Football Musings : The Vanarama National League 2024-25 Preview Maybe a kind admin can pin this for me so I don't have to shamelessly boost :-) The big preview is up above. Please, please, please - help me out by posting it up on your club's messageboard (if I haven't wormed my way on there already). I'll try and tackle the clubs who have no fans on here. Finally, I'm sure you won't, but please don't be too offended by what I've written about your club. This season has been the hardest to predict by far and you could throw a blanket over a lot of teams. I've researched it until my eyes bleed and I'm still not much the wiser. There is some method in my madness but of course a lot of it is research + gut. If you're on twitter (X), a repost to help spread it and shine a light further on Non League Football over the next few days will be great.
Good read, thanks. I also think 12th is about right for us, and I wouldn't see that as a bad season. We overachieved last season and another top half finish will signal progress
I hope you're right about us. As an attacking unit it looks good, we have Dodds back who if he can re-discover himself after his ACL, surely one of the best wing/full backs in the division. Mancini is obvious, Grey, Campbell, Dieseruvwe are good players. Solid operators in midfield, I like Waterfall and Parkes but they are susceptible to people running at them. Playing a high line might be risky. Question marks over Ferguson and the keeper spot, hope Smith is an upgrade on Dixon. We lack depth as well. A few areas to iron out for me but if Sarll gets the players buying into him it could work out.
Just posted it to SZ, then saw you had beaten me too it. very good write up, apart from correctly stating we finished 9th with 65 points at the top of our section, then all through the write up saying we finished 10th, but I'll forgive you that slip. Must get a bit of word and number blindness on an article like this. Well done fella, a good and insightful read.
Brilliant read, spot on with us. Didn’t realise how different our squad is actually going to be until I read that, and actually of our “main” starting XI last year, I’d expect only 4 to be regular starters this season - Harfield, Frost, Theo and Barham.
Obviously, I’m pleased with what you wrote about us. I feel that we have enough options to cover all situations and we’re in a better place to get results in the big matches.
Sorry there was a smiley face in there from my phone but it didn’t register. No offence taken at all. Glad you pointed it out so I could edit it. Appreciate the comments fella.
Agree with much about what you say about oldham although i do feel that the striker situation will be rectified in the not too distant future. Mellon publically stated last week we were in for matt smith and had agreed a deal until he couldnt commit due to business interests. He would command a decent wage so there is money there for a striker, and its obvious he wants another, its just getting a deal over the line. I have no doubt work is on going behind the scenes. We were linked with dalby last week and stones is heavily rumoured. I have no doubt if we get the right man in we should be good for the play offs, although i fully understand why you think we will miss out. As things stand our defence should be strong and give us a solid base
Well done, Lee, a great read. Prediction beyond the few obvious candidates is almost impossible, each season the also-rans are becoming more competitive. Roll on Saturday…
Enjoyed the read @Leewilson, the formation setup is similar to how I think we'll go, but with Georgiou as the LWB, and Jaydn Mundle-Smith going into the back three once fit. I think we've got enough about ourselves to survive, but the majority of previews have us in the bottom four so you're not alone in thinking that. Can see your post on Stonesnet has gone down really well...
Hi Lee. Great read as usual. Minor points - Pete Wild long gone from Barrow. Adam (not Alfie) May from the U's to FGR.
Very hard to pitch us this year as evert year as our signings are usually very left field. Can't argue with the assement though. Defensively I expect solid again. Millington is fairly good at that even if its to the detriment of attacking in some games. Attacking wise not a clue. What I will say is Hoti and Wright would have definitely started the first game but are both on the treatment table as is Thompson Sommers. We will lack goals again I suspect. We didn't score in the last 600 minutes of pre season. The start could be crucial because we badly lack experienced heads and a bad start Could see a few go into their shells. Harker was offered a deal but decided to go play in Austrslia. Yeah I dont know either. ♂️ If George and Emmerson get any level of service and we can get creative players high up the pitch they could surprise a few though. I'd say lower mid table for us simply because we'll just bore our way to 50 points.
Big thank you for all the nice comments. Takes ages to write so incredibly rewarding when the feedback is positive. Can't wait now for the big kick off tomorrow!
