Nile at the crossroads

For almost all of their time together, Nile Ranger and Kettering Town have been good for each other.  His signing last season injected a bit of star quality and even celebrity into our ranks, attracting national attention as we progressed in the Cup. Contrary to his disruptive track record he showed a good attitude and was unselfish - at times too much when trying yet again to set someone else up rather than having a crack himself. His goals return was steady, and many felt that Lavs withdrawing Nile in the playoff final cost us the game. 

Equally, Nile gained renewed exposure, a degree of career rehab, a reminder of his abilities to potential suitors and a rumoured decent whack per week!

So when he appeared to have moved on in the summer he went with all good wishes and his reputation high. But in his second act, if we can call it that, things are threatening to turn sour. True, he has been finding the net, deadly from close range if not the spot. But the ‘is he staying or not’ saga has become a distraction, generating social media content yes, but also suggesting he was fishing for a better offer but hasn’t yet had one. 

And now we are starting to see on-field antics that were absent last season.  On many occasions under Lavs he was brought on or off as part of the never ending rotation of that campaign, and showed no displeasure.  But at Long Eaton he left the field shaking his head and chuntering after being subbed, having been given most of the game to make an impact.  Then yesterday at Worcester was less strop, more full blown tantrum after a similar late withdrawal. Arms thrown out in disgust, gesticulating at the bench then appearing to point to Eddie as someone who should be taken off instead!  Which as it happens would have been very unfair on Eddie, who almost won us the game with the last kick. 

Hollyhead is on record as placing a high value on relationships and it will be interesting to see how he handles this one. If Nile can’t accept his role is to share striking duties with several other strong options, maybe it’s best if we part company before squad unity starts to suffer.