So What's Needed For Next Season

[the_anticlough]

Main issue is the manager really needs to not be overpowered by the senior players, or at least grasp how to get the most from them, which doesn’t necessarily mean rolling them out to play every minute, as Harrogate and other teams have shown how the lack of legs can be brutally exploited.

Even at 39, with the levels of fitness he has Doyle could still be a great asset with his professionalism and leadership abilities. But he’s never even been subbed in a game this season, such is his influence. At his age that is absolutely crazy. Yesterday demonstrated in stark terms what happens when all our ‘experience’ comes up against a team with high energy so even if younger midfield reinforcements come in, they’re only going to be useful if they actually get on the pitch. For example, Crawford was brilliant pre-lockdown but wasn’t even given a shot late in the game yesterday.

Similarly, Turner - along with JOB the other most vocal pro in the dressing room - was brought straight back in ahead of arguably our player of the season, and wasn’t even subbed yesterday despite one of the worst individual displays any of our players have produced all season. Turner is one who’s definitely under contract next season and I worry about the state of our defence if he’s guaranteed to play 90 minutes no matter what.

Until Ardley gets control back and isn’t afraid to use these senior pros selectively (when they would undoubtedly be assets), I can’t see us kicking on and pushing for the title next season.

Great post, spot on
The point you make about Doyle never being subbed tells you all you need to know about how things are working with NA and the squad. And we all know the Turner over Rawlinson selection was wrong, especially given Rawlo's role in getting us to 3rd in the first place.
Player power can creep in when a club's as desperate as we were last summer. But as you say, time to switch to MERIT now if we're to stand any chance

[countygump]

Main issue is the manager really needs to not be overpowered by the senior players, or at least grasp how to get the most from them, which doesn’t necessarily mean rolling them out to play every minute, as Harrogate and other teams have shown how the lack of legs can be brutally exploited.

Even at 39, with the levels of fitness he has Doyle could still be a great asset with his professionalism and leadership abilities. But he’s never even been subbed in a game this season, such is his influence. At his age that is absolutely crazy. Yesterday demonstrated in stark terms what happens when all our ‘experience’ comes up against a team with high energy so even if younger midfield reinforcements come in, they’re only going to be useful if they actually get on the pitch. For example, Crawford was brilliant pre-lockdown but wasn’t even given a shot late in the game yesterday.

Similarly, Turner - along with JOB the other most vocal pro in the dressing room - was brought straight back in ahead of arguably our player of the season, and wasn’t even subbed yesterday despite one of the worst individual displays any of our players have produced all season. Turner is one who’s definitely under contract next season and I worry about the state of our defence if he’s guaranteed to play 90 minutes no matter what.

Until Ardley gets control back and isn’t afraid to use these senior pros selectively (when they would undoubtedly be assets), I can’t see us kicking on and pushing for the title next season.

Excellent post.

[sidders]

What's needed for next season is a medical miracle so that the world becomes a safer place and clubs can rake in revenue from packed stadiums.
It ain't going to happen, old chap.

[TheBlackHorse]

... we actually no very little about NA and Coxy work with the team and individuals in the team; or about team selection; or about player fitness/injuries. Just because NA doesn't jump up and down remonstrating with players doesn't fit with some armchair know-alls. You can bet his public persona is different from the one that deals with team matters. As St Jimmy once said to a well meaning supporter - but in broad Scots/Anglo Saxon - 'you go and do your job and I'll do mine, now f-off' ...

[LaxtonLad]

A more aggressive and energetic manager. Standing on the touchline looking miserable hardly motivates the players.

[the_anticlough]

We're looking to be a dominant team like Barrow, right?

Even at times when we were picking up points, were we dominant? I didn't see the season like that. Apart from the patch at the end when Roberts ignited us, the season was pretty much a war of attrition. That suggests more changes might be needed than we imagine...
a minimum of 4 new players in the first 11.

A midfield 2 of O'Brien/Rose and Crawford won't cut it, nor would a 3 of those guys...
I also think we need a new pair of full-backs
We have to aim for more than being competitive, but that would mean a bigger overhaul of the team

[LaxtonLad]

We're looking to be a dominant team like Barrow, right?

Even at times when we were picking up points, were we dominant? I didn't see the season like that. Apart from the patch at the end when Roberts ignited us, the season was pretty much a war of attrition. That suggests more changes might be needed than we imagine...
a minimum of 4 new players in the first 11.

A midfield 2 of O'Brien/Rose and Crawford won't cut it, nor would a 3 of those guys...
I also think we need a new pair of full-backs
We have to aim for more than being competitive, but that would mean a bigger overhaul of the team

It's not Ardley's style though, is it? He appears to prefer experience over competence. Sometimes his team selections are baffling, he never seems to start a game with the players who finished and won the last one.

[i961pie]

It's not Ardley's style though, is it? He appears to prefer experience over competence. Sometimes his team selections are baffling, he never seems to start a game with the players who finished and won the last one.

He did on Sunday and got hammered for it.

[SwalePie]

Wouldn't it be charming if the phrase 'in my opinion' was to make a comeback? How much more peaceful and amicable would this forum be for starters?

[AllNottsAreWe]

We're looking to be a dominant team like Barrow, right?

Even at times when we were picking up points, were we dominant? I didn't see the season like that. Apart from the patch at the end when Roberts ignited us, the season was pretty much a war of attrition. That suggests more changes might be needed than we imagine...
a minimum of 4 new players in the first 11.

A midfield 2 of O'Brien/Rose and Crawford won't cut it, nor would a 3 of those guys...
I also think we need a new pair of full-backs
We have to aim for more than being competitive, but that would mean a bigger overhaul of the team

Completely agree.
More energy and pace needed.

With only one automatic place up for grabs, that team has to dominate the league.