Three questions
 

Not too long ago, some contributors to this messageboard were saying that Eric and Coley had been shrewd this season. Knowing about the points deductions of other teams would take the pressure off us.
So, question 1 : does ANYONE still go along with that unlikely scenario?

I have recently forced myself to re-watch "Accrington Stanley - Exactly". It's surprising - on second watching, I didn't need to hide my head in my hands quite as much. Consequently, I saw and heard more. I heard both Eric and Jimmy Bell saying that the club had ambitions to reach League 1.
So, question 2 : what evidence has there been, both on and off the field, of such ambition?

Question 3 needs no introduction. What has happened to Stanley as an attacking force?

Re: Three questions
 

Revived Red :)

My opinion (so please do not shoot me:D) I DO BELIEVE that Stanley will be safe this season :) A couple of wins and things will be better.

Ambition ?? Not too sure about that one :confused::confused:

Attacking force :( This spends most of its time keeping benches warm, and occasionally runs up and down the touchline. Apart from that it deceides to go back to its parent club because it has spent enough time doing some/most of the above :rolleyes: Other than that it spend its time defending and chasing back into midfield to try and get the ball from there, other than that its top notch:rolleyes:

Got to get better soon :) Keep the faith.

Re: Three questions
 

No shooting - you're quite safe!!:) I do agree with you. I don't think we will go down, though it could be a close call.

The question was about the idea that the management have deliberately taken it easy because other teams were far more likely to go down than we were.

Re: Three questions
 

I do think that Eric has the view that we will not go down this season because of the deductions and therefore thought better of spending his cash :( I do know that that does mean that we have to endure the type of tripe served up yesterday, but I do not think that The Gills were much better than us in all honesty and I am suprised they are where they are in the League :confused:

Re: Three questions
 

whether they did or did not think that we'll never know.

But I for one still think that if that was a decision then it was probably a carefully considered one. We could a) have still spent a lot of money and been no better off than now b)could have spent a lot more knowing the likelihood of a poorer league and attemtped to buy our way out of it.

what we will have acheived this season should we stay up is that a young side will be a season better experienced. Bobby Grant and Chris Turner in particular, Jimmy Ryan is still young, and it was a shame for young Murphy. There are no guarantees in football whatever you do - but knowing we had no money and had to build the much maligned new seats may have forced their hand. Thanks goodness for the points deductions?

Re: Three questions
 

I never subscribed to the theory and I still don't. We're right in the mire and sinking fast. I stated on the forum, pre-season after the Barrow game, that we'd be relying on others to keep us up and that's exactly where we are.

I think much of that was rhetoric. They may have the ambitions, but the reality dictates otherwise.

We don't have anyone to regularly score goals. Mullin has never been a creator of goals, but a finisher who relies on others around him. This season (esp. after Gornall left), he's had no service and nobody to play off him, and therefore hasn't scored, or created very many. The only other goal threat is Ryan from midfield and although he's done his best, he's out on his own. How often do our defenders score? Apart from Ryan, how many goals have come from midfield after 34 league games?

When you leak goals like we do and can't score at the other end, it's no wonder we're in the mess we are now.

Re: Three questions
 

Only problem with that Macca is how many of the good/potential players will we be able to afford to keep ?????? Ryan? Turner? Charnock?

Re: Three questions
 

More to the point , how many of those players will want to stay? I believe that nearly all the players are out of contract at end of season.

Re: Three questions
 

I think it's standard fare at this level of football, 1 year contracts, unless you have somebody who you know will move onwards and upwards then you try to tie them to a longer deal.
The longer the deal the more transfer fee there will be, also there is the risk that if a career threatening injury happens you have to pay the player throughout. (like Tretts a couple of years ago)
Hence most clubs can't afford to take the chance with long contracts.

Re: Three questions
 

There's only Paul Mullin and Sean McConville under contract for next season.
I very much doubt that we'll be able to keep key players such as Edwards, Arthur and Ryan. Relegation or not, we're going to have a very tough time next season as to me those three players are irreplaceable for a club in our position.

Re: Three questions
 

Eric Whalley has already said that budget cuts next season will "probably mean lower wages", so have can we possibly keep many decent players? Unless there's major investment, next season will be a real struggle.

Re: Three questions
 

1.Kenny Arthur
2.Peter Cavanagh
3.Chris King
4.Leam Richardson
5.Colin Murdock
6.Andrew Procter
7.John Miles
11.Robert Grant
12.Philip Edwards
14.Jimmy Ryan
15.Robbie Williams
16.John Mullin
17.Ian Dunbavin
18.Peter Murphy
20.Andrew Smith
21.Chris Turner
29.kieran charnock Think is out of contract at peterborough at end of season

All out of contract at end of season i agree with shakermaker if we can not keep Philip Edwards, Jimmy Ryan, Kenny Arthur, Peter Cavanagh, Chris King. Than it is going to be hard next season as i do not think we will bring in many loan players as we could not afford to pay their wages if we can not afford to pay our players the same contract as they are on this year. Things do not look good for Charnock to sign.