v AFC Hornchurch - Saturday 24th January

[GazzaBTFC]

Okay, our first home game since Hendon and our third league outing for the New Year. I certainly don't know what kind of "deluge" we had last night but the pitch has plenty of time to dry out and hopefully will respond well to Mr. Nixons "love and attention" today.

 

My team for tomorrow would be

 

Tucker,

Marron, Duncan, Cole, Dumas

Ferguson, Wayne S, Heffer, Dormer

Flack, Bricknell

 

Subs: Hunter, BWG, West, Wareham, Worster.

 

So, I'm not going for it? Nope. I believe the game will be tight and with the conditions, sometimes a little "ugly" as regards the football. Both sides will have opportunities and we have to stop them in the middle of the park. We have had five goals scored against us over the past two games and I think the time to tighten the midfield and put some steel in (Heffer / Wayne S) would be best served, releasing Jamie Dormer to create more. I know we're at home but we have tried the "gung ho" attitude with two wingers at home and away and although exciting to watch, IMO, it only works when the two wide players get back and do the cover work. Fergie can and will...(I leave you guys to finish). Also, of the wingers we have available, Fergie is faster and more creative. Dormer can also defends as Wayne can also create. Our forwards want lots of supply and on the ground. Lets get passing, lets get creating but lets also stop our opposition coming back at us....not on our penalty area but in the middle of the park. It's time to get hard in midfield IMO.

 

People may look and ask why I have included West on the bench. I like him. He can play in the back four as well as do a good linking job up front a la Burbs (in fact, IMO, he is better up front than in defence and the times he has played that role, I thought he has done better than Burbs this season).

 

If we're at our best, we can beat 'em and beat 'em well. If we want to be in a position to salvage anything from this season, the time is tomorrow to start fulfilling our potential.

 

 

[Ryan.c]

Can't believe that you'd leave out BWG and retain Semanshia after the last two performances!

 

Tucker

Heffer, Duncan, Cole, Dumas

BWG, Hunter, Dormer, Wareham

Ferguson, Bricknell

 

A must win game.

[Adam.S]

Tucker

Marron, Duncan, Heffer, Dumas

Ferguson, Semanshia, Dormer, BWG

Flack, Bricknell

 

Subs - Hunter, Wareham, Frankis, Cole, Worster

 

I would put Tim Cole on the bench, unless his fitness levels have improved since Saturday.

 

I agree with Ryan, it is a must win game. As much as i hate to say it, if we do lose, we could face being 2 points from relegation, but only if the teams below us win.

 

 

[jmez]

I would go with

 

Tucker

Wayne.S Duncan Heffer Dumas

 

 

Ferguson Hunter Dormer Wareham

 

 

Bricknell Flack

 

 

Subs: Worster,BWG,Cole,J.West & Marron

 

 

[Dilbert]

My team would be

 

Tucker

Marron, Duncan, Heffer, Dumas

Ferguson, Hunter, Dormer, Wareham

BWG, Bricknell

 

 

[The Town Crier]

 

 

It's tipping it down in Braitree at the moment, but my sister has encouraging news.

 

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ee/basildon_forecast_weather.html

[Paul J]

Is there a pitch inspection planned for the morning?

 

I drive past the club on my way to work each morning and the amount of water on the fields surrounding the club makes me fearful that we wont be playing tomorrow. I sincerely hope the game is on. I dont think I can stomach another Saturday afternoon of decorating!

 

 

[urchinman1961]

yep very tight affair agree, conditions may play a part tomorrow, think we mite have enuff in the tank to nick it by the odd goal

[jl]

Sadly it's currently tipping it down in Billericay.

If Miracle Mick can sort the pitch out my team would be

 

Tucker

Semanshia, Duncan, Cole, Dumas

Ferguson, Hunter, Heffer, Dormer

BWG, Bricknell

 

My midfield is defintely a four though, not a three, a diamond, a rhombus or other strange shape. I want Dorms to play narrowish and let Dumas get past him wherever possible. I can see it being an attrtional game, so we'll need to be strong and determined.

 

[Keith.P]

Originally Posted By: jl

I can see it being an attrtional game, so we'll need to be strong and determined.

hmm, JL been at the pop early today

[GazzaBTFC]

Interesting and worth a discussion.

 

I see that at present it's 3 - 2 for all out, ballsy attack and devil may care attitude. I can see the reason but in my opinion, it hasn't worked very well this season. In my opinion, we don't have the players (even with a fully fit squad) to hold up the midfield if we play that way (no disrespect to our players or to the managers). Playing with two out and out wingers leaves us too light in the middle and rellies on our wingers to do a lot of cover work when nessecary, IMO. Considering that the pitch will be heavy, that may be too much hard work.

 

Exciting though it is to watch, I'll take a hard worked win over flair.

 

I'll go for the rhombus jl. Not often we agree on tactics, even if we disagree on a player or two...

 

I'm thinking Mick is out in the middle of the pitch giving the it lots of love and attention right now (and quite probably cursing the skies).

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The Town Crier]

If we can unravel big dunc for this one, and it STOPS RAINING then It should be an exciting game.

 

Surely we'll not go into a seventh week before we get a home game...will we?

[Dilbert]

It has stopped raining, the wind is still quite strong and there are a few blue bits in the sky, so now it's down to prayers.

[The Town Crier]

 

 

wahoo, all we need now is a few hours of wind and it should, fingers crossed, be ok.

 

 

[The Town Crier]

 

 

I was going to make reference to some arm flapping and hot air to help dry out the pitch, but thought better of it.

 

(not you dilbert)

[Dilbert]

I'm sure some of our fans could provide the hot air !!!!

[JoeV93]

With their rears Dilbert??

[and1inthetree]

is there any strongbow on tap?

[Brightside Bloke]

YES

[and1inthetree]

hahaha. wd.