A couple of non league snippets

[GlenSTFC]

1 minute ago, 3spirit said:

Shall Slough not bother then !

I expect Havant and Dartford to be fighting it out again for honours,while Dorking's chairman/manager is more than likely to be throwing money around to keep them in with a shout but I don't see them, Ebbsfleet or Bath as being untouchable/unbeatable. Bath have let go some good players so replacing them won't be a formality. Ebbsfleet may need to do a lot of rebuilding because of relegation form and may not hit the ground running. Dorking are no longer the surprise package and so a lot of managers will now know a lot more about them.   

 

It’ll be harder than last season because it’s just as competitive but we’ve got a reduced budget (along with a few others mind). That’s not to say we can’t compete for the play offs again, I’m just thinking we shouldn’t automatically expect to.

[3spirit]

Just now, GlenSTFC said:

It’ll be harder than last season because it’s just as competitive but we’ve got a reduced budget (along with a few others mind). That’s not to say we can’t compete for the play offs again, I’m just thinking we shouldn’t automatically expect to.

I agree GlenSTFC, fans shouldn't assume Slough will make the play offs this season.

I thought we over achieved with the squad we had last season, so for me it's about who we sign before the season get's underway that will give me an inkling in what can be done this time around. I'm not expecting the club to go mad with money spending but it would be good, if we can bring in a decent left back and a proven striker, to go with today's midfielder signing. I would also take a chance on bringing in younger right winger from one level below but only if the budget can stretch to it.

[Reading Rebel]

7 hours ago, GlenSTFC said:

I would say Havant, Dorking, Ebbsfleet, Bath and Dartford are givens for the top 7. So 2 spots up for grabs which upto 10 could be in contention.

I think you're about right with those teams for the top 7.

As to whether Slough can make the play-offs or indeed have a shout at winning the league will for me depend on the 3 players that we sign.

Very good start with the signing of Jack McKnight.

Obviously we need a good left back and another striker.

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, 3spirit said:

I agree GlenSTFC, fans shouldn't assume Slough will make the play offs this season.

I thought we over achieved with the squad we had last season, so for me it's about who we sign before the season get's underway that will give me an inkling in what can be done this time around. I'm not expecting the club to go mad with money spending but it would be good, if we can bring in a decent left back and a proven striker, to go with today's midfielder signing. I would also take a chance on bringing in younger right winger from one level below but only if the budget can stretch to it.

Personally I don't think we over achieved last season.

We might not of had many name players but we had a squad of good players that were very together and sometimes that counts for more than a load of highly paid superstars.

[GlenSTFC]

23 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

I think you're about right with those teams for the top 7.

As to whether Slough can make the play-offs or indeed have a shout at winning the league will for me depend on the 3 players that we sign.

Very good start with the signing of Jack McKnight.

Obviously we need a good left back and another striker.

We need an experienced and locally based left back which will steer us in the right (or is that left?) direction. Ideally we’d bring in a proven 20+ goals a season striker but were not likely to have the budget for that so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lower league gamble. I can’t see us making anymore signings unless anyone really impresses during pre-season or becomes available at a steal. With the new U23’s hopefully 1 or 2 might come to the fore during the season.

Edited August 6, 2020 by GlenSTFC

[Reading Rebel]

3 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

We need an experienced and locally based left back which will steer us in the right (or is that left?) direction. Ideally we’d bring in a proven 20+ goals a season striker but were not likely to have the budget for that so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lower league gamble. I can’t see us making anymore signings unless anyone really impresses during pre-season or becomes available at a steal. With the new U23’s hopefully 1 or 2 might come to the fore during the season.

Nice one Glen  ?

You could be right with the budget for a proven 20+ striker at this level but as you say we can all dream  ?

[3spirit]

1 minute ago, Reading Rebel said:

Personally I don't think we over achieved last season.

We might not of had many name players but we had a squad of good players that were very together and sometimes that counts for more than a load of highly paid superstars.

That's your perception. My perception thought we were too light up front to really cause the best teams hassle, and relied too much on Matt Lench to be the creator of our best moves. Warren Harris cannot do it all either, and as good as the hard work he puts into every game, he could do with back up/help ie a substitute winger with speed either to replace him, or for Wazza to work off of and with the option of tucking inside the winger. 

I'm not saying Slough have a rubbish squad, as last season they proved beyond doubt they weren't but I still think we have some way to go before we are ready for the National Premier. Had last seasons squad stayed in tact for a season in the above division I think it's likely that the team would have been hovering close or actually in the relegation places of the division. Hence why the squad needs strengthening. George Wells is a big loss but not unsurmountable. The other 3 that have gone, in truth were past their sell by date for a team that is serious about mounting a challenge for promotion. No offence mean't to those players but that's how I see it.

I see the loss of Mark Nisbet as the real blow. Hopefully he will make a full recovery but if he doesn't we will have a hard job getting someone as good as him in, and thus this leaves our left side of defence vulnerable.

[GlenSTFC]

Yes Nis is a loss and it’s tricky as we don’t know how long he’d actually be out for. But as our managers have stated they’re planning for life without him but we do have 4 players who can play CB (Hollis, Bird, Lee and Sam Togwell). So I doubt we’d be looking to sign a replacement.

[Reading Rebel]

2 hours ago, 3spirit said:

Shall Slough not bother then !

I expect Havant and Dartford to be fighting it out again for honours,while Dorking's chairman/manager is more than likely to be throwing money around to keep them in with a shout but I don't see them, Ebbsfleet or Bath as being untouchable/unbeatable. Bath have let go some good players so replacing them won't be a formality. Ebbsfleet may need to do a lot of rebuilding because of relegation form and may not hit the ground running. Dorking are no longer the surprise package and so a lot of managers will now know a lot more about them.   

 

Just took a first look at the Ebbsfleet Twitter page and it's certainly all change at the Fleet.

They've now got a German manager called Dennis Kutrieb from a club named Borrusia Berlin and of course he's brought a few German players over with him.

In total to date they've signed 14 players with more to come.

It's gonna work one of two way's with them, either they will blitz it  ? or they will sink like the Bismark (sorry couldn't resist).    

Edited August 6, 2020 by Reading Rebel

[3spirit]

28 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

We need an experienced and locally based left back which will steer us in the right (or is that left?) direction. Ideally we’d bring in a proven 20+ goals a season striker but were not likely to have the budget for that so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lower league gamble. I can’t see us making anymore signings unless anyone really impresses during pre-season or becomes available at a steal. With the new U23’s hopefully 1 or 2 might come to the fore during the season.

I don't think the striker necessarily has to be the 20+ goals striker, as I believe Dan Roberts can score that many goals. What I want to see is a foil for him, and for Paul Hodges to play alongside, and to offer us an alternative to Ben Harris. I think Ben Harris did enough last season to still be with us but we need to add to whats on offer up front. Personally I'd like to see a striker who can hold a defender off without fouling him and is at least 5ft 10' or above. If he has pace even better but not a necessity. In the main we need a player in the Gary Abbot/Michael Gash mould. A forward with a good all round game but certainly no pushover/soft touch.

[GlenSTFC]

1 minute ago, 3spirit said:

I don't think the striker necessarily has to be the 20+ goals striker, as I believe Dan Roberts can score that many goals. What I want to see is a foil for him, and for Paul Hodges to play alongside, and to offer us an alternative to Ben Harris. I think Ben Harris did enough last season to still be with us but we need to add to whats on offer up front. Personally I'd like to see a striker who can hold a defender off without fouling him and is at least 5ft 10' or above. If he has pace even better but not a necessity. In the main we need a player in the Gary Abbot/Michael Gash mould. A forward with a good all round game but certainly no pushover/soft touch.

Well at least you’ve downgraded your expectations from a 6ft+ striker! I don’t see Hodges as a striker but more of a wide player or in a Lench role. You never know with 1,400 odd out of contract players, there may be National League strikers who get pushed out and might become affordable.

[Reading Rebel]

4 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

Well at least you’ve downgraded your expectations from a 6ft+ striker! I don’t see Hodges as a striker but more of a wide player or in a Lench role. You never know with 1,400 odd out of contract players, there may be National League strikers who get pushed out and might become affordable.

There you go again Glen, always dreaming    

[Reading Rebel]

11 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

I don't think the striker necessarily has to be the 20+ goals striker, as I believe Dan Roberts can score that many goals. What I want to see is a foil for him, and for Paul Hodges to play alongside, and to offer us an alternative to Ben Harris. I think Ben Harris did enough last season to still be with us but we need to add to whats on offer up front. Personally I'd like to see a striker who can hold a defender off without fouling him and is at least 5ft 10' or above. If he has pace even better but not a necessity. In the main we need a player in the Gary Abbot/Michael Gash mould. A forward with a good all round game but certainly no pushover/soft touch.

Dan and Ben must be at least 5ft 10'. If we're going to get a tall striker he's got to be at least 6ft 2' or someone who's lightening quick. Pace always frightens defenders. 

[GlenSTFC]

Not saying we can attract the National League top goalscorers. But there may be some that score say 10-15 at that level who then become surplus to requirements as their clubs are then able to sign league players who are out of contract.

[3spirit]

19 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

Yes Nis is a loss and it’s tricky as we don’t know how long he’d actually be out for. But as our managers have stated they’re planning for life without him but we do have 4 players who can play CB (Hollis, Bird, Lee and Sam Togwell). So I doubt we’d be looking to sign a replacement.

As you say in the short term we are covered but at some point a left footed centre half could be useful, as Sam Togwell is now 35 and cant go on forever. Guy is a right sided centre half and Lee is really a makeshift centre half, and Ryan needs to show he can play there week in week out, if his past injuries will allow.

[3spirit]

33 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

Well at least you’ve downgraded your expectations from a 6ft+ striker! I don’t see Hodges as a striker but more of a wide player or in a Lench role. You never know with 1,400 odd out of contract players, there may be National League strikers who get pushed out and might become affordable.

To be honest, I haven't managed to see Paul Hodges since he signed from Woking. I think he could do a job up front as an alternative to Dan Roberts but I wouldn't play him alongside him very much, if at all. Though I would like to see him play him in a front three or behind the front two in the hole.

I think Bakes and Unders will have a hard job accomodating Paul Hodges this season but they were right to sign him when they did and he  could come good, in Manny's sort of role within the squad. The Woking fans took to him at the start of their season last time out, so he must have something about him. I liked what I saw of him when he played for Slough in those friendlies awhile back but back then I viewed him as  a squad player nothing more, so whether he makes it with Slough only time will tell.

[Stuntman Mark]

Jack Barham has moved from Dorking to Dartford to reunite with Steve King.

[Reading Rebel]

55 minutes ago, Stuntman Mark said:

Jack Barham has moved from Dorking to Dartford to reunite with Steve King.

Certainly a good signing for Dartford, cementing there place as one of next seasons promotion favorites.

[Big J R]

39 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

Certainly a good signing for Dartford, cementing there place as one of next seasons promotion favorites.

....... and so the revolving door keeps turning !!

 Interesting comment earlier re Ebbsfleet and their new German connection, must be loads of money there, though I think the Bismark reference might be a factor.

[sdelaney]

Well done and all the best to Scott Davies  joined Chris Nunn,s management team at Biggleswade Town fc.