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Post by The sound and the fury on Oct 1, 2017 20:02:29 GMT
Think we can safely say that one or two of the pre-season signings have been found to be not up to scratch, with one or two being excellent acquisitions. This is what it looks like to me: Gwynne - great shot stopper but kicking a little iffy at times Griffiths - nowhere near good enough, first out the door for me Alexandru - find of the season, been impressed so far M Smith - worries me on the deck but wins it all off the top Hayward - can play a bit, and holds shape well. Good signing. Birch - will become the real creative force. Great engine and really positive. Tackling not his forte though! Birley - always looks to make things happen when he gets the ball, as always has J Smith - always looks disinterested, needs to get involved more Danks - way too good still for this level, will bag a shedful as he thinks quicker than most Reynolds - proper goalscorer, will always miss a few but knows where the onion bag is Sarmento - too much pace for the brains of most of his colleagues! Hughes - needs to become the sub to change things up, legs have gone now Baldwin - not as good as he thinks. Needs rocket inserted. Fishwick - like Smith worries me on the deck Need to see the others a few more times before I can justifiably slag them off  |
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Post by genghis on Oct 1, 2017 21:42:23 GMT
Griffiths and both Smiths are terrible. Griffiths looks like he’s had very little experience of playing competitive football in his life. A poor tackler and marker. Never positioned correctly.
Reynolds is excellent. Far superior to the level he’s playing at. Shoots too early and from poor positions occasionally, but that’s only a minor issue overall.
Gwynne is a good keeper for the division, but I think he’d struggle against better opposition.
Keep in mind i’ve only seen 5 games this season so far, and missed the last 4. I can only judge on what i’ve seen.
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Post by jupu on Oct 2, 2017 6:48:22 GMT
Can't disagree with much of the above. Hayward and Reynolds stand out for me. Birch would too I'm sure but for suspension and injury. Jamie Smith looks like he's playing within himself sometimes. Most of the rest are decent players for this level and perhaps conceding goals is part and parcel of MFL football as 0-0 draws seem to be a rarity. If my £8 pays the players wages, I'm happy to do that.
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Post by genghis on Oct 2, 2017 9:46:54 GMT
One thing I will say for the Midland Prem is the fans I’ve encountered seem to be more pleasant than those in the Vanarama North.
I certainly don’t miss F.C. United fans.
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Post by thesecondjack on Oct 2, 2017 15:59:54 GMT
One thing I will say for the Midland Prem is the fans I’ve encountered seem to be more pleasant than those in the Vanarama North. I certainly don’t miss F.C. United fans. I'd agree the fans seem much nicer than your standard NLN fans - those who visit the VG seem to enjoy their trip, and I've been made to feel welcoem at every away game - they seem to appreciate a decent away following. There was one exception to the visiting fans being pleasant... I won't say what team it was, but I think I've given praise to pretty much every other team in a tweet during the game bar them. Should you want to figure it out.  I don't think FC United fans were bad though, were they? Some of the best fans going I thought - my favourite away day last season was FC and enjoyed being in the away end turnstile hut last season when they visited. |
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Post by Tim Munslow on Oct 2, 2017 18:37:07 GMT
I've appreciated visiting fans more too; at this level there seems to be more camaraderie between rival fans, as if we all appreciate watching PROPER football.
I've enjoyed this season far more than last (that wouldn't be difficult) and enjoying seeing us score goals, but our defence worries me and we don't seem capable of stopping the odd good player you get at this level.
I wouldn't disagree with teej's assessment, although I think he's being a bit hard on Griffiths. I am surprised Fishwick has lost his place: I thought he looked quite good the first couple of games, but haven't seen him since.
As to last Saturday's game against Shepshed I thought it was a cracker, and an excellent advert for the Midland Football League: really enjoyed it, especially as we won it late on - always a good feeling. Shepshed weren't a bad side.
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Post by The sound and the fury on Oct 2, 2017 18:47:19 GMT
Fish license was injured then went to a wedding in Florida that was affected by the hurricanes. Would rather play Genghis at left back than Griffiths!
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bj
Squad Member
Posts: 182
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Post by bj on Oct 2, 2017 18:59:32 GMT
Regarding Saturday's game - I am not a fan of a lot of the Health & Safety rubbish in this country, but whose idea was it to have a dozen 5/6/7 year old girls standing at the corner flags as 'ball girls'? Can you imagine the damage that could have been caused to those frail looking girls if someone the size of Lee Hughes collided with them? Or a ball hit them?. There is no need at the VG for any ball boys or girls. I support the 'inclusion' and 'marketing' aspects, but this should have been kept to a few photos, walking out with the teams and a kick about on the pitch at half time. Sorry if I sound like a killjoy!
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Post by thesecondjack on Oct 4, 2017 9:51:20 GMT
Regarding Saturday's game - I am not a fan of a lot of the Health & Safety rubbish in this country, but whose idea was it to have a dozen 5/6/7 year old girls standing at the corner flags as 'ball girls'? Can you imagine the damage that could have been caused to those frail looking girls if someone the size of Lee Hughes collided with them? Or a ball hit them?. There is no need at the VG for any ball boys or girls. I support the 'inclusion' and 'marketing' aspects, but this should have been kept to a few photos, walking out with the teams and a kick about on the pitch at half time. Sorry if I sound like a killjoy! Plenty of clubs that don't need ball boys/girls, have them. At Kiddy they could go in the east stand to collect a cleared ball from the seats, at the lane we paid them and they mostly fetched the ball from the canal end... where to put them at the VG? Not so sure... they're in high vis though, so hopefully a player would spot them and no accidents will happen! |
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Post by The Verner on Oct 4, 2017 10:00:29 GMT
And we have insurance !
The only thing wrong with it is sending them out in the rain !
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Post by cloud on Oct 4, 2017 11:17:36 GMT
Insurance or not, we don't want anyone getting hurt Verner. |
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simon
Reserve Teamer
Posts: 83
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Post by simon on Dec 28, 2017 13:55:18 GMT
This is my 1st post in the current season and having watched about 10 or 11 games I have arrived at the following conclusions.
Defensively we are dreadful,there have been more individual errors than I've seen before and as a unit,regardless of who gets shuffled about,it doesn't seem to improve.
Midfield;Birley sprays the ball about well,Hayward[best player so far]and Birch both very good.
Up front any 2 of Danks,Hughes and Reynolds and we always look like scoring.
Some of Snappers decision making such as not sorting out the goalkeeper and left back positions early enough,playing players out of position and unusual substitutions has baffled me.There is a lack of discipline which has cost us in earlier games.
Now that we have Vaughan,Weir,Thomas,Hughes Danks and Birley available[all of whom have played 3 levels higher or better] we really should be wiping the floor with the opposition.
Moving forward we should be good enough to beat Bromsgrove in the next fixture and as an optimist I'll say we'll then go on to win the league.
Has the chairman remembered to put in our application for promotion?
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Post by jupu on Dec 28, 2017 15:57:34 GMT
There is certainly a healthy dose of optimism in your assessment. I had hoped we would be first or second in the league at this stage, but based on what I've seen I can't see us wiping any floors. We've got to carry on winning and drawing and hope that other sides in the mix falter. Our destiny on the field isn't in our own hands and I can't help feeling that board and management would accept a second season at this level. This would keep playing and travel costs down and giving us another shot at Wembley. Then potentially we could start at PW with a championship winning team.
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Post by alwaysnextyear on Dec 28, 2017 21:03:27 GMT
Very optimistic in my opinion, and the Chairman has already said that " he's happy where we are ". Says it all about the Club's ambition. We are where we should be. We can usually beat the rubbish teams but against the other 6 in the top 7, our record is
Played 6
Won 1
Drew 3
Lost 2
6 points out of 18 against our promotion rivals is not good enough.
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Post by Bob from Arbroath on Dec 29, 2017 1:50:56 GMT
Underwhelming
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Post by thesecondjack on Dec 29, 2017 2:55:41 GMT
So far, I'd say good, but certainly room for improvement. We have games in hand on all above us, best GD and goals scored in the league, and what I consider currently to be a squad able to challenge for the title. That said, I agree we need to improve above the better teams, hopefully starting with 3 against Sporting on New Years.
I think Vaughan in goal will really help City at the back, as his keeping ability is beyond this level, and is a great communicator with his defence. If you could find odds on winning this league at this point, I wouldn't expect us to be the bookies favourites, but I don't think we'd be far off.
As for applying for promotion, I think I'm right in saying you don't need to this year - might be something to do with 'some of the 2nd placed teams at step 5 also going up' issue.
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Post by rushwickdon on Dec 29, 2017 8:24:27 GMT
Of course teams have to apply for promotion were they to finish second, if they seriously want it.....
If WCFC were to finish second and not apply for promotion, then what right have they to go up?
Mind you, the way the board understood the relegation issues last season, is it any wonder that this is a grey area for them.......
Certainly up until 2015, clubs at this level had until 30 November in the current season to apply for promotion come April/May next year.
Better hope the rules have changed, then.......
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Post by thesecondjack on Dec 29, 2017 11:05:48 GMT
I'm not part of the board, and don't know if it's a grey area or not... it's just my understanding that you don't have to!
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Post by The sound and the fury on Dec 29, 2017 16:03:04 GMT
You still need to advise the league that you intend to seek promotion, so they can do the necessary ground grading reviews and such like. All immaterial though as our glorious leader has already devised the way to make sure we're 3rd at best. Can already see the headlines, best league position in nearly forty years!
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Post by The sound and the fury on Dec 29, 2017 16:14:07 GMT
Think we can safely say that one or two of the pre-season signings have been found to be not up to scratch, with one or two being excellent acquisitions. This is what it looks like to me: Gwynne - great shot stopper but kicking a little iffy at times Griffiths - nowhere near good enough, first out the door for me Alexandru - find of the season, been impressed so far M Smith - worries me on the deck but wins it all off the top Hayward - can play a bit, and holds shape well. Good signing. Birch - will become the real creative force. Great engine and really positive. Tackling not his forte though! Birley - always looks to make things happen when he gets the ball, as always has J Smith - always looks disinterested, needs to get involved more Danks - way too good still for this level, will bag a shedful as he thinks quicker than most Reynolds - proper goalscorer, will always miss a few but knows where the onion bag is Sarmento - too much pace for the brains of most of his colleagues! Hughes - needs to become the sub to change things up, legs have gone now Baldwin - not as good as he thinks. Needs rocket inserted. Fishwick - like Smith worries me on the deck Need to see the others a few more times before I can justifiably slag them off Funny how a few things have changed since this post a month into the season, and all for the better! Griffiths effectively gone, Jamie Smith now looking like a proper footballer at last, Lee Hughes getting fit and looking the quality act he always was again (very happy to be proven wrong about his longevity), and Fish license being granted a return to Coleshill. Denzil back is a great move, he looks fitter and sharper, and Stoddart is starting to look like a very good player at this level. Jewel in the crown for me is Tomkinson though, proper talent. |
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Post by cloud on Jan 2, 2018 8:32:29 GMT
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Post by jupu on Jan 2, 2018 9:09:26 GMT
In the interests of keeping supporters and shareholders informed, it would be good if the Club could confirm that such application has been made.
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Post by Bonzo Bitburg on Jan 2, 2018 14:48:10 GMT
In the interests of keeping supporters and shareholders informed, it would be good if the Club could confirm that such application has been made. Steady on, don't be silly  |
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Post by The Verner on Jan 2, 2018 18:27:42 GMT
All,
Please be advised that I have an email from the league regarding this and despite comments above I can confirm there is no application process this season.
I had been awaiting some form of announcement from the league themselves but I have just clarified with them that we are able to announce this ourselves.
I will be putting out a news piece regarding this shortly
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on Jan 2, 2018 19:05:45 GMT
I can confirm that is no application process in place this season, a bit of time on Google is all thats needed to confirm that.
Now then, how about something far more important, that can't be found anywhere other than from within the Boardroom - when is the AGM Kev? Your feet must be well under the table by now.
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Post by Croc on Jan 2, 2018 19:07:22 GMT
So basically this season will mean nothing once again?
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Post by The Verner on Jan 2, 2018 19:33:54 GMT
I can confirm that is no application process in place this season, a bit of time on Google is all thats needed to confirm that. Now then, how about something far more important, that can't be found anywhere other than from within the Boardroom - when is the AGM Kev? Your feet must be well under the table by now. Very good question Jem. Thanks for clarification on the promotion process. |
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Post by genghis on Jan 2, 2018 19:55:40 GMT
All, Please be advised that I have an email from the league regarding this and despite comments above I can confirm there is no application process this season. I had been awaiting some form of announcement from the league themselves but I have just clarified with them that we are able to announce this ourselves. I will be putting out a news piece regarding this shortly That’s really disappointing. I guess it’s true, the Board never had any intention of us being promoted this season. I feel an idiot for giving them a chance. |
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Post by thesecondjack on Jan 2, 2018 19:59:03 GMT
It means you can get promoted without applying for it. Simple as that Genghis. If wcfc end up first or one of the 12 best step 5 runners up, we go up.
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on Jan 2, 2018 20:14:55 GMT
It does mean that you can get promoted without having to apply, it also means that you can make a decision not to be promoted should you so wish. The structural changes will mean that clubs will be able to think about whether they wish to be promoted once they have an idea where they are likely to be promoted to. So if WCFC end up first, or one of the best step 5 runners up, they are not committed to promotion if its not feasible or sustainable.
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