Alfreton Tuesday night

[Mallard]

Malc sounds keen to get things moving with a new Club being formed.  SC seemed ultra keen in getting an official one formed as well.

As for the money, has it been determined how much there is to spend and a way forward on what it is likely to be spent on ?  Or is there some kind of hold up on it ?

[pc627]

This should be about tonight’s match, not the reforming of a supporters club

[Blue_and_Gold]

This should be about tonight’s match, not the reforming of a supporters club

Maybe if the Club showed a bit more interest in tonight's game, so would the supporters. 

Apparently the Board outside the ground is still showing that Buxton is next team we play.

[Blue_and_Gold]

FOTL money will go towards some improvement at the ground and not necessarily just handed over to the chairman.

As it should be.   

Does anyone know where the money currently is, if all issues have now been resolved, and if not, what the hold up is with handing the supporters money over?

[Mallard]

PC, with a game tonight and supporters in the ground its a good opportunity to get a new Supporters Club ( either official or otherwise) up and running. 

As for the actual game I’ve given my thoughts on result, gate, loving a Tues night.  What about you what are your feelings ?

[westlynnmike]

I am still recuperating after major surgery so will not be there for several more weeks.

Is there any radio commentary tonight?

[admin]

I am still recuperating after major surgery so will not be there for several more weeks.

Is there any radio commentary tonight?

Not that I'm aware of.
BBC Radio Lincolnshire are covering the Boston v Buxton match but nothing from Radio Norfolk.

[Blue_and_Gold]

I am still recuperating after major surgery so will not be there for several more weeks.

Is there any radio commentary tonight?

Apparently not.

[TonyM]

With the extended layoff the team and management have had plenty of time to stew over the manner of the draw up at Chester and tonight is the chance to show that it was a blip in what has overall been a pretty solid season defensively so far.  Hopefully we will revert to a back three (no club preview other than a post saying the game is on and a link to buy tickets so not sure of any availability issues) however tough that would be on Stephens.  The games against Alfreton in 2019-20 were imo two of most entertaining at the Walks that season so fingers crossed that carries on tonight and we get the three points, anything above 850 would be positive for me as I can't see many making the trip from the east midlands.

[TonyM]

Another deserved 3 points but certainly more difficult than many of us thought would be the case at half time.  Lost our shape second half and Alfreton scored a good first goal and pressure told for their second but good to see TW move away from the usual introductions off the bench and the adjusted 3-5-2 formation eventually created the opening for Scott to tee up Stephens who showed great poaching instincts.

Tough decision now for TW, all three of the front players have their strengths:
  *  Omotayo has a reasonable scoring record so far this season and is good for a back post header back into danger but doesn't offer much when we have lots possession against a side sitting deep.  He does however win lots of headers in his own box
  *  Ponticelli runs and runs, putting the opposition back line under pressure and always being an outlet, particularly on the break.  Has a great first touch so can hold the ball up and bring others into play well but hasn't ever really been prolific, failed to hit the target again tonight when in a really good position
  *  Stephens looks the most natural goal scorer, makes good positive runs and draws plenty of fouls and pressed his case this evening with two goals (one a cool solo finish the other a real 'fox in the box' effort) and an assist

Personally don't think we can start with all three without compromising other areas so it may be a case of rotating both starters and subs to try and get the best out of all three of them, probably Omotayo's defensive strength giving him the nod with our lack of height across the midfield / full backs.
 

[Mallard]

Imagine having to watch Alfreton every week.  No thanks.    A team set up to play for dead ball situations.  ( corners and long throws being the order of the day).   Everything knocked up to Rhead then try and play from there. 

Rhead was lucky to stay on the field after a stray elbow opening up a nasty cut on Crowther.   Seems like he was the target throughout the game.  In fairness he stood up to it well.  Rhead also ‘threw’ himself to the ground holding his head in some vain attempt to get Crowther red carded.  Worth a 2nd yellow for trying to con the ref ?   No, ref showed how weak he was and allowed Alfreton to continue to get away with all kinds of stuff.  Especially from corners in their favour.

Thought we looked comfortable at 2-0.  Then Coulson gets done in the air by Rhead and the lad finishes the knockdown well and it’s game on. Crowther pinned from a corner and it’s 2-2.  Luckily we weathered the storm.  Rhead being taken off saw so back on top.  With a last minute winner.

Have to say the pitch looked a dream.  Only real disappointment was a crowd of 714.  That for a top of the table club isn’t anywhere near enough.  SC in his programme notes was saying the crowds are nowhere near what he had budgeted for.  Problems further down the road ?

[TonyM]

Interesting quote from TW in the Lynn News
"We reset and I think the best thing I didn't do was make a substitution. I was keen to make a change after they scored their second but I got my collar tagged by my two coaching staff, who said ' hold on and have a little rethink'..."That's what we did and we ended taking off a completely different player. That's why I've got people around me who I trust, as I don't think for one minute that it's all about me in terms of the decision-making."

This was absolutely key to the three points last night imo, saw Barrett was ready to come on but thankfully TW changed his mind (or had it changed for him), Scott came on and made us look far more balanced and had a direct impact setting up Stephens for the winner.  Has to be said fair dues to TW for crediting those around him and also being able to take on board that advice in the heat of the game.

[Mallard]

He was trying to get Barrett on but it coincided with Alfreton having a period of sustained pressure with us conceding a good few corners on the trot. So gave him and his team some breathing space as they wouldn’t change things with the ball in our box.

[wearywillie]

Am I correct in thinking before Rhead, Alfreton had an equally controversial attacker a tall black player who used to delight in winding the crowd up, then claiming racial abuse when he got a response? I think he also may have been the player that held McAuley back by his arm and when McAuley pulled his arm free this guy threw himself to the floor claiming an elbow winning a red card for McAuley.

[Nigel nigle]

Barrett is obviously a very talented player and scored a corker at Peterborough. I am not sure how far he is from full fitness but I think he has got some way to be there - I just get the feeling he does unbalance the side sometimes and because he is not fully fit loses the ball in vulnerable positions and put pressure back on the defence.