Bad Vibes. Let's get them out of the way

[Wraysburygull]

I think that's the point. Running a team at National South or below on a lower budget has to be easier in the South East, where the players can earn double what part time football will pay them from the "day job". I'm not an apologist for Nicholson but from having seen a few recent games, he's doing something right just now. It's not just the budget that he's putting up with though is it? Most managers would heave walked and I would imagine others have politely declined invitations to get involved.
Let's get Saturday out the way, do what we can to keep the freehold away from GI, and then the fun will start. Nicho's budget will look like a King's ransom when we see what's on offer next season I suspect if/when GI are backed into a corner !

[Fonda]

Have to be honest, however 'realistic' it might be, it's a bit distasteful to be assessing the quality of the playing staff (and manager) when they are still in the process of trying to keep the club in the division. Most will know there won't be contracts waiting for them either way, so just for the time being lets give them the support they need to get the job done. If they do read these boards, they aren't likely to be inspired by this thread. It might be that some of them do lack the talent required to take the club forward in the long term, but lets just hope they have the heart to stop us going further backwards in the short term.

[Southampton Gull]

Lots of mitigation on both sides but I'm with Fonda in this instance.

[merse btpir]

Have to be honest, however 'realistic' it might be, it's a bit distasteful to be assessing the quality of the playing staff (and manager) when they are still in the process of trying to keep the club in the division. Most will know there won't be contracts waiting for them either way, so just for the time being lets give them the support they need to get the job done. If they do read these boards, they aren't likely to be inspired by this thread.

It's only what's being considered at just about every club in the manager's mind and boardrooms up and down the country and if players are reading forums like this and getting demoralised; then given the circumstances, bigger fool them!

[merse btpir]

Running a team at National South or below on a lower budget has to be easier in the South East, where the players can earn double what part time football will pay them from the "day job".

At a well run part-time club, the football is the day job and the supplementary work enables players to live better. Training three mornings a week is the norm at clubs like Dover, Dartford, Bromley and others ~ not many clubs train in the evenings any more ~ whereas Nicholson only has them for that anyway if playing away any distance at the end of the week, or four at most.........it's why we're no better prepared (and often a lot less) than the likes of Sutton, Guiseley, and any amount of smaller, part-time clubs who beat us.

[Fonda]

Appreciate that. And I'd expect those conversations to be happening in boardrooms, and indeed amongst supporters of all clubs once their fate is known. But as long as we're relying on them giving their all for our club next weekend, I simply don't see the benefit of focussing on their short-comings at this precise moment. Many of them will be attempting to keep the club in the division, when their own future's are far less certain. This kind of conversation might be considered somewhat de-motivational - or maybe they wouldn't care at all. But why take the chance?

[arcadia]

I absolutely 100% disagree with this. Yes - we know that all of the players' contracts end on the 30th April but I maintain with the addition of two or three players, there would be the basis of a side that could move us up the table so I hope most of the current squad will be offered new contracts. Dave Thomas said during yesterday's commentary that this was about the quietest team he has known. He is right. The team has cried out for a Alex Watson/Guy Branson type of leader. And obviously we need a striker (or two). No doubt there will be many who disagree with me, but I have seen it all before. Players discarded and replaced by others who were no better, and in many cases worse, than the players who had been released. I have my own opinion on who should stay and who should be released, but it is not fair to name names on here.

I also hope that Nico is given until about Christmas to prove himself, but whoever is manager at the start of next season will struggle if he is not given a fair budget. Merse may be right and the die is already cast, but I hope not.

I think your right about an addition of a few players would change the squad and I think we need someone with tactical know how as we've lost games which we should have won.

[tomogull]

It's only what's being considered at just about every club in the manager's mind and boardrooms up and down the country and if players are reading forums like this and getting demoralised; then given the circumstances, bigger fool them!

You're too negative, Merse ! If we could have kept last season's squad - e.g. McDonald, Smith, Raachi, Rees - and added one or two players, we would have probably been challenging for play offs. I don't know how many times you have seen Anderson play. He started off looking rather dodgy but in my opinion, he has been playing well for the past half dozen games. Gallifouco is at least worth his place as a squad player. If you look at our goals conceded for the season, it isn't that bad. It's the goals for stat that has let us down.

I haven't got the full results for this season to hand, but I don't recall any really heavy defeats. And that is why I think the addition of two or three players in key positions would begin to change our fortunes. It isn't going to happen overnight. But as Fonda rightly posts, it will all depend on what budget the manager is given.

By the way, you mention Danny Raachi. Good player and vocal on the field which is what we have lacked, but why hasn't he played all season? Surely he hasn't been injured since September ? I suspect there is some other reason why he hasn't been snapped up by someone. Temperament ?

[Gullscorer]

Players as well as managers can improve with coaching and experience. It may have taken all of the season but it looks as if KN and the squad are finally achieving results. Just look at their recent form. They really do deserve some credit for this.

As for next season and beyond, Clark Osborne will want two things: 1) to know that any money invested in the club will not be wasted, and 2) to make the business sustainable and to turn a decent profit as soon as possible.

There are two ways for him to achieve this: 1) obtain the freehold of Plainmoor, close the club down, and develop his properties; or 2) forget the new stadium for now, improve revenue streams at Plainmoor, and focus on getting the club promoted through the leagues.

We are unlikely to emulate Bournemouth, the Gulls in the Premiership is too much to hope for, but we can emulate them as far as possible. What we (and he) don't want is to throw a lot of money at such ambitions and shoot up into the Championship and then fall right back down again, as so many clubs have done.

Osborne has promised a five-year plan. We need the perfect five-year plan to achieve sustainability, football success, and ultimate profit, a plan on which owners and supporters alike can agree, followed by positive action with everybody pulling together towards a common goal.

But first things first. Get up to Plainmoor next Saturday (12:15) and support the team in the final game of the season. We can win this, and having won it we can look forward to promotion next season. Over to you Mr Osborne.

[Dazza]

You can't blame Merse. He has been playing hangman all season. It's not easy saying you were wrong and that some players seem to have come through. However that's a bonus of being a football fan we say what we see and we are wonderfully unaccountable.

[arcadia]

I heard yesterday that the council meeting with regard to the covenant has been put back to JULY so supporters will not be interested during the close season. The Mayor has the final say on the covenant.

[Dave]

I, and many others realised a few weeks back, there was a much bigger battle on our hands, for the club than the qualities of our management duo and squad , that's why personally took the decision to get behind the manager and players, there is still work to be done, to avoid relegation, so that support will continue from me until the final whistle Saturday.

After that, and we start to dissect the season, no doubt I will be about 90 % in agreement with Merse.

[nickbrod]

No doubt somebody on here will come up with the stats but am I right in thinking our recent improved form has co-incided with the appointment of Dave Hedges who provides scouting reports having watched our next opponents the previous week?

[Wraysburygull]

The timings do co-incide I reckon so fair play . Is he not also responsible for recruiting?

[merse btpir]

By the way, you mention Danny Raachi. Good player and vocal on the field which is what we have lacked, but why hasn't he played all season? Surely he hasn't been injured since September ? I suspect there is some other reason why he hasn't been snapped up by someone. Temperament ?

I spent a very brief time with Danny at Lincoln and he told me had to write off this season after aggravating a pre-season injury sustained when training on his own; at the time he was expecting to sign for Oldham. Just after Christmas he had around half a dozen offers to sign for National League clubs but couldn't get that injury right and so decided to write the season off and concentrate on recovery, re-hab and getting fit for pre-season this summer.

I believe he works as a ladies hairdresser in Calderdale where he lives and he does a little bit of media work to keep his profile familiar.

What's wrong with his 'temperament' ~ that he's a 'growler' a 'driver' and demanding of his team mates? United needed and improved for that presence last season when he was surrounded by junior players who benefitted from his presence. He's an organiser and dead ball specialist with stats to underline his 'assists' record.

In this league I'd take a 'Racchi' over a 'Lathrope' or a 'Richardson' any day..........the sort of player who stands up to the teams that have out fought us in midfield most of the season and keeps his defenders focused on their marking and tracking which has been sadly lacking this season.

I want to kill this perception that I am either negative or (as has been said to me) wanting this team to fail.............not in any way. Yet again it is if one isn't either a rose tinter or cheerleader one is perceived to be 'anti' in some way. Every game I see (and there have been over a hundred this season at one place or another) I look at it with a detached eye and not blinded by jumping up and down, bellowing at the ref or singing. I don't compromise my proper view of a game by standing behind the goal and always seek to gain the best vantage point available.