Carry on like this and we will walk this tin pot league. Seriously though today was really outstanding, the whole team worked their socks off never giving Alty a chance to put many decent moves together, the defence is growing in confidence with every game. Lovely to see the boys get the ball on the ground and string some great passes together, It would be wrong to single out individuals but I am going to do, Nicky Walker responding to Craigs faith in him with a man of the match performance, never let their defence and keeper have a seconds rest so very unlucky with a wonderful strike in the first half that hit the post, quite superb. Another great shift by Jon Waffula winning headers at will in both attack and defence. Lovely passing football for both goals that were expertly taken by Marriot and Arnold respectively. We could well miss Jackson in next three games, He gave them nothing today but I think we have the strength in depth to cope. I say again all the boys gave their all today and were roundly cheered and clapped off the park by some very happy, excited supporters. Let's get York Street rocking next Saturday, that is of course if Spenny turn up. UTP
Not much to disagree with here. Before KO I was looking at how many goals Alty had scored and looking at our somewhat makeshift CB pairing and I said to Dunc, "I've got a bad feeling about this." Luckily, I'm normally wrong about football and I'm delighted to report that today was no different: Harris and Lees were absolutely brilliant, they hardly put a foot wrong all game and nor did Willis - although him going down injured did again give me palpitations with no sub gk on the bench.
I thought Nathan Arnold drifted in and out of the game as he did against Nuneaton, but the beauty of a player of his quality is that he's a danger even in fits and starts. His goal was taken beautifully - he is a class act and as the season progresses I can see him growing into this team and being a more consistent threat. It's not all working for him at the moment, but two goals in two games -both brilliant finishes - don't lie.
As for Nicky Walker - hard to know what to say really. He is going to be absolutely huge for us this season if he carries on like this.
Quibbles? Plenty! But I hope all positive in a way. The passing in the final third is still really off - again, this is something I see improving as this team gets more games under its belt, but right now it's often wasteful and frustrating - even for the players if some of the gesticulating is to go by. Tied into that, the lack of clear cut chances is a concern. And as good as that makeshift CB pairing is, I'd like to see a bit more depth there.
Harder games to come, no doubt. But we're second, we're playing well, we're getting results away - and you feel there's so much more to come from this team. Excited? You bet.