[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.

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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.

[PhilAnders]

I agree with CT about Butler’s starting XI, which I think he will change when we go 2-0 down. A much more fluid 442 will allow us to come back into the game and snatch a draw (2-2)! UTI!

[PhilAnders]

Campbell will start, and Rose and Denton. Whitehall if he is fit and Alfie Beestin, though where he will be asked to play Lord knows!

[PhilAnders]

Are we keeping Simmonds, Shipstone and Gjoshe or what. If not, why are they on the bench on the last pre season friendly?

[PhilAnders]

Given that they were on the bench and did not figure yesterday have we now seen the last of Shipstone and Simmonds? In his post Spennymoor video, AB alluded to a game ( unscheduled as far as I can see) on Tuesday. Does anyone know about where this is and who our opponents may be? Will the alleged signing this week be a player we know something about ( eg Rose on season long loan) or an entirely new face?

[PhilAnders]

I agree, I think those two are also essential.

[PhilAnders]

The PFA non contract 22 for their game at Port Vale on Saturday just popped onto my FB feed. Top of the list Hakeeb Adelekan! There are a few other notables in there and there must be a couple of GK’s who are worth considering. A challenge for those more knowledgeable than me to identify them from the list of names!

[PhilAnders]

Given our increase in the number of Strikers at the club, I think the Triallists who play in that position really will need to be special to earn a contract. The defensive midfielder, defender and GK may just have to be considered “good enough for the money” to earn a deal.

[PhilAnders]

I think we have probably seen the end of the new Triallists. We have a few that we will continue to look at in the next week or so, but unless it’s a GK or holding midfielder I don’t think we will see anybody we haven’t seen before. Of those that have played so far, do you think any are worth a cheap and cheerful contract?

[PhilAnders]

A GK for the second half..Johnson and a lad called Simmonds any help identifying gratefully received!

[PhilAnders]

Chapman? Anybody know who he is?

[PhilAnders]

Same set up tonight with the current batch of Triallists, then over the next few days there will be a cull. We may keep one or two on and see how they go at Cleethorpes. Might be some new Triallists in next week, who knows, a GK may well be one of them!

[PhilAnders]

Dog turd in the Car Park? Surely Pedigree Chum or Lassie would sponsor that. And while we are on the subject, does anyone know why they stopped putting chalk into dog food? Made the white turds easier to avoid at night!

[PhilAnders]

Shipstone, Gjoshe, Munoz?

[PhilAnders]

Dawes and Uppal anybody?

[PhilAnders]

While AB made it pretty clear in his interview that Maison Campbell will be No 1 he surely isn’t daft enough to believe we can start the season with only one GK in the building? ( Given it may well be September before he can sign an EFL loanee). I expect to see one ( or more) Triallist GK’s between the sticks in the upcoming friendlies!

[PhilAnders]

In my youth, when I worked in Grimsby, local workmates gave me the tip “Never buy from a Chippy that hasn’t got a queue”. This was based on the view that the fish was cooked fresh and to order and hanging about for a few minutes was worth the wait!

[PhilAnders]

Any idea who it is on the FB post if not Louis Jones?

[PhilAnders]

According to FB Scunny Fans page, Lewis Jones, the ex Donny GK is one of the Triallists. Can anyone name the others?

[PhilAnders]

I don’t think there is much to comment on. Some of the players have reported back for training, others next week. Some offered contracts still haven’t committed. First pre season game next Friday where I confidently predict we will see Triallist A in goal, Triallist B at right back, Triallist C at Center Back and Triallist D as a holding midfielder. Maybe a Triallist E on the left side of Midfield. Everyone else will be shoehorned in around those positions.

[Author]

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