A Non-League Weekend

A Non-League Weekend

The time has come for my first post about non-league football. This weekend my team, Ollerton Town faced Nostell Miners Welfare in the league. I was glad to be back at the Lane having been away last weekend and missing out on watching any football. I continued my usual tradition of trying to look busy whilst at the same time doing very little, hanging the kits up and beginning the club's Twitter feed for the day by announcing the team news.

The game itself was a drab affair, with the wind spoiling proceedings however Ollerton were by far the better team and deservedly left with all three points, but Nostell could feel lucky to have only conceded the two that they did. Ash Shannon finished well and Captain, Sam Stretton, scored from the penalty spot. As a club we haven't scored a penalty for what feels like ten years, and I'm convinced Sam gets a nosebleed when he goes past halfway but either way he scored the penalty!

The game itself saw the long awaited returns of three fan and club favourites in Chris Hewitt, who is now one of our longest serving players, Sam West, who recently rejoined the club following a spell with local rivals Thoresby (Now extinct! (YEEEEEAHH!)), the last is Kyle Ludlow who was top scorer in our promotion campaign a few years ago and his physical presence makes him popular with fans. All three got a run out, although two of them were replacing injured players in Kyle Clarkson and James Weaver.

At full-time the Nostell committee seemed to think that the referee had gifted the game to us, however this would appear to be bollocks as they had one shot on goal of note and the forward blazed it over in comparison to Ollerton who had one effort cleared off the line and a couple of good saves from the away keeper on top of the two we scored, it all seems bitter if you ask me.

On Sunday I had the choice of two teams to go and watch. Walesby FC or The Jolly Rodger. Walesby played a side called Evolution, The Jolly Rodger played against Shirebrook. Now for a footballing masterclass watching Walesby was the right choice as they played their opponents off the park in a 9-3 win. However, I kind of wish I had decided on watching the Jolly Rodger against Shirebrook as it would have been a lot more entertaining. The people of Ollerton, where the Rodger is, and the people of Shirebrook don't really get along and I imagine that having 22 of each sides finest village idiots running around kicking lumps out of each other would have been funny. Although for the record, I get along with the lads who play for The Jolly Rodger and they should not take my comments seriously, haha ;) .

Another post is on the way, don't worry about that.

Until then,

Craig.

Let's Talk Premier League Football Then...

Let's Talk Premier League Football Then...

Despite the fact that I don't watch a great deal of Premier League football, other than what I see on Match of the Day and on the occasional Super Sunday I watch in the pub, I'm going to make a prediction for the top six and try and put my arguments across to explain my views (although I know the majority will disagree).

Winners: MANCHESTER CITY

At the time of writing we're still reflecting on City's dismantling of Stoke last weekend, racing to a a 3 goal lead early doors. Once Stoke had pulled two back to make it 3-2 though there was no panic, instead the Citizens changed gear and ploughed on to win 7-2. Let's be clear as well, this is a Man City side without Aguero in it and against a solid Premier League side in Stoke City.

I can't look beyond Guardiola's side this year, he saw where his side needed strengthening and went out and did it. With a solid defence (despite Otamendi and Stones' best efforts), an incredible midfield with De Bruyne as the linchpin and two top quality forwards as well, the only thing that could let them down is injuries, which I hope we don't see, as this is some of the best football I've seen in the Premier League and is there any wonder with Pep Guardiola in the dugout?

Runners up: MANCHESTER UNITED

It pains me to say it, because I can't stand Mourinho, but United look a real quality side this year. Personally, I don't think they needed to sign Lukaku but it is working for them. Without him we could be seeing Rashford through the middle and the inform (but still on the bench) Martial on the left. Their key piece of business was the signing of Nemanja Matic from rivals Chelsea for the change in Mourinho's pocket (£40m, a bargain when people are paying £20m for average players). The only way things could go wrong for them is if Ander Herrera decides he's not prepared to play second fiddle to Pogba once he is fit again and the main man at United is struck down with another injury.

As boring as it was, their point at Anfield was a good one. Although I also completely agree with the view that if United had gone for it then they could, and probably should have won due to the poor quality of the Liverpool back-line.

Third: SPURS

I think Spurs may be my favourite side in the Premier League. The fact that Potchettino came in and turned average players into England internationals tells you a lot about the man who is constantly linked to the Barcelona job. Harry Kane is going to be top goalscorer for the third year running (fight me on it) and the core of the England squad at this summers World Cup will be Spurs players. They still need to strengthen a bit more in key areas to provide depth and if they did that in January then they could really kick on and potentially finish above United. The loss of Kyle Walker this summer looked like it would be an issue but they've replaced him with Serge Aurier with change to spare. Harry Winks looks like a future star and reminds me of Jack Wilshere when he came through initially.  Let's hope, for his and England's sake, that he can remain injury free.

Fourth: CHELSEA

Now I wouldn't say Chelsea deserve to finish here, I just think they are the fourth best side in the league this year. I cannot for the life of me understand why they sold Matic to a divisional rival as Bakayoko looks nowhere near the same quality and Fabregas is by no means the same sort of midfielder. Morata looks like he'll be a good Premier League striker and he won't be hated nearly as much as Diego Costa was in his time at Chelsea. At the minute I would say that Chelsea's biggest weakness is in defence, as shown by their defeats to Burnley, and more recently Crystal Palace last weekend. As much as it pains me to say it, I think it may be time to move Gary Cahill on and sign someone of the calibre of Varane or Godin. Their wing-backs still seem to be defying what we all thought to be possible based on their ability (I mean come on, Victor Moses, a Premier League Champion?)

Chelsea could be in trouble if Conte does leave soon as he is rumoured to be eyeing up a return to Italy in the near future. Who would they bring in to keep the same style? A club their size can't afford to be changing their style so often.

Fifth: LIVERPOOL

Jurgen Klopp is up there as one of the best managers in the league. I love his pressing style of play and I like how crazily good their attack is. I think it's a shame that a side of Liverpool's quality is likely to miss out on Champions League football but realistically this is where they'll finish. As good as their attacking line is, with Salah, Coutinho, Mane and Firmino, they still lack a recognised striker. They have some good deeper midfielders in Henderson (who I think is unfairly criticised a lot) and Emre Can as well, with Lallana and Wijnaldum(sp?) in back up they have a good front five or six. What is going to let Liverpool down is there defence. Of the regular back five, in my opinion only Nathaniel Clyne could be described as top end Premier League quality. Karius and Mignolet couldn't catch a cold between them. Lovren and Matip are incapable of clearing a ball and are more likely to make a howler then keep a clean sheet. The less said about left backs at Liverpool the better, where there hasn't been anyone of quality since John Arne Risse 10 years ago. Robertson isn't good enough yet, Moreno never was and never will be and if you play Milner there you lose his quality from elsewhere.

Sixth: ARSENAL

Wenger should have left last summer. Ozil and Sanchez both need to leave in January and who are they going to sign to come in? Lacazette is a good forward but without the other two around him the chances may dry up. As Liam Kent said on his blog Let Me Kentertain You, Jack Wilshere could be pivotal in Arsenal's campaign and realistically there only hop of Champions League qualification is by winning the Europa League.

This Arsenal side is strangely better than any they've had since the invincibles in my opinion but it is nowhere near good enough to compete with the other sides at the top end of the league. I can see Bellerin leaving along with the aforementioned Ozil and Sanchez. I think this year may be the final straw for Arsenal fans and the end for Wenger.

Phew, that was a long one to kick off with. If I find time then I'll also try to predict the bottom five or six as well. Feedback is appreciated and your opinions as well are welcome.

Craig

An Introduction-

An Introduction-

Chances are, this isn’t going to last long. I watch so much football and I like to think I know enough to pass some form of intellectual comment on the games I watch. I predominately watch games in non-league, particularly my local side Ollerton Town who play in the NCEL Division one. Mainly playing teams from Yorkshire, despite being in Nottinghamshire. I also follow Nottingham Forest and may occasionally pass comment on their fortunes. The English National team are a particular favourite of mine for a moan and if you read my tweets during an England game then you’ll see just how I feel in regards to them.

What I intend on posting is my experiences of football around non-league, commenting on the quality of the tea as well, with the occasional reflections of the big boys. For example, at the time of writing the main debate in football is whether or not Mourinho is ruining football by not even trying to beat a Liverpool side, who are very poor defensively, with his Manchester United side who boast one of the best attacks in the league. But I’m not going into that right now.

Until next time though.

Craig