2019/20 National League North

[Minstermen central]

Their second top scorer last season though wasn't he? Seems to be described as an attacking midfielder by Watson too.

In any event I'm happy that both of our new midfield recruits (Bond and Green) have been described as tough tackling, combative and hard-working. Those are qualities that we've desperately lacked in midfield for years.

Moke plays well for 60mins most games but then again has some absolute shockers.think you will find he plays most games, watson likes him.plus can’t wait for his shocker game with MCNulty behind him,sure he will get him told.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

Their second top scorer last season though wasn't he? Seems to be described as an attacking midfielder by Watson too.

In any event I'm happy that both of our new midfield recruits (Bond and Green) have been described as tough tackling, combative and hard-working. Those are qualities that we've desperately lacked in midfield for years.

It's nearly a decade since Bond played for us, so maybe I'm mis-remembering it a bit, but it was his tackling that was his main asset. His shooting was awful - long range drives over the bar. No matter where he plays, he'll certainly be a top player in your division.

 

[Luke Imp]

Anyone know anything about our new defender Thierry Audel?

We had Thierry on loan in the NL and I was pretty sure he was going to make a decent FL defender but he had a couple of injuries, which kinda stopped any of that.

He was solid enough here. Took a few risks at times but that seemed to be down to rustiness rather than his way of playing. Can't see him not being solid at NLN level.

1) Lack of balance in defence. McNulty and Newton are going to be at the heart of the defence next season. Both are very solid but quite old and slow. I know this is less of an issue at NLN because teams play so direct and strength and organisation are more important attributes in defenders than pace at this level. Still, If we're going to play 3 at the back (which Watson seems to favour) I would ideally like a quicker, younger more mobile centre back to play alongside them. Our other options for centre back are Joe Tait or Tom Allan and, whilst they're perfectly competent NLN defenders, I'm not convinced either are really good enough for a title winning side.

You lot play Newton at CB?

 

[hardbutfair]

Perhaps I should have said 'anyone know anything useful...'!

Sad to hear others so positive about Spennymore, York, Altrincham etc.

I can't argue with them, but our recruitment looks a bit half-hearted again comparatively, one step forward, one back, and still pencil thin squad depth.

Another top 7 finish, but can't see us challenging for first currently, and having seen us fail in 5 playoffs, I've no faith we'll ever go up that way.

Also worried they'll be such a focus on the rebuild, there's a ready made excuse lined up already...

We appear to have signed two centre backs and the striker we desperately needed. I`m counting 15 if Nti is back as a squad player, which is pencil thin but decent if Kevin`s signings pay off. Probably short of one central midfielder and one more squad striker, but looks promising to me at this stage. Re the play-offs, they say you learn every time. If Lee learns how to take a Pen, maybe it will be third time lucky. I do think this will be a make or break season before the squad starts to break up if the promised land of the NL isn`t reached.

 

[Minstermen central]

We had Thierry on loan in the NL and I was pretty sure he was going to make a decent FL defender but he had a couple of injuries, which kinda stopped any of that.

He was solid enough here. Took a few risks at times but that seemed to be down to rustiness rather than his way of playing. Can't see him not being solid at NLN level.


You lot play Newton at CB?

Yes it was first thing Watson did and he was stand out player since he came in.

 

[Luke Imp]

Didn't think he'd be dominant enough in the air for CB. He's quite tall for a full back and got his head on things against wingers ok, but not what I'd class as a powerful CB type being able to deal with proper target men.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

Didn't think he'd be dominant enough in the air for CB. He's quite tall for a full back and got his head on things against wingers ok, but not what I'd class as a powerful CB type being able to deal with proper target men.

Newton put on quite a few pounds in his second season for us. No idea if it was down to Mills’ half arsed training or his own problem, but he lost his effectiveness down the left side because of it. So maybe this is why he’s been pushed more central.

 

[Yorkidding]

Newton also put on weight under Collins and didnt out a shift in but as soon as Watson took over, Newton sorted hinself out and was a standout player on the left of a back 3. McNulty will be the dominant CH of the 3 we have

 

[Alty Pieman]

I have never been more confident starting a season,... that Alty will find a way to not achieve what it could,.. again ! On paper we must be up there,. on grass who knows

 

[Minstermen central]

Newton put on quite a few pounds in his second season for us. No idea if it was down to Mills’ half arsed training or his own problem, but he lost his effectiveness down the left side because of it. So maybe this is why he’s been pushed more central.

Newton under Mills was quality and gave him a 3 year contract on good money.Under Gray average but played left back,left wing,centre mid,centre back and even striker.
Under Collins downed tools completely but under watson been quality.he still won player of year award even though didn’t play under Collins.
He says Watson is best manager ever played under and you see that by his play.
A happy Newton is our best player and far to good for this league.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Simon Ainge joins Boston United on a season long loan from Darlington

 

[Quakerz]

Simon Ainge joins Boston United on a season long loan from Darlington

Shame it never worked out for him here. We never did really get the free scoring forward that we thought we were paying top dollar for, although he did show flashes of being good in his first 8 or so matches.

Ah well.

Presumably Boston will be covering a decent part of his wages, which may give us a little bit extra room to sign someone else.

 

[Minstermen central]

Shame it never worked out for him here. We never did really get the free scoring forward that we thought we were paying top dollar for, although he did show flashes of being good in his first 8 or so matches.

Ah well.

Presumably Boston will be covering a decent part of his wages, which may give us a little bit extra room to sign someone else.

I find this totally bizarre,Ainge is a good player and surely Darlo best striker,plus to loan to a team that will probably be top 5 and pay some of his wages.
THIS IS WHAT YORK NORMALLY DO?

 

[AJS]

Simon Ainge joins Boston United on a season long loan from Darlington

He was quality at centre half for us a few years ago

 

[JE93]

I find this totally bizarre,Ainge is a good player and surely Darlo best striker,plus to loan to a team that will probably be top 5 and pay some of his wages.
THIS IS WHAT YORK NORMALLY DO?

Dont think you'll find many of our fans particularly bothered. Ainge isn't what he was. The injury he picked up at Harrogate has finished him as a striker. He simply isn't mobile enough. Cant get around the pitch or get into the box enough. Lose the ball and it's like playing with 10 men. At CB hes pretty dominant in the air but along the ground he's awful. If the ball comes to feet he just hoofs it away in any direction.

Add to that hes probably our top earner and on CF money, even if Boston are paying 80% of his wages it would be enough for one and a half decent wages at this level. Just another of Tommy Wright's scattergun transfer approach last summer.

 

[Minstermen central]

Dont think you'll find many of our fans particularly bothered. Ainge isn't what he was. The injury he picked up at Harrogate has finished him as a striker. He simply isn't mobile enough. Cant get around the pitch or get into the box enough. Lose the ball and it's like playing with 10 men. At CB hes pretty dominant in the air but along the ground he's awful. If the ball comes to feet he just hoofs it away in any direction.

Add to that hes probably our top earner and on CF money, even if Boston are paying 80% of his wages it would be enough for one and a half decent wages at this level. Just another of Tommy Wright's scattergun transfer approach last summer.

You’ve seen more of him than me but I would of been happy to have him at York,only makes Boston stronger in my eyes.

 

[DarkSithLord]

With the fixture release later today here is my guess at the Christmas Fixtures

Blyth Spartans v Spennymoor Town
Darlington v Gateshead
Guiseley v Farsley
York v Bradford PA
Southport v Chester
Altrincham v Curzon Ashton
Boston United v Kings Lynn
Kettering Town v Brackley Town
Hereford v Gloucester City
Kidderminster v Leamington
AFC Telford v Alfreton Town

 

[Minstermen central]

With the fixture release later today here is my guess at the Christmas Fixtures

Blyth Spartans v Spennymoor Town
Darlington v Gateshead
Guiseley v Farsley
York v Bradford PA
Southport v Chester
Altrincham v Curzon Ashton
Boston United v Kings Lynn
Kettering Town v Brackley Town
Hereford v Gloucester City
Kidderminster v Leamington
AFC Telford v Alfreton Town

I will go 1 better,we will be away 24/8 probably at Hereford or Brackley.
York races main meeting that day and 40000 at them so never play at home,plus normally is longest away game.
We had Exeter 3 years running in league,then Torquay in conference and Hereford last year.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Spennymoor request to have first four league games away due to Ground Improvements

 

[DarkSithLord]

NLN Opening Day Fixtures

Altrincham v York City
Blyth Spartans v Gloucester City
Boston United v Chester
Brackley Town v Alfreton Town
Curzon Ashton v Bradford Park Avenue
Farsley Celtic v Darlington
Gateshead v Southport
Guiseley v King’s Lynn Town
Hereford v Spennymoor Town
Kettering Town v AFC Telford United
Kidderminster Harriers v Leamington

 

[DarkSithLord]

Mixed bag for us.
Tough looking August.
We always seem to play the same teams in August in different orders.
Spennymoor away in February is shite
Gateshead away in December, Blyth away in April.
Dissapointed Kings Lynn away is on a Tuesday. Other than that we played all 21 teams twice - not a deal bothered. Looking forward to this season though. Think we could surprise a few this year.

 

[Harrier94]

Spennymoor away in September. We'll should be able to play them on the actual fixture date for the first time.

Leamington at home to start and a lot of fixtures in August, 8 fixtures done by Septmeber.

Hereford at home on Boxing day should be a good money maker for us.

 

[Clem Fandango]

Hereford at home, well Evesham, first Tuesday night game. I still have no idea how Evesham will get that game to run smoothly, no idea what their record attendance has been there but assume that will smash it.

 

[CFC4LIFE]

See it's a nice local welcome back for Gloucester then!

 

[AndyPark]

Farsley away for us.

Already got 2 coaches booked up. We’ll take an easy 700/800 there.

Be pushing 4 figures if the weather is decent.

 

[Bluandwite]

Please not bloody Southport away on Boxing Day. Repeat x5.

Oh, guess what.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Kings Lynn Town away on a Tuesday night for us is a pisstake.

 

[Quakerz]

Darlington have completed the signing of Adam Campbell after he left Morecambe.

24 years old, a wealth of experience with approx 150 matches played in the league.

We've brought him in as a number 9, which he says is is natural position, although after leaving Newcastle he was mainly used on the wings at his various clubs.

 

[GodsGift]

Striker that doesn't score goals. Never has done, suspect he never will.

 

[Clem Fandango]

We just signed Fabien Robert!

Looking forward to being presented with the title at York's new gaff next April