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Messages - TonyM
1
« on: Today at 06:27:44 PM »
In terms of Marriott, the previous two years the team was set up to create chances that he converted a fair proportion of (even in his dry spell post Christmas last year he still got on the end of a lot) and he also had buckets of confidence from converting those chances. This year he was injured pre-season and didn't look match sharp when we started and the team is no longer set up to create those same sort of opportunities for a poacher type player, hence we have gone with Southwell who looks like he will run and chase down all day but isn't anything like the goal threat that Marriott could be.
I remain to be convinced that wingers are the way to go and I guess we might not have the opportunity for 'time to tell' as I can't see the season, even at step 1, going beyond the end of January with the government funding being loans not grants. Pleased to see a new left back signed as that might help the shape of the team and I am with KES in that I would have Marriott back in the side just to see if he could regain some of that form but whether IC would be willing to change the team again to accommodate him is the question, I think a similar argument could be had for Carey who would be one of the first names on my teamsheet but just can't see how you get the best out of him in the current formation.
2
« on: January 14, 2021, 07:02:44 PM »
I wonder how he’ll spin this one?
On the podcast and in the SC's EDP column - https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/stephen-cleeve-column-6891258"Our FA Cup game against Portsmouth in a normal environment would have been a great financial fillip for the club. Sadly, the home club lost £5,967.42 putting the game on and we of course rightly need to pay half of this, as our share of the losses. So imagine my surprise when I heard that Hornchurch were going to give the streaming away for our FA Trophy game next week and ask for donations in return to their supporters’ club." Basically SC thinks Hornchurch are 'pulling a fast one' in that if they charged for the stream 50% would come to KL, however by asking for 'donations' they keep all the potential income. Now you can argue this both ways and I can see SC's point but it certainly isn't winning the club any fans, particularly with a lower league club who are not getting any income at present. Maybe a better option would have been to explain the situation and, given that we are hardly likely to be talking huge £s, SC could have asked Lynn fans to make their own mind up and for those that thought Hornchurch's stance was unfair to make a contribution to Lynn instead.
3
« on: January 13, 2021, 02:07:20 PM »
I'll be surprised to see it happen across all levels....too much money involved at the very top....and after all money talks even in the midst of a "pandemic"
Problem is the NL campaigned to be 'elite' in 2019/20 and is now finding that coming back to haunt them. Great for us last year in that it allowed promotion under PPG to the National but PFA only seem happy to fund testing down to EFL level. I appreciate there will always be a cut off between professional and grassroots but I didn't think it should have been between step 2 & 3 of the non-league pyramid last year and unfortunately there will be a number of clubs in dire straits because of that decision. Surprised the letter from NLN sides only had twelve signatories but maybe they didn't ask all clubs but that seems a pretty good indication as to where clubs are https://www.chesterfc.com/2021/01/12/read-joint-statement-12-01-2021/Personally I would pause the whole of non-league now and merge the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons by starting up again in September as I can't see next season being much less disjointed than this, if the NL tries to limp on for another month then maybe they could tag on another round of fixtures next year so everyone plays everyone else three times for the combined season which for me has always been preferable to a part completed season and PPG.
4
« on: January 13, 2021, 01:53:14 PM »
Seems Harrogate are keen to take him off Norwich's hands on a free. Guess it works for Norwich who still retain an interest if he does go on to 'bigger things' with a sell on clause but equally don't feel its worth their while exercising the option to keep him for another year https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/canaries-winger-ends-lynn-loan-6900968Article says Lynn have offered to match his wages for this season which doesn't make any sense to me but maybe others will have a different opinion. Personally I still think he has a lot to learn and either Simon Weaver thinks he can turn that potential into consistent performances or is just taking a gamble on a free transfer opportunity. I guess time will tell but I do wonder about the people behind the lad as there seems to be a lot of hype which doesn't always translate on the pitch (even dropping down the ladder he hasn't been a consistent starter)
5
« on: January 10, 2021, 10:03:43 AM »
That was what Stephen Cleeve said on the live commentary. Will be out for the Altrincham game as well.
Did he actually say it was Covid?
Yes, quite clearly stated Aaron Jones out with COVID.
Yes, as Admin said also out for the Altrincham game but no issues with the other members of the squad as they didn't meet up again until the Tuesday just gone by which time he had already tested positive and was self isolating, thought he was a big miss again yesterday and Brown continues to look like he has no idea where he is supposed to be in relation to the other defenders. Personally thought we held our own against a mid table NL side which is really what we should be aspiring to, they played the better football and tested the keeper more but we were more than worth the point on balance. Power got Mark Hearle's MotM but I would have given it to Mair, kept us in it with a couple of key saves.
6
« on: January 09, 2021, 11:11:24 AM »
There's a lot of irony and sour grapes in the EDP today. 
... and some reasonable points, having agreed that the season could start it is dreadful that the authorities have let the situation get to this point where clubs (of all owndership models) don't have any idea how much they will be having to make up to pay their players this month or going forward. I know people will point to individual clubs signing players but that shouldn't distract from the underlying issue that football has been badly let down by its administrators who have proven beyond all reasonable doubt that they are not fit for purpose, hopefully if changes do come in the structure and governance of the game this might be one positive from the COVID situation but at what cost to individual clubs still isn't clear.
7
« on: January 09, 2021, 11:03:16 AM »
Difficult for IC today as he may well have as fully fit squad to choose from as he has had for a while, I guess much will depend on his view of the Torquay match and how much of the performance was down to the formation, the attitude, the conditions or Torquay having an 'off day'. I personally think it was probably a bit of all four but in reverse order to how I have written them, key for me today is that we go out with the right attitude and in particular the back line keep with the positive intent to win the ball they showed against Torquay
I was surprised to see us replace Loza pretty much like-for-like with Kiwomya as Culverhouse has, prior to this season at least, not gone with wingers which was the reason for Alex's departure from Chesterfield (and they haven't done too bad under the new manager). Still think the jury is out on whether that actually helps us at this (or any) level but got to give the lad a go having signed him. Not sure when the club resumed training but hopefully haven't got too rusty over the Christmas break and will champing at the bit to get back out there and we need to start picking up points and coming into a bit of form with games coming thick although for how long only time will tell
8
« on: January 06, 2021, 05:31:12 PM »
... https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErDHh6FXUAEi5XE?format=jpg&name=large
"not received any communication".
"NL asked to engage with its members".
In a way, that's quite ironic coming from a football club.
To be fair to Chester, they are Trust run and pretty good on their communication, hence the publishing of this letter. Certainly worrying times, unfortunately more so for fan-owned teams like Chester who are not in a position to fund the club from 'other sources' outside of football (not that any owner should be doing this imo). Unfortunately whilst many, myself included, may have hoped that this crisis would see a resetting of financial landscape currently due to the way the authorities have (mis)managed the situation, it looks like the opposite will happen and the benefactor / financial doping model will emerge stronger from all of this.
9
« on: January 04, 2021, 01:51:16 PM »
There is a danger that Covid can scupper our season in the National League, with the call offs and trying to squeeze in the games , its starting to get silly, and I don't think the League is doing much to help us. Why the big hurry? Long treks away on Tuesday nights this time of year is unfair on a part time club which have players who have to work in the morning after.
The Covid outbreak is not getting better anytime soon. Halt the season for a few weeks, give everyone a chance to get vaccinated and restart when we know we are back to normal, and on the subject of government bailouts, as has been said on this post already, NO club should be allowed to sign more players while taking financial aid.
Sorry Mac, but we shouldn't be treated any differently just because we have chosen to be part-time - we are at step 1 in the non-league pyramid and receive the government grants / tv money that comes with that and therefore also have to accept the commitments associated with it. Appreciate that may well mean an additional burden on the players but that is what they signed up for at the start of the season and those that couldn't / didn't want to could have taken the same route as Henderson. I think if the season is halted that will have to be it as there will be no way it can realistically be restarted, so the league has to either cut it's losses now or struggle on with probably more disruption in terms of individual clubs calling games off. Guess much will depend on BT, what is written into players contracts in terms of the season ceasing early and the view around promotion / relegation to the EFL. This latter point seemed to be the driver for carrying on last year and may well do so again this year but I still think step 2 should have been treated the same as step 3 and below last season and have seen nothing to change my mind since.
10
« on: December 31, 2020, 02:36:28 PM »
Club have now changed it's mind and if you want a refund for the Notts County game you need to ask (unless you have already had your refund). Changing the rules half way through the process seems a crazy option but I guess SC has a sensible reason why? Full statement from the club:
"The football club has begun this week the refund process for the postponed Notts County fixture, due to have been played on Boxing Day at The Walks. However we have been contacted by supporters, of both clubs, who wished for us to keep their ticket money as a donation to King’s Lynn Town Football Club.
Around half of the refunds have been completed, but we have now suspended the process and ask that you contact our box office manager Zoe Sandle by sending an email to zoe.sandle@kltown.co.uk if you wish for a full refund, and she will issue one with immediate effect.
If you wish for the club to keep your ticket money as a donation you need to do nothing. We thank you in advance for your very kind gesture."
11
« on: December 29, 2020, 04:57:24 PM »
Mall, appreciate what you are saying but footballers contracts are not employment contracts that 'normal' businesses would deal with. As an example, lets assume SC paid some sort of fee for Southwell when he signed (2 year deal?), he can only be placed on furlough with his agreement (as is the case for any employee) and if he doesn't agree the club have two options - pay him to contract or alter his pay (which may end up with a penalty from the league for breaking his contract) and risk him leaving for nothing. That is my problem with the PFA - it is within their gift to allow player contracts to be amended in these uncertain time but they seem to be wanting to treat each club on a case by case basis which leaves clubs very exposed.
It's all well and good saying clubs have to take responsibility for themselves, and I wouldn't disagree, but unless leagues and the PFA recognise that players wages might not be paid in full for the remainder of the season to enable clubs to be around next August then we are in a horrible game of who blinks first.
12
« on: December 29, 2020, 03:42:29 PM »
Tony, I don’t quite follow what difference you are suggesting between Non League and League Clubs.
In an ideal world the PFA would accept they are part of the problem across all of football but given that seems unlikely, the difference between League and Non-league is that div 1 and div 2 sides have access, should they want it, to the money made available from the PL. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this (and there are many) that isn't the case at steps 1 & 2 of non-league and given the hash the National League made of distributing the last lot of money I would imagine clubs are going to reach a pinch point pretty quickly into the new year. I appreciate that the NL situation is complicated by having a mix of full and part time players but after money was made available to allow steps 1 & 2 to commence we are now in the position where the situation has worsened but players contracts that activated on the first day of the season are still in place (those on multi-year deals won't have COVID breaks and I really have no idea if those on new deals would have them as standard).
13
« on: December 29, 2020, 02:17:01 PM »
It's a worldwide Pandemic.
Maybe unprecedented times calls for unprecedented action! 
Yes, but the PFA are the ones who need to take that action - I don't see how any individual club can make the changes necessary without coming to an arrangement with all of their players (Chester?) or the PFA coming up with a solution - even if it was just for non-league teams that would be a start but I am not holding my breath. Without one or other of the options above effectively any club that 'cut it's cloth' now would be accepting all players could leave the club for nothing and would also probably incur some form of penalty from their respective league. Basically whilst the PFA and leagues sit on their hands, it looks like individual clubs are just crossing their fingers and hoping they won't be the first domino to fall.
14
« on: December 29, 2020, 01:37:11 PM »
Unfortunately, much as many would like to see football clubs operate as 'normal businesses' - how many normal businesses have the terms and conditions of their employees dictated to by a union which operates across the whole industry and has the power to make one of a club's biggest assets completely worthless? Until the PFA accepts that they are 'part of the problem' it will be very difficult for an individual club to reduce the wages to their playing staff without all of those players being able to walk away from their club with no consequences, admittedly many won't, but the threat of even a relatively few doing so has been enough to see clubs avoiding this at almost any cost. Maybe the next round of grants / loans will be the final straw for many and a league(s) will take a stand on behalf of their clubs but I am not optimistic.
As for taking a break, this will be the equivalent of voiding the season imo as we can't be sure when it will be safe to return and even then there will still be outbreaks similar to the current position which with the combination of the already packed season and backlog of fixtures will make completing the 20/21 season almost impossible.
KES, appreciate the sentiment about signing embargos but for every buyer there is also a seller and some clubs may be grateful for the opportunity to turn a player into cash to support the club's survival - making the pool of potential buying clubs (those with cash that don't need grants / loans) that much smaller will enable those clubs to force prices down and distort the market even more than they already do
15
« on: December 24, 2020, 03:10:29 PM »
The thing I found very interesting was that they have the same playing budget for their Ladies team as they do their senior men’s team, both of which have a budget of 2.5k per week. SC seemed genuinely shocked at how little they were spending on players.
Seems ages since we were step 3 but actually only two seasons ago which shows how far we have come in such a short space of time and there will always be different budgets within divisions and across regions but I would imagine our promotion winning side was on a fair bit more than the £2.5K that Lewes are paying to be lower mid-table in the Isthmian Premier although it would be interesting to compare to what Buster was paying at the same level. The other topic that SC brought up a few times was the relationship that Stuart Fuller had with his first team Manager, and seemed very impressed with the closeness of the relationship. Hmmmmmmm
I got the impression that Stuart was closer in role to Robbie Back than SC so not unreasonable that he was more involved and he did say it was the manager's first management role having previously just been a coach, but it did make for interesting listening. I also thought the whole interview spoke volumes about how a fan-owned club 'could' work but it was pretty obvious they have some good people in key positions and with a board of ten all having authority to do their jobs and taking that responsibility on - certainly puts our off-field structure into some perspective.
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