Messages

1

The B-Ark / Re: Where are they now?

« on: June 16, 2024, 09:30:33 AM »

Brad Abbott... to Cleethorpes Town.

2

The B-Ark / Re: Where are they now?

« on: June 02, 2024, 08:00:20 PM »

Andi Thanoj to Kettering, following the demise of Coalville.

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The B-Ark / Re: well done Jimmy Knowles ... Leagues 3rd highest scorer

« on: May 09, 2024, 08:04:57 AM »

For all the euphoria we have to remember we finished 6th in a desperately poor league and as much as we may love this group, some of them are not good enough for the step up. Harsh, but reality.

Early season form was poor, even losing to Bishop Stortford whilst the side was still gelling. End of season form was considerably better, and warranted a position much higher than sixth. With that momentum and camaraderie in place, wouldn't it be better to keep the nucleus of the squad together and give it a chance? If the group breaks up too much, don't you risk more results like Stortford? But if you keep it together, anything is possible. Look at Tamworth .....

4

The B-Ark / Re: v Worksop

« on: October 16, 2023, 09:46:50 PM »

We were told in no uncertain terms the new ground would be a game changer; as far as I can see its just a case of The Emperors New Clothes. 

It probably didn't help that it opened during the pandemic. We could hardly hit the ground running at the time, with all the uncertainty over seasons being incomplete and/or ending early.

We stumbled into the play offs in the first full season with fans, losing out in the final. The next season was a horror show for several month, after the shocking recruitment in the summer - when you'd think we were in prime position to move forward, and go one better in the play offs. Weirdly, we only got 1 more point at home in the play off season, that the one where we fought relegation for most of it. The division got harder, too, as Gloucester got into the play offs with 68 points (compared to our 63 the year before).

It was clear last year that Culverhouse was struggling to bring in the players he wanted, and therefore relied on young loan players (who would be taught how to play football by their parent clubs) to plug the gaps in quality. We seemed to the change formations, too - using 3/4/5 at the back.

This year it's been a blank canvas and the senior players brought in are better than last season's players. Unfortunately, we lack depth at both ends of the pitch which means we either have a different back 4 each week or struggle with a plan B (wingers) when things aren't quite working out - this has affected away games more than home. The football is 100% better than 12 months ago, and IC takes the credit for this. However, we can't just go into every game with the same plan, especially away, expecting to win. The Alfreton game was a perfect example of this.

We're now using (cheap?) U23s to plug the gaps where we used U23s from EFL clubs before. They are our players so it allows more flexibility, more coaching and more familiarity within the squad. This should see long term benefits, it may even see us have a really strong 2nd half of the season. Dylan Hill is the 1 U23 that has already forced himself into the team (and Tyler Knowles), albeit out of position due to injuries. The other U23s might be disappointed not to get many minutes, espically Wilson (he's injured too now).

If anyone was expecting the new hybrid model to translate into immediate results, then they've been disappointed - especially away from the JCS. We have the solid base of 4 wins out of 5 at home. The season is nowhere near a disaster, though. The minimum we could ask for this season is comfort away from the bottom and we're getting that. We need to cement a top half place and then kick on towards the play offs. 3 homes games in a week coming up should help...

Not sure the league necessarily got harder. The number of teams increased from 22 to 24, so the points total into the playoffs was bound to increase. Other than that, can agree with most of this.

5

The B-Ark / Re: v Worksop

« on: October 15, 2023, 05:35:02 PM »

I notice Liam Hughes (Worksop's number 10) has tweeted his best wishes to our fan who was taken unwell. Echos what we're all thinking, but well done to him for actually doing so.

 I don't think any of our own players have done likewise. Surely it wouldn't have gone amiss for our players to put something up for themselves along similar lines? Especially after Ian Culverhouse promised only on Thursday that he'd get the player's to acknowledge our support?

6

The B-Ark / Re: Curzon

« on: October 10, 2023, 06:12:47 PM »

The problem is our small catchment area when trying to sign new players. Smaller teams like Curzon have a wider choice than us and it means their players will never be far from home. Unless we are to prepared to pay exhorbitant salaries to attract quality ex league players we will always struggle.

Not sure our catchment area is that small, haven't we got players living in Shrewsbury, all over the West Midlands and Yorkshire? Admittedly, the numbers of players willing to travel those distances might be smaller.

7

The B-Ark / Re: Oh so quiet.....

« on: June 26, 2023, 08:30:09 PM »

With so few signings so far

I don't get that comment. We have 14 players officially announced, and it's not even July. We're not going to be working with much more than a squad of 20...

I think people are just a bit spooked by Scunny, who got their business done very early and have formidable squad depth. They must surely be favourites for the title, with the rest of us scrapping for the playoffs again.

They might have the best squad of players on paper, but how often doesn't that then translate into winning things? We know that better than most.

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The B-Ark / Re: Jimmy Knowles

« on: May 30, 2023, 06:34:15 PM »

With a name that's 50% Tony Knowles and 50% Jimmy White, we've probably signed a good snooker player.

9

The B-Ark / Re: Jimmy Knowles

« on: May 30, 2023, 07:38:41 AM »

Can anyone explain to me what is meant by 'bigger names' at our level?

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink? Jean Kaludimba-Kalala? George Sykes-Kenworthy?
Certainly a few bigger names in football than Tom Edge and Tom Leak.

10

The B-Ark / Re: Brad Nicholson

« on: May 25, 2023, 07:00:17 AM »

He got a two year sentence and a six year ban from football grounds so he won’t be a lot of use

6 year ban as a spectator (only). He may have to wear a blindfold or a paper bag whilst sitting on the bench

Maybe there's a spare blindfold or two in the referee's changing room?

11

The B-Ark / Re: Brad Nicholson

« on: May 22, 2023, 05:13:36 PM »

I suppose the hybrid model suits released prisoners who don't have other jobs they need to work around? Reece Thompson next?

12

The B-Ark / Re: Alfreton

« on: February 09, 2023, 07:32:33 AM »

Culverhouse himself was a centre half, so I think the defensive buck stops with him.

No, he wasn't. He was a right back. But still a defender.

13

The B-Ark / Re: New look team

« on: October 17, 2022, 01:10:27 PM »

I've heard we put in a 7-day approach for a target man striker, who plays in this division, and has also played for Culverhouse before.

Have Culverhouse sides ever played with the stereotype target man though? Can't really see a Denton, Rhead or Beck fitting the style of play

Can think of one centre forward in our division who has played for Culverhouse before. But the one I'm thinking of has also played for us before, which you'd probably have mentioned. Unless double bluffing?

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The B-Ark / Re: Taunton town

« on: June 16, 2022, 07:05:28 AM »

PC seems to have confirmed that in the video Craig's posted online this morning.....food with the fans after too apparently!

Friday game, so presumably an evening kick off. How many fans are going to stick around for food at 10pm when they've then got a five hour journey home?

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The B-Ark / Re: Next season

« on: February 20, 2022, 09:05:19 AM »

Paul Cook has inherited a very average squad.

Disagree. When he gets Tshimanga fit they'll be absolutely fine.