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Reply | New kit?
at 14:40 31 Jul 2024
I'm very much a blue/black stripes guy, but my favourite shirt in the 'group' voting was the Croatia-esque shirt.
Blue/Black/White is the identity. I'd want blue/black stripes most of the time, but it's good to mix things up occasionally. |
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Reply | New kit?
at 13:21 31 Jul 2024
By far the best option of what made it to the final four.
I think it looks really good tbf. |
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Reply | Pre-Season Friendlies List
at 12:27 31 Jul 2024
(82’ Bailey) - not on long but had a decent run up the left. Lively.
(63’ Akpan) - did OK. Put himself about and was OK with the ball. Managed to get booked for a rash challenge.
(82’ Clift) - not on long, nothing stands out.
Edwards - pick of the bunch. Has grown physically and clearly talented. A few misplaced passes but think he has a bright future.
Burgess - like Edwards, has grown physically. Unlike Edwards, I don't think he's as talented. Slow and negative with the ball.
(69’ O Kelly) - showed glimpses but nothing like this time last pre-season.
You're tricking me into talking about centre backs :) Current players, I'd say we go three at the back and play Gordon as the RCB and Adebayo-Rowling as RWB. If it becomes a back four, I'd play Gordon at RB at the moment, I don't know about Adebayo Rowling's defensive qualities. If we sign another centre back, who is right footed, I think we probably play with a back three and Gordon misses out. [Post edited 31 Jul 12:32]
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Reply | Pre-Season Friendlies List
at 11:46 31 Jul 2024
I thought Burger was the standout player for us. He's a midfielder who moves with the ball, something we've been missing. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him. Barlow has obvious technical ability. I thought he looked off the pace at times and gave the ball away a bit too much (playing passes others don't, so they may come off other times). That said, it's pre-season and he's not had much football. A player of that calibre as a fourth choice isn't bad at all. As I said on another thread, I think Edwards is streets ahead of the other kids and most likely to feature in the squad.
I can't shake the opinion that Armstrong is a poor signing. Last night did nothing to change that. I lost count of the amount of times he could have played a quick ball to Alfa, even Jim was screaming to give it to him. Then in the second half he gets rinsed then outpaced by their big forward. He must be ace in training because it can't be his performances in games that got him a 2 year deal. Keep Beckwith fit at all costs.
Alfa is an upgrade on Jes from what I've seen. He always wants the ball and shows strength when he has it. Several good balls into the box from the left too, which shows there is an end product there. I don't know if its just him or under strict instruction, but he absolutely hugged that left touchline. That's a proper old school winger trait.
I thought both trialists were quiet in the first half, but more in the game in the second. Both played on the right side in the first half, with 'Trialist B' playing more central in the second half where he showed some nice touches and vision on a few occasions. I think there is a player there. The young lad 'Trialist A' could have seen more of the ball. On the occasion he did get through on goal he blazed over.
We are desperate for another centre back. That is not a secret. To anybody. 
Despite it being very much a second string and a mixed performance, I'm still encouraged, especially by the new signings. There seems to be a genuine emphasis on looking or moving forward with the ball. Long may that continue. |
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Reply | Another push for ticket sales.
at 16:34 30 Jul 2024
It's a tricky one re staff because the aim is sustainability. I'd argue that we'd be better off reviewing existing staff to see if they're doing a decent job and/or if their output is up to scratch.
I can't help but feel the kit/training wear situation is a hangover from us being skint. Possibly not paying on time, in full etc, thus putting us at the bottom of the pile when it comes to delivery. Or maybe we didn't order early enough. The kit vote was a good idea but naively executed, leaving it wide open to abuse from rival fans. The training gear is terribly plain, especially when compared to what O'Neills are putting out for other clubs.
We do have to be better, in all areas, but I think it will take a little while to recover from the mess of last season. Let's hope there is a big deal made out of the kit launch if/when it does arrive. |
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Reply | Jake Burger
at 15:44 30 Jul 2024
Because we've got 217 midfielders but only 2 centre backs. I don't know if anybody has mentioned? Especially to McNulty. Might be worth including it in a programme in case he reads it. |
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Reply | Jake Burger
at 15:42 30 Jul 2024
Further to this, tweets about Burger suggest he's much more an attacking midfielder than central. The Vanarama account says no attacking midfielder averaged more touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 mins than Burger. |
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Reply | Jake Burger
at 14:58 30 Jul 2024
Burger looks like a very promising player. We've certainly cast the net a bit further south in this window!
We were woefully short in midfield last season, that looks to have been addressed. Realistically we have four central midfielders now in Gilmour, East, Henry & Burger. McBride is an attacking midfielder/winger, the others are kids who will barely feature. Edwards looks the closest to challenging for a place in the squad.
You're sounding like a Steps record stuck on repeat, I wish it was a broken record. Just STFU with the same shite for christs sake. McNulty will be very aware of the CB situation. It's really not difficult to spell Ladapo. [Post edited 30 Jul 16:35]
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Reply | Besses_Shaker
at 11:42 29 Jul 2024
Really sad news. Anne was a lovely lady who was Bury through and through, but a cracking human being more than anything else. Funny, self deprecating, but my good she could give as good as she got.
RIP Anne. |
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Reply | Carlisle friendly
at 19:22 28 Jul 2024
He didn’t play wing back. He looked like a forward, playing right wing. |
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Reply | Carlisle friendly
at 19:11 28 Jul 2024
That was an enjoyable watch! A long lost feeling at home.
This was my first pre-season game, so didn’t see what was served up against Warrington or Macc, but vs Carlisle there was definitely more attacking intent. We mixed up the passing too, but every player seemed to look forward in the first instance.
Three at the back may have been forced upon us, but I really like how it allows us to play wingbacks. Beckwith was a standout for me, he’s a big lad who uses his physicality and is comfortable on the ball. I’m not sure if Tarryn usually plays further forward but he also looked very comfortable at wing back along with Tobi (yes, I’m saving myself typing!) on the right side.
Midfield was a pleasant surprise with Gilmour and Henry looking good together. We know what Gilmour brings (and he does it well) but Henry looked to pass the ball forwards and quickly. McBride played more central than I expected but looked good behind a Mitchell. Again, he’s a decent size so isn’t bullied off the ball. Rodney played just off Mitchell but looked threatening. Mitchell doesn’t win many headers but you can’t argue that he gets chances. We looked good going forward because we moved the ball quicker.
Very well worked goal for Gilmour to get into the box and pull back for a Mitchell tap in. The second was a cracking free kick from Henry. It feels good to have a set piece specialist in the ranks, it feels like a long time since we’ve threatened from free kicks in the edge of the box.
The new signings looked good to me, which bodes well. They are more attacking in mindset than what we saw last season. The trialists didn’t have much time to impress. Trialist B (who came on first) played on the right wing and managed to get into the box with a shot on target from a tight angle. Trialist A seemed to be on for seconds.
It’s only pre-season, winning games mean just as much as losing games I.e. nothing, but I was really encouraged by what I saw formation and attacking wise. |
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Reply | Big Jim's contract extension?
at 17:30 26 Jul 2024
I simply do not understand the mindset of people who have not renewed for this season. After everything the club has been through, particularly the financial struggles last season where there were questions of the club still being here, you have decided now is the time to withdraw your support?! I don't and never will understand that.
I'm also shocked by Jim's 3 year deal. I can only assume there are predefined break clauses that can be actioned if things are not going to plan. I think he did OK last season, no more, no less. The football was not good to watch, there was nowhere near enough attacking intent. On the odd occasion we did attack, we looked a force to be reckoned with in this league. But we insist of passing the ball to death. It's awful to watch week in week out. We've signed attacking players so lets hope that's an indication of how we're going to play. |
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Reply | Southgate resigns
at 12:33 17 Jul 2024
McKenna isn’t English either.
I’ve no problem with the England manager not being English, my choice in a perfect world is also Klopp. He has expressed an interest in managing at international level (though he was asked about Germany) but seemed adamant he was sticking to plans of having a break when approached for the USA job very recently. Would an approach from England get a different response? He gets English and European football. It would be great and the added bonus of tears from the “Scouse not English” brigade.
A request-a-bet for a German manager may not be a bad shout; Klopp and Tuchel immediately spring to mind, but then you see the experience of Rangnick and the way his Austria team played in Euro2024. Edin Terzic (German-Croat) is the sort of coach the FA like.
The English options are surely only Potter and Howe? Potter did an excellent job at Brighton and again is a studious Southgate type, albeit with a more attacking philosophy. He’d be my choice of Englishmen ahead of Howe, though Howe has built a very good reputation.
Whoever is appointed must continue the transformation that Southgate spearheaded off the pitch. |
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Reply | At the right price.
at 12:43 12 Jun 2024
£300K plus addons is probably about right, unfortunately. We're a National League club. That said, the more clubs interested, the better for us fee wise.
Nevett's next move is what could make us the serious £££. Even if he didn't make the grade at Premier League level, you'd easily be talking £5-£10 Million (probably more) for a promising but unproven centre half from a Premier League/top end Championship club. |
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Reply | Another one in the door
at 16:39 10 Jun 2024
I like the look of this one. Should be one to excite the fans. |
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Reply | Finlay Armstrong Signs
at 13:30 6 Jun 2024
I hope he's on minimum wage. Even then we'll struggle to get value based on what I saw last season. |
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Reply | EEL Stays
at 22:04 5 Jun 2024
I’m pleased with that. A bit surprised at the two year deal, but it’s now on a salary more in keeping with the league we’re in. EEL was solid last season and it wouldn’t have been easy replacing him with somebody of the same standard. |
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Reply | Signing Incoming
at 23:42 3 Jun 2024
Agree with everything said there. We are still two or even three attacking players short, even if contract extensions are signed.
The good news is the noises from tonight’s forum suggest several signings are in the pipeline, with plenty of announcements over the next two or three weeks. We’ll be working with a bigger squad this coming season. |
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Reply | Meet The Board Tonight
at 23:37 3 Jun 2024
It’s not perfect but I’ve just the recording that’s been uploaded to YouTube. There’s nothing cut from that, so worth watching.
If we’re at a stage where the only thing to complain about is the quality of a meet the board/forum stream, then we’re making great strides. I’m sure things will improve on this front at some point in the future, but live streaming capability wouldn’t be near the top of my very long list of things to sort given there are two/three such events per season.
With hindsight, recording and then uploading to YouTube would more than likely satisfy the need for those unable to attend. |
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Reply | Meet The Board Tonight
at 22:08 3 Jun 2024
A very positive evening.
I know I’ve said similar before, but there is a clear purpose and direction without any grandstanding. I don’t think there was much that hasn’t been said before re running the club, but I think we now have the skills and resources to see it through.
Cameron Ogden spoke well (even got an Up The Dale in) and became very apparent that Jamie Willoughby and Adam Saul aren’t there to just make up the numbers. Huge focus on community and sustainability, but it shone through they are football fans too.
Simon was much more relaxed and Cameron gave a glowing appreciation of what he has done for the club and he’ll be an asset moving forwards. George Delves, as always in my eyes, showed he’s integral to everything we do as a club.
The YouTube recording will certainly be worth a watch if you didn’t see it live. |
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