1000 miles in a week....

[Dusty Lynfield]

Just been reading the Chronicle interview with Adie. It says that the league said no to pushing back the already rearranged Whitehawk game, but I read in Paul Williams notes in the Alty Program that we were looking at that time to rearrange the Whitehawk fixture to the end of February....so did Whitehawk insist on playing this Tuesday? I wouldn't put it past them.
Anyway, this is an aside. Anyone have any thoughts on squad selection/rotation for these matches? Could some players not travel to either the Eastbourne/Whitehawk, to focus on preparing for the Trophy match?

[comrade powell]

Difficult one. Those who think we have a chance of reaching the play offs will argue we can't afford to surrender the points at Whitehawk. I think it's unrealistic to expect an appearance in them and going all the way to a Wembley final, and I know what I would prefer. I'm sure we benefited form the postponement of the fixture last Tuesday when it came to the Alty match and the same will apply at Dover. So reluctantly, I would divide the likely squad for Dover in two and play one half at E/bourne and the other half at W/hawk, filling the gaps with under 21s. Crazy yes, but no more so than the scheduling of football at this level.

[Luton Roman]

And travelling to Dover the day before is a must.

[Dave]

Let's go get the 3 points at Eastbourne with the same heart we showed on Saturday, then give Jim and the under 21s a much needed bit of game time at Whitehawk.

[comrade powell]

Provided Junior is there to photo King's face when the lads beat them!

[Dusty Lynfield]

I'm also minded to play full strength against Eastbourne and rest a few players (Pratt, Artus, etc) for the Whitehawk game. This will also give Ross Stearn a chance to score a hat trick against Whitehawk.....
Agree with Luton that we should be using some of the money to stay over the night before. Trophy is the priority over this week (particularly now I've booked my place on the coach to Dover!)

[stillmanjunior]

Provided Junior is there to photo King's face when the lads beat them!

Preferably a controversial last second goal with Ross Stearn celebrating in front of him. I should be going to Whitehawk.

[yuffie]

I might be wrong but I think you have to pay to register players in the league so I guess that comes into the equation when playing youth/U21 players.

I notice Dover also have a game on the Tuesday. Although it is at home (to Grimsby) and they are (I assume) full-time I guess the league won't agree to move our game but not theirs.

[BenE]

I can't see that playing U21's is likely. If they weren't deemed good enough before why would they be now? But the squad could be rotated.

Jason would obviously play all games. Presumably Keary and McCootie would only be available for the midweek game. I would like to see Dave Pratt rested for at least one game as I think he would benefit from it generally.

the rest could be rotated so that each gets 180 minutes in the three games. ie 2 out of three with the strongest 11 starting the Dover match.

But I agree it is vital they travel up to Dover on Friday.

[striped67]

So the next five weeks all have two games a week..... albeit one is the SPC. I guess that's the price of success in the Trophy (and having to play WSM away in the winter). Player rotation is definitely going to be needed....

[Micawber]

Hopefully the Whitehawk match will be postponed again due to the weather. Most nights are supposed to be below freezing and a possibility of snow Monday night into Tuesday.

[the demon headmaster]

Or a weaker team scouted at Whitehawk will lull them into a false sense of security.

[comrade powell]

Yes, but it will be our little secret!

[stillmanjunior]

Dover's game is already off so expect their scouts to arrive en masse tomorrow at Whitehawk. If it's on.

[pete mac]

Looks like Dover didn't want to play.

Whitehawk probably want to.......no plans for a pitch inspection like last time?

[stillmanjunior]

I expect we'll hear in the morning. And if it's off I'll keep it quiet until after I leave work, this afternoon off has got me out of a particularly dull meeting...

[the demon headmaster]

Well it's snowing pretty steadily here in the east at the moment. Numbed fingers crossed for a cancellation.

[2weirdtown]

or a postponement even

[pete mac]

Pitch inspection 1 pm

[comrade powell]

fingers crossed...

but the threat of snow they mention is not forecast.

[stillmanjunior]

They said on Twitter they're 70% sure it'll be on.

Just get King to have a rant for the afternoon on the pitch, his hot air will thaw it in no time.

[Beau Nash]

It is the temperatures, below freezing overnight, did the ground freeze?  If so will it thaw?  A high of 4 and "feels like" -2 today local conditions at the ground could be different?  As the day goes on temperatures are dropping so conditions may change from the 1pm inspection.

[pete mac]

nobody going to do us any favours.

I am sure Adie and Arch will manage the squad and we'll win on saturday against the odds come what may. Positive thinking.

[kermit]

Tonight’s game against is officially ON! C'mon THE CITY

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