Billericay v Harrow Borough

[kt:@btfc]

How the hell did we lose this one? Pondinio was consistently good but as for the team it wasn't good second half but the first half was great. How we didn't take advantage of this I don't know. What I would like to find out is what did the HB Manager say to his team at half time, they came out a totally different team. I think some strong words were said at the end by Mr S. Bring back Walker.

[GazzaBTFC]

There are no words that can describe how p*ssed off I feel about yesterday. That was [****!!****] awful!!!

 

I suppose we'll beat Averley because the players will have a point to prove....again. Well, in my opinion, they should be proving that point at every game, not just off the back of a bad performance.

 

Actually...I better stop typing or I may put down something that in hindsight, I may regret.

[Bill of Shenfield]

All I will say is disappointed.

[jl]

We lost because Harrow were better than us.

 

The problem with 4-5-1 is that when you get pushed back your front man becomes completely isolated and the ball keeps coming back at you. That's what happened yesterday. To be fair to Brian he did try and change it but the boy from Colchester is miles out of his depth. I hope we give one of OUR youngsters a go next time if Bricknell is not fit.

 

Aveley will bang it long and run the channels so I would replace both full backs with Oates and Dumas who have more pace. I'd also start Wareham instead of Hall who looks tired and let danny Green float around Baker. It's a worry when our only available senior striker has scored one league goal in 15 starts!!

 

It's one step forward and then at least one back with us. We are where we are.

 

What's become of us.......

 

PS - Does anyone else have difficulty posting on this forum. My old PC doesn't like it much.

Edited February 7, 2010 by jl

[Brightside Bloke]

I only saw the second half and I'm gutted at how bad the team performed we can blame the pitch and the depressing cold weather but both teams had the same conditions so no excuse really.

 

I have said this before and i will say it again WHY have we not got a leader on the pitch all the vocal guys have either left or have been let go and we have a captain in name only on the pitch.

 

Thanks to Pondinio we only lost 1 - 2 it could have been a lot worse. Well done that man

 

 

Well done to Billy for getting Player of the Month (Come back soon please)

[Top Cat]

Totally disappointed at that performance, should have won this game, why did we sit back after our goal, just waiting for the inevitable. JL is right, 4-5-1 when under pressure leaves a lone striker up front and usually gives away possession when the mid field is back defending.

 

We need quality football as we played against Dartford and consistency, so need to up our game now.

[Localfan]

Fortunately, there was enough fight and commitment on Tuesday to see that the 'blues' will avoid the drop this season. Possibly a bit of a hang over from that game?

[Blue Dawg]

That was one of our worst performances I have seen, and it started before the second half. Harrow started running all over us after about 25-30 mins and we had no response to them what so ever. That was the most disappointing aspect for me. 3 away games now!

[John M]

In over 26 years of regularly watching Billericay Town, yesterday's game must rate as one of the worse I have ever endured. So why? Sure the majority of the players put in effort in varying degrees (who knows who was carrying knocks after Tuesday and the pitch was very heavy?) but rarely have I seen a group of players so disorganised, disjointed and lacking in leadership.

 

At the start of the season supporters were made aware that with the economic financial position in general, it should make for a tight league with the big spenders either already promoted out and away or no longer sustainable. So hopes were high of us having a better than usual opportunity of being in the mix where it mattered without having to jeopardise the entire club to achieve it. What, in fact, we got was an initial squad of players of whom the vast majority were not up to it (either for the club or at the standard being played) followed by the current scattering of players who seemingly have to prove a point to everyone at least once a month, go ahead and do just that, then follow up with abject displays such as yesterdays. So how much longer, in the good name and tradition of the club, is this tolerable?

 

For the first twenty minutes we were in total control against a Harrow side who looked like they didn't want be out there. Their keeper was all over the place and we led 1-0. Then we slide deeper and deeper back into defence and Harrow get to grips with a game they should have never have been interested in. The second half was virtually all one way traffic. What was done by our management to change it (question been asked time and time and time before this season?). Answer, the usual - very little. We sit further back and defend to the point that no matter what limitations Harrow had, the law of averages suggests that they will eventually gain a reward, which they did. So off goes two of our best players, IMHO, on the day (injured? I think not) to be replaced with Dave Wareham and Russell Malton - hardly a move that was going to send shivers of anxiety through the Harrow rearguard or inspire the loyal few to clear their voices for one last burst of encouragement (as mentioned elsewhere the latter looks totally lost and equally disinterested in proceedings - another inspired signing by BS).

 

We lost not only the game but the complete plot - if indeed there was even a plot in the first place. From a spectating point of view I saw nothing from BS or BL that served to motivate the team during the 90 minutes and the complete lack of a leader on the pitch only serves to compound the shambles. How much longer can BS justify having his Heybridge buddy Cousins as the team captain?

 

Yesterday was not so much about the result of the loss but the manner in which - once again - it occurred. BS has been given a better than average opportunity with the financial levelling of the league, messed up with his first go and now just about manages to cut it once every now and then just when you feel the current depths of performances can reach no lower. It would appear he is struggling to survive at this level of the game as a manager and only has one key approach to every game - scrap, scrap and scrap some more. And when that fails because the players are not in the mood for it then.....er.......um...........that's it!!

 

Maybe the next loan to dear old Heybridge Swifts should be the manager - with a view to the deal becoming permanent.

 

Rant over.

 

 

[Wolf]

Careful JOHN M The truth hurts.

[Onthesidelines]

One small point to add. When Malton came on he seemed to be given the job of loan striker with Baker slotted behind him. Baker should have been left up front with Malton up with him. Malton has some nice touches but his youth coupled with the poor team performance must make it hard for him. Having said one point,my second observation is that none of the young reserve/youth strikers given a game in the last few years have scored a goal between them. When will Billy be back?

[Wolf]

One small point to add. When Malton came on he seemed to be given the job of loan striker with Baker slotted behind him. Baker should have been left up front with Malton up with him. Malton has some nice touches but his youth coupled with the poor team performance must make it hard for him. Having said one point,my second observation is that none of the young reserve/youth strikers given a game in the last few years have scored a goal between them. When will Billy be back?

 

We are to assume you have watched many Reserve games this year?

Whereby, Obserserving’ you would have seen that many of the ressies opponents

Fielded very strong sides that would take most Prem Ryman’s Teams apart,

Some consisting of many inform First team players including sides from the Blue Square League!

Guess what? most were beat.

But I’m sure you would have noticed that? being you were observing'

 

And as for saying ''that none of the young reserve/youth strikers given a game in the last few years have scored a goal between them''

Well!!!!!!! I must of been reading the wrong team sheet with all ALL these First team starts and games these lads have had BETWEEN THEM?

One last thing! if I may ...... Mike Marsh.. He has scored against all of them all! and more goals than the whole First team Squad between them.

Edited February 8, 2010 by Wolf

[Onthesidelines]

One small point to add. When Malton came on he seemed to be given the job of loan striker with Baker slotted behind him. Baker should have been left up front with Malton up with him. Malton has some nice touches but his youth coupled with the poor team performance must make it hard for him. Having said one point,my second observation is that none of the young reserve/youth strikers given a game in the last few years have scored a goal between them. When will Billy be back?

 

We are to assume you have watched many Reserve games this year?

Whereby, Obserserving’ you would have seen that many of the ressies opponents

Fielded very strong sides that would take most Prem Ryman’s Teams apart,

Some consisting of many inform First team players including sides from the Blue Square League!

Guess what? most were beat.

But I’m sure you would have noticed that? being you were observing'

 

And as for saying ''that none of the young reserve/youth strikers given a game in the last few years have scored a goal between them''

Well!!!!!!! I must of been reading the wrong team sheet with all ALL these First team starts and games these lads have had BETWEEN THEM?

One last thing! if I may ...... Mike Marsh.. He has scored against all of them all! and more goals than the whole First team Squad between them.

[Onthesidelines]

Thank you for your rant. I do not watch reserve team matches but I am aware people like Mike Marsh perform well there. What I was trying to say was that when ever these young strikers get any sort of first team chance they never seem to score. Now I may be wrong in this observation. If so I would be happy for someone to quote the statistics of the last few years.

[The Town Crier]

"many of the ressies opponents

Fielded very strong sides that would take most Prem Ryman’s Teams apart,

Some consisting of many inform First team players including sides from the Blue Square League!

Guess what? most were beat."

 

Calm down wolf, you'll blow a gasket,

I seem to recall some panic pre the Stortford game as to who would be available, As good as our youngsters ARE, (first years as well) that team could NOT compete at Ryman prem level. They couldn't cope with the travel for a start. Biggleswade being a prime example)

 

So lets not get side tracked, Saturday was a poor result, and no matter how much it hurts, annoys or infuriates, its gone. The Dartford game is gone, the Canvey game is gone, as are all of the losses and draws, and none of those are of any importance now.

As jl rightly pointed out, we are where we are. So today’s match is the important one, today’s match is the one we have to get right. Same for Aveley…big game for both clubs and one that neither will want to lose.

Edited February 8, 2010 by The Town Crier

[Wolf]

Sorry for my rant! As my Bite is far worse than my bark

But like some posts, many are left unclear and unexplained ( a bit like watching a game at times)

So please allow me nicely without blowing a gasket, to give you my humble insight into the reason why that when ever these young strikers get any sort of first team chance they never seem to score. This is simple! Firstly the pressure they are under due to the fact that they only get a few minutes here and there is ridiculous, let alone coming into a side that is low on confidences or losing.

I may be wrong but you don’t first teach a child to cross his first road by introducing them on to a busy main road at rush hour and say do your best. As for quoting statistics, well? They are all there for You to look back on.

 

Lets hope tonight we get back on track.

 

COYB.

[The Town Crier]

I totally agree Wolf, thats why we are looking to get our prospects out on loan. This will, I hope, allow them to develop into the players we beleive they can be, so when they are called upon, they can cross that road without fear.

[GazzaBTFC]

I was pleased to see Cleaver come on last night against Averly, with a little more than five minutes to go. Although his impact was limited mainly because of the quality of ball to him, he did show promise and at one time, won the ball, ran to the bie line, tried to cross, bounced off the defender, turned and won the ball again. He even had a shot on goal (our only shot on goal in the second half, if memory serves) be it, a half hearted, snatched chance which went to the goal keepers hands. But it is that kind of spirit that we want to see. There was some spirit shown last night by the team but too be honest, there was also quite a bit of "huff and puff" with little or no result. Our passing is still poor and we give the ball away far too easily still. Apart from their goal, there was little to seperate the two sides...in fact, I think we had the better chances over the 90 minutes but failed to turn them into goals. In happier circumstances, I am sure that we would see last nights result as a slip up and take it for what it was...but unfortunately, in the position we are in and with an eye on tonights fixtures, it could prove another kind of slip downwards in the league...

 

It would be nice if we had a couple of strikers that could convert our chances because at present, for all his hard work, James Baker isn't scoring and niether is the midfield. There is a lot of expectation and responsibility sitting on Billy Bricknell's shoulders, which is worrying if he doesn't fire when he returns. To me, looking at last night's performance, the equation is, if we score, we may have got something out of the game but we don't appear to have the strikers and having one, is not enough. In October we let Joe Flack go and we are still without a replacement...

 

Perhaps against Kingstonian, we should put Green and Bricknell (if fit) together with Baker sitting deeper as a link? I know some will scoff at this but hey....try something different...

[bill-ER-ricky]

I was pleased to see Cleaver come on last night against Averly, with a little more than five minutes to go. Although his impact was limited mainly because of the quality of ball to him, he did show promise and at one time, won the ball, ran to the bie line, tried to cross, bounced off the defender, turned and won the ball again. He even had a shot on goal (our only shot on goal in the second half, if memory serves) be it, a half hearted, snatched chance which went to the goal keepers hands. But it is that kind of spirit that we want to see. There was some spirit shown last night by the team but too be honest, there was also quite a bit of "huff and puff" with little or no result. Our passing is still poor and we give the ball away far too easily still. Apart from their goal, there was little to seperate the two sides...in fact, I think we had the better chances over the 90 minutes but failed to turn them into goals. In happier circumstances, I am sure that we would see last nights result as a slip up and take it for what it was...but unfortunately, in the position we are in and with an eye on tonights fixtures, it could prove another kind of slip downwards in the league...

 

It would be nice if we had a couple of strikers that could convert our chances because at present, for all his hard work, James Baker isn't scoring and niether is the midfield. There is a lot of expectation and responsibility sitting on Billy Bricknell's shoulders, which is worrying if he doesn't fire when he returns. To me, looking at last night's performance, the equation is, if we score, we may have got something out of the game but we don't appear to have the strikers and having one, is not enough. In October we let Joe Flack go and we are still without a replacement...

 

Perhaps against Kingstonian, we should put Green and Bricknell (if fit) together with Baker sitting deeper as a link? I know some will scoff at this but hey....try something different...

 

Gazza, the answer is right under our nose! watching marsh & cleaver in the game against concord, they showed tremendous spirit trying to win the ball from the front, this is something we cant do playing 4-5-1 we are basically inviting teams to come at us for 90 minutes, so as i said the answer is to play 1 of these 2 stickers up front with baker and play 4-4-2 job done!!!