Serious questions

[Hempstead Gaz]

As the season draws to a close, I think most of us are a little dissapointed to be having a dogfight to avoid relegation, which will now go to the wire with a win at all costs game against Halifax.

So where have we gone wrong ?

1. Injuries. Broken ankles and serious illnesses are unfortunate and unavoidable. However, are our training/fitness methods correct ? We often have players out with bad backs, bad necks, pulled this and pulled that. Add this together with assorted work related injuries (dropped something heavy on foot), badly cut hands etc, leads me to think a lot of these things could be avoided if we adopted a different training regime. A lot of this type of injury/accident would be avoided by being full time.

2. Discipline. Last season we had hardly any red cards and very few suspensions. We appeared to be the referees favourites and would often get the better end of poor referees. This year we have seen an abundance of needless red and yellow cards. Take Tos yesterday. What WAS the point of tripping their left winger on the halfway line when Lovett was covering ? The guy was going nowhere, Tos always looked likely to foul him and was always going to get a yellow for it. We HAVE to SORT IT OUT, we have become (in everyone opinion but ours) the dirtiest team in the league. I know it’s not true, but we need to convince everyone else, especially referees. It is one thing to be fiercle competitive, but we have been very naïve in deciding when to and when not to to make that risky 30/70 challenge.

3. Players pledge. A fantastic idea by Jessica, brilliantly supported by the loyal 1200. However, much as I admire Ado Pennock, I question whether he was the wisest choice to spend upwards of £7000 (I may be proved wrong on this figure, for which I apologise.) Did we really need another centre back at a time when Burton and Wilkins were developing a good understanding, and with Duku returning to fitness. My point has been proven by the fact that Ado has spent the last 4 games on the bench. A better signing would have been a short term proven striker. Portway was available, (now playing for Erith) younger than Abbott, and still lethal inside the 6 yard box, which is still something Evans, Stadhart, Budge and Hatch are still lacking. Did the Board consider him ??

4. The unspoken R word. Hyperthetically, God forbid, if we don't beat Farnborough this afternoon, then Halifax and don’t stay up, can we get some assurances from the board that Andy will keep this team together. I understand all (or most) are on decent contracts. If we do go down, it will be this team that has done it. Let them prove they are good enough to get back up. I suppose the temptation will be to sell some of the better players (Duku, Bentley, Mckimm, Wilkerson)spring to mind, to balance to books for the expected shortfall in revenue through loss of sponsorship and reduced attendances.

 

[GAZ]

Some of your ideas need serious answers,how can you say we needed a striker with the money spent,just look at the league stats and you will see where we have been lacking all season. we are joint 7th highest scorers in the league and there is 1 team let in more than us and 2 others who have let in the same. we tend to get ahead then let games slip lets keep it tight at the back and dont give any more slopy goals in.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Of the defence, only Wilkerson, Lovett and Duku look to be really conference standard. The rest (with utmost respect) are top Ryman players, but lack that little extra needed for the top level. It is unrealistic to changed half of the defence at this stage of the season. The better option would have been to get a proven striker in to play alongside Budge/Hatch/Evans/Stadhart, and score more goals than we will (frequently) concede.

[Guest]

In answer to Chatham Gary who has made some very salient points firstly injuries, I suppose the only relevant comment would be to question the difference between total commitment and reckless aggression probably made by some players in the beleif that is what is required/expected,I am beginning to deduce from this that there is no place in the big 'C' for flair players.I do however find this at odds with the comments of many supporters who repeatedly accuse the team of lacking creativity.Your comments on discipline can be summed up very easily "frustration" on the part of the players with both officials and their own situation. Your comment on A.P. is in a way related to my first point,that being,you would not expect Adrian to win crunching tackles but more to use his guile and experience to break up attacks, hopefully feed a creative midfield who in turn could supply the front lone with better quality service.There I've cracked it I'm off th Highbury on Tuesday for Wengers job. In all seriousness getting the mix of solid and creative defence, creative midfield play with the right amount of bite and forwards who beleive

[Guest]

Sorry everyone pressed the wrong button,to continue, forwards who believe they will score everytime they get in a good position is nigh impossible.The most important thing the players and management need to know right now is that everyone is behind them, !00%.Best of luck today from myself and L.G.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Definitely agree with the point that we should all get behind Andy and the boys. I',m working today, but will be following the game on RK and BBC conference web site. I still haven't got my voice back from shouting on saturday.

C'MON you REEDDS !!!

[David Holden]

Quote:

4. The unspoken R word. Hyperthetically, God forbid, if we don't beat Farnborough this afternoon, then Halifax and don’t stay up, can we get some assurances from the board that Andy will keep this team together. I understand all (or most) are on decent contracts. If we do go down, it will be this team that has done it. Let them prove they are good enough to get back up. I suppose the temptation will be to sell some of the better players (Duku, Bentley, Mckimm, Wilkerson)spring to mind, to balance to books for the expected shortfall in revenue through loss of sponsorship and reduced attendances.

Sadly most of the players are on contracts that finish at the end of this season, so it will not be a question of selling them but trying to get them to resign, which will be much harder if we go down.

[Richard C]

Quote:

Of the defence, only Wilkerson, Lovett and Duku look to be really conference standard.

I have to say that in every game Nick Burton has played this season and more so recently, he has looked Conference standard easily. Very assured, last minute tackles and his heading is getting better every game. The other points are very valid, we do lack in certain areas, but that will improve with time and money. We really need to make sure we stay up this year, so as we can improve the squad rather than lose half of it!

[Slartibartfast]

Nick Burton gets my sons vote for man of the match every week and is guaranteed at least one vote for player of the season

[David Holden]

Quote:

Nick Burton gets my sons vote for man of the match every week and is guaranteed at least one vote for player of the season <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Are you Nick's dad then <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[ifa]

Re Adrian Pennock

Just remember that before he came and before Francis returned the defence was in an absolute shambles. With 1 or 2 exceptions (Doncaster?) the defence has been a lot more solid since APs arrival.One of the signings of the season I reckon. Im glad my pledge money went on him

[FleetFanatic]

Quite correct - I don't recall any complaints at the time.

[Slartibartfast]

Wilkerson and Bentley have to be the top signings...whatever happens today it has been a pleasure watching some real quality at the fleet.

Oh and in case Jacko or Duku read this I'm not suggesting that there wasn't any quality players last year but you can't have too much of a good thing.