West Auckland Tie
After our FA Cup draw on Saturday,away to West Auckland, we now face a replay with the local side on Wednesday night.
I was unable to get to the game on Saturday, but having watched the highlights and talked to a few who were there, it seems we played ok in spells, but not in others.
General consensus is Mitchell had another good game and for me he has been the standout player so far this campaign. Hopefully we will be able to keep him for as long as possible, however I expect clubs higher up the football pyramid will come in for him before long.
Watching the highlights it looked as if Armstrong missed three glorious chances, the shot blocked on the line!! Still, he has shown more than enough so far that he will be able to score goals for us.
As for the pitch itself effecting our tactics,(long ball), I have no problem with going that way if the pitch, weather etc dictates it, however multiple times last season we went this way when we struggling to virtually no affect.
Looking towards Wednesday we shouldn’t have any problems with the pitch and being able to play our passing game. With the players we have in Thommo, Mitchell, Portas, Scott, these players need to be given the ball as much as possible and cannot be bypassed by long punts up the pitch.
I’m confident we will get through on Wednesday, if we play at our best we will create chances and hopefully this time we will be able to convert them.
Transfers
Away from the on pitch action, right back Jack Walker has moved to Whitley Bay. Walker was obviously out of favour, with Brown and Robinson both playing in his preferred position ahead of the youngster. Yet I am still surprised he hasn’t been given a chance, aside from the playoff game, in which he struggled, he did ok last season.
Following his departure I hope to see us bring in a right back, which is arguably the position we have needed to sign someone for a while.
Two signings appear to have been made, despite no official confirmation from the club. Ryan Noble has joined the club after he was released by Gateshead in the summer. Noble is a former Sunderland striker who has also played for Watford Derby and our close friends the Monkey Hangers, all on loan spells. It is interesting to see another striker join the club, but this surely spells the end for transfer listed Nathan Fisher. Fisher will probably feel unlucky not to have started more games for us than he has done, however he has more often than not dissapointed. On paper he looked a great signing, but like Andy Johnson, it just has not worked out for him with us.
We have also reportedly signed Garry Guyan, who’s last club was Queensland Lions in Australia.
Blackwell Meadows
In other areas of the club nothing further has been said on two notable issues. First it is hopeful that the debacle of a game against Warrington will finally have an outcome soon when the Evo-Stik meets for their monthly meeting. I have already resigned myself to the probable outcome of Warrington being fined/having points deducted, but having to replay the game.
The other item which has gone quiet once again is any developments at Blackwell Meadows. I am aware it was never going to be a quick process to move over, but there has been spells when it isn’t mentioned for months, nothing has been said since the last forum which was before the Sunderland match.
I suspect it is probably not anyones fault at the club, more than likely a roadblock from the council, but it is a very slow process. The plans are all there in place, however it can’t be underestimated how long it will take once work starts, never mind the costs. I think the start of the 2015/16 season is more realistic now.
Simon Hahn 