This has all the hallmarks of a game we might lose. We looked a bit ropey on Tuesday, so a follow up that is a long trip to a top six side with a good home record might not be ideal. I'm glad we have a bit of a buffer - we will still be top and in a good position even if we do lose. Having said that, this bunch never stop surprising us with their resilience and ability to grind out results and it would be a brave person who bet against us. I'll say it will be a 1-1 draw which I would be very happy with.

That sums it up Glenn. It's a fantastic effort. It was an even contest and a draw would have been about right but we find ways to win. Some Plymouth fans seem to think they are as good as us because they matched us today. That's not how it works I'm afraid. They have seen a snapshot and we arent fully firing at the moment. We have lost twice to Fleetwood but they arent as good as us either. The league table will tell the real story. Good luck to Plymouth though. As long as we arent in the playoffs I'd like to see them win at Wembley. Ideally against our friends from S6.

-- Edited by smiler on Saturday 26th of February 2022 07:14:15 PM

I know that there's a massive difference between now and football in the 80/81 season, but it would be good to do a selection of the best XI from the two sides. Unfortunately, due to only 3 of us inhabiting this site at the moment, and Smiler probably being far too young to remember, it's down to you and I Calypso. I'll have a think about it and put something down before the weekend's out. For starters, Vickers is definitely in goal!!

It’s a fascinating question Glenn - but as you say very hard to compare as we are not comparing like for like! Back in the day we were still playing 2-3-5 though I guess you could say both Breckin and Forrest could be compared to modern wing backs! Paul Stancliffe on his day could give anyone a run for their money and the forwards including Tiger Towner Ronnie and Rod Fern and the underrated but sublime skills of Seasman were a delight to watch! Ray Mountford after a shaky start became a brilliant goalie for us and we shouldn’t forget the quirky skills of Mark Rhodes and the steady John Green! Then there were the legendary Richard Finney and Billy McEwan, Henson, Gooding and Mullen! What a squad we had then - very much as we have this year - the sum of the parts and the team spirit generated by excellent management being the overriding factor! I’m sure we will look back with similar fondness for this team and its leadership In years to come! How lucky to have witnessed both!

As a dinosaur I, I'm not as familiar with the current squad as much as I was in the 80/81 season so I would have difficulty knowing the current positions played. This being due to the numbers worn on the shirts these days. For example back then the numbers ran 1 to 11 with 12 as a sub, with each number denoting the player's position, left wing, full back, centre half, inside right etc. I have to admit that not attending many games these days I am not so familiar as to who is supposed to do what. Gerry Forrest would be my No2 every time, Smith would edge it over king Ronnie, just, with Vickers over Mountford. The rest I couldn't say as our current No.18, whoever he is, for example plays, well where? At a guess I'd say Rathbone plays in a No 8 or 10 position and would also get a place in my squad along side Rod the Nod. The rest I would have difficulty speculating, therefore I can only say on squad achievement so far, with the present in***bents playing some lovely flowing football which is a delight to watch are probably, in my opinion, (despite it being a different game these days) get my vote. On a final point, watching the old games on YouTube, a horn was blown each time an opposing player was about to take a throw in or free kick etc in an effort to put them off...that was me and my mates. It was an old railway horn used as a warning signal and belonged to one of the lads and it was passed around so we could all have a go. It became something of a competition as to who could give the longest and loudest blast. Happy days UTM.

Another excellent result. Our goal led a charmed life at times but it shows our recent excellence when we are shocked that the opposition have a shot at goal. (A reference to some comments i read this week on another site).
Additionally Vickers had another great game but great teams have great goalies and they’re allowed to win matches for you.

Nine league games, eight wins and a draw and one goal conceded is a remarkable run of form (more so considering Wigan Wednesday and Plymouth are in that run). Also shows our strength that we are without Reg Miller and Grigg and can still rest our captain away to a pkay off contender ! Still challenges ahead but its purely a question of whether we finish 1st or 2nd for me now.

If i get time later i will try and add to the 1982 discussion, that was my first full season as a millers fan..

That’s a pretty sound selection Glenn, just uncomfortable about Forrest - great though he was as an attacking full back - not sure how good he would be as a left sided component of a back three - given the two options based on yesterday I’d go Breckin. Really made me think of midfield if we are looking at 3-5-2 - could we have the luxury of Barlaser and Seasman? On the other hand an alternative would be Gooding - but he was similar to Rathbone! My mind is hurting! 🤪 As you say Smith plus crafty Rod Fern would have been brilliant.