The Darlington FC 2007/08 Thread

[Saj]

Our season really starts tomorrow with a lucrative and no doubt money spinning friendly against Sunderland. Other pre season opponents include Middlesbrough and Leeds.

With 15 players released and 9 new faces brought in including Pawell Abbott for 100K , it should be another roller coaster season for us Darlo fans. I know I say this every season, but I think we could go up this season.

All yours Oxy.....

[Oxy]

£5 million for Michael Chopra

Trevor Sinclair in the bag on a free transfer from Man City

a few other shrewd signings to strengthen defence...a new goalkeeper...

And possibly...

Robbie Fowler

[The Godfather]

5 million is a bit overpriced he is only worth 2-3 million

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Haroon Yasin 5 million is a bit overpriced he is only worth 2-3 million

Tell that to Roy Keane Still cant believe how we got so much for him - but not complaining!

[Oxy]

Saj - 3rd year lucky for us? No promotion since we monitored our teams on PP!

[Amir]

Originally Posted by Oxy Tell that to Roy Keane Still cant believe how we got so much for him - but not complaining!

That is my worry when and if he becomes ou rmanager. He doesn't seem to understand market value too well. He originally bidded 15 million for Richardson! But was (rightly) advised later that he is worth a little les............welll alot less.

[aims]

Cardiff are closing in on Robbie Fowler after chairman Peter Ridsdale improved his offer. (BBC)

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Amir That is my worry when and if he becomes ou rmanager. He doesn't seem to understand market value too well. He originally bidded 15 million for Richardson! But was (rightly) advised later that he is worth a little les............welll alot less.

Yeah cos Man-U always get value for money

where on earth did you read that he offered £15mill for Richardson - Roy Keane may well be a mackem at the moment BUT he aint that stupid

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Oxy Saj - 3rd year lucky for us? No promotion since we monitored our teams on PP!

I know Oxy, we can live and hope

2-0 defeat to Sunderland in the friendly, but we played well in periods according to most of our fans.

[Amir]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed Yeah cos Man-U always get value for money where on earth did you read that he offered £15mill for Richardson - Roy Keane may well be a mackem at the moment BUT he aint that stupid

I was reading it up on another forum I visit.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Amir I was reading it up on another forum I visit.

www.kieranrichardsonisthebest.com isnt a reliable source

[Taurus]

I'll just muse about Forest from time to time in this thread like I did last year. Things are looking okay for us this time around - we've got a strong squad, and the friendlies have been okay if not outstanding, with a 5-0 victory at Ilkeston and a 1-1 draw at Rushden. The matches were played on consecutive nights, with half the first team playing in each. A few players are injured though, including Nathan Tyson, Matt Lockwood and Junior Agogo, so we're not at our best by any stretch of the imagination yet.

Anyway, the potential first XI looks strong: Smith, Lockwood, Perch, Wilson, Chambers, Davies, Commons, Lennon, Cohen, Tyson, Agogo.

I'm sure a few eyebrows were raised when Neil Lennon turned down offers from Premiership and Championship clubs to move to The City Ground, so he was naturally a coup. The likes of Davies, Cohen and Lockwood strengthen us considerably in key areas - all excellent signings. We're heading to Chesterfield tomorrow, on the course of the pre-season bandwagon. I'm optimistic.

[12thMan]

GO Darlington FC and Cardiff!!! Keep hope alive.

[Oxy]

Fowler agrees to sign for Cardiff

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ty/6281850.stm

Robbie Fowler has agreed to join Cardiff on a two-year contract.

The 32-year-old striker was released by Liverpool at the end of last season and has rejected moves to Leicester City and Sydney FC in Australia's A-League.

Fowler will be re-united with Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale, who was in charge at Leeds when he signed from Liverpool for £11m in November 2001.

He is expected to be officially unveiled at a news conference in Cardiff early next week.

I know Robbie from his days at Leeds and he's an outstanding finisher and outstanding footballer

Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale

Sydney FC had hoped to lure Fowler, and chief executive George Perry said: "We're bitterly disappointed but we're satisfied we did everything we could to persuade Robbie to come.

"Robbie was tremendously impressed by what he saw in Sydney but he's chosen to go elsewhere."



Fowler travelled to Sydney for talks and admitted he had been hugely impressed with the set-up.

The former England striker's representative George Scott said: "He was incredibly impressed with them and the city. The only thing against them is that Robbie is a Premiership player and he is used to Premiership money.

"The Premiership is unique in terms of the crazy money it generates and there is nothing in the world that replicates it, not even Spain. That money is well beyond Sydney and the Australian league and we know that.

"It is really a battle between money and quality of life and believe me, quality of life counts for a lot of money. All the money in the world is not going to buy your family's happiness."

Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale was quoted on Liverpool's website as saying: "We have offered an attractive package and are hopeful Robbie will decide to come.

"Obviously I know Robbie from his days at Leeds and he's an outstanding finisher and outstanding footballer."

Fowler made his Liverpool debut as an 18-year-old in 1993, scoring 171 goals in 330 games before joining Leeds for £11m in 2001 and then Manchester City for £6m in 2003.

Fowler returned for a second spell at Anfield in January 2006, although his starting appearances were limited.

[Saj]

2-0 defeat in a pre season friendly to Scottish Premiership new boys Gretna

Middlesbrough up next in a couple of days time.

[Nawazb]

Originally Posted by Saj 2-0 defeat in a pre season friendly to Scottish Premiership new boys Gretna Middlesbrough up next in a couple of days time.

I can see a loss for boro coming up there, downing and arca are coming back from injury problems and so will not be risked and we already are missing a number of first teamers like huth and woodgate so the youngsters will be on show paticularly david wheater who was on loan at you lot last season. I would like tuncay to open his scoring account in england if he plays but it is dependant on where he is used by southgate because he has predominantly been used on right wing in his short boro career.

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Nawaz I can see a loss for boro coming up there, downing and arca are coming back from injury problems and so will not be risked and we already are missing a number of first teamers like huth and woodgate so the youngsters will be on show paticularly david wheater who was on loan at you lot last season. I would like tuncay to open his scoring account in england if he plays but it is dependant on where he is used by southgate because he has predominantly been used on right wing in his short boro career.

Nawaz, Wheater was excellent whilst on loan for us last season. Tall, fairly quick, strong in the tackle and good leadership qualities. A star in the making I feel.

[Saj]

We all crave consistency from our football team and thats what I've had from Darlington pre season - we've lost our last 3 matches 2-0

[Oxy]

Just picked up my tickets for our home pre-season game v Dutch team, FC Twente. Went to Ninian PArk today, had a walk arond on the pitch - my son just slid around! Pitch looks fantastic, even with all the rain.

Hopefully we'll get to see Fowler play.

[Saj]

Good start for Darlo. A 2-0 home win against Wrexham.

Always good to get off to a new start, especially with a number of new players on our starting lineup.

[Toony™®]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ty/6946893.stm


doesnt sound good news for cardiff

£30m debt! No wonder they got rid of Chops.

[The Godfather]

thats peter ridsdale for you he destroyed leeds and now he has his sights on cardiff

[Saj]

well, well, well. We are top of the league, I say we are top of the league.

Played 2, won 2. Goals for 5 against 0.

Great stuff, but how long will it last...........

[Taurus]

Three games for Forest so far:

Won 0
Lost 0
Drawn 3
Goals Scored 0
Goals Against 0

Riveting, I must say. It includes a cup game at Chester.

[Saj]

A disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Notts County. They scored 4 minutes into injury time

Still top though, but nonetheless 2 important points dropped.

Oxy, how are Cardiff doing ? Bad defeat yesterday at home 1-0 ?

[Saj]

went to Macclesfield today and wish I hadnt.

0-0, the highlight of which was a superb save by Darlo's keeper.

Slipped to 3rd now, but still unbeaten.....yet.

[Saj]

Fantastic result for Darlo today which cheered me up after "Akhtargate". 2-0 at Rotherham who were unbeaten before today.

Back at the top of the League

[Saj]

The Darlo march on with a 2-0 home win against Lincoln City.

Back on top of League 2, but I stress its early days yet.

[Saj]

A great day is soured by Darlo's first defeat of the season at MK Dons

[Saj]

another last minute goal against us

[Saj]

Fantastic 3 - 0 away win for Darlo at Dagenahm.

Puts us back into 3rd place, with MK Dons still ahead by 3 points.

[harrybeg]

Hasslebank , Fowler are mazing

Cardiff City making a new stadium , going to be really huge checked the graphics amazing.

building it 5 mins away from my house

[Saj]

Darlo are on Sky tomorrow against Leeds in the Johnstone Paints trophy.

[Saj]

After the midweek defeat to Leeds in the Johnstone Paints trophy match which was live on Sky, Darlo are 2-0 up against Stockport after half an hour. We could go second if we win

[Saj]

After the 4-0 win against Stockport last week, we were held to a tough 0-0 draw away to Bradfordistan.

In 3rd place and only 5 goals conceded in 12 games.

[Saj]

0-0 against 4th place Chesterfield in a match where we had 5 first teamers out injured.

Darlo remain in 3rd place and only 5 goals conceded in 13 matches

[Saj]

We were robbed ! 5-1 defeat away to Hereford. We'd only conceded 5 goals in 13 league games all season, but that number was doubled in a disastrous performance. Down to 5th now

[Saj]

Good comeback after the thrashing at the weekend.

Comfortable 2-0 win against Shrewsbury moves us up to 4th place and only a point behind the team in 2nd place.

[Saj]

excellent win at Terry Butcher's Brentford.

2-0 at Brentford and we are up to 3rd place now Players coming back from injury too - looking good so far.

[Saj]

After the midweek FA CUp loss 2-1 to Northampton, Darlo bounced back by beating Wycombe 1-0. Darlo up to second place now.

[Saj]

wow ! Fantastic 4-0 away win at Grimsby for Darlo.

That I think is our 12th clean sheet this season and only 10 goals conceded in 18 league games.

We stay in second place

[Saj]

Another tremendous 4-0 away victory at Lincoln, after having our last 2 games called off.

Back up to 3rd, 6 points behind MK Dons and with 2 games in hand.

btw thats 14 clean sheets so far this season.

Come on Darlo

[Saj]

hard fought 1-1 draw against Rotherham who were 5th.

We stay in 3rd with a huge game against MK Dons coming up next.

[Saj]

aaah! 1-0 defeat to the Dons. By all accounts we played quite well and had some good chances but alas....

Down to 4th with Rochdale away next.

[Saj]

Just got back from Spotland and a 3-1 defeat

Awful awful referee who gave them a dodgy penalty and sent off our centre half. Poor first half display from Darlo though and the promotion wheels seem to be falling off.

[Saj]

Thats more like it

3-0 home win against Bury and now up to 4th.

[Saj]

back to back 3-0 wins.

This time a cracking away win at high flying and in form Morecambe. We stay in 4th but only 3 points behind the 3rd place team and with a game in hand.....surely not promotion or the play offs.

[Saj]

1-0 away win at Mansfield, 3rd clean sheet in a row and now up to 3rd. MK Dons lost which means we are now 8 points behind them with 2 games in hand.

[Saj]

Disappointing 2-2 home draw against Macclesfield.

Keeps us in 3rd place and good news that leaders MK Dons lost again.

[Saj]

1-0 victory yesterday at home to Accrington Stanley. Thats 4 wins and a draw in the last 5 games and 18 clean sheets this season

We are now 2nd, 5 points behind the faultering MK Dons

[Saj]

Just got back from a freezing cold Wrexham where we lost 2-0.

I cant remember the last time I saw Darlo play live and win Maybe I'm a jinx for them.

[Geordie Ahmed]

I guess you better stop going, its at a crucial stage and Darlo are in a fantastic position at the moment

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed I guess you better stop going, its at a crucial stage and Darlo are in a fantastic position at the moment

Problem is injuries GA. We've lost a few players recently through injury and 2 more went off today with illness and injury.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Saj Problem is injuries GA. We've lost a few players recently through injury and 2 more went off today with illness and injury.

what is the Darlo squad like in terms of depth? also did you make any signings in the window?

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed what is the Darlo squad like in terms of depth? also did you make any signings in the window?

Our main striker Pawell Abbott is out injured at the moment. We signed him for 100K last season.

Our best midlefielder Richie Foran, on loan from Southend is also out injured at the moment.

We've got steady backups GA, but nothing spectacular. We certainly havent got the money the likes of Peterbrough have got.

[Saj]

Phew, a less than convincing 1-0 in at home to Barnet helps us stay in second and the gap is now down to 6 points behind the MK Dons.

19th clean sheet of the season

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Saj Phew, a less than convincing 1-0 in at home to Barnet helps us stay in second and the gap is now down to 6 points behind the MK Dons. 19th clean sheet of the season

woah - KK needs to buy the Darlo defence

important win for Darlo, it was good that MK Dons dropped a couple of points at home aswell.

[Taurus]

Clean sheets lead to boring sides. We've kept sixteen clean sheets, yet still managed to play utter ***** throughout the season.

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Augustus Clean sheets lead to boring sides. We've kept sixteen clean sheets, yet still managed to play utter ***** throughout the season.

Well make that 20 clean sheets this season after a narrow 1-0 away win at Notts County.

MK Dons only drew which means we are only 4 points behind them with 2 games in hand.

I wouldnt say we were boring, but the strength is definitely the defence.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Thats brilliant - you have a couple of games now which hopefully you dont screw up. There is plenty of the season to go BUT Darlo are in a strong poistion, it is only theirs to mess up

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed Thats brilliant - you have a couple of games now which hopefully you dont screw up. There is plenty of the season to go BUT Darlo are in a strong poistion, it is only theirs to mess up

Dont worry GA, we'll mess it up alright.

I remember a good few years back when we just needed a point from the last game of the season at Scunthorpe United to get automatic promotion - guess what we lost, made it to the play off final and then lost

[Geordie Ahmed]

Ah well i cant blame you for your pessimism - there is plenty of time to go and as you say plenty of time to mess it up aswell.

lets take it one game at a time

[Geordie Ahmed]

So Darlo as you predicted have managed to start messing it up - they lost 2-1 at HOME to struggling Mansfield. That is a poor result. They now drop to 3rd

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed So Darlo as you predicted have managed to start messing it up - they lost 2-1 at HOME to struggling Mansfield. That is a poor result. They now drop to 3rd

by all accounts we were awful GA and deserved to lose.

The turning point seemed to be the sending off of our centre half just before half time when we were 1-0 up.

[Saj]

Important 2-1 away win at Bury today, especially as the top 7 all won.

Promotion in this division I feel is going to go to the wire this season.

We stay in 3rd, 4 points behind the MK Dons and 2 points behind Hereford.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Good win for Darlo - i think i might just adopt them for this season

actually on second thoughts i might just curse them and Saj will never forgive me, so il stick with Newcastle

[Saj]

Another excellent and crucial win for Darlo. 3-1 at home to Brentford.

2 midweek loan signings apparently had good games today - Parker from Leeds and Kennedy from Middlesbrough.

We move back to 3rd place after slipping to 4th after midweek results. Goals from Ndumbu Nsungu, Joachim and our big signing who has been injured for a lot of the season Pawell Abbott.

Quite a few injured players coming back soon also. Fingers crossed though.

1 Milton Keynes Dons 34 9 3 5 27 12 12 3 2 32 15 32 69
2 Peterborough 34 12 3 3 41 17 9 2 5 23 16 31 68
3 Darlington 33 9 6 2 27 11 10 2 4 27 12 31 65

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 Hereford 34 8 4 5 27 16 11 3 3 30 20 21 64
5 Rotherham 35 9 3 6 30 24 7 6 4 20 16 10 57
6 Wycombe 35 9 4 4 20 11 7 5 6 23 23 9 57
7 Stockport 34 5 5 6 28 25 11 3 4 29 22 10 56

[Geordie Ahmed]

Going well for Darlo - also have a game in hand aswell.

[Saj]

Another important win tonight and another clean sheet.

1-0 versus Chester, not the best of performances but we should have won by more by all accounts.

1 Peterborough 35 12 3 3 41 17 10 2 5 25 16 33 71
2 Milton Keynes Dons 34 9 3 5 27 12 12 3 2 32 15 32 69
3 Darlington 34 10 6 2 28 11 10 2 4 27 12 32 68

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 Hereford 34 8 4 5 27 16 11 3 3 30 20 21 64
5 Rotherham 35 9 3 6 30 24 7 6 4 20 16 10 57
6 Wycombe 35 9 4 4 20 11 7 5 6 23 23 9 57
7 Stockport 34 5 5 6 28 25 11 3 4 29 22 10 56

Only downer was that Hartlepool won.

[Saj]

terrible 2-0 defeat today at Wycombe.

My daughters could be heard saying "keep away from Dad today as Darlo lost".

[Geordie Ahmed]

So what does that do to the table Saj?

[Saj]

still 3rd GA, but Hereford who are 4th are only 1 point behind now.

[Saj]

After a frustrating 0-0 draw at Shrewsbury midweek, Darlo bounce back and beat an in form Grimsby side 3-2. phewwwwww

This after being 2-0 down. We remain in 4th place though as Herferord won 1-0.

1 Milton Keynes Dons 37 10 3 5 31 12 14 3 2 35 16 38 78
2 Peterborough 38 12 4 3 41 17 12 2 5 30 19 35 78
3 Hereford 37 9 4 5 28 16 13 3 3 33 20 25 73

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 Darlington 37 11 6 2 31 13 10 3 5 27 14 31 72
5 Stockport 37 7 5 6 32 26 12 3 4 30 22 14 65
6 Wycombe 38 11 4 4 24 12 7 5 7 23 24 11 63
7 Rotherham 38 10 3 6 32 25 7 7 5 21 20 8 61

[Geordie Ahmed]

I was watching the Big League on Sky Sports the other day and they showed an interesting stat - League 2 sides have on average won more games away than at home. Any reason you can think of for this Saj?

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed I was watching the Big League on Sky Sports the other day and they showed an interesting stat - League 2 sides have on average won more games away than at home. Any reason you can think of for this Saj?

Speaking for Darlo GA, our stadium is a 25,000 all seater stadium, with about 4,000 fans in there and very little atmosphere. Our fans back the team more away from home than they do at home. Also a lot of teams come to our place and either raise their game due to the stadium or just put 10 men behind the ball.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Saj Speaking for Darlo GA, our stadium is a 25,000 all seater stadium, with about 4,000 fans in there and very little atmosphere. Our fans back the team more away from home than they do at home. Also a lot of teams come to our place and either raise their game due to the stadium or just put 10 men behind the ball.

Yeah the pundits did mention that and that does make sense.

As a home team it must feel weird seeing the stadium nearly empty.

[Saj]

I went to Chester today

For 80 minutes we were rubbish, finally woke up and battered their goal for the last 10 minutes.

Got beat 2-1, it was snowing and bloody cold, our best striker got injured and could be out for the season - all in all, a bad day.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Darlo currently losing 2-1 at home to Bradford

Not good

[Geordie Ahmed]

Make that 3-1 to Bradford

[Saj]

and with todays defeat goes our promotion hopes.

Playoffs again and another season of missed opportunities