Slough v Leighton

[A Rebel and a Saint]

0-0 at half time.

 

My sources tell me that while Steve Bateman is not at today's game, apparently you could hear Dave Anderson shouting at the team in the changing room from the covered area behind the goal. Sweeney has had our only shot of the game so far.

 

Team: Perks, Sweeney, Murphy, Logie, Yeboah, Seeby, Sonner, Coyne, Burnell, Thomas, Swift. Subs: Bateman, Martin, Byrne, Windsor and one other.

 

Triple substitution at half time, with Martin, Byrne and Bateman on for Logie, Swift and Thomas.

 

Sounds like its going well....

[A Rebel and a Saint]

Finished 1-0, with Leighton scoring right at the end with their second proper attack (just a minute or two after their first one). Twitter seems to suggest that we had a few good chances to score.

 

I was not at the game so I will leave the comments to those that were, but it is a very disappointing result!

[Ian]

Managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of a terrible scoreless draw! Even first half but we had chances in the second to win it. Leighton had two shots of note. One in the 89th minute and the other in the 92nd which they scored from. Yads and Seeby were very good at the back and Sam Bateman has to start in my opinion. Sonner worked his backside off as usual but this was another not so good showing from the team.

 

To the players........... we're coming back a day early from our holiday next week so I can cycle almost 100 miles to Soham. Please can the 'good' Rebels team turn up to play next Saturday.

[Nathan]

Some teams go onwards and upwards following a play-off final defeat. We have taken several very large steps backwards.

 

 

Despite the increase of individual quality in the side, as a team what we have at the moment is just not working. As a whole, what we are serving up now is nothing short of (and I make no apologies for the use of the term), utter [****!!****].

 

 

We have not been performing for quite some time. I would go as far to say that we haven't played well at all in 2010.

 

 

I have refrained from saying this on this forum for quite some time now for obvious reasons which will become apparent. What I have seen over the past 2 months has made me consider that maybe Bateman doesn't have what it takes to take us forward. The potential is clearly there, but I honestly believe that the current management are totally bereft of ideas as to how to tap into that talent. Some of out tactics have been nothing short of bizarre; the obvious example being having 2 dwarfs as centre-forwards then playing the long high ball up to the final 1/3. Does Bateman honestly expect people like Sonner/Burnell/O’Connor to consistently out jump defenders who are 6-foot tall?

 

 

Some of the players need to take a good long hard look at themselves. If the management hasn’t already told them this, then they should. If need be then they can leave the club, because they’re no good to us the way some of them are playing at the moment. The only player who can come out of today with his head held high is Sean Sonner; for the obvious effort and passion he puts in. I can say that about precious few of our players at the moment.

 

 

I shall refrain from doing a player-by-player audit, mainly because I would be repeating myself. I also wish to avoid upsetting them.

 

 

Again I openly invite the players and management to prove me wrong on the above points. But if we carry on like we have been playing for the last 6 or so weeks, and if something behind the scenes doesn’t drastically change (the sooner the better IMHO), then that just isn’t going to happen.

 

 

[HEAVY TRUCKER]

this game was a real bore, about two attempts on target in the first half neither of which really bothered the goal keeper . though that was two more chances than leighton had, and only about five chances in the second half two of which it would have been easier to score than miss , we were very one sided today where were the attacks up the left flank absolutely nobody was using the left hand side , don't know what the attraction of the right hand side was. we just did not seem to be be up for it today.

[Mark44]

Reflecting on todays game I have come to two different conclusions.

 

The first is that I am pissed off that we have only won 2 games in 10 games which is absolutelhy awful. As for today, I do not like to single people out but how the hell is Anthony Thomas playing conference south football, what a lazy git. I would prefer Landy Sakala/Enrico Grimm/ Cheema Erebendu/ danny Jordan/ lee Charles out there.

Mention has to go to yads and seeby who are forming quite a formidable pairing and the only goal our defence conceded we should have been out of sight by then.

 

 

 

The second is that the bloody golden goal was 90 when I had 86. ARGH.

 

 

[Mr Rebel]

yet again we laboured to few chances. we created more chances than Leighton created, who tbh were one of the worst teams we have played in terms of attacking ability, but never looked composed enough to put them away.

 

the triple sub worked for about 10 minutes but then it was back to most of the play being in our own half (AGAIN!!) become the norm for a home game. however as said Leighton basically didn't create anything till very late on

 

just far too much pressure put on ourselves most the time via misplaced or underhit/overhit passes when we have the ball in our own half causing us to lump it. Sonner did his best to flick on but few went near anybody. the odd high ball caused some trouble when hit beyond the defence but without Sinclair on the right we looked unlikely to create much

 

near impossible to find positives other than we looked fairly solid in defence but even then we couldn't get a clean sheet and end up losing a game we shouldn't have lost in a million years. lots of hard work needed to stop the decline of our team

 

lets remember not long ago we was raving about how good we was scoring 5 against Biggleswade and Uxbridge

 

how we have ended up below Biggleswade, Leighton and Daventry i have no clue based on the players we have. if they don't do their job though we get what we deserve.

[chris sliski]

I am sitting at home...not knowing really where we are going...as a team we have some very very good players ..great support and yet we can not get ourselves going..I for one can not put a finger on it ...come on Slough ..lets shake ourselves up and start believing in our selves...Its so important we stick together on this ... up the Rebels...

 

We were mugged today ! no team deserved to win this total bore !

 

 

chris

[Staines-upon-Thames Rebel]

Positives first:

 

Well done Yads and Seeby at the back and Sonner for showing some passion when given the arm band. Sam bateman yet again comes on and puts in the effort - should be starting games as he is wasted on the bench. Also Dave Anderson for having the balls to make a radical change (something Bateman would never do) at half time to change the game - first 10 mins of second half was refreshing, but it did not last.

 

Acceptable performances from Logie, Sweeny and Perks

 

Now the negatives:

 

How sh1t is Antony Thomas, even Deji Davies had more impact, message to Thomas - dont bother coming back!

 

Next, Swift started the season ok and has gone down hill steadily - not up to this level of football and moans far to much for a player of limited ability.

 

Then the rest of the players not yet mentioned - do they realy want to play for Slough as at times their performances would indicate that they are related to Wayne Rooney as they are only there for the money and play only when they fancy it.

 

The final comment is, as the season has progressed I too am starting to wonder if Bateman was just lucky last year by bringing together some of his old boys, but this season his luck has run out and we are now starting to see a clearer picture of his ability to motivate and structure a team?

 

 

[Reading Rebel]

Some teams go onwards and upwards following a play-off final defeat. We have taken several very large steps backwards.

 

 

Despite the increase of individual quality in the side, as a team what we have at the moment is just not working. As a whole, what we are serving up now is nothing short of (and I make no apologies for the use of the term), utter [****!!****].

 

 

We have not been performing for quite some time. I would go as far to say that we haven't played well at all in 2010.

 

 

I have refrained from saying this on this forum for quite some time now for obvious reasons which will become apparent. What I have seen over the past 2 months has made me consider that maybe Bateman doesn't have what it takes to take us forward. The potential is clearly there, but I honestly believe that the current management are totally bereft of ideas as to how to tap into that talent. Some of out tactics have been nothing short of bizarre; the obvious example being having 2 dwarfs as centre-forwards then playing the long high ball up to the final 1/3. Does Bateman honestly expect people like Sonner/Burnell/O’Connor to consistently out jump defenders who are 6-foot tall?

 

 

Some of the players need to take a good long hard look at themselves. If the management hasn’t already told them this, then they should. If need be then they can leave the club, because they’re no good to us the way some of them are playing at the moment. The only player who can come out of today with his head held high is Sean Sonner; for the obvious effort and passion he puts in. I can say that about precious few of our players at the moment.

 

 

I shall refrain from doing a player-by-player audit, mainly because I would be repeating myself. I also wish to avoid upsetting them.

 

 

Again I openly invite the players and management to prove me wrong on the above points. But if we carry on like we have been playing for the last 6 or so weeks, and if something behind the scenes doesn’t drastically change (the sooner the better IMHO), then that just isn’t going to happen.

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry Nathan but I think you are talking out of your backside.

 

Firstly, you say that 'we have not played well at all in 2010'.

 

Do you think that we played well against Biggleswade away or Marlow away in the Trophy replay?

 

You say that we play long ball up to Dwarfs like Sonner, Burnell and O'Connor. Firstly Sean Sonner can out jump most tall centre forwards also I don't know where O'Connor comes into the equation because he's hardly played for us this season.

 

To add some rationallity into the equation I think we looked solid today considering we restricted Leighton to one shot on target for 90 minutes and considering we played with 10 men for the first 45 minutes we came out second half and created some good chances.

 

I think most of the players gave 100% today and I think this is the time to stop slagging them and get behind the team and I'm sure the results will come.

[Nathan]

Some teams go onwards and upwards following a play-off final defeat. We have taken several very large steps backwards.

 

 

Despite the increase of individual quality in the side, as a team what we have at the moment is just not working. As a whole, what we are serving up now is nothing short of (and I make no apologies for the use of the term), utter [****!!****].

 

 

We have not been performing for quite some time. I would go as far to say that we haven't played well at all in 2010.

 

 

I have refrained from saying this on this forum for quite some time now for obvious reasons which will become apparent. What I have seen over the past 2 months has made me consider that maybe Bateman doesn't have what it takes to take us forward. The potential is clearly there, but I honestly believe that the current management are totally bereft of ideas as to how to tap into that talent. Some of out tactics have been nothing short of bizarre; the obvious example being having 2 dwarfs as centre-forwards then playing the long high ball up to the final 1/3. Does Bateman honestly expect people like Sonner/Burnell/O’Connor to consistently out jump defenders who are 6-foot tall?

 

 

Some of the players need to take a good long hard look at themselves. If the management hasn’t already told them this, then they should. If need be then they can leave the club, because they’re no good to us the way some of them are playing at the moment. The only player who can come out of today with his head held high is Sean Sonner; for the obvious effort and passion he puts in. I can say that about precious few of our players at the moment.

 

 

I shall refrain from doing a player-by-player audit, mainly because I would be repeating myself. I also wish to avoid upsetting them.

 

 

Again I openly invite the players and management to prove me wrong on the above points. But if we carry on like we have been playing for the last 6 or so weeks, and if something behind the scenes doesn’t drastically change (the sooner the better IMHO), then that just isn’t going to happen.

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry Nathan but I think you are talking out of your backside.

 

Firstly, you say that 'we have not played well at all in 2010'.

 

Do you think that we played well against Biggleswade away or Marlow away in the Trophy replay?

 

You say that we play long ball up to Dwarfs like Sonner, Burnell and O'Connor. Firstly Sean Sonner can out jump most tall centre forwards also I don't know where O'Connor comes into the equation because he's hardly played for us this season.

 

To add some rationallity into the equation I think we looked solid today considering we restricted Leighton to one shot on target for 90 minutes and considering we played with 10 men for the first 45 minutes we came out second half and created some good chances.

 

I think most of the players gave 100% today and I think this is the time to stop slagging them and get behind the team and I'm sure the results will come.

 

 

 

Reading Rebel, 2 good performances in 10 months (one of which was against a side ravaged with injuries) is hardly good enough for a side that wants to get promoted.

 

I mentioned O'Connor because he is one of our 4 forwards who are expected to lots of running around when they should have somebody big to play off becasue thay just aren't big enough.

 

I think that given Leighton had one shot on target all afternoon shows how poor a side they were (they way they celebrated just shows how much it meant to them), and they still beat us and reduced us to the VERY occassional flicker of quality. Granted, for the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half, we came out with renewed vigour. Then we went back to running around like headless chickens and we didn't even look like scoring.

 

Even if all the players were giving 100% (which I don't think for 1 minute all of them were; Anthony Thomas clearly wasn't for starters), then surely the management are to blame for their tactics?

[Ted]

Sad fact is we havn't played well in 2010.

 

Last season it wasa early season form that got us to the play offs. End of season form tailed off quite noticably.

 

From March until end of season (all matches) W8 D4 L7 Mid table stuff.

 

Mid table stuff too this season. The odd match we play well, usually we are average, occaisionally downright poor.

 

Average would be OK if our expectations were lower. Are we expecting too much? A few seasons ago we would have taken average as being a good improvement. As it stands we were all looking for another promotion contending season, and its not going to happen from what we've seen so far.

 

The balance of our attack is all wrong. Loyalty is a good thing, but it is being taken too far in the current side.

[Reading Rebel]

Some teams go onwards and upwards following a play-off final defeat. We have taken several very large steps backwards.

 

 

Despite the increase of individual quality in the side, as a team what we have at the moment is just not working. As a whole, what we are serving up now is nothing short of (and I make no apologies for the use of the term), utter [****!!****].

 

 

We have not been performing for quite some time. I would go as far to say that we haven't played well at all in 2010.

 

 

I have refrained from saying this on this forum for quite some time now for obvious reasons which will become apparent. What I have seen over the past 2 months has made me consider that maybe Bateman doesn't have what it takes to take us forward. The potential is clearly there, but I honestly believe that the current management are totally bereft of ideas as to how to tap into that talent. Some of out tactics have been nothing short of bizarre; the obvious example being having 2 dwarfs as centre-forwards then playing the long high ball up to the final 1/3. Does Bateman honestly expect people like Sonner/Burnell/O’Connor to consistently out jump defenders who are 6-foot tall?

 

 

Some of the players need to take a good long hard look at themselves. If the management hasn’t already told them this, then they should. If need be then they can leave the club, because they’re no good to us the way some of them are playing at the moment. The only player who can come out of today with his head held high is Sean Sonner; for the obvious effort and passion he puts in. I can say that about precious few of our players at the moment.

 

 

I shall refrain from doing a player-by-player audit, mainly because I would be repeating myself. I also wish to avoid upsetting them.

 

 

Again I openly invite the players and management to prove me wrong on the above points. But if we carry on like we have been playing for the last 6 or so weeks, and if something behind the scenes doesn’t drastically change (the sooner the better IMHO), then that just isn’t going to happen.

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry Nathan but I think you are talking out of your backside.

 

Firstly, you say that 'we have not played well at all in 2010'.

 

Do you think that we played well against Biggleswade away or Marlow away in the Trophy replay?

 

You say that we play long ball up to Dwarfs like Sonner, Burnell and O'Connor. Firstly Sean Sonner can out jump most tall centre forwards also I don't know where O'Connor comes into the equation because he's hardly played for us this season.

 

To add some rationallity into the equation I think we looked solid today considering we restricted Leighton to one shot on target for 90 minutes and considering we played with 10 men for the first 45 minutes we came out second half and created some good chances.

 

I think most of the players gave 100% today and I think this is the time to stop slagging them and get behind the team and I'm sure the results will come.

 

 

 

Reading Rebel, 2 good performances in 10 months (one of which was against a side ravaged with injuries) is hardly good enough for a side that wants to get promoted.

 

I mentioned O'Connor because he is one of our 4 forwards who are expected to lots of running around when they should have somebody big to play off becasue thay just aren't big enough.

 

I think that given Leighton had one shot on target all afternoon shows how poor a side they were (they way they celebrated just shows how much it meant to them), and they still beat us and reduced us to the VERY occassional flicker of quality. Granted, for the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half, we came out with renewed vigour. Then we went back to running around like headless chickens and we didn't even look like scoring.

 

Even if all the players were giving 100% (which I don't think for 1 minute all of them were; Anthony Thomas clearly wasn't for starters), then surely the management are to blame for their tactics?

 

 

Nathan, where do you get 10 months from?. That would take us back to October of last season and quite a few more than 2 good performances.

 

I also said MOST players were IMO giving 100% with the exception being the player you've mentioned.

[Mark44]

I'm signing on as farnboroughs new striker. Apparently confirm south level is [censored] based on Thomas so I'm gonna give it a go.

[Orchardman!!!]

I'm signing on as farnboroughs new striker. Apparently confirm south level is [censored] based on Thomas so I'm gonna give it a go.

 

Hi, been reading a few of the posts on here and have a quick question to ask. How many of you on here have managed or played at Football League or Conference Level? If any of you had, which judging by the previous comments I seriously doubt, you would know that Thomas is a quality striker. He has scored goals at this level for fun and if anyone had half a brain cell they would know the only reason someone would drop down two leagues would be to get match fitness. Expecting miracles from, and then criticising, a player who hasnt completed 90 minutes, shows what a sorry state the club is in.

[Ian]

I'm signing on as farnboroughs new striker. Apparently confirm south level is [censored] based on Thomas so I'm gonna give it a go.

 

Hi, been reading a few of the posts on here and have a quick question to ask. How many of you on here have managed or played at Football League or Conference Level? If any of you had, which judging by the previous comments I seriously doubt, you would know that Thomas is a quality striker. He has scored goals at this level for fun and if anyone had half a brain cell they would know the only reason someone would drop down two leagues would be to get match fitness. Expecting miracles from, and then criticising, a player who hasnt completed 90 minutes, shows what a sorry state the club is in.

 

 

Getting fitness is fine and it's quite obvious that's why he's come to us for a month. Irrespective of that though, ability is one thing but attitude is something else and it's very clear from Bedworth away and Leghton at home that his attitude is poor. I'd far rather have a player of lesser ability who cares than someone who is only there for a training session. Hopefully he'll be back down the M3 by now.

 

Once again I call into question the management decision in taking anyone on loan on this basis.

[3spirit]

Yesterday's match can only be described as worse than watching paint dry! The ball seemed to be off for a thrown in,more times than it was on the field of play and Slough's performance,while 'disappointing' [ which is an understatement !] deserved more,believe it or not,than the ultra negative Leighton team, who really wasn't deserving of that late goal.

 

Most of the posts on this thread I agree with. I, too would like to applaud Dave Anderson's positive approach with the bringing on of three subs at half time.The first ten minutes of the 2nd half,was about as good as it got for Slough.Which is novel for this Slough team,as usually they come out after the half time team talk more lethargic than when they went in !

However,our players soon forgot what they were doing and became as dull as Leighton.

 

I believe there will have to be personnel changes and a wholesale look at our tactics,if we expect to make the play-offs but I still believe that we have a good nucleus of players and a more than capable management team.

 

When Steve Bateman was appointed Slough's manager,I visited the Hemel Hempstead forum and was amazed by how many Hemel supporters said they would be glad to get rid of a most of Steve Bateman's prima donna's. Now I find this is what's become of our players ! Too many of them think they are better than they are and are NOT willing to knuckle down and play as a team .In house moaning at each other and not playing to the best of their ability but then blaming others, is not going to get us up the table.Gee! do we need some players willing to play for the badge and pride right now.

Results will only come,when we believe we're all playing with the conviction that we're all in it together. At the moment,there are several players who are not helping their team at all.

I agree with whoever said that Yads and Chris Seeby were to be applauded with their effort yesterday. I believe that there isn't much wrong with our defenders except that as a the whole team we concede too many sloppy goals and now we're not scoring enough! So we sure have a problem!

Loan signings are not the answer.

It's time to wheedle out who wants to be part of the team and who doesn't,if we are serious about promotion .I know who I would get rid of but it's not my call.

Over to you....Steve,Dave,John and Roy.

[Ted]

I'm signing on as farnboroughs new striker. Apparently confirm south level is [censored] based on Thomas so I'm gonna give it a go.

 

Hi, been reading a few of the posts on here and have a quick question to ask. How many of you on here have managed or played at Football League or Conference Level? If any of you had, which judging by the previous comments I seriously doubt, you would know that Thomas is a quality striker. He has scored goals at this level for fun and if anyone had half a brain cell they would know the only reason someone would drop down two leagues would be to get match fitness. Expecting miracles from, and then criticising, a player who hasnt completed 90 minutes, shows what a sorry state the club is in.

 

You had to see his attitude to understand where everyone is coming from. Certainly he has scored lts for Hemel, but yesterday his only noticable contributions were to watch everyone else, moan and get booked for joining in some handbags that was nothing to do with him.. That we can do without.

[3spirit]

I'm signing on as farnboroughs new striker. Apparently confirm south level is [censored] based on Thomas so I'm gonna give it a go.

 

Hi, been reading a few of the posts on here and have a quick question to ask. How many of you on here have managed or played at Football League or Conference Level? If any of you had, which judging by the previous comments I seriously doubt, you would know that Thomas is a quality striker. He has scored goals at this level for fun and if anyone had half a brain cell they would know the only reason someone would drop down two leagues would be to get match fitness. Expecting miracles from, and then criticising, a player who hasnt completed 90 minutes, shows what a sorry state the club is in.

 

 

I think you have a very valid point. Anthony Thomas goal scoring record speaks for it's self but to be honest,I think we got him signed on loan before Danny Burnell arrived and getting him match fit is NOT what Slough need right now.

In 25 years of watching non-league football,loan signings very rarely work out unless the player is likely to move permanently to his new club.Most of the time players only play half-heartedly because the allegiance isn't there or as you say they're not match fit.

 

I think some of what's been said on here about Anthony Thomas's performance yesterday,very over the top but the bare facts remain,he didn't appear interested or mindful of our current predictment and so I can't totally blame the supporters, who have got on his back. If he had been playing to at least 80% of his supposed ability,he wouldn't have been taken off at half time.

 

To be honest,if we were to get a forward on loan,we should be looking for a big target man not another midget ! I also would like to see two more central midfielders,as this is the area we're struggling in.

[Ian]

Just to prove there is an exception to (two) rules, I give you Sean Sonner. He displayed the same never say die attitude when on loan for us as he does now and which deservedly got him the captain's armband yesterday after Logie went off. He also manages to outjump most centrebacks despite being a lot shorter alhtough I don't disagree a 'proper' targetman would be useful.