National League fixtures 7/8/18

[Soup Ladle]

It was a decent game all round and on the balance of play a draw was probably fair, we have the makings of a decent team here Bates just needs to change it up a bit, three upfront is leaving us too exposed, go back to the formation we'd been playing most of pre season with 352, Muir is a poacher and needs to be the figurehead up top with probably James, Noble's far too good for this league on tonight's showing, absolute class.

Crazy decision in giving away the freekick, just stand him up, don't have to tackle him there, lose concentration and concede a daft goal, hopefully lessons learnt tonight, Harrogate were certainly no mugs and deserved their point, think they'll do well this season.

Yep, I'd go back to a 352 but have two deeper lying centre mids, and one more advanced behind a front two. Newton or Featherstone staying back, not looking to get forward much, covering and watching the counter with Noble alongside but with licence to link up in the final third and Woods (hearing he's off mind) behind James and Muir. I don't think he'll change the front 3 yet though.

How were the two wing backs? Heard Kitching had a decent game, Donaldson less so.

 

[Redbank]

2 points thrown away by Dover tonight, We wobbled and wobbled, for the first 20 mins , then grew into the game, equalised , then I thought we had scored a second , but a fantastic save by their keeper from Brundle, not sure how he touched that onto the bar, We dominated the second half, but like last year , we cant finish teams off, which turned out to bite us again , as we conceded a pen, for what I do not know , but there were not protest from the Dover players , ended with more hand bags that at an eighties disco, when both sides hustled each other, but no player did more than that, ref booked 4 players but not the bloke that started it
Finally its about time this league had a bit of back bone and force clubs like Bromley to have cover for the away fans , its 2018 ffs also if its segregated then there should be some seats available, some fans did not go tonight due to lack of seating offered , and that's not right
1 point from six , feel a little hard done by on to Gateshead Saturday 20 hour day for a 90 min match,must be bloody mad

 

[Chief Rocka]

I don't rate Donaldson one bit, never have, he's pea hearted and just never looks arsed, Kitching looks like a player, loves to bomb forward but can also defend, the polar opposite of Donaldson, Bates needs to stick Kioso and Kitching at wing back on Saturday, bring in Anderson to partner Magnay and Davies at the back.

Early days and nothing to get worried about, it felt like shit when they scored in the last dregs of the game but it was a good game of footy to watch, nothing like the shite we were served up last season.

 

[Tin Roofs & Stone Steps]

as we conceded a pen, for what I do not know , but there were not protest from the Dover players ,

Was for a handball, wasn an obvious one with the ref right in front of him.
Agree, we should never have nicked a point from that game.

 

[GTFCfish]

Finally its about time this league had a bit of back bone and force clubs like Bromley to have cover for the away fans.

Yeah I bet those poor away fans were feeezing without any cover to protect them from all that rain and snow.

 

[#Beebot]

In pre-season it looked to me like Still had rammed our squad with mid-table players. I didn't say much at the time as I assumed that I'd be completely wrong but it's very much looking to be the case. We look brainless in attack and have no creativity. Our wingers are slow and ineffective. The budget is entirely gone and it looks like Tutonda is going to be sold. He was vital for us last season but Still doesn't like him despite the fact we were crying out for him today.

We look miles off being a playoff team. Embarrassing on our budget and Still has dug himself a hole to get out of.

 

[JaredSUFC]

And any pies directed his way are swiftly devoured.

Ironically we don’t sell pies at SUFC. Bad history there....

 

[GTFCfish]

Pearson and Smith had him on lockdown.

2 games and 2 clean sheets. God we really need to keep them both beyond Thursday.

I’d say you’re pretty safe with Pearson, he’s as loyal as they come.
I can remember him rejecting more money from Eastleigh and Barnsley to stay just because he was happy here.
I think it would take a ridiculous offer to tempt him away from Wrexham.

 

[EnglishRed]

Ironically we don’t sell pies at SUFC. Bad history there....

I'd forgotten about that. Some people just ruin it for everyone!

 

[Master D]

Think he’s bought a house here now. I’d offer him another 2 year deal without delay, he is the key to everything for us as we seem to fall to pieces every time he doesn’t play. If he’s here for years then he might end up in charge as he’s clearly a manager in waiting.

 

[John Still]

In pre-season it looked to me like Still had rammed our squad with mid-table players. I didn't say much at the time as I assumed that I'd be completely wrong but it's very much looking to be the case. We look brainless in attack and have no creativity. Our wingers are slow and ineffective. The budget is entirely gone and it looks like Tutonda is going to be sold. He was vital for us last season but Still doesn't like him despite the fact we were crying out for him today.

We look miles off being a playoff team. Embarrassing on our budget and Still has dug himself a hole to get out of.

Fantastic, we will help chants for him to be sacked on bank holiday Monday. He blew a £1.3m budget last season, his tactics are outdated.

 

[CFC91]

Good start from us. Didn’t go last night but sounded promising. Good crowd too, certainly the Martin Allen affect continuing on from our big following at the weekend too.

Roll on saturday

 

[B2TF]

Good start to your relegation battle.

Cheers.

 

[JaredSUFC]

I'd forgotten about that. Some people just ruin it for everyone!

I try to forget. Almost ruined the biggest night in our history. Our pies weren’t anything to write home about, unlike the ones at Wrexham

 

[GTFCfish]

I try to forget. Almost ruined the biggest night in our history. Our pies weren’t anything to write home about, unlike the ones at Wrexham

If you like a nice pie then you won't realise just how unlucky you were that the season you got promoted, Kidderminster got relegated.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Fantastic, we will help chants for him to be sacked on bank holiday Monday. He blew a £1.3m budget last season, his tactics are outdated.

He's had his fill of Still Out chants from us over the years, sometimes in jest and sometimes not. I haven't yet had the privilege of seeing us play this season so this is all not filling me with anticipation.

Mind you, you lot appointing Peter Taylor after Still is like going from the frying pan into the fire especially with your financial issues.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Fantastic, we will help chants for him to be sacked on bank holiday Monday. He blew a £1.3m budget last season, his tactics are outdated.

You had a bigger budget than us at the start of last season? No wonder you’re in a mess.

 

[Leewilson]

He's had his fill of Still Out chants from us over the years, sometimes in jest and sometimes not. I haven't yet had the privilege of seeing us play this season so this is all not filling me with anticipation.

Mind you, you lot appointing Peter Taylor after Still is like going from the frying pan into the fire especially with your financial issues.

Must say, and I think Urban and #Beebot have touched on it already, that you won't be going up with Still.

I'll always love the man for what he's achieved with us but he's right in the twilight of his career now and a lot of his ideas are looking rather dated. Back when we won this league 10-11 years ago, we did it with 'percentage football' and a 4-4-2 formation. The 4-4-2 going out of fashion has killed Still to an extent because his way of playing is far less effective in a 4-3-3. But the emergence of the wide forward has meant he's had to try and adapt. Percentage football wise, that is Still to a tee. Get the ball forward as quickly as possible and play in the final third. Ball down, out wide, get a cross in to your strikers (who are both normally decent in the air and have good movement). Plus, I'd say we won the league when it was weaker and the standard of player down here wasn't as strong. His 'percentage' ideas back then created goals through sheer pressure where defences stand up better these days.

Last season, as one of our fans above rightly says, he should have won this league. We had a big budget and he made some very questionable signings. Morgan Ferrier was a great signing. But then we had Ferrier, Whitely and Fejiri (which is stonking for this level). All of whom were excellent with the ball but none of them could produce a decent cross. You're thinking, right, get a striker who can move, play with his feet and is decent at holding up the ball. We did have that in Ollie Hawkins (before he became disinterested). However, he went out and got Michael Cheek. A striker who is good in the air and thrives on crosses. Unfortunately, he's not the best mover, fairly average with his feet and was more of a fox in the box. So we were inbetween styles last season. He did bring in Dan Sparkes who can cross a ball but, in my opinion, isn't the best player and can be marked out of games by decent defences. Gone are the days of Danny Green, Sam Saunders and co whipping balls onto the head of Strevens and Benson.

So anyway, back to Barnet. It's very bizarre that he's taken Sparkes, Adams and Boucaud with him. Robson I can understand. He's a strong CB for this division and will be one of your better players. Boucaud is 33 and is a waning influence on games despite being neat and tidy. I'm yet to see what Adams offers. It wasn't goals or a real defensive shield so apart from recycling the ball, I don't know what you're going to get from him. And Sparkes will get you a few goals, a few nice set pieces but will have many games where he offers very little.

Still is at his best when he doesn't have a budget and he's forced to find young potential. His percentage football works with them as he irons out the inconsistencies and taps into the raw talent. I think he gets a bit lazy when he has wages to spend as he brings in old tried and tested but also players who may have done well elsewhere but will probably be less receptive to Still's fairly basic way of playing.

Barnet 1-1 Braintree is a score I can empathise with as I've seen so many Daggers home games under Still where we've gone forward long relentlessly and aimlessly having very few shots and then get sucker punched by the away side. They then close up and make it very difficult to find space whilst we still went forward long and in hope. Sometimes we nicked a goal, like you did last night. Other times, we would just end a game long ball after long ball and barely test the keeper.

I think you'll make the top 7. There will be sides who don't stand up to his way of playing. However, be prepared to have some awful away performances and also be prepared for some frustrating days at home.

Apologies for the essay but a lot of that just poured out.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Must say, and I think Urban and #Beebot have touched on it already, that you won't be going up with Still.

I'll always love the man for what he's achieved with us but he's right in the twilight of his career now and a lot of his ideas are looking rather dated. Back when we won this league 10-11 years ago, we did it with 'percentage football' and a 4-4-2 formation. The 4-4-2 going out of fashion has killed Still to an extent because his way of playing is far less effective in a 4-3-3. But the emergence of the wide forward has meant he's had to try and adapt. Percentage football wise, that is Still to a tee. Get the ball forward as quickly as possible and play in the final third. Ball down, out wide, get a cross in to your strikers (who are both normally decent in the air and have good movement). Plus, I'd say we won the league when it was weaker and the standard of player down here wasn't as strong. His 'percentage' ideas back then created goals through sheer pressure where defences stand up better these days.

Last season, as one of our fans above rightly says, he should have won this league. We had a big budget and he made some very questionable signings. Morgan Ferrier was a great signing. But then we had Ferrier, Whitely and Fejiri (which is stonking for this level). All of whom were excellent with the ball but none of them could produce a decent cross. You're thinking, right, get a striker who can move, play with his feet and is decent at holding up the ball. We did have that in Ollie Hawkins (before he became disinterested). However, he went out and got Michael Cheek. A striker who is good in the air and thrives on crosses. Unfortunately, he's not the best mover, fairly average with his feet and was more of a fox in the box. So we were inbetween styles last season. He did bring in Dan Sparkes who can cross a ball but, in my opinion, isn't the best player and can be marked out of games by decent defences. Gone are the days of Danny Green, Sam Saunders and co whipping balls onto the head of Strevens and Benson.

So anyway, back to Barnet. It's very bizarre that he's taken Sparkes, Adams and Boucaud with him. Robson I can understand. He's a strong CB for this division and will be one of your better players. Boucaud is 33 and is a waning influence on games despite being neat and tidy. I'm yet to see what Adams offers. It wasn't goals or a real defensive shield so apart from recycling the ball, I don't know what you're going to get from him. And Sparkes will get you a few goals, a few nice set pieces but will have many games where he offers very little.

Still is at his best when he doesn't have a budget and he's forced to find young potential. His percentage football works with them as he irons out the inconsistencies and taps into the raw talent. I think he gets a bit lazy when he has wages to spend as he brings in old tried and tested but also players who may have done well elsewhere but will probably be less receptive to Still's fairly basic way of playing.

Barnet 1-1 Braintree is a score I can empathise with as I've seen so many Daggers home games under Still where we've gone forward long relentlessly and aimlessly having very few shots and then get sucker punched by the away side. They then close up and make it very difficult to find space whilst we still went forward long and in hope. Sometimes we nicked a goal, like you did last night. Other times, we would just end a game long ball after long ball and barely test the keeper.

I think you'll make the top 7. There will be sides who don't stand up to his way of playing. However, be prepared to have some awful away performances and also be prepared for some frustrating days at home.

Apologies for the essay but a lot of that just poured out.

Sounds like a very accurate post and of course we've had experience of Still managing us before so can relate to most of this. In winning the league with Luton, it has to be said that he hit lucky in having Andre Gray as his forward.
I'm already getting the impression that Sparkes is great at delivering an accurate dead-ball delivery but that he will contribute very little in open play. This will put pressure on our central midfield, which will be often be outnumbered by the opposition. There wasn't much movement from our midfielders when he managed us before and this seems to be a problem again.
I will see for myself on Saturday!

 

[JaredSUFC]

If you like a nice pie then you won't realise just how unlucky you were that the season you got promoted, Kidderminster got relegated.

Fortunately we played Kiddy in the FA Cup in 13/14 season

 

[George Reilly's Hairpiece]

I'm not quite prepared to write us off after 2 games. Yesterday wasn't great, especially the first half, although I thought we improved greatly in the second. If we'd huffed and puffed and offered little else I would be concerned, but first half we just didn't turn up. Not sure why, although Still has alluded to maybe not working the players enough between games.

 

[John Still]

He's had his fill of Still Out chants from us over the years, sometimes in jest and sometimes not. I haven't yet had the privilege of seeing us play this season so this is all not filling me with anticipation.

Mind you, you lot appointing Peter Taylor after Still is like going from the frying pan into the fire especially with your financial issues.

Taylor has an impossible job, if he keeps us up on what he has to work with it will be some feat. I saw last night some better football played then I did in the most of last season on quarter of the budget. Certainly little hoofing going on.

 

[John Still]

You had a bigger budget than us at the start of last season? No wonder you’re in a mess.

Should be out of the mess come May. Cheek leaving last week was the last of the big earners to go. Don’t forget last season we had the parachute payment still which topped up the already inflated budget. Our usual budget would be about £750k without handouts.

 

[Leewilson]

Sounds like a very accurate post and of course we've had experience of Still managing us before so can relate to most of this. In winning the league with Luton, it has to be said that he hit lucky in having Andre Gray as his forward.
I'm already getting the impression that Sparkes is great at delivering an accurate dead-ball delivery but that he will contribute very little in open play. This will put pressure on our central midfield, which will be often be outnumbered by the opposition. There wasn't much movement from our midfielders when he managed us before and this seems to be a problem again.
I will see for myself on Saturday!

He was very lucky to have Andre Gray. I'll give him some credit though. He supplemented Gray with Benson and Guttridge, both very clever players with the ball. He also worked his magic with Pelly Ruddock and Mcgeehan.

That Barnet squad though is not inspiring me. If you'd signed Whitely, Ferrier and Fejiri from us, different story. But you seem to have taken a group of players who are good enough for upper mid table.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

With Alexander, Sweeney and Santos they have a fantastic defence at this level, (Jack?) Taylor has always looked class when I've seen him, Vilhete is more than good enough, Akinola was quality for Braintree at this level and Tarpey has the fire power to get them up if he's not perma injured. Just a shame half of them are injured. I'd strongly back Barnet to be up there at the end of the season.

 

[E10rifle]

Pretty happy with 2 points from our opening two games to be honest. Can’t moan about the late equaliser when we did the same thing on Saturday. Sharpen up the finishing and we’ll start winning a few games, even against the better sides. Central midfield still a yawningly obvious weakness.

Good attendance as well; we usually struggle to get over 3,500 in midweek.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

That was one of the best 0-0’s you are ever likely to see. Whether it was beautiful bits of play, fully committed tackling, top goalkeeping, lightning fast game, thunderous shots from distance that fall inches wide, it was great to watch, two good sides.
I’d say they just about shaded the first half as we didn’t get into them as much as we should have. Second half was completely different though, we battered them for a lot of the 45. We were in their faces, pressed harder and faster, moved the ball quicker and used the width to stretch them over and over again. Feel like I’m going to say this a lot this season, but what a player Maguire-Drew is, he just oozes quality. We didn’t even get him the game often enough last night, yet everything he did turned to gold. If his dancing run and 30 yard thunderbolt went in, that would have been something special. He got MOTM, although my choice would have been Luke Young, who was outstanding in midfield, a real driving force, mixed with quality bits of skill and ball control. Like JMD’s, it would have been something special if his rocket from distance went in too. No idea if Rutherford’s goal was offside or not, it looked close, but it probably wasn’t. He took the header very well though.
Fylde look a good side though. Very easy on the eye, neat and tidy on the ball and also pacey. Keeping Danny Rowe out of the game was key and that was largely down to him being trapped inside Pearson’s pocket the majority of the game.
Lainton deserves a mention too. He’s picked up a few negative comments in recent weeks for god knows what reason, but he was brilliant last night and made 2 or 3 crucial saves, including one deep inside the 6 yard box, no idea how he managed to save that one.
4 from 6 is a very good start after 2 tricky games, hopefully we can now build on this Saturday now and put in a good performance on tv for once.

 

[Fyldefan]

ive had a read of the Wrexham forum and they’re very complimentary about us, the problem we had, pretty much since challinor joined is that we are easy on the eye and play fast attacking football but we’ve always conceded too many goals, too easy to score against. What I would give for that Pearson. This season though although only 2 games in we look a lot more solid. I hope that remains. Byrne looks a great signing for us and although not very impressed with Burke last season he was our best player on Saturday and by all accounts played well last night. We need to get Montrose back quickly though and keep Rowe, although looking at rowe’s body language on Saturday it’s clear he wants out

 

[BarraMatt]

ive had a read of the Wrexham forum and they’re very complimentary about us, the problem we had, pretty much since challinor joined is that we are easy on the eye and play fast attacking football but we’ve always conceded too many goals, too easy to score against. What I would give for that Pearson. This season though although only 2 games in we look a lot more solid. I hope that remains. Byrne looks a great signing for us and although not very impressed with Burke last season he was our best player on Saturday and by all accounts played well last night. We need to get Montrose back quickly though and keep Rowe, although looking at rowe’s body language on Saturday it’s clear he wants out

I would be surprised if you managed to keep hold of him for another transfer window. Have you had any confirmed bids or hasn't anyone met your asking price?

 

[Fyldefan]

We’ve had confirmed bids from Cheltenham, Tranmere and chesterfield. I don’t know what the asking price is tbh. He deserves a crack in the football league, he’s done more than enough for us, the problem is we wouldn’t be able to replace him. A few accounts on twitter are saying we’ve bid 175k for a striker from Ayr. Not sure how true that is but if it true Danny will be leaving as the most we’ve ever paid is 50k