www.altyfans.co.uk

...so I see Southend have been given another 42 days to settle an outstanding £275k debt with HMRC.

I'm also assuming there's a considerable amount of creditors that remain unpaid too (as well as the players themselves).

The League has a decision on their hands now - they could risk a real mess if they allow them to kick off the season.

What do we think the outcome will be?

As suspected, Toby did move on from Rochdale - and finally got his move to Grimsby. Thoughts on whether we might have been entitled to a sell on fee - surely we were savvy enough to put one in?

Replaced today by none other than Kyle Ferguson.

Rather than focus on who we should get rid of, let's have a bit more fun and speculate on who could come in - it's always good to look back on this sort of thread and see if any of us end up being on the money - or whether we're well off compared to what Parky & Sorvs are thinking.

I know a lot of us take in other local non-league games too, so I'll be intrigued to see who has impressed us from elsewhere - obviously there will be the released lists to look at too, but we should primarily be focusing on cherry-picking players on a recent upward curve.

My own picks would be:

GOALKEEPER
Luke Simpson (TNS) - this was one I'd have liked last summer when he left Kidderminster; only signed for TNS in the autumn and they were walking the league by then.
Cameron Mason (Southport) - long been considered one of the best goalkeepers in non-league; still only 27 but would bring the experience we so badly need at the moment.
Harry Tyrer (Everton) - very young (like Ollie) but 6'4 and 'commanding', hugely popular at Chester this season; given Everton have deeper pockets than us and might subsidise the loan, it would kick the goalkeeper problem down the kerb 12 months - keeping the budget free for outfield positions.
Theo Richardson (Buxton) - won a couple of end-of-season awards for them; only 24 years old and certainly a very realistic target for us; might fit the bill.

DEFENDERS
Miles Welch-Hayes (Harrogate) - has largely done well here and is popular with the fans; of the recent loanees he seems to be the most realistic to sign up permanently.
Kyle Ferguson (Harrogate) - willing to offer him a deal, but his expectations would have to be reasonable, and he'd have to show us more than what he's done since returning.
Tylor Golden (Halifax) - one of their star performers this past season in the right back position we clearly now meed to address; seems that he might be NW-based.
Sammy Robinson (Port Vale) - former Manchester City trainee that many at Vale were surprised to see released; a young wing back in the Parky mould but can cover at centre back.
Matty Williams (Chester) - considered the jewel in the crown of the meanest defence in the National League North next season; under contract so we'd need to get creative.
Liam Edwards (Chester) - another great young defender; not considered the best footballer but a brilliant defender, much like Lewis Baines; unlike Williams he's out of contract.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
Connor Kirby (Buxton) - trialled with us in the summer but overlooked; has had a great season with Buxton and I'd be happy to see him back.
Regan Booty (Maidstone) - relegated with Maidstone but he's a northerner; played in the same Huddersfield youth setup as Isaac Marriott. Good with set pieces; can cover at left back.
Dylan Boyle (Fleetwood) - one to bear in mind given our connections with Fleetwood; currently impressing on loan at Curzon Ashton, seems ready to take the step up.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Charlie Caton (Shrewsbury) - another one impressing on loan in the NLN; out of contract with Shrewsbury (I think) but if Chester come up, I assume they'd be favourites to keep him.
Aaron Bennett (Preston) - same category as Kyle Ferguson really; might be better to bring him in on trial over the summer (assuming he'll be released) and whether he can turn up in shape or not.

WINGERS
Tyrese Sinclair (Rochdale) - I think we'd all have him back if a deal can be done with Rochdale; clearly enjoyed his time here and we got the best out of him most of the time.
Milli Alli (Halifax) - always one I assumed would end up here at some point, but his form in the second half of the season might mean he gets a much bigger move now.
Courtney Duffus (Morecambe) - would be a real punt given his recent injury record, but he's a strongand physical forward who we know has done it at this level.

STRIKERS
Danny Elliott - another one that's been done to death but we know he can find the net at this level; strangely been playing out of position for SC**thorpe.
Jake Bickerstaff - very much part of the 'done well against us' category, well regarded at Wrexham but maybe they have grander ambitions now.
Connor Hall (Chorley) - prolific season in the National League North and seemingly good mates with Lewis Baines; feels like he would be quite a realistic option for us.

There aren't really any leftfield names here - anyone else caught the eye for anyone this season?

So, we move on then... who do we reckon is being lined up to come into the team?

Bennett back in on loan?
Someone else from Fleetwood (like Baggley)?
Conn-Clarke extension?
Key player contract renewals?

Not sure if this is the same person that did the excellent pre season review and shared it on here (which scarily seems about 5 minutes ago) - but here's another detailed team by team report which makes for good reading:

https://rdnlmusings.blogspot.com/2022/12/national-league-2022-23-mid-term-report.html?m=1

Just to restore a bit more positivity...

Firstly, we're in the next round.

Secondly, the pitch looked bloody fantastic - given it's had all the elements chucked at it recently. Brilliant effort from all those involved in getting it that way.

Got to be pretty pleased so far, haven't we?

Arguably the biggest transition we'll ever face led to a pretty sticky start, but now that recruitment and injuries have settled down, we look like a team that can start looking up the table, rather than down it.

Recent results have shown us that, besides the 'Big Three', there really isn't anyone to fear for us in this division.

14th place and a return of 1.26 points per game (compared with 1.25 last season) so we're heading in the right direction.

I've tried to mark the players 'Football Manager style':

Goalkeepers:
1. Oliver BYRNE - 6.5 (great shot stopper but hasn't commanded his area as much as we'd hoped)
21. Matthew GOULD - 6.5 (looked OK in the brief time we've seen him)
29. Dermot MEE - 5.5 (nightmare start that didn't get any better; not seen again after shipping five at Solihull)

Defenders:
2. Edward JONES - 6.5 (has struggled at times, doesn't overlap enough - but has shown steady improvement)
3. Liam BROCKBANK - 6 (another one with a less than ideal start to life at Alty; didn't look ready for this level yet)
5. Toby MULLARKEY - 8 (captain and leader, dependable at either centre half or full back)
6. Lewis BAINES - 7 (not much of a footballer but a solid defender - and sometimes that's all you need)
22. Ross BARROWS - 6 (error-strewn and sadly not lived up to the promise that came with his signing)
23. Jake COOPER - 6.5 (remains a promising prospect waiting in the wings, been decent when depended upon)
26. James JONES - 6.5 (started his second spell with us poorly, but has settled in better now)

Central Midfielders:
8. Josh LUNDSTRAM - 8 (wonderful footballer and one of the first names on the team sheet for a reason)
4. Isaac MARRIOTT - 7.5 (been excellent again since his return; him & Josh are a hell of a midfield duo)
10. Elliot OSBORNE - 6.5 (been OK but flatters to deceive at times; has made some poor errors and now considered backup)
18. Ben PRINGLE - 6.5 (popular with the fans but not really seen as much of him as we did last season)
31. Dan MALONE - 6 (didn't really make his mark in the short period of time that we've seen him)

Attacking Midfielders:
7. Matty KOSYLO - N/A
11. Ryan COLCLOUGH - 8 (slow start to the season but back in the saddle now; still very much our marquee player)
16. Chris CONN-CLARKE - 7.5 (a bit inconsistent at times but really dangerous and has chipped in with lots of goal contributions)
17. Brad JACKSON - 6 (has struggled with his usual fitness issues and hasn't really made an impact when we've seen him)
28. Elliot NEWBY - 8 (has been excellent every game - I think we'd all be extremely delighted if we could keep him for longer)
33. Egli KAJA - 6.5 (been breathtaking in extremely small bursts; unfortunately can't seem to get himself fit to play 90 minutes)

Strikers:
9. Jordan HULME - 6.5 (we know what we get with Jordan; incredible servant but not as effective as he once was)
30. Marcus DINANGA - 7 (scored higher than Jordan mainly because he's exceeded all our expectations, let's face it)
35. Connor JENNINGS - 7.5 (worked really hard and led the line well; no surprise the wingers are firing in his presence)

I'd love to see our loanees extended further (or made permanent) - and it would be great to see one or two given fresh 18-month deals to tie them in with us beyond the end of the season, if we have the means of being able to do so.