Alvechurch Updates

[YeltzBaggieNick]

How many sending offs this season so far and who?

Wynter (x2)
Manning (x2)
Donnelly
Yussuf

And Ceesay

Discipline has played a huge part in this campaign for sure! We're certainly not going to progress without our best players on the field. It looks like a fight for the playoffs now - but it's a fight I think we're well capable of winning

[piearce9]

It's the latter part of the question that's worry - seven red cards for us and none (?) for the opposition?

Like everything else, it's just errors. Bad decisions from individuals rather than any tactical thuggery.

[lutleyyeltz]

To those who've not been to many / any National North games give it a go, you'll be somewhat surprised by how much more football is played compared to the notion of they'm all lumps........

Been to quite a few - even this season. Even the poorer sides have some very decent footballers. And it's far from 'lump it' football. That sort of thing tends to take place from our level down and particularly where the pitches are poor

My comments re: physicality of NL teams were in no way intended to suggest that the size of the players meant "lump it" quality of football.
The step up to the next level requires, in addition to ability, a greater degree of physicality and height - particularly in defenders.
At present that we ain't got!

[YeltzBaggieNick]

To those who've not been to many / any National North games give it a go, you'll be somewhat surprised by how much more football is played compared to the notion of they'm all lumps........

Been to quite a few - even this season. Even the poorer sides have some very decent footballers. And it's far from 'lump it' football. That sort of thing tends to take place from our level down and particularly where the pitches are poor

My comments re: physicality of NL teams were in no way intended to suggest that the size of the players meant "lump it" quality of football.
The step up to the next level requires, in addition to ability, a greater degree of physicality and height - particularly in defenders.
At present that we ain't got!

Didn't mean it like that mate. Just to say that at NL level there's a good mix of skill and physicality and a surprising amount of ability. Personally having seen a decent amount of football at that level we'd really struggle. Home form would absolute key and we wouldn't get away with the lack of discipline.

[lutleyyeltz]

In other words you and I, and a few others I know, believe that we're not equipped, or ready, for promotion - yet?
I would be perfectly happy to watch us play at this level until we look like we could hold our own in the NL.

[KenR]

I agree with you Lutters but I think that our squad without a centre forward/ targetman / goalscorer will struggle to make the play offs let alone win them.

[drummyb]

In other words you and I, and a few others I know, believe that we're not equipped, or ready, for promotion - yet?
I would be perfectly happy to watch us play at this level until we look like we could hold our own in the NL.

Absolutely spot on!! Still say it takes time to build. Lets get established first.

[piearce9]

Reluctantly I have to admit I was thinking the same thing. Not that it looks like we’ll get promoted but, if we did, I think we’d struggle. There’s a few things we need to get right in the background. Support has dropped off a bit this year. I think Russ has learned a lot this season too.

[YeltzBaggieNick]

In other words you and I, and a few others I know, believe that we're not equipped, or ready, for promotion - yet?
I would be perfectly happy to watch us play at this level until we look like we could hold our own in the NL.

I don't think we're good enough to compete in the NL as we currently are but I don't think promotion would do any harm. We'd have the whole summer to strengthen and get things right. We'd be a more attractive proposition for clubs to send loan players and we'd get to visit better grounds/facilities. I don't go with this idea that 'it's too soon for promotion' - you take it when it comes as it doesn't happen often. Russ has been there before so hopefully he know what we need to progress. I agree in that *currently* we're not a NL side but I'd take promotion in a heartbeat. The only downside would be getting hammered by bigger sides but that's always likely to happen. I think our ceiling is NL North and lower mid table. I loved that Kiddy away day and want more of that!

[Josh1873]

First and foremost, I don't think we'll get promoted, nor do I expect us to. I feel as though we're having a good season, league position wise, and I'm happy with how it's going. If we make the play-offs but miss out on promotion, that would represent a very good season. Anything above and beyond that would be excellent.

However, I'm a little bit confused as to why people think we wouldn't compete at the level above. With our current squad, that's correct, but what confuses me is why people think we wouldn't strengthen adequately. To assume we wouldn't is a little disrespectful to Penn, Keith and other staff, as it's like saying they don't have a plan, or that they wouldn't know how to cope with the level above. I know no one is saying that directly, but that's what I feel the comments are saying indirectly.

Of course, we may struggle, we just don't know. I just feel like we'd change and develop so much in the pre-season to enable us to be competitive. I genuinely believe in our set up behind the scenes that much. I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at promotion and it should definitely be the aim of the club this season. We've got as good a chance as we'll ever have, why not take it?