Whyteleafe 2-0 Slough Town

[GarySTFC]

Disappointing performance from Slough which saw them play into the 'Leafes hands with long ball tactics not even toward Hodges head. Whyteleafe played for time from taking the lead after about half an hour, and in truth, Slough rarely looked like scoring. Not allowed time in the middle of the park where the 4-3-3 wasn't working with Spencer outnumbered in a spread midfield.

 

As the Rebels chased an equaliser, Whyteleafe scored their second deep into injury time with the Rebels still struggling to create a clear opening.

 

Still, forty more games to go, and with players set for returns in the near future to further boost the squad, we can only improve from this far from impressive performance.

[Nathan]

I agree, but the referee was rubbish and i didn't like the fact that their fans were rubbing it in our faces.

[Ian]

With the large following we have we dish out enough stick so we have to be big enough to take it every now and then.

 

I do think though that playing in front of 200 plus people when they're used to fifty and a dog makes teams like Whyteleafe raise their game against us.

[Ted]

I think you've been somewhat generous about the performance. Whytleafe were poor---we were even worse. Totally outplayed in midfield---Spencer was on his own, and with a defence best described as iffy, we stuck to tactics that weren't working. Miller and Boot don't yet have an understanding, and both seem a bit aimless--but we know they can do better, especially if they have any service. All in all a very poor performance, with only credit going to Foster and Spencer. We've still to play the good sides in this league, so its difficult to be optimistic on the overall performances so far this season.

[GarySTFC]

They weren't that bad, but they knew their strengths and not only did they play to them, but we played into their hands as well. Three across midfield clearly wasn't working and Spencer was easily outnumbered and hustled in a packed midfield.

 

We then resorted to playing long balls from the back which if they were to have any effect needed to be in the region of Ian Hodges as he is the only one likely in our current strike force to be able to challenge the big 6ft plus centre halves, but we failed to even do that right.

 

How many times did we waste free kicks by trying to take them quickly?

 

The sooner Barras comes back in at left back the better. Apart from his debut, Haddow has become increasingly worse with each passing game and is becoming largely disinterested. I would have thought Barrowcliff returning to the squad would have raised Alex's game, but seemingly not.

 

A very poor performance from which we will have to improve a great deal for Saturdays match in the FA Cup.

[GarySTFC]

Interesting to see their view....

 

http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/forum.jsp?id=7&article=5084

[Ted]

Have to agree about Haddow, but he isn't the only one in line for criticism.Our defence tries hard, but lacks quality, Harris blows hot and cold---very cold today, and on present performance you wouldn't bank on Boot or Miller to score too often, but that we know can change. Disappointed by any tactical variety today though--the problems were obvious, but nothing changed.We need more width and a midfield capeable of mixing it--no use being the more skillful side unless its put to good use.

[Chris]

Fair play to Whyteleafe they deserved their win, but i'm getting a little worried about us.

 

We can put a few goals past the lesser sides in the division but when it comes to teams we should beat in my opinion like Whytleafe and Marlow we struggle. I'd expect us to be beating these types of teams which is what I think the likes of Hampton, Windsor and Staines I think will be doing.

 

The squad is not good enough. Look at the bench over the start of the season. We name five subs and maybe two of them are likely to be used, the others are just there to make up the numbers it seems.

 

The formation is mad in my opinion. By all means play 3 up front, but to have Spencer in centre mid on his own when Harris and Steer always stick to the wings means we easily get outnumbered.

 

Still need new faces, and I don't mean one or two, possibly four if were going to get out of this league. If we still have the same squad we'll only finish mid table I think.

[Ted]

Harris was on the wing was he? I did wonder during the match where he was, and now I know.

[Barry Scott]

not quite disgraceful, but the fact the players couldn't adapt themselves ie. the wingers tucking in a bit, was worse. a couple of well timed passes along the floor would have been better than constantly hoofing it against a side that were used to it. the sooner the formation is changed to give spencer a bit of support in the middle not much will change.

[Matt]

It also worries me that Lewes won 6-1 and seem to be running away from everyone else. Two defeats in six is not promotion form !!!

[Guest]

RASCALREBEL1 here

 

I saw Windsor beat Bromley 1-0 last night, neither side looked good, we'll be fine

[GarySTFC]

Rascal, it doesn't matter how well other teams look or play, if we're not playing well and resorting to long aimless balls like last night, we're not going to be anywhere near the top six, or giving teams many challenges.

 

It did seem quite clear last night that the long ball wasn't working, yet there seemed to be little idea from either the bench or on the pitch how to try some other way of creating chances.

 

We'll improve from that performance last night, but we'd better do it soon!

[Guest]

Rascal Rebel here again, sorry to be under anonymous but i can't activate until i get home, can't access my personal email at work.

 

bearing in mind the games i've seen us play this season, i find it bizarre that we should resort to long ball all the time, at times our passing and movement can be of a more than good quality for this division, i would hope that last night's preformance from what i hear will hopefully be a one-off

[PJ-STFC]

This 'long ball' issue seems to be a continuing theme. I seem to remember the team frequently resorting to the same tactics last season.

 

At any level of the game, accurate short-distance passing will always give better results.

 

We have the skill within the team, so why isn't it used?

[Guest]

The problem may be in Boot and Miller being too similar. We overcame that against Ashford (?) by bringing on Deaner, cutting back on the midfield, and playing the long ball---it worked, and we havn't stopped trying it since, even though it depletes an already weak midfield. Boot and Miller don't team up well yet, but we don't seem able to drop either (I'm sure they'll sort it out eventually, but it may take time). Result no midfield, apart from Spencer-crowd him out and its only the long ball left. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Matt]

I can't help but think that Miller was simply brought in to replace Boot, and play upfront with Hodges/Deaner. This is probably why they don't gel, as they are technically similar. However I think this 3-pronged attack will work, given time, provided the midfield is strengthened.

[Guest]

What was the attendence last night?

[Lee Farmie]

219

[Guest]

Lewes absolutely slaughtered Horsham last night. Despite our county rivalry, which has occasionally spilled over into ill feeling, most of our supporters reckon they are near certs for the championship IF they can keep up that form once heavier pitches arrive. They used fast wingers and early accurate crosses. They had Jean Zepherin in goal and some other French players. We played Simon Ullathorne as a striker but he could not repeat Saturday's four goal haul.

 

Looking forward to seeing Slough at Queen Street in November for the teams' first league meeting since David Kemp's goal sent Slough into the top division of the Isthmian League in the last match at the Dolphin in 1973/4.