It looks as though we will finish between 7th and 10th which a few may regard as a disappointment having been in a play-off place so recently. However thinking back to the time when Ford left, everyone has done brilliantly since then. We mustn't forget the great work Lee Protheroe did in turning things round and since then Daisy and the team have been superb with some great results and performances especially away from home.
Looking ahead, I may be in the minority, but I couldn't care less whether or not we win the KSC. To my mind when teams are forced through no fault of their own to field a complete reserve side, as happened to Margate, the whole competition becomes a farce and no longer worth winning. I will not be attending the semi-final or the final if we get there. I think it's time the County Cups were completely revamped to stop these situations and revive some interest. Perhaps playing some of the ties pre-season in place of some of the less high profile friendlies might be one idea.
Now the pressure's off, the next 3 league games might give Daisy a chance to give some of the fringe players a run out to help him decide whether to "deal or no deal" for next season. Let's hope for some entertaining games.
The BSNS (as it will be next season) looks as though it will be a good league to be in if you're based in the South East. If you take Southampton as being the limit of the SE (stretching it a bit I know) there seem to be only 5 clubs (Dorchester, Bath, Worcester, Forest Green and Chippenham) who might be in this division next season outside this region but the likelihood is that only 2 or 3 will be in it. This means there will be a large number of "local" games many more of which will be on Saturdays than in previous seasons thereby allowing far more away fans to travel. With Kingstonian losing last night, it now looks certain that Dartford will be promoted and although Ebbsfleet are still clinging to the hope of avoiding the drop, with 2 of their remaining 3 games away they must still be favourites to go. If they drop, Welling will be assured of 2 gates at home and 2 away likely to exceed anything we've seen for league games this season. Additionally, at least 2 of Dover, Chelmsford and Woking (unfortunately) will still be in the division next year with their large travelling support. Overall, gates in the division look sure to increase even without Newport.
Daisy has shown he can put together a side capable of mounting a promotion challenge and playing decent football on limited resources and hopefully the club will find a sponsor for next season which might add a little to the kitty.
August is just four months away and I'm looking forward to it already.
I'm not sure experimenting is right while there is still a mathematical chance (however remote) of getting into the play-offs.
Won't the league be BSBS?
The KSC has been cheapened but so has the FA Cup. Top Premiership sides play heavily weakened sides in the earier rounds. That is why Man Ure and Arse an' all are already out. I quite enjoyed the final last season and hope to go to the semi and final (if we get there) to support the club for how they have turned things around, and I completely agree that Lee Protheroe's contribution should not be taken lightly.