Croydon Ath 1-0 Slough Town

[GarySTFC]

Finished one nil to Croydon who are by far and away the best side we've faced this year. They created quite a few chances throughout the game whilst we continued to struggle with three in midfield who appeared to lack shape and understanding of what postions they should be taking. We struggled to create many clear chances, and our best effort came when Haddow hit the post with a long range volley in the second half.

 

We huffed and puffed, but a quick counter attacking Croydon Athletic side basically took us apart.

 

Another disappointing performance. How long before we realise that three in midfield won't work against the better sides?

 

Gyoury limped off late on, Howard didn't look match fit but Barras was head and shoulders abother the others and was my MOTM.

 

Line Up: Foster, Howard, Gyoury, Daly, Haddow, Spencer, Barrowcliff, Harris, Boot, Miller, Hodge.

Subs: Bartley - Came on for Gyoury

Hyatt - Came on for ??

Steer - Came on for ??

[Matt]

I think it's probably wrong to say that Croydon Athletic are a good side. They are pretty average, but played ok today, and are quite good on the counter attack. The disappointing thing is that they were first to every ball. And they didn't create that many chances themselves but with the ones they did, probably should have buried them. I think we made them look a lot better then they are by our ABYSMAL performance today - one of the worst I've seen in a long while. Totally disorganised in the midfield, and no decent link-up play between the midfield and the attack. I agree with Gary, away from home we need four in midfield.

[Guest]

Well beaten by a team that knew its strengths and played to them.

 

Toothless in midfield and up front. No width, no creativity, but at least we didn't suffer the endless long ball today.Even with players returning from injury we are a side without balance

 

Time to be realistic---win the league? No Chance. Top six--not very likely. Time for some changes, as we are a mediocre side, despite the individual talent.

 

 

[Ted]

Quote:

MattSTFC said:
I think we made them look a lot better then they are by our ABYSMAL performance today - one of the worst I've seen in a long while. Totally disorganised in the midfield, and no decent link-up play between the midfield and the attack. I agree with Gary, away from home we need four in midfield.

We don't just need 4 in midfield, we also need width, and the ability to cross the ball. Add to that the fact that Miller and Boot do not play well together, and some of our current midfield not looking the part, I get the feeling we need quite a major shake up.

[Chris Mullen]

We were definitely beaten by a team that knew its strengths as is the case in our other 2 defeats so far this season. It's time we woke up and forgot about playing nice football particularly away from home. We are obviously not collectively good enough to win games in this league playing the way we are. Croydon Ath. won 1-0, which is exactly what their manager was saying when they came out for the second half.... "make it 1-0, game won".

 

I still haven't seen a team which stands out from the rest yet, maybe Lewes are the ones.

[Matt]

The fact is, we need two decent wingers. I don't think, from what I've seen, that Harris or Steer possess enough quality. Let's hope they go out and prove me wrong. I also think we should start with Boot and Hodge up front and bring on Miller in the second half if we're struggling, to cause problems for tired defences.

[Barry Scott]

it was the absolute drizzling sh*t, we created absolutely nothing apart from one 25 yarder that hit the post. players were spending too much time on the ball, and then losing it

[Chris Mullen]

......and another thing Foster will have been dissappointed to have let that shot in. It was a bit like the goal conceded at home to Hemel Hempstead last season.

 

Agree with other posts we need a shake up in personnel (horses for courses) and must stop starting with both Miller & Boot. Crosses into the box were poor today from left & right.

 

Barrowcliff was my MOM by the way.

[Ted]

Harris has potential--played well in parts in the FA cup games against lower division clubs, but doesn't yet seem to have it at league level.Steer makes more runs, but lacks the final cross, though today he was very quiet.

 

Too many very average players, combined with 3 up front (which worked well for 30 minutes in 1 home game), means our midfield is swamped. The answer is not just as simple as playing 4 in midfield---it didn't work in our opening home matches. We need more quality in midfield---then we wouldn't need 3 up front. 3 up front was hopeless today.

[Matt]

Well to be honest what were our expectations this season after seeing Palmer, Hakki, Bubb, Winston and others leave in the summer? The answer as to what's wrong with our midfield is in that very sentence.

[Ted]

Not convinced that Bubb going was a loss, but that apart, point taken. We seem to have replaced them with very ordinary performers, though Hyatt looks good, he rarely plays. If you play only 3 in midfield, they've all got to be at least good. Spencer apart, they arn't.

[Guest]

Can't believe what I am reading. Name any side at this level that is successful playing with 3 midfielders, it can't be done because not only do they all have to be ultra fit and at least two of them good with the ball, both full backs have to be top quality down the sides as well. It just does not happen. If you want to play with three up you go with four midfielders to match up with the opposition and three centre halves to cope with two stikers. Sounds like Eddie is being somewhat naive to me.

[Nathan]

Quote:

MattSTFC said:
Totally disorganised in the midfield

You forgot that we were totally disorganised at the back as well!

[Roger Rebel]

Perhaps Eddie is not the man for the job after all.

[budman13]

I'm beginning to see similarities to last season. Makes you wonder ! ! !

[Guest]

For God's sake, don't start all that again so soon in the season. You are like so much of today's society--wanting INSTANT results/satisfaction/gratification etc etc.Give the man a chance!!

[Guest]

Yes ..we did not get it together, there was a lot of wasted effort because we just did not seam to know how to play this game...but Croydon Ath were fast and fit and had good counter breaks, which we were at sixes and seven's trying to get it sorted...

 

But lets not panic, lets see Eddie sort the problems out...

 

It was good game on Saturday , for the fact it was end to end and even though we did not look like scoring ....effort was being made in the 26c weather...but it was not organised effort..thats all...keep faith....Rebels...

 

cheers chris <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

Just to let you know we really enjoyed the your visit on Saturday, not just the result that goes without saying. The chat was good, your support seemed to avoid the usual bias perspective we have encountered over the last few seasons. I have no doubt you will have got it together by the time we meet again. I do not think you were as bad as some of your fans are suggesting. We just happen to be on a bit of a roll at the moment, new signings desperate to prove themselves before some of our more established players return from injury. Good luck for the rest of the season.

[budman13]

I'm more than happy to give the man a chance that he deserves, and Eddie certainly does. All I was saying is that some of the decisions being made during matches are very similar to previous seasons. Both Eddie and Gilkes will have been influenced by Brownes management. I personally feel we look so much better with Hyatt playing but why leave it so late to bring him on on saturday. Seems just like substitutions last season.

[budman13]

I also fail to see what the temperature had to do with it. Croydon were on the same pitch.