being goals and entertainment.

Reckon we'll go 5-3-2 with wing backs, like Frank said we've now got the players who can play that system which I think has been Cooper's preferred one all along. Does mean KMB will have a fight on his hands to start, was our second top scorer last season and really showed up in the play offs, but hasn't stood out pre season and has had an up and down relationship with Coops so can see one of James or Mullings getting the nod instead.

Seen us play Barnet loads of times in the Conference, not too many wins, especially at home. At The (Old) Lawn I remember a cracking 4-4 draw where we came back from 2 goals down twice, plus also a 3-0 defeat under Lewer where we gave Barnet a load of congratulations with them being virtually confirmed as Champions, which seemed to help them not go to hard on us. Poor Mark Beesley got carried off having done his cruciate that day, and only really refound his top form 2 years later, when he played brilliantly with Stuart Fleetwood up front. Seem to remember a supporters match or two at some point as well, some good lads the Barnet lot.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Think this should be a good game, 2 sides who play football on the deck with a lot of youngsters on both sides so can't see there not being goals and entertainment.

Reckon we'll go 5-3-2 with wing backs, like Frank said we've now got the players who can play that system which I think has been Cooper's preferred one all along. Does mean KMB will have a fight on his hands to start, was our second top scorer last season and really showed up in the play offs, but hasn't stood out pre season and has had an up and down relationship with Coops so can see one of James or Mullings getting the nod instead.

Seen us play Barnet loads of times in the Conference, not too many wins, especially at home. At The (Old) Lawn I remember a cracking 4-4 draw where we came back from 2 goals down twice, plus also a 3-0 defeat under Lewer where we gave Barnet a load of congratulations with them being virtually confirmed as Champions, which seemed to help them not go to hard on us. Poor Mark Beesley got carried off having done his cruciate that day, and only really refound his top form 2 years later, when he played brilliantly with Stuart Fleetwood up front. Seem to remember a supporters match or two at some point as well, some good lads the Barnet lot.

I think that match finished 2-0 rather than 3-0. My only visit to FGR and a glorious Spring day at the Old Lawn as well.

 

[Chris FGR]

I think that match finished 2-0 rather than 3-0. My only visit to FGR and a glorious Spring day at the Old Lawn as well.

Ah ok you're probably right, lost so many times that season they all became a blur so easy mistake to make tbf. We've actually got a better record at your place, was at Underhill when we got a massive 1-0 win with Coops scoring an early pen back in 01-02, plus obviously that 3-1 win at the Hive when you were fighting off the Gas for the title a couple of years back. Had a good night on the piss in central London after that one, good times.

 

[Stripes]

I'd like to start the season in a positive manner, so I'll go for a draw 2-2.
A little too much distraction at our club this week. A draw would be more than acceptable on our league debut.

 

[Chris FGR]

I'd like to start the season in a positive manner, so I'll go for a draw 2-2.
A little too much distraction at our club this week. A draw would be more than acceptable on our league debut.

Yeah definitely a lot of distractions this week, 23 media organisations from around the world at our media day Monday, plus EA doing the face captures for FIFA 18, even had The Moose from Talksport in our squad photo!

All this attention is great for the club but not the players have got to keep focused, every games a tough one now.

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

Hopefully it doesn't rain seeing as we are being shifted to the uncovered terrace.

Will that be the case for all visiting supporters this season, FGR fans?

Obviously we're heading there next month and I was always under the impression your away end was the covered terrace behind the goal.

 

[Chris FGR]

Will that be the case for all visiting supporters this season, FGR fans?

Obviously we're heading there next month and I was always under the impression your away end was the covered terrace behind the goal.

Yes and no. The away end was the covered North Stand last season, but we've now decided to switch away fans to the West terrace which is currently uncovered. Work is planned to put some covered seating on that side though, not sure how soon it will happen but it will hopefully be in during the first half of the season. Not sure it will be in time for your visit though.

 

[FrankTheTank]

The more I look at our starting XI the more I am concerned about lack of League experience.

Only L.Collins, Laird, Traore, Noble, Doidge with any decent experience.

The rest are either u21s (B.Collins, Iacovetti, Evans, Cooper, Brown) or non-league (Bennett, Monthe).

 

[Stripes]

I notice block A in our main seating east stand is not bookable!
That block has been available to away supports up until now.
So maybe we are hedging on that block still? Although I thought EFL rules did not permit non segregation. It'll be interesting to see what the club do with A block. It could be these seats will be reserved for match day tickets only though.
I feel for away fans not having a seated option. But as Chris says the club have a short term plan to insert temporary covered seating, so until then it's bad luck for those visiting FGR in the first half of the season.

 

[rudebwoyben]

What sort of crowd are you expecting for tomorrow? Do you think you will have a large increase in crowds, not least due to the novelty of the experience? Is Football League fever sweeping through Nailsworth, Stroud, Dursley and the lower Cotswolds?

 

[Stripes]

The more I look at our starting XI the more I am concerned about lack of League experience.

Only L.Collins, Laird, Traore, Noble, Doidge with any decent experience.

The rest are either u21s (B.Collins, Iacovetti, Evans, Cooper, Brown) or non-league (Bennett, Monthe).

I share your concern. I'm hoping Coops is waiting to see how we fare early on, before adding a bit more experience just before the window closes. If not then there are three other possibilities I can think of. One being were skint! The second the fare play rules has reigned our spending in. Or we are trying to become more sustainable by using the academy players plus signing a higher proportion of prospects, which so far is working well.

I think a few late additions will be added, planned or otherwise.

If none of the above are forth coming, then it could well be survival is where were at.

 

[northstandexile]

I thought there were something in the EFL rules that away supporters must be offered some seating. I have been to FGR about five times and always sat behind the goal.

 

[Stripes]

What sort of crowd are you expecting for tomorrow? Do you think you will have a large increase in crowds, not least due to the novelty of the experience? Is Football League fever sweeping through Nailsworth, Stroud, Dursley and the lower Cotswolds?

Just by checking online how the seating sales are going against Barnet, and were nearly sold out. So a good increase expected early on. Season ticket sales look a little disappointing tbh.
I think a modest increase unless match day ticket sales is where a big increase is coming from, hopefully!

 

[Greenacres]

Our average last season was around 1750, I would expect this to rise this season to somewhere over 2000, how far probably depends on how the season goes. As for Saturday, there will definitely be a novelty value for new team in the league and all that, we might get something like 2500, maybe a few more.

 

[Bee sting]

Our average last season was around 1750, I would expect this to rise this season to somewhere over 2000, how far probably depends on how the season goes. As for Saturday, there will definitely be a novelty value for new team in the league and all that, we might get something like 2500, maybe a few more.

I thought there were something in the EFL rules that away supporters must be offered some seating. I have been to FGR about five times and always sat behind the goal.

I phoned FGR and was told no seats available to away fans. I emailed EFL and they said a club doesn't have to supply any seats to away fans and FGR have until May 2018 to have a minimum 200 covered places for away fans.

 

[FGRJC]

Buzzing for Saturday!! Don't even know what will happen though!

 

[Urban]

Do away fans have to buy in advance or can we pay on arrival?

 

[George Reilly's Hairpiece]

Hopefully big John has shaken off his knock as apparently, according to one poster on our board, we are only a Conference South team without him.

Really need to get off to a decent start as I get the feeling there are some waiting to stick the boot in if we don't.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Do away fans have to buy in advance or can we pay on arrival?

Pay on the day was usual for league games last season and would expect that'll be the case Sat, not seen anything to indicate different. Ticket office will be the first thing you see as you approach the ground.

 

[Luke Imp]

I thought there were something in the EFL rules that away supporters must be offered some seating. I have been to FGR about five times and always sat behind the goal.

Don't think so.

We've been to Accrington, for example, many times and never had any seats. They then put some seats opposite the dug-out side, but I've never seen those used and were never available to away fans when we were there.

 

[Greenacres]

We used to have seats in the South Stand when it was the away end, for maybe the first five or six years at the ground, which is probably when the Mansfield Town fan visited (before they were promoted). We then swapped to home and away ends behind the goal, ripping out the seats in the process, because we had a manager who wanted the players to walk out from the changing rooms in front of home fans rather than away. This was despite the obvious fact that even a handful of fans in the North Stand could create a decent noise because of its acoustics, whereas several hundred in the South rarely did. I thought it was a bit of a bizarre decision at the time...but at times nothing in football surprises me.

 

[cufc17]

Don't think so.

We've been to Accrington, for example, many times and never had any seats. They then put some seats opposite the dug-out side, but I've never seen those used and were never available to away fans when we were there.

We had fans in the tiny seated stand last season when I went, I guess they're available to all teams

 

[shoddycollins]

Yeah definitely a lot of distractions this week, 23 media organisations from around the world at our media day Monday, plus EA doing the face captures for FIFA 18, even had The Moose from Talksport in our squad photo!

All this attention is great for the club but not the players have got to keep focused, every games a tough one now.

Nice of them to also include all the fans in the picture too.

 

[Chris FGR]

Nice of them to also include all the fans in the picture too.

But there aren't any fans ther........oh.

 

[BeesKnees]

Bugger.
Half the first team is missing, including Akinde.