It's still debatable whether our magnificent unbeaten run stretching almost two months was an accurate reflection of what we can do with players like Wilkinson, Balanta or Onariase in the team, or whether it was merely momentum carrying us further and further. We can't expect to beat the likes of Orient and Salford every week, but one thing that's certain is that we don't deserve to be 16th in the table.
Had we started the season with our current squad it's quite conceivable that we'd be battling in the playoffs. Though we're only twelve points off with plenty of games to potentially overturn that deficit, it's likely that we'll just miss out. However, even to be talking about play-offs when we were dreading National League South football just three months ago speaks volumes about how far we've come. We're a changed team and the American Revolution is only in it's infancy. Though it could be said that our campaign is finished because we're most probably going to find ourselves lodged in mid-table between the places of 10th and 14th, the next few months will be very important as they lay the foundations for 2019/20. All the progression we make from now until May will be carried into the promotion push we're expected to sustain, as the owners look to help guide us into the EFL again. Above all else, though, the next few months are about enjoying football. November onwards has delivered me some of the most exciting times I can remember while supporting this club. When we were losing almost every game enroute to relegation to the National League, the matchday experience was utterly horrible. Now it's the exact opposite irrespective of the result and the fact that we've got to that stage now, especially considering what it was like during the first three months of the season, is a testament to the work being done behind the scenes. One of the best pieces of work performed by the club was announcing Conor Wilkinson on an 18-month contract on Thursday. We've now got Goodliffe and Onariase on loan until the end of the season, we've got Wilko, Balanta and McQueen here until the summer of 2020, and we've got Clark and Phipps here until 2021. That's a huge part of our future right there, especially in Conor Wilkinson, whose arrival signals a huge statement of intent from the club. No doubt he'll go straight into the side that will face Maidstone United today. Last week in the Trophy we were toothless up front in spite of our efforts, and we were crying out for someone like Conor just to make something happen, removing us from the constant cycle of building up a sustained attack, passing it sideways for a bit and then crossing it to absolutely nobody. Conor brings presence and intelligence which makes everybody play better. Today is an opportunity to get 'back on the horse' so to speak, to start another run. We have three very winnable games starting today and the momentum generated by a couple of consecutive wins will be massive. Maidstone are in crisis somewhat, they're on their third manager of the season and judging by the comments on their online forum, are heading towards relegation. It's down to us to exploit their low confidence. They sit 23rd in the league and have only picked up six points at home all season. Their fortunate victory over Barrow in August remains their solitary success at the Gallagher Stadium, where they've lost their last four including Tuesday's most recent loss to Maidenhead. They conceded four on that occasion and are clearly weak at the back, yet we'll be taking nothing for granted as this league has shown many times that it's unpredictable. Anything but three points ill be seen as a disappointment, but I have every faith that we'll perform to our best and that will yield deserved reward. Up the Dags
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January 2024
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