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[andrewflynn]

We're 12th in the National League, we have shown we can deliver against good sides and I do believe that man for man we have strengthened the squad.

Yet we now have 1 win in 12 games. What's happened? I don't know, I think there are a number of factors (losing Thompson at Yeovil, Solihull game, loanees, losing Mooney, FA Cup exit, ground problems) that have contributed to this run but it needs sorting out, starting Saturday. These players are better than they are showing and it seems like we've got a lot of availability now.

I may have got this completely wrong, but I am starting to think that this group doesn't have the feel of the Alty squads that Phil & Neil have put together in previous seasons.

There was something special about our previous groups, it felt like a real cohesive squad with a clear idea of what role everyone had to play. I always got the impression they played for each other and that transferred itself onto the terraces as a bit of a bond. The likes of Max Harrop, for example, had a clear role as a back up and that was okay. I look at it now. Who is the foil for Jake Moult? Is it Pringle? Whitehead? Furman? Porter? I appreciate competition but is that healthy? How invested are some of these lads in what we want to do here when they've dropped part time and can't get a consistent gig? I do wonder sometimes. If that's not the case then prove me wrong.

It feels like a huge collection of football players more than it does a squad, to me. And I do apologise if I'm wide of the mark here. There are a number of players that you see once every 3 or 4 games. Why? Is this injuries? If so, we've had an awful lot. Or are players falling out of favour? I don't know about this, either. Maybe we're just a football club in transition and it's part of the process.

It just seems like we see players for a couple of weeks then they fall off the face of the earth, only to return last night and put in a bitterly disappointing performance.

We need a striker. That much is obvious. Until then:

JOSH HANCOCK UP FRONT, PLEEEAAASSEEEE

I don't know. Runs of form are part of football. That's definitely true with us under Phil & Neil - we are a momentum team due to the style of football we play. It relies on mojo and self belief, both of which have been severely dented over the last month or so. All at a time where the fans haven't been able to fully get behind them as they'd have liked.

I'm not asking or expecting us to turn it around 180' over this very tough run of games. Let's start by playing like Alty again over a full 90 minutes. It will result in points.

[HashtagAlty]

Is that moving text our equivalent of a plane over Moss Lane?

[Alty Dave]

Is that moving text our equivalent of a plane over Moss Lane?

 

[Saughall Robin]

Is that moving text our equivalent of a plane over Moss Lane?

No, I think that's you Hashtag 😉

[GolfRoader]

A couple of factors have contributed to this I believe including the covid outbreak meaning we lost some key players which, in turn, meant we lost some momentum.

After that I'm not so sure we are in a worse place than last season. Actually, at this stage last year we'd gained 1 less point than we have now. On the scoring issues I'm also not entirely convinced a centre forward is where our problem lies either. We're actually the 5th highest scorers in the division this season with 33 goals..We'd only scored around 21 at this stage last year.

In contrast we've conceded 29 which puts us right where we currently are, which is mid table..we'd only conceded 22 at this stage last year

What's happening seems indicative of Phil's sides as Andrew says. He says it himself and seems to know it's coming where we tend to go on fantastic runs winning game after game followed by a barren spell for another 6-7 games, or whichever it is. It's hard to pinpoint the reason but perhaps part time status, squad depth quality and external factors like covid are partly to blame.  I also think our tactics can be "high risk high reward" at times. We'll play some great football going for the win but might risk sacrificing a comfortable draw for that even when we aren't playing that well. So, when we don't play well and it doesn't click we end up losing games we may otherwise get a point in. On the other side of that our ambitious play does tend to yield results we ordinarily wouldn't have a chance in so it balances out in my opinion. Unfortunately it looks worse when it doesn't come off

This brings me to the striker issue. What is the role of a striker in this team? To me it isn't necessarily that of a goalscorer as we don't have an issue scoring this year. What I do think is that our striker needs to work hard pressuring defences, they need to be strong on the ball and be great at holding it up for our attacking midfielders. They also need to be able to see a pass and be prepared to be part of the creation of a goal scoring opportunity as much as wanting to be the player finishing it. For me, the only real archetypal thing a striker needs to be able to do in this team is have the vision to get on the end of the multiple drilled crosses into the 6 yard box we end up having. 
I'm still not sure we have that player yet but I think it's such a specialist's role in this side it's hard to find one at non league level that can fit the bill.

[One Foot in the Grave]

That last paragraph fully defines what Jordan Hulme brought to the team. That ability to hold the ball up facing away from goal, and then lay it off to a colleague, is difficult skill to find in a player at this level. Personally, I'd be prepared to swallow my pride and try to bring him home. He could make the vital difference. (Steps back, and waits for an avalanche of nay-sayers).

[wayno]

Do we know where Chris senior is these days ?

[Saughall Robin]

Do we know where Chris senior is these days ?

You're at it now mate! 🤯

[wayno]

Do we know where Chris senior is these days ?

You're at it now mate! 🤯

ha ha it was you putting his name in my head . 😂😂

[Saughall Robin]

Do we know where Chris senior is these days ?

You're at it now mate! 🤯

ha ha it was you putting his name in my head . 😂😂

Don't blame me. I didn't put him in the squad photos! 😉

[JD]

I think the biggest factor is the many changes, with which we have not coped as well as last year where Smith was a great bonus, but this years loanees, imho, have not made anything like the same impression. Losing Smith - full stop - was a major loss, and we have not recovered at left back with Hampson - one of my players of last season - having only just come back.

We have very good defenders, individually, but not a settled defence, and I think that might be a big issue!

As for the No9 role: as long as the rest of the team pitch in, as they have been, it is not vital, but maybe Hancock or Mooney can fill in here.

[oneedham]

Haven't read the replies as it took me 30 mins to get through Flynny's post  ;D7

For me and I said it when we lost the likes of Hulme, Harrop, Richman, Dens ( around the changing room), Williams and so on. You lose big big characters, players who aren't good enough for this standard ( apart from a fully fit raging Hulme ) but players who will get the team up for it. It can't always fall on the Manager for this. You need to look at the team around you whilst on the pitch and feel you can go to war with these guys.

You wouldn't go to war with the likes of Porter, Fitzpatrick, Dinanga and some others.

Really tough task but you need to find quality with constant fire in their belly.

That letter, and in my opinion the ridiculous over the top demands of the council, killed what was becoming some of the best atmosphere since the early 90's.

I also feel we are not giving the likes of Pringle 6 or 7 games in CM. He would without doubt play 5 great games and possibly 2 poor games but PP insist on Porter and Whitehead who often have poor games.

We should be playing Hanks up top with Kossy no.10, Colclough and Mooney out wide until we find a decent no.9. This for me is where PP is being stubborn but hasn't this now been going on for nearly 2 years???

We aren't good enough to bench our best players when fit so the above 4 need to be starting.

We have no decent CB pushing Hannigan and Mularkey, should have got Leather last year. We also need a decent LB.

Love Moult but is he quick enough for this league....not sure. Moult with Porter or Whitehead are currently nowhere near good enough. I know PP is worried about Pringle doing the dirty work but give him a run of games, seems a fit lad who could get back.

Also if you play Kossy No.10 he does well at dropping to help the CM. For the first time I feel PP and Neil are making wrong starting line up's and this leaves us constantly chasing games.

To end, respect to TT on how much he has improved, but he hasn't been great since his return and his kicking has looked dodgy again.

Need to sort out all this nonsense with the ground. Sorry, but not sure the club are doing enough. The work behind the Golf Road looks like they are just making one terrace step instead of two. Get the concrete in and crack on. We need the atmosphere back, killing games.

Needed that rant.

[oneedham]

That last paragraph fully defines what Jordan Hulme brought to the team. That ability to hold the ball up facing away from goal, and then lay it off to a colleague, is difficult skill to find in a player at this level. Personally, I'd be prepared to swallow my pride and try to bring him home. He could make the vital difference. (Steps back, and waits for an avalanche of nay-sayers).

Spot on. Hulme scored many for us but his game was hold up and forcing errors. He was very good at this.

[oneedham]

I think the biggest factor is the many changes, with which we have not coped as well as last year where Smith was a great bonus, but this years loanees, imho, have not made anything like the same impression. Losing Smith - full stop - was a major loss, and we have not recovered at left back with Hampson - one of my players of last season - having only just come back.

We have very good defenders, individually, but not a settled defence, and I think that might be a big issue!

As for the No9 role: as long as the rest of the team pitch in, as they have been, it is not vital, but maybe Hancock or Mooney can fill in here.

Smith was a huge lost. Last season he was first name on the sheet.

[altering um]

 Connor Kirby. He seemed pretty sussed in the midfield role. Any news/ update?

 Connor, if you're reading this, all at Alty hope you're well on the way to recovery and want you back soon as...