Between 800-900. It seemed like more at times and one of the biggest we have had away in a while but I think Saturdays result against Hartlepool and being a Bank Holiday Monday helped. We certainly put the Bury masses to shame, you can see why they are struggling financially. They’re fifth in the league and they are getting crowds of fewer than 4000 on a Bank Holiday Monday. And nearly 1000 of them was our support
Away Days: Gigg Lane
What did you think of the ground?
One of the better in the Third Division. The away end was set back a bit away from the pitch and the view from the lower seats was a bit poor but you can tell they have spent some money on it. It is just a shame one or two stanchions got in the way. The new stands behind the other goal arching around the touchline looked good also, just hardly anyone sitting in the seats. I hope though we wont be playing their next season. Local derby at Blundell Park anyone?
So, how bad was the pitch?
I have seen some Sunday league pitches that are better. You could tell it was going to cut up when Tommy was doing his warm up before the game started. When he had finished it was just a patch of mud. Every time someone tried to pass it along the floor it bobbled all over the place and I think it showed as we turned into Lincoln City in the second half, bypassing the midfield with us just playing the long ball which didn’t help as the wind got up as the game went on.
What was the game like, and was the point deserved?
What was the game like, and was the point deserved?
Both teams just didn’t want to make a mistake, both cancelling out each other. The two defences were on top. I think it was definitely a good point won at least we didn’t lose which I would’ve said was more important. The back four all had a very good game. Tommy made one crucial save in the first half and I think that was the only chance in the game for both sides. Like I said before a lot of our play was route one in the second half but both Paul Hayes and Ghandi were not getting a lot out of Bury’s defence and the referee then started to give every 50-50 decision their way. When we did attack we did not commit that many forward. Understandable really.
How did Wayne Graves cope at right back?
We could face Bury in the playoffs, would you feel confident playing against them?
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He did really well to think that right back is not his position, though at times he was left a bit exposed in the first 10-15 minutes with Dalglish going walkabout. As the game wore on you could see his confidence grew. Overall I think all the defence played really well. Maybe it is starting to look solid just at the right time of the season.
We could face Bury in the playoffs, would you feel confident playing against them?
If we do face them in the playoffs I would be very confident in facing them apart from the one chance that they had they really didn’t look like much. You could tell it was frustrating for them when Andy Preece had to bring himself on to gee up his side. Saying that we had gone to Gigg Lane with a defensive plan to get a point was just an excuse to cover up that his team are not that great and I think their position in the league flatters them slightly. Does he not know we can’t defend! Performances like that are not going to get them in the playoffs. I think we could be hitting form just at the right time while all the teams around us are feeling the pressure.
Are you confident going into Saturday's match against Oxford that we can make the playoffs?
Are you confident going into Saturday's match against Oxford that we can make the playoffs?
I am more confident now. After the Bournemouth game it looked like it was a case of last season all over again. Maybe that experience has made the players realise that we cannot do it again. At least it is in our own hands. The results over the Easter period mean that Oxford will have to come at us on Saturday instead of sitting back and playing on the break. Our goal difference is like having an extra point. I just want to go to Shrewsbury knowing that other teams have to win to go above us. I think I am right in saying that every team that is up there have to play other teams that have a chance of getting in the playoffs or they are playing teams scrapping for their lives at the bottom. If this is the case then both the games we have left are equally as important. Another three points should see us good but getting all six would be better. We should be aiming for the highest position in the table as we can get. Finishing 4th or 5th would be better as the second leg would be at home. Game on as they say.
Our thanks to Ben for taking part in Away Days, if you're going to Gay Meadow next week and would like to be featured email us at awaydays@iron-bru.net