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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 7:18:31 GMT
While logic says Billericay and Havant look the strong sides this season, what about the rest?
Who are the sides we ought to be beating, who are the ones to look out for? It's been three years since our brief visit to the NLS, so what might we expect in terms of footballing ability, neanderthalness, cheating etc? Can't be as bad as the NLP, can it?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 7:20:07 GMT
Sadly realistic hammerstone. Whilst the defence looks pretty decent for NLS, the quality of most of the other signings seem pretty modest in terms of experience and achievements.
Not really competitive compared to the likes of Billericay/Havant, supporters may have to adjust their expectations to mid table rather than play-off positions.
Another 3 strong signings (midfield and strikers) could change that, but shopping around in the bargain basement is asking for a lot in return.
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Post by hammerstone on Jul 26, 2019 7:22:07 GMT
Sadly realistic. Whilst the defence looks pretty decent for NLS, the quality of most of the other signings seem pretty modest in terms of experience and achievements. Not really competitive compared to the likes of Billericay/Havant, supporters may have to adjust their expectations to mid table rather than play-off positions. Another 3 strong signings (midfield and strikers) could change that, but shopping around in the bargain basement is asking for a lot in return. We would of had those 3 signings by now I reckon if Johns amazing scout network had lured them. Instead we are putting a lot of eggs in one basket with trialists. I honestly expect Maidstone to be around 12-14 this season. That might be too generous If we fail to get a decent attack in... |
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Post by Better things to do in life on Jul 26, 2019 7:22:18 GMT
While logic says Billericay and Havant look the strong sides this season, what about the rest? Who are the sides we ought to be beating, who are the ones to look out for? It's been three years since our brief visit to the NLS, so what might we expect in terms of footballing ability, neanderthalness, cheating etc? Can't be as bad as the NLP, can it? Bath and Weymouth will hardly be pushovers and don’t write off a Dartford or Welling these will all be very tough games especially if we don’t add to the squad early in the season. None of us yet know how this season in NLS will pan out but one thing I can’t see is our current team dominating it |
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Post by Better things to do in life on Jul 26, 2019 7:31:50 GMT
While logic says Billericay and Havant look the strong sides this season, what about the rest? Who are the sides we ought to be beating, who are the ones to look out for? It's been three years since our brief visit to the NLS, so what might we expect in terms of footballing ability, neanderthalness, cheating etc? Can't be as bad as the NLP, can it? Bath and Weymouth will hardly be pushovers and don’t write off a Dartford or Welling these will all be very tough games especially if we don’t add to the squad early in the season. None of us yet know how this season in NLS will pan out but one thing I can’t see is our current team dominating it Also Wealdstone will be strong, maybe Chelmsford and Braintree too. We will have a lot to do! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 7:56:15 GMT
Bath and Weymouth will hardly be pushovers and don’t write off a Dartford or Welling these will all be very tough games especially if we don’t add to the squad early in the season. None of us yet know how this season in NLS will pan out but one thing I can’t see is our current team dominating it Also Wealdstone will be strong, maybe Chelmsford and Braintree too. We will have a lot to do! And Chelmsford are, of course, another of those teams we never beat. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 7:59:27 GMT
Bath and Weymouth will hardly be pushovers and don’t write off a Dartford or Welling these will all be very tough games especially if we don’t add to the squad early in the season. None of us yet know how this season in NLS will pan out but one thing I can’t see is our current team dominating it Also Wealdstone will be strong, maybe Chelmsford and Braintree too. We will have a lot to do! We always struggle against Chelmsford. They could be our National South version of Bromley. I have a Welling fan sit opposite me at work and he thinks our game away to them is going to be an easy win. If only he knew, eh...? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 8:14:47 GMT
While logic says Billericay and Havant look the strong sides this season, what about the rest? Who are the sides we ought to be beating, who are the ones to look out for? It's been three years since our brief visit to the NLS, so what might we expect in terms of footballing ability, neanderthalness, cheating etc? Can't be as bad as the NLP, can it? Hemel have recruited very well. If they don't at least make the play offs they have really fucked up. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 8:17:56 GMT
Sadly realistic hammerstone. Whilst the defence looks pretty decent for NLS, the quality of most of the other signings seem pretty modest in terms of experience and achievements. Not really competitive compared to the likes of Billericay/Havant, supporters may have to adjust their expectations to mid table rather than play-off positions. Another 3 strong signings (midfield and strikers) could change that, but shopping around in the bargain basement is asking for a lot in return. "supporters may have to adjust their expectations to mid table rather than play-off positions" My current expectations are that we'll stay up. I'm hoping that we'll improve as the season progresses and JS will add better players, with the season ending high mid-table/low playoffs. But as thing stand, my expectations are a hard season and declining support. As always, I hope I'm wrong. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 8:23:19 GMT
Sadly realistic. Whilst the defence looks pretty decent for NLS, the quality of most of the other signings seem pretty modest in terms of experience and achievements. Not really competitive compared to the likes of Billericay/Havant, supporters may have to adjust their expectations to mid table rather than play-off positions. Another 3 strong signings (midfield and strikers) could change that, but shopping around in the bargain basement is asking for a lot in return.
I honestly expect Maidstone to be around 12-14 this season. That might be too generous If we fail to get a decent attack in... I don't think his scouting network is the problem, the bloke has always had an eye for talent. Its our budget being cut and us still staying full time. Looking at our recruitment now I honestly think we would of been better going back part time & having the pick of the better part time players, than struggling to recruit decent full time ones. Full time only seems to work if you actually have the money to attract the type of players. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 8:39:17 GMT
Perhaps by staying full time, we can outlast the part time teams, and score that elusive goal in the last ten minutes when they are knackered!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 9:24:21 GMT
The full/part time thing hasn't been mentioned for a while, but could impact positively as the season develops. More time for training, fitness, set pieces (though can't remember when we were last any good at those), etc - should give us an edge over the part timers.
However, we know from the Stones of just three- four years ago that there are plenty of part timers who are better players than the average full timer at NLS/NLP level. And their wages are significantly lower too.
It's a real problem for many teams at this level. Aspire to promotion and you are going to need lots of money if you succeed. Be happy with what you've got and you get accused of lack of ambition. Bromley, Sutton and BW face a similar situation in the NLP and who knows if that isn't the case with Wrexham too?
There seems to be a glass ceiling beyond which it is difficult to rise above, with the likelihood of immediate relegation if you do succeed, as per Braintree, Chester, NFU to name but a few.
So, full time or part time? We can only wait and see, but you would hope that being full time at the moment should mean the new side will improve quicker as the season gets going that if they'd been only part time. Maybe that is part of the JS/HH medium term plan.
Cross everything!
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Post by hammerstone on Jul 26, 2019 13:26:06 GMT
Since we went full time the problems really began. Our owners bang a good drum wanting to get to league 2 (one day) but barely provide funds to compete with the teams who take it seriously in whatever league we are in.
The life cycle of Maidstone in recent years:
“ we will have a budget that competes with teams”
Season begins, Struggle and fight for survival becomes goal
Mid season “At least we live within our means”
(Insert generic Ash comment talking about 3G pitches)
Teams that invested in squad do well and their fans are happy
“We aren’t built on shifting sands”
End of season, “much has been learnt”
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 13:50:16 GMT
Jesus Christ. Some of you have written off the whole season before a competitive ball have been kicked. Why the doom and gloom? We have a whole new squad of players with potential, who want to play for Maidstone. Let's enjoy this division and see what happens.
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Post by Better things to do in life on Jul 26, 2019 14:48:51 GMT
Jesus Christ. Some of you have written off the whole season before a competitive ball have been kicked. Why the doom and gloom? We have a whole new squad of players with potential, who want to play for Maidstone. Let's enjoy this division and see what happens. Reality, Barney. We just aren't putting our heads in the sand and black and amber blinkers on. Its not doom and gloom, (or panic) just managing expectations. If this squad gets added to (or not) and storms to the top of the table and wins the league, or even scrapes play off promotion, we will be ecstatic, it just doesn't look likely right now, but we all hope we are wrong! |
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