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Tbh we shuddered when we drew R&D After Vics beat you 4-0, we knew the sack for Hart and the inevitable improvement in performance was going to cop for us. Same as when Morecambes pproblems came to a head with a spineless 0-3 reverse at Crawkey 3 days before they came to Moss Lane, just the way our luck is going at the moment.

One explanation I thought of this morning was the fact that we've been rubbish (apart from the Darlo year where we had 4 home ties and started at the 1st quakl to build momentum up) ever since prize money was introduced for the qualifying rounds!! How weird

Maybe it's other teams being geared up for the bonus money players get for winning these ties but perhaps more so down to the types of players we have. None of our lads are money motivated (or maybe they are but just sh*t at maths ; ) really and they kmow are problems and try and build with us. I hesitate to say it when talking about footballers of almost any level but they do play for the shirt really, they give us there all at all times. It's very rare we complain that they don't. I'm not convinced it's easy to switch mentality and suddenly improve by the carrot of glory or money . We're hardly Clevedon Town, most if not all the players have played in decent stadiums or had league careers etc.

I think we'd have the lads we've got now who've worked wonders for us the past few years instead of once a year glory chasers.

Any views

I'm trying....

Another straw I'll have a clutch at.  Paul Inces Macclesfield town being ahead twice and losing three two, the last two goals coming from ex Macc Striker Richie Barker.

I had a fiver on Macc at 6/4 as I don't think much of Mansfield. By the time they were 2-1 up with 5 mins left I didn't care and just wanted the Stags to equalize. Then I was furious, picking up a point but still knackering my bet up. How I roared! 2599 there, down to 1499 by Xmas.

One more straw, I think it's all catching up with us. Some players need a break, I'm thinking of young Lewis in particular. At least we've got a few weeks now (I'm not counting the usual York debacle) but we'll be able to rest and get players back. Bandy, Eddie, Col, Talbs, Stu, Peter Thomson, Lee Hendley and most of all IMHO Steve Bushell to add a bit of composure. Then we can play how we want to, with players in correct positions, like Stevenage on the first day of the season.

We'll be ready for Nov 18th (or 25th if Crawley go bump  ). I see Grays have sacked their manager, if you add R&D and Cambridge to the least clearly a few clubs are making the change before we play them, just our luck again

Scott to me is far more gifted than Aspinall on the ball. Azza is crucial to have on though in case of penalties and has done well this season so far. Solid, and always gives his all - and I ask no more of any Alty player.

Not sure about him being a good passer of the ball though. Many an attack breaks down with a wayward Azza pass to no one, and he is often predictable with his long cross field passes from the half way line, which never really get us going forward particularly quickly. I think he needs to be a bit more confident coming forward with the ball, although he probably told not to come much further than the half way line.

He has a cracking shot on him though when he connects. I can't wait to see a weaving Azza run up the right, out of defence, cutting inside, before unleashing an unstoppable 30 yard piledriver into the top corner. 

Hmmm, Asa (bar Colin Little) is probably the best player technique wise at the club. I'm astonished that you think he isn't a good passer of the  ball. It takes 2 to tango, a good pass needs an intelligent striker, that may be a problem. Options are not always available either but Asa is extremely cultured, how many decent crossfield balls do you see drilled by other players. I still see his controlled driven low pass over 50 yards (difficult) after taking time on the ball to set Kieran away at Aldershot.

A very, very intelligent footballer is Steve Aspinall.

I'm very pleased that I can say Moss Lane is one of the safest places in non-league for families to watch football in a relaxed atmosphere, in fairness most conference grounds are really. The prospect of trouble is minimal and I think we have more young fans than we have had for quite a while. Most of them tend to be playing, kicking cans round the concrete steps than watching the game but hey ho.

I think you'll find Moss Lane is perfectly safe, most people know each other and we don't have thugs. There is swearing occasionally - maybe we should try and control that a bit more actually lads - but nothing vicious. I would be amazed if there was swearing etc in the family stand. get hold of the messnger, get a kids for £2 voucher and enjoy good level conference football for the cheapest prices in the division. Make yourself known to the bar staff in the bar before the game and I'll buy you (and your lass) a welcome drink. If I'm not there, ask for Pete Hughes, he will as well  

Next home game is Crawley Sat 18th Nov, altho there may be (please God) an FA Cup match in between.

Also the added bonus of feeling an attachment to your local area.

Ballers (Gareth Thomas)