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Topics - TonyM

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31
General Discussion / Solihull 5th March
« on: March 05, 2022, 12:16:13 PM »
I guess the big news going into todays game is the extension to Coulson and Hargreaves loan deals for another month.  Coulson has given us a bit more maturity and calmness at the back but as Maidenhead showed last week if you run at him he just isn't up to the pace of NL any more, Hargreaves must have been a more marginal decision and maybe you could make a case with TW jnr and McGavin / Clunan injured we do need bodies in the middle of the park, although I don't think he adds that much to what we already had so keeping him would probably be a financial decision in terms of what sort of percentage of his wages we are having to cover.

For me, today is just crossing another game off as we look to finish the season, in terms of selection decisions will Tommy go with his 4 full back formation again and which of the frozen out centre backs will come in for the injured Phipps?

32
General Discussion / National Lottery
« on: February 25, 2022, 01:52:08 PM »
Some good news posted on the club's website today that there will be a 'buy one, get one free day' coming up https://www.kltown.co.uk/2022/02/25/were-in-are-you/

I have to admit to having reservations about the club taking out such a substantial loan from Sport England but this might be a (very) small silver lining to the cloud that it has created.  Hopefully the fixture can be identified asap, maybe Halifax on 26th March which is non-league day so there will be the potential for a bigger 'floating' crowd that day anyway

33
General Discussion / Barnet 22nd Feb
« on: February 22, 2022, 01:30:27 PM »
Appreciate everyone may be a little detached from the football after the past weeks postponements but we do have a game scheduled for tonight  According to Radio Norfolk this morning Michael Clunan returns having been unavailable at the weekend due to illness (nothing in the match preview from the club to say he would be missing or indeed returns tonight), hopefully we will play him in midfield rather than too high up the pitch to accommodate others into the starting lineup.  Barnet was probably one of the games that TW would have been targeting when he thought we could still retain NL status but think that ship has well and truly sailed now but would still be good to get a result

Lots of chat about failure of players to go out on loan / extending Coulson's loan etc but really don't see the point in having the size squad we currently have and if that means we can't keep Coulson then it is unlikely to change the outcome of the season.  Maybe TW is thinking Coulson being part of next seasons squad and we have certainly lacked experience this year but whether he has another season in him (even at NLN level) is probably debatable.

34
General Discussion / Bromley 19th Feb
« on: February 17, 2022, 01:48:27 PM »
Lots has been said about last weeks result and performance and whether that was the final nail in the coffin or not, I am sure TW and the squad will want to show that isn't the view from within the club but that needs to be shown in the selection and performance against a Bromley side who still have something to play for being well in the playoff mix.  Main weather issues seem to be tomorrow with things calming down for Saturday and hopefully not too much in the way of rain between now and kick off it should mean the only doubts around the match would be if there was any structural damage caused by the winds tomorrow, fingers crossed that isn't the case.

My team for the game would be:
                    Jones
Jones, Bowry, Coulson, Barrows, Scott
     Clunan, Phipps, Hargreaves
           Linton, Kurran-Brown

35
General Discussion / New podcast 3rd Feb
« on: February 03, 2022, 05:44:20 PM »
For those with time on their hands SC has got back behind the mic for another podcast, this time with Niall Cooper of Fair Game, a group of clubs, fans and football experts who have come together to support many of the issues raised in Tracey Crouch's fan led review of football.  I haven't yet listened to the podcast but should be a good one

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i-bought-a-football-club-stephen-cleeve-chairman/id1507650273
https://www.fairgameuk.org/

For those who want to support Fair Game and get the Crouch Review through parliament, they are asking for people to contact their local MP, more details here https://www.fairgameuk.org/contact-your-mp or your local council https://www.fairgameuk.org/council-call  I am not a North West Norfolk constituent, nor do I live in KLWN but hopefully some of those of you that do will take the time to make contact.

36
General Discussion / Southend (21st January)
« on: January 20, 2022, 01:49:56 PM »
Aside from the opening day at the Walks, Southend have had a pretty poor start to life in the NL but things seem to be picking up for them with two wins already in January and with their transfer ban lifted they are also starting to sign players, including a new centre forward signed today https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2022/january/blues-sign-cardwell/

Closer to home, we have signed Walker after his (unimpressive imo) loan spell earlier in the year and TW is on record saying he is signing starters not squad players so presumably we will have a change of shape tomorrow evening.  I still really don't know what to expect from a TW team, to date he seems to have picked roughly what IC did which isn't unreasonably given he has roughly the same squad but now with four TW additions (KB loan extended, TW jnr, Scott and Walker) and McFaddon and Denton back to fitness TW needs to find a set up that gets more out of his expanded squad than IC managed.  Personally I think a point would be a good result, Southend have improved and I don't think we look much closer to keeping a clean sheet or scoring than we did under IC.

37
General Discussion / Expectation
« on: November 23, 2021, 01:40:18 PM »
Lots has been written both on this forum and elsewhere about the club's current state and where it is heading, much of which I think stems from what might be described as 'unrealistic expectations'

The club reached the NL due to SC's not insubstantial financial doping, IC's good management, a confident squad probably playing above their individual capabilities and a shortened season meaning that other sides in the NLN hadn't really had a chance to 'figure us out'.  Whilst we can disagree about the weighting of the factors I think each one played a part in the 2019/20 promotion.  Unfortunately many thought the success would continue and even though our performances pre-furlough meant we deserved to be relegated last year some were talking about a mid table finish this season rather than a relegation battle

I have never thought relegation would be the end of the world, although I do accept that it would put a major dent in the reputations of both SC and IC and there is no telling what either will do if this season continues to implode.  Mistakes have undoubtably been made by all parties at the club (who hasn't made mistakes at work?) but rather than apportioning blame, hopefully those still at the club can learn from them to help the club going forward, if the last 18 months have shown us anything it is that no area of the club was really ready for was required at NL, I know Rome wasn't build in a day but the club can't continue to be so reactive and has to start putting the building blocks in place to enable it to function firstly at NLN and then maybe at NL level again.

On the pitch, I am happy to stick with IC and his 'footballing principles' because basically with the squad we have assembled I don't think there is a better way for them to play but I do appreciate I am probably in the minority of Walks regulars with that view.  However, I do think we need to find a couple of loanees in attacking areas of the pitch for the remainder of the season for two reasons, one to stop the club going into freefall and secondly to prove to higher league clubs we can be trusted with their players

38
General Discussion / New addition
« on: November 18, 2021, 05:16:09 PM »
New midfielder into the club https://www.kltown.co.uk/2021/11/18/lynn-sign-former-boro-midfielder/

Looks like a former teammate of Fernandez so hopefully not a complete unknown property.  Appears to have been without a club since the end of last season and a post on Twitter may explain the reason "Great player was league 2 apprentice of the year while here at Boro, was a shame to see him released as he has lots of potential had his issues with injury but if he can stay fit he’ll be some player for you".  That said he looks like he has kept himself in shape so may not need quite as long as Barrett to get up to match sharpness.

39
General Discussion / Every little helps
« on: November 18, 2021, 01:28:45 PM »
Extra money coming to the NL from the Premier League - £5m with £2m this year and then a further £1m over the following 3 seasons.  NL has announced that the £2m will be split £1m to NL and £1m to NLN/NLS so £40k coming our way.  Being cynical I assume this is an attempt to deflect some of the criticism coming the PL's way when the Crouch report comes out.

More info
https://www.premierleague.com/news/2355609?sf251331492=1
https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-premier-league-new-fundi-68287   
https://www.fairgameuk.org/blog/half-a-grealish

40
General Discussion / Walsall at home
« on: November 05, 2021, 01:43:43 PM »
So, aside from the off-field issues around tomorrow, what are we looking for on the pitch?

IC has said he has a fully fit squad apart from Tyler Denton, not sure if this means Bird is back in contention with no follow up question raised at the press conference.  He is one of the players being put forward for Football Focus so maybe that will be his contribution tomorrow but would be good to see his return to the starting XI.  I would also hope this means Millwall have allowed Davis to be part of the team tomorrow.  Given Taylor is cup tied I would go with the Omotayo/Morias combination up front to give them more minutes together but whether they can become an effective combination is probably still open to debate.  Lets just hope for a good performance and what looks to be a sizable crowd will have something to get behind

41
General Discussion / Under 21s / reserves
« on: October 29, 2021, 01:22:57 PM »
One of the points raised by Westlandallstar in his now deleted post from yesterday concerned the disbanding of the u21s / reserve team and criticism of SC for not wanting to fund them.

Personally I think this has proven to be the right decision in that those who might have been considered the better players in that side (Taylor, Fleming, Gasgoigne, Guimdo-Tsaguim) have been able to play at a higher level than step 6 and Taylor has done enough to come back to join the first team squad.  The under 19s as part of the academy are playing regularly but realistically there are only ever likely to be a couple in any year group who might make it to the first team so the loan model looks better for both the players and club alike.

42
General Discussion / Altrincham away
« on: September 13, 2021, 02:09:18 PM »
So a quick turnaround for the squad and a long trip to the North West on Tuesday evening. 

IC swapped his back 3 round at the weekend and might be tempted to do so again if Bird has any effects from the weekend but unlike last year we have genuine options for those spots and I don't think anyone would consider McFadden to be weakening the side.  Both wing backs have started the season well and Jones may have to bide his time, even when he is back to full fitness.  Personally I think we are as strong as we have ever been in the middle of the park with McGavin, Coleman and Rowley so it is really a case of what IC can do with the two remaining spots to give us a viable goal threat.  In his post match interview IC said he was still looking for another forward (presumably a short term loan until Gold is fit again) but acknowledged that so is everyone else and budget constraints mean we don't have loads of options.  Personally I would prefer Linton to Walker but neither has really grabbed their (limited) opportunity as of yet which is what you are ideally looking for with loanees. 

43
General Discussion / Dagenham at home
« on: September 11, 2021, 11:08:16 AM »
Personally think we look at much better side, particularly at the back, than last season but still seem to be making silly mistakes that are getting punished - 7 conceded in 4 games is hardly something to shout about.  Hopefully the Walks can witness a better display going forward than the last game where IC's options were severely limited but with Rowley and Morias available and with the new loan signing we will be able to pick a side with more threat in attack plus attacking options on the bench.  My team for today

                Jones
      McFadden, Bowry, Bird
Barrows, McGavin, Coleman, Denton
                 Rowley
            Linton, Morias

subs - Jones, Fernandez, Clunan, Sundire, Walker (maybe a case for Gyasi for Sundire as we are at home?)

44
General Discussion / Season so far / squad
« on: August 31, 2021, 02:00:25 PM »
So, three games in and two home defeats without a goal for the Walks faithful (those that are left) to cheer what are people's early season thoughts?  Personally I am reasonably happy, (bear with me) particularly as some of the big problems of last season seemed to have been addressed -
  *  we now look like all (most) of the squad are on the same page
  *  we have a more commanding keeper, although I would still like him to come and collect crosses a bit more
  *  the centre of the defence looks pretty solid, given Bowry's contribution yesterday we now look like we have four genuine NL standard players to select 3 from
  *  Denton and Barrows have done OK and the swap in formation seems to play on their strengths rather than times last season where they were asked to do too much, both attacking and defensively, and came up sort plus Jones must be close to full fitness to add to the competition
  *  in midfield, I thought Coleman was excellent yesterday and Rowley had a good game vs Southend and also took plaudits from Yeovil and was sorely missed yesterday.  I thought Clunan did OK yesterday but he isn't a driving/attacking midfielder that we are crying out.  Sundire and Gyasi were both well off where we needed them to be yesterday and when they came on vs Southend, lets hope it is just a case of adjusting to the step up for Sundire.  Gyasi is a different case - he played almost half a season last year but doesn't appear to have much idea about how to beat NL standard defenders or much else - Culverhouse has always looked for players with 'football intelligence' and unfortunately I don't think Gyasi is learning quickly enough.  The new lad from Ipswich struggled to get into the pace of the game yesterday but hopefully with more time with the squad and game minutes he can stake a claim for a starting spot.
  *  up front is difficult to assess as yet with Morias' sending off limiting IC's options and Linton missing yesterday didn't help, we still look light here but just hope that at some point Omotayo has someone to play alongside him otherwise it is going to be a long season for the lad, I don't think you can doubt his effort but its been a pretty thankless task so far at home.  As others have said elsewhere, getting NL standard forwards isn't easy or cheap so if the current crop don't work out it may be we have to look to get another loanee
  *  off field still looks step 3 at best with so much seemingly reactive rather than having the right people in the right positions to make the right decisions at the right time.  Running a club at step 1 with a predominately volunteer workforce is almost impossible but Lynn seem intent to continue with this model.  I appreciate this probably means more money, than would otherwise be the case, for the playing budget but it just isn't sustainable and could easily be argued that it is already having a negative financial impact.

45
General Discussion / Media
« on: August 25, 2021, 01:11:18 PM »
Good news on the media front, the main page on the club's website now has a current squad photo replacing the picture of the squad from two years ago receiving the NLN trophy.

The club are also looking for various volunteers to help out on the media side https://www.kltown.co.uk/2021/08/25/media-communications-volunteers-required/ which might be useful experience as the article suggest but I do worry that there isn't a 'guiding hand' there to oversee, advise and generally give some direction to the media output and the individuals producing it.

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