[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.

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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

[PhilAnders]

Yes, the “we are still top of the league” should not be used as a rallying point for inaction, by the players, management team, or the board. A slight move of the tiller now may well correct a major drift off course which will only become evident as the season progresses!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Awaywego

[PhilAnders]

A consistent viewpoint on this board last season was playing one striker didn’t work. No surprises then when it won’t work this season . If neither Whitehall nor Carlton are fit to play next Saturday, then we need a quality striker in for the Oxford City game otherwise again we will struggle to break down their defence. Losing the odd game away to teams who will be in the mix isn’t a poor omen. Failing to beat a side in the bottom our when playing them at home could well be!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Heath

[PhilAnders]

As I thought, no Whitehall, but Scales deemed fit. Boyce in starting 11 with Evan’s Kougan and Nicholson, so no weakness to their high ball set pieces, but Boyce up top? Think I’d rather have Evan’s in midfield with Boyce at CB. At least that might nullify their creative player. With the height we should pose a threat at set pieces and long throws. Roberts, Beestin and Scales can attack on the ground!Revised prediction, Draw or one goal reverse defeat!if Whitehall and Carlton aren’t

[PhilAnders]

I agree with Cassidystash as to the lineup. However, I don’t think it will be enough, 2-1 to Scarborough.

[PhilAnders]

From AB’s pre match interview it looks like we will be without Whitehall (groin) and possibly Scales (dead leg) on Saturday, with Carlton is awaiting the results of a scan. We may be a little light!

[PhilAnders]

I expect that most teams will come to the Attis at the moment aiming to sit back, soak up the pressure and hit us on the break. Us scoring in the first half ( the earlier the better) is essential to scupper that plan and proceed to a healthy win. With this in mind, I hope that AB is working hard to eliminate the poor passing of the first half of the last two games. Only then will we see the sort of performance that this squad is showing signs of being capable of delivering!

[PhilAnders]

That was no Cakewalk last night against Curzon, that was hard work! whilst, from watching their previous highlights, I was prepated for the way Curzon would play, I was not prepared for the organisation and accuracy with which they would apply themselves. Credit to AB and all the players for the organisation and commitment they showed to earn that result!

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Iron-awe, lesgeo, Deereyme66, Ferrite

[PhilAnders]

The improved fitness of our squad caused me to ponder if there is some magical properties available on these runs through Laughton Woods. I was so moved that today I donned my running gear and headed down to said woods. After 30 minutes of gentle jogging I can report that I was worked a lot harder than on my usual route. On reflection on the way home, I realised that this was not magic, but due to the fact that I had to jump, stumble and swerve to avoid the rabbit holes and dogshit. Apologies if I’ve revealed a training secret!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Ferrite

[PhilAnders]

Let’s hope she doesn’t plant to use your credit card for a new dinner set!

[PhilAnders]

That was some performance last night. With our press we almost completely obliterated there threat from the left, and then exploited Khyomar’s defensive weakness to get Barrows one on one with Barnard for Beestin’s goal. Brilliant. After that Khyomar was hooked off! One contributor has noted our poor passing in the first half and Butler has said we still have room to improve and he is right! Early doors but the future looks bright. Well done to all!

[PhilAnders]

Looking at the video highlights and post match reaction by Brown I don’t believe they will come here for a point, they will come for 3. He believes he has the strongest squad in the league who can beat other teams home and away. HMS piss the league very much resides in Kidderminster this season!

[PhilAnders]

Yes and no about rugby. If you remember the WCF a couple of years back England’s front row were more than matching the South African “bomb squad” until Marler, Coles and George were replaced. The subs couldn’t step up to the plate and England were defeate.

[PhilAnders]

Catapult was the software mentioned and if you Google it there is a full explanation on their website. It’s a tool really, and as my son in law who is an F&C coach for a London club says “during a game it tells you who is hanging out their arse before you, they or the arse is aware of it”. My reply, based on 60 years of watching sport , was “I think you’ll find that your regular supporters can tell you that before the AI, based of the evidence of what they are watching!

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Just Iron, Awaywego

[PhilAnders]

Here is my updated thoughts on our next 2 opponents based on watching their video highlights from their Bank Holiday games.
Kiddy for me remain our most dangerous opponents. They lost against Warrington but IMHO, they deserved a draw, poor finishing letting them down. Warrington did a job on Kiddy’s left sided attack, cutting out balls to the wide players, closing and pressing them quickly when they had the ball at the feet, and if all else failed, cutting out the ball into the box. One of Kiddy’s gangly strikers did outleap the defenders to score their only goal from a cross from the right. They bounced back in the Monday game, scoring 4, their left sided midfield and wing play again toasting the Oxford Right Back. One piece of luck for us, Beresford, one of their tall forwards, was injured and may not be fit to play us.
In conclusion, Kiddy are the best ( other) side in NLN I’ve see this season. They are a BIG team and attack with devastating pace and control down the left to shoot or cross, near post or far! It will be a difficult game on Friday
Curzon were poor against Brackley, their midfield being completely outplayed by Brackley. They didn’t recover on Monday, struggling to break down a well organised Darlington side. They went long in the second half and did create a few chances but could not convert.

4 users thanked author for this post.

CMC, Ferrite, lesgeo, MK Iron

[PhilAnders]

Here is my update, information provided by the NLN clubs websites. Of the 24 teams only ourselves and Hereford have a professionally qualified F&C coach. Kidderminster and Spennymoor have ex players fulfilling the role. Their knowledge and therefore competence remains unknown. Of the other 20 clubs, no one is specifically identified with responsibility for F&C although I would assume that someone ( Manager, Asst Manager,Coach or Physio)is assuming some of the role, but again their competence and effectiveness is unknown!

[PhilAnders]

I agree with you SODIron, what constitutes a performance enhancing drug? For me, Caffeine works every time! Even if a drug is classified as performance enhancing, such an anabolic steroids, microdosing can mean you can build up muscle using the drugs, without going over the sports governing bodies limits!

[Author]

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