Uxbridge 1-1 Slough

[Chris]

Poor performance and a goal from Danny Murphy from a header from almost the last kick of the game. To be honest we struggled and deserved nothing out the game, but if there is one thing you can say about this Slough Town if they play badly they still fight to the end.

 

Need to be more clinical at the front-end of the pitch. Need some more shots on goal instead of trying to walk the ball in at times. Also feel we need a goalscorer as matches throuighout the season when we have been on top during spells we have not had anyone to put the ball into the net.

 

Murphy easily our best player today IMO.

[Tom]

The players should count themselves very lucky to have a second shot at this game Tuesday night after a performance very reminiscent of the past 2/3 seasons.

 

How they got a goal I don't know.

 

Strange game all round and looking back I think it was set up to be one with a questionable team selection from the management.

[Bernie Gogan]

The players should count themselves very lucky to have a second shot at this game Tuesday night after a performance very reminiscent of the past 2/3 seasons.

 

How they got a goal I don't know.

 

Strange game all round and looking back I think it was set up to be one with a questionable team selection from the management.

 

Got out of jail, but to be honest they were very difficult to play against, especially in the 2nd half - slowing the game down, wasting time etc.

 

Mr. Choules, their manager, knows how to set teams up to beat the likes of Slough, he's done it enough times to us wherever he's managed.

 

The ball didn't run for us much either, not an excuse of course, plus more injuries for Tuesday.

[Ian]

Me and Martin should claim an assist for Murphy's goal. Only minutes before we were discussing how we wouldn't score if we played until Christmas therefore tempting fate!

 

The reality that's dawning is that our midfield is totally inadequate and our forward line blunt. I think we have excellent defenders but we don't protect them remotely enough. We are starting to lack confidence (nobody was prepared to shoot) and we are giving away goals too cheaply. Oh yes, and the goalkeeper! OK, Ricky might be a great shot stopper but for heaven's sake, DON'T keep playing the ball back to him to clear when we know he cannot kick.

 

We got out of jail in a major way today.

[Chris]

I'd agree with you on the forward line Ian. Our top scorer is a centre-back and joint second-top scorer a central midfielder which is worrying. As I said earlier in tight games during the periods we are on top we don't have anyone at the moment who grabs the initiative and get us a goal. It's fine against the lesser sides when we generally dominate play for 90 minutes, but against the likes of Tooting, Uxbridge and Burnham where you are not on top all of the game we've struggled.

 

Disagree and agree (to a certain extent) about midfield though. I think when Sealey and Sincs are back we have good options on the wing. Although i'm a little concerned though that Kean and Egdey are too similar (although good players) to play together though, and we need a destructive midfielder which is what Hibbert is, but that's just a short-term solution.

[Ian]

I should have clarified, Chris, that I don't think our midfielders are poor, just the balance isn't right. We are really missing Sealey particularly who can go past people. There was so much sideways passing today it was like watching four Ryan Williams's! Agree we need a Wilko type player to protect the back four a bit.

[chris sliski]

Yep..not to good today..

 

Kyle and Mo from the youth team , did ok ...considering the team was not firing on all cylinders today,

 

we allowed Uxbridge the mid field and nearly paid for it ! god knows how we managed to score , however Uxbridge did not make too many chances

 

themselves in the second half...we gave the ball away to cheaply today and poor Ricky was not showing any confidence.

 

However we live to fight another day , and thats sometimes how team's end up having a good cup run !

 

come on you Rebels...

 

chris

[Tom]

I think to criticise the strikers is a bit harsh, especially when 2 of our more attacking wingers have been unavailable. Sinclair creates lots of opportunities and chips in with goals, the same as Sealey. Just as important is the loss of speed and directness provided by the 2 of them. Saying that at least 1 of the strikers has always been on the score sheet in the last 7 games.

 

Relying on the likes of Martin and O'Connor to constantly score goals without the teams most potent forms of creativity is always going to be difficult.

 

Tuesday could prove to me even tougher given O'Connor is now banned and Martin could be out injured.

[Ian]

I wouldn't always expect them to score, Tom. I'd settle for us looking dangerous to be honest! Again, I'm not saying we have bad players and the fact that the strikers aren't looking remotely dangerous at the moment may relate to my earlier comment about the balance in midfield as you point out. Either way, something isn't working.

[A Rebel and a Saint]

Agreed, yesterday was a very poor performance, although there were some glimmers of hope with Mo Sharif having a very good game and also Danny Murphy too. It is slightly worrying that our midfield continues to go missing at times, maybe a mix up is needed - why not try Sam Bateman in there instead? The forwards need to start looking more threatening, especially now O'Connor is suspended.

At least we got the draw, now we need to pick ourselves back up and go for the win on Tuesday evening.

[HorshamRebel]

The one good thing about there being a replay is that Craig O'conner has an unexpected game as one of his 3 bans and can now play a match earlier.

The same also goes for Ryan.

 

One thing from yesterday was that the off the ball play was a lot poorer than when we are at our best. Players with the ball did not have the usual options so were forced to either kick long or be tackled before they could release the ball. That could be due to the fact that Uxbridge are an in-your-face style team.

 

One question regarding officials and rules: why don't they keep an eye on keepers when they are kicking. I was standing level with the penalty box for both halves, and the Uxbridge keeper was out of his area with the ball in his hands a lot of the time.

[GarySTFC]

Video footage from the game now online including both goals, some interesting commentary (none from myself I'll add) and an interesting celebration.

 

http://www.sloughtownfc.net

[Rouser Rebel]

The one good thing about there being a replay is that Craig O'conner has an unexpected game as one of his 3 bans and can now play a match earlier.

The same also goes for Ryan.

 

One thing from yesterday was that the off the ball play was a lot poorer than when we are at our best. Players with the ball did not have the usual options so were forced to either kick long or be tackled before they could release the ball. That could be due to the fact that Uxbridge are an in-your-face style team.

 

One question regarding officials and rules: why don't they keep an eye on keepers when they are kicking. I was standing level with the penalty box for both halves, and the Uxbridge keeper was out of his area with the ball in his hands a lot of the time.

 

Is Bateman starting to lose the plot we have Kean and Edgeworth 2 players in midfield who play nice football but dont tackle Hibbert on loan is an answer as at least he is prepared to put in a tackle thats were the problem is we need a permanent fixture in there. Kyle was at fault for the goal and IMO didnt have a very good game what is Sweeney doing at centreback he is a natural right back so play him there. To many changes up front seems hes not sure who is front pairing should be, also rumour at game is Burham have put in 7 day for O'Connor

[Ian]

[is Bateman starting to lose the plot we have Kean and Edgeworth 2 players in midfield who play nice football but dont tackle Hibbert on loan is an answer as at least he is prepared to put in a tackle thats were the problem is we need a permanent fixture in there. Kyle was at fault for the goal and IMO didnt have a very good game what is Sweeney doing at centreback he is a natural right back so play him there. To many changes up front seems hes not sure who is front pairing should be, also rumour at game is Burham have put in 7 day for O'Connor

 

I think it was Mo that gave the ball away that lead to their goal but it was the only thing he did wrong all game so shouldn't be persecuted for it. As for Sweeney we are making the best of a bad situation as we don't have sufficient cover for Edwards' absence. Personally I think Sweeney is such a good player he could play anywhere and do ok. I heard the Craig rumour too. Gary - any news?

[HorshamRebel]

From the FA site

 

Slough Town FC Craig O'Connor 18/10/2009 Suspended from all football until the Club have completed 3 first team matches for a Sending Off in a match played on 04/10/2009.

Slough Town FC Ryan Fenton 18/10/2009 Suspended from all football until the Club have completed 1 first team match for a Sending Off in a match played on 04/10/2009.

 

3 matches and 1 match. Craig's 3 are Uxbridge, Stourport and Chesham (League Cup, if it counts)

 

I'm sure Gary will confirm

[Rouser Rebel]

[is Bateman starting to lose the plot we have Kean and Edgeworth 2 players in midfield who play nice football but dont tackle Hibbert on loan is an answer as at least he is prepared to put in a tackle thats were the problem is we need a permanent fixture in there. Kyle was at fault for the goal and IMO didnt have a very good game what is Sweeney doing at centreback he is a natural right back so play him there. To many changes up front seems hes not sure who is front pairing should be, also rumour at game is Burham have put in 7 day for O'Connor

 

I think it was Mo that gave the ball away that lead to their goal but it was the only thing he did wrong all game so shouldn't be persecuted for it. As for Sweeney we are making the best of a bad situation as we don't have sufficient cover for Edwards' absence. Personally I think Sweeney is such a good player he could play anywhere and do ok. I heard the Craig rumour too. Gary - any news?

 

 

Unless I am missing something isnt Harper a centre back and sweeney a full back?

[Rouser Rebel]

Agreed, yesterday was a very poor performance, although there were some glimmers of hope with Mo Sharif having a very good game and also Danny Murphy too. It is slightly worrying that our midfield continues to go missing at times, maybe a mix up is needed - why not try Sam Bateman in there instead? The forwards need to start looking more threatening, especially now O'Connor is suspended.

At least we got the draw, now we need to pick ourselves back up and go for the win on Tuesday evening.

 

 

Would not think Sam Bateman could put in any sort of tackle as to light weight so def not the answer not sure he actually has a role to play perhaps needs to be with the youth team for experience

[3spirit]

I'm surprised we haven't tried playing a diamond formation yet.For Uxbridge replay game,I would like to see Jacko back in goal,Sweeney at right back,Bowden Haase at right centre back,Fenton at left centre back[if he now is eligible],Murphy at left back. Harper as holding midfielder sitting in front of the two centre halves,which can always become three centre halves if need be.Then Kean and Edgeworth with Herron or Jordan or Sealey[if fit] behind the front two with license to roam.Sweeney and Murphy are both fit enough for wing play.We could then play any two of our strikers available up front.You don't always need wingers to win games!