[PhilAnders]

Even given yesterday’s result, I see no reason to change my assessment of AB’s performance. The one thing I would add is he does now appear eager to learn. His next test is the retention of key players and summer recruitment. If we have to rely on trials to fill the numbers then in the NL that could be the first sign of trouble!

[PhilAnders]

I think you will find that up until the teams are announced the club will state Roberts is 50:50. I have to say, that with 7 subs, if he’s fit to take a penalty, I’d have him on the bench!

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iron64

[PhilAnders]

I agree IronIronIron, we need to focus on our own club, not others. The names Hilton and Swann bring forth so many unhappy memories I just don’t want to go there anymore. If either of them are reeking their own brand of havoc at any other football club then I don’t see why that is a headline act on this forum.

[PhilAnders]

This is going to be close, because all games of this nature are. I think we will win, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a Fitzsimmons penalty save AET that does it! Apart from the GK, all the other Subs must be able ( and willing) to take a successful penalty!

[PhilAnders]

You do have a point Ironking. A lot of off field drama for a club championing “Unity”. However, I share Lesgeo’s views that the persistence with 5 at the back long after opponents had wised to it was the main reason we didn’t win this league by a similar margin to Tamworth last season. Our recent away form ( losses at Kidderminster, Radcliffe and Kings Lynn) meant we were vulnerable to Brackley’s late surge. What influence the off field events had on team performance we will never know!

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lesgeo, Awaywego

[PhilAnders]

I think it unlikely we will win at both KLT and Hereford and thus we will not win the league. I agree that 3rd place is the most likely spot. I feel that we will win our home semi final ( whoever we play) but we will lose in the final. Progress from last year?

[PhilAnders]

The pressure on ourselves, Kiddy and Brackley is identical. We all have positives in our favour. We have the point advantage. Kiddy, the best goal difference ( and goals scored) and Brackley, on paper, the easiest run in. All the games that remain for us this season are massive, whether we are top of the league or not, as today’s results saw us cement our place in the play offs). Like many, I thought we would draw today and at 5pm I was a very happy man. I agree with all the posters who have said, we need to go for it from the off, in all 3 remaining games. Based on today’s performance, I’d make one change for KLT: Carlton starting for Alfie Beestin. If Whitehall regains his fitness to play in any games this season, in my opinion, it should be from the bench, maybe in place of Campbell ( or is Fitz carrying an injury and AB worries he might break down?)

[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!

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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!

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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

[Author]

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