Pre Season

[Bogratsteve]

From the echo today http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/SPORT/ ... ref=twtrec

[super_les_mcjannet]

Fisher wouldn't be a replacement for Hatch or Armstrong, too different in playing styles.

I have a feeling Gray has kept the 5 strikers for the obvious lack of winger situation, now since Mitchell has signed he may feel he can release one and bring in someone else.

Echo points towards a trialist playing tonight, although as mentioned by someone else Gray is possibly awaiting on someone failing to get a contract elsewhere.

[Darlofan97]

Fisher wouldn't be a replacement for Hatch or Armstrong, too different in playing styles.

I can see that point however we effectively have 2 forwards of very similar playing styles in Hatch and Armstrong. We really only need one with Purewal in the squad which is why it could be worth keeping Fisher on in the long-term, he had a decent first season in the Conference at the age of 22.

Realistically, in a few years we could have a pool of forwards of Dowson/Purewal/Fisher/ plus a target man style forward.

[lo36789]

In a few years I hope we are in BSN if not having a very serious go at the Evostick Prem title - I am not sure our squad will look anything like what it is now.

There are 4 players who I say will still be with us at that point Portas, Mitchell, Thompson & Hunter. Nothing against the players we have, I just think that the top 10 of EvoStick Prem could be a step too far. Remember a lot have been with us since NL!

[Spyman]

In a few years I hope we are in BSN if not having a very serious go at the Evostick Prem title - I am not sure our squad will look anything like what it is now.

There are 4 players who I say will still be with us at that point Portas, Mitchell, Thompson & Hunter. Nothing against the players we have, I just think that the top 10 of EvoStick Prem could be a step too far. Remember a lot have been with us since NL!

Yep, but also remember that those that were with us since Northern League were a million times too good for the Northern League and won it by a lot of points.

[lo36789]

Agree. At the same time they didn't absolutely dominate D1N though. The Prem is going to be a step up again. Who knows.

[D_F_C]

I know it might sound unpopular but...

I think Hatch is going to be a big issue. He's not a CB. Would prefer us to play Hunter and White, then Brown. He also wouldn't be my first choice striker. I hope he does well though as I always enjoyed him playing for us (especially that 2nd half against Gateshead in the trophy semi at home)

[Spyman]

Agree. At the same time they didn't absolutely dominate D1N though. The Prem is going to be a step up again. Who knows.

Well lets get to the Prem first and then think about it.

But, those who have been with us through both seasons - Bell, Galbraith, Scott, Thompson, Purewal, Dowson - you'd say they were probably some of our stand-out performers in alast season's team wouldn't you? So the ones who have stuck with us since the NL are still key members of one of D1N's best teams. No reason to think they couldn't make another step up, supplemented by a few others (Hunter, Portas, Mitchell etc).

[mensamoo]

This squad hasn't improved the team greatly from last year for me. True, it can beat 80% of teams in this league but I predict it will fold when meeting the real contenders. I was sorry to see Ward go as we have never had a player to turn a game when in adversity. When I see suggestions of Purewal and Dowson up front for the coming season I cringe. We need lots more quality. They did admirably in the NL but this league requires more. Hatch up front and Brown at the back would be a sensible start. I predict scares in the first two games and another play off spot at third at the finish. I don't do rose-coloured glasses. Sorry.

[AndyPark]

You cringe at Purewal? I'm sorry, but for the last 2 seasons he has bagged goals consistently .

As for Dowson, he works like heck and is a massive team player and offers good link up/inter-change play.

[JPearson97]

This squad hasn't improved the team greatly from last year for me. True, it can beat 80% of teams in this league but I predict it will fold when meeting the real contenders. I was sorry to see Ward go as we have never had a player to turn a game when in adversity. When I see suggestions of Purewal and Dowson up front for the coming season I cringe. We need lots more quality. They did admirably in the NL but this league requires more. Hatch up front and Brown at the back would be a sensible start. I predict scares in the first two games and another play off spot at third at the finish. I don't do rose-coloured glasses. Sorry.

Think you'll find you might be the only one who cringes at 20 goal a season forwards.

[m62exile]

I think the poster said he cringed at another season with the same strike force as last. Cringed is maybe a bit strong but I think we do need something different up there, there were many games last season where we dominated possession but seemed fairly easy to defend against.
Martin Gray obviously agrees, bearing in mind we've signed Fisher, Armstrong, Ward, Hatch and Armstrong since the start of last season. He's still trying to find some different options up there.

[JollypotterSAFC]

i wouldnt mind amar or dowson for the first game, as you say tried and tested but lets look at the quality and power Warrington will have. They are a big team and last year they out muscled us for most parts. we need a bit of bite. Hatch would be my choice but he is clearly not the player he once was. then does gray go and change things for the travel to Spennymoor? you have to bear that in mind 3 days later. For me Spennymoor have a much more balanced squad. strength in depth. I really think we will struggle against the top sides.

Shame to see Fisher go on the odd occasions last yuear he proved what a competant finisher he was . I was happy to see my hometown team play Darlo in what was purely a fitness excerise for our men.
Hatch or Armstrong hasnt done it for me this season.
we should never have let ward go IMO.

[Robbie Painter]

Whatever the deficiencies in our team/squad I don't see any team out muscling us this season (or last) - not when you have players like Hunter, White, Scott, Galbraith, Brown and now Hatch & Armstrong.

As for Warrington we comprehensively beat them twice last season.

You are right on us struggling against the other top sides, I'm keen to see how Gray is going to address that this season.

[Quakerz]

This squad hasn't improved the team greatly from last year for me. True, it can beat 80% of teams in this league but I predict it will fold when meeting the real contenders.

Portas, Armstrong and Hatch are all upgrades on what we had last season, and also from what I hear about Marrs' pedigree - should we sign him - he could be an improvement. Plus we have Gary Brown back, who was unavailable for most of last season. So yes, the squad is stronger, and I think Gray has done well to improve the squad considering that we can't just throw pots of cash at it.

I was sorry to see Ward go as we have never had a player to turn a game when in adversity.

I was also sorry to see him go, but let's face it he is a big, awkward, but limited forward who you chuck on to mix things up.

If you think he could turn a game in adversity, then Hatch and Armstrong (who are both better, I said BETTER than him, and that's why we let him go) can certainly turn a game in adversity.

[Quakerz]

i wouldnt mind amar or dowson for the first game, as you say tried and tested but lets look at the quality and power Warrington will have. They are a big team and last year they out muscled us for most parts. we need a bit of bite.

2-0 and 4-1 to us, you could not be wronger could you?

Hatch would be my choice but he is clearly not the player he once was.

We're clearly not in the same league that we once were, either. White is still outstanding at this level, but he is finished at Conference level, why can't Hatch who is several years younger, be the same? Gateshead fans were sorry to see him go, he's still got what it takes - and what are you basing it on when you say Hatch is not the same player any more? A couple of friendlies where he's played mostly at the back. We owe it to all of our new signings to give them 15+ (real) matches before making judgement.

we should never have let ward go IMO.

Give it 15 matches. Hatch and Armstrong are better players. What is the obsession with Darlo fans in "creating" a problem, then "solving" it by bringing up the name of someone we just let go?

Last season Johnson, this season Ward.

[Darlofan97]

Hatch or Armstrong hasnt done it for me this season.
we should never have let ward go IMO.

I think we should wait for the real, competitive stuff to start instead of making baseless assumptions.

[Darlofan97]

When I see suggestions of Purewal and Dowson up front for the coming season I cringe. We need lots more quality. They did admirably in the NL but this league requires more.

They also performed very well last season and I would have no problem in Gray starting with them next season.

[Darlogramps]

I see the doom-mongers are getting in early this season.

I pity our strikers. If they haven't scored 10 goals each by the end of September, it'll be "Ward would have done that."

As DarloFan97 rightly says, let's wait until the season has started before people begin with the "such and such would have done better," and "we shud hav kept Ward IMO."

And given the amount of times mensamoan whinges about Darlo with no basis, I'm convinced he/she is a troll on the wind up.

[Spyman]

I was sorry to see Ward go as we have never had a player to turn a game when in adversity. When I see suggestions of Purewal and Dowson up front for the coming season I cringe.

Firstly, from what I saw of Ward last season, he was nothing special. Big and awkward, but nowhere near as much of a threat as Purewal.

Secondly, I suggested we start the first couple of games with Dowson and Purewal, because Armstrong and Hatch may take a while to bed in while we find our most effective front pairing, and we need to hit the ground running. We know Dowson and Purewal can cause problems for defences at this level.

We are missing Thompson for a few games, so need to to know that we have other players in the side who can create and link up together.

Shoving a new partnership up front that has maybe played 45-90 minutes together in pre-season, with a relatively below par attacking midfield behind them, is a recipe for things not to click and for us to drop points in the opening games.

Save the experiementing with different partnerships for when we have Thompson back to make things happen if they aren't clicking up front.

[Bogratsteve]

For me Hatch has already shown great awareness and passion when he has played up front, like Dowson he works his backside off and does not give the defenders a break, he also had some great flick ons the other night, if played regularly up front this season I would put money on him been top scorer and lots of assists, for me him and Dowson need time playing together.

[lo36789]

What are you suggesting for Warrington though Spyman? We are missing Robinson, Thompson and Scott?

I don't think we have much choice to stick Purewal out wide given the absentees? Mitchell can play there - but then who plays out right? We don't have enough CMs left to go 3 in the middle.

[poppyfield]

What are you suggesting for Warrington though Spyman? We are missing Robinson, Thompson and Scott?

I don't think we have much choice to stick Purewal out wide given the absentees? Mitchell can play there - but then who plays out right? We don't have enough CMs left to go 3 in the middle.

Not sure if Scott will be missing, he was at it from the word go against Bish, i know he is just comming back after a long time out through injury, but you would not have noticed

[Bogratsteve]

See Ward has just signed for West

[Spyman]

What are you suggesting for Warrington though Spyman? We are missing Robinson, Thompson and Scott?

I don't think we have much choice to stick Purewal out wide given the absentees? Mitchell can play there - but then who plays out right? We don't have enough CMs left to go 3 in the middle.

Bell

Trialist from other day
White
Hunter
Walker

Portas
Galbraith
Mitchell

Fisher

Dowson
Purewal

Or stick Brown in midfield (not ideal but has been done before) and push Mitchell into Fisher's spot.

[Bogratsteve]

Could Hopson not go into Fishers place? It is the role he's suited to....

[divas]

Yeah I'd definitely go with Hopson in the Thompson role otherwise what's the point in him?

[divas]

Don't think we've really played 3-5-2 in pre-season so probably unlikely but our squad lends itself

-------------Bell-----------

----Hunter--Brown--White----

Marrs-----------------Galbraith

----------Portas--Scott----------

---------Hopson/Mitchell--------

------Armstrong--Dowson------

[Quakerz]

Bell

Trialist Brown Hunter Scott

Mitchell Portas Galbraith Purewal

The HITMAN Dowson

Subs - Jameson, Armstrong, White, Walker, Hopson.

Fuck me, it's not hard.

[Quakerz]

Don't think we've really played 3-5-2 in pre-season so probably unlikely but our squad lends itself

-------------Bell-----------

----Hunter--Brown--White----

Marrs-----------------Galbraith

----------Portas--Scott----------

---------Hopson/Mitchell--------

------Armstrong--Dowson------

No, just no. Fucking about for the sake of it.