A bump in the road for National League big guns
The midweek National League results have shown that despite most teams having played 12 or 13 games the division is showing no signs of settling down yet.
Just when you think a team is off and on a run, a defeat crops up and usually one that’s unexpected, not too handy if you’ve got an accumulator going on it’s a good job it’s only a pound each week!
At the beginning of the season I reckoned that around fourteen of the twenty-three teams felt they would have a chance of either a shot at the title or the play-off places. Around half of those teams would say they’ve under achieved so far but with time to turn things around with a mini-run of results.
Two of these who have spent a heck of a lot of money in Stockport and Wrexham suffered defeats midweek as did the league leaders Grimsby Town. County’s loss meant the end of the road for Simon Rusk, his record not the worst but having spent a fair bit of money to achieve promotion before the salary cap comes into effect next season and to be sitting with just eleven goals in 12 games and outside the top seven a change was inevitable.
Now most want to see Wrexham fail in their bid to get back to the National League. Dubbed ‘Hollywood FC’ with the investment from the film star pair of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney some of the fees paid out so far are eye-watering and while fans of the Red Dragons will point to jealousy that it’s happening at their club and nowhere else it’s a cup final for everyone else in every game to beat them. Despite a game in hand they are off the pace massively behind the top two of Grimsby and Chesterfield and my thoughts are another defeat or two within the next three weeks or so would see the end of Phil Parkinson, this league is ruthless this year.
I don’t think many picked Wealdstone to turn over the league leaders Grimsby last Tuesday. A much needed win for the Stones and re-enforcing that no result is guaranteed before a ball is kicked, every three points has to be earnt. It might also have relieved a little bit of pressure on Wealdstone boss Stuart Maynard after a run of four games without a win, especially as both Barnet and Maidenhead around them have recently picked up a few points.
One side who has quietly gone about their business are Solihull Moors. Neal Ardley has taken his side into the play-off places with only two defeats in their thirteen games, I expected them to do well under the former Notts County boss whose previous club trail his new side by three points.
Bromley must get a mention too under Andy Woodman.One defeat in their last nine games has the Ravens looking upwards only and should they win both their games in hand then they could be sitting on the top of the National League, only a four goal swing would stop them in that quest.
Woodman has shown you can step in from the relative sidelines and improve a club, I was as surprised as any when Bromley sacked Neil Smith, not just because I know him but they were then heading in the right direction and the rest of his coaching staff didn’t follow him through the door.
Granted Woodman has made some of his own signings, but the majority were here before him and it hasn’t made an ounce of difference, when you consider their budget isn’t in the same bracket as the Wrexham’s and Stockport’s it’s down to managerial nous and getting the best out of his players, it does help when Michael Cheek leads your line though!
If Wrexham and Stockport do win their games in hand they are back in the mix but still a long way off the top spot and only three defeats between both Grimsby and Chesterfield it’s going to take some run with very little margin for error.
With all of the top five having completed thirteen games now and only four points separating them it promises to be another intriguing weekend of National League football culminating with my team the Bees taking on Aldershot at The Hive live on BT Sport, three points please chaps, sorry Shots fans!