[PhilAnders]

Obviously the best result for us would have been a draw. While this result does mean Kiddy have a better goal difference and goals for, we have a 2 point gap. We just have to win on Saturday, and win well. Let’s focus on one game at a time. Will Whitehall be back for the weekend?

[PhilAnders]

For me, these are our 2 main rivals, and should either lose on Tuesday evening, they will effectively be out of the race as it is unlikely that both ourselves and the winner of the game will both slip up in the remaining 6 games. That said, I agree with all the contributors so far that we need to play with the same commitment and skill as we did against Chester on Saturday. Spennymoor, Kings Lynn and Hereford are all challenging for play off spots and will be hard to beat and will require our A game to deliver the win

[PhilAnders]

I think we might see the return of 5 at the back tonight…but hopefully only in the last 20 minutes if we are a goal up or hanging on for a draw! And if that’s the case, I for one won’t be critical!

[PhilAnders]

For me, it’s still a little more than a three horse race. The stats in our favour are we have lost fewer games than anybody else, scored more ( just) and conceded less. For me however, we haven’t won enough games. Last year Tamworth won 29 and we have won 17, against Chester’s 19 wins and Brackley’s and Buxton’s 18. Kings Lynn have won 16. Kiddy , Curzon, Chorley and Hereford have all won 15. We definitely have to not lose to the other teams in this mix we have left to play and beat everybody else. And that will be good enough for a play off spot! Beat Chester, Kiddy and our bogey team Buxton and we should be champions! The week we play Kiddy and Buxton away will be a big week!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Sanfran49

[PhilAnders]

I got depressed rather than bored. As you are aware, the wheels started to come off the AB express after our defeat to Scarborough away. Probably, as you guys have pointed out, teams got wise to our style of play and worked out how to nullify it! And we did not change!!! In my opinion, it was this period (Sept,Oct,Nov) when our chancesof automatic promotion were pissed away. On the several occasions that I have returned to look at the video clips of games, it just reminds me of how poor we have played! I have not changed my mind however on what I said in August, Kidderminster and Curzon Ashton will be the teams to beat and whichever one of those doesn’t win the NLN then they will have to be beaten, at their ground, by whoever does come up via the playoffs….that said, Boston got through playing away last year. Maybe we haven’t seen the back of 5 at the back and three in midfield! The tactic of not conceding and sneaking a goal is ideal for that scenario!

[PhilAnders]

I think the thing is that the better players in this team who can’t be arsed will be replaced by a lower standard as the budget is cut. We may well at this point go part time. We are in this league for the long haul!

[PhilAnders]

Was that Match as shyte as it looked on the Twitter feed? It’s painful seeing us become an established NLN team!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Iron414

[PhilAnders]

And Goalless at the Interval.

[PhilAnders]

Watching the Twitter /X feed. Evans MOTM so far, both in defence and attack! Says it all really!

[PhilAnders]

5-2-3 or 3-4-3 ? Either way I think it will be hoofball today. We might score a goal or two, but Alfreton will get one more. Sorry to say another disjointed performance and another defeat.

[PhilAnders]

My take on recent results, performances and back room staff comings and goings is that there is again below the surface turbulence at the club counter to the UNITY message displayed publicly. I have no idea the source of the turbulence but whatever it is, we need calmer waters again quickly or we risk be stranded in the Established National League North team sea for many seasons to come!

3 users thanked author for this post.

CMC, Rene Artois, another fed up fan

[PhilAnders]

Thinking on AB’s dilemma, I’d stick with the same team as Tuesday with the exception of rotating Boyce for Nicholson. That should ensure we have the height to deal with their set piece threat, but of course, we still lack a tall guy in midfield. If we knock the ball long, Fishburn and Whitehall should give us enough to get kickbacks to Roberts or Beestin. Don’t expect much to be going out wide, as I think we will be five at the back ( six with Clunan sitting in). Head says draw, heart hopes we nick it by the odd goal!

[PhilAnders]

I think these tables provide as good an analysis of teams rather than me trawling through video footage. Southport are a decent side, especially at home and this provides AB with a dilemma. Does he go with the same team as Tuesday night and play two tall guys up top, or will he shore up midfield ( with the return of Scales) and withdraw the wing backs 20yards? Decisions, Decisions!!!

[PhilAnders]

AB doesn’t make a secret of his thinking “ If you don’t concede, you can’t lose” and this logic is very commendable when playing away at our promotion rivals. Where it comes unstuck is when we play sides at the AA who get every player behind the ball and try to hit us on the break. All the space is across our back 5 and to keep position, they pass to one another … or play a poor ball through to the front players and lose possession. Posters on this board are correct, if we must play with wing backs then at the AA they have to play 20 yards further forward. Starting with Scales at Right WB and Laws at Left WB is worth a try. They are unlikely to be exposed defensively by a team who have come to “Park the Bus”, although our opponents tactics may change if we go a goal up, so I’d have Barrows and Denton in the bench just in case we had to”hold on” to the one! Who would you play in midfield and who upfront?

[PhilAnders]

Well there we go, my Humble Pie is already in the oven. Can’t be to critical over a dogged point at Chester. It’s not the draws away at promotion rivals that upset me…. It’s the failure to beat bottom half of the table opposition at the AA! Let’s see what Tuesday brings!

1 user thanked author for this post.

lesgeo

[PhilAnders]

FPT …. Curzon!

[PhilAnders]

I see we are off the top of the table already ! Carson 1-0 Hereford!

[PhilAnders]

Strategy 1. An Academy

Pro’s “They’re one of our own!”
Con’s Expensive to set up and run. High attrition rate.

[PhilAnders]

I agree with everything that’s been said on this Forum about this young man, but I’m afraid you have more chance of seeing a pig flying over The Attis Arena than see this young man play there for Scunthorpe United. All the usual excuses for not signing him will be trotted out or there will be complete silence on the matter. An NL or a League 2 club will take a punt and 5 years from now he will be banging them in at a much higher level. And we will be left with what might have beens.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Rene Artois

[PhilAnders]

Without a change in the system or personne, Chester will prove to strong for us on Saturday.2 or 3-0. We will not be top of the table at 5pm!

[PhilAnders]

Thanks for that Rene. I think that form table says it all. I don’t think we are any where close to pasting anybody. If anything, we are due a pasting! Our next league opponents could well provide it! I have decided not to do any more “scouting” reports. Knowing our opponents weaknesses are useless if we cannot play to exploit them. Knowing our weaknesses and our opponents strengths just makes me depressed!

2 users thanked author for this post.

Sharp_Shooter24, ironfromafar

[PhilAnders]

Well, if he can’t see what is wrong and fix it ( either by altering our style of play or getting in new personnel) then the wisdom of an extended contract is to be questioned. Others, wiser than me have pointed out the the league is not won in October ….. makes you wonder what the board were thinking!

6 users thanked author for this post.

North Lincolnshire Irons, Iron414, Awaywego, Sharp_Shooter24, RoamingBull, Rene Artois

[PhilAnders]

Oh dear. Poor performance from the Iron. I don’t think we will be top of the league after the Chester game and it may be some time before we regain it! But it will be a different Scunthorpe side ( either in the way we play or personnel) when we do. Buttlerball has had its day!

4 users thanked author for this post.

Iron414, Sharp_Shooter24, Ironawe, Awaywego

[PhilAnders]

I agree with IFA, unless we score early doors, I can’t see us winning this one on our current form. If they can hold out the first half then they will hold out the second! 1-1 for me!

[PhilAnders]

Yes. Lack of first half urgency, passing accuracy, creativity.

[PhilAnders]

Oxford City were relegated last season bottom of the National League 12 points adrift of the second from bottom, some 20 points from safety. They won only 8 games and conceded 94 goals. Little wonder then the bookies had them at 16/1 to bounce back at the first attempt this season.

Marine (a1-1)Darlington (h2-2) Curzon (a0-1) South Shields (h1-4) Kidderminster (a0-4) Chorley (h2-2). Their midweek game against Peterborough Sports{ since lost 3-1) and their weekend game against Leamington ( since lost 4-1)during the first week of September were postponed because they had 3 players called up to the Guyana international squad and one to the St Kitt’s! Rather perversely then, they sit second bottom of the NLN pile with one win at home against Needham Market (3-0)to their name.Oxford’s Goal Difference is minus 10! Last weekend they exited the FA Cup losing at home 2-3 to Gosport Borough, a team one level below in them the pyramid.

There is little to say apart from they started the season fairly reasonably, but more recently have looked woeful defensively and wasteful in front of goal. They have sacked their manager and a previously successful manager (Ross Jenkins) has returned. He was in charge for the FA Cup .we need to beware the “new manager” performance!

To me this is one when we will either fill our boots or be held to a very frustrating draw. If we don’t start at a high tempo and score early, I fear the latter!

[PhilAnders]

I have the Freeview app, it plays TV through the channel apps ( iPlayer, ITVX) How do you get it to load and play RH? O

[PhilAnders]

I’d like to see who’s fit to play before I make a prediction. I don’t think Whitehall or Carlton will be risked. It’s whether we try and play with one up top that will determine how many we ( don’t) score!

1 user thanked author for this post.

cassidystash

[PhilAnders]

We have a few Tossers in the crowd ( flares, beer etc) perhaps the resulting club FA fines could be sponsored by W.Anchor and Co?

[PhilAnders]

Well he knows the club from his youth team days. I don’t have anyone particular in mind.

1 user thanked author for this post.

TheJuryeffsOut

[Author]

Posts