Fixture congestion

[Shrimper]

Lot of teams play a few games around this time of year, we've got more due to the FA Cup and JPT:

11/12/12 - Bury (H)
15/12/12 - Bradford (H)
21/12/12 - Chesterfield (H)
26/12/12 - Dagenham and Redbridge (A)
29/12/12 - Burton Albion (A)
1/1/13 - Gillingham (H)
5/1/13 - Cheltenham (H)/FA Cup Third round v Brentford (H)
7/8/1/13 - Oxford United (A)

Cheltenham would have to be re-arranged. 8 games in 27 days.

 

[tia]

And if we get all this very cold weather being predicted and games get called off we could have even more fixture congestion.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Always busy this time of year, but its nice problem to have still being in 2 Cup competitions.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

I'd love to play a game of football every 3 day or so. Would keep me fit. Can't see the problem myself, except if any players get knocks. They are professional players who probably train as hard as they play.

 

[silentshrimper]

A lot of difficult fixtures! Get through these and we will be sitting very well placed!

 

[TrueBlue]

And if we get all this very cold weather being predicted and games get called off we could have even more fixture congestion.

Yes but that could be a good thing if back end of the season is not so packed it would spread some of these games (talking league ones obviously cup ones have a time frame)

 

[TrueBlue]

I'd love to play a game of football every 3 day or so. Would keep me fit. Can't see the problem myself, except if any players get knocks. They are professional players who probably train as hard as they play.

Yeah this is it too this is where good physio (which we have) and a fit team all come into play

 

[Silencer]

If we can avoid too many injuries and suspensions then I feel that we have more than enough strength in depth to get through these fixtures and with success.

We have experience and quality in depth across all positions now, if you look at yesterday's matchday squad, we still have Timlin, Martin, Phillips, Spicer to return. I'm sure that I also read that Harris is on the mend!!

As many of us have already mentioned, my main worry lies with the loaned trio, it's vital that we keep them or replace them with similar a standard of player.

 

[The General]

This is why Sturrock bought in Donnelly as guess he saw this coming ... and also why no-one will be going out on loan.

 

[Shrimper]

11/12/12 - Bury (H)
15/12/12 - Bradford (H)
21/12/12 - Chesterfield (H)
26/12/12 - Dagenham and Redbridge (A)
29/12/12 - Burton Albion (A)
1/1/13 - Gillingham (H)
5/1/13 - Cheltenham (H)/FA Cup Third round v Brentford (H)
7/8/1/13 - Oxford United (A)

Looking at the league games (Bolded), I'd be hoping for around 12 points out of 16.

 

[Earls Hall Blue]

We may not have a game 5 Jan if we lose on Tuesday

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

I think that's why he's been rotating them a little bit lately (some forced by cup tied and suspensions). He's getting the whole squad match fit. Freddy had a run out last week. Benyon came on. Corr has had a run out. Prosser played yesterday. Martin & Straker have both been playing. Donnelly came on yesterday. Plus there's Woodyard, Spicer, Phillips and Harris.
Wise management in my opinion.

 

[Bolton Shrimper]

This is why Sturrock bought in Donnelly as guess he saw this coming ... and also why no-one will be going out on loan.

Absolutely......nice problem to have.

 

[Mick]

11/12/12 - Bury (H)
15/12/12 - Bradford (H)
21/12/12 - Chesterfield (H)
26/12/12 - Dagenham and Redbridge (A)
29/12/12 - Burton Albion (A)
1/1/13 - Gillingham (H)
5/1/13 - Cheltenham (H)/FA Cup Third round v Brentford (H)
7/8/1/13 - Oxford United (A)

Looking at the league games (Bolded), I'd be hoping for around 12 points out of 16.

How many would you like out of 18 ?

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Usually at this time of the season we are going through a 'bad patch', so this is somewhat of a bonus?. Law of averages and all that, suggests we will lose a game soon, so as our aim is promotion i would rather lose to Bury than a league game. Bearing in mind Cheltenham could still be in the 3rd round of the FA cup, if this was the scenario, then we would have a free weekend before the semi final at Oxford to refresh.
No doubt some will disagree, but we are nearer to a financial windfall should we beat Oxford, rather than beat Bury & hopefully Brentford, and have longer odds on getting a decent draw in the 4th rd of the cup should that be the scenario.

 

[Jam_Man]

5 home games in 3 weeks. Thats got to be good for the bank balance..

 

[sufc_dave]

Avoiding any injuries over the next few games I reckon we will have enough in the squad to deal with the large amount of games. We have good options up front with Corr and Eastwood as back-up (as well as Benyon if worst comes to worse).

Also bringing in the likes of Donnelly give some extra cover for the midfield, as well as Woodyard et al as back up there.

I never get the excuse of footballers being to tired though. They are proffessionals, and they only run around for 90 minutes. Fair enough, I wouldn't be able to do it, but if its your job to stay fit then surely having to play twice in a week isn't too tough. I understand if maybe it was a couple of days later, like some of our fixtures are going to be, but using the tired excuse? Come on, do me a favour. If Eddie Izzard can run all those marathons, then our players can play a few 90 minute games a week.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Avoiding any injuries over the next few games I reckon we will have enough in the squad to deal with the large amount of games. We have good options up front with Corr and Eastwood as back-up (as well as Benyon if worst comes to worse).

Also bringing in the likes of Donnelly give some extra cover for the midfield, as well as Woodyard et al as back up there.

I never get the excuse of footballers being to tired though. They are proffessionals, and they only run around for 90 minutes. Fair enough, I wouldn't be able to do it, but if its your job to stay fit then surely having to play twice in a week isn't too tough. I understand if maybe it was a couple of days later, like some of our fixtures are going to be, but using the tired excuse? Come on, do me a favour. If Eddie Izzard can run all those marathons, then our players can play a few 90 minute games a week.

I kind of touched on this yesterday. They are professionals doing a just they are paid supposed to be paid to do.

 

[Shrimper]

Lot of teams play a few games around this time of year, we've got more due to the FA Cup and JPT:

11/12/12 - Bury (H)
15/12/12 - Bradford (H)
21/12/12 - Chesterfield (H)
26/12/12 - Dagenham and Redbridge (A)
29/12/12 - Burton Albion (A)
1/1/13 - Gillingham (H)
5/1/13 - Cheltenham (H)/FA Cup Third round v Brentford (H)
7/8/1/13 - Oxford United (A)

Cheltenham would have to be re-arranged. 8 games in 27 days.

So far 4 from 6 points in the league and progress in the Fa Cup. :thumbsup:

 

[gpd]

Good job we got our game played and the 3 points last night. League 2 schedule decimated by wet weather today. Postponement of other teams games helps us with fixture cramming. Gives our players max time for rest/training/recovery from knocks etc in between games.