It's now 6-00 am, the day after one of the most abject team performances in recent years. (and I include the debacle at K&W).
I was already disappointed at the woeful standard of passing, the wild shooting, a patently obvious lack of interest and commitment from four or five players, at least three of them who are blindingly obviously NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
Disappointed at the fact that hardly anyone can recognise that the low quality level of training and primary school pre-match routines are having a negative impact on the players.
Disappointed that the players all went seperate ways at the finish, without a group post-match review. It's part of the deal at semi-pro level and if any player can't be arsed then move on.
Disappointed at the lack of leadership and discipline both on and off the pitch. We used to be well known for our shirts and ties, now we look more like shell suited bin dippers.

But compounding all this, there has been no post match comment from the usual observers;
Amber Army
TMM
forester
stan
Wardy
Gumbo
Windy
Painter
nmpalace
redmiller
jackonews
Konspiracy
Campo's Wig
etc...

Not a single comment.

Not just the players who are disinterested then. Seems nobody is.
The wheels have not come off. They are firmly on. going backwards.

Last one do the light, eh?

I'm afraid I gave this one a miss.

I spent the afternoon in Southport watching Newport County turn an easy win into a 1-2 defeat with a second half display of the finest anti-football you could ever hope to see.

Therefore I can't comment on events at Padiham.

However, times have certainly changed.

For the past two seasons, we have been able to go to almost any game and expect (and more often than not) see a win for the Millers. It started off like that at the start of this season, but since around the time of the games against Rossendale and Congleton at home, that hasn't been the case. Rossendale was the last time I went to a game fully expecting to win. Since then, (for me at least) it has been hope rather than expectation.

I too missed the game, as family, and other commitments meant I could not travel. In fact, watched the reserves against Bootle, where the youngsters won a hard faought game 5-2. However, not sure their are many ready for the NW Counties, great to see so many youngsters playing or at least trying to play really good football.

I do think the first team squad appears to lack depth and some players are not upto scratch, or, are not playing to their ability. Some are all huff and puff, and just seem to run into trouble by holding onto to the ball too long.
The number of times the forwards get caught offside is very frustrating.

Against Alsager too many players were in unfamilier roles, harking back to the 'tinkerman' approach Mr Hancock seem to favour. We did have a settled look earleir and the results reflected that,

Don't agree its all doom and gloom, but we do need to kick on, and strengthen the squad or will be in danger of missing out on promotion, again.


There are no easy games in this league, just plenty of big physical lads who will find out those who are 'not up for it'.
TMM
PS Most people have migrated to the 'other' web forum; but acknowledge there is little comment when the team plays poorly on that forum ... perhaps that was the object of the club setting it up?

Thanks to those who guided me to this site didn't realise it was still accessible. Had missed you "Don" on our new forum.

Love for the Millers dates back more than half a century. A bad day at Padiham will not deter this old f**t. Decided to reflect on result before inflicting you with my rantings.

Have mentioned the need for "attention to detail" on Millers forum. Don puts it a little more straightforward but suspect we sing from the same hymn sheet.

Padiham were full of energy and running we were not. 2 outstanding goals compared to our squandering of chances didn't help the cause.

Prior to the weather break we played a brand of football that excited. Crisp one touch passing and retention of the football. If we can regain that level of performance we need fear no one.

The squad does look to be stretched and we understand well enough the need to balance books. It is therefore vitally important that we recruit only quality and not just quantity for numbers sake. Further more we do not want itinerant mercanaries only those who buy into the Millers ethos.

If we get behind the team and the manager addresses the issues the title is there for the taking. Don the lights may have dimmed a little but they are still on.

_________________
We Are The East Stand !!

In view of recent developments I have deleted a part of the original posting.

Hi Stan, good to hear from you. I'll post some footy stuff later.

i think everyone just needs to calm down a bit and be a bit more realistic.

Firstly we ares till in a fantastic league position and have played some of the most attractive football i have EVER seen from a New Mills side. This was only our 3rd league defeat of the season and our 1st in approx 10 games.

Obviously with the poor weather the team have trained less and it has been difficult to get in door facilities but i can't believe this has not been the same for all non-league teams and surely as semi professionals players can sort out their own fitness if training is less frequent. To compare with the previous management is unfair as Kirky had a readily available gym at the college where he worked.

Each manager has his own style and i personally like the fact that Ally has tried to keep the squad quite small and has tried to blood a few youngsters. Similarly he encourages the players to keep it on the deck, even when it is not working which surely is the right way to play the game.

Obviously we are a bit short at the back but he has tried to address that this week.

I personally think it is a fantastic time to be a NMAFC supporter so am slightly confused by all the negativity.

Obviously the defeat was disappointing so i firmly expect a reaction this Saturday. Surely we all want the same thing - promotion - and the best way to achieve this is to get behind the players. After all it could be a lot worse - you could support Glossop!

Must agree that all the negativity surprises me. I came away from Padiham thinking we had been beaten by a good team, who scored 2 brilliant goals in the top corners & we didnt convert our many chances especially in the first half. Not converting goals this season maybe our downfall. Defence is quite solid when all fit, midfield creates chances but strikers spurn a hell of a lot of goal scoring opportunities. Ideally, Id like a hard working box to box midfield player (strong in size & in the tackle). Id also like a tall target man & a speedy striker who can play off the shoulder & score goals. Padiham looked physically stronger & taller overall than New Mills, but, Ive seen some brilliant football this season, we played some great stuff at Curzon away (who have only lost 3 league games all season) & there is little to be despondent about. The squad needs possibly 3 players at most to be complete, but the glass is 3/4 full & would be nice if the fans could get behind the team from start to finish & see what happens rather than constant criticism with one or two bad displays.

The problem is that Winsford have turned themselves into a mini version of last years Newcastle Town side. Their glass seems to be overflowing at the moment. They are currently on a run of nine successive league wins and have overturned the nine point lead we had at the top of the table around October time. They are winning handsomely too on occasion. They have only lost two league games since we beat them on September 6th and gave us a sound thrashing at their place as one of the run of nine wins.

We, on the other hand, have lost three of our last nine games and with the exception of the game at Flixton, I don't think we have looked like comfortable winners in any of the others. In fact, I can think of only two games since the Curzon games where we have looked comfortable winners, Flixton away being one and Squires Gate at home being the other and we gave a solid if not quite so comfortable display at Silsden.

But since the Curzon games, there have been two games at Winsford and Maine Road where we have looked like relegation material and been given sound footballing lessons, we have had to fight back to get home draws against Rossendale and Colne and got rather fortunate wins against Bootle, Flixton, Congleton and most recently Alsager, whose shoulders dropped noticeably after the very unfortunate deflection.

We are not looking at "one or two bad displays" here, but a spell of nearly four months (OK, the weather has played a big part in some of that) where we have not been able to put together more than two or three convincing performances.

I find it worrying and if that is being negative, then I'm sorry.

I went to the game on saturday as a neutral, and like a few others thought there were 2/3 players not gaving 100%.

The problem in the league now though after looking at the table is not only Winsford but Ramsbottom as well and any more performances like saturdays could see you finishing in 3rd not 2nd.

They are both fine sides with quality players throughout there teams and on the bench, So i wouldnt be taking 1st or 2nd for granted boys.

If i was a betting man my cash would be on Ramsbottom.

For crying ou loud rubber ssshhhhhh

Nobody seems intersted about us, which suits me down to the ground.. Lets play the grey man and sneak up quietly.. Damn, ive given the game away now..

Everyone the team to beat now is RAMSBOTTOM

No positivemiller the team to beat is Atherton LR... Tick tock

There's only 2 teams that can stop New Mills getting promoted this season. One is New Mills and the other one is Glossop

Touché Hillman