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40 minutes into 2018 over here in Nerja, Costa Del Sol so may I be the first to wish all my friends and fellow fans down at Moss Lane a very happy New Year. 3 points today boys and all the best for the rest of the season.

....for Stalybridge! Is that really the best Steve Burr can do?

In response to a question Cult asked me as to how easy it is to return from the Evo Stick Premier League, it makes interesting reading to see how the clubs relegated from Conference North since 2011 have fared. An interesting point for the Chairman to follow is that two clubs have folded and re-surfaced as Community Teams, now that would really help with the MBE aspirations.

Anyway;

2011/12
Blyth.....................Evo Stick Northern Premier        Current position 1
Eastwood...............Black Dragon Division South      Current position 2  -  Eastwood died and now Eastwood Community FC

2012/13
Corby....................Evo Stick Northern Premier        Current position 21
Droylsden..............Evo Stick North Division 1          Current position 13
Hinckley................Midland League Division 1          Current position 4  -  Hinckley died and now AFC Hinckley community club

2013/14
Histon...................Evo Stick Soutern Central 1        Current position 21
Workington............Evo Stick Northern Premier        Current position 10

2014/15
Colwyn Bay............Evo Stick North Division 1          Current position 17
Leamingtom...........Evo Stick Southern Premier        Current position 2
Hyde.....................Evo Stick North Division 1          Current position 12

2015/16
Lowestoft...............Ryman Premier League               Current position 11
Hednesford.............Evo Stick North Division 1          Current position 11
Corby

It makes pretty grim reading and it's going to take an enormous effort to bounce back straight away, it appears that it's a lot easier to sink lower than the Glue Premier league than it is to return to Conference North. Blyth look like achieving it this season after five years in the wilderness and they don't have the same level of competition as us when it comes to trying to sign players.

I see on the Halifax forum that they are singing his praises and how he has transformed them. I must admit I was one of his biggest critics as I just couldn't see anything in him but obviously Halifax are getting some good performances from him.

Another thing about him is I think we owe him an apology for having a go at his criticism of his time here. He stated that the established and experienced players had let him and the other new arrivals down. After seeing the performances of Moult, Richman, Lawrie and Goodall yesterday and in earlier games, I think I understand where he's coming from now.

Oh and another thing.....on the Guiseley forum, a fan reporting on their defeat at Forest Green and looking for positives said, "Nicky Clee ran his socks off". Obviously is a bit fitter than our previous manager thought!

Who do we want then? I quite fancy this Handsworth Parramore lot at home. They beat Burscough 2-0 today but we've just got to play someone with a name like that!

I see on the website that Liam Watson has joined the Board at Southport as Operations Director, working with the manager in recruitment of players etc.

After everything that has been said over the last week or so, should we consider copying this and bring Graham Heathcote onto our Board in this role and enable Grahame Rowley to concentrate on the Community Sports Hall and that side of the club?

Obviously Jim Harvey would have to be happy with such an arrangement but I wonder if it would be a good idea in light of what's gone on over the last few weeks/months.

Thoughts?

On the bench again last night and when he got on Jake played right full back! Does anyone else think we've seen the last of these two in Alty shirts? To me it looks like Young's policy at Stockport last summer when he wanted rid of all the contracted players but obviously couldn't sack them without paying their contracts up. The other option is to not play them until they're fed up enough to ask for a move....job done! Surely Jake should be playing before someone like Joyce, who couldn't get in Southport's team and ended up at Stalybridge for crying out loud. The manager has history for wanting his own squad and this answers the question of why the likes of Clee and Deasy were released.

Personally I didn't see too many positives last night. If I remember correctly we only managed one shot on target in the whole game and never stretched their defence. I know they're good players or they wouldn't be at United but surely we should have been able to put more pressure on them.

The whole scenario of Young in charge reminds me of when I was watching City in the late 70's/early 80's when Malcolm Allison returned. In order to show everyone what a great coach he was he decided to get rid of all the experienced, international players and bring in unknowns, including a lad from Worcester to replace players like Peter Barnes, Gary Owen and Dave Watson to name a few.

I have to say I am not at all optimistic about the coming season and think we will do well to finish anything higher than 18th. Like Allison did all those years ago, I think Young has got rid of too many experienced players and replaced them with lads who are not up to this level. I hope I'm proved wrong but at this moment in time....!

Is anyone else having trouble with the match updates? I'm stuck at kick-off, which isn't a bad thing I suppose!