2017/18 National League North

[Minstermen central]

We have resigned Moke & Bencherif who I'm happy about,did well since xmas.
Also signed RANKINE which I'm not happy about,unless he is used for last 15 mins when Parkin is knackered.
Parkin & RANKINE together would be the slowest partnership on record,Parkin is quality and probably still league standard but 2 big lumps would be awful to watch,straight out of the Paul Cox work book.I for one will not watch this style of football especially with muggleton long throws.

 

[MTFC_07]

York must be favourites for this league. They had a top five conference squad by the end of last season in my opinion, and seem to have kept most of their best players. There is surely no other club with this level of quality in the conference north?

 

[DarkSithLord]

York must be favourites for this league. They had a top five conference squad by the end of last season in my opinion, and seem to have kept most of their best players. There is surely no other club with this level of quality in the conference north?

Salford City.

 

[DOLF87]

Further signings announced today for Alfreton.

Tom Platt who was released by Harrogate and Mason Springthorpe on a one year deal from Southport. Also previously played for Telford and Northwich Victoria. hile it is confirmed that Tom Allan has signed a new deal.

Have to say I am not blown away and pretty dissapointed. Looks like another season of struggle. Would be happy with 19th I think.

. I liked Tom Platt. He's a good defender at this level. Great work rate when I have seen him.

 

[Harrier94]

So as we head towards the middle of pre-season a couple of questions.

1: What are you currently hoping you can do next season.

2: What areas do you still need to improve in to achieve that?

Battle for playoffs

We need a GK, an entire new defence, a couple of midfielders and a winger or two and another striker......as I type all of that out it doesn't look good I'll admit but I'm still hopeful.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

didn't realize you had lost so much.

is that because you gambled on a 'all or nothing' go at it last season??

 

[Andy Harrier]

didn't realize you had lost so much.

is that because you gambled on a 'all or nothing' go at it last season??

I don't think we did gamble on that. Most of our signings last summer were young players released by academies. It's more being victims of our success to a degree. Our keeper was on loan, Fylde have signed half of our defence (who were offered deals months ago, but wouldn't sign) and our top scorer has signed for Shrewsbury. We've got rid of a couple of our high earners as well. Defence is the priority to get sorted, I think any midfielders or attackers we sign will probably just be squad players.

 

[Lucky Bobble]

So as we head towards the middle of pre-season a couple of questions.

1: What are you currently hoping you can do next season.

2: What areas do you still need to improve in to achieve that?

Hoping for 6th or 7th place & some sort of playoff football. Perhaps do less well in the cups so can focus thin squad on the league?

Kept all the players I wanted to - same defence and midfield (provided the V9 Academy doesn't get a couple of them snapped up by league clubs). Had 7 strikers on the books at the end of last season! - none of them consistent, only 1 seems to have been retained. Areas we needed to strengthen I'd argue was GK and ST - have signed Solihull's keeper and 1 striker - so we need a couple more strikers ideally. See us being as good as last year, but hard to see us being much better. Away form was excellent, but home form was mid table - so need to get that sorted out somehow. Nevertheless after the 2 previous years of surviving on the last day and playing rubbish football, just a pleasure to look forward to another hopefully pretty positive season with our average crowds being over 400 ... tinpot I know, but quite an achievement for the size of the town...Anyone know where James Clifton has gone if anywhere? Brackley website is a sort of annoyance to fans as it tells us little....

 

[DarkSithLord]

So as we head towards the middle of pre-season a couple of questions.

1: What are you currently hoping you can do next season.

2: What areas do you still need to improve in to achieve that?

1. Survive
2. Full backs, as a matter of urgency. And we could probably do with 1 more midfielder and striker.

 

[MWS]

So as we head towards the middle of pre-season a couple of questions.

1: What are you currently hoping you can do next season.

2: What areas do you still need to improve in to achieve that?

1. Make the play offs.

2. After last seasons missing out on the last day because we couldn't beat Gloucester was a tough one to take. We have retained most of the squad last year including the entire defence which was the best in the division.

Losing Lloyd and Montrose is tough but Gannon has recruited well bringing in 3 proven goal scorers (Warburton, Oswell & Stephenson) and Stephen O'Halloran to give us balance in the back 3/4.

Need another midfielder (to replace Montrose), back up right sided defender and perhaps a target man.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Latest signing for us. 27 year old Winger Marcus Marshall. Was at Boston last year and Grimsby year before.

How bad is he Boston fans?

Along loooong season ahead I fear. Very disappointing with our signings. Seems to be severely lacking quality.

 

[Harrier94]

What is this picture to announce the signing?

I've heard of man spreading but that is ridiculous.

 

[DarkSithLord]

What is this picture to announce the signing?

I've heard of man spreading but that is ridiculous.

Normally the players sign their contract in the office. Not quite Oxford City and McDonalds though..

 

[DarkSithLord]

Blow to Tamworth as Dan Newton seals a move to Stevenage thanks to Jamie Vardy`s Academy.

Elsewhere Nuneaton have signed young striker Brady Hickey from Barwell. Decent prospect, someone I had hoped we would have been interested in.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Fabian Spiess who was released by us has signed for Nantwich Town. That is a smashing signing for them at that level

 

[GodsGift]

Tyrell Waite joins Boston from Kidderminster.

 

[Harrier94]

Tyrell Waite joins Boston from Kidderminster.

No real loss, grabbed the occasional goal but don't really remember him every getting past his man. And quite often just wandered from his position.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

For all you lot gave Salford the title weeks ago, if you read there forum it isn't going swimmingly.

Sam walker had signed full time, then has left for Stockport, couple of others who have signed are also supposedly now told they can leave.

And for me apart from Livesey none of their other signings are spectacular.....still think this is a wide open league.

Think the dark horse of Brackley one to watch for me.......just a gut feeling. Then also Darlo, Stockport, York....all look good, plus Blyth and Spenny.

For Salford York and Stockport I think its which can handle playing sides who sit back en masse the best.......Stockport still not worked that one out yet.

 

[Minstermen central]

For all you lot gave Salford the title weeks ago, if you read there forum it isn't going swimmingly.

Sam walker had signed full time, then has left for Stockport, couple of others who have signed are also supposedly now told they can leave.

And for me apart from Livesey none of their other signings are spectacular.....still think this is a wide open league.

Think the dark horse of Brackley one to watch for me.......just a gut feeling. Then also Darlo, Stockport, York....all look good, plus Blyth and Spenny.

For Salford,York and Stockport I think its which can handle playing sides who sit back en masse the best.......Stockport still not worked that one out yet.

York have 3 massive players yet to sign which will have a say to how they do,Amari Smith,Parslow and Lappin.
If they sign will have all players that played since new year playing next season.Oliver might be the exception but contracted till next season.
Lappin is main player but wages very high.
Looking forward to curzon went last season,great club and unbelievable playing surface for this standard.only got 1 player left from side that played you in cup,good job you looked like barcelona compaired to us.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

At least playing Curzon and Worcester last season gave you an idea of teams down here.
You should be top 5, but its certainly a dogfight with the play offs.

We have about 15-20 York fans follow Curzon as a second team.....think they went to a harrogate/curzon game a while back then took in couple of other games.

 

[ForzaCounty]

Need another midfielder (to replace Montrose), back up right sided defender and perhaps a target man.

Walker and Cowan fit those first two roles
Personally I'd have kept Amis on, he's mostly rubbish but at least he's a big unit & a nuisance to defend against, and he'd be cheap. Neither Oswell or Warburton look like physical types, and Gannon loves having one as his point attacker
Aside from that, I think we still need another midfielder as I'm still not sold on Ball/not sure if Brezel is going to sign a new deal, and perhaps a backup left winger-cum-striker
An experienced right-back would be handy too. Cowan's still very young, and Minihan is at his best at wing-back
All that would bring us up to the ideal 22/23 man squad
I think it's also worth mentioning, aside from Smalley and a couple of reserve/youth teamers, the squad is composed entirely of Gannon signings. Being stuck with players a manager's inherited has hampered us so much in the past, so that's a good sign anyway

 

[Minstermen central]

At least playing Curzon and Worcester last season gave you an idea of teams down here.
You should be top 5, but its certainly a dogfight with the play offs.

We have about 15-20 York fans follow Curzon as a second team.....think they went to a harrogate/curzon game a while back then took in couple of other games.

Also played Brackley last season,they were truly awful in first half and brilliant 2nd but think mostly down to wind.

 

[JE93]

For all you lot gave Salford the title weeks ago, if you read there forum it isn't going swimmingly.

Sam walker had signed full time, then has left for Stockport, couple of others who have signed are also supposedly now told they can leave.

And for me apart from Livesey none of their other signings are spectacular.....still think this is a wide open league.

Think the dark horse of Brackley one to watch for me.......just a gut feeling. Then also Darlo, Stockport, York....all look good, plus Blyth and Spenny.

For Salford York and Stockport I think its which can handle playing sides who sit back en masse the best.......Stockport still not worked that one out yet.

I still think Salford need a striker. But other than that their recruitment has impressed me. I think they will be there or there abouts for the title, and they'll strengthen along the way. York look fairly strong and have the benefit of a very good manager for this level and being full time. If they tied down the players mentioned above that could be the difference between a team that can or can't run Salford the distance.

Of the playoff chasing rest,
Darlo, well we've had a quiet summer keeping most of our squad together has been our biggest achievement. Our ability to compete next season will depend on brining down the goals against column. Hopefully the signing of Dom Collins will make us more solid at the back. I'm fairly confident with this group we can make the top 7 (just need the seats to be able to compete this time).

Stockport, Stockport lost two quality players, while Stephenson, Walker and Warburton will give them a better squad I don't think they are better than the individuals that they lost. Still think they're a 25 goal a season striker away from being a top team but comfortably top 7.

Chorley, Had a great season last season. Seem to have kept much of the same team together so that can only bode well. I expect them to be very competitive again and comfortably make top 7.

Kidderminster, heavily weakened from last season losing key players in defence and attack. They have the benefit of being full time, but it's a hell of a rebuilding job they have to do to emulate their 2nd place from last season.

Harrogate and their lack of recruitment has surprised me. That squad could easily miss out on top 7 unless they bring in some quality. I don't really rate Weavers talents either.

Brackley, dark horses of the league. Barring their focus on the FA cup they probably could have mounted a more serious playoffs challenge. Will be tough opposition again this year.

Tamworth, weakened from last season, losing Newton was fairly inevitable but he will be very tough to replace. I can't see them threatening the top 7 at present.

Spennymoor, this years dark horses in my opinion. They have a decent side with lots of players who have conference experience. Their budget will be competitive and should be enough to put them in the top 9. Give them a good run and that could be top 7.

At the moment I reckon top 7 looks like:
1. Salford
-----------------------
2. York
3. Stockport
------------------------
4. Darlington
5. Chorley
6. Kidderminster
7. Brackley

 

[Lucky Bobble]

Be happy with 7th! We're no stronger than last year currently and had a thin squad last year and probably will this year too. If everyone's fit, we don't have too many cup game, can get on a good run, and crucially can find a reliable striker, we can get to top 5. Don't have the resources / squad of the 'big boys' and so many away games are soooo far away!

 

[DarkSithLord]

We have signed Full back Sam Topliss from North Ferriby. More like it. Young, proven at this level having won the league of course with Ferriby. Also an FA Trophy winner and strengthens an area of weakness last season

 

[B2TF]

Can you take this thread to the Special Interests forum. Thanks.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Aparently our new assistant manager is Karl Lenaghan. Former Chester and Halifax GK Coach and was part of the coaching staff at Harrogate as GK Coach with McDermott

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I still think Salford need a striker. But other than that their recruitment has impressed me. I think they will be there or there abouts for the title, and they'll strengthen along the way. York look fairly strong and have the benefit of a very good manager for this level and being full time. If they tied down the players mentioned above that could be the difference between a team that can or can't run Salford the distance.

Of the playoff chasing rest,
Darlo, well we've had a quiet summer keeping most of our squad together has been our biggest achievement. Our ability to compete next season will depend on brining down the goals against column. Hopefully the signing of Dom Collins will make us more solid at the back. I'm fairly confident with this group we can make the top 7 (just need the seats to be able to compete this time).

Stockport, Stockport lost two quality players, while Stephenson, Walker and Warburton will give them a better squad I don't think they are better than the individuals that they lost. Still think they're a 25 goal a season striker away from being a top team but comfortably top 7.

Chorley, Had a great season last season. Seem to have kept much of the same team together so that can only bode well. I expect them to be very competitive again and comfortably make top 7.

Kidderminster, heavily weakened from last season losing key players in defence and attack. They have the benefit of being full time, but it's a hell of a rebuilding job they have to do to emulate their 2nd place from last season.

Harrogate and their lack of recruitment has surprised me. That squad could easily miss out on top 7 unless they bring in some quality. I don't really rate Weavers talents either.

Brackley, dark horses of the league. Barring their focus on the FA cup they probably could have mounted a more serious playoffs challenge. Will be tough opposition again this year.

Tamworth, weakened from last season, losing Newton was fairly inevitable but he will be very tough to replace. I can't see them threatening the top 7 at present.

Spennymoor, this years dark horses in my opinion. They have a decent side with lots of players who have conference experience. Their budget will be competitive and should be enough to put them in the top 9. Give them a good run and that could be top 7.

At the moment I reckon top 7 looks like:
1. Salford
-----------------------
2. York
3. Stockport
------------------------
4. Darlington
5. Chorley
6. Kidderminster
7. Brackley

Good choices i think most of us here would agree with the majority of the picks, and then maybe just argue about the order. The one i find interesting who has not been picked is Bradford Park Avenue. Their form in that second half of season must easily have been constant top 6-7 sometimes even top 2-3 form, when they played us at Curzon they impressed me more than any other side i seen over the season, came confident, attack-based, lacked fear and looked together as a unit both players/directors/fans........if that could be built upon and improved on then it could be very interesting to see how they do, of course those aspects of lacking fear and togetherness may have been developed as they were in a 'nothing to lose' situation, but i remember Carlisle doing exactly the same in 2004 and while we dropped down a level that second half momentum/morale and passionate togetherness carried right through into the following season and led us to 2 straight promotions.

MWs was mentioning them 2 pages back and it could be a good shout for an outsider for them top 7 places.....had hoped it would be us at Curzon, but we'll take a few months to replace the 2 attack players we lost and means we'll be in midtable to looking over shoulder battles this year.

 

[Harrier94]

Good choices i think most of us here would agree with the majority of the picks, and then maybe just argue about the order. The one i find interesting who has not been picked is Bradford Park Avenue. Their form in that second half of season must easily have been constant top 6-7 sometimes even top 2-3 form, when they played us at Curzon they impressed me more than any other side i seen over the season, came confident, attack-based, lacked fear and looked together as a unit both players/directors/fans........if that could be built upon and improved on then it could be very interesting to see how they do, of course those aspects of lacking fear and togetherness may have been developed as they were in a 'nothing to lose' situation, but i remember Carlisle doing exactly the same in 2004 and while we dropped down a level that second half momentum/morale and passionate togetherness carried right through into the following season and led us to 2 straight promotions.

MWs was mentioning them 2 pages back and it could be a good shout for an outsider for them top 7 places.....had hoped it would be us at Curzon, but we'll take a few months to replace the 2 attack players we lost and means we'll be in midtable to looking over shoulder battles this year.

Who did BPA have in the run in? They looked like a good side when they played us in the final game but lacked that final ball.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Taking away them last 2 games when they were safe and playing a Kiddy/stockport side needing to win Bradford's form when they had all of about 7 points and 1 win vs altrincham began on 5 November, but most of it was in 2017 because Nov/dec is largly cup games.

In that time they pretty much won or lost.....11 wins, 3 draws and 6 defeats i think it was......their defeats though were usually vs the top sides, 2 Salford twice, Halifax, Darlo.

was a spell when they won 9 games out of about 13 and that was between early january and early april which took them from dead and buried to safe....then once safe they stuttered to draws and couple of defeats at end.