Well, I was certainly the only one to predict defeat in Matt's Predication League, but even I was slightly surprised by the comprehensive nature of the loss.
New signings can galvanise a squad, but they have to be exciting to overcome the current squad's fear of losing their place to an almost equally ordinary performer. No one could accuse our new arrivals of setting hearts racing, especially in the light of Louis Dodds playing the bad penny and coming straight back into the match-day squad too.
But our new arrivals didn't lose the game. We lost on merit with our current team (plus Yarney) which has been getting by on a bit of team spirit and a big dose of heroism from Will Evans. The cracks were very sparsely papered-over and Brackley who wanted to retain their trophy were quick to start peeling.
Saturday's team selection looked right up there with Gary Caldwell's funniest efforts. Fortune's injured so we leave Denton and Shaw on the bench (and Amantchi is apparently dead, whilst Rawson has been sent to re-model his ambitions down to the Midland League), Kiwomya - no-one's idea of a lone front man is marooned on his own up front, with three in behind him, only one of whom ever scores a goal, backed by two defensive midfielders ............ If that was trying to win, it was a very strange way to go about it.
If we can unwillingly get Dodds back, surely we could willingly get Ugwu? Surely then our aim has to be to reach a stage at which Boden, Shaw and Carter are all on the field feeding off a centre forward and feeding him (remembering that Carter spent a season at Woking playing with Ugwu)?
At the back priorities have to be keeping Evans on the field and getting Maguire with him.
If I could have my druthers, I'd sign Kosylo from Halifax tomorrow and give him a decent contract, simultaneously stealing their best player and adding something we lack. I'd have to get a keeper too - I can't bear the thought of Jalal gets injured or gives Sheridan some well-deserved chelp and Anyon trots onto the field. (I'd still be up for signing Rowan Liburd from Guiseley if no one else is convinced Gozie is a viable option.)
Looking at Saturday and hearing what Sheridan had to say I could hear the siren song of the National League North calling. We could well be Stockport's glamorous substitutes.
New signings can galvanise a squad, but they have to be exciting to overcome the current squad's fear of losing their place to an almost equally ordinary performer. No one could accuse our new arrivals of setting hearts racing, especially in the light of Louis Dodds playing the bad penny and coming straight back into the match-day squad too.
But our new arrivals didn't lose the game. We lost on merit with our current team (plus Yarney) which has been getting by on a bit of team spirit and a big dose of heroism from Will Evans. The cracks were very sparsely papered-over and Brackley who wanted to retain their trophy were quick to start peeling.
Saturday's team selection looked right up there with Gary Caldwell's funniest efforts. Fortune's injured so we leave Denton and Shaw on the bench (and Amantchi is apparently dead, whilst Rawson has been sent to re-model his ambitions down to the Midland League), Kiwomya - no-one's idea of a lone front man is marooned on his own up front, with three in behind him, only one of whom ever scores a goal, backed by two defensive midfielders ............ If that was trying to win, it was a very strange way to go about it.
If we can unwillingly get Dodds back, surely we could willingly get Ugwu? Surely then our aim has to be to reach a stage at which Boden, Shaw and Carter are all on the field feeding off a centre forward and feeding him (remembering that Carter spent a season at Woking playing with Ugwu)?
At the back priorities have to be keeping Evans on the field and getting Maguire with him.
If I could have my druthers, I'd sign Kosylo from Halifax tomorrow and give him a decent contract, simultaneously stealing their best player and adding something we lack. I'd have to get a keeper too - I can't bear the thought of Jalal gets injured or gives Sheridan some well-deserved chelp and Anyon trots onto the field. (I'd still be up for signing Rowan Liburd from Guiseley if no one else is convinced Gozie is a viable option.)
Looking at Saturday and hearing what Sheridan had to say I could hear the siren song of the National League North calling. We could well be Stockport's glamorous substitutes.
