2018-19 National League North

[Lucky Bobble]

I watched this years Conf north champions play last night, Spendymore. They were extremely well organised and clinical scoring 2 from 2 chances. We are suffering from injuries, suspension and a general loss of form I'm afraid

Spennymore were arguably the best team I've seen at Brackley this year - although their manager was a bit of a nob. Hard to say who'll win promotion this year as form changes so much... who'd have thought Stockport would have risen so high and Bradford collapsed... but I think Spennymore have every chance. Not sure who I'd like to see go up to 'weaken' the division for 2019-20... perhaps Stockport?

 

[MWS]

Stockport County vs Spennymoor
Spennymoor vs Chorley
Chorley vs Stockport County

3 MASSIVE GAMES STILL TO PLAY THIS SEASON.

 

[Fyldefan]

Stockport are flying. Have chorley had a bit of a wobble. Didn't know they were both neck and neck

 

[CFC4LIFE]

However it turns out, this season has been magnificent. It has been much more open without any big spender like Salford, Harrogate, Fylde etc. Even if we don't go up I will still be immensely proud of my team. I don't think many people realise how small our budget and squad is. Whoever wins the league will be worthy winners

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Stockport are flying. Have chorley had a bit of a wobble. Didn't know they were both neck and neck

Chorley won their first nine games of the season but their dominance was slightly scewed as only one of the teams they played in those matches is now in the top 10.

In their last 20 games their record is W9 D5 L6 so they are definitely levelling off. Their next two games should yield six points, increase the goal difference and put them six points clear having played a game more but after that they face a tough end to the season.

Even though I think it will be a while until we have the chance to topple Chorley, it’s Spennymoor who now worry me most.

 

[CFC4LIFE]

Stockport County vs Spennymoor
Spennymoor vs Chorley
Chorley vs Stockport County

3 MASSIVE GAMES STILL TO PLAY THIS SEASON.

I think our games against you and spennymoor will decide the season. I can see us beating you at home, but we never do well at spennymoor. If there was ever a time to perform well against them it would be then

 

[Swedes]

Oh, and I can't imagine what it must be like watching your expensively assembled side revert to kicking drop balls out for throw-ins. All for the glory of scraping together enough points to hit the dizzying heights of mid-table in the Conference North.

I'm not sure what you mean by expensively assembled, it's on record as of last month that Watson is only using 65% of the allocated budget and has only used 10% of the transfer kitty. Most of the expensive deadwood from last season / early this season has been shipped out (for example Nathan Lowe, David Lynch, Billy Priestley, and Elliot Osborne - cheers for taking the show pony off our hand BTW). I couldn't go last night but am lead to believe it was embarrassing by us at times, but that's been far from the case from us since our early season horror show. You stick to believing the common misconceptions though, and take it as a mark of respect for your team that we tried (and failed) to shut up shop so early.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

If that squad with the likes of Charles, Archer, Gilchrist, Astles, Winnard, Parry, Bauress, Lacey is only 65 per cent of budget then it shows how much money you’re prepared to chuck around. You’re also full time I believe which will generally inflate wages for the best part-time players you pick up as you’ll have to at the very least match the combined wage the player would be earning doing two jobs.

I should imagine most of the expensive signings became deadwood because Watson can only play one way and couldn’t utilise them properly. The same reason he’s reluctant to spend his full budget now is probably because he’ll have nowhere to hide if his own big name signings fail the same way Davies’ did under him. Osborne did well when he first came in but Matty Warburton hit form soon after he arrived and he’s the best number 10 in league when he’s in the mood so opportunities have been limited.

On paper I thought you’d be title challengers this year with your financial backing but thankfully Watson has held you back and given other teams, who have been improving their squads gradually over the last few seasons, a chance to get promoted.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Tuesday 19 February 2019 National League North Results

Att. 696 - Altrincham 0 Spennymoor Town 2
Att. 195 - Ashton United 3 AFC Telford United 4
Att. 3,724 - Stockport County 3 Southport 2

Wednesday 20 February 2019 National League North Result

Att. 916 - Darlington 0 Brackley Town 2

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Didn't expect anything from tonight's game against Brackley the better team won at the end of the day. It's a shame they broke us down on the stroke of half-time courtesy of an excellent own goal from the impressive Will Smith.

Once again TW's tactics have to come into question? I presume he played Henshall to swing some crosses over hoping Ainge would somehow be on the end of them What on earth are we gonna do with Ainge? We might as well have played three at the back.

I'll be glad when this season is well and truly out the way.

 

[Railway Blue]

If that squad with the likes of Charles, Archer, Gilchrist, Astles, Winnard, Parry, Bauress, Lacey is only 65 per cent of budget then it shows how much money you’re prepared to chuck around. You’re also full time I believe which will generally inflate wages for the best part-time players you pick up as you’ll have to at the very least match the combined wage the player would be earning doing two jobs.

I should imagine most of the expensive signings became deadwood because Watson can only play one way and couldn’t utilise them properly. The same reason he’s reluctant to spend his full budget now is probably because he’ll have nowhere to hide if his own big name signings fail the same way Davies’ did under him. Osborne did well when he first came in but Matty Warburton hit form soon after he arrived and he’s the best number 10 in league when he’s in the mood so opportunities have been limited.

On paper I thought you’d be title challengers this year with your financial backing but thankfully Watson has held you back and given other teams, who have been improving their squads gradually over the last few seasons, a chance to get promoted.

They do have a catastrophic assistant manager/coach!

 

[Swedes]

If that squad with the likes of Charles, Archer, Gilchrist, Astles, Winnard, Parry, Bauress, Lacey is only 65 per cent of budget then it shows how much money you’re prepared to chuck around. You’re also full time I believe which will generally inflate wages for the best part-time players you pick up as you’ll have to at the very least match the combined wage the player would be earning doing two jobs.

I should imagine most of the expensive signings became deadwood because Watson can only play one way and couldn’t utilise them properly. The same reason he’s reluctant to spend his full budget now is probably because he’ll have nowhere to hide if his own big name signings fail the same way Davies’ did under him. Osborne did well when he first came in but Matty Warburton hit form soon after he arrived and he’s the best number 10 in league when he’s in the mood so opportunities have been limited.

On paper I thought you’d be title challengers this year with your financial backing but thankfully Watson has held you back and given other teams, who have been improving their squads gradually over the last few seasons, a chance to get promoted.

Some fair points, but Archer is on loan, Parry came to us as a crock with no great interest in him and has spent months getting his knee right, Lacey hadn't kicked a ball for 18 months after he'd been a bad lad, Baruess was picked up from Witton where I doubt he was on a lot, and Winnard was brought in to do coaching duties as well as play.

The suggestion that Watson can only play one way is a myth. Granted, we hoofed our way to the 09/10 title under him, but when we just missed out on the National League play-offs we were getting the ball out wide a lot and playing on the counter-attack. When we won this league in 04/05 we played decent football along the way. Watson's record of putting wingers in the Football League also suggests a tendency to play systems that suit wide players - his record for this includes Carl Baker, Mark Duffy, Shaun Whalley, and Craig Noone.

We ended up with some overpaid shite last season as we needed to put a side together to keep us up, some of those players failed to maintain performances from this time last year though (and that includes losing 8/9 matches at the back end of last season under Kevin Davies). The only one of these players who has left and gone on to a bigger club is Osborne, and as you say he can't get a game.

I'm just hoping that we're at the start of doing what you and Chorley have done, building a side gradually over a few years that's good enough to potentially get you out of this league and keep you up at the next level.

 

[Swedes]

They do have a catastrophic assistant manager/coach!

He's not done bad to be fair, and Watson seems to rate him. Maybe he's ok in the number 2 role, but a catastrophic manager who only a bunch of fools would appoint to that role?

 

[Lucky Bobble]

Didn't expect anything from tonight's game against Brackley the better team won at the end of the day. It's a shame they broke us down on the stroke of half-time courtesy of an excellent own goal from the impressive Will Smith.

Once again TW's tactics have to come into question? I presume he played Henshall to swing some crosses over hoping Ainge would somehow be on the end of them What on earth are we gonna do with Ainge? We might as well have played three at the back.

I'll be glad when this season is well and truly out the way.

Will you be better next year? Darlington, like Stockport, York and Kidderminster I've always felt were 'hanging around' in the division before they get the squad / manager / momentum to push on back to where you 'belong'. Yet it doesn't seem to be happening for many of these teams - you included. Was staggered when you appointed TW - mentioned it on this forum, just couldn't see how his miserable run had Corby qualified him for the job.

We're very lucky at Brackley at the moment - love the manager - gets the best out of a small squad. I'd give him a 10 year contract if I could. That and low expectations I think just makes it a pleasure to be a fan. We're hanging around in the division too, until the fact we're the smallest town in Nat N / S finally takes us 'back where we belong' at some point...

 

[Joseph Smith]

Do Brackley have some of the quality players we had in 2015?
Id still have Gaz Dean back, but that Gudger is quality too, thanks for him, as a matter of fact you guys are my favourite team in NLN, happy when you won the FA trophy and would love to see you guys promoted.
Infact just wikipedia'd you. Danny Lewis, Dean, Franklin, Shep, Jimmy Armson, Walker (i thought you had Streete and Byrne too) but didnt know you had Omari SJ... you have enough quality to have a crack at promotion, must be a strong NLN this season.

 

[Minstermen central]

Ashton united 165 at home,lovely ground and club to visit but Tadcaster Albion get more than that and 3 divs lower,go when we don’t have a game.
No expert on Darlo but 918 seems very low for you lot,is that first time below 1000

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Some fair points, but Archer is on loan, Parry came to us as a crock with no great interest in him and has spent months getting his knee right, Lacey hadn't kicked a ball for 18 months after he'd been a bad lad, Baruess was picked up from Witton where I doubt he was on a lot, and Winnard was brought in to do coaching duties as well as play.

The suggestion that Watson can only play one way is a myth. Granted, we hoofed our way to the 09/10 title under him, but when we just missed out on the National League play-offs we were getting the ball out wide a lot and playing on the counter-attack. When we won this league in 04/05 we played decent football along the way. Watson's record of putting wingers in the Football League also suggests a tendency to play systems that suit wide players - his record for this includes Carl Baker, Mark Duffy, Shaun Whalley, and Craig Noone.

We ended up with some overpaid shite last season as we needed to put a side together to keep us up, some of those players failed to maintain performances from this time last year though (and that includes losing 8/9 matches at the back end of last season under Kevin Davies). The only one of these players who has left and gone on to a bigger club is Osborne, and as you say he can't get a game.

I'm just hoping that we're at the start of doing what you and Chorley have done, building a side gradually over a few years that's good enough to potentially get you out of this league and keep you up at the next level.

I know you’re not on Salford levels but with the budget you’ve got I would have expected minimum top 7 this season then promotion next.

I think like with County fans and Gannon, previous achievements get Watson leeway. He appears from the outside like he’s uneasy not being the underdog anymore.

He’ll have the summer and probably healthiest budget in the division to work to put together his own squad so there will be nowhere to hide next season.

 

[JE93]

Will you be better next year? Darlington, like Stockport, York and Kidderminster I've always felt were 'hanging around' in the division before they get the squad / manager / momentum to push on back to where you 'belong'. Yet it doesn't seem to be happening for many of these teams - you included. Was staggered when you appointed TW - mentioned it on this forum, just couldn't see how his miserable run had Corby qualified him for the job.

We're very lucky at Brackley at the moment - love the manager - gets the best out of a small squad. I'd give him a 10 year contract if I could. That and low expectations I think just makes it a pleasure to be a fan. We're hanging around in the division too, until the fact we're the smallest town in Nat N / S finally takes us 'back where we belong' at some point...

Not with Tommy in charge we won't. Unfortunately he's an expert in taking one step forwards and two back. His summer signings just haven't particularly worked out. While Nicholson has been good and so has Tom Elliott. Ainge hasn't lived up to his Harrogate form, Hughes was unfortunately not fit enough to play in midfield so moved to CB which left the squad a little light in MF, Burn has been a complete flop, Maddision has cost us a fair few goals this season, Henshall has barely featured and when he has, was fairly anonymous. Add to that Tommy's questionable tactical decisions and it's no wonder we're having a tough season.

But our main issue is cashflow. As a fan owned club and without anyone there to cover a cash shortfall we have to constantly live within our means. Which lead to the sales of Styche and Syers earlier in the season. I still think we have a decent enough budget I'd guess somewhere between £220-200k but managing the cash side of that is a huge challenge when you don't have a rich benefactor to dip into their pocket to see you through the lean times.

With a better manager and the budget we have we'd be mid-table and comfortable in this division.

 

[AnimoEtFide]

So, Gannon's has been issued with a three match touchline ban for an incident three months ago during our home game against Brackley.

Also, the written reasons for the decision haven't been released so there's no possibility of appealing the decision.

I'm not really familiar with how things work at this level, so can anyone enlighten me as to whether its common for bans to be issued for incidents happened three months ago, and for no route of appeal to be available? It all seems a bit strange to me.

 

[Bluandwite]

So, Gannon's has been issued with a three match touchline ban for an incident three months ago during our home game against Brackley.

Also, the written reasons for the decision haven't been released so there's no possibility of appealing the decision.

I'm not really familiar with how things work at this level, so can anyone enlighten me as to whether its common for bans to be issued for incidents happened three months ago, and for no route of appeal to be available? It all seems a bit strange to me.

Morley has just served the same ban for us, for some obscure thing that happened back in September.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Away to Guiseley today.

Real shame to see Russ and Clayts struggling a tad at the moment. Guiseley 9 without a win in the league. No home win since October.

If they were playing anybody else I would be hoping they can grab a result.

Real chance for us to record 2 wins over the next week or so today and next we against Ashton to all but confirm safety as do expect Chorley to have enough today.

We have been so inconsisentI dont think we have put two wins together since August! Hopefully we put an end to that today and stubborn Mr Heath actually starts O`Brien

 

[GuiseleySteve]

Away to Guiseley today.

Real shame to see Russ and Clayts struggling a tad at the moment. Guiseley 9 without a win in the league. No home win since October.

If they were playing anybody else I would be hoping they can grab a result.

Real chance for us to record 2 wins over the next week or so today and next we against Ashton to all but confirm safety as do expect Chorley to have enough today.

We have been so inconsisentI dont think we have put two wins together since August! Hopefully we put an end to that today and stubborn Mr Heath actually starts O`Brien

This season we've been pretty tough to beat but not had quite enough to win either. The last two games are pretty indicative, 1-3 lead at Fcum became 3-3. 3-0 half time v Barnoldswick became 3-3 before an injury time winner saved some blushes. Very frustrating!

 

[AnimoEtFide]

Morley has just served the same ban for us, for some obscure thing that happened back in September.

Bizarre. I don't have a problem with the ban as I saw the incident (albeit from a distance) and it wasn't his finest moment, and judging from his interview he would probably agree. But I'm completely flummoxed by how you can start a ban before you've been given the opportunity to appeal.

 

[Harrier94]

End the season now. 3-1 up against Blyth who've played with a striker in goal for 70 minutes and we draw. Pathetic.

 

[CFC4LIFE]

Shite. Absolute shite. We desperately need a striker. Carver might actually be alright if he didn't spend half of the game on the floor or moaning at the ref. Meppen Walter punts it forward and 1 in 10 times it comes off and he's apparently our best passer. We have 2 of the best midfielders in the league in the newbys, but they're bypassed by our long ball up to Wilson who can do no more than watch the most of them fly over his head. Their keeper made some cracking saves but we just seem to be cracking under the pressure

 

[GuiseleySteve]

Shite. Absolute shite. We desperately need a striker. Carver might actually be alright if he didn't spend half of the game on the floor or moaning at the ref. Meppen Walter punts it forward and 1 in 10 times it comes off and he's apparently our best passer. We have 2 of the best midfielders in the league in the newbys, but they're bypassed by our long ball up to Wilson who can do no more than watch the most of them fly over his head. Their keeper made some cracking saves but we just seem to be cracking under the pressure

Fancy changing places?

 

[CFC4LIFE]

Fancy changing places?

Well, when you put it like that...
But for a team who has led the way almost all season, we seem to be lacking in ambition at the most important time

 

[Minstermen central]

That’s a terrible result for Chorley come on Stockport this is your year,need you out of here.
For once seem to have appointed right manager,we are actually putting effort in for once.look a totally different team.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

That’s a terrible result for Chorley come on Stockport this is your year,need you out of here.
For once seem to have appointed right manager,we are actually putting effort in for once.look a totally different team.

Since Stott has gone back to Oldham we haven’t kept a clean sheet and we’ve got a horrible 10 days coming up now. I’m backing Spennymoor for the title.

 

[B2TF]

This season we've been pretty tough to beat but not had quite enough to win either. The last two games are pretty indicative, 1-3 lead at Fcum became 3-3. 3-0 half time v Barnoldswick became 3-3 before an injury time winner saved some blushes. Very frustrating!

How's that "pushing on for the Football League" thing working out for ya?