Cracks Appearing?

[Fan-tastic]

Well it seems to me that cracks are appearing unfortunately. Too many " what ifs" in the forums. To me it seems that the bubble has burst and reality is showing itself. While the management has been placed on a pedestal until now it seems to me that their team selection is dubious, those on the bench as well as those talented players who arn't seen around anymore, should possibly be utilised. For the team to continue in the form it was in prior to the slump I think the "clique" has to go and and players should be involved on merit/form and not just used because of history. Players can't be blamed however.

The test of the new management's ability/capabilities started when the slump started, lets see if they really are good or just a lot of hot air.

There is more than enough time to win the league but unfortunately I have serious doubts.....hope I am wrong!

[Barney]

I think it's a bit premature to start questioning the management, especially given their record for last season, and the start of this season. Just remember that a few weeks ago, we were reaching new heights in cup competitions, and were briefly top of the league. Of course the last few league results have been disappointing, but if we look at last season's results, we lost 3 league games on the spin at around the same time (when we had similar injury problems, I seem to remember), and in fact we went on to take just 1 point from a possible 12. The key thing is that we turned this around, and went on to bounce back and reach a play-off final, which for me, equates to a very good season.

 

One thing I will say about the current management and players is that they really seem to care, you could see how upset they were at the final whistle on Saturday, and I really hope that the fans stay with them, and help them through this tricky patch. The last thing we need (in my view) are divisions, and people not pulling in the same direction. Let's be honest, every club at our level goes through good runs (where every bit of luck goes our way), and bad runs (where we don't get the rub of the green - e.g. the penalty / sending off that should have been on Saturday). We're going through a bad patch at the moment, but I feel that we have good enough players in the squad to bounce back strongly.

 

I've seen enough of Steve and the management team (as well as the players we have at the club) to have a lot of confidence in their ability to put things right. I agree that they don't get every decision right, and I'm sure they'll be the first to admit that too, but in my view, they are doing a good job for the club, and have a bunch of players who care, and are genuinely upset when they don't get the results. I know that they'll be doing everything they can to get a win against Leyton on Tuesday, and I also know that this task will be made a lot easier with the full backing of the fans.

 

A season isn't written off because of 5 or 6 bad results in October/November - granted it doesn't help, but I'd rather we had this blip now, fixed things and come back stronger and more confident for the rest of the season than to go through a tough patch in April, when we don't have time to bounce back.

 

As for the team, I think we're crying out for a goalscorer, I don't think we're playing badly and in Deniz and Sam (plus Ben when he's fit) we have players who can get behind the opposition full backs, but we don't seem to be converting possession and good build up play into goals. Wallace is immense, and is the best in the league with his back to goal (never seen him out-muscled), but he needs someone alongside him to put the ball in the net - with bit of pace, and a good finisher. I've got a lot of time for Hammatt, I think he's a clever player and he works his socks off for the team, but I think the two of them are a bit too similar in what they do / bring (i.e. they're both link players not goalscorers). If we'd had Stuart in the side this last month, I think that things could have been a lot different, as he has the eye for goal and pace that we're missing.

 

Perhaps things do need freshening up a bit, but we have to remember that this needs to be done to a budget. I liked Steve's comment in the programme a few weeks ago that he wouldn't bring in anyone that was just interested in how much money they would get - we need people who want to play for Enfield Town, which in my view is the right attitude. I don't think we need wholesale change, the players we have are proven good players at this level, and if anything the squad / team might need tweaking a little (for instance, it was good to see Marks back in the side, although he seemed to tire after having a good first half). The last thing we need is to go back to 2/3 seasons ago, where we used more players than I can remember, and although some of them had bags of ability, I'm not sure how many of them really wanted to play for Enfield Town, as opposed to picking up their money.

 

Apologies that this has turned into a bit of an epic (I seem to do that a lot), but I really felt the need to reply. We're all entitled to our opinions as fans, and this is mine. I for one will be backing the management and the players every game - let's pick up those 3 points against Leyton tomorrow, and start moving things on the pitch in the right direction again (to match the excellent work that's happening off the pitch at the moment)!

Edited November 8, 2010 by Barney

[littlehampton]

Barney I have just trawled my way through your epic and totally share your sentiments regarding the current management and players. Like everyone else I am surprised and concerned by the recent run of defeats, but I certainly don't agree with Fan-tastic's view that " the bubble has burst and reality is showing itself ". Think that is harsh, unfair, and way over the top at this stage of the season.

 

Let's not forget that last season Steve and Del took us to within a whisker of promotion, in their first season, with pretty well the same squad of players. So I guess, measured against the high expectations of our club, that was in most peoples eyes a most encouraging start and achievement by the new management team.

 

This season we made a decent start to the new campaign and were doing fine up until early October. Since then things have taken a bit of a tumble, with league form suffering perhaps as a result of cup progress and injuries to key players, but in no way have the wheels come off the wagon, and we will be there or there-abouts come the end of the season.

 

Think we are very fortunate to have a very capable, intelligent and well connected manager in charge of our affairs. He is also a widely respected no nonsense guy who commands the respect of his players and the fans.

 

Quite sure Steve will take whatever action is necessary to get us back on track as quickly as possible. Let's give him all the support and encouragement he deserves and get behind the lads tomorrow night.

 

' COME ON THE TOWN '

 

[Tom S]

The most important thing is not to panic. Results haven't been good but I think performances are heading the right way after Wakering.

[enfieldlad2009]

I don't think we need to start panicking at this stage of the season. We was in this position last season and look what we acheived?

 

I think steve is doing a good enough job as our no1, he clearly cares how we do and you can tell that just by watching him on the side.

 

And as for the players i can deff see that they care, the likes of kirby, rudi and bardle often look like killing someone after the game if we have lost. Every team go through patches like this, we just need characters in the team ( which I think we have) to turn the corner for us. We don't turn into a bad team over night. Just keep believing and it will all work out, we have to good of a side not to work our way up the table again

 

up the towners

[Stone Cold]

Every team has a dip in form at some stage throughout the season, i would rather ours be now while we still have 30+ games to make up for it instead of getting to April and then going on a bad run.

 

We could go on a 10/12 match unbeaten run from tomorrow and all this would be forgoten about come January. We certainly have the squad, the coaching staff & manager capable of doing so..

 

Come on the TOWN!!!!

[Ericshere2stay]

I think you should all get together and form your own Club and while you're about it, nick a load of kit from Enfield Town so you can join the Essex Senior League.

 

The hierarchy of Enfield Town obviously no longer have the interests of the club at heart and lacked sufficient will to bring about the return of the club to its former pot hunting days.

Give Chandler a ring, I'm sure he'll be only too pleased to steer the Pirate ship again.

[Mini - Smith Towner]

Come on Stansted, Bethnal Green and Witham, keep them nomads down in the Essex Senior who are trying to impersonate a once great club who no longer exist.

 

Oh and can someone change that sign out front as it says Enfield FC and not Enfield 1893 FC as is correct!!

 

Stop boring us Eric.

[Mr Happy]

It should read Brimfield 90612!!

 

I just cannot wait to see our stands taken away from that dump and see what's left! Thge ground will then not be fit for step 4 football so that will screw up the nomads plans for going up until they do something about developing the ground that they appear to be taking over! Looking forward to seeing what name they will have next season.

[lovely stuff]

Although the results have been very poor for the last month or so..I don't see the major dip continuing..At present we are at the level of being in the chasing pack for the last couple of play-off spots..Ie..I don't see us beating too many of the top 5 or 6 sides but can see us gaining plenty of points from the teams mid table and below (as we did with comparative ease in the first part of the season.)

 

We need Stuart back desperately.Plus we need Deniz and Ben fully match fit ..The talented Sam Byfield needs to be more consistant and more determined on the left also.

 

 

[Fan-tastic]

What should have been an easy 3 points and a confidence boost we were lucky to get a point. Has the manager lost the dressing room? A team can't become so bad overnight that they have to rely on certain individuals. Surely decent squad players are picked to be suitable replacements. Why do we only have one keeper by the way, what has happened to Jason? Suppose he is another talent discarded and another another club reaping the rewards, like the other players who are now with Ware, Potters Bar and Cheshunt. Retain players for once.......................wouldn't we love to have them back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thecoldend]

Anyone would think we are bottom of the league with a win for the season with some of the negative comments posted on the various threads over the last few days.

 

Granted it hasn't been a good few games result wise but to sling comments like 'has steve lost the dressing room?' in is total nonsense in my opinion. 'FAN-TASTIC' the answer to your question is clearly NO!!!

 

We are five points off the top of the table and have only lost two games more than Thamesmead Town and W&F (who are in 2nd and 3rd place).....Other teams in the league have reported to be MUCH bigger playing budgets than us so we always knew for the current squad to run away with the league would be an immense achievement... If Needham Meerkat continue the way they are going by winning all their games in hand they look like the team to beat but all teams will have a 'blip' so who knows???

 

As others have posted we were in this position last season and look what happened?? Have some people got selective memory loss??

 

LETS ALL GET OUT TO POTTERS BAR AND CHEER THE LADS ON TO A VICTORY AND BE THANKFUL WE HAVE A WELL RUN CLUB THAT'S MOVING FORWARD TO OUR NEW GROUND IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE..........................AND OUR FIRST TEAM IS IN WITH A SHOUT OF BEING INVOLVED IN THE PLAY-OFFS AGAIN AND MAYBE MORE!!!.

 

COME ON TOWN!!!... STEVE NEWING'S BLUE AND WHITE ARMY!!!

 

 

 

 

[Enfield United]

What should have been an easy 3 points and a confidence boost we were lucky to get a point. Has the manager lost the dressing room? A team can't become so bad overnight that they have to rely on certain individuals. Surely decent squad players are picked to be suitable replacements. Why do we only have one keeper by the way, what has happened to Jason? Suppose he is another talent discarded and another another club reaping the rewards, like the other players who are now with Ware, Potters Bar and Cheshunt. Retain players for once.......................wouldn't we love to have them back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

What a load of rubbish you've just posted, A view (in my opinion) which lacks any football knowledge as well as not knowing the characters within our club.

 

First of all we have 4 keepers, Rob, Bomber, Duffy and Ozyasa. So I dont think your keeping up with pace as to those who are playing keeper at fiest team and reserves level. Jason's an ok keeper but we can unfortunately only play one keeper in a game and the shirt belongs to Rob Blackburn, end of.

 

Players will come and go. Potters Bar, Ware and Cheshunt will all finish below us therefore we would have let weaker players than the one's we've got leave. Who that have left are better than what we've got???? I'm also predicting we'll stuff Potters Bar this week If the game goes ahead on Saturday

 

Lost the dressing room, I think it's more like you've lost your marbles with that comment.

 

Easy 3points??? No such thing, anyone in football would tell you that.

 

Get a grip with your views, Cold End is bang on we are only 5pts off the lead which is better than this time last season. Performances have been very entertaining without the results. If you'd seen the last 3 games then you'll realise we will get back to winning sooner rather than later. The only thing I'd kick our boys up the backside about is of some of the complacency that has been evident in our defending and to some extent our finishing too. So lets get that sorted and everything else is perfect.

[thecoldend]

What a load of rubbish you've just posted, A view (in my opinion) which lacks any football knowledge as well as not knowing the characters within our club.

 

Well said ENFIELD UNITED... I think 100% of true Town fans will agree with you.

 

I just checked and we are in fact 1 point better off than last season and 7 (seven) better than 08/09....

 

A win at PBT on Saturday could start another run of unbeaten games off and then who knows what will happen.

[Mini - Smith Towner]

Amen Coldend and EU, well said!! The same old faces love to breed negativity on this forum but when things are going well you won't hear a peep out of them as there is nothing to moan about.

 

Bring on Potters Bar!!.......... and all those players we should have kept????

[Fan-tastic]

Now that you ladies have taken the bait and responded with some superb comments, I feel that the positivity, determination and commitment shown should be channeled to the management and team. You cannot however rely on last season's position at this time as I am sure you are aware. We need to deal with the present and tackle the present task at hand. I want ETFC to do well and get that promotion but nothing is guaranteed so all the ifs and buts and 'last season' excuses have to stop and the realism has to set in to take the team forward.

[Steph]

I also agree with Cold End and EU except for one point.

 

"Who that have left are better than what we've got?"

 

I think we should have done more to hang on to Max MItchell. He is doing well for Ware at present and his was a talent and vision which is better than some that are playing in the first team.

 

As far as "cracks appearing" etc. In the games against Potters Bar, W and F and Leyton we created enough chances to win by a mile the fact that these were not put away is a problem which has to be dealt with. We should have won those three games easily. If the forwards dont put the ball in the net then the midfield and defenders have to get forward to assist. This is demonstrated with our goals this season which have been shared amongst many players, with Kirby, a centre half being joint leading goal scorer. Now nobody can complain when a defdender misses an open goal but strikers are supposed to put the ball away and they are not doing it regularly enough.

 

Any player can lose form but when it becomes protracted we have to consider whether they had the ability in the first place. It has been said that Bryan and Adam are two players who closely resemble each other and I think that is true. Osei has played a part in the past two games but he again is a ball player. We have badly missed Ben and Stuart who ensure that we are not one paced. If I was Steve I would put our players in a race and pick the fastest player over 20 yards in ten races and let them partner Adam whether or not they have the skills.

 

But then I am not a manager.

[Barney]

Cold End and EU - well said - it saved me a lot of typing (and a lot of boredom for the good people of the forum, reading through another one of my epics )

 

Agree that there have been a few defensive lapses recently, but I still don't think we're defending badly, a lot of the time we're just not getting the luck of the bounce at that end of the pitch, and the same can be said at the other end too. The good thing for me is that I don't think we've been playing badly over the last few games - I've certainly seen us play a lot worse and pick up 3 points from games. So let's keep playing as we are please, except for putting away our chances, and keeping it tighter at the back.

 

I've made that sound so simple, haven't I?

 

Good luck to all on Saturday - I'll be there cheering the team on!

[Mini - Smith Towner]

Now that you ladies have taken the bait and responded with some superb comments, I feel that the positivity, determination and commitment shown should be channeled to the management and team. You cannot however rely on last season's position at this time as I am sure you are aware. We need to deal with the present and tackle the present task at hand. I want ETFC to do well and get that promotion but nothing is guaranteed so all the ifs and buts and 'last season' excuses have to stop and the realism has to set in to take the team forward.

Haha, the fact that you use the word 'realism' in your post is most amusing, as realistic is one thing you are not and is what we are. Take a look at Steph's post for a good balanced opinion/argument that yes does touch on the on-field issues that we may currently have with regards to putting away our chances and the fact that we are missing an out and out goalscorer at present, but isn't put across in a negative fashion. Food for thought and something for all to ponder, maybe even Steve himself, but you suggesting that he has lost the dressing room etc is in no way productive and quite simply made up nonsense!!

 

With regards to your post Steph, I too liked Max as a player but felt he was maybe too lightweight, particularly in the air, too flourish at our level? He may have come on, I don't know. The same went for the legend that is Stevie.V.

We do need to start taking our chances and Stuart is a big loss as he gives us a much more balanced forward line when he is playing with Guns. Like you say, both him and Hammatt are good players but too similar. Hope deserves a shot up top alongside Guns on Saturday now I feel, as after Stuart he is our best natural finisher. This season he has often been playing too deep though for me, almost playing in the Hammatt role which doesn't suit him. He needs to play on the shoulder of the last defender looking to get in behind teams where he can put his best attributes into practice. Guns can play that more deep lying role and very well.

 

Being realistic is looking at our current league position and seeing that we are well involved in another race for promotion/play-offs. People do too much looking back and not enough looking forwards. Constructive criticism and discussion is a good thing, then there is just plain old moaning and poo stirring.

 

Up the Town!!

[Steph]

Max - Lightweight?

 

So was Paul Furlong at a young age and look how he developed.