Post by rjdgull on Nov 4, 2020 21:10:16 GMT
A rare Sunday game and early kickoff time for us as we host Crawley Town in the FA Cup 10 years on from losing to them in the same competition and then getting that plum Old Trafford tie. đ€Ź We eventually got to that ground at the end of the same season but again not a happy experience đ
Our places in the pyramid from 10 years ago in league 2 and the National League are now reversed but on the plus side Crawley also went on to win promotion that year with a tally of 105 points so if the boot is on the other foot we would all take that!
We have the luxury of no mid week games either side of this fixture so no need to rest players and Johnson is likely to play his strongest side to, in addition to obviously winning, gauge how we can cope with good league 2 opposition. With loan signings Sherring and Randell already cup tied with us there is no doubt over their availability and an unchanged side from the Hartlepool game is very much on the cards.
Crawley have had to play and lose a midweek game away to Warsall so not as good preparation for them as they have a bit of a reputation as poor travellers although the Sunday kickoff should make little difference in reality.
It could be a good time to play Crawley. Recent midfield loan signing from Southampton, Jake Hesketh, likely to have played in that youth set up with our Armani Little, has made a good impact in his first few weeks at the club but is suspended after picking up a straight red last Saturday. Club captain George Francomb is out injured and their keeper, Morris went off injured on Tuesday and there could be doubt over his fitness with inexperienced Brighton loanee youngster Tom McGill maybe again having to step into the breach.
Having said that, their strikers need watching, Tom Nichols will be familiar to many having come through the Exeter youth set up and his strike partner, Max Watters, signed from Doncaster has had an immediate impact and is on fire at the moment. Bit of trivia, their central midfielder, Jakob Hessenthaler is the son of Dover Manager Andy Hessenthaler who we have already come across this season.
It should be a good open game as both teams will be playing to win and looking forward as always to the game.
Our places in the pyramid from 10 years ago in league 2 and the National League are now reversed but on the plus side Crawley also went on to win promotion that year with a tally of 105 points so if the boot is on the other foot we would all take that!
We have the luxury of no mid week games either side of this fixture so no need to rest players and Johnson is likely to play his strongest side to, in addition to obviously winning, gauge how we can cope with good league 2 opposition. With loan signings Sherring and Randell already cup tied with us there is no doubt over their availability and an unchanged side from the Hartlepool game is very much on the cards.
Crawley have had to play and lose a midweek game away to Warsall so not as good preparation for them as they have a bit of a reputation as poor travellers although the Sunday kickoff should make little difference in reality.
It could be a good time to play Crawley. Recent midfield loan signing from Southampton, Jake Hesketh, likely to have played in that youth set up with our Armani Little, has made a good impact in his first few weeks at the club but is suspended after picking up a straight red last Saturday. Club captain George Francomb is out injured and their keeper, Morris went off injured on Tuesday and there could be doubt over his fitness with inexperienced Brighton loanee youngster Tom McGill maybe again having to step into the breach.
Having said that, their strikers need watching, Tom Nichols will be familiar to many having come through the Exeter youth set up and his strike partner, Max Watters, signed from Doncaster has had an immediate impact and is on fire at the moment. Bit of trivia, their central midfielder, Jakob Hessenthaler is the son of Dover Manager Andy Hessenthaler who we have already come across this season.
It should be a good open game as both teams will be playing to win and looking forward as always to the game.
