aaronoafc

Alan Nixon confirmed it’s Mellon

Just quoting because of the last bit. We certainly need to be shifting a few out in the hope of bringing in more quality (or so we assume) - but we have far too many players sat on contracts until Summer 2025 (not even 24, 25) on thousands of pounds a week, it’s going to be tough.

Spot on but I’d have Hudson over Norman. Outfield players spot on. For some reason though I think he might rest Dickenson, who has look goosed last couple games

You mentioned the stats say Shelton and Sheron and 2 of the top 30 CM’s in the league, who are the top 3?

So basically we should have signed Booty who we where linked with I do realise his stats for most things will probably be higher this season given how Gateshead play

Does it have up to date stats based on games for us this season? If so who do the stats suggest are our current best players?

Don’t most clubs at this level have like 1 part time analyst if that? How can he track everything. It probably is a combination of an analyst and the sports vest things I just find it amazing there’s so many stats available for players in the 5th division where sometimes a few hundred people go and watch lol

Bit random but how are these stats compiled for these various lower league stats websites? I assume it’s that sports vest/bra thing they all wear? how can that track pass completion, forward/back passes etc? Legit question, never looked into how it all works. Can understand higher up the leagues where there’s a million eye balls and club staff members watching every aspect of every player but lower league I assume its compiled from the vests?

I feel like the initial signings where part of the collective that’s been mentioned on the podcast (Unsworth, ST, Darren Royle) etc as it seemed well thought out early summer. Then Unsworth tells us L1 and L2 standard players phone him everyday (or agents) wanting to come here because we’re close to Manchester (and probably because we now pay well) and the signings then while exciting, all go a bit random (Raglan and Norwood). I’m lead to believe Freeman was a 100% Unsworth only signing and was rushed because fans where going ape shit for a right back that week. ST (head of rec at the time) wanted Cropper or a lad at Stockport

Let’s be honest it was pants for most of that game. Sutton may go on to be a decent CB but for me he’s way out of his depth currently. Yes he’s out of position but he can’t even get most of the basics right. He’s painfully slow, can’t pass and has horrific positional sense. Massive weak link and should be nowhere near a potential promotion chasing side, the same with Shelton. Norwood did well when he came on. Should be starting every game unless he’s shattered or injured. Hobson is a wonderful player, if he continues like this every week he’ll have L1 teams bidding for him next summer. The midfield will improve now Josh is back but that yesterday was a tough watch. SAS can’t start another game together. Don’t shoot the messenger but was told during the week by someone who is usually spot on with info that ST has made it known to Frank he wants a new RB and winger ASAP. I can’t imagine another CM isn’t on that list either especially after today. Ward is struggling with injuries, Gardner is mint but made of biscuits so plays 1-2 then he’s out for a month, Lundstrams just come back so may be a month or 2 before we see really what he’s about, Shelton is atrocious, Sheron i’m not convinced by but willing to give him a proper look next to someone NOT named Shelton. That midfield pack isn’t good enough really. It’s hard to complain after 10 points from 12 and there’s a good chance after 2 winnable home games this time next week we are sat in the play off places. However, for me personally we are still 2-3 quality players from finishing in the play off places.

Norwood has to start for me. Best player in the squad and arguably the division. I’m a fan of Willoughby and Reid but Norwood is a level above, probably a few levels. Imagine how many he can and will score in a team actually trying to win football matches.

5900 ish home fans on a pissing down Tuesday Night while sat in the 5th divisions relegation zone after 1 win in 9 is some going to be fair. Not much to add on the performance after what most have said in here. Nuttall Sheron and Hobson where outstanding, a couple others not too far behind either. The players overall just looked so much happier. Nuttall looked like the happiest man on the planet after his goal. York where neat and tidy but rather toothless in the final third. Both sides will be way higher in the table come the reverse fixture though. Good win last night. We need to back it up on Saturday now though.

Why wouldn’t he make that call? It’s his club and his money. Unsworth has actually confirmed in the interview with BPAS that Frank/the Family have put a block on some signings/potential spending while he has been here. I could very much see him looking at our current wage bill, then hearing Unsworth/Darren want to bring in another midfielder and he says hang on lads try and shift a couple first (don’t know this for fact but it makes sense). Even if we sign a midfielder today with no outgoings, I can’t imagine the conversation hasn’t taken place recently to try and shift a couple. There’s no way Frank isn’t involved financially on the football side of things. Do you not think he would have had to give the green light on spending a 6 figure transfer and quarter of a million a year in wages on bringing in a top end L1 striker? Having said all of the above, We do need a midfielder though

The rumour is Franks said shift a couple before signing anyone else. Apparently we’re trying to move Rooney and Hope on. Them 2 alone is probably 4-5k a week in wages combined

Agree I think Hogan has been the best of the defenders so far in pre season and last week. Raglan was woeful at Southend (most where tbf). I think he’ll keep the 3-5-2 shite but if it was me, I’d play a back 4 of Freeman, Hobson, Hogan, Kitching

They did, however Frank hasn’t become a millionaire businessman watching large investments flounder/perform poorly. I’m virtually certain if results don’t pick up immediately he will act. He won’t just sit back if we’re bottom half (or worse) in November. We have paid 6 figures for 2 strikers while also buying Lundstrum. Our wage bill will be the highest in the league or just below Chesterfield. I’d be very surprised if Norwood isn’t the highest paid player in the division even more than Grigg. He’ll be backed again by getting a Right Back in this week and I wouldn’t be surprised to see us try and bring in another Midfielder, especially with Ward now seemingly out for a few weeks. I actually think if we’re not firmly cemented in the Play off places 7 or so games in he’ll be gone. The board can’t risk this season going to shit after the investment/backing he’s had. Promotion is the aim without a doubt. Next year EFL Payments increase don’t they? Plus our parachute payments stop? We have to be in the mix for it this season and if Unsworths not up to it I’m sure Frank will act quickly.

Reckon Dallas will go York. If we can get it done though I’d like to see us really go for it to bring him in, it would be a statement. He could be the difference between finishing 4th and 1st. Can’t see it here though now unfortunately. Surely we announce a RB soon? The Ogle rumour mill is running again.

Yep, agreed Daniel very good problem to have. I'll be surprised if it's not 3-5-2 more often than not, at least initially: Norman Raglan Hogan Hobson New RWB, Lundstram Sheron Ward Kitching Willoughby Nutall That's what I expect on the opening day/opening few games. I'm a big fan of Reid but I think Unsworth will stick with Nuttall and I see Willoughby being given a good go initially - barring a marquee signing like Dallas coming in. Maybe Shelton for Ward as I believe Ward has said he's more of a winger/drift into CM type player and Shelton runs around a lot (Unsworth loves that).

Yeah the wording seems to have confused everyone on twitter. He did sign an extension though until 2024, I believe we’re trying to extend further/increase pay.

Still a good 3-5 of the contracted lot we need to be trying to shift one way or another but it’s good to feel so organised for once!

Plenty of ours on similar (the 2k ish mark) few rumoured to be on more. Be surprised if we’re not offering 2-4k a week for the apparent quality players we want this summer (based on the clubs comments and not including Green Chapman and Sambou).

I think he meant offering an extra £400 a week makes all the diff. On another note isn’t Nuttall rumoured to be on about 4k a week?

Is Colclough off now @Lee Sinnott

Same...

I was against it for Months...but you know what...a few Saturdays in a row went by...and I was absolutely bored as F...the mrs works shifts, often on Saturdays so its not like we can have trips here there and everywhere weekly instead. The majority of the lads (I'm 26 btw) are now starting to get settled down and have their own lives with their own Girlfriends. I'm not a huge drinker so just going out every weekend isn't for me. To be honest....It's just what I do. I go football, with the old man. So I thought sod it. Bit of habit, bit of routine, it's just what I/We being me and my dad do. We go to footie on a Saturday. That will go away eventually due to natural causes no doubt (hopefully way way way way way down the line) but until then, Going footie with My Dad having a right good moan on the terraces, on a Saturday is just what I do. It's as Simple as that.