[ Sat 19th Dec ] v Chalfont St Peter, KO 3pm SL1DC AWAY

[SouthRushdenJFC]

Also @TheIncognitoKid, I assume you're referring to my one and only post that seemed to ruffle some feathers back in the close season about our fan retained lists.

To be fair you posted a right load of old bollocks on numerous occassions

[Oundle Diamond #2]

The players I wanted to keep in the starting XI (Finlay, Dolman, Brown, Bunting) have all been fantastic this season. The players I wanted as squad players/released (Ashton, Harris, Joseph, Lamb-Johnson, Lorraine and Berwick) have been pretty average. My requests for an outstanding RB/CB and LW were satisfied with the captures of Delroy Gordon and Claudiu Hoban. Anyone complaining about how we have released/left out Butt, Gillingwater, King, Turner and Rogers?

Berwick has been one of our best players this year, Ashton hasn't played since pre-season. Are we watching the same team?

If you put any striker in a class team they will score goals. In my eyes he has been nowhere near one of our best players this year. I watched Ashton play many times in competitive fixtures this season, prefer Gordon & Dolman.

[ParcelFace]

The players I wanted to keep in the starting XI (Finlay, Dolman, Brown, Bunting) have all been fantastic this season. The players I wanted as squad players/released (Ashton, Harris, Joseph, Lamb-Johnson, Lorraine and Berwick) have been pretty average. My requests for an outstanding RB/CB and LW were satisfied with the captures of Delroy Gordon and Claudiu Hoban. Anyone complaining about how we have released/left out Butt, Gillingwater, King, Turner and Rogers?

Berwick has been one of our best players this year, Ashton hasn't played since pre-season. Are we watching the same team?

If you put any striker in a class team they will score goals. In my eyes he has been nowhere near one of our best players this year. I watched Ashton play many times in competitive fixtures this season, prefer Gordon & Dolman.

Tommy Berwick is not an out-and-out striker though, I see him as more of an inside forward where he cuts in from the wing. Ashton has been injured...
http://www.afcdiamonds.com/jack-ashton-injury-update

[corby diamond]

Quite significant that the Non League paper had MOTM as Chalfonts keeper!

Corby Diamond says the ground may have been "a bit of a dump" but they were some of the most hospitable friendly folk we have met, and the Hanwell clubroom could not open until the nursery closed!.
Was the Chairman the very cheerful West Indian guy with the Santa beard who helped out behind the bar before the match when it got really busy.?

I am sure they were grateful for the quadrupling of their average gate,

Not sure whether you were agreeing or disagreeing with me but either way everyone has their own opinions.. Didn't think much to the ground no, however mentioned nothing about the people, in fact completely agree!! Yes that's the fella I was on about, stood next to me the majority of the game.. And can't believe (can't remember who posted it) but Morgan freeman you took the words out my mouth!!

[Bob's Bitch]

The only outstanding request of mine, suitably back on topic, is for a star striker who is a proven goalscorer. It's clear to us all that's what we will need to get us over the line this season. Otherwise it will be a tight battle for promotion that isn't good for our stress levels. Really hoping our scouting teams manage to find one, I know they're elusive, but we're Rushden & Diamonds, that will surely get us far. COYD.

We don't have bags of cash to throw around to get a star striker. This isn't the old days, we run on a budget and even if we were doing poorly I doubt many would want us to rip up that budget and take a gamble. One thing we definitely need to avoid is the arrogance of "we're Rushden and Diamonds, that'll get us far". Well Chalfont get crowds of 60 and they're top of the league, so it's not always about names and crowds.

As it is, we're second in the league in our first season in it, that's fantastic. There's no need to demand this and that, let's just allow the management to get on with it and enjoy it.

[bozzer]

The only outstanding request of mine, suitably back on topic, is for a star striker who is a proven goalscorer. It's clear to us all that's what we will need to get us over the line this season. Otherwise it will be a tight battle for promotion that isn't good for our stress levels. Really hoping our scouting teams manage to find one, I know they're elusive, but we're Rushden & Diamonds, that will surely get us far. COYD.

We don't have bags of cash to throw around to get a star striker. This isn't the old days, we run on a budget and even if we were doing poorly I doubt many would want us to rip up that budget and take a gamble. One thing we definitely need to avoid is the arrogance of "we're Rushden and Diamonds, that'll get us far". Well Chalfont get crowds of 60 and they're top of the league, so it's not always about names and crowds.

As it is, we're second in the league in our first season in it, that's fantastic. There's no need to demand this and that, let's just allow the management to get on with it and enjoy it.

Absolutely spot on!

[Pigman]

The only outstanding request of mine, suitably back on topic, is for a star striker who is a proven goalscorer. It's clear to us all that's what we will need to get us over the line this season. Otherwise it will be a tight battle for promotion that isn't good for our stress levels. Really hoping our scouting teams manage to find one, I know they're elusive, but we're Rushden & Diamonds, that will surely get us far. COYD.

We don't have bags of cash to throw around to get a star striker. This isn't the old days, we run on a budget and even if we were doing poorly I doubt many would want us to rip up that budget and take a gamble. One thing we definitely need to avoid is the arrogance of "we're Rushden and Diamonds, that'll get us far". Well Chalfont get crowds of 60 and they're top of the league, so it's not always about names and crowds.

As it is, we're second in the league in our first season in it, that's fantastic. There's no need to demand this and that, let's just allow the management to get on with it and enjoy it.

[TheIncognitoKid]

The only outstanding request of mine, suitably back on topic, is for a star striker who is a proven goalscorer. It's clear to us all that's what we will need to get us over the line this season. Otherwise it will be a tight battle for promotion that isn't good for our stress levels. Really hoping our scouting teams manage to find one, I know they're elusive, but we're Rushden & Diamonds, that will surely get us far. COYD.

We don't have bags of cash to throw around to get a star striker. This isn't the old days, we run on a budget and even if we were doing poorly I doubt many would want us to rip up that budget and take a gamble. One thing we definitely need to avoid is the arrogance of "we're Rushden and Diamonds, that'll get us far". Well Chalfont get crowds of 60 and they're top of the league, so it's not always about names and crowds.

As it is, we're second in the league in our first season in it, that's fantastic. There's no need to demand this and that, let's just allow the management to get on with it and enjoy it.

While you are pretty much spot on with what you've said, it is nice for all us fans of the same club to have a debate and opinions of the players. We all look forward to seeing new faces and the interest is upped when a new player comes in. IMO we need a centre mid to replace Quigley and a striker to replace Joseph, but like already said, only if it works within our means. The current squad is certainly good enough to achieve to five and I believe we'll do that

[Oundle Diamond #2]

The only outstanding request of mine, suitably back on topic, is for a star striker who is a proven goalscorer. It's clear to us all that's what we will need to get us over the line this season. Otherwise it will be a tight battle for promotion that isn't good for our stress levels. Really hoping our scouting teams manage to find one, I know they're elusive, but we're Rushden & Diamonds, that will surely get us far. COYD.

We don't have bags of cash to throw around to get a star striker. This isn't the old days, we run on a budget and even if we were doing poorly I doubt many would want us to rip up that budget and take a gamble. One thing we definitely need to avoid is the arrogance of "we're Rushden and Diamonds, that'll get us far". Well Chalfont get crowds of 60 and they're top of the league, so it's not always about names and crowds.

As it is, we're second in the league in our first season in it, that's fantastic. There's no need to demand this and that, let's just allow the management to get on with it and enjoy it.

But we have bags of cash to retain star central defenders and star left wingers who should be 1-2 levels higher than they currently are? We are 2nd in the League, which is fantastic. I think I was the only person on here who predicted it. However, in sitting second, we have an opportunity. It's blindingly obvious we are one player short of automatic promotion. That player is a star striker, what we've lacked ever since Taylor and Newman have left. Since then, other players have carried us from further back and I think now is the window where we make a choice. Do we want promotion or are we happy with mediocrity? Let's face it, this will be the last level we will walk, from here on in it'll get tough, so why not just get to the level where we will ply our trade for years to come? This league is here for the taking, we've just won thousands on a great Cup run, let's trim the 6/10s and bring in a 8/10. I'd "enjoy it" a lot more without having to watch Lorraine, Berwick & co. labour up front for their 15 goals a season resulting in dire results like 1-0 losses at home to Egham Town.

I stand by taking pride in our club name, there's no arrogance about it. We're an ex-professional club that I loved travelling up and down the country watching and playing for. It is not a question of money, but about prestige, reputation and fanbase. Players will buy into that too.

TheIncognitoKid has got it spot on with his post. We are football people, we love debates and discussing tactics. Some of us on here have played to a high level, have professional qualifications in the game, and part of the fun of supporting football teams is evaluating how our team are doing. This forum was amazing back in the day when that was happening.

[TheIncognitoKid]

The only outstanding request of mine, suitably back on topic, is for a star striker who is a proven goalscorer. It's clear to us all that's what we will need to get us over the line this season. Otherwise it will be a tight battle for promotion that isn't good for our stress levels. Really hoping our scouting teams manage to find one, I know they're elusive, but we're Rushden & Diamonds, that will surely get us far. COYD.

We don't have bags of cash to throw around to get a star striker. This isn't the old days, we run on a budget and even if we were doing poorly I doubt many would want us to rip up that budget and take a gamble. One thing we definitely need to avoid is the arrogance of "we're Rushden and Diamonds, that'll get us far". Well Chalfont get crowds of 60 and they're top of the league, so it's not always about names and crowds.

As it is, we're second in the league in our first season in it, that's fantastic. There's no need to demand this and that, let's just allow the management to get on with it and enjoy it.

But we have bags of cash to retain star central defenders and star left wingers who should be 1-2 levels higher than they currently are? We are 2nd in the League, which is fantastic. I think I was the only person on here who predicted it. However, in sitting second, we have an opportunity. It's blindingly obvious we are one player short of automatic promotion. That player is a star striker, what we've lacked ever since Taylor and Newman have left. Since then, other players have carried us from further back and I think now is the window where we make a choice. Do we want promotion or are we happy with mediocrity? Let's face it, this will be the last level we will walk, from here on in it'll get tough, so why not just get to the level where we will ply our trade for years to come? This league is here for the taking, we've just won thousands on a great Cup run, let's trim the 6/10s and bring in a 8/10. I'd "enjoy it" a lot more without having to watch Lorraine, Berwick & co. labour up front for their 15 goals a season resulting in dire results like 1-0 losses at home to Egham Town.

I stand by taking pride in our club name, there's no arrogance about it. We're an ex-professional club that I loved travelling up and down the country watching and playing for. It is not a question of money, but about prestige, reputation and fanbase. Players will buy into that too.

TheIncognitoKid has got it spot on with his post. We are football people, we love debates and discussing tactics. Some of us on here have played to a high level, have professional qualifications in the game, and part of the fun of supporting football teams is evaluating how our team are doing. This forum was amazing back in the day when that was happening.

I agree with you on two points here, one with me being spot on and the other is that the player we are missing is a striker. From the last two games its obvious that a player in that position is required. Possible hurdles include finding the right forward who is good enough for this level and from how we've found out from players who've moved on, is location. As an example, top scorer in the league Mendy, is not going to want to travel up to Northants at least three times a week. I also wouldn't want us to bring in a player that would disrupt the wage bill - i'm sure Peaksy and the team know there is a problem in this position.