Slough Town v Burnham

[3spirit]

Went home thoroughly pissed off last night,as I thought Slough threw away the game rather than Burnham won it on merit.Slough dominated the first half and with better forwards would have had a comfortable lead.

 

Can't believe what happened in the second half and the lack of tatical change from Steve Bateman.It was obvious that Burnham had got wise to both our wingers,by shutting them down by putting two players on them.

 

Admittedly,I thought our two forwards were pretty abysmal but I would have only changed one.When we were 2-0 down I would have brought Tyrone Sealey on [to play up front,shame Yash wasn't still here!] to replace Hayes or Martin.I would have brought Harper on for Murphy and gone for three centre halves[sweeney,Bowden Haase,Edwards]and put Harper as defensive/holding midfield and pushed Edgeworth up to play behind the front two.We were after all at home and it is our derby match this year[bar Beaconsfield].

 

I would rather lose 4-0 and go down fighting till the end than go down with a whimper, like we did last night!

I know all managers want to bring in their own players but Bateman has cocked up the front line[noted:unfortunate about Sippets injury].

Hayes,Martin and O'Connor are no better than Jordan,Gumbs and Romeo.I would go as far as saying they're worse!Danny Jordan give's you options with his footballing skills on the floor,his footballing nous and his overall ability.Where was he last night?

Yash Romeo gives you speed,turn of pace and will take a player on[a goal in every 2 games is a very good record by any striker-15 in 30 games].Where was he last night? Oh yeah! scoring for Hungerford.

Our strikers couldn't hit a barndoor from five yards!

I rest my case!.....

[Reading Rebel]

Did hear a rumour that Jordan hasn't even signed forms yet?

[Reading Rebel]

Not that it really matters but can we clear up who had the headed goal dis-allowed. I thought it was Edwards and looking at the pics seems to confirm this.

[charlie]

Thought I'd throw in my tuppence worth...having not been on here in a while.

 

First half we looked really good I thought. Yes, we could have done with some clinical finishing, but given the past few seasons it was extremely comforting to watch a team actually pass around and not resort to hoofing it up the field.

 

Herron's first half was the best I've seen him play, Sinclair was brilliant again, Bowden-Haas proved his quality and although there were no goals, Hayes in particular worked hard to keep the back four under pressure.

 

But we needed to get that goal in the first half - for me, I think the half time break destroyed what tempo we had, which meant that after the ref gave the free kick for the dive (not that I could see from where I was but I'm reliably informed from those still walking around that it should never have been given) a lot of the tempo moved to Burnham's side and, credit to them, they used it to pressure our back four almost immediately, leading to Edwards' foul-up.

 

Completely agree with the earlier comments suggesting that Burnham deserved the win in the second half - they're not world beaters but they showed tactical awareness and encouraged each other - something which we were lacking. I don't think we'll struggle in this league, far from it, but like Chris, I think we'll need something special to beat the title chasers.

 

Perhaps if we'd had a mouthy leader-type on the pitch that might have been different - we knew before the season started that loud encouragement and shouting was never going to come from our bench, which means that we need someone to do it on the field.

 

On a more positive note - great to see so many old faces at the Slough end last night - it was a like a reunion from four seasons ago!

[Tom]

As far I as know DJ has work commitments and hasn't actually signed on yet as a result. I would count O'Connor, Hayes, Martin and Gumbs as our forwards for the forseeable future.

 

Its early days but Barton Rovers and Leighton will give us a good idea where this team is capable of finishing this season. Remember Sutton Coldfield missed out on the playoffs through goal difference and Burnham (aka Beaconfield) missed out in the play offs.

[Mark44]

I was stuck at work last night and was unable to make it but I was getting updates. As soon as i got the one nil up date i thought to myself 'here we go again'. I dont know why but I still do not trust this side to not crumble after conceding.

 

I dont think we have a bad team or a bad manager, i think we are cursed lol.

[Reading Rebel]

Completely agree Charlie, Burnham were the better team in the second half and scored from the two bits of luck that came their way.

 

We just couldn't capitalise on our first half dominance and excellent build up play.

[A Rebel and a Saint]

I thought it was Martin's header that was ruled out.

 

I think Bateman has missed a trick in letting Yash go. Yash up front with either Hayes, Martin or DJ would probably be a better partnership for this season, especially after these first 2 games.

However as I said above I think that changes to the midfield are what's needed. We cannot afford for them to go missing in the second half of games and leave Sinclair doing all the work. This may be our first choice midfield but it's not working for more than 45 minutes!!!

 

Saturday is a crucial marker, Barton Rovers have lost 4-0 and 3-0 so far this season.

[Tom]

Drop either Martins or Hayes, add a defence midfielder in either Avis or Harper and push Edgeworth forward to support?

[Mark44]

I agree. The football may not be pretty in a 4-5-1 approach but it works.

[BFR]

This was the first game I've seen under Bateman, and Gumbs' sub appearance aside, had not seen any of the team play for Slough Town before. I have to say I was fairly disappointed. Unlike a number of posters above I don't think Slough dominated the first half, it was pretty even with not too many chances created.

 

The early goal in the second half knocked the stuffing out of us and the second was a bit of a calamity. We never really threatened to get back into the game and outside of set-pieces did not look like scoring.

 

Perks looked decent until after the first goal went in and then seemed to lose confidence. His kicking deteriorated and failed to take charge when a defender needed him to come out and clear a ball, which very nearly led to a silly goal.

 

Sweeney and Bowden-Hasse looked very good. Edwards had a bit of a mare and will be interesting to see how he bounces back. Murphy seemed to be caught in two-on-ones a lot, which wasn't really his fault.

 

Midfield. Steve Sinclair looked the man most likely to create something but Burnham soon became wise to him and doubled up. Nobody wanted to shoot from distance or make runs into the box, which was very disappointing.

 

Up front, I was more impressed by Hayes than Martin. Tommy put himself about well whereas Simon drifted in and out of the game, and missed a glorious chance from 6 yards out. Hayes playing just off Danny Jordan would be a good combination if DJ is still around.

 

Subs. Gumbs had no service. COC has got an annoyance factor ala Craig Bellamy and was yapping away at the Burnham keeper. Again a lack of service meant he didn't have a chance to impress.

 

Burnham will be up there come the end of the season. We'll need to find a creative spark from somewhere if we want to be up there too.

[Guest Anonymous]

I also feel Bateman missed a trick think Slough just edged the 1st half mainly due to Sinclairs work however credit to Ben Hudell after getting the runaround from him in the first 45 he controlled the situation in the 2nd, once it was obvious there was no threat to Brett & Dunlop I agree with 3spirit and put on Harper, perhaps to bully them,at least he would provide an aerial threat,something which was lacking again, why cant our strikers head a ball?.Not sure of pushing Edgeworth forward as he is a box to box player felt sorry for Edwards 2nd half after gifting the 2nd goal seem to lose his nerve and show his young age but he is very young I'm sure he will bounce back, verdict overall Burnham were good winners on the 2nd half performance, role on Saturday

[Guest Anonymous]

last year slough town 2 Burnham 2

[Chris]

http://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/sport/football/articles/2009/08/19/40767-rebels-given-the-blues/

[Mark44]

last year 2nd game north leigh 6-1 slough

 

so what, means nothing anon

[mrgh]

DON'T PANIC! DON'T PANIC!

 

And keep your chins up for god's sake.

 

We are miles better than last season, with better players and a better manager. Last night we came up against a team that were exceptionally hard working and well organised, something that shouldn't be a surprise with Jarvis as manager.

 

We have made good progress which will continue and I bet come the end of season both Burnham and Slough will be top five...but we'll be above them.

[Guest Anonymous]

Mark44 The point is is that slough are going backwards with average players from hemel? were these all hand picked like last years I wonder?

[Woody SUFC]

Or Burnham have got better...

 

However rumour has it Friday could be an interesting day for a certain person at the club!!

[Windsor Rebel]

Anon: your logic astounds me. How are we going backwards?

At this point last year we had played two, lost one drawn one.

At the current point: played two lost one drawn one. So that

is exactly the same, neither forwards nor backwards.

[Guest Anonymous]

your missing the point Windsor r ,so called better players and manager from a higher level in a local derby with pride at stake and we lose says something about jarvis and burnham don't you think ,