It's easy to misjudge based on one performance but I can somewhat believe this.garthrockett wrote: ↑Mon Dec 06, 2021 3:05 pmCan't really add anything about the game that hasnt already been said, but in the wider context when you stop the opposition getting out of their half for 10 minutes at a time youre doing something right!
In hindsight I cant help but compare to the Eustace era; had we gone 2 up back then we would have dropped back into our shell and allowed Halifax to come on to us and dictate the tempo.
This team however presses high and with tenacious constant energy, and though not as technically gifted plays on the deck with a far greater pace and urgency that negates the oppositions efforts.
Talked to few pragmatic Halifax fans in the pub after, who feel the loss might help focus their season now on all-important promotion. Consensus was we are better than at least two thirds of the NL division above, and could hold our own easily.
On a slightly more reflective note, we are now (dependent on the draw) going to be under more of a public spotlight than normal. Not only are a few NL/EFL clubs with money to spend going to cast an envious eye over selected members of the team come January, but inevitably the Penn/O Connor partnership could be deemed suitable for a few rudderless clubs further up the pyramid come the new year.
Lets hope the club already has things tightened down in that respect.
You look at the team and there's Hemmings, Sterling and Cameron who have plenty of Football League appearances between them, Carrington according to Wrexham fans was Mr. Dependable in the league above, Bonds was signed for the first team at Cheltenham and they thought enough of him to get him despite coming back from a serious injury. Caleb Richards has looked a quality full back from day one and had potential, we all know what we think of Sam Austin and Bajrami... Plus you look at Altrincham and how well they acquitted themselves, with not too much change. It really seems quite the bottle neck situation in-terms of talent with the lower leagues.
With this in mind I think Russ and Jimmy deserve enormous credit. Were taking some stick on recruitment earlier in the season (which I didn't neccessarily agree with) off the back of some of the defeats, but you look now, I don't see an argument they've nailed it with 7/8 out of 10 players over the last couple of years. Even some that didn't pull up any trees and get into the side regularly went on to get contracts at higher levels.
And onto the latter point if there are any exits on the horizon, I'm not overly concerned. They've an eye for a player in my book.
