Xmas Report

[never been]

As were getting near to xmas what are your thoughts on whether your team is achieving what you thought it would achieve or over/under achieving, also how you see the rest of the season panning out.

 

Also your thoughts on your rivals.

 

For me Stansted are currently over achieving where I thought we would be, after Saturdays result and last weeks result against Barkingside I think/hope we can push on and stay in the top 6 for the rest of the season and if we are in the mix with 4/5 games to go who knows what could happen.

 

Probably the best bunch of players I have seen at the club since I have been watching for the last 18 months and if we could get a couple more experienced players then maybe we could get top 3.

 

Teams we have played so Far;

 

Enfield 1893 - Best we have played don't understand why they are in the position they are.

Burnham - Good side who will be in the mix right to the end.

Witham - Seem to have turned the corner and have strung a lot of good results together.

Eton Manor- see Witham

Barking - Another good side who I thought would be doing better than they are.

Takely - Strong physical side who will be there at the end.

Southend Manor- Another good side who will be hard to beat and will have a say in the top 6.

Bethnal Green - Again strong side who will be there or therabouts.

Clapton - Think they will do well to get mid table

Hullbridge - Will finish in top half.

Barkingside - Depends on what team they put out, if Aveley want their players back they could struggle??

 

Ovet to you for your thoughts

[Venus Fly Trap]

As were getting near to xmas what are your thoughts on whether your team is achieving what you thought it would achieve or over/under achieving, also how you see the rest of the season panning out.

 

Also your thoughts on your rivals.

 

For me Stansted are currently over achieving where I thought we would be, after Saturdays result and last weeks result against Barkingside I think/hope we can push on and stay in the top 6 for the rest of the season and if we are in the mix with 4/5 games to go who knows what could happen.

 

Probably the best bunch of players I have seen at the club since I have been watching for the last 18 months and if we could get a couple more experienced players then maybe we could get top 3.

 

Teams we have played so Far;

 

Enfield 1893 - Best we have played don't understand why they are in the position they are.

Burnham - Good side who will be in the mix right to the end.

Witham - Seem to have turned the corner and have strung a lot of good results together.

Eton Manor- see Witham

Barking - Another good side who I thought would be doing better than they are.

Takely - Strong physical side who will be there at the end.

Southend Manor- Another good side who will be hard to beat and will have a say in the top 6.

Bethnal Green - Again strong side who will be there or therabouts.

Clapton - Think they will do well to get mid table

Hullbridge - Will finish in top half.

Barkingside - Depends on what team they put out, if Aveley want their players back they could struggle??

 

Ovet to you for your thoughts

 

 

Basildon - Bully boys with a goalscorer up front

Sawbridgeworth - Best passing team in league

Southend Manor - Good at home - come in top 7

Takeley - Good passing side - lacked cutting edge

Bowers & Pitsea - Physically weak, will be in the bottom 4

Witham - Adjusting well after a slow start

Barkingside - As said in previous comments, depends what loanees they have available

Eton Manor - Quick, Powerful attacking side

Stansted - Good passing and physical side. Will be in top 4

[FCFAN]

Burnham Ramblers - Decent side, well organised and carry a genuine threat with Lewis up front. Not convinced they are the "toughest" side though.

Sawbridgeworth Town - Get it down and pass it - some very good footballers - will finish in the top 7 or 8, but don't expect them in the top 4.

Bethnal Green United - Wide players are a real threat. Wonder if teams may have started to work them out a bit. Think they'll be top 6.

Stansted - Not a surprise to me that they're doing well. Thought last season that they'd be up there this time around.

Enfield 1893 - Too many changes. Seen them 4 times, 4 totally different line ups, which I think goes a way to explaining their inconsistency.

Basildon United - Big, physical a bit limited - probably overachieving so far.

Takeley - Big, physical, seem to run out of steam in games.

Barkingside - Still not seen, ended up going to watch the Mighty Forest beat Harlow on Saturday.

Southend Manor - Only saw them once, thought they were pretty poor, but everyone knows they are tough to play at home.

Witham Town - Not seen.

Eton Manor - Team I've seen the most - always had a threat going forward, but definitely looking more solid at the back in the past month. Still think they'll finish in the top 6.

Tiptree United - Not seen since the Maldon merger thingy.

Hullbridge Sports - Not seen.

Barking - Some decent footballers, but no goalscorer and not the fittest bunch in the world. Wilt in the last half hour.

London APSA - Tough, organised, hard working, not the most talented, but a proper competitive outfit nowadays.

Clapton - Improving. Some good young players, particularly the 'keeper and one of the centre halves. Miss a lot of chances. Still bottom 4.

Bowers & Pitsea - Bizarre. Seen them twice, once they were brilliant the other time atrocious. Sums them up.

Mauritius Sports Association - Not seen since the change of management, but were a defensive nightmare before that.

[Silencer]

Been a very frustrating first half of the season for both Southend Manor and for me personally - both have been frustrating for the same simple reason Injuries.

 

When you have no budget, lose of form/confidence and Injuries affects clubs like Manor, Stansted and Hullbridge much more than clubs who can go out and poach new blood but thats life. Silly dropped points when on top of a game have also cost us so far.

 

So in my honest opinion, the half term Xmas report for Manor who came a worthy 4th last season is under-acheivment in 10th spot. This season, although I was'nt personally expecting a top 4 spot again...I felt that a Top 6/7 for us would always be a decent season of acheivement if I am honest.

 

Hope the second half of the campaign is better for all at Manor. Highlights being Badders becoming a Dad, Tubbsy hitting the ripe old age of 30.

 

Burnham Ramblers - Decent young side, plenty of energy and got the points on the board early doors. Horrible pitches may disrupt them and recent signs of arrogance. Lewis goals are vital, without him they would'nt be the same side. The league is theirs to lose! Flying though.

Sawbridgeworth Town - I was'nt impressed but they get results despite everyone waiting for them to slip up. Proof that a great start helps massiveley over a season. They try to play the right way but I expect them to fall away from the top 4.

Bethnal Green United Taken to the league better than anyone predicted, well apart from themselves - Some decent players and full of pace. Anton's goals a huge threat but discipline will cost them points wise. Welcome additions to the forum too!

Stansted - My pre season Dark horses to try and break into the top 6 have done well so far. Too many draws but some decent wins too...how will they handle the inevitable sticky patch.

Enfield 1893 - Yet again, they are playing catch up after a challenging start. Need to realise that they are not above other clubs and concentrate on a promotion push - that involves battles and nicking results, not just turning up. Hughes has been quiet this season and that has cost them. Dont write them off though if others wobble

Basildon United - Another good start for the Bash boys of the league. Typical Basildon side, heart but how would they fair if they lost Bocking? Expect them to fall away.

Takeley - Physical side, but decent side too. I would expect them to challenge should Ramblers slip.

Barkingside - Decent side, I expect them to maintain a title challenge. Overcame a dreadful pre-season to kick start the season.

Southend Manor - Lack a proper goalscorer and are very unpredictable. Depends on what Manor turns up on any given matchday.

Witham Town - Dissapointed with them but they have settled now, decent forwards. Would expect top 6/7.

Eton Manor - Very decent going forward and have hit a great patch of form. I expect them to climb the table after Xmas.

Tiptree United - Not seen

Hullbridge Sports - Inconsistent but you know that you have always been in a game with them. Too many changes in team dont help.

Barking - Some decent individuals, I would have expected them to be higher up the table. I expect a better 2nd half of the campaign

London APSA - Massive improvment, they give a game each week

Clapton - Not seen

Bowers & Pitsea - With their budget, I am shocked to see them down here. They must acheive a top 6 spot, sureley.

Mauritius Sports Association - They were the weakest side in the league but better than most sides who have finished in bottom 3 of the ESL past 6/7 years.