OpenC

Do we not have to work on the basis that if Leazes Park or Castle Leazes was going to be the option then the consultation would already have been done? Find it hard to believe that they could keep it quiet, and equally hard to believe that they're going to announce their plan only to be potentially stymied by Ethel and Wilbur subsequently complaining about green spaces

Alnwick unexpectedly turned over Ryton and Crawcrook Albion today, scrappy game but took the goal well when the chance came. Looking comfortably mid table now. First home win which was starting to feel important.

In the financial environment we're in and where the amount of money involved is getting on for the value of a couple of proven decent performers or prospects it's surely not that surprising that some people aren't completely sold on this one. It's not like we're chasing somebody who's universally acknowledged as one of the finest centre halves ever to grace the league.

I know what Eddie's saying about elite players being a small pool to fish but honestly, last two bids just look a bit desperate and increasingly pathetic to me

Ah well, if Alnwick survive the season and Jarrow fall away to stay where they are I'll get a pint next season then. I was stressed out enough with the satnav taking me all over the fucking place was a complicated little drive there. Northern League is an obvious step up on the Alliance but they haven't looked completely outclassed by anyone yet so I'm still hopeful. Felled by a suckerpunch at the death when they played CLS Town the other night but I'm pleased with the approach they're taking. One thing I have noticed is the amount of complaining to officials in this league mind; Billingham Town were fucking embarrassing with their constant "offside" and "foul throw" and "that's a red ref". I wish the officials would impose their authority a bit more.

Walked past that the other day when I was at Jarrow, couldn't tell if it was the sort of place I was going to get mugged or if it was aalreet. It looked derelict from a lot of angles Ended up just getting a kebab from over the road

Alnwick holding it together first half for once. Hopefully can have their usual majestic second half without the stress of being two down already

Cathedral by the Chicken Cottage it must stay

Atrocious come on man

Alnwick back from 2-0 to win 2-4, played great second half. I'm increasingly hopeful they can survive in this league

Billingham Town today. Some canny little setups in the Northern League, like.

£3.70 at Alnwick Town FC

Outside looks like what new build B&Qs might look like

Yeah, it's a lovely pitch (had real problems at the end of last season when a field drain burst but the groundsman has got it bang on again) and the ground's got loads of character without it being actively falling apart I feel like places like SJP are exactly the sort of grounds the NL needs, there are too many flatpack 3Gs these days. There are two things that constantly baffle me about Alnwick; they just can't defend the back post on set pieces, and even when they're winning and should just be closing a game out they always still feel in a rush to get forward, which is exactly where the equaliser came from. The forward options are limited as you say, Usman Ogidan who plays as 10 is an absolute battering ram and brilliant but not an out and out striker (he would have been immense in a 4-4-2 in the 90s) but the only other options up front are Max Anderson who's just come in and is playing OK but needs to settle, and a 16 year old who's being used as centre half and centre forward. Manager was telling me they're hoping to get a few in this week so we'll see.

Cacapa, not sure he ever did anything good

First point for Alnwick back in the Northern League today, gave away all three at the death with a badly defended set piece, a bit of an Achilles Heel for them at the minute. One point from three games but I'm still hopeful they'll settle and be ok.

To prove that Sunlun has not fallen

absolutely this

I'm sure it was usually her or Tyler Dodds playing RW last season until Lumsden arrived. LW was almost exclusively KB9, was it not? Maybe I'm misremembering. Elson looks to be able to play pretty much anywhere in the front but I remember her being used most on the right wing.

Kacie Elson plays RW and plays really well there

I think I heard them singing his name, aye. Didn't see it, I only saw their first which looked like a whipped in free kick that just eluded everyone and ended up in at the far post.

Lost three nowt but I don't think they looked a league apart. Hopefully they'll be ok and can kick on.

Jarrow today for Alnwick Town's return to the Northern League. Might be a rough one. Took some fucking finding

You get smoke blown up your arse by Alan Browne (x3) Cos Sunlun's a massive club

If they can't manage a couple of months, at least a couple of actual competitive games would be a start