After a dramatic winning week in the league cup and the league we have another Tuesday night game, our fourth in 10 days. Shrewsbury have won two and drawn one game so far whilst Accrington have not had the same fortune losing to Cheltenham, Leeds and Southend. Accrington have made a few signings this summer, but I can't really comment on many of their players. They have Naismith in midfield who has scored a goal so far. Ellis is out injured for another five weeks, Lawrence should be fit and fighting for a place. Town will hopefully be up for a decent win, but it'll not be easy and Accrington will be after a decent result by the end of the game. I'm guessing we might see some changes to the squad that starts on Tuesday, possibly the strike force might include Mangan and Akpa-Akpro. Will the midfield stay as they are or will either woods or Wesolowski be changed. Stick your views below. I'm going for a 3-1 win to town with Akpa-Akpro, Goldson and Clark scoring.
I would like to see Robinson get a game- I have always rated him. I also think Grandison is a better right back than Gayle at present but MM may well have an eye to the future in giving Gayle more experience. Perhaps we could play a front three - I would go for Collins, Akpro and Mangan with Clark in midfield alongside Woods and Robinson as I think our specialist wingers are the weak link at the moment .I hope complacency does not set in but see no reason why we should not win 2-0 with Collins recovering from his misses on Saturday to score both.
Despite MM saying he might rotate, I expect the same starters as Saturday, Shrewsbury 0 Stanley 1 (Gray) Attendance 4345
We started brightly but were greatly helped by a Stanley defence that did a passable imitation of the Keystone Cops in the first half. It was a shame the ref sent off their keeper as he was having an absolute nightmare and his replacement was much better. It was basically an attack v defence training session in the second half. Mangan looks a real find but I suspect Collins was looking on from the bench with his mouth watering as I think he would have scored a hat trick if he had been playing. After three games we now know we are a force in this league though I feel we have not yet developed the ruthlessness that promoted teams have. However that may well come in time and I am greatly looking forward to the Northampton and Leicester games (my two 'local derbies').
Wow, after Saturday's game I expected a tough match last night. A few changes were made, the front two were switched with the subs from Saturday, and Lawrence started instead of Woods. The front two deserved a start for the way they played on Saturday and having the luxury of two defensive midfielders in Woods and Wesolowski means that Lawrence got back in the team to provide forward movement. The first few minutes of the game and it was fairly up and down for both teams wanting to attack, then Mangan chase a ball back to the goalkeeper and as he kicked it out Mangangot in the way and deflected it into their net. The crowd and team went wild and we had control of the game with the keeper heckled at every opportunity. Foolish me went to get a coffee before the rush at half time and walked out to roars and the ball rolling until the net. Only to find out that the keeper had upended Mangan chasing a ball again giving town their first penalty since October? Last season and also giving Accrington a headache as their keeper was red carded. Akpa-Akpro surprisingly was selected to take penalty and placed the ball, stepped back and to the left a few steps and then fooled the sub goalie into going the wrong way and cooly slotted into the bottom right corner. Three minutes later, just into extra time, Goldson has a shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal to get his league goals under way. After half time we continue to play well and enjoy plenty of possession, Robinson comes on for Clark and minutes later Mangans got another goal with an assist by Akpa-Akpro, this time heading the ball into the net. Caton comes on for Vincent and Woods on for Wesolowski. Caton gets frustrated when he brings ball forward and passes gets into shooting position and doesn't get pass back. Woods continues good work sorting midfield. Overall an enjoyable game, we could and should have won more goals. It is great to see us having a choice of first team players and still having first team players on the bench. Back four were great, Gayle pretty good but fluffed a few passes out. Demetriou wanted to come forward lots. Nkp and Goldson happy in the centre. Midfield look solid, missed that for about three seasons. Wesolowski is a Blue Heeler, if you know what they are and do! Being as Mangan only had six games last season he looks very fast and fit, will he get better with more match time as he chased everything last night. Akpa-Akpro looked solid and held up the ball well and caused loads of hassle.
another good win for town, but in context against 10 man bottom of the league, 4 goals was par for the course. to read that all 4 strikers are on song is heartening. Our next 3 league games should provide success against h/pool and luton, both in poor form. the cobblers I think knocked wolves out of the league cup, so respect for them. the main thing last night was to see our GD improved, hopefully further in the next 3 games. hopefully we can look forward to a couple more cup runs. I fear Preston more than the foxes. do hope gates improve following town's great start to the season. perhaps when the silly season and holidays are over, gates will improve.
http://www1.skysports.com/watch/vid...gue-two/9431711/league-2-round-up-19th-august Footage for Town starts at 35s.
