TheBigDog

Er…in 2016 he might have been..last time I checked, it’s 2024

He’ll be 36 years old in April and hasn’t scored too many in the recent past - slightly underwhelmed with this one. We need to move at least four or five on soon

Rumour, guesswork, assumption I reckon…

It’s worth giving them a try - look at Ormerod at Fylde for example / you may find a gem

First bad game from Kitching in a long time - though he is more of a wing back than a full back I think.

Of the players that the new manager inherited, there are a number like Hudson, Kitching, Hobson, Raglan, Norwood, Hogan who would be regular starters… that’s six of the starting eleven. All his signings… ( five), include Dallas and Conlon plus Sachdev, Hammond, Walker, got on to the pitch yesterday. We need these players to gel quickly - but I don’t think we have enough ‘better’ players at the club yet.

But surely it’s up to the Manager to affect that change? I watched a team play without any real urgency or control on Saturday - continually lumping the ball forward to two isolated strikers. It was a collective shambles on the pitch and Mellon seemingly did nothing to change the approach - he is the manager and he works with them all week in training and yet.., Yes the players have to take the blame for the defeat but the manager has to take his share too.

I’d say that we have not yet hit anywhere near the level of consistency needed

I’ve seen us win at Barnet, Woking, Solihull and Dorking under MM. The way we are set up away from home is far better than how we approach our home games. Performances have been decent, and Dorking apart, we have deserved the victories.

Since MM has taken over the managerial role we have had a few bad results and even more bad performances: Fylde A - lost 3-0 Ebbsfleet H - lost 1-4 Gateshead H - lost 1-2 Woking H - lost 0-1 and that’s without mentioning Mickleover and Hendon in the FA Trophy… and there’s the performance at Newport in the FA Cup. Or even our ‘daylight robbery’ at Dorking. Yesterday’s performance was far from being a ‘one-off’. As I said, I back him but I am yet to be convinced.

He was unlucky - got the ball first and his back leg was clipped as he went down - no dive for me.

There are many, myself included, who do question certain aspects of Mellon’s approach to games and his ability to galvanise the team against a certain type of opposition. Do I back him? Absolutely. Do I level ‘jibes’ against him? Absolutely not. Am I convinced that he is the right man? Not yet.

Two valid points. The number of times a limited but hard-working and well drilled side has come to Boundary Park and outplayed our ‘stellar’ team is worrying. Is it a mental thing? Are the players simply not up to it? Are successive managers failing to get through to the team that they have to play with more energy, strength and desire? I went to the game yesterday full of anticipation, expecting us to win. What I witnessed was a team that were simply not interested in competing and a manager who failed to change it. It was a horror show and the lack of urgency was criminal and an insult to the fans. in Mellon we trust?

The two posts above sum it up perfectly - I have nothing to add.

I’m not sure that they ‘deserve’ so much more - football is a funny game after all. It would be good though

On recent form, we are favourites. Woking currently in the bottom four and don’t score many. As long as MM can keep the players grounded and disciplined on the pitch we should win. An early goal would be nice lads

Doubt it - Conlon may be given the armband if McGahey doesn’t play but Hogan is captain and will be when he returns from any suspension.

I don't think his technique Is quite as good as you make out - when I watch him, he far too often lets the ball get away from him - he also does get caught offside more than most. He is a very useful player to have come off the bench but I’m sure that MM wants better players to start up front.

When we have all the squad match fit, I don’t see Fondop as a starter. I see Mikey as a super sub - a “come off the bench wrecking ball” if you want. What he lacks in technique, he more than makes up for with his enthusiasm and energy.

A good hard working performance - Barnet started better than us and maybe should have scored before the first penalty. We defended well constantly getting bodies in the way. We grew into the game and were clearly on top for the second period - the conditions made good football impossible but we played some neat stuff at times. Fondop should have done better with his header and what a great free kick from Conlon. Two excellent penalties from Norwood. We can compete with the better teams and things should only get better. Thank you for the win boys Att: 5880 (64)

Live on TNT Sports - will possibly be our lowest away following in the NL

Tonight will be a good measure as to whether we have what it takes to get through a playoff schedule. Mellon was appointed on 13 October last year. He has been in charge now for over three months and we have seen progress. Micky has brought in five players who should feature at some point tonight - but it may take a while to see their full impact. A win please.

I’d say the keeper and back five are easy to pick: Hudson, Sachdev, Raglan, Hobson, Hogan, Kitching. Then three more with Conlon in the middle and Dallas and Norwood (if fit) as the front two. Then it’s two from the following; Sheron, Walker, Lundstram, Hammond, Gardner, McGahey, Ward etc I’d go for the first two in that lot but it’s a good decision to have to make… and with supposedly another coming in later in the week too… All we need now is for the players to believe and play to their potential - COYB!

Walker?

I’ll have a pint of what he’s drinking…