[PhilAnders]

World cups and European Nations championships provide an opportunity for smaller teams to learn from the maestros. What we learned from tonight’s England performance is that setting up defensively, snatching a goal and then getting even more defensive doesn’t work. This tactic of attempting to nullify your opponents play, while having no clear attacking strategy of your own is doomed to fail. I hope AB thinks about this when considering the merits of 5 at the back at Southend, Eastleigh and Carlisle!

[PhilAnders]

As I don’t buy replica shirts, I am not too pernicketty about the design. The club colours are claret and light blue and this Home shirt that contains both these colours I’m happy with. As for the logos, well they generate cash from sponsors, which for me is better than some of the schemes the club has come up with to remove money from my wallet!

2 users thanked author for this post.

alcazar, MK Iron

[PhilAnders]

We will know how good this squad is by the end of August given we face Carlisle and Southend away. I think we will be able to make some very accurate predictions on where we will finish based on the first 5 games!

1 user thanked author for this post.

alcazar

[PhilAnders]

I agree with MK Iron that the squad is stronger, but the first 11 weaker, due to the absence of Roberts. However, I’m hopeful that we have the experience and the subs to be able to close out games when we are in front!

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Deereyme66, Sanfran49

[PhilAnders]

Neither Butterfield or Barrows have the legs for a full game for me. Butterfield off the bench may be a very good option. Barrows, laying out the kit and warming up the defenders also a good option, but not from the bench. The conundrum really is 2 or 3 in midfield. 5 at the back looks nailed on to me, unless whoever plays wide is capable of dropping back and defending, and then AB might risk 4 for a half at home.

[PhilAnders]

I forecast 17 th last year with 60 points, nowhere near. I think the squad is stronger, but whether or not we can challenge for promotion depend s on two thing. Firstly, stop conceding sloppy goals, particularly in the last 10 mins of games. Secondly, compensate for the lack of Cal Robert’s goals. To do this, we must play with 2 up top, and the rest of the team must contribute with goals from center backs and central midfield. If we can meet both these targets, challenging is again within our grasp. Fail on one and we will be mid table. Fail on both and we will be in the bottom 7!

[PhilAnders]

I’m hoping that both Smith and Hurst come good this year as I was not impressed by either last season. I agree that Midfield ( wide and central) need to step up to the mark with some goals between them! Tracking back and helping out when the defence is under the pump would be good too! That wasn’t Cal Roberts’s forte!

[PhilAnders]

I hope I’m proved wrong but apart from Hurst, and what we pick up cheap from trials, I think our signings are done. I hope we play 442 this season ( at the very least at the AAGP. With Declan Howe and DW up top. That is the only way I can see us covering Robert’s Goal Tally. Barrows will become more of a player/staff person. Do we need a Kit Man? He will play, but only if we have poor form or injuries. He will also be first on the list of Benchwarmers, along with those we pick up in the Car Boot Sail ( Triallists) and our usual crop of poor initial loanees.

[PhilAnders]

To my mind, we won’t be close to achieving sustainability until we have a development set up and start producing a player or two every season to fit into the squad. These should be our “benchwarmers” rather than loanees or players plucked from trials. I view the club as struggling financially until it can start to do this. Thus whatever it takes ( providing it’s moral and not illegal) to fund the club is OK by me!

[PhilAnders]

There is an order to things at SUFC
1. The announcement of the retained list.
2. The announcement of out of contract players signing elsewhere
3. The announcement of a draft pre season friendly programme
4. The announcement of a marque signing/re signings of OOC players
5. The announcement of a finalised preseason programme
6. Players reporting back for training
4/5/6 may be interchangeable
7. The appearance of triallists ABCDEFGHI and J in said pre season games
8. Start of Season
9. The announcement of Triallists ABC and D signing 1 year “bench warmer” terms
10. The announcement of season long loans for players you have probably never heard of.
We are only currently of step 2 of the process!

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BigLeftToe

[PhilAnders]

Couple of things I need clearing up on. The first is to do with the National league. Isn’t it introducing some sort of salary cap next season? And secondly to do with the players. Isn’t Boyce retiring?

[PhilAnders]

In my mind, we start with our best team as permanent players. Loanees add to this

Gk New signing, L Jones as No 2
RWB Belahounn or Rose or PJones
CB New Signing or Rose
CB Evans
CB New Signing or Horton
LWB Denton or Horton or PJones
CMF New SIgning or Beestin
CMF Rowley or Smith
CMF Westbrook ( if he signs) or Smith
CF Whitehall
CF Howe

[PhilAnders]

I think both Ewing and Roberts will leave, and personally While I would offer Westbrooke a contract, I wouldn’t get into a bidding war for him. Myself, I feel that the key to our success next season is playing Howe and Whitehead together as a 2 up top. This will involve us either going to a 2 in midfield , with 4 at the back or a 5 in midfield with 3 at the back. With the latter ( which we know is a Butler favorite) we will need to find a couple of Center backs and a midfielder who can ping a pass. The fact that we need a Goalkeeper has been obvious all season! These 4 players must be permanent signings, not loanees! UTI

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neil

[PhilAnders]

The 2 things required to win the play offs are form and confidence. We have neither, Southend are the team with those at the moment and it’s them we need to avoid in the quarters or semis. If that means finishing 6th or 7th then I’m happy with that. Currently, it’s Borehamwood vs Southend and my money would be on Southend! I wouldn’t mind FGR or Borehamwood home or away.

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cassidystash

[PhilAnders]

I think you have identified the problem Deereyme, Midfield. Butler has consistently played a 3 or a 5, thereby protecting a weak back 4 and GK. if we can improve our defence over the summer and sign a decent defensive centre midfield who can pass then I would say 442 should be our preferred option with 2 strikers.

[PhilAnders]

I think you got the match 18 right IFA, I don’t think Beestin Howe or Evan’s will start. Thinking radically ( something AB is resistant to) I would start with Howe rather than Whitehall and look to get as many balls through or over their defenders as possible or round the fullbacks and low into the box. Would have the element of surprise and would suit Dec. It would mean starting Evans and Boyce to add back the height at set pieces from not playing Whitehall. JB and Horton for me as full backs. Obviously Cal Roberts and Pat Jones out wide and I’d start with Rowley, Ewing and Westbrooke in midfield. Definitely would bring on Whitehall, Beestin and Dausch second half to pose questions of the Halifax midfield and defence. That said, I think another 2-2 draw on the cards!

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Rene Artois

[PhilAnders]

Kian Scales could be recalled from Radcliffe to cover Midfield and Right Back, JB could the provide a bit of pace at centre back and Horton switch back to LB! I don’t see joey Dawson filling Leo Farrell’s boots!

[PhilAnders]

The “ Jones Factor” applies to both Jones, players brought in this season that have improved the squad. What I’m asking the Forum is “What other gems lurk in the NL or NLN/S that we could afford to sign and would improve our team?”. I agree that we probably need to sign 7 or so players for the overhaul. One of them could be Westbrooke, as he is out of contract at Donny this summer. Here is your chance to Name those players for other clubs who you have seen and thought,”they could do a great job for us” I hope to see a lot of defenders among your nominations!

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lesgeo

[PhilAnders]

I can’t forecast the result until I know which iron team has turned up. If it’s the one that presses the opposition and gets the ball forward quickly and accurately, then I can’t see us losing. If it’s the one that looks like it’s never played together before and therefore it must be someone else’s job to mark, press or shoot, then who knows the result. Truro 2-0 or 2-1 or will we be lucky and get a draw!

[PhilAnders]

If I won 181 million I’d buy the Ground and The Training Ground and give the deeds to the Trust. Together with a few million quid to improve both and run it day to day. I would allow the club offices, shop and matches rent free ( the club can keep the revenue from the shop, games and programmes) but haven’t decided about other cash generated at the ground ( parking, refreshments, iron bar). I’m sure the board would give due deference to the Trust if they were the Landlords!

[PhilAnders]

Looking at the team, the defence will leak a couple of goals. Further forward, it’s a question of where Roberts and Smith play off Whitehall. Roberts as an out and out winger, Smith close to Whitehall us scoring 3 or 4 is not impossible. Roberts in a midfield diamond or in a defensive midfield 5 we won’t have the firepower up front so a defeat is on the cards. Subs play a part. If we are a goal down at halftime and AB’s subs and tactical changes are more attacking, then it’s possible we could nick it second half. However if we are leading with 10 mins to go and there are a raft of subs aimed at Sitting on the lead or holding on the draw then we will probably lose or at best, escape with a draw.

[PhilAnders]

I think Saturday’s result depends on which AB turns up to do the team selection and team talk. If it’s the aggressive “I demand a win” AB who plays Robert’s Wide on the right Whitehall and Farrell as a front 2, we will probably get it! If it’s “let’s not lose” AB who plays Whitehall up top on his own with Roberts at the top of a midfield diamond, then we will concede early goals and lose. If it’s “in two minds” AB then a raft of second half subs will ensure a draw or defeat! Renee will set the odds on which AB it will be!

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lesgeo, Sanfran49, Bhuna5

[PhilAnders]

This thread is one of the most insightful I have ever seen on this Forum and SODIron must be congratulated for his leadership in this matter. Now it’s up to the club to read and digest these comments which are a constructive criticism of recent events. Ignoring them or dismissing them as an idle rant would be a drastic error.

6 users thanked author for this post.

alcazar, Sanfran49, lesgeo, Rene Artois, Bhuna5, SODIron

[PhilAnders]

PS, for what it’s worth, we need to create a 4 point gap between our current points total and Braintree’s to be mathematically “safe” from relegation, currently, only the top three in our league have achieved that!

2 users thanked author for this post.

Bhuna5, SODIron

[PhilAnders]

This is an excellent lead post and mirrors my own sport coaching experience, not at an elite a level as SODIron. For my own part in framing the narrative. I confidently predicted last July on this very Forum that we would comfortably finish 16th with 60 points, without being involved in a relegation battle. For that Mea Culpa! I cannot therefore bring criticism to bear on the board or AB and his management team for setting the same narrative! Although I would agree that in Elite sport that one should be constantly refining and reframing objectives based on the current situation/performance levels and this has not been done. It is a strategic learning point ( rather than a tactical point that Robert’s is better as a right winger than a classical 10) and something the club and the team manager will have to address quickly moving forward.

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alcazar, Bhuna5, SODIron

[PhilAnders]

Tahir looks quick, suspect he will be at left back with Farrell in front of him on the left off Whitehall. If he clicks he may move more central when Whitehall departs. It’s a bit risky playing 2 young lads from the off when they appear to have just arrived, or have they been masquerading as Triallist’s A and B all week?

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Bhuna5

[PhilAnders]

He’s a big lad (6’3” and quite broad shouldered on his photos) but not a great goal scorer. I suspect he will be coming on as sub for Whitehall. If the ball into him “sticks” and he plays it off to a Scunny player then I will be happy…. At least that will stop the ball coming straight back at our defenders!

[PhilAnders]

I was surprised that we scored a couple today. It would be easy to blame Butler,but he can only play the players that are fit and available and those that played today are not play off material. Butler’s only sin ( in my eyes) is that he fails to acknowledge this. In public, this can be put down to defending the “Team” but in private, if he is not aware, then he is a fool. I don’t think we will be in the play off slots in the New Year, and I will have a very nervy time this winter, until we reach 50plus points. My pre season prediction was we will finish 16th, but not be in a relegation dogfight ( and at the time I felt I was being positive!)I think my £10 is looking a safe bet at the moment.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Bhuna5

[PhilAnders]

Good call with the score Renee. Can only see us scoring from a set piece, no creativity otherwise.

[PhilAnders]

3points separate Top Six, and 7 Points to 7th. Southend and those below face being out of the race by NYE, with only the one play off spot to fight over!
And now it is a test of our nerve. Don’t blink just find away to win every game till NYE. We may not be top, but we will sure as hell be breathing down the neck of whoever is! UTI

[Author]

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