December 1998
Cobblers Comments
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TRB Mark at 23:25:34 Thursday December 31 98
Just like to wish all Cobblers worldwide a HAPPY NEW YEAR!. Jeez, how sad am I sitting in front of a computor at 11.30 on New Years Eve. The only consolation was seeing Heggsy's great goal against Bristol Rovers earlier this year on "They think its all over" Tonight. Actually I'm on baby alert as my wife is about to give birth any....moment............NOW
Ian at 22:16:59 Thursday December 31 98
Ray, where do I look for "refresh every time"? It doesn't seem to be a part of the preferences on Netscape.
Ian at 22:13:56 Thursday December 31 98
Just a test.
Ray at 20:57:31 Thursday December 31 98
For those of you using Netscape (and IE for that matter) make sure you have your browser set to "refresh every time".... I'm still investigating incase the cgi script was changed ... more news as I hear it...
Sid at 19:51:11 Thursday December 31 98
Well, my message didn't come up until i hit the reload button twice!
No new news from anywhere before the old year's out. Dont forget G.T.A., its the Cambridge AWS game you have to guess on my site.
All that is left to say is Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR and let the Cobblers march on to Wembley again in 1999!!!! Seeyah!
Sid at 19:48:13 Thursday December 31 98
This is atest messgae to see whether Ray's theory has worked.
Hartwell Cobbler at 19:8:9 Thursday December 31 98
Oh, and a very Happy New year to everyone...
Hartwell Cobbler at 19:7:29 Thursday December 31 98
Ian - I believe we paid £35k for Hope.
Robert at 18:29:0 Thursday December 31 98
You can send messages to be passed on to Dougie on Cobblers Heaven's special page
http://mercury.beseen.com/guestbook/z/40638/guestbook.html
Robert Dunkley
Anon at 18:15:48 Thursday December 31 98
Ray... you are h...ing probl...s i am br..k...ing u..
Ray at 16:13:16 Thursday December 31 98
I'm not having any problmes either - I guess it must be something to do with peoples settings.
Paddington Cobbler at 16:6:51 Thursday December 31 98
Ray, I'm using netscape and there was no problem with my posting.
Ray at 16:2:54 Thursday December 31 98
Does this appear to be only a problem with people using Netscape?
Ray at 16:1:25 Thursday December 31 98
Well.... the answer is.....I havent a clue.... Im making further investigations.....
Paddington Cobbler at 16:0:54 Thursday December 31 98
I'd like to wish all Cobblers supporters around the globe a very happy and successful 1999. Also sincere thanks to Ray for providing this great site which allows us non-locals to keep in touch with what's going on. The break this weekend should give the team a much-needed rest before heading off against Stoke. We've got good players, we can play well, and we're still getting very decent gates at Sixfields despite our poor (but improving) league position. So I'm optimistic for the second half of the season. Whatever happens, it's going to be an exciting year.
Amanda at 14:35:16 Thursday December 31 98
All my messages dissapered this mornin but the last one just worked fine
Amanda at 14:33:53 Thursday December 31 98
Anyone have any ideas about why Carlo didn't play on Sat? And how many times can a player have the flu in a month? Do u think there has been ANOTHER "dissagreement"?
COME ON LEEDS AND I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Ian at 14:19:12 Thursday December 31 98
Same as yesterday, the page reloads after I hit "okay", but the message only appears if I hit "reload". Is this Bill Gates up to mischief?
Ian at 14:17:9 Thursday December 31 98
I'm using Netscape, Ray. Always have.
Steve at 13:44:0 Thursday December 31 98
Ah-ha! (is the name of a Norwegian pop group). It worked, so is the problem to do with Netscape? Looking forward to hearing from you, Ray.
Steve at 13:42:22 Thursday December 31 98
This is in Microsoft Internet Explorer
Steve at 13:40:13 Thursday December 31 98
Nope - it only worked when I pressed reload. This is Netscape by the way. I'm going to see if it works better using Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Steve at 13:38:16 Thursday December 31 98
Lets see if this works.
Ray at 12:48:31 Thursday December 31 98
OK - Ive made a slight change to the code - see if this is any better.
The Oxford Cobbler at 11:52:42 Thursday December 31 98
As you can tell the sale of Razor is a particular sore point with me but when you see Luton selling their influencial, 30 year old, capable of scoring important goals captain for £750,000, doesn't it make £20,000 sound even more pathetic.
The Oxford Cobbler at 11:47:49 Thursday December 31 98
Ray, the meaasages posted below did not appear straight away neither.
I had to leave the web site and come back!!!!!
Janine Barnett at 11:27:20 Thursday December 31 98
very sad news about dougie hodgson i agree it doesnt matter how much he cost the poor guy.also does everyone else aggree that Barry Hayles (player that made fulham big spenders)plays like an octupus (all arms)
The Oxford Cobbler at 11:17:21 Thursday December 31 98
Very bad news about Dougie Hodgson. He looked a great asset but I don't think you can say he was better than Warburton. Razor was not just a player but captain and an inspiration. He is still sorely missed, more so now we have lost Dougie.
The Oxford Cobbler at 11:14:25 Thursday December 31 98
Are watching Gav? Give us a ring if you are considering going to Stoke or Lincoln. If so you may have a passenger!!!
Ray at 10:16:46 Thursday December 31 98
Very odd....
Steve at 10:4:45 Thursday December 31 98
Yup - it only appeared after I did 'reload'.
Steve at 10:3:44 Thursday December 31 98
Ray - the same thing happened to my contribution on Tuesday. When I pressed O.K. it just disappeared. I couldn't be fagged to type it all again, and only noticed it having appeared several hours later. Let's try this one.
T. at 9:24:33 Thursday December 31 98
Took only seconds for my message to appear
T. at 9:23:47 Thursday December 31 98
Good Morning
Ray at 9:0:28 Thursday December 31 98
... and I make the clock 3 minutes slow :-)
Ray at 8:59:56 Thursday December 31 98
hmmm - most odd.... U using MSIE or Metscape Ian? Anyone else having similar problems?
Ian at 4:7:45 Thursday December 31 98
Hmmmm. I await your comments Ray. Incidentally I see the clock is the right time now.
Ian at 4:6:8 Thursday December 31 98
Well, after I sent the last message the page reloaded and the message was not there but if I use "reload", there it is.
Ian at 4:3:8 Thursday December 31 98
Okay, I used the "reload" command and now everything is there. The experiment continues.
Ian at 4:0:27 Thursday December 31 98
I gather we have signed Richard Hope. How much did we pay? None of the messages I sent five minutes ago have appeared yet.
Ian at 3:57:50 Thursday December 31 98
Incidentally, I did not touch the computer for over a week and have not changed any settings. Could this be something to do with my server?
Ian at 3:56:7 Thursday December 31 98
I have sent two messages and although the page has reloaded,neither is there as yet....... Here goes with number three.
Ian at 3:54:49 Thursday December 31 98
Well one thing has not changed and that is that the message is not being posted immediately when I send it. Used to be when I hit "okay", when the message got through the page reloaded with the new message right there. Not today.
Ian at 3:51:56 Thursday December 31 98
Hi Ray, it isn't doing it now but it sure was at the time. It seemed just like the autoreload that Soccernet uses when the games are in progress. It would do it when I was (slowly) typing the message. I'm going to send this and see what happens.
Ray at 0:58:34 Thursday December 31 98
well the ten minutes is up and this message is still sitting waiting o be posted......you havent changed any of your settings have you?
Ray at 0:44:53 Thursday December 31 98
.. and I'll leave it running for 10 minutes just to check........
Ray at 0:44:17 Thursday December 31 98
No I have not changed this page to autoreload.... in fact I havent changed anything.....
Anon the second at 23:26:29 Wednesday December 30 98
Bez... I can't believe you mean what you said really... do you?
Dougie Hodgson has just had his career finished by a cruel, fluke injury and you are quibbling over the 20k he cost us?
Just think how he must be feeling?
We're talking about people's lives here. The Cobblers will get over the lost 20k.
As for Atkins spending 20k on a player who had only just come back from injury... I believe one Mr Ray Warburton came to this club in a similar situation, and he didn't do too badly did he!
Ian at 22:15:19 Wednesday December 30 98
Hello Six, it's been a really long time, welcome back!
Ian at 22:14:1 Wednesday December 30 98
Ray, when I send a message it no longer quickly appears, I suspect that will lead to messages being duplicated. Also that is a big file to download every couple of minutes, can you increase the time span between reloads?
Ian at 22:11:54 Wednesday December 30 98
Plus this time it has deleted what I was writing when it reloaded, not very user friendly!
Ian at 22:7:45 Wednesday December 30 98
From 62/63 to 64/65 Cobblers record was won 62 drew 35 lost 33. Don't think IA quite matches that....yet.
.
Ian at 22:4:9 Wednesday December 30 98
Hey Ray have you changed this to automatically reload while I was away?
Ian at 22:1:25 Wednesday December 30 98
In terms of most successful manager over three years I would think Dave Bowen from 62/63 to 64/65 would take some beating. I'll look it up but two promotions and two years at the equivalent of the current division one would take some beating.
W de VLIEGER at 18:21:25 Wednesday December 30 98
excellent website.It's great to be able to read all the news here in Holland.
Wobbler at 15:41:50 Wednesday December 30 98
What's that Adam, Rebecca Kerr & Andy Woodman, be upon your head my son ! Great headline Mr.Smelly. Always had that playboy aura about him though, but to be transferred as a result of his woody, some may argue that is a bit hard !
mr smelly at 15:27:5 Wednesday December 30 98
I heard that he got a woody at the christmas do???
Chicago Cobbler at 15:20:0 Wednesday December 30 98
Rumours of my untimely demise have been greatly exaggerated! I have just returned from Hospital and am happy to see we are chugging back along, and now only 13 pts shy of Wembley. It's amazing that all of the Atkins hoopla has died out. He'll get us to playoffs, leave us at the end of the season, and we'll be wading through a chorus of chaps unhappy to no end. Is he by way of W-D-L the most succesful Cobbs manager ever over the course of 3 years?? Anyway, cheers all and have a happy and safe New Year!
Six at 14:51:14 Wednesday December 30 98
hello all
its been a long time since i have been here!!
happy new year BTW!!
adam at 14:45:56 Wednesday December 30 98
hasn't woodman been shagging a director's wife? explains why he's been dropped
Carlo Corazzin fan club at 11:51:18 Wednesday December 30 98
I also agree with "anon" or Rau
Amanda at 11:47:46 Wednesday December 30 98
sorry to hear about Dougie I thought he was a better player then Razor from what i saw of him. Just in case he reads this i wish him all the best in a quick and painfree (!!!) recovery.
To continue the comments about the Chrons performance ratings, in the home game against Preston, correct me if i'm wrong but, Mr Corazzin was the best player on the field by miles but got a low rating because he got booked for a foul he didn't even commit.
Wobbler at 11:9:28 Wednesday December 30 98
Anyone know the real (or alledged) reason why Woody has been dropped for the last few games. Bit of a sudden change, must be more into it than keeping Turley happy, although without question Turley can hold his own ! Rumours flying about that he has been caught with his gloves off, (so to speak) with other attached women within the Sixfields community. Has anyone else heard this, does anyone know what's really going on here... Is there nothing in it, or has Woody been diving when he shouldn't have been ?????
Rau at 11:0:59 Wednesday December 30 98
Whoops - anon was me. I was so taken aback by Bez's comments I forgot to type my name in....
T. at 10:19:6 Wednesday December 30 98
Bez, I agree with Anon, it's hardly IA fault about Dougie's injury, and it was in pretty poor taste.
mr snoozy at 10:3:5 Wednesday December 30 98
There is a full page on Rushden and Diamonds in todays Independent including an interview with Ray Warburton.
RICHARD at 1:50:33 Wednesday December 30 98
Personally, I find it very difficult to assess 11 or sometimes 14 players in any given match on a scale of 1 to 10. It's too subjective and everyone's interpretation will differ depending on where they sit and what they actually see. You may appreciate some outstanding touches from mid-field more than a solid performance from one of the back four; a spectacular goal or a couple of stunning efforts from a forward will often capture the spirit. For me it's just an overall impression I go on. I've always rated Carlo in the games I've seen him in, for his work rate, holding ability, lay offs and great goals, whereas others will vote for Sealo. Sammo is an unsung hero in my book, but rarely gets the plaudits he deserves. A 'keeper can be a hero or villain of the piece, perhaps on the outcome of only one or two shots on target; if they go in he's damned; if he saves athletically he's THE MAN! Mid-fielders tend to be praised for their work rate more than their ability to instigate attacking moves, whereas the scorer of the goal remains in the memory bank longer than the provider. So, IMHO, if 10 to 13 of the guys on the pitch don't make MotM, it doesn't mean they haven't played out of their skins; it's simply a question of contributing to the team effort, sometimes unseen and unappreciated by the fans following the flow of play. Next time you watch a game, try concentrating for 90 minutes on 1 or maybe two players and see what you think of their contributions. I've tried this and I guarantee that you will miss most of the game and still have a different opinion of those you've followed closely, compared with the rest of the crowd who've just watched the whole of the game.
Ray at 1:26:30 Wednesday December 30 98
Hear, hear!
John Frain Fan Club at 23:3:19 Tuesday December 29 98
Are the Chron taking the piss!!! How the hell can they give John Frain a 5 rating, he was the only player to bring the ball down and then pass it rather than the others method of mis-controlling it and knocking it out into touch. Roy Hunter may have had a better game than normal given that his has only just returned from injury but he didn't deserve an 8.
Anon at 22:24:2 Tuesday December 29 98
Come to http://members.xoom.com/cobblers/chat.html to chat and follow the instructions.
sid at 22:23:9 Tuesday December 29 98
hi Jenni
jenni at 22:22:26 Tuesday December 29 98
Can someone please chat with me, coz I'm getting v bored!
Jenni at 22:21:20 Tuesday December 29 98
Does anyone facy a chat? If so, hurry up. It's nearly my bedtime!
Jenni at 22:16:6 Tuesday December 29 98
Does anyone fancy a chat? If so, hurry up coz it's nearly my bed-time!
Sid at 20:46:3 Tuesday December 29 98
Well, what a good second half yesterday. Hunter played well holding the midfield. I must say Seal didn't have his best game, but his header from Hunter's cross (i think) was good. Any of the front two should have come off, but i have never slagged off Freestone. He puts in 99% effort into every game (100% was Larry) and he deserved his goal. Savage/Spedding had fair games, Frain made two excellent tackles on Pesch.
Guess the Att. This weeks winner is Ben Lee, who's late bet of 7,345 won him 20 points and into the lead of the competition. NEXT GUESS------------> Cambridge (A) in AWS - should not be that popular, so a low attendancve is expected. Lets see some votes come in for that!
If anyone wants a CHAT about yeserday's game, and Dougie tragic injury, come to the Chat Room about 10 - 10:30pm, see you there!
DOUGIE - HE WILL BE MISSED!
CLUB THE SEAL at 20:25:2 Tuesday December 29 98
Get rid of Seal,play Freestone ->better goal poacher
DEBORAH&KATIE at 17:53:26 Tuesday December 29 98
NICE TO SEE THE COBBLERS PUTTING UP A GOOD PERFORMANCE
Anon at 17:22:13 Tuesday December 29 98
The comment about how much he cost us in the worse imaginable taste!! (and if you read back you will see we all discussed this yesterday)
Bez at 15:26:59 Tuesday December 29 98
I hate to be the one to write this first but Dougie Hodgson has quit the game due to the neck injury he sustained in training. He has had two discs removed and has been told that if he plays again he risks paralysis. He cost us £20000! another great Atkins signing. This is the one and only gripe I have with Atkins is his 'serial signing' problem. No one said when he signed the reason he cost such a small amount was the fact he retired in the close season only to make a miraculous recovery and sign for us. Medicals are a wonderful thing if used properly. Nevertheless bad luck Dougie and good luck in the future in what ever you do. This means that the signing of Lee Howey has a purpose instead of a stocking filler to keep us happy. Good result of Monday.
Ray at 14:40:13 Tuesday December 29 98
I think Seal really was injured yesterday. He was limping quite badly for several minutes before the substitution......btw - I just loved the way the boo boys were shut up within a minute when Freestone put it in the net. Howey I thought was disappointing, Wilkinson played a blinder when he got back in defence - pity he wasnt doing the same up front. Perhaps he and Howey should change places? After the form showed by Hunter on Saturday when he came on as sub. - I thought yesterdays performance was poor.
Anon at 11:40:27 Tuesday December 29 98
Good to see the Cobblers back to their battling best, one of our dominant qualities over the past few seasons. Why has it taken so long though ? I know lady luck has been ruthless to us so far this season, but with a bit of a battle even she would struggle to snatch more points away from us. Thought Sammo was excellent yesterday, Hunter had a good game (even though he is still clearly not fully fit)
and Savage looks a good buy. Brilliant to see the boys get a result even if it was to shut up that cockney drummer !
Save Our Seal at 10:49:12 Tuesday December 29 98
Was Seal really injured yesterday, or was he the unlucky one to have to make way? It was ironic that Seal had just managed to get into 2 or 3 scoring positions before his number was held up, his link up play was good, but as usual his work rate poor. As he trudged slowly off the pitch I felt we may not see him again - I sincerely hope my gut feeling is wrong.
Steve is right, we do need a bully up front, that bully is not Wilkinson. As there are not too many who fit that criteria available, I would like to see Seal and Freestone back together with Corrazin just behind. At times we have played good football this year, but chances have gone begging - we need our best goalscorers in the side not on the bench.
Wilko has produced one good game for us, while he continues to make the side people will rightly criticise Atkins, who is too stuborn (probably one of his best qualities as a manager) too admit he has made a mistake by signing him.
Steve at 8:17:45 Tuesday December 29 98
Richard - what a great report. Your eloquent, literate fluency puts my inarticulate ramblings to shame. Suffice to say - yesterday was thoroughly enjoyable. The Cobblers did 'as well as can be expected' against such an accomplished side. Fulham had no obvious weaknesses and the way they use their wingbacks must for Fulham supporters be a joy to behold. We did well for much the same reason as we did in April, when we beat them 1-0. The reason being - we battled. There was all round tremendous commitment, with Sampson being outstanding. The one player who continues to disappoint is Wilkinson. I'm always reluctant to criticise players and certainly never do so from the comfort of the stand. However, if he is trying, he doesn't give the appearance of doing so. Maybe it's the David Gower syndrome. He always looked so elegantly languid, and whenever he was lost his wicket he would alway shrug and appear to smile ruefully. Yet we're told he was as upset and frustrated as the most red-blooded England supporter. Wilkinson seems to lope about and whenever there's an aerial challenge to be met, he never sems to be hungry enough. Instead of leaping aggressively, he just leans forward, almost ducking under the ball allowing the hairy brute behibd him to smack a header back up field. We need someone who can terrorise defenders, obviously not in the Michael Owen sense of speed and skill, but more in the John Gayle sense (yes him!). Someone who has the presence to unsettle defenders - to make them worry that they might get a little battered if they don't tread carefully. Obviously John Gayle is no longer an option, but aren't there one or two big blokes around we could at least get on loan? I'm not familiar enough with the First Division to know, but what about someone like that Kevin Francis geezer who used to be with Stockport and Birmingham? Or what about Steve Bull? He's in his twilight. Couldn't we gwt him on loan for a month or two? O.K. this is all probably wishful thinking, but I believe a central blunderbuss would do us no harm in assisting our inexorable rise up the league. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Vegas Cobbler at 7:24:6 Tuesday December 29 98
Thanks Richard for the longest prose to hit the Cobblers pages since Tolstoy wrote 'War and Peace' - however, very amusing intro and a much appreciated rendition of the game vs Fulham for the ex-pats. However, I'd check your maths over our performances against the Cottagers!! Have a great remainder of the festive season and here's to the end of relegation worries as early as possible in 1999.
RICHARD at 4:8:6 Tuesday December 29 98
IK'CIWT: Christmas was a bit of a whirlwind affair this year. What with all the fetching and carrrying of various relatives from around the country (motorized zimmer frames would be a boon), I seem to have spent a good deal of the festive season thus far strapped into the old jalopy haring up and down the highways and byways! So you'd think I would have it down to a fine art, this travelling thing. Flask of hot coffee, blanket and shovel, snow-chains and mobile phone - all these things and more were safely stored away in the cavernous boot of the shooting-brake, in readiness for any eventuality. One thing, however, I keep saying I must take along, is a plastic bottle ( the large-necked variety - peeing into, for the use of!) As we left our cute, Christmassy Crowborough cottage to set off on the 125 mile trip to sultry, sophisticated, sensuous(!) Sixfields, I paid only cursory attention to the faint tingling in my loins - the " I think I can hold out until we get there" sort of consideration. We were late, you see; the details are immaterial; suffice it to say that my wife accidentally stepped on the end of my pyjama cord this morning and the rest, as they say, is history! Sods Law applies, of course, when setting off later than usual. Everything that can go wrong, does!! The upshot of it all is that we were in danger of missing the start of the match. That happened only a few weeks ago v. PNE and I didn't want to be the one to blame for another early goal fiasco by not being there at the outset. We motored on regardless, the swelling in my lower abdomen becoming more and more uncomfortable as the miles chugged by. Needless to say half the country and their aged aunt were taking this Bank Holiday Sales opportunity to buy up the whole of Lakeside Shopperama at Thurrock in a post X-mas spending frenzy. The Dartford Tunnel was as tight as a Scotsmans sporran when it's his turn to buy a round! No time to stop at a service station on the way; we'd never get back onto the motorway again, not with the other half of the country transporting themselves and their ungrateful brat packs back up the motorway, whence they came a few excruciatingly mind-numbing festive days before. "Never again will we spend Christmas with YOUR parents.Your Mum's insistence on 2 hours on the Karaoke machine before the Queen's speech, I can take. Even your Father's painful attempts at levity by drawing the lewdest interpretations of common objects and phrases in Pictionary, was bearable. But when Granny gets up on the kitchen table in the middle of Christmas dinner after one too many port wines and and flatly refuses to pull her bloomers back up until someone shows her the best way to stuff a turkey - well, frankly, that's IT for me!!" ---- So on we meandered, through the bulging traffic queues; the minutes ticking away relentlessly. Maximum elasticity had just about been reached when, glory be, J15A appears over the horizon, like a superhighway oasis in the desert of motorway madness, we sped off and into Upton Way like our lives, and certainly my trousers, depended on it. But where to park. I knew I had only seconds to go to bursting point; I'd already undone the top button and zip to relieve the pressure. We had to get as close as possible; running to the sanctuary of the Cobblers' conveniences was not an option in my present state of partial undress! All I needed now was to be arrested for indecency! At 2.50pm, however, car-parking spaces within a light year of Sixfields are at a premium. So I did the only thing humanly possible under the circumstances - I ran the car up on bark chippings by the side of the road next to the parking area, narrowly avoiding a staked sappling, a dachsund that was ironically relieving himself on it, and a rather large sandstone rock which could have done serious damage to the car and finally pushed my long-suffering bladder into submission, making the whole damned effort meaningless! I dragged myself, bent double, to latrine heaven and gently waited for the pain to subside as the River Nene discoverd a new contributory! "BRING ON THE FULHAM", I bellowed as, minutes later, I emerged into the arena which was to stage the next epic encounter with the hated enemy, and peace and normal service was restored to my nether regions!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was a sight for sore eyes! A capacity crowd at the home of football! At least it seemed that way from where we were sitting in the middle of the North Stand. 7315, I think they announced at half time. Not quite capacity, but close enough. And the atmosphere was fantastic. I've not come home this hoarse since the famous play-off victory over Rovers, last May. Fitting it was, then, when Barry Hayles received the loudest boo-ing of the lot when named as sub. A rousing chorus of "3-1 and you f***** it up" rang around the ground on each occasion he warmed up on the sideline. I'm sure most Fulham fans were bemused by this one. The team had an unfamiliar look to it; no Carlo or Hill; Hope was also missing. Frainy made up the numbers in the back four, alongside Sammo, Howey and Ali; Roy was back in the starting line-up with Sean (shades of the good old days) in mid-field - Duncan and Lily outside them; up front, Wilko, unfettered by metal plates, and SEALO! Yes, the discontented had their wish granted. On the bench - Freestone, "There's only one" Deano, and someone else! The game to me was just a blur of activity, most of it down the away end where we were defending staunchly for much of the first half. Fulham have found it hard to beat us in recent times; since and including the fateful '65/'66 Div.1 season, we have played them 12 times before this match - winning 8, drawing 4 and losing only 4. Of course, one of the losses was the most important one, the 2-4 defeat that sent us to oblivion and beyond only to bounce back 30 years or so later to regain our rightful place in the soccer pantheon! Sorry I'm beginning to dribble now. Honestly, they were the better team, as you would expect from a top of the table outfit, and with their millions!!! But we stuck doggedly to our task and stifled most of their attempts. A lot of long range efforts went sailing high, wide and ugly. One from Pescky was closer to scoring in the half-time golden shot comp! They did play good ground stroke football, were compact in mid-field ,always closing us down quickly, and were able to spray it around when needing the width, which they achieved by playing their backs right up on the wings. We conceded early in the second half.It was a classic defensive cock-up; Horsfield got the ball outside the danger zone, brushed off Frainy's tackle and was allowed to progress into the box. No-one closed him down sufficiently and after advancing a few more paces unhindered, he sweetly laid one off the outside of his right foot round the defense and passed Billy's outstretched arms into the opposite corner of the net. An absolute peach, but we gifted him the initial space to produce the shot! Closing down is not one of our A+ subjects! But that seemed to galvanize the team and the fans. Having played their part but not having set the football world alight in the first half, Cobblers came alive after conceding. Heads in the crowd momentarily went down, but the cry of "NOR - THAMP - TON, Northampton, Northampton...." began and seemed to circle the ground. The players responded with attacks that caused some consternation at the Fulham end; the balance of the game, so much in the opponents' favour up to the goal, was tipping back towards us a little. Tackles became fiercer, the ball was played around with more urgency; the fans could feel the adrenalin coursing through the players veins. It was heady stuff. The harder we played, the stronger we cheered. Some Wilko bashers were even shouted down in the interests of team unity! Then it happened; the inevitable equaliser. The boy, Chris had predicted 1-1; I had cuffed him about the ears (metaphorically) for his impudence. "1-0", quoth I, full of emotion and pride. We have the hex on them, the evil eye.They cannot win! Freestone on for Sealo and Deano on for Sean had hardly had time to register when up pops Chris to finish a move in the fashion of his fully confident displays of earlier times! A low side-scissor kick making the net bulge at the Fulham end and as the realisation finally hits us, the crowd goes bananas; "1-1 and we've got no cash..." echos through the Sixfields night as Fulham fans heads fall into hands and the dread they dared not utter is upon them! The Cobblers spell has been cast again!! That was on 68 mins and from that point on I confidently felt as if we could go on to win. Even as injury time dragged on I was hoping for a late flourish from us rather than praying for the final whistle! It has to be said, we were not pretty all of the time but on occasions we did put together some good moves. Fulham's performance was probably on a par with Reading, of the games I have witnessed. Not spectacular, all consuming or stylish, but good enough you would have to say to take them to the next flight this time. Which is a pity really, because it's comforting to see them on the fixture list twice a year, guaranteeing us two no lose situations!! The team as a whole played to their capacity, given the strength of the opposition. Billy was secure again, though a couple of his kicks looked decidedly 'Woody'
; at the back Sammo had a great game and Howey put in some timely headers. i'm not sure if Frainy is the man for the back 4, though he did nothing to disgrace himself; Ali had some effective runs again and did well in defending his wing. Lily continues to impress with his touches and determination; Roy was back closer to his old performances and justly took the MotM award; Sean was industrious though it was good to see Deano have a run out just to show the old motor was still ticking over at high revs; Duncan showed some touches of pace but the Fulham defenders are a might more difficult to skin than other backs in this division. There was a touch of controversy in the substitution of Sealo, allowing Freestone to come on (he scored minutes later; a master stroke by IA!). Those who still can't get behind Wilko wanted him off, not Sealo. But both the boy Chris and I , thought it was a reasonable switch; I can't recall spotting much of Sealo throughout; it was his first start for a while and perhaps a few more games under his belt will sharpen up his play. Someone said he held the ball up well. I'm not sure why Carlo wasn't playing as this seems to be his role in life when not scoring spectacular goals! And what about Wilko. He was hard working and unselfish, but didn't get much of a look in between the Fulham big backs who were able to out-muscle him. But he was no less effective than many of his colleagues on the day. And it still irks me to listen to the drivel that some so-called fans come out with. Ther was even a muted cry of "Atkins out", at one stage, though how 7 points out of a possible 12, is sackable form I don't know! Checking the results of the first half of the season, against the top 7 teams we have now won 1 (Gillingham) drawn 5 (Man City, Bournemouth, Preston, Walsall and Fulham) and lost only to Stoke!! Not bad really, is it? Driving home after a swift MacDonalds, I had the happy glow of contentment - the sort you don't get when you feel cheated of a result or you lose badly. We certainly need more points, about 52 in all should see us clear; that's another 27 from our remaining 22 games. It seems more achievable now than it did a few weeks back when the knives were out and some fans were revolting! Finally after such a long report, I feel constrained to mention something on a personal level. When I reached home and the soft, warm bosom of my family, I reflected on the happiness I had shared over the Yuletide festivities with my lovely wife; I have always believed myself most fortunate to be a part of her life; I have long considered her to be as near perfect as possible; today on my return, I knew for definite that it we are truly compatible - I have always liked just the sponge and jelly bits in the sherry trifle at Christmas and at last, she has now confessed that she really only likes the cream and custard! With that and a relegation-free 1999, my cup overfloweth and my life is complete! HAPPY NEW YEAR.
adam at 22:35:34 Monday December 28 98
vegas cobbler - warburton has a nasty injury that will keep him out for 6 weeks or so, its a shame as he was settling into the rushden side well. how did horsfield and hayles play? i'm especially intereted in horsfield as having seen him twice last year i was less than impressed.
Hartwell Cobbler at 21:15:50 Monday December 28 98
If what has been posed here today is true then we all have to feel for Dougie Hodgson. In the very short time we had to assess him I felt he had the makings of an extremely good, mobile and vertsatile player. He was an excellent replacement for Ray. I am sure everyone here will send their very best wishes to him, especially at this time of the year when most of us are lucky enough to be close to our families. A note on today's game - Seal was substituted because he was limping badly and was clearly unfit to continue. We battled hard and Hunter and (later) Peer worked tirelessly. However, once again, it is clear our technical abilities - particularly our passing - is still woeful. I gather Atkins is already committed to building for next season, which is in itself fine. But there is still the not so small matter of our survival in Div 2 to attend to. It's a fact that in general end of year league positions offer a fair reflection on a team's potential end-of-season standings. Sure, some manage to put together good runs or spectacular declines, but on average this law is a fair barometer. It is clear there is much to do this season and while the club must look ahead we must be clearly focused on the job in hand - which is to fight our way to safety. Finally, I thought Fulham looked very compact, organised, with bags of skill (as you would expect). I doubt if many teams in Div 2 will turn them over and I fully expect them to win the league. Their fans also did them proud today. I can't say the same for a few of our "fans" around the half-way line, who seemed intent on giving Keegan some very unpleasant, uncalled-for and unnecessary verbal abuse.
Robert Dunkley at 20:56:47 Monday December 28 98
Bad news about Dougie, I think he is a much player than Howey. What is worse for Doug is he is 12 000 miles away from his family and he was only 29. What concerns me though is when researching him for my website, it seems he had a car crash when he was 18, and he had to wear a neck brace for 3 years. I wonder if this was the root cause of his problem.
Today's game, welcome return for Seal. He played well, had a good header saved, and held the ball up well. I would not have subbed him. Freestone scored within minutes of coming on. I would prefer to see Corazzin with Freestone/Seal up front.
Vegas Cobbler at 18:46:29 Monday December 28 98
Very sorry to read the news wrt Dougie Hodgson - especially at this time of year for him and his family. My commiserations to Dougie. It is also a sad loss of ability from the Cobblers defence as Dougie seemed to have settled very well in to Ray Warburton's place (incidentally I note that Ray has been absent from R & D's side for the last couple of games - is this due to suspension or injury?) Well where are all the reports/comments on today's battle (I note on Soccernet that 7 players were booked - unfortunately 4 Cobblers) so battle would seem appropriate. Please give us ex-pats the details asap. Ta very much.
benffc at 18:41:55 Monday December 28 98
7,315 sellout,shit ground,no fans.No future. Still Old TRAFFORD beckons.
Ray at 17:59:8 Monday December 28 98
Just to put a damper on the celebrations, it was announced today that Dougie Hodgson's career is over due to his neck injury and he will not play again.
Anon at 16:32:21 Monday December 28 98
Vegas Cobbler. Yaaaah It's now 1-1 (Chris Freestone 68 mins).
Anon at 16:15:43 Monday December 28 98
Vegas Cobbler. Aaargh we're 0-1 down (Horsfield 49 mins).
Baldy Cobbler at 13:51:33 Monday December 28 98
Just stuff 'em Cobblers.Anyway you like.
Baldy Cobbler at 13:47:53 Monday December 28 98
Just stuff 'em Cobblers.Anyway you want.
Cobbler Down Under at 10:51:35 Monday December 28 98
"You are my Sunshine my only Sunshine,You make me happy when skies are grey,You'll never know dear how much Ilove you,Until you take my Northampton away!!!!!!", COME ON YOU TOWN.Fulham will feel the might of the Cobbs today cheer on the lads to victory.I wish I could be with you all to see the spectacle. 3 - 1 COBBLERS
NOSEY PARKER at 21:52:2 Sunday December 27 98
OK OK WE ARE CRAP ALL THE TIME IS THAT BETTER HARTWELL COBBLER!!
£50 TREBLE TOMORROW SPURS,FULHAM AND LEEDS ...MONEY FOR OLD ROPE
Heatwell Cobbler at 15:20:33 Sunday December 27 98
So is it commendable or ill timed then? You've been crying out foor a 4-4-2 all season, and then when we get it, you say it was bad timing.
I know the team's not doing well, but some consistency in the criticism wouldn't hurt.
Norwich Cobbler at 13:50:6 Sunday December 27 98
The recent Norwich v Grimsby match at Carrow Road reminded me how close we were to playing against the likes of Sunderland,Ipswich,
Birmingham and the like.In view of what has happened so far this season with our inability to cope with injuries how would we be faring in Div.1 had we gone up?My feeling is that a wealthy benefactor would have appeared to bankroll us if not I think we might have been in serious trouble and perhaps it would have been a step too far too soon.
Lets face it all we want to make sure of this season is making sure we don't return to playing the likes of Rochdale & Pooborough.
Bye
Hartwell Cobbler at 10:18:58 Sunday December 27 98
Yesterday's result puts us back in trouble. When everyone is eventually fit, we will be able to field a team of central defenders. I think Hope is a good signing but, bearing in mind the size of our squad, the number of defenders and the huge wage bill, why pay £50k for Howey? Have him on loan, sure. But is this the best way to spend a hard-earned £50k? As for Freestone, he seems to have gone into permanent decline. His first touch doesn't exist and he continues to miss good chances. Seal must be given an extended chance to establish a partnership with Corazzin. Atkins decision to change the system, wile commendable, was however totally ill-timed.
Sid at 22:0:36 Saturday December 26 98
Where did you see that on soccernet?? I cant find any reports. (whoever decided to write the things below) We lost in the first minute, not after 6 !!!! It sound like our defence just had their poorest performance of the season, well, we did play a 4-4-2 supposedly. with Sammo at right back. Why, Atkins??? Why do you insist on chopping and changing?? Hey, Howey did score our goal, dont knock him, Hill should have played though. He took off hope at half time because we needed to attack as we were 3-0 down (i think!!! I did turn the radio off after 6 mins!)
WE BETTER PULL OUR SOCKS UP ON MONDAY!! at 21:46:17 Saturday December 26 98
What an absolute surprise that we lost!! You see County have got Kim Garnt from Millwall on loan. He always scores on his darn debut. It seems we lost it in the first 6 minutes. Unfamiliar defenders maybe. If Turley was at fault, will we see Woody back?? I think we should not sign Howey, but a decent right back on loan until Clarkson is fit. Then again Atkins did sign Wilder! I see on Soccernet that Atkins took Hope off and brought on Freestone!!
JonnyArse at 21:28:35 Saturday December 26 98
Why the bloody hell does Freestone get a game when Seal isn't even on the bench? Pure, unadulterated MADNESS!!!!!!!
Bill at 18:8:1 Saturday December 26 98
Why the hell was Colin Hill dropped? This is our worst league defeat since Stoke this season, only that was against a team that stayed top of the table for months, not a team that we were above in the table before we played.
Sid at 16:50:58 Saturday December 26 98
Just finished on this click of the mouse. 4 mins of injury time.
Notts County (Grant, Tierney, Richardson) 3-1 Cobblers (Howey). Bad result for Town.
Sid at 16:30:54 Saturday December 26 98
Come On TOWN!!!!!!!!!!
Sid at 16:30:11 Saturday December 26 98
Howey scores, 3-1.
NOSEY PARKER at 16:29:13 Saturday December 26 98
Who said Kevin Wilson knows what he is saying anyway!!Shortarse is Ians puppet? Nevermind we always do well V Fulham(think it may be a bit harder this season though!!!!!!
Sid at 16:15:43 Saturday December 26 98
Errrr, well we nearly saw four Mark!! I've turned it off now, its just bloody awful to hear the defence being ripped apart. I just want to query dropping Colin Hill. Kev W. said its because this game will be a "bit more physical". hhhhmmmmmmm. Dont think so.
RSA at 16:0:4 Saturday December 26 98
Oh Bugger!
TRB Mark at 15:55:9 Saturday December 26 98
Well, I did predict 3 goals to one side at half time, pity I picked the wrong team. F**k, 3-0 down and sounds like the team are having a 'mare. Looks like my wife's illness has spared me watching one of those inexplicable Christmas type unpredictable results. Unless...............
Sid at 12:22:31 Saturday December 26 98
Oh, You can chat tonight aswell if you want, I'll come online about 10pm.
Sid at 12:21:41 Saturday December 26 98
Being a bit optimistic there Mark! 3-1 at Half time??? I dont think we have seen a game with 4 goals in the first half involving Cobblers! Anyway, Lets hope for a good win today nto set us up for Fulham. I dont think i will do a Guess the Attendance for this game. Seems a bit pointless as its a sell-out, but then again its a good chance to gain points! Okay, then if you want to G.T.A. for the Fulham match, just e-mail me or use the form on my site! My guess....... hhhmmmmm.... 7491!!!
TRB Mark at 11:37:59 Saturday December 26 98
I was looking forward to my first away game of the season today, but my wife is too ill to leave I'm afraid. Anyway, I dreamt the other night that it was 1-3 to the Cobbs at half time (that how much I was looking forward to going) so I hope you all have a good time watching another glorious win. I hope you all had a Happy Christmas , especially Fulham fans cos we are going to spoil it on Monday.
The Baldy Cobbler at 11:27:18 Saturday December 26 98
The wins are beginning to come now.The injuries are hopefully easing.The never-say-die attitude should now kick in more powerfully than ever before.Anyone who doubts that the Cobblers wont step up the pace and pressure for the run in should go back to supporting the England cricket team to fulfill their doom and gloom.My prediction for the rest of the season is for General Ian Atkins to mastermind a stonking run in for a play off place.In the event of more injuries hampering us in achieving this goal,I believe a strong run next season will see us storm the second division sweeping aside all opposition,whoever they are.I believe the frustrations of this years annual outing to Wembley and our bad luck and injury crisis will strengthen the resolve of all those concerned with the club.If there is one thing Ian Atkins has produced at The Cobblers,its the ability to silence the critics and take our breath away when we least expect it and in doing so surpassing all our expectations.So Cobblers fans,lets raise the volume for the full 90 of EVERY match and make it a Wembley atmosphere everytime.We drowned out Wembley after our defeat to Grimbsy.Let's continue the rest of the season with that passion.We can do it,Atkins can do it,the board can do it and most importantly our lads,new and old are more equiped than ever before to do it.Onwards and upwards Cobblers.
Ray at 10:46:3 Saturday December 26 98
Lets hope the "big victory" is for the Cobblers...
Steve at 10:10:24 Saturday December 26 98
Hello everyone! Seasons Greetings from all the Church's. Much Christmas excitement in the household. First ever (for the kids) away match today. Haven't had time to look into Cobbs. Comms. for best part of a month. Today is going to see a BIG VICTORY!
Cobbler Down Under at 20:31:25 Friday December 25 98
Its Boxing Day here now at 6.30am and I'm just off to work.Yes too much food yes too much alcohol and no not enough sleep! Go the Mighty Ones today and kick the arse of the Notts County imposters to start the rise to promotion.Seasons greetings to all and a safe New year.
Ray at 16:20:10 Friday December 25 98
You lot have got to be really sad to log on here on Christmas Day.....Merry Xmas to all our readers!!!
Bill at 14:8:50 Friday December 25 98
OK Pete, you were right, Wilko isn't that bad. I'm just hoping that we beat Notts, because I know a County fan who is always laughing at the cobblers whenever they do useless. OK I know this is boring and no-one wants to know, but I can't think of anything else, so there.
Swansea boyo at 6:44:55 Friday December 25 98
You know and i know where gonna kick your ass next season girls, we rule simple as that.
largers lads and have a good un (chrimbo and that)
ARSEne wenger at 21:15:15 Thursday December 24 98
Merry christmARSE to everyone from all at ARSEnal. From ARSEne.
Phil Baron at 14:40:44 Thursday December 24 98
Hi All Merry Christmas to one and all and hopefully will see you in the new year baring winning the lottery nothing will stop me watching the boys beat Fulham.Just remember the Newyear can only get better!!!
Bye for now and cheer on the boys for me at Notts cty
Eddie at 13:25:56 Thursday December 24 98
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL COBBLERS OUT THERE
DANNY BOY at 13:22:44 Thursday December 24 98
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL COBBLERS FANS. THE IDEAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT WOULD BE TO TANK FULHAM ON MONDAY AFTERNOON. SEE YOU ALL AT NOTTS COUNTY - THE WELLINGBOROUGH COBBLER!!!!!
T. at 12:4:10 Thursday December 24 98
Felicitations to you all!
T MAN at 12:0:10 Thursday December 24 98
Merry Christmas Cobblers
See you on the 28th
T MAN(FFC)
Sid at 11:36:38 Thursday December 24 98
Well, Merry Christmas everyone on Cobblers Comments, I will see you all at the Fulham game on the 28th. Anyone fancy a chat after the Notts County game, get in touch at the e-mail address above COME ON COBBLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Shropshire Cobbler at 11:26:14 Thursday December 24 98
A thought: If the bloke in Australia writes about our kit, is it a case of Cobber Cobbler Clobber? Sorry.
Anyway, best wishes to all true claret Cobblers fans this Xmas wherever you are. Dear Santa, please give us some more of those nice league points .....
Jamie Allen at 0:14:5 Thursday December 24 98
Merry X-mas everybody, lets hope we get the points against the money bags on Monday, as they seem to get the impression that they will get promotion this year. I mean come on give them a bit of credit, it's not as if they have spent millions of pounds in the last couple of seasons is it and nothing has been gained from it. I presume we have no game a week on Saturday as Wrexham are still in the FA Cup, selfish buggers!!! We are concentrating on the league...as if. See you on Boxing Day at County, another three points would be great.
ben at 20:29:25 Wednesday December 23 98
deepcut cobbler: im not saying atko should go, but im critical of his decision to carry on with a back five when the sale of warburton was to enable us to switch to a back four...... must admit it doesnt make a lot of sense....
ben sturgess at 20:26:18 Wednesday December 23 98
the screen saver is now uploaded, if you get any messages when you run it about copyrights just ignore them.... dont panic its not illegal for you to use it or anything he he! remember ntfc.home.ml.org is the place to get it........
nat at 20:23:42 Wednesday December 23 98
Whatever happened to MK Fan?
ben at 18:50:16 Wednesday December 23 98
when you do go see my lovely page remember to sign the guestbook, let me know what you think of the page..... (btw it is not a guestbook like this one, no chattin pleese.....)
Ben Sturgess at 18:44:21 Wednesday December 23 98
with the powers of modern technology i have created a (rather primitive) cobblers screensaver... if anybody wants it i am uploading it to my site, http://ntfc.home.ml.org so merry xmas everyone and get well soon Dougie H!!!!! UP THE COBBLERS (visit the site, go on u know u want to......)
simon at 16:56:35 Wednesday December 23 98
I agree. Happy Christmas
Deepcut Cobbler at 16:33:4 Wednesday December 23 98
Four points out of the Xmas games (in any order) will suffice on the back of our two wins. Ref the IA out campaign, that was not from the majority of the REAL fans. Only those who have ONLY gripes to write about. The majority don't need to spout about how bad the club is, or are playing, every day. We don't need to change the manager after every defeat. We have seen it all before and, correct me if I am mistaken, the club is in the best position both on and off the park for years despite the recent results. The amount of injuries we have had to endure throughout the first half of the season would have crippled most clubs (look at Reading). Put this into persective, we are 18th in the second division, only NINE points behind the play-off places. Three points for a win and nine points is nothing, not like the old days. The IA out brigade haven't disappeared, they just haven't got anything to moan about because we have had a couple of wins. Lets see what is said when we finish in the play-offs again. We will have a full squad (ish) for the new year(reported), lets see how we do then, because we haven't done badly without the full squad have we? MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL. See you on the 28th.
COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!!!!!!
Hartwell Cobbler at 15:13:36 Wednesday December 23 98
Wishing everyone - wherever you live - a very happy Xmas.
Nod at 12:22:56 Wednesday December 23 98
We're just packing up for Christmas, so I'll wish you all a merry one and six points too. Can anyone tell me why Atkins wants to buy a 20-year-old Centre Back? He's always bought old gits before but if he wants to try young 'uns what's wrong with 19-year-old Hughes? He looked damn impressive at Yeovil.
Pete at 11:58:19 Wednesday December 23 98
Woops! Dougie H!
Pete at 11:57:23 Wednesday December 23 98
Sad news, I was speaking to Doudie H- he is due to have major surgery on Tuesday. Any cards or good wishes would go down well c/o sixfields, he is not 'on line'.
simon at 11:54:42 Wednesday December 23 98
I also went to Nene
T MAN at 11:42:18 Wednesday December 23 98
Bugger, I've just managed to delete a great big rant.
Right here goes again!! Paul, don't worry mate, no offence taken, and I do know what you mean.However Wembley errrrr. One you lost(we won't go into those cheating fish lovers anyway - I still say their goal against you was offside)and the one you won, you were there because 3 teams, walked off with promotion and left everyone else fighting in the play-offs.And we let you beat us at Fulham, so we would have a fairly local game the next season!!!!.
Amanda, I agree my dear, I think people forget how much Atkins has done for your club(and I absolutely detest the man), a couple of results, and it's all different. Oh well, fickle fans eh!!!!
Anon at 11:34:10 Wednesday December 23 98
Adam - no it appears I was wrong and I'm happy to hold my hand up if it turns out a deal with Diremonds does not go through. But my informants are usually quite reliable....otherwise I would not be inclined to pass on these items. Finally, seasons greetings to you all....and to visitors to the site from other clubs.
amanda at 11:20:13 Wednesday December 23 98
oops
Amanda at 11:18:19 Wednesday December 23 98
Well everyone has changed there tune from a couple of weeks ago. What happened to ATKINS OUT? Just because we have won a few games now doesn't mean the problems have gone away. And those r the words of Carlo Corazzin. David Seal got straight back into the squad after his suspension well that has to be good news. I can't wait to see him and Carlo playin together.
Has Atko signed Howey and Hope yet?
Amanda at 11:17:30 Wednesday December 23 98
Well everyone has changed there tune from a couple of weeks ago. What happened to ATKINS OUT? Just because we have won a few games now doesn't mean the problems have gone away. And those r the words of Carlo Corazzin. David Seal got straight back into the squad after his suspension well that has to be good news. I can't wait to see him and Carlo playin together.
Has Atko signed Howey and Hope yet?
Paul S at 11:15:18 Wednesday December 23 98
Hello T MAN, the comment wasn't aimed at you, I was just enjoying the memories from last year. I'm sure you will be off to bigger and brighter things (until AL-Fayed gets bored). Anyway what have we got to be jealous of, lets see which team is it that has been to Wembley for the last 2 years?
T MAN at 11:1:51 Wednesday December 23 98
OOOH lads lads lads. A hint of jealousy there? I didn't actually say that I thought we would even beat you, I said happy with a draw. I'm very glad you believe in your team, you wouldn't be a supporter if you didn't. Also, I come on this board fairly regularly, and weeks if not months ago, was saying that, so please don't get so defensive.
and T, quite close to my handle that, better not get mixed up, I agree, a percentage of Fulham fans are plastic, new along for the ride fans. However a lot aren't. I'm sure you have a fair share mate, you certainly were not getting 7500 at the county ground were you?
Still smarting over 66?
Bye for now.....
Paul S at 10:26:5 Wednesday December 23 98
Well the Fulham fans are a bit slow coming out the woodwork this year. Remember last year, they were so sure they were going to beat us easily 3 weeks before the match. Then it would be close but they would win by the odd goal. Then all they needed was a point, no problem. Then they would be happy with a point and finally they were sh***ing themselves at the prospect of playing us. Roll on Dec 28, we believe in our team, Come On the COBBLERS.
T. at 10:22:12 Wednesday December 23 98
Ralph they are fashioned from plastic, its a new and modern invention.
T MAN at 10:10:42 Wednesday December 23 98
Oh well, 5 days to go till your biggest game of the season. Ready for it? I think I'd be happy with a draw considering our record against your lot, but it is about time we gave you a right spanking, so with any luck.....Met a couple of your lasses on the way back from Preston Saturday(they were obviously coming back from Burnley), top girls, Anyway, must go and continue round the boards, you know 'we're top, with a game in hand'........ etc etc etc etc etc.
Anon at 8:16:5 Wednesday December 23 98
Hmmm!
Cobbler Down Under at 1:16:59 Wednesday December 23 98
Have just checked the fixtures for the rest of the season and I can't see us dropping a point! I have taken into account the opposition whether we are home or away and the fact we never lose after Xmas .With the goal scoring machine Wobbling Wilko now in top form after the removal of his plate there is only good news on the horizon I will email the board to ensure they do not sell him to Thrushfanny & Dickwads for less than $250.000.Is the Road To Morocco Public House still standing and do they still sell glorious Directors Bitter?It is about the only thing apoart from Haddock and Mushy Pea Clusters you can't get over here,miss them dearly. Oh well Merry Xmas once again to all die hard dreamers!!!!
Andy Cooper at 1:6:42 Wednesday December 23 98
I reckon the Burnley win means we are finally turning the corner, which will be proved when we beat Fulham at home after Christmas!
I will be at Sixfields for one of my rare forays from home in deepest Devon. Come on the Cobbs!
COBBLER DOWN UNDER at 1:3:29 Wednesday December 23 98
Just a line to wish all Cobblers around the world the seasons best and a great 1999.We have started the infamous post Xmas winning streak early and all bodes well for Div 2 next season! I too was a product of Nene College majoring mostly in Beer and ending up a golf pro so it obviously had the effect on me that most educational establishments try to offer their students.I can confirm the U2 gig IKCIWT and they were shite but again with a little practice and belief in yourself anything can happen!! Bring on Notts County and the turkeys from Fulham for a Cobblers Xmas feast of goals , glory , and gluttony self indulge oh supporters of the finest team in the land and enjoy what is going to be a fantastic second half to the season.When we win sing loud and strong ,when we lose sing louder and stronger ,we are the greatest there is now ,then and for everemore. "UP THE WOBBLERS"
Anon at 0:6:55 Wednesday December 23 98
12:08
Ray at 23:38:49 Tuesday December 22 98
Wilkinson - gans an extra 97 points in my estimation after it was revealed he had been playing with a plate in a broken jaw all season, had it removed last Thursday and insisted on played despite doctors advice. Its now obvious that the reason he has been missing the target to date was because he was being sent off balance by the additional weight on one side.
Ray at 23:36:16 Tuesday December 22 98
I think the problem with Woody is thats hes not really as good as he supposes himself to be. I know confidence is important in keepers but I've never rated him as highly as he rates himself - somewhat like Schmiechel - on whom I'm sure he modelled his hair.
adam at 18:42:23 Tuesday December 22 98
why is everyone suddenly saying what a great player wilkenson was, you were or slagging him off big time before saturday. also hartwell cobbler, i suggest that whoever 'reliably' informs you is not that reliable after all!
Sid at 18:19:38 Tuesday December 22 98
For Woody, a £100,000 bid should not be accepted. We are not that desperate for cash. We have managed to pull ourselves out of debt in recent years. So I would only accept an offer of 150k MINIMUM for such a keeper. I wonder if Turley has been given a chance because the reserve games have ran out this year, and its a good opprtunity for Turley to have a run in the side. Woody should now fight for his place and get himself back where he belongs.
Sid at 18:15:25 Tuesday December 22 98
Well, i could use a Cgi-bin, but xoom dont like you using other CGI scripts on their servers, and no they do not have one. This is the problem. Ok, for the time being, anyone with a NETSCAPE browser that wants to GUESS THE ATTENDANCE please just mail me at
sid3214@x-stream.co.uk and use the heading "attendance". This should keep it ticking over for the time being. Thanks!
Hartwell Cobbler at 16:2:38 Tuesday December 22 98
Looks as though Woodie will be staying. The Board has rejected Diremonds offer and they say he's now above our budget limits (sic). Despite this Atkins has the go-ahead to sign Howey and Hope, according to tonight's Chronic.
Paul S at 15:54:48 Tuesday December 22 98
Woody is to my mind a better keeper than Turley, but he is obviously disaffected by the Cobblers (or IA) and has always been keen to move on to better things. A few more months experience for Turley and using the money from Woody's sale to strengthen the squad (buying Hope) should see us with a side at least as good as the moment, but with a younger keeper and a young(20) defender. The future prospects would be rosy with a number of young players (Hughes, Morrow, Spedding, Hunt, Gibb, Hope) together with experienced, but still only mid twenties, seasoned pros (Savage, Hunter, Turley, Corrazin). Be positive and look forward to a great team.
For Woody I feel sorry that he has not attracted the attention of a club from a higher level as I believe he has the ability to play at least in the first division with distinction, but, although I don't like it, his time with us must be over.
simon at 15:23:53 Tuesday December 22 98
I think Woody has been one of our best players over recent seasons.
A good keeper is probably worth 15 or so points in a season and I dont feel we are in the position to dispose of a player who has saved us on numerous occasions. As for Turley Im sure he is a nice bloke but he is hardly a worthy replacement is he?
Pete at 14:15:29 Tuesday December 22 98
Was Woody deliberately sabotaged in order to make him want to leave? This would make the fans less angry when the board sold one of the most popular players the club has ever had. I originally thought that Billy T was being put 'in the shop window' when he was suddenly promoted but obviously it was to prevent Woody being cup tied. It is all beginning to fit now. Billy T is seen as being a better future bet than a player in his prime now. Good business, bad for a loyal player. I will certainly miss Woody if he goes, even although I like Billy T. Shame we have to take sides. Top heavy in mid field which up until Saturday we had never really used- short elsewhere including in goal! So, 'sellakeeper' not a mid fielder.
Richard from HK at 13:46:27 Tuesday December 22 98
Oh and a happy new year. See you all at Wemberleeeeeeeeeeee
Richard from Hong Kong at 13:40:2 Tuesday December 22 98
A Merry Christmas to all Cobblers fans wherever you are.
Ralph at 11:48:29 Tuesday December 22 98
Re: Woody - I believe he is a better keeper than Turley, but recent events will have affected his confidence, 99% of a keepers ability. The point is someone wants to buy him and we need to sell. I just hope we get what he's worth, too often we under sell our players.
Ralph at 11:41:26 Tuesday December 22 98
T - Board pens! When I was a lad it was the pupils that were bored! Tell me, these pens, are they fashioned from quill or are you using this new fangled wood stuff?
Ray at 1:11:46 Tuesday December 22 98
Sid - the reaaon why it doesn't work is because Netscape doesnt support "Form mailto" statements - its something sneaked in by Microsoft. Can I suggest you use a mailform from a cgi bin similar to the one being used on the Oz Cobblers Site? Zoom probably have their own mailform you can use.
Tom at 21:51:29 Monday December 21 98
Sid, Just voted at your site. Couldn't resist the pleading tone. Lets hope Wilkinson knocks in another against Fulham and we do a Grimsby
Sid at 21:27:3 Monday December 21 98
For the meantime, please vote through normal e-mail IF the form doesn't work on my site. Wilkinson did well on Sat as he did have a slight infection. Lets hope he scores against Fulham
Sid at 21:11:44 Monday December 21 98
Sorry Ray, didnt receieve that one either. Must be something wrong with it then hhhmmmmmm. Can someone try it out by guessing the attendance to see if its working. Thanks.
T. at 20:35:2 Monday December 21 98
Ralph, we don't use chalk anymore either. We use board pens.
Ben at 20:19:0 Monday December 21 98
I personally would like woody to stay, unless we get a six figure price, and i dont care whether it is diamonds or juventus he goes to.
plus, warburton and heggs were worth six figures by themselves, so why are the board reluctant to let woody go for 75,000?
Ben at 20:15:55 Monday December 21 98
BTW, in the chro atko has promised to let the players play football on the pitch as opposed to their playstations, as you can see it works better that way........
Ray at 20:10:38 Monday December 21 98
Well - Woody's comments that the fans don't care whether he leaves or not have met with a wave of disinterest.
Ben Sturgess at 20:10:27 Monday December 21 98
No game with the cobblers is a dire match, screw matchfacts! This is all part of atkos master plan, get fans pissed off at the start of the season, so they will be even more happy when we win promotion by the end of it! UP THE COBBLERS!!!
TERRY FLEMING FAN CLUB at 19:58:14 Monday December 21 98
Use the Woody money to buy Terry.
BAKA at 19:57:25 Monday December 21 98
So Woodman thinks the fans don't care whether he leaves or not........well he's right.
Ralph at 17:16:4 Monday December 21 98
To you and yours also Hartwell Dave!
Hartwell Cobbler at 16:54:23 Monday December 21 98
I am reliably informed that Woodie will be a Diremonds (sic) player by close of play Thursday, although I don't know the actual fee. A good win on Sat and three more valuable points. Ray - thanks for all you've done to provide us with this mouthpiece. And to everyone, a very Happy Christmas and a point-filled New Year"
Ralph at 15:59:20 Monday December 21 98
T - So what colour is the chalk then?
T. at 15:7:13 Monday December 21 98
Ralph, we haven't had blackboards for years, it's whiteboards now!
Ray at 15:6:6 Monday December 21 98
T - I assume you are still at the tail end of the summer holiday :-)
Ray at 15:5:24 Monday December 21 98
Sid - I voted last Friday..... I also tried again today with the name of the team as "did you get this"... my vote was 9,768 - pity I didnt say 8,768....
Ralph at 13:47:10 Monday December 21 98
T - Life is just one long holiday for you teachers. Tell me do the kids still write 'Teachur iz a Twit' on the blackboards?
T. at 13:17:56 Monday December 21 98
Isn't it wonderful to be on holiday already.
Sid at 11:58:7 Monday December 21 98
Ray, when did you vote?? and what was it?? I will add it if you tell me. Sorry if i didn't catch your E-mail
Wilf at 10:37:50 Monday December 21 98
Seasonal Felicitations to you all! Thanks again Ray for giving us the opportunity of this wonderous media.
Gareth at 10:29:13 Monday December 21 98
I went to the Burnley game, and left elated. The first half was pretty non-descript. We were the better team and attacked from the off. Our approach play was good, but our finishing was poor. Two very good chances were wasted, the first was a tentative header from Wilko, and teh second was from a nicely whipped in cross by Gibb. Spedding got close to the ball but couldn't make the necessary contact. Ok so the game wasn't the prettiest to watch at times, but I wouldn't call it dire. In the second half, Burnley looked a lot stronger, but they wasted a couple of excellent chances and Turley was having a great game. One chip/shot was saved by Billy's fingertips as her flicked it onto the bar and out for a corner. When our first goal came it was in a period of nice passing play. Spedding had earlier wasted a good one-on-one, but Hunt took his shot early and caught the keeper a little by surprise. The ball was pushed onto the bar and Wilko follwoed in to score. The second goal was class. Carlo picked the ball up on the left. On the edge of the area he jinked to ther right, advanced further in and smacked a shot into the roof of the net. We couldn't believe it, and nor could the Burnley fans who emptied the stadium. So we won, and Wilko had a good game. The goal aside, his shooting was poor, BUT, his interplay with Carlo, Ali and others was at times superb. I think if he could be given a role behing Carlo and Seal or Carlo and Freestone, he could be a very good attacking midfielder. He's not quick enough for the target man role, but I think he could be an effective goal provider.
Ray at 8:36:22 Monday December 21 98
Aha! That explains it - too many foreign Ians - I get confused......
Ian at 3:24:2 Monday December 21 98
I'm a Canuck not an Ozzy. Figure that one out. I'm also about to disappear to deepest Mexico for a week in the sun, so merry Xmas to all regular readers and have reports of wins over County and Fulham waiting for me to read when I get back.
Vegas Cobbler at 2:33:29 Monday December 21 98
Can anyone give any info on Hope who played on Saturday against Burnley regarding age, position, present club, anticipated transfer fee if we sign him etc. Thanks in anticipation.
Ray at 0:44:32 Monday December 21 98
There is now a report on the match from someone actually there in the reports section.
RICHARD at 22:29:0 Sunday December 20 98
The details of Wilko's jaw was news to me! What more can the man do to please some home supporters? I hope those going to Notts County on Boxing Day give him a rousing welcome, and for his return home to play the Fulham, I trust we can raise the roof in praise of a new Cobblers' hero!!
RICHARD at 22:22:53 Sunday December 20 98
A 'Report'!: Burnley were jeered off the pitch by angry fans at the end of a scrappy 90 minutes at Turf Moor as Burnley slipped to a second league defeat on the run. After a 4-0 drubbing at Fulham last week, the Burnley fans' patience finally snapped when two dreadful defensive errors gifted the Cobblers the game. On 71 minutes an unmarked Paul Wilkinson headed home the opener, latching on to the rebound just yards out after James Hunt's 30 yard exocet shot smashed into the bar. Canadian International, Carlo Corazzin grabbed the second on 81 minutes, taking the ball round young defender Matt Heywood on the edge of the area and cracking in a superb shot from 10 yards. Town manager Ian Atkins was delighted, as his struggling team climb out of the second division danger zone. It was their second win on the bounce and Atkins was especially pleased for striker Wilkinson, who scored his first of the season. He said: "He was magnificent. Wilkie broke his jaw in pre-seeason and has played with a metal plate. He had it out on Tuesday and was told under no circumstances could he play because his jaw was infected. To put in a performance like that shows real spirit and it speaks volumes for him. We've been in the bottom three but we've shown the character to get out. We have done some rebuilding and it's not all come together at times, but hopefully we can get a run going." SPORT FIRST.
Robert Dunkley at 21:38:19 Sunday December 20 98
I've been surfing the web, and I can confirm that on TeamTalk's Brentford site, Woody is value by Atkins at £150 000. Diamonds site reports that they have offered more than £75 000. It is an undisclosed fee, which will be discussed tomorrow by the board. I expect Woody may attract attention from other clubs, I rate him at £250 000, so if we get at least £125 000 I will be still upset. Oh well! At lest Billy Turley is a good keeper, but I think Woody would rather go to London, yet Noades rates him at around £50k!! I do not want him to go, but if it means Hope can be signed then Atkins is in charge. At least he is not afraid to make unpopular decisions!
Interstingly, Birmingham will let Paul Tait go for £50 000. Yet another Brummie, then?
Outsider at 21:2:45 Sunday December 20 98
Apparently, Barry Stonhill and AN other director were down Diamonds last night. Expect Woody to be gone tomorrow. Did you see the Chron. He sez that the fans don't care if he leaves or not.
TRB Mark at 21:0:27 Sunday December 20 98
Re the Comments about Nene college. I did my pre-degree course there which I rally enjoyed. The fruits of my labours can bee seen at the Dergate in the shape of a one-man exhibition of my stunning artwork, including the originals of the two Cobbs Xmas cards. Talking of which, I shifted £40's worth to the branch secretary of the Leeds Utd Chiltern region supporters club.
Talking of which (great segways eh?)
Saw al the sad b*stards Queing for their badwagon tickets this morning outside nene park. Me and my well hard Boxer dog had to barge them off Marsh lane. I had my Cobbs scarf on too and with yesterdays reslut was in no mood to take any stick.
RICHARD at 20:6:50 Sunday December 20 98
Since there's NOTHING on the e-mail list (unless I'm experiencing a problem)and no-one is posting reports here either, I can only relate second hand news and info, which those of us unable to get to the great game may already have picked up from other sources (TV, earlier e-mail, newspapers, pony express and smoke signals!)We won 2-0; our first ever points at Turf Moor apparently! Both goals came in the second half of what is reported as being a "dire" match (Matchfacts). The first (71 mins.) was scored by Wonderful Wilko!!!!!! following up a rasping 30 yarder from James Hunt which was tipped onto the bar by their 'keeper, and heading in the rebound to open his account at long last! Perhaps this will give him the extra confidence to produce even more to spur on the Mighty Cobblers. The second goal (81 mins.) was a typical Carlo effort. As the TV commentator (Soccer am.) said, he either scores penalties or pile-drivers from the edge of the box. This one was picked up on the left outside the 18 yard line; he rounded two defenders, running to the right across the goal, then let fly with a net-buster from about 12 yards out. The MotM was Ali Gibb, (8* from Matchfacts). We used no subs (Roy, Warner and Sealo were held in reserve for more demanding fixtures!)The team, if you haven't read the papers, was Turley; Gibb, Hill, Sammo, Hope, Frain; Hunt, Savage, Spedding; Carlo and Wilko. Only 8,783 at Turf Moor; not far off their lowest(8526)league gate this season. Perhaps this accounts for the lack of Cobblers' reports - no-one turned up!! Carlo remains top scorer with 9 goals (equal 7th for league goals only).Hill and Gibb were booked for fouls. The referee was from Birmingham! Is there no boundary to IAs realm of influence from the Black Country? Burnley have now failed to score for the last 203 minutes! Notts County haven't netted in 116 mins. We feature alongside Preston and Chesterfield at equal 11th in recent league form (last six games) with 2 Ws, 2 Ds and 2 Ls. At 18th this is our highest league position all season! We're only 9 points off a play-off spot and the same number of points behind where we were at this stage last season! Match report from "Sport First" to follow after I've had my dinner!
Pete at 17:42:23 Sunday December 20 98
Yeah, where are all the comments and opinions- sounds as if there are a lot of Donkey Supporters out there who only write in with the gloom and doom. I was working on Saturday so I didn't even have the R&D radio report on 104.2 FM. Come on people, share the good news! ( That makes it sound very Christmas and biblical!).
*R* at 17:23:14 Sunday December 20 98
Merry xmas. I'm off.
Bolton Cobbler at 17:6:47 Sunday December 20 98
So who went? I missed the game cos I had to work :( but I see a distinct lack of match reaction here. What was the game like? Or are you all still gobsmacked by the fact that Wilko scored a goal...
T. at 16:49:52 Sunday December 20 98
R, are you there? I'm bored now too, pressies all wrapped, Time to havea drink I think.
Bolton Cobbler at 16:42:56 Sunday December 20 98
WILKO! WILKO! WILKO! Well it had to happen didn't it? F***ing marvellous result, more like this and we'll be flying back up the table. I've booked my place on the bus for Notts Co. on Boxing day COME ON!!!!
PS. Nene College made such an impression on me that I ran away up north to do my degree!!! (Mind you that wasn't such a good idea on reflection, many missed Town games!!)
*R* at 15:20:18 Sunday December 20 98
Bye
*R* at 15:19:54 Sunday December 20 98
Too late. I'm going to get food
*R* at 15:17:31 Sunday December 20 98
Hello?
*R* at 15:13:42 Sunday December 20 98
Is anyone out there? I'm really bored.
Fathead at 14:26:10 Sunday December 20 98
Percy mate, you're in the wrong place. Why not try joke corner!
Percy at 14:22:25 Sunday December 20 98
-knock knock ting-a-ling
-who's there?
-uci
-uci who?
-uci had to ring the bell cuz u didn't answer when i knocked!
RICHARD at 13:34:23 Sunday December 20 98
Where are all the match reports and first hand comments? I'm gagging for a summary of our glorious triumph!! From what I have gleaned from 'Matchfacts' we took the points in a dire match ( that's one up on 'abysmal' in my book). I'll take the points any way we can at this stage. Please post some info on the game, those who attended!
Ray at 13:31:16 Sunday December 20 98
Well I wont bother Guessing the Attendance any more. My vote was ignored.
Paul Wilkinson at 13:27:34 Sunday December 20 98
I promised to get you goals didnt I??? See what happens when the team stops kicking the ball at random and start playing football. BBC commentator reckons it was my first for the club, but that is b/s cos i scored in the reserves... do your homework matey!
Ben Sturgess at 13:18:4 Sunday December 20 98
Wilko is the best! The design for our kit is called the torino and is copied from juventus' kit of last year xcept they added some stars and that to it....
if you look in the chron you may notice that several of the local non league clubs use the same design (only different colours) the most popular one is the away kit, the stripe with the star in the middle.
*R* at 12:48:13 Sunday December 20 98
Lewis Wykes and Jason Lake (December 17) you got it right
PUT MICHAEL WARNER IN THE STARTING LINEUP FOR THE FULHAM GAME!
Sid at 12:41:36 Sunday December 20 98
Guess the Attendance is going really well now, so if you wish to guess for the Notts County game next week, do so now, as i dont want to be mucking about updating on Christmas Day. (Bloody hell, Christmas already!!!!!)
Fathead at 12:40:49 Sunday December 20 98
Paul Wilkinson, U R my hero!
*R* at 12:33:16 Sunday December 20 98
Hi peeps! Hope all you cobblers fans are pleased with yesterday's result - I know I am. Keep winning lads!
Kingsthorpe Cobbler at 10:10:0 Sunday December 20 98
Well done lads great performance - looking forward to Notts on Saturday
Ray at 0:31:33 Sunday December 20 98
erm....... I think it was my fault this afternoons postings disappeared ..... sorry.....
Sid at 22:55:29 Saturday December 19 98
weel, not many postings for obvious reasons. Well done Town, and Wilkinson. He gets my MOM vote for this match!
RICHARD at 21:35:52 Saturday December 19 98
Bugger! Just my luck to miss Wilko's first goal for the Cobblers. Two wins in a row; things really are looking up! Shame about the 'lost comments'; some of my finest work destroyed by cybergremlins!
david hammons at 20:7:14 Saturday December 19 98
Great to be able to get up to date info. on my team! Nearly 30 years in the COBBLERS wilderness since I emigrated to Canada.
I spent many hours supporting the team at the County Ground during the "Glory Years" My thanks to you for providing this first-class site and please convey my good wishes to the club, and GOOD LUCK to the TEAM in thier endeavours.
ARTH HAMMONS --NANAIMO, VANCOUVER ISLAN
Ray at 19:15:50 Saturday December 19 98
Where do all the postings keep disappearing to?
Jacks at 10:20:38 Friday December 18 98
Ralph, i'm afraid that the 'pile 'em high' tactic is true not only of the Colleges, but also Universities.....they just gotta have your money.
Ralph at 8:1:12 Friday December 18 98
sorry missed off the ?
Ralph at 8:0:23 Friday December 18 98
Did you know U2 played at Nene College.
Ralph at 7:59:49 Friday December 18 98
Hmm Nene College . . . loads of traffic . . . loads of students in The Sunnyside making half a bitter last a fortnight . . . loads of planks parking cars inconsiderately around Yardley Drive . . . it's not the students I blame it's the administrators who have a pile 'em in and take the money and we'll worry about accomodation and teaching later culture.
lewis wykes+jason lake at 20:16:6 Thursday December 17 98
hello cobblers,
we are looking forward to the fulham match on the 28th.
We hope to win at least 2-0. Is there any chance of having Michael Warner in the staring lineup.
Yet again we will prove to Mr Mohhammed ( moneybags ) Al Fayed that you don`t always need loadsa money to be successful and in so doing we will kick his team in the you know what`s ( Up The Cobblers!?! )
from luis enrique + jason dozzell
T. at 18:36:31 Thursday December 17 98
I too studied at Nene for 3 years,mainly economics, maths and statistics and then did a PGCE at Bedford the year before it became De Montfort. What better place to be than in Northampton home of the mighty Cobb's?
The Graduate at 18:33:39 Thursday December 17 98
Ralph, I have to agree with SBJ on the merits of Nene College. The employment figures would be a lot worse if we didn't have Nene coz where else would those with D and E grades go!!!!!!!
The Oxford Cobbler at 18:29:59 Thursday December 17 98
Sorry, I meant to say highly talented youngsters!!!
By the way, is Woody still with us and £75,ooo would be a bigger joke than £100,000 we got for the Rushden two!!!
The Oxford Cobbler at 18:27:40 Thursday December 17 98
Does Morrow know what he is letting himself in for! He obviously has spoken to Mikey Warner. Andy, ten years is an awful long wait to get in the first team. Try Man Utd, they give their younsters a chance!
AMANDA at 17:57:40 Thursday December 17 98
Any more news on Woody? So we have signed Morrow as a pro...well all I can say is whats the point, not that I think he shouldn't have been given the contract, but what is the point. The most he is going to get to play is 3 mins(if he's lucky) and yes I am again reffering to Micky Warner.
Does anyone know how Matthews is coming on? I saw him at lunch today on his bike, any idea when he'll be back?
SBJ at 16:19:35 Thursday December 17 98
Ralph - I light-heartedly refute that comment! I studied history at Nene for three years, have a 2.1 degree from there (supported by Leicester Uni), and had a darn good time too. OK, so it's not always comfortable having to mutter "I went to Nene College actually" when people talk about their universities, but I'm still quietly proud of the place (usually very quietly proud!). It's where I picked up my affiliation and support for NTFC too. Without Nene College, the world wouldn't have my fabulous dissertation "Agrarian Protest in Suffolk, 1815-16", which is probably reason enough to close the place down as a mental health hazard. Is it Nene University yet? There's already a Northampton University, just past the Semilong turnoff (coincidentally that's the name of a girl I used to know) on the main Town Centre-Kingsthorpe road. Is there anyone else on these pages who'll admit to having studied at Nene? Famous former students . . . . ermm . . .
Anon at 16:7:9 Thursday December 17 98
Ralph - hi there. Thought maybe you'd knocked off early for Xmas! Yes, on the face of it Woody should be worth more than £75k. But of course he's only worth what someone's willing to pay for him and no doubt Brentford would argue that he's only a reserve keeper!! I do agree with you - Atkins will probably spend more than that on Howey and a replacement keeper. So, what will we have gained ? Very little. Surely we can't keep adding to the squad? Injured or not, players have to be paid and right now our wage bill must be astronomic. Most firms with 30-odd employees, of whom nine were long-term sick-listed, would struggle to survive. Off the pitch the Cobblers are much like any other company - if expenditure exceeds income there's trouble ahead. No, I think IA still has options and must soldier on with what he's got. After all there's still Warner....and maybe if he's down to his last 11 fit men, Warner may (just may) get a game (rather than three mins).
Ralph at 14:44:23 Thursday December 17 98
Well there's a contradiction in terms, Nene College and education?
SBJ at 13:26:49 Thursday December 17 98
Are we still in the Elgin District Cup this season then? Being out of the FA Cup, Worthy Cup (valiant battlers to the end, hurrah!), FA Youth Cup, apparently the U-17 and U-19 cups too, that leaves us with the Auto Windscreen Wipers Zenith Data Trucks Jewson South Central Trains Plastic Cracker Toy Shield to go for. I think IA should use the Elgin District Cup to 'bring on some of the younger players', a la Ferguson etc. I would hope that being nowhere near Elgin would not disqualify us from competing . . . . :-) I hope we do well in the AWS competition - Cambridge next?
bored italian at 12:55:29 Thursday December 17 98
Hah! Caught you at it again!
; )
Anon at 12:41:21 Thursday December 17 98
Is there anybody out there?
Ray at 11:16:42 Thursday December 17 98
Well Nairn were the Elgin District Cup Winners in 1920/21 - so perhaps there is hope for us yet.
Cretin at 11:6:18 Thursday December 17 98
All Emmas are evil.
Dr Boffin at 10:27:29 Thursday December 17 98
It's all the product of a Nene College education.
SBJ at 10:25:11 Thursday December 17 98
Ray: you're clearly a man of wide learning! Here's a novelty (esp if you like the kit archive on one of the other Cobblers sites): I notice that Nairn County (Highland League) play in the same kit that we do, with the exception that their colours are yellow and black not claret and white. Stars and blobs and everything, just like ours. It's a Pro-Star kit (as you can see from the logo on the sleeves in this picture: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/articles/highlandfootball/article070.html
Nice that Pro-Star went so far (and so low down the league ladder) for inspiration for our kit we all hated so much at first sight. Some of the other HFL teams appear to have the same kits too. Evidently Pro-Star had a job lot of pink stripey shirts which they couldn't flog to the Scottish, so they stuck on Cobblers badges and chucked them our way. Still, I quite like our kit now. And anyway it doesn't matter as long as we do well.
Ray at 9:55:21 Thursday December 17 98
Lets hope we don't finish "last" in the league.
Dr Boffin at 9:25:36 Thursday December 17 98
Why are we Cobblers and not Sowters? It's all the same trade, and sowter is the older word. St.Crispin would be spinning in his grave if he knew that the trade he patronised was being mocked in so-called jokes, viz. 'What a load of cobblers!' and so forth. 'What a load of sowters' just wouldn't be funny, even to opposition fans.
Bolton Cobbler at 0:10:42 Thursday December 17 98
So is all the money for Woody going out for Howey? I find that very hard to swallow. Howey's good but he's not worth that much. He'd be a squad player if everyone was fit. OK, he's versatile, but we have better centre backs and better forwards.
Ray at 23:26:48 Wednesday December 16 98
I can't help wondering why Amanda shouts so much?
..... and shouldnt you be in bed at this time of night?
AMANDA at 23:26:23 Wednesday December 16 98
WE'RE ON THE MARCH WITHATKINS ARMY
WE'RE ALL GOING TO WEMBLEY
IT'LL REALLY SHAKE THEM UP
WHEN NORTHAMPTON TOWN GO UP*
'CAUSE THE COBBLERS R THE GREATEST FOOTBALL TEAM
*OR..WIN THE ............... CUP
...AUTO WINDSHIELDS THINGY
...FACUP
...WORTHINGTON CUP
COME ON U COBBLERS.
WE ALL LURVE U!
AMANDA (14) at 23:22:15 Wednesday December 16 98
WE WON!!!!!!!!THE GAME ON SAT WAS A BIT MORE INTERESTING THAN LAST SEASON AT HOME TO CHESTERFIELD WASN'T IT!!! IT'S NICE TO SEE THE MOOD CHANGING NOT MANY ARE NOW CHANTING "ATKINS OUT" WHICH IS GOOD, BUT I STILL RECKON THAT HE SHOULD LEAVE WHILE HE'S AHEAD (?) I WILL BE REALLY SAD TO SEE HIM GO BUT HE HAS DONE AS MUCH AS HE CAN FOR THE COBBLERS NOW (AND NOT MANY-IF ANY - OF THE PLAYERS GET ON WITH HIM ANY MORE).
OK JUST ONE MOAN ABOUT SATURDAY (SORRY)
WHY THE HELL WON'T HE PLAY MICKY WARNER? I AM REPEATING MYSELF IN SAYING HE IS ONE OF THE MOST NATURAL PLAYERS IN OUR SQUAD - BUT HE STILL WON'T PLAY HIM!!!!!!
OH WELL
SOME PEOPLE HAVE COMMENTED ON MY USE OF CAPS LOCK, THIS IS BECAUSE I AM REALLY LAZY AND CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO HOLD SHIFT DOWN EVERYTIME I WANT A CAPITAL!
I AM GLAD THAT IS CLEARED UP!
Ralph at 17:55:49 Wednesday December 16 98
The boy Witter always looked solid to me and would be a far better short term prospect. He was available on a free!
Ralph at 17:54:30 Wednesday December 16 98
The Woody/Howey deal just doesn't equate. It all sounds a bit panicky and not good business. Woody is worth more than the £75k being quoted and if we have that money to spend I reckon there are better centre-half's available than Howey.
Ray at 17:41:11 Wednesday December 16 98
Come on folks - 59000 by Saturday and Burnley are in for a whipping.
cocky sod at 17:27:24 Wednesday December 16 98
you won't see me at Burnley; I'll be on the p*ss celebrating the start of 3 weeks' holiday! Come on you Cobblers!!
sam schofield at 16:54:11 Wednesday December 16 98
A cracking game from Howey . A real shame he can not play this week. See you all at Burnley.
Bolton Cobbler at 16:49:26 Wednesday December 16 98
I reckon we will have done well if we hold out for £100,000 for Woody considering he was signed on a free tranfer, and the money he's made for us in helping us get out of D3. He's served the club excellently but its time for Billy to get some vital experience. £75,000 is just Ron Noades taking the piss, he knows how much Woody's worth (more than 100K really)and he's got more than enough money to pay twice the amount we're asking.
SBJ at 15:58:38 Wednesday December 16 98
Simon (several messages back): I'm in SW 19, only a few stops along the District from you. I'll be passing through Putney on the number 93 going to Fulham at the end of January - cheap day out to watch Cobblers win I hope.
bored italian at 13:6:39 Wednesday December 16 98
Oi! Do some work and stop looking at your cobblers!
(you might go blind)
Paul S at 10:54:27 Wednesday December 16 98
Don't like to disappoint you Dave, but Hodgson is out for the rest of the season, and Clarkson isn't back just yet, and with no reserve games 'til Jan 11 don't hold your breath for his comeback
dave at 9:46:24 Wednesday December 16 98
What a team!
Turley
Clarkson,Sampson,Hodgson,spedding
Hunter,savage,hunt
Corrazzin,freestone,seal
Up the cobblers we need to beat Fulham which will be hard I will be going to that match so come on town.
Anton at 6:14:44 Wednesday December 16 98
Hi there. I've just put up the first half (pages for divisions 2 & 3) of a new website called 'The Fans' Voice'
The site is devoted to promoting fan issues at all English League clubs, and providing some basic information on those clubs.
Now, being a Mansfield fan, I can only really write stuff regarding them. What I was wondering was if any of you guys'd like to write a piece about your manager, chairman, directors, ground, or start off a discussion, to kick the Northampton part of the site off.
the site can be found at:
http://members.aol.com/stagsmtfc/ssib/fansvoice/index.html
thanks for reading.
Anton
SCOUSE at 22:10:48 Tuesday December 15 98
So then what's all this fuss about Woodie then.Let Dogmonds have him.He has not shown much this season,only that he hasn't got it in him to fight for his place.Turley has shown that he is good enough to stay in his place.Instead of chucking the dummy out of the pram,fight for your place and show us your'e worth the money,unfortunately he will take the Dogmonds money and cry in the non-league for another year because they ain't coming up,loads of money,but still not good enough!!!!!!!!
Hey Gooner lost your voice lately
Ben Sturgess at 21:56:42 Tuesday December 15 98
Grimsby came from the bottom of the table to get a place in the playoffs so i wouldnt be suprised if we have a get a good winning streak to take us up the table and possibly a place in the play offs.
I reckon woody will go to man u, ferguson is probably gonna be desperate for a keeper if schmicheal lets in another crappy goal. And i think he is quite a good investment...
I think seal will probably stay, as atkins is still desperate to find a good strike partnership... BTW four cobblers players featur on the game fifa 98, corazzin, wilko, hill, morrow and i think hughes might be in it aswell, anyways thought you guys might like to know, give you something else to talk aboit rather than how bad you think wilko is...
Ben Sturgess at 21:56:1 Tuesday December 15 98
Grimsby came from the bottom of the table to get a place in the playoffs so i wouldnt be suprised if we have a get a good winning streak to take us up the table and possibly a place in the play offs.
I reckon woody will go to man u, ferguson is probably gonna be desperate for a keeper if schmicheal lets in another crappy goal. And i think he is quite a good investment...
I think seal will probably stay, as atkins is still desperate to find a good strike partnership... BTW four cobblers players featur on the game fifa 98, corazzin, wilko, hill, morrow and i think hughes might be in it aswell, anyways thought you guys might like to know, give you something else to talk aboit rather than how bad you think wilko is...
Hartwell Cobbler at 20:9:26 Tuesday December 15 98
Tonight's Chronic has Brentford as favourites to sign Woodie. They have offered £75k and it's gone to the board. Woodie appears to want to go back to London. But £75k seems a pretty small sum, although apparently it will enable Atkins to buy Howey. Problem is we will also need a cover goalie. Together they are likely to more than see off the money from Woodie. Therefore I would be surprised if it sanctioned the Brentford offer as it stands. Ref Seal - is this talk of him going to Diremonds just gossip ? I have heard nothing of the kind from my inside sources (which, of course, doesn't necessarily mean anything!). If that happens it would surprise me more than Woodie's possible departure. Seal is, I believe, the one person who could work alongside Corazzin, given a reasonable amount of time. This does not seem the right time to see anyone else going out the door. Perhaps there is, as ever, more to all this than meets the eye.....we should be told.
Sid at 19:43:4 Tuesday December 15 98
I think Woody will be gone by the end of the week. It will be sad to see him go as he is still my favourite at Sixfields. But thats that.
NOSEY PARKER at 18:56:3 Tuesday December 15 98
How does a club like Rushden afford to take all our best players bye Woody good luck and i know Seal will be next
Paul S at 17:2:31 Tuesday December 15 98
Well Kelly, David has been suspended for the last 3 matches and there are no more reserve fixtures before Jan 11, so I guess we won't see him for another month. Its a real shame as he was in top form against Swindon and I saw some of last seasons highlights the other night and he was devastating with the ball to his feet in the goal area. I'd forgooten what a class act we were at the start of last season
KELLY at 16:39:2 Tuesday December 15 98
SEAL, DO YOU MEAN THAT GUY DAVID IS HE STILL ALIVE THEN, I DONT THINK ATKINS HAS HEARD OF HIM
Hartwell Cobbler at 14:55:6 Tuesday December 15 98
Pete - I agree with your assessment that our lack of goals is down more to our tactics than our front men. It is difficult for even the best centre forwards to score when they don't get decent service - Shearer suffered that fate under Dalgleish's tactics. The return of Spedding on Sat at least gave us the option of attacking down both flanks. But we still don't get enough decent crosses in; neither do we get the ball on the ground down the middle to the feet of our front men. We do have some good players at the club. If and when Atkins can bring himself to play a pass and movement game the team as a whole will flourish and, given time, Carlo, Seal and even Wilkinson may start to score the goals they are capable of doing (especially Corazzin who's track record last year alone is proof of that).It's a pity we have to harp on about this so much but like you I believe it is fundamental to our changing fortunes in the longer term.
kelly at 14:52:53 Tuesday December 15 98
see ya woody
Randolf Spandit at 14:47:56 Tuesday December 15 98
Duur Wrong button, I meant to click on Mrs wipps house of fun
Pooeey at 14:41:21 Tuesday December 15 98
I support Posh.
Ron Davies at 14:37:1 Tuesday December 15 98
I don't live in SW15, but I've been there before...
simon at 14:11:53 Tuesday December 15 98
are there any other cobblers fans livinng in putney sw15 ?
SBJ at 13:16:43 Tuesday December 15 98
Richard: I just read your IK'CIWT report (I print them out and read them on the train home) and noticed that you've predicted 12 points for us out of the holiday season. I was also thinking that this is not so unlikely: Burnley on a downwards slide, Notts County still not really underway, Fulham we have a knack of troubling, and Wrexham (especially on the back of good results) we can also stuff. Interesting that the pools forecast on Friday for Burnley vs. Cobblers was home win, and the same for Notts County vs Cobblers, with Cobblers vs Fulham being an away win; since Saturday I've seen the first two matches variously forecast as wins for us or at worst draws, and we seem to have been given a chance of drawing with Fulham now. It could be a case of getting carried away after one win, but the 12 points from the next four games looks plausible, or even realistic if you squint a bit. Dear Santa, please get me four Cobblers' victories during the next four games . . . .
Alistair at 11:55:54 Tuesday December 15 98
What a pleasant sites
Bill at 11:48:4 Tuesday December 15 98
Don't you think that Wilko is just the best player in the Cobbler's team?
Ray at 8:55:4 Tuesday December 15 98
Considering they both started off at the same number late last night - it didnt take them long to go out of sync. did it?
Ian at 3:39:7 Tuesday December 15 98
Okay Ray, so which is it: 58015 or 58017. Or does this mean we'll get two kicks at 75000?
Ray at 2:13:49 Tuesday December 15 98
Ive also installed an additional counter for when the original one goes awol....
Ray at 22:47:38 Monday December 14 98
I've also removed the Diremonds Duo from the squad page.
Ray at 22:40:51 Monday December 14 98
There is a slight problem with the news at the moment but it should be corrected in the morning.
Ray at 22:24:54 Monday December 14 98
Nice to see the Swansea Sheep S*****rs coming to a decent Web Site....
Swansea City fc at 21:44:33 Monday December 14 98
You english make me sick, heggs is shite and always will be, and we beat cardiff 2-1 and we also beat your top side stoke so i think we would have no trouble sorting you out, bye girlies, put a message on the swansea message board.
sheep boyos rule
Isleworth Bee at 21:43:5 Monday December 14 98
What's this keeper "Woody" like then?
T. at 21:42:29 Monday December 14 98
We'll beat Burnley on Saturday even if Howey doesn't play.
Sid at 21:25:4 Monday December 14 98
Howey will come to us if the directors will let Atkins use the money. I think a deal can be struck. How much do you reckon?? My money is on £50,000.
Ralph at 21:19:14 Monday December 14 98
Great Result - That is all that matters. Having said that the moaners that we were busily outing last week excelled themselves Saturday. The main protagonists are father and son, son wears a very dodgy leatherette black and orange jacket and father looks like Lovejoys ugly sister. When we scored they sat motionless and left at the final whistle looking decidedly miffed. Still better they shut up than moan, perhaps they will do us all a favour and stop coming if we carry on winning. They sit in the West Stand-Upper Tier-Seats Q130/131.
Ian at 19:57:17 Monday December 14 98
Ray, how about giving the club a nudge to take Ray and Heggs off the list of players on the official site? Also the "latest news" there seems reluctant to load.
Pete at 19:50:29 Monday December 14 98
..but Cobbler Bob- I want to go to Wembley again, preferably to beat Man.City.
Cobblers Bob at 18:37:29 Monday December 14 98
I agree Pete, although I'm still convinced the mighty Cobblers can gain promotion without going through the play off places.
Pete at 18:24:40 Monday December 14 98
Bill, what has Wilko got to do to please you? He had a decent game on Saturday. None of the forwards are scoring- and I blame the tactics not the players. C'field are one of the better teams in the league- Did we look like less competent players who needed to 'grind out a result'? When we did play the ball closer to the ground did we look more or less dangerous? I thought Wilko looked sharper with the ball at his feet. Sadly just as he is beginning to play after having his face smashed in (on our behalf) he is facing further surgery. Some of his delicate lay-offs with both head and feet were really cool. No, I dont think he is perfect- but I think he is better than some of you portray him. I hope that IA will learn from Sat. that we have some good players who not only can win but also could entertain.... and still Hunter to come back and a happier Seal. I thing we have a brighter season ahead. I forecast threatening a play off position.And when I sobber up I will still think the same!
SBJ at 17:46:58 Monday December 14 98
Notwithstanding Burnley's immediate objection to Howey playing on Saturday, surely with the proceeds of recent sales (Heggs etc) we should be able to strike a suitable package deal for Howey to join us? That's assuming he wants to leave one relegation battle for another. Not wanting to tempt fate, Burnley look to be still plummeting, whereas we at least seem to be slowly turning round now - perhaps we're the more appealing option of the two?
Hartwell Cobbler at 17:43:42 Monday December 14 98
Atkins is trying to sign Howey but it's not certain if a deal can be struck. Burnley (not surprisingly) won't allow him to play against them on Sat. Seal will be available again on Sat and I think he will partner Corazzin. In fact I feel sure, given the chance to work together on a regular basis, they would form our most effective front partnership.
Paddington Cobbler at 16:56:21 Monday December 14 98
Yep, we played some good football and deserved to win on Saturday. The North Stand rendering of the Hallelujah chorus after we scored seemed appropriate somehow. Howey's header was a beaut. I wonder if Burnley will now want him back especially after their drubbing at the hands of Fulham.
T. at 16:42:17 Monday December 14 98
I missed the goal in the back of the car, I was reading my programme, heaqrd a cheer, looked up and then heard from everyone around me what a good, clean shot it was!
SBJ at 16:19:24 Monday December 14 98
Does anyone know who it was that got the ball in the back of the car? This has always seemed to me to be (a) the silliest football-related challenge ever, and (b) possibly the hardest to win at. Surely the Titan who achieved this mighty feat should be celebrated on our website? Worthy of MOTM nominations? How does the selection process for contestants work anyway?
Chicago Cobbler at 16:16:8 Monday December 14 98
I quote Tony from Scarface: "First you get the money, then you get the power, then you get the women" Meaning: Each piece of the puzzle must fall into place before the next will fit. A couple of wins, and we are back in this thing. UP THE COBBS!
Bill at 15:48:43 Monday December 14 98
Bye bye Angry Cobbler (sniff..)
Bill at 15:41:48 Monday December 14 98
I was sitting in the East stand next to a party of little peckers who couldn't even spell the word "cobblers" when they were chanting. Also, I managed to out sing twenty-five of them by myself, only with the assitance of a halls soother (blackcurrant). Apart from that, I enjoyed watching the cobblers win for a change. Chesterfield were about sixth in the table but at times we made them look quite ordinary. Billy Turley was a real saviour in the last minute. There should never have been that much injury time in the first place, but I suppose it didn't matter in the end. I was also amazed to see the first person ever kick the football in the back of the boot of the car, and I think Atkins would probably be better off with him than Wilko. Having said that, he did try a bit harder for once on the pitch. By the way, does anyone know if it is true that Ian Atkins and Barry Fry are going to be on "Recipe for Disaster" on Anglia, and if so, when is it on?
Nathan Gardner at 14:50:21 Monday December 14 98
Can any body tell me or get Dougie Hodgson to email me please
nice web site
thanks
Nathan Gardner
latics@pcassist.co.uk
SBJ at 14:42:1 Monday December 14 98
No idea about the quality of the game, but smashing result on Saturday! My Christmas card snowmen are singing! OK, Chesterfield haven't yet won away this season, but they are up in the play-off area, and so the win was good. Away at Burnley will be difficult this Saturday, possibly the Notts County away the following week slightly less so. Could this really be the Cobblers up-turn many of us have been predicting? I stick with my prediction of 8th or 9th from bottom by the first week of the new year. Thanks to everyone who answered my 'why do you support the Cobblers' question - all very interesting. I had the pick of the 92 clubs when I came to live in England aged 8, but it wasn't until age 18 at Nene College that I saw the light and followed NTFC; 'lights' would be more accurate as I lived on Park Avenue North and could practically read books by the light of the old County Ground floodlights. Glory days, eh . . . rush goalie . . jumpers for goalposts . . .isn't it?
Jacks at 14:25:24 Monday December 14 98
Well!! I KNEW it !!
I had THAT feeling ....and I KNEW we would win on Saturday !! Well, we had a better game - not the best I have seen, but I thought Wilko had a MUCH better game, he actually looked rather more committed than of late. Duncan Spedding was a very welcome addition and seemed to give the team a new lease of life. I am so glad we have Savage..rightly rewarded on Saturday. I heard that Hodgeson has effectively broken his neck - AWFUL news for him if that is true. Hope not. All the very best to you though......
Carl at 13:56:28 Monday December 14 98
What?
dave at 11:5:49 Monday December 14 98
I have it on good authority that woody will be going in this week. I know where he will be going it should be Brentford they havenot offered not much money.
Cobbler Down Under at 10:52:36 Monday December 14 98
Go you good thing go!!!!! It is starting early, the post Xmas run of victories is upon us a couple of weeks prior and the optmism and positive talk is back.Thanks Richard for such an eloquent description of a fans experience of one of those great days only the Cobblers can provide.Bring on the next turkeys and "UP THE TOWN"
Bolton Cobbler at 4:15:16 Monday December 14 98
Despite the good result, I feel that some of the supporters still aren't happy. I spent an hour on the phone today with my dad and one of my friends who both said the game was rubbish on Saturday despite the result. Wondering if I should bother when I come home for Xmas...(of course I will!!!)
PS Are there still tickets available for Fulham?
RICHARD at 23:15:46 Sunday December 13 98
IK'CIWT: It was a hectic morning: walk the dog in Ashdown Forest (Winnie the Pooh country); take my daughter, Laura to work in Tunbridge Wells (slave labour); buy a Christmas Tree (why are there only bent, spindly, misshapen ones left when I go?)and leave by 12 noon for Sixfields. As we bid our farewells at the front door, the radio was playing the theme tune from "Titanic"! Not the best omen, I thought. However, having performed the usual prematch ritual whilst showering earlier i.e. placing the nail brush, the anti-ageing, wrinkle-repellent, pore-cleansing, restorative elixir of everlasting youth (Oil of Ulay) dispenser AND Laura's lady-shave, cut-throat razor in line-abreast in the shower nick-nack holder next to the soap-on-a-rope, ALL pointing North to Cobbler-Heaven - I felt I had tipped the balance of fortune in our favour, despite some further misgivings at the prospect of playing a Spireite team who had yet to win an away game in the league this season (Sod's Law dictates that it would fall to us to provide their change in fortune!) Undaunted, we made our way up the M25/M1 playing guess the score/scorers/goal-ends/time of goal etc. etc. It didn't take long this week; we both put blind optimism aside and agreed on a 0-0 result! The first thing I noticed on arriving at the ground, was the amount of parking space available at 2.15pm. So much for my guess the attendance figure - 6,902!! There used to be a joke doing the rounds down in these parts; What's the difference between Mars and Fratton Park? ---------- More atmosphere on Mars! For Pompey read Cobblers, as Sixfields' morgue-like silence, was shattered only by the cacophany of assorted toffee wrappers unfurling and the odd belch of flatulence resulting from an over-hastily consumed coffee and walnut whip. One comment that did pierce the eery calm was that of a young female supporter close-by who, usually prone to more violent outbursts of antagonistic bile towards the opposition, leant toward her equally juvenlie partner and bawled, " 'Ere, Darren. F****** go and get us a F***** meat pie before the F****** rest of the B******* turn up and wolf the F***** lot!" On that high note I proceeded to scan the programme notes and read with interest the skilful avoidance by IA of anything vaguely controversial viz recent performances and concentrated on the mind-numbing subject of player burn-out! I then swiftly turned to the relative excitement of "in the SPOTLIGHT" featuring the words of Wilko! It soon dawned on me that this was in fact a ghost-written piece in support of IA and the whole Cobblers set-up. But give Sgt.B his due, he was not only full of praise for the organization, but not once was it mentioned that he might have been just a smidgeon p*****-off at his reception from home fans since his arrival. Truly a club man through and through. So, I was a little disgusted when, on hearing the first announcemount of the team line-up, again, Wilko's name was greeted with more derision than any of the opposition. A couple of muted comments were passed within earshot at this and I shook my head contemptuously in disbelief at their ignorance. At this point the boy, Chris was set to leave the ground. He was sure I was about to be duffed up and he begged me not to be controversial. I said I was going to cheer Wilko as loud as I could on the second reading. The lad withdrew into his coat and put his fingers in his ears. He doesn't like the sound of bone cracking and the dull thud of face viciously attacking fist! Well, I managed to get away with it; I don't think I was the only one to cheer for him, but it wasn't universal acclamation of his selection. During the game itself, the mood of the home fans was strangely acquiescent, almost forgiving! There were odd rumblings from the usual suspects. But those with the IQ of a hand-bag are not often held resposible for their actions. I blame the parents; they should have been taught effective birth control. One particular shaven-headed, thick-necked, slack-jawed, knuckle-scraping moron, who it is my misfortune to be seated close to, has managed to produce fruit from his loins! At an earlier match while he was renting the air asunder with a futile volley of apparent sattire, his daughter was issuing instructions as to which expletives he had forgotten to abuse IA with! Perhaps there is a case for genetic engineering! Anyway, the match was a cut above the Reading demise. We looked good in parts. The overall play was constructive and attacking with plenty of ball aimed only inches above the turf. Indeed, the first evidence of the 'long ball game' came from Chesterfield. For a team 6th in the division, they seemed decidedly off colour. Shades of us last season - virtually indestructible at home, but not travelling well. Weak finishing more than anything prevented us from going in at half time without a clear lead; Mercer in their goal, had all the shot stopping practice. He had hold of the ball for so long, the maker's name was rubbing off on his jersey! As for the half-time entertainment, I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. I may never witness the like of it again. The Henlys Hot Shot competition, now 18 weeks, or 10 home games old, finally produced a shot of Titanic proportions (there, that was what the omen foretold). First shot of the day, straight in the car boot; didn't even touch the sides; the crowd went wild; chants of "Sign him up, sign him up, sign him up" echoed around the ground. This must have stirred the lads to even greater things in the second half. After several promising attacking moves, we had another corner; taken by Ali, the 'keeper came for it but arrived a fraction after Lee Howey's golden forehead. "How many points for a win, these days?", I asked the boy. He took this to be an attempt at humour on my part. "Dad, you're just not funny!" He was probably still upset with me because he was worried he might have had to find his own way home after I had been laid up in hospital following a possible altercation with the aforementioned 'S**t-for-brains'! We even held on during that time-honoured tradition of giving the ball away, sitting back at daring the opposition to score in the closing minutes to deprive us of a point or three. In the end then, an effective 90 minutes of endeavour. Billy held on to the shots and crosses, and despite the odd wayward kick a la Woody, generally acquitted himself well. With Colin Hill side-lined through 'flu, it looked to me like we had a 4-4-2 formation with Sammo and Howey in the centre, Ali and Frain on the outsides; Parrish Hunt Lily and a welcome return for Duncan Spedding across the middle, with Carlo and Wilko providing the fire-power. It seemed to work quite well, with Savage particularly (having just received 'player of the month' honours) playing a fine robust, inventive game. Wilko was energetic in his efforts, if not always accurate in his execution. He rarely fails to meet the ball with his head and a little better understanding both with and from those around him in support and he could prove very effective. Carlo was as busy as ever without getting the scoring chances he deserves; Howey was a rock at the back, where he appears much more comfortable than up front, though he did score the winner. Frainy was chosen MoM and can keep pace with most wingers down the side lines. He also put in some telling crosses. I'd give us a 7 out of 10. Praise inded in light of some performances this season. The feeling of relief around the ground was stronger than last season's enthusiasm following accustomed home wins. There is a sense of wonder at bagging three points for only the 4th time in 21 games; victory is so much sweeter when you've had to wait for it for so long. Call me a silly old optimist, but I believe we can achieve 12 points over X-mas; 3 already in the bag, trips to Burnley and Notts County, two teams having bad spells, and a Yuletide bash with the hated Fulham, over whom we appear to have the hex. Tempting providence seems to be a Cobblers fan's past-time, but 30 points come the New Year would see us in a solid mid-table position with the reverse fixtures (bar County) to come. Confidence will be riding high, injuries and suspensions will be a thing of the past and teams will be worrying about the upcoming matches with the mighty Claret and White!! If this scenario falls a little short of the mark in reality, then my New Year's resolution list will start with - 1. Continue to support the Cobblers. No matter what the odds, regardless of the sceptics and doom merchants, never mind the results. It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings (and I've made the wife promise mot to break into song until the end of May at the earliest!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Happy Christmas.
Cobblers Bill at 21:14:47 Sunday December 13 98
well done Cobblers, what a super victory! I think from now on we are really going to storm the 2nd Division. Lets get off Mr Atkins' back now, and I'm sure he'll do a super job and take us right to the top. Regarding Heggs, I notice that he scored again yesterday, oh well you can't have everything!
lee at 20:2:26 Sunday December 13 98
Hey Salter haven't seen any abuse for a while were are you.................................................
LEE at 20:0:21 Sunday December 13 98
well was that three points or what???? It's been a long time coming,but I thought that the boys deserved it it was one of the best performaces of the season,well done Savage you had a brilliant game,never stopped running or trying.......the rest of the team played their part but Savage and Howey were outstanding...did I realy say Howey..still you can't have everything....
Anon at 19:51:18 Sunday December 13 98
I thought that this was one of the best performances of the season[Chesterfield]well done boys let's have some more of it!!!!!
Gavin at 19:50:59 Sunday December 13 98
Who is this BJ character anyway? Supplying bogus information that we were 1-0 down! Could have caused a lot of distress to some.
Gavin at 19:48:31 Sunday December 13 98
Why are Razor and Heggs still listed as squad on the official site? Oh how I wish it were true... alas not.
DEBORAH at 19:7:24 Sunday December 13 98
WOW ANOTHER WIN!!!!!
NOW I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO WIN THE LEAGUE!!!!!!!
UP THE TOWN!!!!!!!
DEBORAH at 19:6:56 Sunday December 13 98
WOW ANOTHER WIN!!!!!
NOW I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO WIN THE LEAGUE!!!!!!!
UP THE TOWN!!!!!!!
Ben at 18:56:11 Sunday December 13 98
At Least the defense stood firm when the away team were attacking and didnt let in any soft goals
Sid at 18:45:29 Sunday December 13 98
Good game yesterday, got to listen to the last 10 mins on the radio. Usual barrage by the away team at the end but who cares! 3 points!
Guess the Attendance is up and running on my site, so feel free to guess for the Burnley match (away) next week.
Hartwell Cobbler at 17:36:40 Sunday December 13 98
Good result on Sat - Turley, Frain, Savage, Carlo and the returning Spedding all had excellent games (especially Spedding, who gave us options and width on the left at last). All round far more commitment than of late. Even Wilkinson had a reasonable second half, with a neat little run past two players and a couple of shots. Parrish, however, continues to disappoint this season. I don't know if his injury, general loss of confidence or form. I still think Atkins ought to give Warner a run - not just three mins which doesn't even warrant getting his shorts dirty! Atkins has given Turley his chance and he's taken it; I feel sure Warner would be another hit if given a break. All round, though, a far better performance with some good movement at times and some real commitment. Let's hope this marks a turning point and as and when the likes of Hunter and Damien Matthew return, this must further strengthen our chances of moving away from the bottom four. Shame, though, about Hodgson. Just as it looked as though we'd got another gem of a central defender. I just hope his injury doesn't prove as serious as it may look.
Ray at 12:10:1 Sunday December 13 98
How many points are Swansea behind Cardiff then? hmmm - just the 12 eh?
RICHARD at 12:2:45 Sunday December 13 98
Jack's Nawsea: Don't take the name of my e-mail address in vain. Besides he was a star for us; shame he couldn't raise his game for your lot. Now happily plying his trade with R&D in The Conf', his name and memory will remain in true Cobblers fans' hearts, so long as my messages continue to reach these pages!
Swansea Jack at 10:58:17 Sunday December 13 98
Swansea til i die....
Unlucky that we will bypass you next season as we will go up and you will go down, Heggs is shite simple as that.
Ian Atkins, what a shite manager, JOHNNY HOLLINS BARMY ARMY SCFC.
And as for not doing well we havent lost since October and we have beaten a number of div2 teams such as stoke, millwall, wrexham and gillingham next in aws cup.
Bye arse holes
T. at 9:44:55 Sunday December 13 98
When's the quizlet changing Ray? And can you post the results please? I don't know what version of IE I'm using.
A great win yesterday
ANDY at 1:27:41 Sunday December 13 98
KIRKK Are we on a roll?? call me about tonight, upstairs bar????
Ray at 1:16:50 Sunday December 13 98
No emails from you since Thursday Kieron......
Kieron Whitehouse at 0:50:1 Sunday December 13 98
Well the scoreline wasn't convincing but at least we've got three points in the bag.
PS By the way Ray (or anyone else) has the mailing list recieved any e-mails from me since yesterday morning, I've sent some but my computer is dying and I haven't recieved any mail at all...
andy hunting at 23:15:40 Saturday December 12 98
great win today keep up the good work
Sid at 22:31:35 Saturday December 12 98
Great Win today!! Well done Cobblers!! Well, I am here so if you want to Chat, come to http://members.xoom.com/cobblers now!
Hansie Cronje at 21:14:1 Saturday December 12 98
'Ellew, I em Hansie Cronjur. We weure dissepointid to luse the test match but we wure crap. Oh bey the wey the Angry Cobbler is going to South Afriker for a three week holiday un Mundey. Ahem
Paul at 21:7:30 Saturday December 12 98
Did anyone hear any singing from the East Stand? or the West Stand? or the north stand? The atmosphere was crap today.
Ben (i just cant stop chatting can i?) at 18:2:6 Saturday December 12 98
SBJ: Not really taking an interest in footie untill recently i half-heartedly supported liverpool, cos some member of my family did when i was a little boy, but after the cobblers go t promoted i started to like football and staarted following it, so i switched to the cobblers cos i prefered to support my home team, rather than a club i had no connection to......
Ben at 17:57:29 Saturday December 12 98
Richard: Looks like i was wrong again, howey scored instead of getting sent off, he he. Wilko did play, he recovered just intime, Hill was not as lucky. He nearly scored aswell... nevermind, its the points that count
Vegas Cobbler at 17:12:18 Saturday December 12 98
Wow a victory at last!! All in all an excellent day with 3 much needed and very welcome points to the Cobblers whilst teams just above us shipped last minute goals to drop 2 points (Macclesfield) and 3 points (Notts County). We are now out of the relegation places and more teams are being pulled into the dog fight. Have a great weekend - mine has just received a terrific boost (8 hours in time behind you lot).
Vegas Cobbler at 16:49:13 Saturday December 12 98
So excited I must have hit the button twice!!
Vegas Cobbler at 16:48:12 Saturday December 12 98
Soccernet has Cobblers 1-0 UP (Howey 71 mins). Come on you COBBLERS!!
Vegas Cobbler at 16:47:38 Saturday December 12 98
Soccernet has Cobblers 1-0 UP (Howey 71 mins). Come on you COBBLERS!!
BJ at 15:48:8 Saturday December 12 98
Cobblers 1-0 down
Ray at 12:32:14 Saturday December 12 98
Sorry Gavin - The Official Site beat you to it......
Gavin at 11:30:55 Saturday December 12 98
Just thought I'd be first to announce that we've got Cambridge away in the 2nd round of the Auto windscreen sheild, not sure if thats a good or bad draw, bad I think.
Sid at 10:4:8 Saturday December 12 98
CHAT! Well, i cannot be with you in the chat room tonight, got other things to attend to, like drinking etc.... But feel free to go in there, i'm sure someone will be there about 10pm before MOTD.
Sid at 10:2:11 Saturday December 12 98
Well, Cobblers will do it today, draw again!! Nah, should be a win. Hunter shouldnt play. They have to give him time to recover. Sounds like this injury may be annoying Hunter. Lee will carry on upfrontunless Atkins takes a liking to Freestone.
COME on COBBLERS!
RICHARD at 1:43:37 Saturday December 12 98
TRB: I thought my parentage was enough of a cross to bear! Welsh Mum (Rugby through the'70s), Polish Dad (1973- the 'keeper's a joker -and all that). My Mum's German! Mercilessly teased at school (Mrs. Hitler etc) at least I could claim some degree of satisfaction during England's barren World and European Cup years, whilst the 'Kaiser', Franz Beckenbauer and his successors ruled zee vorld of fussball. Notwithstanding my accident of birth (my Dad is English; and just to balance things out I can boast winning 2 World Wars), I wish we could stuff them just once in a penalty shoot-out in the next major tournament or two! Quiz question: when was the last time we beat Germany (West or combined) following our one bright spot of international conquering in '66?
RICHARD at 1:32:16 Saturday December 12 98
And another thing. How come all my postings are after the witching hour?
RICHARD at 1:26:15 Saturday December 12 98
Ralph: Wasthat the season we were stuffed 6-2 at home to SwineTown in a mid-week fixture? I was at school with a staunch Swindon fan (local farmer) and the silage sniffers had the likes of Don Rogers, John Thomas (!) and a certain Downsborough in goal who lent his name to a famous local contemporary rendition, " Oh oh oh oh - Downsborough's better than Yashin. Rogers is better than Eusebio and -------- are in for a thrashing!"
TRB Mark at 1:21:15 Saturday December 12 98
My Mum is Welsh and me Dad Polish but I happened to be born in Irthlingborough (and proud of it). I became faintly aware of a football team in Northampton when all the other kids in the playground wanted Man Utd to thrash the Cobblers in 1968(?). I don't know why, not even liking football at the time, but this didn't seem right so I went for the Cobblers. I saw my first games in the early seventies and apart from following Irthlingborough Diamonds, Cobblers are my first love. I have drifted in and out of supporting them but hav'nt missed hardly a home game since 91. I have never told anyone this (Friday night post pub ramble coming up) but when the Cobblers looked to be going belly up in the Mc ****e days I had this dream. I was going up to the County Ground (even though I hadn't been up for a few years) and I was the only person going to the game. I rounded a corner and suddenly, there were 1,000's of Cobblers fans and the club was saved. That to me was the calling back to the fold which was cemented by Diamonds going in with Rushden which effectivly killed the other team that I loved. F**k Rushden, Come on Cobblers!
RICHARD at 1:14:55 Saturday December 12 98
Ben: Stranger things have happened! Bilko is out with 'flu though, so give the 3rd to ----- Ali Gibb ----- scored from an over-cooked cross which floats over the 'keeper's flailing, outstretched arms into the home-end goal. How outrageous would that be? If it comes true, I'll donate my Lottery winnings to the Cobblers, to pay for the bacon-buttie franchise!!!!!!!
Peter Schneidereit at 0:3:30 Saturday December 12 98
I can't make every game, living in Lancashire.
If you have been to a game mail me!!
Ray at 20:42:6 Friday December 11 98
When did Bob Dylan play for the Cobblers then Ralph?
ben sturgess at 20:34:5 Friday December 11 98
we win 3-0
carlo scores another penalty
spedding gets the second
and wilkinson gets the third (just to get ppl p***ed off)
howey conceeds two penalties and is sent off, but both are saved by the excellent turley, woody is sold to liverpool for 3million
atkins signs beckham with that money (oh s**t this is turning into a nightmare!)
RICHARD at 19:31:29 Friday December 11 98
SBJ: I was born, at an early age of two consenting parents, in Salisbury (Ali Gibb's birthplace!)and not to far from Southampton. My Dad had trials for the Saints (not N'hampton RFC) and the household was knee-deep in Southampton worshippers. By the age of 9 I'd had as much as I could stomach and decided to do the decent thing and turn to a decent footie team. Who could I choose? Who would give me the greatest satisfaction ovewr the coming eseasons? How far did I need to go to get away from the Southampton thing? How about --- NORTHampton!!!! That was it. I had no idea such a Town existed before I jumped on the bandwaggon and celebrated in style during the season they won promotion from the old second to the first. I couldn't believe my luck.Little did I know that the slide to near obscutiy was just around the corner, punctuated by the odd flurry of good results; a season of good cheer here and thers. So to the present. Although I have as much claim to be a true Claret & White Cobblers fan as the overwhelming majority of Man U, not haling from the area in no way diminishes my heart-felt desire for the lads to do well. In some respects, I can lay a greater claim to true supporter status; who in their right mind would bother to stick with a team with our history over the last 34 years were it not for blind faith?????????????????
Ralph at 18:12:1 Friday December 11 98
Olli - How's your beak? I have hard skin on by big toe, does that count?
Anon at 18:4:24 Friday December 11 98
P**S OFF#
OLLI at 18:2:25 Friday December 11 98
COME ON RALPH IF YOU FINK YOUR HARD PLEASE REPLY N*B
OLLI at 17:59:6 Friday December 11 98
Ralph N*B
Ralph at 17:42:59 Friday December 11 98
I'm from Brighton originally, met a Northampton girl whilst she was on holiday we were both 14. Apart from being mad about me she was also mad about Bob Dylan and The Cobblers. We eventually got married and I moved to Northampton, 1975, nearly thirty years on we are still married have three kids, aged 17, 19 and 21. All of us are season ticket holders. Seen the Cobblers play at sixty-odd different grounds. One thing you can't change is your team. Oh my first game was home to Swansea, Frank Rankmore et. al. circa 1968.
Pete at 17:19:35 Friday December 11 98
I'm from way up north but have lived in N'pton since before Pat Crerrand- so I'm a Fan. Also it is the only way I can keep up to date with Quantum Mechanics. There is something about it, uncertainty etc. that sounds familiar- maybe it is just the way that Ray tells them.
The Angry Cobbler at 17:15:36 Friday December 11 98
I wonder if there are 22 pairs of Doc Martens in the boot room at Diremonds? Anyway, is anyone brave enough to predict we will win tommorow - I am. I think we will win 4-3 with Carlo scoring a hat trick and Hunter bagging the other goal. The reason I have put a three on the end is because I think we will ship three goals in the last ten minutes - I hope we don't but I have this feeling. As soon as the crap fake fanfare is played over the PA I can tell if we are going to win, lose or draw. It's just something I can sense. I know everyone on here will say I'm talking bollocks but I really am not.
Richard Bevan at 17:7:10 Friday December 11 98
Getting bored at university up here in sunderland, i was looking forward to coming home next may and going to wembley but at the moment it doesn't look like it is going to happen.
Come on get in there and get back were we should belong
Paddington Cobbler at 16:43:30 Friday December 11 98
Just back after three weeks away in the southern hemisphere and I see we've had lots of gloomy comments. The expiation of frustration is understandable and not necessarily a bad thing in this forum. I'm not too concerned about Yeovil defeat as it means we can now concentrate on the important stuff. As others have said, though, we HAVE to get behind the team at the match. The home-ground advantage means nothing if we, the home crowd are quiet, or even (unconscionably) worse, barracking our own players or manager. Anyway onto tomorrow's game, should be a good one as the better teams seem to bring out the best in the Cobbs. Interestingly, Chesterfield are still looking for their first league away win of the season. Hopefully their unbroken record will continue after a fine Cobblers win tomorrow. We the fans can help make it happen.
Nod at 15:59:26 Friday December 11 98
Dear SBJ, I was born in Chapel Brampton in 1965 of parents from Ro'well and Enfield. Dad first took me to the County Ground in '72. I became a steward in the "A" stand in 1981 and, apart from three years at Uni in Norwich, have supported the Cobblers all through.
Enough auto-biography, three points on Saturday!
(Though I still think Atkins will have to go before we improve - he has not got the support / confidence of the players any more.)
T. at 15:57:16 Friday December 11 98
I'm from the home of the Diremonds and support the Cobblers 'cos my dad and uncle had season tickets in the sixties, so I was brought up on the Cobblers, but my first ever football match was an Irthlingborough Diamonds one as ma and pa live just over the road from the old ground
Ray at 15:52:38 Friday December 11 98
The Heisenberg Principle means that the uncertainty in the position (x) times the uncertainty in the momentum (p) is greater than or equal to a number called h-bar divided by two. We cannot measure either position or momentum exactly. The more precisely we determine one, the less we can know about the other. This is a fundamental property of
quantum mechanics. The Ray Principle means that if I gave you the aswer it would probably have changed by the time I told you.
Anon at 15:41:28 Friday December 11 98
does anyone else think Ray looks like Dr.John (deep South USA blues and roots piano boogie-woogie maestro, chum of Jools and Ringo etc)? See player of the year photo for proof. A quizlet - is Ray actually Dr.John? Never seen together you know . . .
SBJ at 15:26:24 Friday December 11 98
In the light of the recent resurgence of optimism on these pages, Oxo have now postponed making a new gravy cube in Cobblers colours called 'Laughing Stock'. Just for my own interest (ie. work's quiet at the mo) - are all you Cobblers fans who post messages here Northamptonshire born and bred, or do you support Cobblers due to some other reason? I know of the Norwegian whose Dad was from Northampton, and of many people who keep a friendly eye out for the team due to recent Wembley / cup exploits; personally I started following the team in 1991-92 season by choice, as that was the first time I'd ever had the chance to live in a town which has a football team. What about the rest of you?
pk at 15:25:35 Friday December 11 98
Help I'm stuck. Does anyone know how a Fourier transform relates to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle for a function proportional to exp(-w*w/4)?
Pete at 15:21:46 Friday December 11 98
Dean Peer and Spedding back is great news, not only because they are good but also it takes the pressure off Roy H to return too early. That Roy wont play tomorrow must be seen as 'good news' for the long term. Llike most people, I would like to see Micky W playing...but I must recall that I wanted Ali G. to play when IA was holding him back...and IA has shown us that he was right about that. But it would be nice to see the midfield being allowed to be involved rather than spectators watching the ball fly past 20yrds above them.
Mr. C.Obbler at 14:56:54 Friday December 11 98
Cheer up everybody! This slight slump will make our victorious re-emergence to the pinnacle of 2nd division football even more enjoyable.
Dot Cotton at 14:35:19 Friday December 11 98
I don't think Ricky Butcher should be in the side as he's left Bianca when she's pregnant and this would give the wrong message to the kids watching football. Also he's imaginary and this may affect his performance.
Hartwell Cobbler at 14:18:6 Friday December 11 98
It's been a heavy week what Yeovil, the should-he-go-should-he-stay comments on the lawnmover man (Atko) etc. So here's a bit of light Friday relief....
Holmes and Watson go camping. On their first night they are lying in the grass under the canopy of stars. Homes turns to Watson and says:"It really is an incredible place, the universe. It's almost beyond our comprehension. To think that you could journey through it for ever and never come to the end. And, according to the laws of quantum physics, it is also expanding at a rapid rate. Where's it going to ? How can you even imagine a place without an end ? How can you imagine a place where, if you travelled at the speed of light and entered a black hole, you could find yourself entering a parallel universe where you might even meet your doppleganger. What do you think, Watson?" "What do I think?" says Watson. "I think someone's nicked our f*****g tent."
SBJ at 11:53:35 Friday December 11 98
Hear, hear!
sam at 10:23:41 Friday December 11 98
I have just read what Carl wrote on tuesday about all the crap your giving Atkins and i think it's the best thing I have ever read on this page. He is so right in every word he says, and this is comming from a girl. Any way what gives you the right to be so harsh to atkins, he done well last season, cobblers are just having a bit of hard luck, and the people slaging Atkins off at the matchs, your the ones letting your team down!!!!!!
Anon at 10:21:6 Friday December 11 98
I don't think that Atkins is our best manager because it is the manager from the 60's who was it? dave bowen?
sam at 9:57:58 Friday December 11 98
I think that you sould start using Richard Butcher in the first team and not just on the side, he has got skill, and you need the skill.
SBJ at 9:35:59 Friday December 11 98
The tide is turning, positivity is creeping back into the website. Atkins is an OK manager, and it wouldn't take much of a run of successes to get us all singing his praises again (with the possible exception of Donkey Fan & his chums). As Deepcut said below, we've been in far worse situations before now and survived. 'Concentrating on the league' is now our main concern, and that's probably a good job too - heaven knows we play enough games in a season without adding to player exhaustion / injuries etc with lengthy journeys for cup games. The performance turnaround in the league will of course be slow, but I would say that if we're 8 or 9 places from bottom by New Year then the good vibes should really start to flow again. Incidentally, I was looking at a book of old footie kits yesterday and noticed that our current away kit is practically the same as the home kit we had in the glorious mid-sixties. Come on you Cobblers!!
Hartwell Cobbler at 9:10:22 Friday December 11 98
I would advise that a libelous comment does not have to be true or untrue to be libelous. The very fact that someone's defamed someone else in public is libel. Libel is libel. In fact there's a classic clinche "the greater the truth the greater the libel." On to more important things - let's get behind the lads tomorrow.
Anon at 8:58:38 Friday December 11 98
Don't think that by deleting the libellous message, we don't all know what it's about. It explains why IA was wearing a shirt and tie at Luton. Add to that Watford away last season. It was also part of the reason for Carl Heggs departure.
Paul S at 8:57:57 Friday December 11 98
Sid, we already have a player with a longer throw than Hunter! All those hardy supporters at Yeovil would have seen Hughes effortlessly( well from my view anyway) throw in at least 5 yards further than Hunter had managed. I feel we have been particularly bad at handling throws near the corner flag this year, there is often no support for the thrower-in and very little movement (or desire) for the ball. We need to play Hunter or Hughes to give us some attacking options from this position. This might sound fanciful, but Ali Gibb is played for the attacking wing play he creates, but far more balls will arrive in the box from long throws in a match than Ali will cross.
RICHARD at 2:17:13 Friday December 11 98
So this is it. The turning point we faithful many have been anticipating. Just look at the last few days, maybe even the last fortnight's, comments. Following the public show of blood-letting and haranguing of all and sundry in the Cobblers' organization, the tide is now definitely turning. The IA quizlet, if you haven't seen the result already, was a touch surprising in view of the openly anti-IA approach adopted by a number of otherwise true-claret followers in recent weeks: (of 1135 recorded votes) 43% said let him continue. A further 20% stated their wish for him to stay at least for the time being. Only(?!)37% wanted him gone. Let's hope the result of this (representative?) poll reaches the players (assuming they also support the gaffer)and encourages them to perform to the best of their abilities on Saturday and beyond, in the sure knowledge that we, the faithful fans, are behind them all the way. It's interesting to note the parallels with the overt optimism of last season; the only difference this season is that this show of faith is set against a back-drop of adversity. A relegation battle can be just as nerve-jangling and enthralling as a promotion battle, except the stakes can be higher! I can't believe the lads won't pull out all the stops and do to the Spireites what they did to Rovers in October. The X-mas schedule is upon us. Four tough matches; four chances to show our mettle as true, claret through-and-through supporters. Let's not blow our chance to do all we can to ensure victory; if we give our all, the lads will know we mean business and respond accordingly. Santa is renowned for giving generously to the needy; I'm dreaming of a claret and white Christmas!
TRB Mark at 0:55:1 Friday December 11 98
Has anyone else read "Survival of the Fattest"? If you don't know, it's a book in which fanzine editors write an appraisal of the previous season for their respective team. Just thought you would like to read a couple of bits from it. Guess who this is about. "It didn't work out as Bonds had planned though, as *********, after a bright start, soon became the latest South Stand boo-boy. A distinct "going through the motions" approach and a general resemblance to something often found strolling down Blackpool beach quickly began to fray tempers. I'll give you a clue. This player will be getting booed from the North AND South stands when we play Millwall at Sixfields.
I like this tho' from Bristol City's 'zine 'Stand Up'. "Optimism is a wonderful thing, but probably second only to the ability to gloat horribly and unashamedly at the plight of our second rate neighbours. They stole a play-off place, and led 3-1 after the home leg, but then, in what must rank as the greatest result of the season, lost 3-0 at Northampton and sensationally crashed out. People at work had aready booked coaches to Wembley after the first game. Superb."
I was talking to a friend in Chevy's recently and he said he had to restrain himself from verbally abusing some Rovers fans who were excitedly discussing seating arrangements for Wembley just before that epic match. No wonder they were so shell shocked at games end. Now look at us, bickering about Atkins when a few months ago we were sending him love letters. Lets pull together and get behind the team and wipe the smirks of the faces of all those that are now saying "I told you you were crap"
Sid at 22:41:10 Thursday December 10 98
My new game on my website, 'Guess the Attendance' is now up and running. If you want to vote go to http://members.xoom.com/cobblers and click the link on the navigation bar. Just type in your name and what you think the attendance will be for this weekends game with Chesterfield. It easy! i will be doing this for selected games to start off with, then doing it for each weekend game. I have had 4 people guess so far, so come on and Guess the Attendance! (I could be on the Shopping Channel with my selling skills!?!?!)
Sid at 22:41:4 Thursday December 10 98
My new game on my website, 'Guess the Attendance' is now up and running. If you want to vote go to http://members.xoom.com/cobblers and click the link on the navigation bar. Just type in your name and what you think the attendance will be for this weekends game with Chesterfield. It easy! i will be doing this for selected games to start off with, then doing it for each weekend game. I have had 4 people guess so far, so come on and Guess the Attendance! (I could be on the Shopping Channel with selling skills!?!?!)
Sid at 22:37:9 Thursday December 10 98
Ray, I think it was me who voted first on your quizlet. It was about 11:30 last night i voted. Come on Town, this weekend i want to see a clean sheet. I would be happy to draw 0-0 against Chesterfield. Another interesting point here. The speculation about Andy Legg may be true because 1. He used to play for Birmingham under Barry Fry. and 2. He holds the record for the longest throw. I remember on telly a couple of years ago some footballers at Wembley were trying to beat the longest throw. Legg won, but i dont think he beat the record (which i think is his own.) So, could he replace Hunter taking those long throws???
Chicago Cobbler at 21:28:38 Thursday December 10 98
Atkins style of play is such that when it is not played well, with healthy players, it is easy to for fans to lose sight of his vision. At the end of last season we would have crashed the network server with complaints that he was being lured away by other clubs... now many of you have his bags packed and are helping him onto the train. Have a little faith. Do you realise that we have drawn 9 times?! Imagine another scenario where a roaring crowd wills their club onto victory? YOU are PERSONALLY responsible to help them win these close games. If you want to slag someone, take a long look in the mirror first, and ask yourself if you've done everything YOU could do help the Cobbs win. Sing damn you! Sing when you win, Sing when you lose, and when you bleed... Bleed Claret! I will be there this spring to see my annual May Matches... I'd love it to be at Wembley, but I'll love it no less if it's a relegation fight with Lincoln City. And if by chance we are headed back for Div 3, I'll be there too. This is my club. Remember, it's always easiest to be a supporter when you're winning, The definition of great fans are those who are there cheering their hearts out in 0-2 loss to Yeovil!! UP THE COBBS!
james curley at 20:59:51 Thursday December 10 98
I'm glad to see that there are still many who support Atkins. Comments such as 'he's got to go' and 'he's had enough time, Atkins out now', make no sense. The guy hasn't turned into a bad manager overnight. I still have faith. UP THE COBBLERS.
Deepcut Cobbler at 20:47:38 Thursday December 10 98
Didn't see the Chicago Cobbler while I was composing mine but it seems as though the LOYAL supporters are now standing up to be heard. COME ON COBBLERS!! We are all out there..............
Deepcut Cobbler at 20:45:18 Thursday December 10 98
I was one of the poor 200 at the Huish and it wasn't all bad. Fair enough we were stuffed by a non league team prepared to keep the ball on the deck but the majority of the time in the 2nd half we were camped in their half. Same old story for the season, we couldn't get the ball in the net!! Nearest we got was the three chances from Freestone when he came on. Wilkinson made some very creditable tackles from his unacustomed defensive position, Gary Hughes looked impressive, slotting in nicely at the back and the players didn't stop running throughout. Apart from Chris Lee once again proving that he isn't good enough it was not a disaster. Sealy coming back into the team and hitting a scoring streak will change all the aggro aimed at The Cobblers (whole) including IA. Throughout this season we have had midfielders and forwards who have been unable to score. This always brings about desparate tactics (the high ball game) which snowballs and gets worse. Despite what everyone is saying, The Cobblers is still our team, we will not lose IA, he is still trying and he will keep us in the 2nd division under these trying, injury hit circumstances. If he doesn't then it is time to re assess his employment. In the meantime we have to maintain our 'LOYAL' support to OUR club because the hardcore of us will not go away to the MAN Utd's or (Heaven forbid) Diremonds. Just because we are not at Wembley for a few seasons (if ever again) my loyalties are with the Cobblers and no one else as they have been for the last 34 years. Lets all do it and get behind the team and not let the part-timers Boo and slag off our team. We are all Cobblers through and through, remember we have been in worse positions and survived. COME ON COBBLERS!!!!!
Chicago Cobbler at 20:41:38 Thursday December 10 98
Christmas time is almost here, with relegation in sight... Up the table with a couple of wins, and stop slagging Atkins, alright? After St. Nick has given way to father time, move out the way... It's Cobbler Time!!!! We don't lose after Christmas! So, convert a few of those crappy draws into wins, and Atko will once again be our hero. We are supporters of the Town, and regardless of dodgy player signings, and odd thinking directors, complain all you want on these pages, but at the match support the Cobbs or shut your pie hole.
NOSEY PARKER at 19:15:35 Thursday December 10 98
SORRY TO SAY FOLKS BUT THE MESSAGE IS TRUE......ASK ATKINS HIMSELF ...OR JENNY BALL?????
Ray at 17:33:48 Thursday December 10 98
Its only libelous if its untrue - not that I'm saying it is of course since I don't know - but in any event I've deleted the message in question.
Wardster at 15:58:6 Thursday December 10 98
Get ready, the Spireites are coming!
Hartwell Cobbler at 15:30:38 Thursday December 10 98
Peter - seems as though we have an e-mail corner at Sixfields, then! I think one of today's messages is libelous!
Richard from HK at 13:37:52 Thursday December 10 98
Look we will win on saturday and everyone will think that Atkins is wonderful again. Just remember everyone it was not that long ago you were at the County Ground and in deep do do ... so get a grip and get behind the team on saturday.
Pete at 13:36:11 Thursday December 10 98
It looks as if Ralph, Hartie Cob and Pete sit beside each other without knowing, sharing the Donkey supporter! Amanda- what happened to you 'landslide' essay? I expected to see it 'on- line'. A landslide victory this week-YES!
steven at 13:33:23 Thursday December 10 98
I think that in our team we need experience but not someone who is older than 30. Jason dozzell better than one paul wilkinson also bring back brightwell NOW before it is to late if not these then we need a striker who can put himself about like colin cramb but he is out injured what about ian stevens from carlisle or Matt murphy from Oxford.
David Nikel at 13:17:39 Thursday December 10 98
I just want to let everyone know how close we were to being fans of the week on Soccer AM this Saturday. It came down to a straight choice between us and Man City fans. They chose City as they thought that their home defeat against Mansfield in the AWS was a bigger story !?!? There were only 3000 City fans there.....
Jacks at 10:15:27 Thursday December 10 98
I would just like to point out that I most certainly am NOT Swansea Jacks - so where were you last season then - I don't see you threatening to break in to the 2nd division ........ with regards to Heggsy, pretty damn good on his day, perhaps he hated playing for you and as such couldn't give bis best. Bad Luck - enjoy the 3rd division, cos your going to be there until you earn your deserved palce in the Conference. On a rather more optimistic note..I have 'that' feeling, we are most certainly going to WIN on Saturday.....oh yes!!!!!! I had that feeling a lot last season, and I thought I had lost the knack, cos it has only happened at Gillingham and naturally at Bristol Rovers this season.........hmm I think it's back!
Hartwell Cobbler at 9:42:25 Thursday December 10 98
Ralph - just noticed. You and I must sit close to each other as well! My son and I are somewhere just in front of you. Ref the motormouth - I think I know who you mean. Is he the one who keeps bellowing "Get off Wilkinson". Or by way of variation "Get 'im off Atkins"? Like you I prefer to keep my criticisms to before and after the game. I entirely agree with you and others: let's have support for the team during the game. Afterwards we can all vent our frustrations and opinions. But for goodness sake, everyone, please get behind the lads on Sat. If there is dissention between the players and Atkins, maybe our support will stir them to realise that they are playing for us, the fans, while they are on the pitch. If we, the fans and players can both cast aside our off-field prejudices while the game's being played, that would be best for the club. And then, maybe, we can get those 3 points on Sat which will be vital for our league status. So, keep the comments and opinions coming here. But, as others are saying, let's get behind the team on Sat.
treenie at 9:41:11 Thursday December 10 98
Simon Davies (ex manchester utd player) is being released by Luton for failing to make an impression. As he's going for nothing do you think Atkins will want him.
(it's my 18th birthday today)
Hartwell Cobbler at 9:30:23 Thursday December 10 98
Ralph - humm - publishing. That should be a good clue. But, no, the penny still hasn't dropped so your secret's safe!!!
Ray at 8:47:53 Thursday December 10 98
Ah! Now theres a good idea - if we had a vote on the player who would not score in the following match - sods law says the winner would!
T. at 7:4:47 Thursday December 10 98
Ray, just give me the prize as I was 25,000 and 50,000. I'll be there for the biggie! Also on quizlets, I might want to vote for a player whose scoring record (on the pitch) is not particularly good as I might want to make score they get lots of scoring practise
Ray at 23:43:1 Wednesday December 9 98
Well that was a quick vote on the new Quizlet......I only just changed it :-)
Ray at 23:27:3 Wednesday December 9 98
Has anyone got any ideas how I can confirm who will be visitor number 100,000?....... I've decided to give a prize.......we've got a couple of days or so to think of a way....
Ray at 23:21:29 Wednesday December 9 98
"What in the name of geek buggery"? hee hee - love it... Basically its a philosophic question to take your mind off the league position... For those people still having problems with seeing the quizlet (and missing all these deep meaningful questions) please check the options in your browser to see if you have JavaScript enabled. If you are unsure what to do then please mail me. By the way ralph's and T's email addresses are....... mgnnngghhhhhh....
Pete at 22:54:24 Wednesday December 9 98
Ralph I known the ones you are talking about. I 'lost it' a bit with them a few matches ago- they realy got to me . They are the real 'Donkey Supporters'. I'm sure they are the ones who use to do the same at the old County ground. They are always absolutely silent when the team are playing well. I think you are right- that's the only reason they come- to be nasty. Your description of them out shopping fits. The match is the only time they are allowed to draw attention to themselves. Their wives probably buy their season tickets to get rid of them.
Ben at 22:41:18 Wednesday December 9 98
Ray what in the name of greek buggery is the new quizlet question all about???
T. at 21:5:21 Wednesday December 9 98
Ray, the quizlet is on screen but I'm still getting the script problem and everyone, we like to keep our anonimity so we don't use E-mail!
TRB Mark at 20:9:51 Wednesday December 9 98
Oh No, not that old "We played you off the park for 90 minutes" chestnut from jackshite , whatever his name is. Look pal, watch the video, if you can bear it, and see that you were beaten by a decent peice of skill. And as for Carl Heggs, hmm. When he played for you, he failed to beat Woody with his piledriver. When he played for us, he he was instrumental in getting us to Wembley a SECOND time and thirdly, we made a tidy sum from him by offloading down the road to R&DFC, who are much more likely to be your opponents next season. See him off Shep.
Sid at 19:34:22 Wednesday December 9 98
This quizlet thing is good. You should have a quixlet about the Scoreboard which the Club decided to invest in.
Ray at 19:23:59 Wednesday December 9 98
I assume you have now got the quizlet working then T? One of the problems with it is that it only allows a maximum of six options - so can we have a list of the six most sha***** - whoops - what did you say "Which Cobblers player would raise the most money at auction"? Nominations on a postage stamp as far as Im concerned but no doubt the girls will dive in with this one.
everyone at 18:55:19 Wednesday December 9 98
ralph and T, please use your e-mail
Ralph at 18:39:58 Wednesday December 9 98
T - Wow school has changed! I'm going home, Christmas is a very demanding time in my line of business - Publisher's are a demanding bunch keeping me here till all hours. Can't say too much or Hartwell Dave will suss me out!
T. at 18:37:46 Wednesday December 9 98
Last minute? 93rd minute, ha, ha!!!!!
T. at 18:35:57 Wednesday December 9 98
We're rehearsing for the Christmas Concert next Tuesday and Wednesday (I'm tone deaf and not involved) but it does mean that loads of girls are out of lessons so some classes are quite small. Which means things are winding down nicely and gently. I'm also part of the teacher auction on the last day, but I won't raise more than £5 and then have to be some girls' slave, I refuse to sing though. I think all the money will go on the young hunk from the photocopying room and he'll have to dish out a few Christmas kisses, though I'm told sexual favours are not part of the deal. Ona footballing note, which Cobbler's player would raise the most money in an auction? An idea for a little quizlet Ray? Sorry I can't reveal who the rumour monger is but the content is word for word like an E-mail I received yesterday.
swansea jacks at 18:31:17 Wednesday December 9 98
you jammy gits last minute frain fee kick, we sang you out of the game and played you out of the game.
time for us to get revenge,next season were coming up see ya soon.
carl heggs-- thanks for buying him hes shite.
swansea jack.
The Angry Cobbler at 18:28:43 Wednesday December 9 98
Does anybody actually think Wilkinson is going to score a goal this season?
Ralph at 18:8:9 Wednesday December 9 98
T - Who is the rumour monger then? Go on, name names.
Ralph at 18:7:14 Wednesday December 9 98
Hi T - I trust you are well and looking forward to the Christmas break. Are you rehearsing for the Christmas play? Now my kids are grown up I miss that and going to The Derngate for the carol service.
T. at 17:15:30 Wednesday December 9 98
Rumour Monger, I know who you are and why didn't you E-mail me today?
Hello Ralph
Ralph at 17:7:20 Wednesday December 9 98
One other point I would like to make. I, myself, always support the team, I never boo. I do go a bit quiet from time to time but I get that from me Dad's side. But like the rest of you, it seems, we all experience those that boo and slag the side even before the game starts. Well I have this guy and his cronies sitting near me in the West stand upper tier in row Q or R seat numbers aound 126 to 130. The worse it gets the more this bloke seems to enjoy it. Well it was all put into perspective when I saw him out shopping with his wife last Sunday in Marks and Sparks. He was just the same sad, morose, belligerent old git. So I think it is inbred with these people they are not happy unless everyone else is unhappy. Turn your anger and frustration at these people we don't need them and pretty sure their wives and family don't want them either!
Ralph at 16:25:2 Wednesday December 9 98
I have been silent for a number of days and read with interest the comments regarding Ian Atkins. I have mostly supported Ian as it is my belief that the end justifies the means. The style that any team adopts is open to criticism depending on how you like your football played so to me this is not an issue. That said I have had the opportunity to do a bit of rooting around for myself and some of the things I have found out have concerned me. All I will say is that management by fear is short term, it will get results initially but the long term usually fails. In any business you will find that morale drops, people leave, dissent is rife and productivity/profitability falls. Something has to give/change or we will carry on getting more of the same.
SBJ at 14:14:24 Wednesday December 9 98
I'll call for Atkins' removal if we're in this poor position at the end of the season. For now I'm behind the man, mostly because negativity doesn't ever help. I'm always fully behind the team, albeit from a pub chair in Wimbledon usually, and Atkins is part of that team; hence he gets my vote of confidence for now.
Mystic Meg at 14:4:35 Wednesday December 9 98
Ooooh it's coming across now, I see Northampton Town in the Third Division once again, back where their filthy long ball tactics belong, and I see Ian Atkins with the sack and lots of football fans laughing, especially Chesterfield fans who dislike you more than most
N Stander at 13:42:19 Wednesday December 9 98
Whatever people think of Ian Atkins, we must surely all agree that he has never bowed to fan pressure. So please, let's not have any Atkins Out chants on Saturday because they won't do any good. Let's just get behind the players (whoever they are)during the game, and save negative comments for this website.
RUMOUR MONGER at 12:38:1 Wednesday December 9 98
I HAVE IT ON GOOD AUTHORITY THAT WHEN ATKINS HAS ONLY 1 YEAR TO RUN ON HIS CONTRACT HE WILL BE DISPENSED OF, AS THE HARD UP DIRECTORS ARE FED UP WITH HIS ARROGANT ATTITUDE, AND LACK OF RESPECT FOR STAFF AND PLAYERS ALIKE! THE BOARD HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THE LOVELY KEVIN WILSON AND HE IS BEING PRIMED AND LINED UP FOR THE JOB, WITH ASSISTANT GARRY THOMPSON. JUST THOUGHT I'D TOSS THIS RUMOUR INTO THE RING SEE WHAT Y'ALL THINK. REMEMBER BOYS AND GIRLS THIS IS JUST A RUMOUR...SO GOOD NIGHT.....AND SLEEP WELL!!
The Angry Cobbler at 11:56:11 Wednesday December 9 98
My team for Saturday v Chesterfield: (5-3-2) Turley, Gibb, Parrish, Sammo, Hill, Hughes, Hunter(c), Savage, Corazzin, Freestone, Warner. Subs: Lee, Howey, Frain.
The Angry Cobbler at 11:54:22 Wednesday December 9 98
Well, that's a surprise. Another ex-Birmingham player to add to our squad. I don't think Atkins realises that we have a big enough squad already and we don't need another player. Spedding and Peer will be back soon so we don't need any more players. Anyway, I thought we were over budget.
Andy C at 10:54:29 Wednesday December 9 98
I see on the Cardiff website that Andy Legg, Reading's ex-Birmingham Welsh winger, has been having talks with Northampton as well as the Bluebirds and Lincoln. Width? Surely not. Watch this space.
Ray at 8:58:54 Wednesday December 9 98
Ideas for new quizlets by email please.........
glory hunter at 7:9:36 Wednesday December 9 98
prepare to get hammered by the mighty FULHAM you bunch of sad losers
Tom at 0:55:39 Wednesday December 9 98
Well done the fans who have come in with a positive view on the Cobblers. We need to get behind the team this Saturday and lift the players. I am sick of hearing so called supporters slagging individual players off during games at Sixfield. It does nothing for their confidence and helps make for a very negative atmosphere. If you don't want to support the Cobbs at Sixfield then piss off down the away end.
Ian at 0:19:38 Wednesday December 9 98
The answer to the above question goes something like this: a chicken is lying on a bed smoking with a silly grin on his face. Next to him lies an egg and she looks very frustrated. The egg then looks up and says "now you know the answer to that damned question!".
Ray at 23:46:33 Tuesday December 8 98
OK - the fun is over - Ive changed the quizlet - now down to some serious questions. BTW those people havin gproblems seeing it should ensure that Java Script is turned on in their browser.
The Real Insider at 22:46:38 Tuesday December 8 98
I don't know about offering his resignation after the game - who would he have offered it to - the coach driver? What Carl/Richard should do is ask Atko how much Lee Howey is and Chris Wilder was being paid a week. They might then have slightly different views. Who is to say that if he was sacked, we would not with a new stadium, comparatively large support and one of only 16 profitable clubs in alll four divisions, plus being a division higher than last time, that we would not attract a high calibre manager? The manner and results of recent performances will manifest themselves in a record low Div 2 attendance at Sixfilelds (sub 4500).
Sid at 22:16:44 Tuesday December 8 98
There seems to be some confusion over my hits on my site. On the first page, the counter shows the real no of hits, which should be 1033 now. This will be removed soon and be like this site, with the counter on the main page. I just wanted to reach 1000 before doing this. The fastcounter on the main page is there because i cant be bother to delete it. James, you probably were the 1000th hit on my site (if you refreshed about 8 times!!!). Do you do this with Rays site aswell??
Rushden till i die, at 20:33:50 Tuesday December 8 98
Please stay Atkins, you're doing a splendid job!
BAKA at 19:34:41 Tuesday December 8 98
GET BEHIND ATKINS AND THE PLAYERS, the only way to get out of trouble is with true grit which he has in abundance. Oh and he used to play for Everton which earns him extra points.
Thirty years a Cobbler at 19:22:25 Tuesday December 8 98
Thank you carl for your measured response to the nonsense being written that IA should be sacked. Knee jerk reactions won't get us anywhere and if some of the negatives had their way we would have about 6 managers a season.
NOSEY PARKER at 19:13:36 Tuesday December 8 98
Simple reason why we are playing so bad is that ALL the players have lost respect for Atkins and his short arsed side kick!!!I know the players well and I promose that this is the only reason he talks to them like kids and is as 2 faced as as a double headed coin?
RICHARD at 19:12:2 Tuesday December 8 98
Carl: Right on, mate. So apt you posted it twice. Unfortunately, many of the nay sayers and doom merchants who will turn up on Saturday and shit on their own door-step, owing to lack of hand/eye co-ordination stemming from amoeba-like brain dysfunction, aren't able to gain access to these constructive comments.
james curley at 16:16:46 Tuesday December 8 98
I was no 1000 on Sid's page. I think it was yesterday or the day before. Viva Atkins.
james
york cobbler
arggggg at 15:45:43 Tuesday December 8 98
Ray.....PLEASE take that 'Is this the end of Atkins' thing off the start of the guestbook.
Carl at 13:41:32 Tuesday December 8 98
You whinging, whining, Fair Weather supporters get on my chuffing nerves. I am sick of hearing about 'Atkins out' etc. Do you really believe in your wildest dreams that whoever was to take over after, probably, our best manager was sacked, could change round what is still an exceptionally hard up SECOND DIVISION football team. We have a GOOD team and a GOOD squad, we are having no luck at the moment, STILL. We were crap on Saturday. How many times were we crap last year, we are not a Premiership club, and as such will play crap more times than the likes of West Ham do, but these things happen. SUPPORT YOUR TEAM FOR CHRISTS SAKE. We don't want to be back in Division 3 with the likes of Brighton, Peterborough and Kettering!!! I for one feel more embarressed going to games and listening to all the drivel coming from around me than watching the standard of football that we currently are playing. We probably won't see Wembley THIS year but we still need to give all we can, we can and probably do make a difference, e.g. Bristol Rovers Play Off Semi Final, Sixfields 1998. Sorry to go on but there you go.
UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!!
Carl at 13:41:1 Tuesday December 8 98
You whinging, whining, Fair Weather supporters get on my chuffing nerves. I am sick of hearing about 'Atkins out' etc. Do you really believe in your wildest dreams that whoever was to take over after, probably, our best manager was sacked, could change round what is still an exceptionally hard up SECOND DIVISION football team. We have a GOOD team and a GOOD squad, we are having no luck at the moment, STILL. We were crap on Saturday. How many times were we crap last year, we are not a Premiership club, and as such will play crap more times than the likes of West Ham do, but these things happen. SUPPORT YOUR TEAM FOR CHRISTS SAKE. We don't want to be back in Division 3 with the likes of Brighton, Peterborough and Kettering!!! I for one feel more embarressed going to games and listening to all the drivel coming from around me than watching the standard of football that we currently are playing. We probably won't see Wembley THIS year but we still need to give all we can, we can and probably do make a difference, e.g. Bristol Rovers Play Off Semi Final, Sixfields 1998. Sorry to go on but there you go.
UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!!
T MAN(FFC) at 13:31:1 Tuesday December 8 98
Hello again, just a word of thanks to anyone who answered my previous message. Andy C- I must say, I know you are a gills fan, but you are being extremely paranoid. I think Northampton will probably give us a very tough game with Atkins, we never have a lot of luck against him, as COBBLERS fans will know. Anyway, as I said, good luck, hope you can sort it out soon(just let us beat you for a change!!!) and get to safety. See you on the 28th!
Bill at 12:41:18 Tuesday December 8 98
I wonder if Atkins was actually born in S**t borough, but was given a dodgy Brummie accent? He is destroying the team. There is no point in having two good 'keepers, we should have sold Turley while Woody was still happy. Instead, Atkins has dropped Woody, made him properly p*ssed off, and if we sell Turley now Woody could just bugger off somewhere else. WILKO AT THE BACK? Is Atkins totally insane? Wilko can't play up front, let alone at the back. WE'RE DOOMED
shenanigans at 12:20:18 Tuesday December 8 98
Does anyone else think it's strange that we sold none of our decent players whilst we were in administration? Could it be because if we had sold any, all the money would have gone straight to our creditors? I just don't think it's a coincidence that we are out of administration a couple of months and we sell Warburton and Heggs, and Atkins seems keen to offload Woody. I'm fed up. What is happening to our club?
Ross at 10:52:29 Tuesday December 8 98
The counter is over 1000 on Sids first page , but on the main page it is 830.
Anon at 10:50:58 Tuesday December 8 98
The counter is over 1000 on Sids page
TRB Mark at 10:27:52 Tuesday December 8 98
I personally think IA should be given as long as possible to keep us up in the division in which he took us which has got to be the aim this season. There seems to have been one cockup after another, one injury after another, one "bit of bad luck " after another. We the fans should keep our heads and try to lift the team. A couple of wins should make all the difference but I think Christmas will be the watershed.
Amanda, I like what you say, but do you have to SHOUT?
If you would like your spirits lifting, goo down Derngut after December 17th to see some *fantastic* artwork by moi!
Hartwell Cobbler at 10:26:45 Tuesday December 8 98
Whatever our views about Atkins the reality is that the board probably cannot afford to sack him, because the cost of continuing to honour his contract and pay his replacement would be an unacceptable financial burden. I would suspect the directors will have to persevere with him for the time being and hope things improve. If they do not, then they may decide drastic action is needed. The problem, as we all know, is that such dalliance, while wholly understandable, may be a case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. While we all acknowledge Atkins achievements here it is clear he must be prepared to shoulder at least some of the blame for this season's inept performances and make changes which may at least give us a chance to turn things round. To go on playing as we are is almost certain to see the depressing trend continue. So, I believe it the ball is in Atkins court. He has to show some humility and accept he has made mistakes this season. Then we'll have to see if he is brave enough and has anough nous to make tactical and tecnical changes, which may at least regain the respect of his players, lift morale and put some belief and heart back into the team. To do nothing will, however, be his downfall. That, I believe, is as certain as night follows day. I am not at this stage calling for his head. I am prepared to give him a little time. But if the same misguided tactics continue and the results don't improve, then the directors must act swiftly. The tricky problem is, we don't have that much time.
Ray at 10:23:17 Tuesday December 8 98
All the latest news is on the Official Site - http://www.ntfc.co.uk. There was a posting yesterday saying that Howies loan has been extended and - better news - Peer and Spedding should be fit enough for tomorrows reserve game!
Jacks at 9:44:55 Tuesday December 8 98
Amanda, I'm with you - i'm a season ticket holder also and not too far from you - so at LEAST there will be a few supportive voices backing the LADS. So, we have Howey for another month then. Ray, any news direct from the club.........ohhh it's raining hard down here and doing NOTHING to lift my mood - doesn't anyone have some GOOD news - for a change?
Anon at 9:25:53 Tuesday December 8 98
The cobblers need a new striker I think that steven would be a good choice he is 16 ATKINS give him a trial.
Anon at 8:33:57 Tuesday December 8 98
When I just went it was 826 - I think I'll check again in 3 months
Sid at 8:16:30 Tuesday December 8 98
No, its should be on 1008 now.
Ian at 0:47:21 Tuesday December 8 98
Sid, when I went it was at 822. That is about 3 weeks away from 1000 isn't it?
Anon at 22:7:33 Monday December 7 98
CHESTERFIELD TICKETS FOR SALE [2] PLEASE LEAVE PHONE NUMBER.NORTH STAND ROW F SEAT 36 37
Anon at 22:3:50 Monday December 7 98
TERRY REPLY TO OLLI [OR ANYBODY ELSE]
Anon at 22:2:19 Monday December 7 98
PLEASE REPLY TO OLLI
Olli at 21:56:42 Monday December 7 98
I think Wrighty was right when he said Atkins has the biggest mouth in football
PLEASE REPLY
Olli at 21:49:42 Monday December 7 98
Terry all i have to say is ATKINS OUT
Olli at 21:48:19 Monday December 7 98
1Were Rubbish
2Were rubbish
3Were Rubbish
And 4 Terry's taking a load of rubbish
Olli at 21:45:40 Monday December 7 98
ATKINS OUT
WILKINSON OUT
Why is Wilkinson in the team he is the biggest load of rubbish ever.
Terry Hawes at 21:31:8 Monday December 7 98
Whoops hit the wrong button by accident :
1 Bring back Warburton and Grayson (what happened there)
2 Dump Wilkinson (don't need him)
3 Play Seal with Corazzin or Freestone
4 Change the kit (all Claret)
Terry Hawes at 21:28:26 Monday December 7 98
Now this is the same manager who has virtually lifted the club from the dead and made us a respectable club. Ok this year has not gone too well and yes Atkins deserves some of the blame, but to sack would be fatal.At least give him until the end of the year and if they go down then there would be motive to fire him...but the Cobblers board could then go out and hire crap managers like John Barnwell or John Beck from Lincoln and Cambridge...why not Brian Flynn from Wrexham!
Anyway, here's what I would do :
1
Terry Hawes at 21:28:25 Monday December 7 98
Now this is the same manager who has virtually lifted the club from the dead and made us a respectable club. Ok this year has not gone too well and yes Atkins deserves some of the blame, but to sack would be fatal.At least give him until the end of the year and if they go down then there would be motive to fire him...but the Cobblers board could then go out and hire crap managers like John Barnwell or John Beck from Lincoln and Cambridge...why not Brian Flynn from Wrexham!
Anyway, here's what I would do :
1
Gavin at 20:4:19 Monday December 7 98
Why does Amanda always write in capitals?
30 years a Cobbler at 19:55:58 Monday December 7 98
Atkins is the best manager the Cobblers have had for many many years. I think all of you out there calling of his head are mindless.
Sid at 19:25:3 Monday December 7 98
My site is just about to reach 1000 hits, so i want to know who is the 1000th hit please! go to http://members.xoom.com/cobblers now!
Also, i have a new feature called Guess the Attendance. you can guess how many will be there for every forthcoming match, with points to be won for however close you get to guessing the right attendance!
Hartwell Cobbler at 19:19:43 Monday December 7 98
TMAN from Fulham - it's more a question of what's gone right, actually! Injuries for sure. But that's a smokescreen. The problems lie in a)Atkins long ball and ultra-defensive tactics b)his team selection, especially his commitment to staying with sub-standard players because they can rush up and down the pitch all the game c)his
judgement in numerous of his signings/loanees. As you may have seem from earlier messages it also appears the players loathe him. I think that's enough to be getting on with! The good news ? We won't have to worry about expanding the stadium capacity. Oh, and..er..has El Fyed got a few bob to spare ? You can be sure Atkins would be pleased to spend anything you can put into the poor box on a few more bodies (to use Atkins own terminology). Plus, of course, a further 25% which isn't there in the first place.
Amanda at 19:1:0 Monday December 7 98
THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT THE MORE I THINK TOMMO WOULD BE A GOOD MANAGER FOR THIS CLUB. HE IS PERFECTALY (CAN'T SPELL) CAPABLE OF DOING THE JOB, LOOK HOW WELL THE RESERVES R DOING (? WELL THEY DID WELL LAST SEASON, I THINK THEY ARE ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY DOWN THE TABLE..ENLIGHTEN ME!)AND HE IS ALREADY INVOLVED IN THE CLUB, AS FAR AS I CAN TELL HE LOVES NTFC.
I DON'T THINK THAT RAZOR WOULD TAKE THE JOB EVEN IF IT WAS OFFERED TO HIM. I AM SURE IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, IF HE WANTS TO GO INTO MANAGEMENT AND IF HE WAS OFFERED THE JOB THEN HE WOULD TAKE IT BUT I THINK HE HAS A FEW MORE YEARS AS A PLAYER AND I AM SURE HE DOES TOO.
I AM AGAIN GOING TO MAKE THE POINT OF GETTING BEHIND THE TEAM. i HAVE A SEASON TICKETIN THE END TIER OF THE WEST STAND (NEAREST THE NORTH STAND) AND I HAVE TO SAY THE WHOLE OF OUR END HAS BEEN LIKE A MORGUE THIS SEASON. LOOK AT BRISTOL AT HOME LAST SEASON, THE CROWD MUST HAVE SUCKED AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE GOALS INTO THE NET. SURELY WE CAN MANAGE SOME ENCOURAGEMENT.
LASTLY I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPERTUNITY TO THANK ANY ONE WHO WAS AT THE WYCOME GAME FOR THE SILENCE THEY HELD FOR PATRICK SOUTHALL. HE WAS A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND HAD A SEASON TICKET NEXT TO ME. HIS PARENTS WERE VERY PLEASED WITH THE SILENCE U COULDN'T HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP. THANX
Jacks at 18:43:8 Monday December 7 98
.oh ha ha ha, of course NONE of us have heard 'THE Cobblers' joke (?) before. Prat. Thanks Andy C for YOUR constructiveness, but I do think losing Atkins could only be a bonus if our players really DO fear/loathe/disrespect him and as such are losing their passion for playing at OUR club. What will happen? I honestly don't know, but we have Saturday to think about now, the league and supporting the lads the way we know we can.
Bruce at 16:31:19 Monday December 7 98
Two days on and its still fantastic news, even if a trip to the dump
they call Ninian Park is the reward.
2-0, makes me laugh, especialy as Yeovil have only won THREE games at home all season. 2-0. Looks like your players need to take their boots back to the cobblers. HA HA HAA HAA HAA. 2-0
Andy C at 16:28:19 Monday December 7 98
Like the message just down the page, I think T Man may have a hidden agenda in wanting Atkins to stay. It would be inconvenient for Fulham if the Cobblers were all trying to impress a new manager in the coming match...
Andy C at 16:25:19 Monday December 7 98
Commiserations on what was evidently a very miserable day at Yeovil. Most of us didn't go to Colchester because we expected a reserve side - and as you know we won 5-1. Shame it wasn't the League.
The problem with sacking Atkins would be, apart from the financial aspect, that any manager coming in would be hard pressed to get much in the way of results if your pessimism about the quality of your players is justified. It's all very well calling for the youngsters (by which I mean the teenagers) to be given a go but have you considered that however keen they may be, their inexperience could be a liability and their enthusiasm would soon be destroyed by being in a losing side week in week out. At Gillingham for years we had to throw youngsters in before they were ready, so many that I can't remember them all. The result was that we bobbled around near the bottom of the Third and most of the players disappeared without trace. Whether they would have been good enough in other circumstances I don't know, but they certainly had no time to develop away from the pressurised environment of the relegation fight. When Tony Pulis arrived he said the young defenders had never been taught to defend. Seeing as one of them (Joe Dunne) was playing for Colchester on Saturday I think he may have had a point. If your teenagers are genuinely brilliant you will get away with having one or two in the side short-term to pep things up, as long as they don't get burned out. If they are truthfully no better than the journeymen you disparage, let the old pros take the fight it out this year and introduce the youngsters gradually next season.
The rest of Division Two at 16:12:53 Monday December 7 98
Atkins must stay. That's one relegation place we don't have to worry about.
Bolton Cobbler at 16:7:58 Monday December 7 98
I made a promise regarding Atkins that I wouldn't slag him off but give him until Boxing Day to turn things round. Well Boxing Day is looming, and just look at the previous comments and Saturdays performance, I need not say a thing...
steven at 15:15:23 Monday December 7 98
WHEN ATKINS GOS WE SHOULD TRY AND BRING IN RON ATKINSON OR LET THOMPSON BE MANAGER CAUSE ATKINS IS ALOAD OF SHIT AND NEEDS SHOOTING (ASK VINNIE J).I THINK THAT HE SHOULD OF PLAYED THE YOUNG TALENT ON SATURDAY E.G.MORROW OR BUTCHER CAUSE THEY ARE TEAM WORKERS AND KEEP THE BALL ON THE FLOOR APART FROM WHEN ITS IN THE BACK OF THE NET.
The Angry Cobbler at 14:46:46 Monday December 7 98
Atko's Ten Commandments: 1. The whole starting XI should have played in a Birmingham shirt or in a team with Atkins at one time 2. The ball must not touch the ground except when the keeper is kicking it out 3. Anyone/thing except Atkins must be blamed for any poor performances 4. The starting XI must have a minimum average age of 30 or over 5. The words "attacking midfielder" and "passing" are banned from Sixfields 6. The crowd must be alienated as much as possible 7. Anyone singing "Wilko is a w**ker" will be made to wash the Birmingham kits the players all wear under their NTFC strip for 100 years 8. Paul Wilkinson is a skillful, hard working striker who will weigh in with his fair share of goals 9. All players who are not as good at tackling as they are at other aspects of their game will be allowed to leave (ahem MARTIN ALDRIDGE) 10. If the club gets any glory it must be credited to Ian Atkins but if the club does badly it is the fault of everyone else except Ian Atkins. Anyone caught disobeying the ten commandments of Atkins will be made to watch the scum from London Road until they go blind.
Jacks at 14:46:16 Monday December 7 98
..Just what IS exactly going on...
What can WE do?
The Angry Cobbler at 14:35:12 Monday December 7 98
Eddie McGoldrick retired at the end of last season due to a persistent back problem so he couldn't be player manager. I don't think we could afford Nigel Clough. I doubt Atkins is going to go anyway (unfortunatley) but if he does I'd want either Garry Thompson, Kevin Wilson, Razor or John Barnes as player/manager.
The Shropshire Cobbler at 13:18:37 Monday December 7 98
Atkin's Law:
1. Always blame anyone/everyone else
2. Don't use any imagination
3. Players must not pass the ball (except to the opposition)
4. Players must be derided and berated at all times
5. Young players(under 30)should not be encouraged
6. Inspirational players should be sold
7. Only tried and tested (old) players should be bought, frequently
8. The budget is there to be (over)spent
9. We'd be doing alright if it wasn't for all these injuries, the weather, the ref, the players, the fans etc
10. Don't blame me, I'm only the bloke in charge
Nod at 13:1:55 Monday December 7 98
Plus points from Yeovil (yes there were a few): 1 - Hughes looked impresive when he came on, involved, confident and able to pass on the ground. Can we see him again please? 2 - Wilkinson actually played quite well, getting in at least three sound, relevant tackles, certainly better today than for the rest of the season. 3 - Excellent lunch at the Old Inn, Holton (just south of Wincanton) make a note if we have to go again! Apart from that we were pathetic. Totally lacking in confidence (not ability for the most part). As far as I can see only a change of management will effect confidence levels. This would be regrettable but in the absence of a Damascene conversion from IA it appears the only choice. If we do need a new manager please please please do not support Phil Neal, can't you remember the awful Graham Taylor programme? Neal is a spineless yes-man. We ned someone the players can trust and look up to. Nigel Clough springs to mind or could Eddie McGoldrick be player?-manager?
bob at 12:52:50 Monday December 7 98
WE ALL HATE BOROUGH AND DIAMONDS
T MAN(FFC) at 12:34:7 Monday December 7 98
Morning gents. As wer'e making the short trip up the road to see you in a couple of weeks I thought I'd say hello. Anyway, what has happened this season? Although I didn't think you were the most glamorous side we played last season(!) you were certainly tenacious, and difficult to beat, which was a cornerstone of your success. I didn't realise that there had been a lot of players leave, and I thought you had made a couple of good signings(ie, Corazzin), and you still have the best keeper outside the Prem.
As has been said below however, Atkins is a dogged manager, who has done a lot for your club with little or no money. I personally can't stand the man, I consider him arrogant, obnoxious, and he never seems willing to praise any other side, but he HAS turned your club around.
Anyway, see you all in a couple of weeks(if I can get a ticket - what's going on there, surely you can spare us more than 900!!!) and good luck for the rest of the season(apart from against us). I have no real affinity for the cobblers, but there are a good few Div2 sides I would rather see struggle than your lot.
Dave at 12:10:33 Monday December 7 98
In reply to the Ian atkins I think that if atkins does go then Phil neal should be manger because he has experience of Bolton, coventry, Man city and Cardiff and of course he used to play for us in the 70's so he would be an obvious choice. Please e-mail me back with your views.
The Angry Cobbler at 11:51:46 Monday December 7 98
Well said Shropshire Cobbler. This situation has come about because Atkins has bought 5 or 6 players (Lee, Warner, Turley to name but a few) and has barely played them. Micky Warner has been here for three years now and only played about 10 games. It can't help these players to one minute be lauded as the next big thing (Remember when Chris Lee was being put about as the first £1m Cobblers player) only to see considerably less talented players come in and take first team places (Wilkinson) whilsy these more talented and younger players light up the Avon Combination. I want Atkins to leave but if he doesn't I want him to play some of the lads like Warner, Morrow and Hughes next time one of our countless amounts of players get injured instead of pissing away £25,000 on someone "who is such good value that if there is a better buy in the second division this season I'll eat my hat" before loaning him out to Kettering then releasing him on a free. I personally thought he lost it when he went apeshit at Charlie Bishop when we lost at Blackpool despite football being a team game last time I looked. ATKINS MUST GO NOW!
sam at 11:39:6 Monday December 7 98
i think that atkins can fuck offf
Jacks at 11:23:9 Monday December 7 98
So, any truth in the comment from 'The Insider'?
Jacks at 10:38:53 Monday December 7 98
...the time hascome. Mr Atkins - you either need to pack your bags and go, and leave this trail of disaster you HAVE created (i.e selling players we need and buying those we don not, ignoring our talented players, Micky Warner refusal to get rid of the useless and ugly long ball tactic and resilience to what WE, the fans want - passion, dedication to OUR team). You do have an alternative..show us you still care, show us some effort that you want to inspire the fine players we do still have left. STOP this crap NOW - waiting even another week is too long. Issue some kind of statement that indicates that 1) you are going - thanks and good luck or, 2) SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT TO US.
VOTER at 9:44:9 Monday December 7 98
I TOOK THE TIME TO PUT IN 50 VOTES FOR ATKINS DEFINITELY OUT BECAUSE HE HHHAAASSS TTTOOO GGGOOO
The Shropshire Cobbler at 8:51:42 Monday December 7 98
The time has run out for Atkins, he's had his chance, and should now go, whilst there's still time to rebuild and avoid the drop.
Almost anyone else would have more constructive ideas than him at present. To those who disagree, look at the results - it's a disgrace.
RICHARD at 1:5:9 Monday December 7 98
I Don't Know 'Cause I Wasn't There (England v S. Africa was to good to an opportunity to miss): The Yeovil game was not a pretty sight on MotD. Not even the edited high(?)lights could disguise our general ineptitude. But, from what I have read so far on these pages and the e-mail list, it was more a case of what we didn't do, than serious technical deficiencies. The matches this season I have attended have produced a good deal of entertaining play - and not all from the opposition! We can play stylish passing football; I've seen it! We have the players to do it. It just seems that we cannot produce that kind of form on demand. Injuries, suspensions, contract disputes etc, all of these play a part, but it all boils down to confidence, ultimately. On any given day, any team can beat another in this league, regardless of money or status. Grimsby last season proved it most recently in our division and Bristol City too for that matter. Teams which humbled them in the early games, came a cropper later in the season during their respective surges up the table. Bottle the essence which made those players buck the trend and produce the goods, and you'd make a fortune! Notwithstanding the obvious and wholly understandable frustrations of true fans, what can be gained from public demonstrations of dissatisfaction on match day? It might be a cathartic experience for some, but who bears the brunt of the mass venting of spleens? The players! The ones we need to perform in order for the team to survive. Take the players out of the game and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to guess the outcome. Mob mentality only has one effect; those on the wrong end of the barracking feel undermined and underconfident. This is not condusive to an inspiring performance on the pitch, no matter what their abilities. To get the best from your team you have to give your whole hearted support. There are those (mostly in the North Stand,it seems) whose only enjoyment, it appears, is to strut their stuff in front of a captive audience. On occasions it can be quite amusing but eventually it palls and the unconstuctive nature of their barbs becomes destructive and frankly nausiating. The jeering of Paul Wilkinson was the worst manifestation of this brand of humiliating fan criticism I've had the misfortune to come across. No-one could perform under those circumstances. So what is the answer? Well, there isn't one! Only time will tell. We have to be patient. The Board, the management and the players know the score; they don't need their collective nose rubbed in it by us, the fans. Yes, we help to pay their wages, but that doesn't give us the right to be offensive. Respect and support for the team is what is called for, despite our justified misgivings on certain occasions. Forget the bad times, and let the good times roll!
Robert Dunkley at 22:18:50 Sunday December 6 98
Cobblers Heaven is re-open, at the moment there is a reduced level of features, but the stats have been updated and you can read my views on the Atkins situation. Point your browsers towards
http://freespace.virgin.net/robert.dunkley/ntfc/index.htm
Anon at 21:41:59 Sunday December 6 98
33 voters yesterday and 1000 today? I think Ray has fiddled it...
The Angry Cobbler at 21:40:58 Sunday December 6 98
I think it is time for Atkins and his old pals club to leave the club and make way for Garry Thompson and Ray Warburton. Seeing as we have to pay players like Wilkinson, Dobson and Frain until the end of the season anyway why don't we pay them off now. And has anyone noticed that the little arguments and frictions at the club and a host of blunders off the pitch have come since we appointed a PR officer? Gareth Wilshner should stick to sending injury reports to the Chronic and stop tinkering with a well run (except the first team) club.
Anon at 20:21:49 Sunday December 6 98
Oh ye of little faith!! and very short memories. Just remember where we were when IA took over. Yes, apoor season so far and maybe a relegation battle ahead but imbeciles say "Atkins out".
james curley at 18:30:1 Sunday December 6 98
Atkins has still got time left. It would be foolish to sack a manager at this point in the season; if we have a few wins we would soon be in a decent league position. It is obvious that we have had injuries and players missing, but I do agree that Atkins' excuses are getting to be a bit unbearable. I think that we have to start being more positive and start to look like we want to win games rather than just expect it to happen from the long ball game.
Moreover, who would we get to replace IA if he left? I'm sure that GT and KW would play a similar style and I don't think they've quite got the experience to manage this club yet. I can't think of any other half-decent manager who is available and would want to take over.
Kevin Simons at 18:26:20 Sunday December 6 98
Atkins out! What a load of drivel he came up with on MOTD. Five youngsters under 21? Well, Hunt, yes, but the rest? Obviously IA has a major problem reading birth certicates and has somehow deducted ten years from all the players, explaining why he signed teenage starlet Paul Wilkinson, who was clearly outjumped for Yeovil's first. Assuming a fully fit squad how many would not have played yesterday. One or two methinks. I'm going to be leading the chorus for hios head next week and I'm even thinking of sitting in the east stand for a change with some banners to underline it, at least then he'll be able to see the feelings even if he's deaf to criticism.
Michael Hallam at 18:18:1 Sunday December 6 98
Time has run out, ATKINS OUT.
Dave C at 18:9:27 Sunday December 6 98
1029 respondants eh Ray? Hmmm.
Dave C at 18:7:3 Sunday December 6 98
Deborah, the play-off final clearly demonstrated the limits of Atkins tactics. The fact that most teams have steadily moved away from the approach favoured by Atkins reinforces the redundancy of his tactics. I agree that he has done the Town a big service - BUT "give him a break"?! NO WAY. His time has come. What do you want? Atkins to take us back to D.3? He has lost his way. The squad no longer has a team mentality. He has lost the faith of many players (just like Hoddle). Far too many times have I wasted money travelling to see non-descript performances based on negative tactics. My heart goes out to the 200 on Saturday. Enough is enough. ATKINS OUT.
Hartwell Cobbler at 17:49:6 Sunday December 6 98
I'm sure none of us would,in any way, wish to detract from what Atkins has achieved over the past few seasons. However, we have to stop bathing in past glories (incidentally, isn't it time the Chronic called a halt to the Wembley memories ?) and face reality. Things go on. And the sad facts are we have played 20 games, have won just three, have a meagre 17 points, can't score goals and have just been knocked out the cup by a team two divisions below us who showed passion and commitment. We can go on for ever blaming injuries. But the reality is we have no forward injuries and put out a strong team on Saturday. But the team (with some exceptions) once again appaered to show little appetite for the fight. We can accept technical limitations (goodness knows, they were a'plenty last season). But, for whatever reasons, this team does not seem prepared to roll up its collective sleeves and battle for the fans. Atkins must also take much of the blame for his tactics (which are clearly no longer working), for some of his questonable purchases and his failure to use player resources at his disposal (even when he complains about being down to the bare bones, there's hardly a look-in for Warner, which is scandalous). This club cannot go on buying. Unless you have big money it's a poisoned chalice. We must start investing in and bringing on our own home-grown talent. Young players, hungry players, players who will feel proud and honoured to wear their local team colours. Players who will be 100% committed to the Cobblers. After the past two seasons we had developed a platform upon which greater things could be built. It appears the wheels are falling off amid tales of acrimony, bickering and petty squabbling behind the scenes. Which is all so sad. There's still time to get the ship back on course - but Atkins must be brave and honest enough to admit his shortcomings, make the changes which are patently obvious. The players must then show their commitment and spirit...and when that happens we, the fans, will respond as we always have done and always will do (by getting behind the lads on the pitch).
deborah at 16:33:37 Sunday December 6 98
this time last year everyone thought ian atkins was one of the best things that had happened to the cobblers-and now you all want him out-GIVE THE GUY A BREAK
Oliver at 15:51:5 Sunday December 6 98
ATKINS OUT
ATKINS OUT
ATKINS OUT
ATKINS OUT
oliver at 15:48:58 Sunday December 6 98
ATKINS OUT
oliver at 15:46:44 Sunday December 6 98
ATKINS OUT
Ray at 15:1:52 Sunday December 6 98
The real Audio file works fine - perhaps you need to upgrade your Real Audio add on in your browser?
Hartwell Cobbler at 14:10:32 Sunday December 6 98
Having first listened to the live radio broadcast and then watched (endured) the MoTD highlights from yesterday's match my first feeling is for the 200-odd loyal Cobblers fans who braved the cold to cheer the team on that open terrace. You deserved better. Far better. Atkins and the players owe each and every one of you an apology...including Amanda! Your comments sum up the performance - as always high balls into the box, which don't even cause problems to Conference teams any longer. Add to that abominable defending - illustrated by their first goal, when we had four men behind the ball and directly in front of their scorer. Yet he managed to pop the ball home. Our defensive unit - on which was built our recent success -- has now withered to the point where, even with 11 men behind the ball, it still manages to leak silly goals. The midfield - well, what midfield? There is virtually no decent service to the front men - and when they do get opportunities, where is the hunger, the killer instinct? Freestone had golden chances but fluffed them. Gibb had some strong runs up the flank, but again his crossing is poor, too many times the ball is looped high into the air rather than driven crisply into the box. And of course nothing comes from the left because we don't have such a basic requirement as a left winger. After the match we were again subjected to Atkins bemoaning his injury list. Let's put this into perspective. He has been given money to buy replacements (large by our standards. But what has he done with this valuable resource ? Spent it, by and large, on over the hill and/or mediocre quality players. His philosophy of having "bodies around him" has resulted in the club acquiring a huge squad by our standards, many of them being sub-standard. Clearly team morale is also rock bottom. If the players don't like and can't respect Atkins, what chance have we got ? None, frankly. Even the most gifted players have to show commitment and loyalty to the team and to the cause. Last year's squad was low on technical ability. But you could never question their commitment. Which is how we managed to achieve our play-off place. On reflection I think the writing was on the wall following the Grimsby game. Any neutral would have little doubting who was the best team...and that the best team was the one playing good football. I don't want to sound disloyal. That's not my motive. What I am saying is that Atkins, if he were absolutely truthful, couldn't have failed to notice how effective is the passing game, played with width. That lesson has been re-inforced time and again this season....Spurs...Reading and many more sides coming here and showing us the way ahead. But nothing at all seems to have rubbed off on Atkins. Last night he was saying he hoped the players had learned something from defeat by Yeovil. Maybe he should be asking himself that question....and a few more....Finally, I agree: on match days we have to get behind the team. BUT the team must recognise that they are playing for us. If they are fed up with Atkins, that's tough. But they should show some loyalty to us, the fans, who make the major contribuition to their pay packets (which some of the players have been ungracious enough to complain about in public).
AMANDA at 13:51:34 Sunday December 6 98
OH YEAH......OR MAYBE TOMMO!!!!EVERY TEAM HAS TO HAVE A GOOD DEFENCE, BUT DON'T U THINK ATKO GOES A BIT TOO FAR! WE NEED A MANAGER WHO WILL KEEP ON ATTACKING (EVEN WHEN WE ARE AHEAD)AND NOT PULL EVERYONE BACK WHEN WE SCORE!!! I THINK THAT SOMEONE WITHIN CLUB SHOULD TAKE THE TOP SPOT AND ACTUALLY COME TO THINK OF IT TOMMO IS A GOOD CHOICE.
DID ANY ONE HERE GO TO BASINGSTOKE LAST SEASON??? LAUGHING OUT LOUD, I JUST REMEMBERED COLIN HILLS PENALTY. THAT WAS A COLD NIGHT!
pete at 12:49:10 Sunday December 6 98
Let's have some pledges of support for Amanda's 'support the players' plea! Amanda, what are your thoughts on the type of manager,? Forward or defender? Outsider or at the club now- you didn't mention Tommo. You sound wiser than your years. We are all listening!
pete at 12:35:3 Sunday December 6 98
I tried to get the interview downloaded. The message was 'This is not a RealAudio document'....whatever that means. Any quotes of note?
AMANDA at 12:34:33 Sunday December 6 98
OK 1 MORE THING..... DO U THINK COLIN HILL OR KEVIN WILSON WILL GET THE JOB OF MANAGER?????
OR SOMEONE ELSE?
AMANDA at 12:32:13 Sunday December 6 98
HELLO GUYS.....WHAT A DEPPRESSING GAME YESTERDAY, I WAS ONE OF THE 200 FANS THAT MADE THAT VERY LONG JOURNEY WHAT A WASTE OF TIME!! i HAVE NOW GOT THE REST OF TODAY TO WRITE AN ESSAY ON LANDSLIDES FOR SCHOOL TOMMORROW, ITS GOIN TO TAKE ME ALL DAY!!!!AND I COULD HAVE DONE SOME YESTERDAY BUT NO I DECIDED TO BE LOYAL TO MY TEAM AND STAND IN THE FREEZING COLD TO WATCH US PLAY....UMMM....WELL IT WASN'T FOOTBALL, I GUESS I COULD LIKEN IT TO VOLLEY BALL. aTKINS WOULD BE A GOOD VOLLEYBALL MANAGER, HE IS SUPERB AT KEEPING THE BALL IN THE AIR!
i TALK TO THE PLAYERS ALOT BECAUSE I OFTEN GO TO THE SUPPORTERS BAR AFTER THE MATCH. MICKY wARNER WANTS TO LEAVE UNLESS HE GETS PLAYED AND WHO CAN BLAME HIM, HE IS ONE OF THE MOST NATURAL PLAYERS ON OUR TEAM, HE HAS BEEN BRILL WHEN HES COME ON AND U THINK THE GAFFER WOULD HAVE PLAYED HIM WITH ALL HIS INJURY PROBLEMS....OH BUT I FORGOT ATKINS HAS WILKINSON, HOW COULD I FORGET???
I AM VERY GOOD FRIENDS WITH CARLO CORAZZIN HE HAS ALSO SAID THAT ALL THE PLAYERS HATE ATKINS, I THINK MOST OF THE PLAYERS WILL WANT TO LEAVE WHEN THERE CONTRACTS R OUT UNLESS ATKINS GOES.
I AM NOT SAYING ATKINS HAS DONE NOTHING FOR US, WHO COULD SAY THAT, FROM THE BOTTOM OF DIV 3 TO ALMOST A PROMOTION TO DIV1. tHANX ATKINS WE HAVE ALL LOVED U, EVEN IF WE DID MOAN ABOUT SOME OF YOUR SOMEWAHT UNUSUAL DESISIONS. UNFORTUNATELY THE PLAYERS R NO LONGER PLAYING FOR HIM AND HE HAS TO GO, HE NO LONGER HAS ANY RESPECT FROM THEM
GOODBYE ATKINS
COME ON YOU COBBLERS, AND P.S. WHY DO WE ALWAYS COMPLAIN ABOUT NORTHAMPTONS PREFORMANCES WHEN WE DON'T GIVE THEM ANY ENCOURAGEMENT. WHILE THE PLAYERS ARE ON THE PITCH WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEM HOWEVER WELL THEY R PLAYING. WE CAN BADMOUTH THEM WHEN THEY ARN'T PLAYING.
COME ON NORTHAMPTON, U CAN MAKE IT YET
SIGNING OFF, AMANDA (14)
pete at 12:30:6 Sunday December 6 98
I am in touch with Phil quite a lot but I have never asked if he was interested in returning. I get the impression that the club have treated him with their usual 'sensitivity'. I don't think he has been inside Sixfields- not even invited to the reunions/benefit type parties. I doubt he would give up his secure job, now that he has one, to return to be at the mercy of NTFC! I must admit that although he had the worst possibly squad, he made the most of them. It couldn't have been easy moving from player to player-manager in the same club....especially with a rather narrowly focused Liquidator sitting on your back. But whereas IA was the ideal manager to bring us up, someone like Phil would be useful now. Has anyone any thoughts on the usefulness of defenders as oppose to forwards as managers, in the lower as oppose to the higher divisions?
Ray at 12:22:46 Sunday December 6 98
There is a rather poor recording of Ian Atkins interview after the match at http://web.ukonline.co.uk/ntfc/yeovil.rm - you will need RealAudio to hear it.
Ray at 12:13:37 Sunday December 6 98
Ive changed the quizlet slightly so that it now appears as a "pop-up" window which may help some of those people having problems.
Ray at 11:53:57 Sunday December 6 98
By the same argument, we beat West Ham 2-0 and should therefore be in the top 5 in the Premiership and Yeovil should be above us.
TRB Mark at 11:49:8 Sunday December 6 98
Where were all the Wurzels BEFORE the match, making comments?. It's easy to crow after the game that you have won. No-one can accuse us fans of being cocky as we all expected to get beat which is why there were only 200 there. No, the reason there was only 200 there was because we play absolute shite awy from home that the fans have voted with thier feet. And for God's sake don't compare us with Diremonds fans. It would be the easiest thing in the world to support them as they , due to being able to buy their way out of any given situation, are assured of some kind of success. They would desert en masse shoud Griggs remove his money and they (the fans) know it! And all this non-league crap about how better Yeovil/Cheltenham etc are better than us, based on one or two game, is like saying that Israel are a better nation than us at producing popular music just because they won the European song contest!
Ray at 11:39:1 Sunday December 6 98
I'll also vote for the "Bring back Phil Chard" campaign....
Ray at 11:37:56 Sunday December 6 98
Dave - you may not be receiving mail from the list because you aren't on it... did you unsubscribe? If not - can I suggest resubscribing?
Ray at 11:34:19 Sunday December 6 98
btw - for those who cant read the results - the voting so far is from 668 votes - 50% Definitely, 1% probably, 1% unsure, 32% Still has a chance and 17% No. which is hardly conclusive as we have only had about 100 visitors since I put it up....so perhaps it more of an indication of the strength of feeling one way or the other as people take the time to make multiple votes.
Dave Cross at 11:29:23 Sunday December 6 98
IA resigns? I hope its true. At the begining of the season I was saying he should go - he had done as much as he could. The team required a different style and approach to making it further. For announcing this opinion I ceased to receive mail from the Waloc list. Thanks!..and now opinion turns. Now people start agreeing with the proposition, and may I say a touch too late.
IAN ATKINS - Thank you for what you've achieved. Goodbye and good luck for the future. Bring back Phil Chard.
Ray at 11:26:54 Sunday December 6 98
Re the quizlet....... You will only be able to use this if your browser is JavaScript enabled. Some of the older browsers may not support it .... and it may be that you need to download a more up to date version. If anyone needs any advice of recommendations then feel free to email me and I'll do what I can to help.
Eddie K at 10:51:14 Sunday December 6 98
I think Atkins clearly has to be sacked . I know hes done a great job taking the club from the bottom of Division 3 into the playoffs of division 2 but if we get relegated this season we are nearly back where we started . I think Atkins has taken us as far as we can go so we need a new manager now !
Off to the cricket tomorrow Victoria v England . Should be a good game although Victoria are resting there good players . If you see a boy wearing a Cobblers shirt on the highlights it will be me !
Pete at 9:52:31 Sunday December 6 98
I have to confess although I have been aware of this page for about 2 weeks I still have no idea what 'vote' people are referring to. My head is down, tail between legs in shame (seems appropriate)- somebody enlighten me. I am off to buy another newspaper to see if any kind person has changed the result. I still hope supporters will act on my last night's message!
T. at 9:22:55 Sunday December 6 98
Ray, I'm unable to read the results so far on the vote, can someone enlighten me please.
T. at 9:21:46 Sunday December 6 98
Cider Drinker, If there had been a replay you may well have brought 2,500 up but you wouldn't all have got in. Ha!
T. at 9:21:30 Sunday December 6 98
Cider Drinker, If there had been a replay you may well have brought 2,500 up but you wouldn't all have got in. Ha!
Steve at 1:57:6 Sunday December 6 98
We would eat humble pie but unfortunately 'Wazza' has already eaten all the pies.
Badger at 1:49:1 Sunday December 6 98
Hey Guys! What is up with your team ?! West Auckland gave us a harder time than your lot did. All your team seem capable of doing is hoofing the ball up in the air and getting in the referee's notebook. With the exception of Freestone (who can't shoot but gets into nice positions) you were awful. We piled down the wings and you couldn't stop our wing-backs by any means.
As for Warren Patmore, how many of you are now eating humble pie over him ? He destroyed your central defenders and made them look like amateurs. He set up the first goal and scored the second, yet Ian Atkins reckons he's not good enough to play for Northampton or Colchester ? Perhaps Wazza's record of one goal every two games for Yeovil (today was number 88 in about three years) might make Mr Atkins realise he's not a very good judge of a good player!
Oh, and I can't go without saying "is that all you take away ?". Rushden, Cheltenham and Doncaster brought down more supporters than you did !
Have a happy old time in your relegation battle. We're off to hope we don't get Hull City away in the third round!
Badger (YTFC)
Ray at 1:44:16 Sunday December 6 98
Yeh - but we knew we were going to lose.... and please stop referring to us collectively - its the manager and the board who sell players and they dont post here. If the fans had their way the squad would probably have a completely different look.
adam at 1:7:51 Sunday December 6 98
well it seems radio northampton have got their priorities right. i'm sure you lot will be glad to know that heggs and warburton played very well today, playing with pride and passion - something not seen at sixfields much these days. as for only taking 200 to yeovil for a 2nd round cup match, when we went to yeovil for a run of the mill league match we took 200 (we also won!), we took around 4 times that much to doncaster yesterday. you lot really should keep your strikers, darren collins would be a class act in division 2, grayson is having lots of fun and goals at cheltenham, that yeovil bloke scored past you, you replace people like this with wilkinson!
Ray at 0:48:12 Sunday December 6 98
Is this true? Details please as soon as poss!
INSIDER at 0:41:17 Sunday December 6 98
Ian Atkins has tonight tendered his resignation.
Pete at 23:23:10 Saturday December 5 98
Not terribly long ago, a Second division side beat a Premier division side,2-0. The 2nd div. side were in the middle of the second division, the premier side not doing terribly well. Where is that premier side now? The wosrt thing we can do is to slag of the team. Next Saturday is when they will need us most. We have a bad reputation as supporters, Phil Neal said we were the worst he had ever known. If we give the team grief on Saturday, we prove him and the other well wishers who have signed on tonight, correct. On Saturday next, you get behind them and encourage others to do the same- otherwise there is no point in us having a team. We have had bad times in the past, worse than tonight: we will have bad times again. BUT WHO ARE WE?- WE ARE THE COBBLERS!!!
Ray at 22:20:6 Saturday December 5 98
Well anon, yes you can - but I hardly think the board are going to take the quizlet thing into their consideration...... its just a bit of fun......god knows we gotta do something to entertain ourselves.......theres not much fun football wise.
sid at 22:14:39 Saturday December 5 98
Does anyone want to chat?? Come to
http://members.xoom.com/cobblers
to chat about today's, um, match. Come on, i'm in here now!
Ray at 22:12:4 Saturday December 5 98
Thank you for those kind words Mr. Posh....now who were you playing in the second round?
Anon at 22:11:49 Saturday December 5 98
and if Mr Posh can be anonymous so can I
Anon at 22:11:1 Saturday December 5 98
i think that quizlet thing is crap - all you've got to do is sit on your left hand mouse button - bet all the no's were the shitboro wankers
Cider Drinker 2 at 21:47:25 Saturday December 5 98
I was very disappointed with Cobblers Minibus load of mute supporters, if there'd been a replay we'd have brought 2500 up to your place, but I suppose now we'll never know!!!!
Will Ranner at 21:43:7 Saturday December 5 98
I'll be drinking my zider til dawn. Ian Atkins, various shoe maker type people, we gave your team one hell of a beating. I've never seen an easier win at Huish Park. The conference has once again proved itself better than the lower reaches of the Nationwide!
Mr Posh at 21:10:54 Saturday December 5 98
I know I said that I wouldn't return until after xmas, but how could I resist. What a fantastic weekend, Macclesfield beat the scum 4-1 and some non-league team (who by rights you should be playing every week) beat you 2-0. Sadly our two teams will pass like ships in the night, you to the third, us to the second - that is unless we get the opportunity of stuffing you again in the AWS. Got to dash, MOTD is on soon.
T. at 20:37:30 Saturday December 5 98
Nice to see a Diremonds supporter with the guts to sign their name (not)
Vegas Cobbler at 20:18:12 Saturday December 5 98
I'm as gutted at the result today as everyone else. However, the kick in the pants that our players and management receive from the public humiliation at the defeat by Yeovil may just save our season. It will force them all to look at their commitment to the cause and realise that relegation would be the beginning of the end. We were never going to win the Cup - league survival is more important and this may keep the concentration on our weaknesses and force management and players into an immediate league response. For all at NTFC I hope so.
i love ali gibb at 20:11:51 Saturday December 5 98
I am addicted to the cobblers.my favourite possesion is my autographed book.I dont think there could be anyhting better than the cobblers scoring a goal.who needs man u and chealsea when u have northampton.One last word i love ali gibb
RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS SUPPORTER at 19:34:47 Saturday December 5 98
I was just wondering who Cobblers had got in the 3
rd round Oh I forgot nobody as usual. A Cobblers cup run is as rare as rocking horse s***.I think its really funny to see you all slagging off Ian Atkins only a few months ago you were at wembley.Look forward to playing you in Div 3 next year
POSH FAN at 19:27:54 Saturday December 5 98
Well done yeovil HA HA HA
Hartwell Cobbler at 19:17:10 Saturday December 5 98
Atkins has us by the short and curlies. He demanded and got a long contract. The board probably can't afford to sack him and then pay two managers wages for the forseeable future. Not have they the cash to buy new players - because Atkins has frittered it all away on (as Anon says) on some real wastes of space. Even if more money is made available, can we believe it will not be just throwing good after bad ? Every honest fan must now admit that the problems are there and are now as clear as day. Injuries are an excuse and a distraction, considering how much money IA had been given to shore up the team as a result of players injuries. No that doesn't wash and never has as far as I'm concerned. Every club has injury problems/crisis (you've only got to read the papers every day and you'll find whingeing managers making excuses to save their own skins). No, much of the trouble here is down to the manager, his tactics, team selection and (but for a few exceptions)his choice of newcomers. The teams who have managed to offload has-been/sub-standard players saw us coming. Today's defeat is numbing but almost entirely predicatable, taking everything into account. Something has to be done about it. And done now. Otherwise we're in deep trouble and likely to end up back in the basement league - where, I note, growing numbers of clubs are now at least trying to pass the ball.....We, meanwhile, are in a Timewarp...trapped in the (long discredited) belief that the long ball game is still the road to success.
Keith Richards at 18:50:19 Saturday December 5 98
I grew up as a Cobblers fan, but have been living in Canada for the last 20 years, which is a very football illiturate country, but it is getting better. It's great to be able to see how the cobblers are doing, by visiting your web site.
ATKINS MUST GO at 18:25:44 Saturday December 5 98
ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO ATKINS MUST GO AND SO SHOULD WILKINSON.
Anon at 18:22:21 Saturday December 5 98
I really enjoyed my day out to York last week (despite the result) and I
gave a trip to Yeovil serious thought. I'm very glad I saved my money. Some
bloke on Sports Report on Radio 5 said "Northampton, despite have Roy Hunter
back in the side, were cumbersome and firmly chained to the long ball game".
Apparently a bunch of straw chewing part timers out passed uss. When you
consider the team we played today cost the best part of over £800,000 in
transfer and signing fees and last season were looking to go up got beat,
you have to question the players AND above all the man who tells them what
to do. Atkins, piss off back to Birmingham and take Wilkinson and Frain with
you. I personally am going to sing "Atkins is a w**ker" at the next home
game if he doesn't do the decent thing and resign. I think we should have
sacked him after the defeat at Colchester but the board don't have the guts
to sack the man who admittedly took us to Wembley twice but also wasted
money on several journeyman players (Dobson, Conway, Wilkinson, Frain) while
selling our better players for sod all (Grayson, Razor, Heggsy), pissed away
£25,000 by sacking Charlie Bishop and has now got us firmly rooted in the
bottom four playing kick and rush football. I hope Barry Stonhill is reading
this and gets the board together to sack Atkins and put Garry Thompson in
charge instead. Despite him being reserve boss, he still must be a good
motviator and tactician, having won the Capital League last season and
keeping them in a decent position in the Avon Combination. Then Razor could
come back as player/assistant manager with Kevin Wilson becoming the
reserves coach. Atkins MUST GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ray at 18:14:35 Saturday December 5 98
Well - you're still Mickey Mouse Wurzels - problem is we're even worse.... :-)
ben at 18:12:0 Saturday December 5 98
stuff you cider bottle up your backside cider drinker (see ray im moderating my language..... much better, im completely inoffensive!)
go see my cobblers page everybody..... http://ntfc.home.ml.org
except ray, cos i dont want him sueing me for copyright infringment, im as cheap as they come.........
Cider drinker at 18:6:49 Saturday December 5 98
Micky Mouse Wurzels? We completely outplayed your full-time pro's today. You got what you deserved - nothing. And where were all your fans? Didn't look to be more than a couple of hundred (very quiet) Northampton folk there. Cobblers indeed. Good luck for the rest of the season - if that's the standard you usually play at you're gonna need it.
Hartwell Cobbler at 17:44:54 Saturday December 5 98
Well, the nightmare that is the 98-9 season goes on...I know we have injuries but on paper today's team should have been good enough to beat opposition from two leagues below us....it should have been good enough to have at least made us look presentable...it should have been good enough to have scored a goal. Having listened to the game on radio it's clear that, once again, we are not really good enough for anything very much. Can it get worse ? I fear it can and may well do so. The facts are Atkins has spent all the money from Wembley/W Ham/Spurs games plus a hefty 25% more. And what have we got for it ? With a few notable exceptions a team which is fundamentally worse than before, having cost a packet more. Plus a manager who clearly can't organise his team or face the glaringly obvious fact that we must change our style in order to progress. It was five at the back again today. Well, with 11 behind the ball, we still can't keep the opponents out. So what can we deduce from this fiasco ? Our defence - always in the past two seasons our trump card - is failing. There is no midfield and with the notable exception of Corazzin we probably have the worst forward line I can remember in years. I will refrain from commenting on individual performances. Those who are either not good enough or are taking this club for an easy ride know full well who they are. And we, the fans, are all to aware. So there's no point in naming names. The question is: where do we go from here ? I am not al all confident much is going to change. Presumably we now have no spare money to go into the market; and if we do, on past experience, we'll only be likely to see more of the same. We're unlikely to see any change of tactics because for reasons best know to himself Atkins either can't or won't do what's necessary. Frankly the writing's on the wall. Most of us can read what it's saying. It's up to Atkins and his disjointed team to show us they care for the club with the same passion as we, the fans, do. Accepting we still lack style and quality (even after all the money spent) the only thing we can ask and indeed expect is more commitment. Gayle, Grayson and co may not have been graceful footballers. But they made up for their lack of technical ability with passion and a will to win. We're going to be in for one hell of a battle to avoid the drop at this rate. And unless every member of the team at least shows total commitment to the cause we are very likely to slip back from whence we came. How sad it all is.
Anon at 17:39:20 Saturday December 5 98
btw - if you just want to see the results so far then click "view results" - if you vote then the updated results appear automatically - so dont vote unless you mean to!
Ray at 17:30:6 Saturday December 5 98
Well I was about to say that theres now an automatic voting form above - but people have just dived in and used it without a by your leave - lol....
Ray Warburton & Carl Heggs at 17:29:52 Saturday December 5 98
ATKINS OUT!!! ATKINS OUT!!!!
YOU BUNCH OF c**TS. FANCY LOSING TO SOME MICKEY MOUSE WURZELS LIKE YEOVIL TOWN.
TIME TO FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE OTHERWISE WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT SEASON...
TRB Mark at 17:18:56 Saturday December 5 98
That cringing embarrassment that one felt in the early 90's has returned.
Getcher Cobblers Christmas cards, 10 packets for a quid!
Ben Sturgess at 17:16:54 Saturday December 5 98
If this continues much longer i am tempted to start supporting rubbish and dire ATKINS STOP MAKING EXCUSES SORT IT OUT!
Sid at 17:9:44 Saturday December 5 98
That was a pile of S***e, i never want to see (or hear) such a crp performance ever again. I will not be watching MOTD tonight, as i dont want to be humilated in front of millions of viewers, SORT IT OUT ATKINS, NOW!!! (Why the hell did Hughes come on for a striker. Does any team chasing a 2-0 defecit put on a defender for an attacker except Northampton?? ATKINS, what are you playing at!!
Robert Dunkley at 17:4:24 Saturday December 5 98
Oh bugger, now the whole nation is going to see how crap we are. If we get rid of Mr Excuses as a result of this, I think Mark should sent one of his ace cards to Warren and the boys.
Atkins OUT, long may THOMMO?WILSON/RAZOR be king of Sixfields
Ian Atkins at 17:2:47 Saturday December 5 98
It wasn't my fault....
Ray at 17:1:52 Saturday December 5 98
Thanks for your attendance folks - sorry I couldn't have given you a better result....
RobM at 17:0:45 Saturday December 5 98
Only my second post here, I decided not to go today because I'm fed up with the way we've been playing lately, and I couldn't face the long trip down there, knowing full well the best we could expect was a draw, well the nightmare continues - wonder what Atkins' excuse will be this time? it sure as hell won't be his fault - it never is!!!
Ray at 17:0:23 Saturday December 5 98
Right - thats enough pain for me ....... Im gonna go and lie down in a darkened room.
Ray at 16:59:30 Saturday December 5 98
Final Score Doncaster 0 Diremonds 0 ....... apparently Heggs and Warburton had fine games... talk about rubbing it in....
Ray at 16:58:28 Saturday December 5 98
Back to Diremonds....... 1 minutes left..... still no score..... Ray takes up tiddleywinks...
T. at 16:57:59 Saturday December 5 98
Bugger, I'm off
Anon at 16:57:16 Saturday December 5 98
i think Freestone came on for Hunter too
Ray at 16:57:5 Saturday December 5 98
Full time...... Yeovil 2 Cobblers 0 - bugger......
Robert at 16:56:45 Saturday December 5 98
Oops it was me I am very angry and going bonkers, Atkins will get on ehell of a recpetion on Saturday, and I reckon it will be tens times as nasty as when Ray was sold :_(
Ray at 16:56:12 Saturday December 5 98
5,218 crowd...... I bet theres not that many in the ground now..
Richard from HK at 16:55:8 Saturday December 5 98
Thanks for keeping me up to speed, along week ahead I think. Will Atkins survive ?
Ray at 16:55:7 Saturday December 5 98
Who said dat?
Ray at 16:54:2 Saturday December 5 98
Unless I am missing something we have made only sub, why take a striker off for a defender is Atkins settling for a 2-0 defeat, or is eveyone's favourite target man slowing walking upfront?
Ray at 16:53:11 Saturday December 5 98
18 seconds left........ Cobblers still trailing......
T. at 16:52:49 Saturday December 5 98
Plus something about an avenging Patmore
Ray at 16:52:29 Saturday December 5 98
or perhaps you should say "start concentrating on the league"
Anon at 16:50:26 Saturday December 5 98
oh well I guess we can concentrate on the league - I'd laugh if I wasn't so f****** depressed
Ray at 16:50:15 Saturday December 5 98
Well after the poorish display against Lancaster and now losing (probably) to Yeovil - lets hope we never get relegated to the Conference.
SBJ at 16:49:30 Saturday December 5 98
Yeovil 2 Cobblers 0 :-(
Ray at 16:48:46 Saturday December 5 98
"Yeovil were by far the better side and deserved their place in the third round draw" or words to that effect I would imagine.
Ray at 16:47:37 Saturday December 5 98
Oh my god ....... can things get any worse?
T. at 16:47:4 Saturday December 5 98
Wrapping presents is boring, but then It's depressing listening to the Cobb's and let's predict what they'll say on MOTD
Ray at 16:46:34 Saturday December 5 98
Kettering leading and will go top of the Conference if things stay the same......
Richard at 16:46:9 Saturday December 5 98
Er thanks Ray.
Ray at 16:45:25 Saturday December 5 98
Scuffles in the Cobblers crowd.....8 minutes left...
Anon at 16:45:5 Saturday December 5 98
ATKINS OUT!!!!!!!
Ray at 16:44:28 Saturday December 5 98
Thats buggered it.......
Ray at 16:44:7 Saturday December 5 98
Padmore scores for Yeovil......... 2-0
SBJ at 16:43:27 Saturday December 5 98
Come on Cobblers! don't make a poor season even worse for us all!
Ray at 16:43:22 Saturday December 5 98
Gary Hughes........ one of the kids... comments on the official site - Garry is a solid central defender who was the only trainee to have been offered a professional contract for the 1998/99 season, following a successful two year
apprenticeship which saw him play on virtually all the youth team games and reserve team matches, which is a remarkable acheivement for someone of his age.
Ray at 16:41:38 Saturday December 5 98
COME ON YOU COBBLERS! Times running out........
Richard at 16:41:36 Saturday December 5 98
Who is Hughes ?
Ian at 16:41:25 Saturday December 5 98
Mansfield 1 Southport 2
Anon at 16:40:46 Saturday December 5 98
Macc 4 Cambridge 1, Tomlinson has scored an 11 minute hattrick. PNE winning 2-0
Ray at 16:39:51 Saturday December 5 98
Chris Lee apparently had 3 chances in 5 minutes and missed the lot.
Ray at 16:39:16 Saturday December 5 98
Hughes on for Chris Lee...... 15 minutes left - still 1-0
Ray at 16:38:14 Saturday December 5 98
Well - this is interesting - extensive commentary of nothing happening at Diremonds.... *yawn*
Anon at 16:38:11 Saturday December 5 98
Lincoln 3 Stevenage 0, looks like we are going to be the "shock"
Ian at 16:37:29 Saturday December 5 98
Macclesfield 3 Cambridge 1, that makes me feel a little better!
Richard from HK at 16:35:57 Saturday December 5 98
I see Morley scored Hull's first goal, was that our Trevor?
Ian at 16:35:53 Saturday December 5 98
Macclesfield 2 Cambridge 1
Ian at 16:35:14 Saturday December 5 98
PNE 1 Walsall 0
Ian at 16:34:10 Saturday December 5 98
I noticed Ray but as I was at work and couldn't "compete" I let it gracefully pass. Maybe when you get to 66666!
Anon at 16:34:7 Saturday December 5 98
Luton 1 Hull 2
Ray at 16:32:16 Saturday December 5 98
......or even a Fanfare.....
Ian at 16:32:12 Saturday December 5 98
Scunthorpe 1 Bedlington 0; Macclesfield 1 Cambridge 1
Ray at 16:31:47 Saturday December 5 98
I just remembered - we were gonna have another celebration when we reached 55,555 - but it appears to have slipped past with no fanefar.
Ray at 16:30:35 Saturday December 5 98
Anyone got teletext? Can they tell me whats happening? *sigh*
Anon at 16:29:9 Saturday December 5 98
Fulham 2 Hartlepool 2
Ian at 16:25:42 Saturday December 5 98
Fulham up 2-1. Southport 2-0 up at Mansfield so we may not be the only scalp if it comes to it.
Richard from HK at 16:23:29 Saturday December 5 98
Thanks Ray
Ray at 16:22:53 Saturday December 5 98
From what little commentary we are getting - it sounds as if we are actually using the wings today.
Ian at 16:21:43 Saturday December 5 98
My favourite story of the day so far. Dennis "I'm not going to get in trouble again" Wise, fresh off a four game suspension, has been sent off. Love it!
Ray at 16:21:33 Saturday December 5 98
Yes it has Richard - still 1-0. Mind you someone could score 3 whilst they are commentating on Diremonds.
Richard from Hong Kong at 16:20:43 Saturday December 5 98
Has the second half started?
RobM at 16:9:54 Saturday December 5 98
couldn't go today - Tony Gubba on Grandstand said that Yeovil thoroughly deserve their lead, so are we to add Yeovil to Bromsgrove, Crawley, Enfield, Leatherhead etc etc
btw. Col U v Gillingham is in the Windscreen Wipers shield
Ian at 16:3:14 Saturday December 5 98
Latest Scores: CARDIFF CITY 1-0 HEDNESFORD TOWN
Middleton (45)
DONCASTER ROVERS 0-0 RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS EXETER CITY 2-2 BRISTOL ROVERS (FT)
Flack (36) Penrice (43)
Gardner (49) Cureton (76)
FULHAM 1-1 HARTLEPOOL UNITED Horsfield (6) Midgley (41)
LINCOLN CITY 1-0 STEVENAGE BOROUGH
Battersby (22)
LUTON TOWN 1-1 HULL CITY Davis (36) Morley (29)
MACCLESFIELD TOWN 1-0 CAMBRIDGE UNITED Askey (35)
MANSFIELD TOWN 0-1 SOUTHPORT Gamble (pen 25)
NOTTS COUNTY 1-0 WIGAN ATHLETIC Jones (27)
OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0-1 BRENTFORD Freeman (pen 35)
PRESTON NORTH END 0-0 WALSALL ROCHDALE 0-0 ROTHERHAM UNITED SCUNTHORPE UNITED 0-0 BEDLINGTON TERRIERS
SWANSEA CITY 1-0 STOKE CITY
Appleby (41)
TORQUAY UNITED 0-1 AFC BOURNEMOUTH Robinson (22)
WREXHAM 1-1 YORK CITY
Roberts (pen 33) Jordan (25)
WYCOMBE WANDERERS 1-0 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE Baird (31)
YEOVIL TOWN 1-0 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Thompson (14)
Sid at 15:59:18 Saturday December 5 98
If anyone wants a chat about how crap cobblers are probably playing in my chat room come to
http://members.xoom.com/cobblers
right now and click the chat link.
Ray at 15:58:2 Saturday December 5 98
Well the RadNor email addy must be working - its normally bounced by now.
Ray at 15:55:33 Saturday December 5 98
Right - I'll be back for the second half.... get those emails in.....
Sid at 15:54:40 Saturday December 5 98
Ray's site has had about 200 hits in the last hour! See they have gone straight back to Diamonds. They could not go back there quick enough!
T. at 15:54:9 Saturday December 5 98
1-0 at half-time
Ray at 15:54:4 Saturday December 5 98
Half time - Yeovil 1 Cobblers 0
Sid at 15:53:47 Saturday December 5 98
Half time
Sid at 15:52:48 Saturday December 5 98
Woodman, Hughes, Parrish, Freestone and Warner I think. Well, it must have been 60% Diamonds 40% Cobblers in commentary.
T. at 15:52:34 Saturday December 5 98
Chris Lee's booked for an elbow on Steve Stott
T. at 15:51:53 Saturday December 5 98
Fulham 1 Hartlepool 1
T. at 15:51:19 Saturday December 5 98
Colchester 1, Gillingham 4 ( in the league)
T at 15:48:51 Saturday December 5 98
subs are Woodman, Hughes, Warner and I can't remember
Ray at 15:44:8 Saturday December 5 98
Damn - I was so concerned with Radio NoNothing I accidently sugared my coffee.....
Ray at 15:41:20 Saturday December 5 98
Vegas Cobbler - nip down to the tables and put a tenner on Claret...
Vegas Cobbler at 15:40:33 Saturday December 5 98
Who are the reserves at Yeovil: presumably Freestone, Warner plus an other?
T. at 15:40:6 Saturday December 5 98
Notts Co. 1 Wigan 0
T. at 15:38:56 Saturday December 5 98
Hull 1 sorry
T. at 15:38:13 Saturday December 5 98
Gone back to the Diremonds
T. at 15:37:25 Saturday December 5 98
LLuton 0 Hull 2
Colchester 1 Gillingham 2
Ray at 15:36:48 Saturday December 5 98
Ray grins ......
T. at 15:36:16 Saturday December 5 98
Wrexham 0 York 1
Ray at 15:35:50 Saturday December 5 98
oooo - they are now commentating on the Cobblers game
Ray at 15:34:26 Saturday December 5 98
northampton@bbc.co.uk - if u can get it to work.
T. at 15:33:27 Saturday December 5 98
Have Radio C*** got an E-mail address Ray so I can mail them my disgust
Ray at 15:32:34 Saturday December 5 98
The answer I was given was that "we commentate on all the league matches and this is a county radio station". I pointed out that the Cobblers were the premier County team and also that Diremonds already have their own broadcast on Radio Diamonds - so they are getting commentated on twice and the Cobblers fans get nothing! I was told that Rushden were top of the league and the Cobblers were bottom!!!
Anyone else fancy phoning in the number is 01604 234455.....
T. at 15:32:11 Saturday December 5 98
goal after 14 mins Steve Thompson
Sid at 15:31:5 Saturday December 5 98
Yaaaayyyy Finally some commentary!
Sid at 15:30:8 Saturday December 5 98
well done Ray!! I want to hear the bloody commentary aswell. I cannot believe Wilko is playing in defence though!
Ray at 15:28:51 Saturday December 5 98
I've just spoken to Radion Nonothing and complained.......
Ray at 15:25:15 Saturday December 5 98
From what I can gather - those arses at Radio Northampton are commentating on the Diamonds match with the odd update from Yeovil! Come on - get your bloody priorities right!
T. at 15:25:14 Saturday December 5 98
Radio Northampton, what a load of b*******, they've got s****** Diremonds on are NORTHAMPTON not our premier county team. Cobblers are a goal down don't know anything else about the goal, Kettering are 1-0 up
Sid at 15:24:0 Saturday December 5 98
Team:- Turley, Hill, Frain, Sampson, Hunter, Hunt, Savage, Gibb, Wilkinson, Corazzin, Lee. Wilkinson is playing as a central defender for some reason!
Ray at 15:23:11 Saturday December 5 98
Cobblers go one down after 14 minutes
T. at 15:22:3 Saturday December 5 98
Going to move my radio upstairs so its in same room as computer
sid at 15:21:43 Saturday December 5 98
Were behind!!! 1-0 to Yeovil!! I'm not joking!! Thompson scores for Yeovil!
SBJ at 15:18:33 Saturday December 5 98
sitting here hoping someone will at least update on the Cobblers goals if there are any . . . . .
Ian at 15:14:20 Saturday December 5 98
If you are still online T please post periodic updates. Thanks.
Bob Whitworth at 15:12:30 Saturday December 5 98
Come on you Cobblers! Another ex-pat waiting for the excellent updates from all the would be John Motson's - your efforts are much appreciated (neigh a lifeline to someone [in Las Vegas] without the luxury of Ceefax). What is the team. Vegas Cobbler
T. at 15:6:7 Saturday December 5 98
Going to wrap some Christmas pressies whilst listening, reading the commentary
T. at 15:4:40 Saturday December 5 98
Kick-off's here, hello
T. at 15:4:24 Saturday December 5 98
Kick-off's here, hello
Tim at 14:2:22 Saturday December 5 98
Will you be providing live commentary Ray ??
Otherwise I'll just spend the afternoon watching Ceefax....
Sid at 13:26:51 Saturday December 5 98
Come on you COBBLERS!! We need a good performance as were on MOTD tonight!! 3rd main match! Lets show the rest of the world how to play, um, football!!
T. at 13:12:43 Saturday December 5 98
I suppose everyone else is on their way to Yeovil, the fools, stay in and read Cobblers Comments, much better for your health
SBJ at 8:44:7 Saturday December 5 98
I'm first in on Saturday! Yeeee-haa!
TRB Mark at 22:17:21 Friday December 4 98
Re the comment below. If Atkins could give him a game, he would get his wish!
TRB Mark at 22:15:53 Friday December 4 98
Interesting snippet from the Chron earlier this week. The jailed animal rights activist Barry Horne who apparently is close to death in jail having been on hunger strike for 50 odd days, has requested that he be buried in a Cobblers shirt!
Ian at 20:28:47 Friday December 4 98
If Hill and Sampson are our only fit centre backs, does that mean it will be four at the back tomorrow by default? Has Howey gone back to Burnley?
Pete at 20:18:50 Friday December 4 98
Ralph, the main difference between you and a lot of us is that you have recognised the condition- the rest of us chunter on. I am unfortunately able to confirm Hart. C.'s fears. We need a new centre back. I hear R&D have one, Ray something or another. Is it raining or pouring? However with tomorrow's good win, we will all be a lot happier.
Ralph at 19:12:51 Friday December 4 98
I just have nothing, absolutely nothing, to say! I think I may be lost for words.
Hartwell Cobbler at 17:7:21 Friday December 4 98
Dougie Hodgson may have sustained a particularly serious injury. He was seeing a second specialist on Thursday. I haven't heard the prognosis but the early indications were very, very worrying. SBJ mentions a big article on Yeovil in today's Times. There is also one in the D. Telegraph. Finally Oxford Cobbler you're not the only one who'se puzzled by some of the players seen wearing the claret and white this season. In a number of respects they are substantially worse than some of those we got rid of during the summer - and I'd even include John Gayle in that list!
SBJ at 15:52:55 Friday December 4 98
Big article in The Times today about Yeovil (specifically Patmore, the striker who Atkins released when at Cambridge and then again when he was at Cobblers). Author points to Yeovil's 18th league scalp, mostly because of this Patmore-Atkins thing, and because it's the 50th anniversary of Yeovil knocking Sunderland out of the cup. Can't see it myself, dire form or not. Cobblers to win comfortably for once, sparking a "here's the turnaround in our season" flurry of comments from fans. btw, if Twix fits, as the manufacturers claim, then why did they create the King Sizes Twix?
pete at 13:54:7 Friday December 4 98
Roy H - I saw earlier this week, being rested a bit rather than any serious problems,he says.
Dougie H is seemingly in a lot of pain with things looking unimaginably bad. On the bright side- its warmer in 'summer-set'. Oh dear, yes, I wished I hadn't bothered!
Exiled Brighton Cobbler at 13:21:24 Friday December 4 98
More info please on Will Varty,a young defender Atkins has taken on loan from Carlisle.According to the Cobblers Nationwide page he interested a few Premiership clubs when he first came on the scene.
Jacks. at 11:45:8 Friday December 4 98
.the sooner we get a few wins, the better I think. It will do no end for the morale of the players, who MUST be feeling extremely frustrated at the moment. I do hope that the long ball, boring, boring approach is going to become a thing of the past and we begin to change our set pieces somewhat. Get your fleeces out 'cos it's going to be cold tomorrow. Does anyone know haow Roy's knee is?
9224 at 11:16:47 Friday December 4 98
The sooner David Seal returns from suspension and back to the team, the better!!!!!!!!
The Oxford Cobbler at 10:36:27 Friday December 4 98
P.S. Who went to the Burnley away fiasco last year? Would you have ever considered looking at Lee Howey after he was roundly booed by 10,000 of his own fans as he came on as a Sub. When I reflect on some of the players Atkins has had on loan (e.g. Potter, who i saw as a Stoke player and who i knew was crap), I really wonder if he knows anything about football. Yes, Mr Atkins, Football, that round thing that should be played on the floor. Cheerio for now.
The Oxford Cobbler at 10:30:36 Friday December 4 98
Re: Mr Atkins being linked with bigger and better things e.g. Wolves???.
Would any team large enough to be in the Premiership employ a man with such a negative outlook on life as Mr A. Maybe Mr A can do himself and all of us a favour by playing some of the younsters, and for goodness sake please change the tactics.
It is obvious that with the obliteration of team of two years ago, moral is very low within the camp and this is being reflected on the pitch with some pretty woeful performances. The team needs refreshing and the best way to do it is let some of the youngster have ago. What people seem to forget is that in selling Warburton we lost an inspirational captain and a future coach/manager. For what £20,000, what a joke.
Neil at 9:27:43 Friday December 4 98
Howey might stay for another month on loan. We all hope not as the man is crap!
Hartwell Cobbler at 9:5:22 Friday December 4 98
Pete - it's hard to find the good news at present. But at least Clarkson's back in light training although March is the earliest possible date for a comeback. Injuries are to Dobson and Hodgson one of whom (and I'm not sure which) is apparently more serious than at first thought. When I hear any more I'll let you know.
Ian at 3:35:34 Friday December 4 98
Just wanted to make sure Ray didn't suffer another 12 hour span without a message.
Sid at 23:8:38 Thursday December 3 98
Unusual that, no postings for over twelve hours... sorry, just catching up on my e-mail, comments etc.... In Woody's career, to go to diamonds would be a huge step back as he is more than capable of reaching Division 1, if not the Premiership!
Ray at 22:36:48 Thursday December 3 98
Just a note to say that Yeovil has now been made ALL TICKET. If you wish to attend then get off to Sixfields by 7pm tomorrow (Friday)!
Ray at 22:21:22 Thursday December 3 98
I hope to be able to post reports as they happen here on Saturday......
RICHARD at 20:42:19 Thursday December 3 98
Pete: There are a lot of us about!
Pete at 20:37:30 Thursday December 3 98
Has no-one got any good news- how well Patmore can play, more serious Cobbler's injuries- who were you referring to, Hartwell Cob. on Wed.? I don't know about the team morale but mine is rock bottom and I'm working on Sat.- I will have to rely on Ceefax or this page if someone is transmitting from Yeovil. There is something rather pathetic about a fully grown adult sitting in an hotel room the last two Saturdays up north, watching a silent ceefax screen worried about how a football team are doing!
Gavin at 19:53:40 Thursday December 3 98
Tonight's Chronic; Patmore aims to score in order to shove one up Ian Atkins who apparently released him from Cambridge as well as us. I can't remember him leaving! I always thought he left before IA took over... oh well. Anyway, I only remember him having one good game, Walsall away, Feb 94, he ran the show, we won, 3-1 I think.
T. at 16:9:50 Thursday December 3 98
We actually played more attractive football away at York on Saturday (my first away match of the season) than we have at home for a long time.
Kevin Simons at 13:39:13 Thursday December 3 98
I did not go to York and I'm boycotting away games until we start playing more attractive football. I cannot understand why anyone would want to travel away at the moment, it's so bad people have stopped criticising and are laughing at some of our players instead, just as they did pre Sixfields.
Hartwell Cobbler at 12:32:55 Thursday December 3 98
Tom - I saw all the pre-season games at Sixfields and for me Wilkinson
never put in a convincing performance. He always looked two yards behind play and has done nothing since to convince me he is an adequate partner for Corazzin, who has worked his socks off and performed heroics considering the almost total lack of support from either his partners up front,midfield or decent balls in from wide. I know Wilkinson has won some heading duels but I can't for the life of my recall him having one short on target in all the times I've seen him at Sixfields. I might be wrong, in which case someone please enlighten me. Ref goalie situaton: it's my belief and understanding that Turley is in on merit and because Woodie wants away.
Ray at 10:15:53 Thursday December 3 98
Ray gets in a panic as nothing on the site for over 12 hours and does a test posting....
The Insider at 21:46:39 Wednesday December 2 98
What Im saying is that people who pay their hard earned money each week to follow their team have the right to say what the hell they like within reason, including criticising as long as its not offensive. What people shouldnt do in turn is to knock the critics for voicing their opinion because those very same critics are the people who go to all or nearly all the games, cheer their heads off and afterwards can speak first hand about what they've seen. Were in a relegation battle and have been poor all season (with a couple of exceptions) with few signs of improvement. I take exception to the suggestion that the average fan who travels to away games has tons of money; just travel away with the Mounties or ST James if you want to kill that myth. As for 'good set pieces' perhaps someone will enlighten me? Corazzin's against Stoke, yes; Spedding's at Gillingham, yes. The rest? well, er, I'm struggling, perhaps one of the exiles can help?
pete at 17:42:25 Wednesday December 2 98
Ray, you could be right, I might be remembering the injury date wrongly. 3mth to heal solid, 1 mth for you and me to get better but nearer 2 mth for the contact sport? Anyway it must be a big boost for him to get mobile. Sealy sends his regards to Cobbler Down Under, just too sad for words about the quick end to his comeback. On the cynical side with regards Billy T., I remember that Heggs was brought back in for a few games despite IA seeming to be unkeen on his exciting but non-team performances. Could it be that Billy T. is now in the shop window?
Bolton Cobbler at 16:41:24 Wednesday December 2 98
Insider, get a life, if that suggestion is a serious one (though I think it's probably a dig) then all us exiles should obviously shut up just because we don't go to every match. I don't live in Northampton anymore, but even if I did I couldn't afford to see every game. Does that lessen my opinion? Nope. You assume we're all so rich well if I had the time and money I would commute to every single game home and away as I did in 1993/4. I was at York and it was the first game in nearly two months and I loved it, even though we should have won. Just cos youve got tons of money to watch all the games it give you no less of a right to tell someone else they haven't got an opinion. The Cobbler down under are probably dying to see a match but I suggest perhaps more important things keep them away. Anyway, he was right, we've got to stop losing points and we should have had three on Saturday. Or am I not allowed to say that? Please could you infrom me?
Ray at 15:59:23 Wednesday December 2 98
I'll be disappointed if Clarkie is still in the reserves come March - he's still on target to make a reappearance end of Jan/Feb - this is of course assuming that Radio Northampton don't give him a full time job.
pete at 14:38:44 Wednesday December 2 98
...and Wilkie put his head where it hurt....and this is now forgotten! Terrible fractures and accused of having no talent... age 34 and still in the pro game. I still say he suffers from managerial tactics, a very serious illness. I hope he plays at Yeovil, he won almost every ball against Lancaster but the donkey Centre Stand supporters only commented when he missed out. But bad news filtering out of Sixfields suggest that my comments that Dougie H. was almost certain not to play on Sat. were wildly OPTIMISTIC- bad times for big Doug. Good news though on the Ian Clarkson front - seemingly he has been jogging. Amazingly quick given how long other leg breaks have taken in other players, a measure of the man? Don't bet against him in the reserves in March!
TRB Mark at 14:36:49 Wednesday December 2 98
The Christmas Cards should be available from Nationwide branches in the Town (11 branches) I took a load into the Drapery branch for distribution. £1 of the monies (in addition to the £2. for the Trust will go to the Macmillan fund for Cancer Relief
treenie at 14:33:13 Wednesday December 2 98
i do believe that may be another dig at Paul Wilkinson.
Is anyone counting?
d=P
Tom at 14:18:8 Wednesday December 2 98
I do think you have to attend the odd game to see how the team are performing. I think it is hard to offer criticism of individual players unless you have seen them play. For example I missed the friendlies at Sixfields preseason and was told by friends who had attended that Wilkinson was a brilliant prospect and would be knocking in goals all over the place once he settled in.
Charlie Charles at 12:59:7 Wednesday December 2 98
Insider: Are you suggesting that people who cannot attend games (for whatever reason) and have to rely on reports, comments and this fair site, are not entitled to their opinions, and that in fact, they are considerably less valuable than yours?
Hartwell Cobbler at 12:56:48 Wednesday December 2 98
My deep throat tells me Woodie has been offered great terms at Diremonds and wants to sign. But the Cobblers are reluctant to let him go unless the fee is suitably large (which it isn't at present). While the club would be happy for Woodie to move on, I believe Diremonds is the last place they would prefer to see him moving to. Apart from anything else the board is acutely aware of the further animosity this may spark from certain sections of the terraces. Also, I gather the injury list is growing and we may well have lost another player for the rest of the season following Sat's game at York. Will it ever end? Pete - thanks for the internet provider info. Unfortunately I am not on cable! To the Cobbler Down Under - you asked me the players I have been most impressed with this season. Well, I'd say Corazzin, Savage, Hunt and Gibb, in particular. I'm sure Spedding would also have been in the list had he not been sidelined so long by injury. Damien Matthew also looked sharp pre-season before, again, he suffered a major back problem, which will probably keep him out of contention until next season.
The Insider at 9:45:52 Wednesday December 2 98
The curse of Colin Hill struck again at York, he was as much at fault with the goal as Savage. Soon you'll all see the light. As for Cobbler Down Under, might I suggest you've conveniently overlooked many of the positive comments that have been made since most critics also believe we have the players to rise up the table and have been impressed by some but not all the new signings. Another suggestion: why don't these Aussie Cobblers (and the other exiles) donate the equivalent of a season ticket to the Trust then we might be able to afford some better loan players, instead of having a dig at us lot who spend a fortune week in, week out following the Cobbs and are therefore perfectly entitled to our opinions?
Ray at 9:10:4 Wednesday December 2 98
I assume you didn't go to Luton then Paul..... then you would know what real lack of legroom was all about....
Paul Ansell at 8:7:6 Wednesday December 2 98
Am I the only person with an inside leg of 35+ and who therefore finds the legroom at Sixfields totally inadequate? Sixfields may look nice but for me it represents 90 minutes of pain...and I'm not just talking about the football!
Cobbler Down Under at 4:59:50 Wednesday December 2 98
Just a thought for discussion It appears that a lot of people have all the answers when it comes to the inadequacies of the lineup and management and also why they are not able to perform.When will these people comment on the good performances and the good set pieces in a descriptive way as eloquently as they offer their sage like wisdom in a negatve style.Hartwell,would you let me know which performances have impressed you the most this season and what was the build up like to your favourite goal?When are the players who are out there who are slogging against apparently hopeless odds to win going to get recognised?I believe you may well be "farting against thunder" if you believe that this debate is achieving anything without a constructive two sided argument.How do we build and turn around when taking a negative line without analysing the positive aspects of the season and offering erstwhile constructive criticism to hopefully generate faith and hope amongst those who may not have the ability to lead but wish to follow the self appointed gurus of the game.(long senence!)Do those people who negate all,not feel that this negativity spreads onto the terraces even though they themselves would never be heard booing a Cobblers player? We are only half way through the season and already talk of the drop,what a load of Bollocks,Xmas is here soon and then Utopian climbs will occur up the Town and well done for NOT losing on the weekend away from home.
Ray at 21:25:38 Tuesday December 1 98
.......and the email list appears to have gone to sleep...... so they must all be content else writing exceedingly long missives about Ian Atkins.
Ray at 21:24:27 Tuesday December 1 98
Re: Providers.... if anyone needs any information about providers, computers, printers etc etc....the person to speak to is ME!!
pete at 20:50:17 Tuesday December 1 98
NAY WILF LAD, IAN DURIE PLAYS FOR KILMARNOCK NOW AND IT WAS ALLY MC COIST WHO WAS BROUGHT ON TO SUPPORT HIM. I THINK IAN SCORED TWICE.
Wilf at 19:55:42 Tuesday December 1 98
Oi Blockheads - Ian Dury plays The Roadmender next week supported by Wreckless Eric. Don't say I didn't tell ya.
Gavin at 19:52:5 Tuesday December 1 98
Maybe its not just me then, I thought something was wrong with the list over the weekend. Still only had one stat-mail thingy from the lovely Adrian. I missed our predicted position, always a scary moment. So as chat is so quiet, I'll assume that everyone is perfectly content with our progress, and no-one has any worries.
pete at 19:48:40 Tuesday December 1 98
Re- providers, I use the local one, www.computalynx.co.uk in Christchurch Rd.. They are on cable telephone line thus costing me nil after 6 pm. The service is good, they are cheap, £10 + VAT, they have virtually no provider sites which I do not miss.
AOL are excellent but around £16/ mth with a lot of free sites if you like that sort of thing. Re Doug H., sadly chances of playing in the region of zero.
Sid at 18:40:34 Tuesday December 1 98
Louie Donowa grabbed the goal for Town's reserves yesterday. I haven't been receiving much e-mail lately, i only had three today.
T. at 16:25:47 Tuesday December 1 98
Has there been any mail through the list today as I haven't received any?
Hartwell Cobbler at 16:21:46 Tuesday December 1 98
TRB Mark - I am led to believe the reason Atkins goes up on his perch by the scoreboard to get a better overview of the game.
Hartwell Cobbler at 16:19:54 Tuesday December 1 98
I'm looking at changing my internet provider (Which). Can anyone recommend one ?
TRB Mark at 15:22:49 Tuesday December 1 98
We all agree that some of the football last year was dire, especially away, but effective. When we could'nt match teams for flair, we beat them with spirit and a ne'er say die attitude.
That seems to be missing from the team, because, for whatever reason, it may be missing from IA.
I noticed on Saturday, (according to Radio Northampton) that Atko started the game on the bench whereas just lately, he has chosen to oversee (distance himself?) the games from a different vantage point. Has he begrudging re-committed himself back to the Cobblers now that the Wolves job has gone? I don't mean to question his committment to NTFC, just to put across the point that he is human and enthusiasm even for us supporters can wax and wane with the tides of success/failure (or non-success)
dave at 14:30:35 Tuesday December 1 98
FA cup action this weekend then I think that the score will be 1-1 if we are lucky because we always don't do well against the non league teams.
nat at 13:25:0 Tuesday December 1 98
If you are all against personal attacks on Cobblers players, how about knocking on the head the worst man of the match/season/ever?
treenie at 11:33:28 Tuesday December 1 98
does anyone know who scored the goal for the reserves last night?
Hartwell Cobbler at 9:44:20 Tuesday December 1 98
Ray - I totally agree. Although I remain critical of Atkins tactics, the quality of some of the players he has recently brought to the club and some of their performances, I would not condone any personal criticism or attacks. That is not to say anyone should be dissuaded from making sensible comments/criticisms about players performances on the pitch. After all they are on the public stage and are paid performers. They must be men enough to accept criticism at that level. That's all part of the game. Meanwhile, it looks as though we have another injury problem - Hodgson - shoulder. And with loan men ineligible (and/or returned to their clubs) the team on Saturday is likely to be very much make-and-mend. However Hunter should be fit. Maybe this is the time Atkins has no choice but to give Warner his chance. It he isn't given it now he never will be!
Ray at 0:20:38 Tuesday December 1 98
If that was really a comment from a footballers wife, then I must say I agree with her. There is often a load of hogwash written about certain things - the real problem is that only the people actually involved know what is really going on. I personally only publish things I know to be true - not rumours, tittle tattle etc. and often do not publish things because many are told to me in confidence - much as I would like to when I see utter rubbish being written. However, be that as it may I dont think that this should preclude anything that anyone has heard being posted here but I would like to see a stop to personal attacks on Cobblers players. They are part of the team we support and should be prepared to put up with the bad days as well as the good.
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