www.altyfans.co.uk

Let's not forget that we could have had a more settled team by regularly playing Goodson, Dinanga, Jackson etc. However it was decided, correctly in my view, that we could achieve more by getting players like Newby and CCC on loan, with the result that we have amassed 53 plus points, reached an FA Trophy semi, and the CSC final. If we match this next season, with or without loan players, I shan't complain. Also worth remembering that players of the calibre of CCC are liable to be picked up by other clubs anyway even if contracted, as indeed happened with Ryan and Toby.

Of course if we could get a player on loan for a season as (almost) happened with Shotton, that would solve the problem too, however, I suspect that such loans are quite rare.

Quote from: Leon on April 14, 2023, 12:04:02 PM

Quote from: MarpleAlty on April 13, 2023, 10:04:15 PM

Sometimes I do understand what Jordan means about this forum. Honest to God.

What exactly has anyone said that you find so contemptible?

I just think that we should be celebrating a really successful loan - rather than bemoaning the fact we did it in the first place.

Not likely. Did you hear that radio phone in on GMR about our FAT semi-final from 1978 that was unearthed a few months back? As someone not watching (or born) at the time, I think of that as one of our greatest sides, so what struck me was the amount of complaining about the way we played in the first leg against Runcorn.

I would love it too to be fair, though I would tentatively suggest that the vicinity of the Recreation Ground might not be a good place to ostentatiously love it too much should we happen to relegate Town*.


*After the hard work that so many put into helping this club pay off historic debt, I insist on referring to the likes of Aldershot, Halifax and Macc, who got to start a "new" club with a clean slate and the same old stadium, as "(Aldershot) Town", "FC (Halifax Town)", or "the newly formed Macclesfield FC", rather than a name which does not acknowledge that any such thing happened.

Slightly worried about the possibility of relegating Aldershot on the last day, they're not going to like it one little bit!

For what it's worth, Dale's remaining fixtures:

Bradford City h
Tranmere      h
Stockport      a
Sutton          a
Harrogate     a

I note that Hartlepool have also found some form, but if they win at least 3 of the next 4 they could possibly overhaul Harrogate (currently 8 points ahead with a game in hand) on the last day. Anyhow, I'm counting on at least one of them going down to possibly boost our chances with loan players.

I thought it would be interesting to take a look at our league record from the Aldershot win to date and see what sort of level we are currently at. It reads as follows:

played   wins   draws   losses   for   against   points   points per game

32         14      6         12         52    54          48        1.5

If replicated over a season, one observes that we would not be far off the play-offs, which tend to require a points total around the mid 70s (eg Chesterfield on 74 points to finish 7th last season). Perhaps inevitably we had a slow start with the loss of the "magnificent seven" plus Mooney, and the unavailability of players like Kosylo, Byrne and Marriot. I expect a much lower turnover of players for next season. With a bit of strengthening - which should be possible with the Trophy run and probably slightly increased crowds this season - and a good pre-season, plus hopefully Notts and Wrexham out of the way, there seems reason to be optimistic about having a real push for the play-offs next season.

I offer my congratulations to the players and management who have got us to this level, and particularly to the players who have come in recently and taken us so close  to a Wembley final. Next time!

Thank you for your kind words

Walking down the moss lane ....

To see Phil Parky's aces.
Whoooah the lads...

(Have I spelt "whoooah" correctly?).

Hugh Cooper, independent candidate, Timperley North

https://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/23438935.trafford-council-local-elections---list-candidates/

I meant buying more time to regroup, ramp up the pressure etc

I seem to recall a similar story about a dog going on the pitch at Torquay - after which Torquay got the goal they needed to stay in the Football League. In other cases too, games seem to sometimes change after these stoppages so this flare incident could have changed things.