[Iron414]

Really poor performance again, one of the worst I’ve seen at GP in a while and I’m disliking the 3-5-2 (aka 5-3-2) more and more each game. We are offering very little attacking threat, as expected with playing fullbacks as wingbacks and we were lucky to get a point. Our points tally probably masks just how crap we’ve been the last 3. Subs were completely wrong and maybe having 5 subs isn’t as much of an advantage as first thought, as the changes seemed to disrupt what little rhythm we had. But don’t worry Deerey should be along soon to tell us how brilliant we were and that ‘Butlerball’ is the greatest football he’s ever seen. UTI!

[Iron414]

‘some were never happy about Butler being made head coach’

Correct – predicted he would play the ugly, defensive and direct football we are now seeing.

‘Dean getting the shove’

Incorrect – Was indifferent on Dean, though would still have kept him over Butler. As per Michelle the decision was financial.

‘and Butterfield being released’

Correct – was disappointed to lose him but seeing how direct we are he would have been wasted under Butler.

In the 3-5-2 think Ogle is the bigger miss as would have been better suited to the wing back role than any of our current full backs.

[Iron414]

Much like the Marine game, take the win but we made hard work of it and it was another awful watch. Slightly concerning that we are struggling to play against Marine and Market Needham who are both newly promoted and expected to be relegation fodder this season. Seems ‘Butlerball’ is ugly, direct with no intent to play with any quality. Much like a blueprint of Tamworth and maybe (hopefully) it will work to get us out of this pub league but note that Tamworth are struggling with their style of play at NL level. We have players that are technically good enough to keep possession and play football so can only assume the hoofball is an instruction from the manager. We didn’t deserve the three points but we got lucky so we take what we can. Agree with Lesgo’s point regarding gates though if we continue with this route 1 football. Whilst we are getting the results the crowds will turn up in numbers but when our luck runs out if we lose playing as dreadfully as last night those numbers will drop like a stone.

[Iron414]

How are peoples shirts holding up? I bought one for my nephew and he’s worn it twice and it looked a state already on Saturday. Misshapen, pulled and badge coming away. Wondering if it’s a quality issue or if his mother has put it on a boil!

[Iron414]

Well it was a tough watch, particularly the first half, but a wins a win. Robert’s not suited to the central role and is wasted in that position. He is technically our best player but if the wages are as reported I’d be inclined to encourage him to move on.
We looked like Tamworth on Saturday. Hard to break down, direct, scoring from a long throw.
I don’t like 3-5-2 but can’t argue with the results whilst we are getting them.

[Iron414]

Quick prediction before I set off for GP. I’m following my heart this time after the surprise result last week and going for 4-1 Iron. Danny Whitehall hat-trick… time for him to get the monkey off his back. UTI!

[Iron414]

We have a manager who’s unproven and has never managed a men’s team and we are playing a formation that I’ve not seen work at GP for over a decade (if that) and one that really doesn’t fit the players we have.
Predicting a loss doesn’t make you less of an iron fan.
2-0 Brackley. Hoping I’m wrong and would be happy with a draw away against tough opposition.

[Iron414]

MK Iron wrote:

Not winning automatic promotion would be just as big a disappointment as it was last season. Failure to reach the play offs would be a disaster.

I am massively thankful and very proud of all that helped save our club (including my own small efforts) but the time has come to focus on the journey going forward. A journey that needs to end back in the EFL.

Excellent post MK. Agree entirely. It’s time to move on from the turmoil of the last few years and embrace the fact that we are the biggest club in the league with the biggest budget (according to Michelle) and with that comes high expectations. If we don’t live up to those expectations it’s on Butler and the players. The ‘we’re lucky to have a club’ card has been played often enough now and isn’t something we need to hear repeated in the upcoming season.

2 users thanked author for this post.

inspector, Awaywego

[Iron414]

Odds checker still have us at 15/2 with Chester now favourites to win the league at 7/1. Brackley odds at 12/1 seem generous.

[Iron414]

I had the same issue when I lost access to my previous email account Tash. Best to re-register with your new email address so you can reset password easily if you ever need to.

1 user thanked author for this post.

cassidystash

[Iron414]

If we were adopting a system according to our players strengths:-

Fitz
Denton-Evans-Kougan-Barrows
Clunan
Scales-Brogan(or Rowley)
Law-Carlton-Roberts

The omission of Whitehall is controversial but he’s been poor in preseason so I’d roll the dice with Carlton.

Given 3 (read 5) at the back is a given I think Tash’s line up above is probably as good as it gets in that formation, but being that we’re away and playing a team who will be right up there expect a much more defensive line up, with full backs playing the wing back roles and a more defensive midfield so no Robert’s.

[Iron414]

Awaywego wrote:

Not that people can’t go without food for some it’s a really important part of the match day experience just the same as a pre match pint for others.

Fans may be able to go without food but the club certainly can’t go without the revenue provided by said food.

[Iron414]

Anderson wrote:

Been watching Southgate too much. And we know how that ended up. Let’s see how the line up is on Saturday
Let’s attack, no teams like that.If you set up to defend you are playing into
The opponents hands.

No surprises that both plied their trade as centre half’s. Putting a defender in charge and asking for creative and attacking football is like getting a plumber in to do your electics.

If we were playing a formation according to the personnel we have we would be sticking with 4-3-3 we saw last season and building on that whilst giving ourselves options and plan B and C for the times that it doesn’t work. Alas it appears Butler wants to totally rewrite the script.

I’d be surprised if we are still experimenting in the last game of preseason. By this point I’d expect us to be playing our starting XI and giving them valuable game time to gel.

Heart says 0-0 bore draw for Brackley game as would be happy with a point away against tough opposition but head says 2-0 Brackley.

[Iron414]

Wish him all the best. Certainly has some ability but perhaps needs to work on his application. Like Beestin he seemed to stagnate in the last season or so and will probably flourish with a new challenge.

[Iron414]

64 wrote:

Overrated in my opinion,people talk about him as some sort of Iron great, we didn’t even get one c full consistent out of him in the 6th tier of football.

Consistent enough for him to clean sweep the awards, get in team of the season and register the most assists in the division. If that’s a bad season for him I’d certainly have liked to keep him on to see a good one!

3 users thanked author for this post.

Northumbiron, cassidystash, inspector

[Iron414]

Nailed it there MK. Lots of shoe horning players into positions that are not their natural roles all as you’ve highlighted. I didn’t go to Barton but was at the Halifax game despite the result was underwhelmed. Were shaping up to be a defensive side with little creativity. Need someone in the middle of the pitch who can get on the ball, create and contribute with goals too. A little like the one we just waved off to Gateshead. It’s no good having two up front if they aren’t getting the service.

[Iron414]

Siderite wrote:

Iron414 wrote:

On a non-footballing side note the catering was well wide of the mark tonight. Girl serving looked like she was going to go into cardiac arrest at half time and the food was taking far too long to get out. Might the incinerated goat rise like a phoenix from the ashes next season?

I doubt the club would have the Goat back after their issues off the field. Saying no more.

Given they are in the food business I would imagine all of their issues are ‘off the field’? Unless I missed the signing of Mr Stamp as yet another centre half so we can play 10 defenders against Brackley? Jokes aside I’m not aware of the issues you refer to and in any case found their burgers to be a mixed bag last season. Hopefully the new guy can learn from tonight and up the service and quality ahead of the Marine game.

[Iron414]

ironfromafar wrote:

I wish JB every success where ever he plays .. cracking player and one we should of tried harder to keep .. pleased hes not in NLN…and donations to various causes notably the SUFC Gofundme page should never be forgotten.

I won’t forget his sizeable donation to our club when we were deep in the brown stuff and he hadn’t been paid himself. If my memory serves I don’t recall many (if any?) of our other players past or present donating, nor any of the coaching staff. Remember thinking Billy Sharp et al would have dipped their hands in their pockets but no. When the chips are down you really get the measure of a man and for me Butterfield was a classy bloke on and off the pitch.

As gutted as I am to see him go I think the Gateshead move will suit him. Possesion based team who play nice football. Caught a video on X, subsequent to seeing his announcement, of their friendly on Tuesday V Carlisle and their build up play looked alarming good for the level. And no surprise to see JB heavily involved and already got his first assist for them.

I can’t believe we couldn’t compete with Gateshead financially when you look at their gates vs ours. Which can only lead one to believe that it was indeed a footballing decision why he didn’t stay on.

As for labelling our new signings as his replacement, think that’s unfair on them and can only add pressure as they are very big boots to fill and you can’t really compare Brogan or Rowley to JB’s quality or experience.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Awaywego

[Iron414]

I agree the amount of things we are touting out for ‘sponsoring’ is becoming cringeworthy but it’s a case of needs must for the club and the board. That said I do hope once the debts are clear we will reign it all in abit.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Awaywego

[Iron414]

On a non-footballing side note the catering was well wide of the mark tonight. Girl serving looked like she was going to go into cardiac arrest at half time and the food was taking far too long to get out. Might the incinerated goat rise like a phoenix from the ashes next season?

[Iron414]

5 at the back under Butler? Who’d of thunk it!

[Iron414]

Awaywego wrote:

The ruse what exactly was that Iron414.

Unfortunately I can’t confirm the motives of a mad man AWG. But to speculate maybe it was his ego and he liked the clout that came with being ‘owner of a football club’. He was pretty quick to slap the 1RON reg onto his understated (not) car, so he certainly wasn’t trying to be discreet about his position of power.

Or maybe he was financially driven and he kept up the jig until the season ticket and sponsorship money had come in. He ditched us pretty soon after.

I don’t think we will ever fully know the motives or the true extent of what went on during that time but I’m glad he’s in our past and we can move forward with Michelle and co at the helm.

[Iron414]

Evan’s would also be my captain. Solid professional and comes across as a great chap. Loves the club too, I remember seeing him close to tears at the end of the play off heartbreak game last season.

I think Clunan gets more stick than he deserves, though his form did dip after the first few months of last season. Maybe fatherhood and the long daily commute from Kings Lynn are taking their toll?

Beestin has underperformed / been injury stricken for the last 2 seasons and I think he has stagnated somewhat with us and would have benefitted from a move this summer. Agree he did look fitter on Saturday but with Andy ear-marking him for a strikers role and with Carlton impressing and Whitehall an ever present, I can’t see him starting many games this season.

Agree Robert’s has to start, purely for the club to get some return on the large salary investment made, but I’m not sure we will see the best of him in the number 10 role. Feels abit square pegs round holes. Think Rowley is more of a natural fit as a 10 but it would be criminal to have someone with Robert’s quality sat on the bench all season.

[Iron414]

Apollo11 wrote:

How did you come to that conclusion ?

Because (a couple of moments aside) we were dull to watch, we didn’t create that many chances and we allowed too many opposition chances to develop.

As to be expected after the departure of our most creative player and with an ex-defender in charge. I thought Carlton long name looked the best of our summer recruits but will need the service for us to see the best of him. Beestin looked fitter than he has for a long time but remains to be seen if he can manage the whole season without breaking down again.

[Iron414]

ironfromafar wrote:

Apollo11 wrote:

It’s saddening but on this evidence I really don’t expect us to do anything this season.

After all the recent years of turmoil the club hit rock bottom and is on the up … i think this coming season will be one of stability .. it would be nice to be up and around the top of the table go keep the attendances up but like Appollo im not overly enthused and certainly not confident or predicting promotion .. IMO a long hard season awaits plenty of twists n turns for sure and its play offs at best.

UTI

All Sounds abit too bloody sensible for this forum boys. If you want to fit in round here you have to be in Deereys dreamland, where we win the league by Christmas, Butler comes out of retirement and guides us to a record breaking 26 game clean sheet run and the great Alfie Beestin pips Mbappe to the 2025 Balon d’or. Get with the programme gents!

[Iron414]

Awaywego wrote:

He paid the bills till obviously he said he would stop, just the same as Swanny.

Hilton paid SOME OF the bills. Those that he needed to pay so he could keep up the ruse I.e players and staff wages and HMRC, those that were critical to keep football operations going. The rest went unpaid and were left for Michelle and co to pick up. Utilities, Kelme kit bill, pension payments, agents fees, amongst many many more that he let mount up and Michelle spoke about openly in an interview a few months ago.

4 users thanked author for this post.

ironfromafar, MK Iron, steelworks iron, Siderite

[Iron414]

Managed to find the interview on BBC sounds (navigating that website needs a degree in computer science) and agree that the justification sounds like horse excrement. If we have any spare cash sloshing around I’m hoping we might bring in a seasoned wing back as feels a bit square pegs round holes in those areas. A third keeper should not be on the wish list when we have a squad of only 20 and 7 seats on the bench to fill this season.

1 user thanked author for this post.

ironfromafar

[Iron414]

This time last year the odds on us winning the league were 5/2. Bookies offering triple that return this year. Obviously seeing it the same as many of us, a tougher league with a weaker squad. Sorry to disappoint Deerey, keep your head in that sand kidda!

[Iron414]

Thanks for this. Had missed the interview so good to have a summary and some reassurance that Fitzsimons isn’t leaving. Can’t see why we need 3 GK’s though, we didn’t even have 3 last season.

[Iron414]

Think a favour would be letting him train with us, but to play him 90 mins in a game (albeit a friendly), at the expense of getting minutes into our existing keepers… I reckon thats more like a potential signing.

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Sharp_Shooter24

[Author]

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