W&E 1-4 Maidenhead

[Rother]

My first pre-season game and I found it quite interesting. Very little quarter given and a good workout for sure.

 

So many new faces though. Who the hell are they all?

 

I had a few names pointed out to me and I agree with all previous comments about Ryan Bernard - looks / sounds like a natural leader. Sam Wadieh (No 5, yes?) also looked pretty solid although a bit less polished and secure than Bernard. 2 big guys at the back anyway, that's for sure.

 

Considering we were against a team from a higher league and probably half the team hadn't met each other a week or so ago, and we were missing several regulars, I thought we did okay. However there's no denying we were out-muscled, outpaced and outclassed overall.

 

Midfield looked non-existent at times, as did wide defence (where did they all disappear to when Maidenhead broke time after time in the 2nd half?).

Edited July 25, 2010 by Rother

[Windsor_Sec]

I had to leave when it was 2 - 0 but up until then Sam Wadieh had been wearing 6 and playing centre-midfield ! The big 5 was Justin or Jason something and was a trialist playing his first game.

From what I saw Maidenhead look to have their strongest side for the last few years and I would fully expect them to be in the top 6 at the end of the season. This means we've had a very good runout against a physically strong side the likes of which we're going to be facing week in week out and although the scoreline wasn't good it only helps to serve the purpose which is getting players used to each other, getting fit, picking up on any frailties, etc, etc.

With missing players still to come in I think we look very strong with cover in just about every position but the real hard work starts now as numbers have to be trimmed down to a squad and you don't want to let the wrong ones go! I'm guessing Tuesday will probably be 'last chance saloon' for some of the fringe players as I'm sure the last three friendlies will see almost a first-team starting line up gelling together before the big kick off.

In the games I've seen I've been very impressed with the quality of some of the new faces and, overall, the fitness and enthusiasm shown by every member of the very large squad of players used so far.

I think we may be a couple of players light in two positions but there are players to come in who may fill those places and, with the pre-season merry-go-round in full swing, who's to say something outstanding won't just turn up out of the blue!

Promotion or relegation? My guess is equidistant between the two ie comfortable mid-table with maybe a run in one of the cups!

[Fuzzy Royal]

Having only seen one game and knowing what players there are in the squad I would say our weakness is going to be the full backs and maybe a midfield playmaker, but we have very strong positions on the pitch as well and I would say a mid table finish is more than realistic and with more players to come I am confident we are going to be okay. We know its going to be tough but a good start could be invaluable..

[Rother]

Ok, so No 5 was Justin Clayton. Made his debut at 16 for Binfield and has been at Southend... they Reserve watchers seemed to rate him.

 

http://www.shrimperzone.com/vb/showthread.php?55187-Reserves-today

[Paul G]

I thought Sam Wadieh, the two Bernard's and Justin Clayton played really well considering the type of team they were up against. Hopefully Dave will sign Clayton because he looks like a young Ledley King but without the 'knees'.

 

Full credit to Andrew Fagan who was outstanding for Maidenhead and just confirms he is ready for conference south football. This was the best Maidenhead side I have seen in years so they should have a good season.