Football

[Cletus]

Still no news on the National League clubs start to the season. Only teams from 3 leagues not playing at the moment.
Everyone else is playing - the Pl/EFL backed by TV money, etc and the lower leagues are allowed spectators.
The latest NL statement says nothing. The season is due to be belatedly start next week.

https://twitter.com/TheVanaramaNL/status/1309175894469160962

Following a meeting of its Board of Directors this afternoon, the following update is issued on behalf of The National League:
In recognition of the financial uncertainty facing its member clubs, The National League is actively engaged with Government, with the assistance of The Football Association, to secure a critical financial support package, and it is hoped this can be announced very soon.
It is imperative the revenue shortfall caused by the pause to the safe return of spectators is responsibly addressed so each club can operate sustainably over the course of the forthcoming season.

 

[Ascotroyal]

Another defeat for Nottingham Forest tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if Sabri Lamouchi was sacked soon.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Another defeat for Nottingham Forest tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if Sabri Lamouchi was sacked soon.

Being honest, I had to pinch myself when I saw us score a goal in open play... also when I saw Ben Hamer pull off not one but two spectacular saves! We got a bit lucky that the dangerous Hogg foul was so early (and no VAR) but the overall performance showed that there's signs of life in our squad.

The Forest camp didn't appear to be in a happy place though, so I'm not sure how well we'd have faired against a camp that wasn't in apparent disarray. An angry Lewis Grabban coming on was a scary sight for we Huddersfield fans, and Harry Arter usually has a blinder against us, so I was expecting us to screw it up right up until the final whistle.

You have way too many quality players (Joe Lolley being one of only two Huddersfield players to be shortlisted for MOTD Goal of the Month!) to continue your current form indefinitely, but there does seem to be signs of mutiny in the dressing room. I admire Lamouchi as a coach but if he's lost the support of the players there's usually only one outcome unfortunately.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

In the F A Cup 2nd qualifying round, Hyde United have been drawn at home against AFC Fylde.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Winchester are away to Bath City. FA meeting with the government next week regarding fans at Step 2 sides.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Pitching In Northern Premier League

Hyde United 0 ... South Shields 0

In front of an attendance of 587, these two sides noted last season for goalscoring fought a well played match with defences more than holding their own.

 

[jtuk]

Sheffield United are going down, that is all

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Sheffield United are going down, that is all

Bit early to say their case of "second season syndrome" is as bad as ours was!

 

[Ascotroyal]

Only 3 games into the season but my side Reading have certainly started well. Don't think we will still be up at the top in a few months time but good to be looking at the top of the table after the last few years.

Shame Lucas Joao went off injured in the second half yesterday as he has been in such good form since the start of the season.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Any opinions on the late handball in the Spurs vs Newcastle game earlier this afternoon?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Any opinions on the late handball in the Spurs vs Newcastle game earlier this afternoon?

If Jose is moaning about the decision in his post match media interview(s), it'll probably be to deflect attention from his team having not put the game to bed by then.

 

[Andy Pacer]

If Jose is moaning about the decision in his post match media interview(s), it'll probably be to deflect attention from his team having not put the game to bed by then.

Yes, we actually said when we watched his interview it's their own fault for not scoring more goals, in which case it wouldn't have ended in a draw.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Top flight managers tend to be judged by recent results, so when things don't go their way, it's convenient to blame the match officials, the latest interpretation of the Laws of the Game, a poor tackle by an opposition player, the state of the pitch, the weather, the player budget being insufficient (despite being the equivalent of the GDP of a developing country), indeed just about anything to avoid criticising his team's own players, (or, heaven forfend, the manager's lack of preparedness or tactical nous).

 

[Iskra]

Sheffield United are going down, that is all

I'm not convinced.

Very good result from a Leeds perspective today. The game followed a similar pattern to the previous two encounters between the clubs under the current managers; an interesting and cagey battle of footballing philosophies decided by a solitary late goal. As such, I don't think you can draw any conclusions about Sheff Utd's season from today. Leeds also gave Liverpool a good run for their money, and Sheffield Utd didn't play badly today.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Sheffield United are basically Burnley - a team whose success is built largely on not conceding goals. As soon as that changes, they’re in trouble. I do love Chris Wilder though, partly because he was so good when he was at Halifax as player and then manager, and partly because he’s honest

And the handball thing is a farce. The issue isn’t VAR, it’s the law having being changed. There’s no way the Newcastle pen should have been given (even if it did upset Mourinho).

 

[Jamesrob637]

Bit of a shock from Leicester today.

 

[jtuk]

I'm not convinced.

Very good result from a Leeds perspective today. The game followed a similar pattern to the previous two encounters between the clubs under the current managers; an interesting and cagey battle of footballing philosophies decided by a solitary late goal. As such, I don't think you can draw any conclusions about Sheff Utd's season from today. Leeds also gave Liverpool a good run for their money, and Sheffield Utd didn't play badly today.

I'm more concerned with losing O'Connell for the season than the results so far, he's so important to how we play

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Even though the Premier League is just commencing, there have indeed been a number of matches played with notable score lines.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

160 teams are taking part in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, 43 of whom are in National League North or South, that is 27%.

However the draw is regionalized. Bradford are one of the 32 clubs in the northern section, 12 of whom are in National League North, that is 38%. And yet again we have drawn a club from our own division, i.e. Spennymoor Town.

So as ever, the draw is rigged against non-league clubs in the north who, on average, will face far tougher draws than sides in the south and midlands. The southwestern section, which ironically includes Hereford and Gloucester from NLN, is the easiest with just 6 out of 24 clubs in NLS/NLN, that is 25%.

This unfair anomaly has been going on for years but the FA seem unwilling to do anything about it.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

This unfair anomaly has been going on for years but the FA seem unwilling to do anything about it.

Well explained, but what could the FA potentially do about it?

Widening the regional "draw pots" in the FA Cup Qualifying competition would possibly result in significantly increased travelling distances, Mid Cheshire to the North East on a Tuesday night is already bad enough!

 

[SuspectUsual]

Well explained, but what could the FA potentially do about it?

Widening the regional "draw pots" in the FA Cup Qualifying competition would possibly result in significantly increased travelling distances, Mid Cheshire to the North East on a Tuesday night is already bad enough!

They already flex the boundaries for NLN and NLS on an annual basis, as obviously they can’t control the locations of the teams relegated from the NL. All they have to do is for the cup draws do something similar.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

They already flex the boundaries for NLN and NLS on an annual basis, as obviously they can’t control the locations of the teams relegated from the NL.

Although, ahem, the EFL possibly can from their league. Bury / Macclesfield Town anyone?!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

With the early cup rounds, they could split the draw three ways (North/Midlands/South) or four ways (NE/NW/SE/SW), but that's obviously not viable for the 6th tier leagues without massive upheaval. Trouble is no matter how many regions you have and no matter where you draw the boundaries, there will always be teams at the extremities of those areas who suffer the financial burden of longer journeys compared to those in the centre of the regions.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Glossop North End are not all that many miles away from the Greater Manchester area, yet I see they play in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League, Division One South East. Where is the logic in that?

 

[SuspectUsual]

Glossop North End are not all that many miles away from the Greater Manchester area, yet I see they play in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League, Division One South East. Where is the logic in that?

This is the age-old problem of regional leagues; the boundary between them has to be moved dependent on who exactly is competing at that level that season

When Halifax were in conference north in about 2013, the “north” included Worcester, Gloucester, Oxford City, Histon etc, simply because about 30 of the 48 teams in conference north and south were based south of the traditional border around Birmingham. It was no doubt expensive for the clubs, and definitely a massive pain in the arse for fans, especially when loads of games were postponed in the winter meaning far-flung away games in midweeks in spring. Luckily I had a job involving a lot of travel and coincidentally often used to have trips that coincided with football. Dartford away for an FA Trophy replay on a Tuesday night, midweek trips to Blyth, Oxford, Cheltenham (Gloucester used their ground) etc etc

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Macclesfield Town now booted out of the National League.

Macclesfield Town expelled from National League four days before start of season

Macclesfield Town are expelled from the National League, 13 days after they were wound up by the High Court.

www.bbc.co.uk

The National League will now operate one team short for the 2020-21 season.

 

[Karl]

So sad. So sad. Love from a Preston North End fan. Come back soon Macc Lads!

 

[youngiecj]

This is the age-old problem of regional leagues; the boundary between them has to be moved dependent on who exactly is competing at that level that season

When Halifax were in conference north in about 2013, the “north” included Worcester, Gloucester, Oxford City, Histon etc, simply because about 30 of the 48 teams in conference north and south were based south of the traditional border around Birmingham. It was no doubt expensive for the clubs, and definitely a massive pain in the arse for fans, especially when loads of games were postponed in the winter meaning far-flung away games in midweeks in spring. Luckily I had a job involving a lot of travel and coincidentally often used to have trips that coincided with football. Dartford away for an FA Trophy replay on a Tuesday night, midweek trips to Blyth, Oxford, Cheltenham (Gloucester used their ground) etc etc

Lowestoft was in the National League North a few years ago!

 

[Howardh]

Macclesfield Town officially liquidated, which iropnically puts them in a better position than Bury FC; as in
- the haven't a league position this season, but I expect a fan's group to organise an AFC, secure the ground, maintain it and hopefuly play there next season. Clearly the liquidators "own" the ground but I don't think it would cost that much to buy/rent and if a club's liquidated, the new Co. won't be paying the debts? Welcome to the NWCL!!

Meanwhile Bury FC still has an owner, the club's not been sold or liquidated, the ground's now (I'm told) falling apart and the fan's club, Bury AFC will be playing as a completely seperate entity in that NWCL and playing at Radcliffe. So while Bury AFC have a team, fans and league, they (we!) are on a borrowed ground.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Tottenham through to the next round of the EFL Cup on pens - wish they'd play extra time but happy at the result nonetheless.