Posted by Alex  28/7/2025 10:31 AM | #1 |
With less than 2 weeks to go to the start of the season. What shape are we in?
Myself I think we are weaker than this time 12 months ago.
I thinking the spine of the team isn't as strong as I was before.
Missing a commanding centre half. Who does all of the old fashioned stuff head,tackle,kick and that's it
Can't wait for the season to start because to be honest I hate pre season
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Posted by plymrob 28/7/2025 5:47 PM | #2 |
Not doing too bad, thanks Alex. Still drinking too much though!...
More importantly though... I rely on the posters here to keep me up to date. SO big thanks, as usual, to all of you. Whiteball & definately Matchman - then you Alex (you do loads with the prediction league too), plus Kev & Nicky Trowell (handy to share that local surname!)... also those older posters I have not mentioned - and, better still, the realtively newcomers.
Like you. I'm really looking forward to the new season starting. EFL this weekend... Ilson in a week!
Let's try again to answer your question better in a month or so. COYR - (I can still very happily use this 'shared' acronym)...
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Posted by Trowell Nicky 28/7/2025 6:37 PM | #3 |
Too early to say Alex, I'll make a judgement when we're 6 games into the league season.
Wharton, Thornhill/Essien, Fox could be a very good 'spine' of the team. Dylan Wharton looked better on Saturday, he's gaining confidence all the time, and when he settles down and integrates I think he'll be a very good keeper.
I'm a big fan of Colin Daniels, Matt Thornhill, and Jordan Stevens. Fabulous technicians. One touch and the ball's dead, and they can do what they want with it second touch onwards (some players first touch and the ball's 3 or 4 yards away from them). Daniels and Stevens were a joy to watch on Saturday. Matt Thornhill takes a nice free-kick as well.
I like Essien. He can be a bit impetuous and rash but he's got talent and boy does he put a shift in. Connor Dixon hasn't shown much in pre-season so far, hopefully that's just fitness and he'll soon be back to his best. I thought Dorian Sulkowski showed some nice touches in midfield on Saturday. Dylan Youmbi and Tyler Whyle, let's see after half a dozen games. Harvey Kirby-Moore is a talented lad, hopefully he gets stronger and better as the season progresses.
I worry about the defence. I agree with you that we need a commanding centre-back, been saying it for a long time. Bit worried at the moment every time a ball comes into our box. Sam Parker's growing on me. Maybe a better centre-back than left-back. Really like it that he's vocal, we seem to have a lot of quiet players in our team. Tom Marshall at centre-back and Callum Minkley at right-back? Mmm, we'll see. For me, full-back is a specialist position so I like to see specialist full-backs. Seems to be a lack of pace across our back line.
Robbie Fox could be a very good striker. I know Deaks rates him very highly.
Will we be stronger or weaker without Matt Yates and Declan Errat-Thompson? Time will tell.
I think we'll be like every other team in the league, some strong bits and some not so strong bits. We'll have good days and not so good days.
Bottom line for me is that I trust Deaks. If something isn't working he'll fix it. He'll find a way.
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Posted by kevilsonlad 28/7/2025 7:47 PM | #4 |
My thoughts are that we wont set the league on fire but we could give a good account of selves ...Hopefully . Again its all about the if`s and but`s like others have said if Fox can get us going with his goals we will be ok. Obviously its not all about him its a team game of course . We will miss Dec`s as we all know he`s a good strong midfielder . Again i agree with others in saying we dont look strong at the back we need a Cris Shawry type of defender ( my god he was good for us )
But at the end of the day we have a smaller budget than others which i am happy with as it is the club first then players . Same old saying players we come and go but football clubs dont ..
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Posted by plymrob 29/7/2025 3:08 PM | #5 |
Wise words from Kev. Look at Morecambe's current woes...
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Posted by Chuckle 29/7/2025 6:33 PM | #6 |
I still think we are a Striker Short and Iam Concerned with the Depth we have in the Back Four. Are Play-offs Realistic?
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Posted by Alex 29/7/2025 7:42 PM | #7 |
Ive side all along I'll take 15th and 1st round proper
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Posted by Matchman 29/7/2025 9:15 PM | #8 |
.
Every one seems a little pessimistic. Personally I think we have as good a side as last season. But winning matches depends on scoring goals and not conceding goals. In other words, can Dylan Wharton be as good as Matt Yates and can Robbie Fox score as many goals as Tom Cursons?
Another factor is that the teams in the League this coming season look to be stronger than last season. I think that it's going to be a really tight league. Hednesford, Gainsborough, Guiseley, Ashton and Stockton will probably be most people's favourites to finish in the top five. Then there's Warrington Town hoping for a quick return to the National League North.
Ilkeston finished 6th last season and it would be a massive achievement to equal that this coming season.
What constitutes a good season? For me it's staying in the top half of the table and keeping in touch with the playoff contenders.
There's bound to be highs and lows but what you can be sure of with Ian Deakin's team's is 100% commitment and effort throughout the whole of every game.
It's always difficult to predict how your team will do in a new season because you don't know for sure what the incoming teams are like, plus, every team lose players and bring in new players. Dylan Wharton and Robbie Fox probably hold the key to how successful our season will be. If Wharton can emmulate Matt Yates and Fox can score 20 goals i think we have every chance of a top 8 finish.
Last edited by Matchman (30/7/2025 6:41 AM)
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Posted by pezamb 30/7/2025 10:42 AM | #9 |
I think things needed freshening up from last season...I like the look of Fox and Youmbi... Daniel is class, Tom Marshall is still a quality defender. Hopefully Kirby Moore can kick-on this season. I'm only sad about losing Dec really. We've seemingly got a very astute manager and great owner, so lots to be excited about.
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Posted by Matchman 03/8/2025 6:56 AM | #10 |
.
The last two results should have given supporters belief that we're good shape. At both Basford and Flint we had to come through a competitive first half and take control in the second period. Sam Essien was our main man not giving Basford time to breathe. I thought Basford would be a tough test but we won it with ease. That was a good performance from every player and we were without Matt Thornhill and Robbie Fox. No wonder Ian Deakin was pleased.
There's some serious competition for places in the team, specially in defence, Tyler Whyle started at right back and did well. He's not adventuous but he's safe and dont take chances. Callum Minkley came on for the second half and put in a strong performance. Colin Daniel has now played a few times at left back and Deaks could leave him there. Contesting midfield we have Sam Parker, Sam Essien, Connor Dixon, Matt Thornhill, Jordan Stevens and Tyler Whyle. That's some really stong midfield options. Personally I hope Stevens gets into the team on a more regular basis than last season.
Last edited by Matchman (03/8/2025 7:32 AM)
