The last few weeks have been an extremely difficult few weeks for Solihull Moors, with several results simply not going their way. 
 

Within the last three weeks, the football club have dropped down to seventh in the National League table, whilst also suffering an FA Cup first round exit at the hands of League Two strugglers Hartlepool United. 
 

With a difficult Christmas period on the way, including a back-to-back clash against league leaders Wrexham as well as a home tie against Oldham Athletic. 
 

Therefore, what has been going wrong for Neal Ardley’s side and where can the team improve over the next few weeks, in order to get their play-off aspirations back on track?  
 

  • Recent Results 

To identify a problem, you first need to review the ongoing scenario, the positives and more importantly the negatives in regards to the current issues around the football club. 
 

Last season, Solihull Moors lost just seven of their 44 National League matches last season. However this season, the club have lost six of their first 20 league games as well as suffering an early FA Cup exit. 
 

Since Solihull Moors won back-to-back league matches at the end of October against Eastleigh & Maidenhead United, the club haven’t won a football match since. 
 

This is a run of four draws and three defeats in seven matches, however two of those draws were in the FA Cup. Therefore, the club have picked up just two points from their last five games. 
 

  • Key Players Absent 

Ardley’s men have also lost a key goal-scorer in the shape of striker Alex Reid who scored seven league goals for the club after his loan deal was terminated by Stockport County. He then joined league rivals Oldham Athletic after his contract at the League Two side was cancelled by mutual consent. 
 

Last season’s top goal-scorer Andrew Dallas has been suffering with minor injuries, which has limited his game time, and therefore placed huge pressure on the likes of Josh Kelly and Joe Sbarra. 
 

Defender Callum Howe has also missed a month of action, due to a knee injury. Howe is a key figure in the clubs back line and his absence has definitely been felt throughout the team.

 

  • The Goalkeeping Decision

Usually, having two top keepers is a good thing, but you could argue this has caused Ardley one or two issues so far this season.
 

The club began the campaign with Wolves loanee Louie Moulden between the sticks, and he did an incredible job, even saving a few penalties in matches for the Moors.  
 

However, following the return of Ryan Boot, the pair have been constantly trading places in the starting eleven. Something which will not help either goalkeeper’s confidence, nor will it help their ability to continue earning match fitness on a consistent basis.

Moulden’s loan deal expires in January, and this will definitely give Ardley some food for thought. It remains to be seen whether the club will look to extend the loan deal or if they will part ways and keep Boot as the clubs number one.  

Either way, a decision has to be made because the constant changing is affecting both goalkeepers confidence as well as the back four. This could explain the lack of clean sheets recently, something which the club usually excel at.  
 

  • Could interest from elsewhere have had a negative affect? 

Back in October, Solihull Moors boss Neal Ardley was linked with the vacant managerial roles at two English Football League sides. These sides were Exeter City in League One and Crawley Town in League Two. 
 

However, despite no approaches being made, there is a possibility, admittedly unlikely, that the interest could have had a negative squad on the squad’s morale. This would be caused by the players or staff thinking their manager was departing, which would be bad news for the club as a whole. 
 

Since the reports emerged, Ardley’s side have struggled to pick up results. Especially losing to sides below them such as Gateshead and FC Halifax Town. Last time out, the club lost to an in-form Chesterfield side, a team they beat in the play-off semi-finals back in May. 
 

Now, what needs to be changed around the club, that could also have a positive affect on things moving forward? 
 

  • Reinforcements 

Solihull Moors are already working with one of the divisions smallest squads, something that is made even smaller by injuries or player departures. 
 

After losing a key goalscorer in the form of Reid, and a handful of other squad players failing to take their opportunities when handed to them, could a signing or two have a positive affect? 
 

In short, yes. At youth level, the existing U21s seasons are on hold until the middle of January, due to a winter break. Therefore, there would be plenty of young players in need of some match time. Options vary across the divisions from free agents to young players from neighbouring clubs like Birmingham City, Coventry City or Aston Villa. 
 

  • Stick to what you know

Another issue that the club have faced in recent times, is the constant changing of stating elevens in their matches this season. 
 

Understandably, factors such as injury, illnesses or suspensions are things that cannot be helped or necessarily prevented. However, there has been times when Ardley has changed a winning side for no reason, or dropped a player that played particularly well the game before. 
 

By keeping to the tactics and players that you know work, will be a good place to start in order to transform the clubs current form, going into the second half of the season. 
 

At the time of writing, Solihull Moors still sit seventh in the National League table, which is a great position to be in. However, they are ten points behind third place Chesterfield, which is a gap that would be very hard to reduce, given how strong the leading three sides have been this season, and the squad qualities that they already possess. 
 

However, it remains to be seen whether Ardley can transform his sides form around, and turn them back into firm promotion contenders once again.