Good luck to Stephen Ward

[Supersub6]

He has just undergone minor surgery on his troublesome knee and I wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he gets back to full fitness.

[1959_60]

Agree Super.

In my opinion he has been sorely missed.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Agree Super.

In my opinion he has been sorely missed.

Can't share that opinion, but OMG I hope Taylor stays fit!

[army88]

Might make us try 3 at back if he got injured BT with wing backs , a competitive central area that would be interesting.

[alfinyalcabo]

Might make us try 3 at back if he got injured BT with wing backs , a competitive central area that would be interesting.

Wishing Wardy aLl th best and a quick return to football


Think we will be having eight at the back come Saturday afternoon.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I went down to the Barnfield training camp today, even Doris the tea lady was practicing defensive headers!


Attachment 10918

[Supersub6]

No point doing that BT, the way the game is going FIFA will have banned heading within the next 10 years!
Watching Wardy's team last night against Wales there were quite a number of free kicks given for shoulder to shoulder contact just because one player fell over! The more of these European games I have seen in the last few days, the more I am convinced that referees are being told to penalise any sort of contact and it will only be a matter of time before free kicks are given willy nilly!

[sinkov]

No point doing that BT, the way the game is going FIFA will have banned heading within the next 10 years!
Watching Wardy's team last night against Wales there were quite a number of free kicks given for shoulder to shoulder contact just because one player fell over! The more of these European games I have seen in the last few days, the more I am convinced that referees are being told to penalise any sort of contact and it will only be a matter of time before free kicks are given willy nilly!

You're right Sub, both Dier and Maguire were booked against Spain for tackles that were perfectly legitimate. There were two tackles last night from the Nelson centre-half just like them, played the ball first and the man got cleaned out with the follow through. I was absolutely delighted that the ref allowed both tackles, and the Ashington players got up and played on without batting an eyelid. Football being played as it should be played is still alive and well in non-league football, but how long before their lunatic directives filter down into non-league and they ruin that as well ?

[Supersub6]

You're right Sub, both Dier and Maguire were booked against Spain for tackles that were perfectly legitimate. There were two tackles last night from the Nelson centre-half just like them, played the ball first and the man got cleaned out with the follow through. I was absolutely delighted that the ref allowed both tackles, and the Ashington players got up and played on without batting an eyelid. Football being played as it should be played is still alive and well in non-league football, but how long before their lunatic directives filter down into non-league and they ruin that as well ?

A long time I hope, sinkov, although nothing is certain these days. One thing which is concerning me is the dearth of referees in grassroots football as more and more matches in minor Saturday and Sunday Leagues all over the country are not being allocated referees. The Northumberland FA run various cup competitions and in the Sunday Minor Cup Competition a couple of weeks ago they announced the draw and there were only one third of the games which were allocated a referee and out of those, three referees had already told them that they were not available. The NFA then told clubs that the clubs were responsible for sorting out a referee, this is in spite of the fact that all the clubs pay to enter the competition and normally the NFA pinch referees from league matches to cover cup games, however, they just do not have enough interested people in taking abuse every week. Very sad state of affairs.

[blueheeler1]

He has just undergone minor surgery on his troublesome knee and I wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he gets back to full fitness.

That seems to have taken far too long to get to an operation.

It could be that it was touch and go for the op and they waited to see if there was an improvement before going down that path but it now means that we will have to do without him for a bit longer.

I don't share BT's view that Tailor is better than Ward or even equal to him.

We greatly miss what Ward can bring to the attack down the wing and our recent inability to score more than one goal (Bournemouth was a freak result) is showing up.

Took too long to diagnose Ward's problem IMO but it just follows our "took too long" to sign new players.

Same as.

Get well soon Ward--we need you.