24-04-2018, 13:51
The truth is that if we go on under Allen we are going to have to find ways of working round his randomness. First there's no money, then we can afford a big wage for O'Grady, BUT O'Grady turns out to be pants and we're contracted to him for two years. With DA up top we'd have to find ways to promotion despite him .......... which isn't actually impossible, but it wouldn't help.
Luton, Lincoln, Oxford, Wrexham, Aldershot, Hartlepool, Tranmere, Orient, Torquay, Stockport, York, Darlington, Boston, Kidderminster, Chester are just some of those who would testify to how difficult climbing back into the EFL can be. Matt is right that money matters, but organisation behind the scenes seems to me to be a vital point too. If Reg were even vaguely consistent in his dealings and avoided plundering every transfer or parachute payment then there would be some scope for Blue's natural optimism. Macclesfield are struggling financially, they have a team which has way out-performed its individual components, and they've won the league nicely. They don't have a goalscorer amongst the top 13 names listed. They scored only 65 goals in 45 games against Fylde's 82. They aren't unimaginably good.
The trouble is only one place brings automatic promotion and it looks a dog-fight between the next six in the playoffs and none of them really look to be very different in standard to Macclesfield. Dover are seventh but have several players I'd sign - Gallifuoco, for sure, Brundle and Pinnock both definite yeses, Nortey, Ilesanmi ....... not too dusty. Wrexham are tenth, Orient thirteenth, Hartlepool seventeenth. It is tough and all of them will want to beat us. BUT winning it IS possible, if you know your opponents, don't underestimate anybody and you know where to recruit and who to avoid.
If Bobs Board sets the standard then most of our fans have no realistic view of the size of the task facing the club or the steps needed IF the aim is a return to the EFL. On-field we have to carefully select players, most of whom should have non-league experience who are willing to commit themselves to the club and area. Skill matters, pace and athleticism are important and the physical aspect of the game has to be accepted. Teams play sophisticated formations and they aren't just crude kickers. Though some teams like Fylde can afford to hang on to good players and buy others, there are teams in dire financial straits for whom a modest offer for their best player will be looked at as covering the wage bill for months. There are opportunities out there.
Luton, Lincoln, Oxford, Wrexham, Aldershot, Hartlepool, Tranmere, Orient, Torquay, Stockport, York, Darlington, Boston, Kidderminster, Chester are just some of those who would testify to how difficult climbing back into the EFL can be. Matt is right that money matters, but organisation behind the scenes seems to me to be a vital point too. If Reg were even vaguely consistent in his dealings and avoided plundering every transfer or parachute payment then there would be some scope for Blue's natural optimism. Macclesfield are struggling financially, they have a team which has way out-performed its individual components, and they've won the league nicely. They don't have a goalscorer amongst the top 13 names listed. They scored only 65 goals in 45 games against Fylde's 82. They aren't unimaginably good.
The trouble is only one place brings automatic promotion and it looks a dog-fight between the next six in the playoffs and none of them really look to be very different in standard to Macclesfield. Dover are seventh but have several players I'd sign - Gallifuoco, for sure, Brundle and Pinnock both definite yeses, Nortey, Ilesanmi ....... not too dusty. Wrexham are tenth, Orient thirteenth, Hartlepool seventeenth. It is tough and all of them will want to beat us. BUT winning it IS possible, if you know your opponents, don't underestimate anybody and you know where to recruit and who to avoid.
If Bobs Board sets the standard then most of our fans have no realistic view of the size of the task facing the club or the steps needed IF the aim is a return to the EFL. On-field we have to carefully select players, most of whom should have non-league experience who are willing to commit themselves to the club and area. Skill matters, pace and athleticism are important and the physical aspect of the game has to be accepted. Teams play sophisticated formations and they aren't just crude kickers. Though some teams like Fylde can afford to hang on to good players and buy others, there are teams in dire financial straits for whom a modest offer for their best player will be looked at as covering the wage bill for months. There are opportunities out there.