League 2 Season 2012/13

[Big Boy]

I don't need reminding . Actually, the manager has promised us 3 points today. As for the rest, it's a lottery at this time of the season, with some very strange results happening. I wouldn't like to call it, but am just hopeful the Green Army survive ................ again.

One daunting sign of things to come is that season tickets have gone on sale for next season, heavily discounted if you buy before the end of this season. It'll be interesting to see if they get any takers.

[Big Boy]

To further confuse the situation, there's stories like this being released http://www.pafc.co.uk/news/article/21st ... 16292.aspx . And Ken Bates wants to take over .

[caller]

And Ken Bates wants to take over .

Interesting. You could do worse.

He bought Chelsea for a quid and looked what happened. We were absolutely brassic and he basically saved the club, held off the vultures from the property market (with the help of Richard Attenbrough who wouldn't sell his shares) who wanted to buy the bridge and turn it into real estate, the club having been betrayed by the likes of Viscount Chelsea and others. He is single-minded and was responsible for the development of the Bridge, the on-site hotels etc. over stretched himself, grudgingly accepted the glided lily from Matthew Harding who died tragically young in a helicopter crash returning from a Chelsea match and by the time he got out of his depth again, the club was in such a strong position that a certain Russian decided to invest.......

He's a no-nonsense sort of fellow and you will never learn the source of his backers or whether they actually exist? The club will be financed by folk in the Cayman Islands or wherever and Bates himself now lives in Monte Carlo. He started his footbal career at Wigan before buying Chelsea and also stopped the rot at Leeds, although not able to get them back to former glories. They were in Div. 1 when he took over.

I had a few chats with him over the years at Chelsea functions, player of the year do's and that sort of stuff (I have a photo somewhere which looks like I have just handed Pat Nevin his player of the year award) and although he clearly doesn't suffer fools gladly, he could never have sussed me out, as he was always thoroughly charming!

Plymouth really are a sleeping giant and I've never really understood why they've not done better over the years? It might just be what you need?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Bates

[Big Boy]

I've got mixed feelings about Ken Bates. When you're on the outside looking in, you only tend to hear bad news stories from the press. However, I can't disagree, he's got a pretty impressive record.

The Green Army's biggest problem has always been geography. Plymouth is in the back of beyond, and players don't want to move there (once I'd moved away, there was no way I'd go back either). When John Sheridan took over, he thought it would be a doddle to save the team. He was given a free hand regarding who he brought in. Players were available, but wouldn't come. OK, we've got a new team now, but not the team he envisaged.

Still, it's interesting at the bottom this season, with 1 point seperating the bottom 6 at the moment.

[Zidane]

League 2 Southend United have sacked manager Paul Sturrock,ex Plymouth Argyle boss.
Southend currently sit 6 points outside the play offs and have reached the Johnstones Paint Trophy final where they will entertain Crewe at Wembley.
Southend chairman,Ron Martin,says Sturrock will be allowed to take charge and lead the team out for the trip to Wembley in April !
Phil Brown is the odds on favourite for the managers job and an announcement is expected within the next 48 hours.

What a time to get rid of the manager ! OK,maybe disappointment that you wont gain automatic promotion but still an outside chance of the play offs.....and a trip to Wembley is a great boost for the players,fans and town of Southend.
If the chairman wasnt happy with Sturrock then surely the time to replace him was the end of the season ??

But things looking a little brighter for Plymouth in the relegation fight now.York,Aldershot and Accrington looking more likely candidates for the drop.....amazing what a bit of snow can do !

[Big Boy]

Paul Sturrock has been a great lower leagues manager until his illness set in. I'd be surprised if many can better his Football League achievements in recent years. I would guess that his illness was getting the better of him, and Southend have chosen somebody to take them into the future. He had quite a good record with Southend, and for a long time last season they looked favourites for automatic promotion. I think it is a fitting tribute to him that they are letting him take charge for the Wembley appearance.

As for the Green Army, yes looking a little better, but still a long way to go. I'd like to think we can get 4 points over easter, and maybe a couple in the following 2 games. That would put us on 49 points, and safety would be close. However, they've let us down so many times this season, nothing is certain.

[PAFC]

Quite excited for the game this weekend - first time in a long time and to make it even better it is an early kick off!! Let hope that the derby atmosphere helps us in getting a result! Green Army!

[Big Boy]

GREEN ARMY!!!

[Big Boy]

Well today is the day the Green Army take on their arch-rivals, Exeter City. Kick off at 1pm.

If you look at league positions, the Grecians are fighting for a promotion play off place, while the Green Army are fighting to retain their Football League status. On paper, it should be a walkover for the Grecians.

If you look at current form, positions are reversed. The Grecians are wobbling under the pressure, while the Green Army have only lost 3 in the last 12 matches. Had this form been replicated all season, the Green Army would be up there with the Grecians. Current form indicates a win for the Green Army.

Then there's the financial consideration. These Devon derbys attract sell-out crowds. Assuming the Grecians will fail in their bid for the 3rd Division, can they afford to see the Green Army drop out of the Football League? Games against Aldershot or York would not yield the same financial rewards (I estimate they would be throwing away £0.25M in gate receipts alone). So can the Grecians afford to see the Green Army get relegated? I actually think the answer to that question could have a big influence on today's result.

Today's result could have a huge influence on the rest of the Green Army's season.

Personally, I'd predict a draw.

[PAFC]

After the results last night a draw would be a good result and I would take a point now! We have sold over 12k tickets already so should be a good atmosphere at the game (Exeter also have sold 1600 tickets so far). Like you say BB with recent form Argyle should be able to get something out of the game but you never know with derby games!! I'm going for a sneaky 2 - 1 victory for the greens. Just hope Gordon Sparks is able to inform us what is happening during the game and doesn't get too excited, love his enthusiasm but it is sometimes hard knowing what is going on in the game!!

Can't wait for the comms to start - only 11 hours to go!!

[Zidane]

With Accrington scoring an injury time winner at Wycombe you need Bristol Rovers to get a good result at home to York today.
Good luck against Exeter.....should be a great atmosphere.

[Big Boy]

Yes, one of the very few times I'll be rooting for Rovers

[PAFC]

Good first half but subdued atmosphere!! 1 - 0 to the greens - lets keep it up for the second half!! Come on you greens!!!

[PAFC]

Good display before the game!!

[Big Boy]

It's starting to look hopeful. We've now got to WORRY about Monday. How many times have we seen the Green Army win an important game, and then get their backsides kicked by the bottom of the league?