[PhilAnders]

Each team is allowed 3 opportunities during play to make substitutions. Half time does not count towards the 3 opportunities. If extra time is played in a game a sixth substitute is allowed! Teams are also permitted a concussion substitute ( a 7th in an extra time game) but the opposition are permitted a further substitute to square things up.

[PhilAnders]

I don’t think you can ever score to early, but it can change a teams mindset. For the team a goal up away from home, shall we stick with what we’ve got ( a fatal error with 80+ minutes to play) for the team a goal behind , we need to be more attack minded ( which can leave them open to counterattack!).

[PhilAnders]

What I would do if on the NL Board

1. Back the Referees decision in both games.
2. Given the late suspension of play in both games, Reinstate the results at the times of suspension as the final results and declare both fixtures completed ( Starbuck and Horton have thus served their disciplinary suspensions).
3. Refer any disciplinary action to the relevant committee for further consideration. This effectively separates any punishment on Wealdstone for not completing the fixture from the result of the game and allows them to plead mitigating circumstances for the mental health of their players in not completing the fixture. Any fine or points deduction is then mitigated in accordance with their supporting evidence.

This creates a split between what happened at Eastleigh (Referee Abandonment) and against Wealdstone (Refusal to obey Ref’s instruction to play). It sends a message to all clubs that getting a game called off won’t necessarily get you a replay and more importantly, ignoring the Ref’s instructions will lead to punishment beyond the points played for on the day. A Fine and a 3 point deduction should effectively take this play out of the Gamesmanship manual.

[PhilAnders]

For those that are interested, it was a “meat” pie. I use inverted coma’s because we have all experienced Football ground catering where the amount of meat can be questionable as to both quantity and animal of origin! I remember thinking that the Southend catering outlet had missed a trick not serving Jellied Eels. I recall having Black pudding and Mushy Peas at Bury!

[PhilAnders]

The National league have to act fast on this one, certainly before the York and Rochdale game on Tuesday evening, or a whole new area of “gamesmanship” has come into being. Leaving aside the decisions on our 2 suspended games, the league have to give guidance to Referees and Clubs on the following:
1. When a player stays down injured. When should a referee stop the game?
2. Who makes the initial assessment of the injury? The injured players club physio or the Match Doctor
3. Who makes the decision to treat the player on the pitch? Who makes the decision to move them off?
4. Once the player is off the pitch, what are the expectations on the behaviour of the remaining players?
5. In what circumstances should a referee abandon a game?
What sanctions will be placed on clubs who fail to follow protocol?

Of course, having done this, the league will then have to draw up a protocol concerning spectators. Far to many games are interrupted because of “medical emergencies” in the crowd!

[PhilAnders]

Well, when the league finally gets round to considering our suspended games then if they decide the Eastleigh game must be replayed , then Wealdstone will almost certainly argue that today’s should be as well. You could not make this shit up!

[PhilAnders]

I wonder. Just because the referee didn’t make the decision doesn’t mean that Wealdstone did. There is an England game tonight. Maybe all fixtures have to be finished by the time it kicks off and those that can’t be are abandoned! Then again, I could be talking Bollocks as Aldershot and Brackley Kicked off at 5.30!

[PhilAnders]

With regards to Eastleigh, League Management committee should have met as soon as it was known that both players involved were recovering. A decision should have been made regarding the status of the result, even if players were referred to the disciplinary committee for consideration. We would then have known how many future games we would be without Starbuck and Horton. It would also have put a stop to today’s shenanagans, as it would be clear and crystal what the situation re abandonment would be.

[PhilAnders]

I have always liked AB. First met him in the queue for a pie in the away end at Southend on a wet Tuesday night many years ago ( when he was travelling with the squad but not in the matchday selection). He spoke eloquently about pies! As people say, he seems clever enough, he has a football brain and when he tempers his bright ideas to fit the squad he has to work with (5 at the back!), he will be a very good manager!

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steelworks iron

[PhilAnders]

I think we are 5 at the back tonight with Chadwick and Denton as wing backs and Robert’s in the “hole” behind Carlton and DW.

[PhilAnders]

As commented in several posts by many contributors, our players appear to be more committed this season, throwing themselves in front of shots and passes to achieve blocks and disrupt the opposition. I think this sort of game lends itself to the sort of “knocks” we have been seeing. Makes me proud of the team to see them all putting their bodies on the line as they put in their “shift”.

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Iron-awe, Rene Artois, Deereyme66

[PhilAnders]

Back in the John Gayle days , Forrester and Eyre were both looking for his knock and flicks forward, while Alex was looking for his hold up passes back into midfield. Teams found it very difficult to play against. 25 years on and I think today’s footballer is looking for the ball to feet, and that’s the way they are taught to play.

[PhilAnders]

Given the injuries, I’m not optimistic about today. A decent crowd, but A poor game, a draw or a single goal defeat

[PhilAnders]

I find it strange that Fitz’s howler for the Chester goal in the play off final is never mentioned. I’d presumed because we won. Thus, While we are winning I’m prepared to extend the same goodwill to Campbell.

[PhilAnders]

I’m favouring a draw 1-1 Robert’s to score.

[PhilAnders]

Just read the BBC update. Football debts ( and HMRC) have been paid and the club is signing players. They are not hanging about!!

[PhilAnders]

Morecambe have 5 players under contract. They have 8 that extension deals were activated, but not fulfilled as wages for July were not paid. Two of these players found other clubs. I presume that as the wages for July and probably August have been paid by the new owners these players have returned to training. Training was suspended at the end of July because the insurance ran out. Presumably that has now been paid by the new owners. The club had a number of young players on youth details and I presume they to have returned to training. Thus without resorting to loans or free agent signings the club could fulfil its fixture on Saturday from within its own resources. That said no club trading took place in August until Monday or Tuesday. On presumes that, being professionals, the players did there own training runs and gym work and so in theory , are match fit. However, it’s a new manager( who presumes has watched videos from last season of the players in action) who will not have had time to coach the team into the style he wishes to play. Thus an “undercooked” team including a few young debutees will take to the field on Saturday. That said, they will get tremendous support from a bumper gate of the faithful. Logic says that Morecambe should lose, but it’s football and who knows!
Morecambe’s punishment for their infringement of league rules will be announced after the appropriate “hanging committee” has met. It is likely to be a points deduction and a transfer embargo until all football related and HMRC related debt is settled. Given the depth of Panjab Warriors (The new owners) pockets this will take a lot less time than it took to settle our debt. Then they will make some quality signings to improve the squad. As I’ve said in a previous thread. We need to play the postponed fixture asap. The “high” of being saved will carry them through a few games and then the grind of it all will put pressure on an inexperienced squad, especially away from home. Morecambe will be a different proposition in the New Year!

[PhilAnders]

Boy, that’s a brutally honest assessment! Wonder if AB would be this forthcoming. Not taking away anything from the Iron performance, you still have to beat whoever turns up to play, and we certainly did that. Possibly if Woking were as shite as Ardlet believes, we should have had a couple more!

[PhilAnders]

Decision time at Morecambe. A new manager, who does not know the squad, and a squad with only 9/10 experienced professionals, the rest being youth team (or if they can sign them in time) former Triallists if they play the game in front of a bumper crowd or postpone and take a few more points deduction. I’d play I think.

[PhilAnders]

It would appear that 24 players reported back for training yesterday. These were a mix of retained First teamers, youth players and free agent Triallists. It would thus appear that they will be able to field a squad ( albeit an inexperienced one) for their home game against Altrincham. Expect a bumper attendance!

[PhilAnders]

It would appear that Morecambe have approximately 8 players on extension deals which were not reactivated by the club not paying the players in July. Two of the players ( Burgoyne and White) are identified as moving to other clubs. The football whereabouts of the other 6 are unknown, but there is a presumption that if they were paid the money owed to them they would return to the club. Again whether this and additional loan signings could be achieved to create a squad for Saturday is a moot point. We shall see. A few fans might be asked to bring their boots!

[PhilAnders]

Thanks Rene. Things have obviously advanced since my search this morning. I think it unlikely Morecambe will be playing next Saturday. They still need to put together a squad! Presumably the NL will announce their sanctions in full once the documents supporting the new owners are received and found to be in order!

[PhilAnders]

With no reserve team giving them a run out is probably necessary. As long as it doesn’t affect the result!

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Sanfran49, lesgeo

[PhilAnders]

Danny Whitehall is full of shithousery but….he’s our shithouser! How many times over the years have we whinged at various opponents shithousers! If he keeps averaging a goal every 2 games, I don’t care and I feel no embarrassment whatsoever!

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Steve, glanford, MK Iron, Northumbiron, Awaywego, TheJuryeffsOut, iron64, Ex Officio, alcazar

[PhilAnders]

I think Chester were unlucky last season (they played us at GP) and if we’d have gone up as Champions, I think they would have won the play offs. They would be my tip. Macclesfield have splashed the cash so they would be my second tip.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Rene Artois

[PhilAnders]

2-0. Howe and Roberts

[PhilAnders]

I don’t have a problem with the competition giving game time to our second string players. They need a competitive game to show their desire to wear the shirt. I wasn’t at the game and haven’t watched the YouTube feed. Did anyone playing show a desire to wear the shirt on Saturday?

[PhilAnders]

Umble Pie for me for Tea, well done the Iron, a hardworking 3 points!

[PhilAnders]

Wow…4 at the back! No idea what we are going to play further forward as it depends where Mr Versatile ( Alfie Beestin) plays. A statement of intent?

[PhilAnders]

I’m optimistic for the season overall. I think we will finish 14-18th. My NAP for promotion is York, there is a reason Carlisle were relegated (Morecambe’s has become apparent) and I think they will be in the play offs. My optimism does not extend to today at Tamworth though and I hope we are lucky enough to come away with a draw. Brain tells me we will have 5 at the back, and despite a bench packed with forward minded players we will lose, probably 2/3-0/1.

[Author]

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