Future of the Urchins

[Riverside Urchin]

I am an Urchin's fan who has been through the highs and the lows - from losing in the second round of the FA Cup to those cold and chilly matches in the Essex Senior League. But am I the only one who has been bitterly disappointed with the performance this year? We didn't fail to get into the play-offs because we lost to Canvey, we failed throughout the year when we played poor sides and lost or drew when the talent in the team should have meant reached the play-offs in style. I, and others, on the Riverside have groaned time and time again when we resort to the long ball when in fact we play much better when we play a passing game. Some posts have referred to the falling supporter numbers well this is because the style of football this year has been unattractive. So often we have played poor teams, allowed them to play and then struggled to win when they have gained confidence.

 

Colin is doing a great job at getting money in, but does, I wonder, the fault lie with the manager and the coaching. Week in week out it's the same old style and only occasionaly do we seem to get it together and play an attractive game. With our talent in the team we should be much much better. We need a change and we need it by July. The fans are great, and the volunteers work endlessly to put on a good show, but we need to sort out the style of play to win back the crowds.

 

[Wivenhoe Urchin]

We are currently 30 points ahead of Aveley. Last season Aveley finished above us. They have struggled this season because they just don't look like scoring goals. We have taken their main striker off of them and he has scored some good goals for us this season, including a few hat-tricks. We also have a large number of very good players amongst our squad and have been in contention for the play-offs all season. We've brought in players who have been good and have since moved on to clubs further up the pyramid. In my eyes, we have had a good league season and have not quite done it in the cup matches in general, but then they are so easy to go out of.

 

The last time we made the play-offs in the Ryman Prem we had Simon Parker and Kris Lee up front and they banged in lots of goals together. They were also part of a squad that was on the rise through the leagues. The strikers we have now are talented too but have only recently come to the club and need time. I have felt this season that defences have been strong from most sides. We got through Carshalton's defence quite easily, but others have made it difficult for us to win enough matches this season.

 

Next season, who knows. If we can mount a play-off challenge again then I am looking forward to it.

[cup of tea]

Firstly, just having a team to support would be a good start!

 

The cup results were disappointing, I have to say. Valuable money could have been bought into the club. Hope we get a cup run next season.

 

Tactics - If you do resort to the ball over the top for Lewis and Martin to run onto, perhaps play the ball down the channels so the centre halves don't get hold of it might be an idea. Having said that. I must confess that I'm not an expert and don't know the state of the squad and the limitations/illnesses we might have had.

 

We've had a decent team that for whatever reason has run out of steam. If we had played Canvey just after beating Tonbridge at home, I think we would have had a different outcome.

 

I'm pleased that we have got Colin and Jimmy running things - long may that continue.

Edited April 21, 2011 by cup of tea

[Eastside Urchin]

Although we had a good run mid season,I think because of our poor start we was always chasing the season,we were never really one of the favourites to get to the play offs despite many of us thinking we were,every time we got near a play off place we seemed to turn in a bad performance.

As for the long ball,I will admit that when things are going against us we seem to lump it long from the back when things are going well we don't,I don't believe that the management tell them to do this,but it happens.

For me too many players have gone missing at various times,players who on their day have changed games at various times this season but not as often as we would like.

I think there needs to be a bit of a change player wise but I think players like tuohy if given the right service can bang in goals left right and centre next season and a fit Michael Spencer is as good as anything in this league.But our defence has leaked silly goals at times and needs to be addressed.

Personally,I know this may sound silly but Sven groan erikkson while at man city used to fine the goalkeepers & defenders every time the ball was lumped up field when an easier ball was on,play football from the back,build it up and keep possession,that's how all the great teams have played

Edited April 21, 2011 by Eastside Urchin

[missunderstood]

Although we had a good run mid season,I think because of our poor start we was always chasing the season,we were never really one of the favourites to get to the play offs despite many of us thinking we were,every time we got near a play off place we seemed to turn in a bad performance.

As for the long ball,I will admit that when things are going against us we seem to lump it long from the back when things are going well we don't,I don't believe that the management tell them to do this,but it happens.

For me too many players have gone missing at various times,players who on their day have changed games at various times this season but not as often as we would like.

I think there needs to be a bit of a change player wise but I think players like tuohy if given the right service can bang in goals left right and centre next season and a fit Michael Spencer is as good as anything in this league.But our defence has leaked silly goals at times and needs to be addressed.

Personally,I know this may sound silly but Sven groan erikkson while at man city used to fine the goalkeepers & defenders every time the ball was lumped up field when an easier ball was on,play football from the back,build it up and keep possession,that's how all the great teams have played

 

 

If players had the ability to play the type of football the great teams play they wouldn't be playing in the Rymans. Dagenham and Redbridge play route one, and they are currently punching way above their weight.

 

IMO if you support a non league team you should expect effort and passion and not much else.

[cup of tea]

I accept the point about passion and commitment but I have seen some skillful players at this level as well from a number of teams.

[Eastside Urchin]

While I agree that ryman players do not have the technical abilities of top players,they all know how to pass the ball on the deck.I am not advocating playing like barcelona but to keep it simple,sometimes it is lumped long as a clearance under pressure which is fine,sometimes its because the midfield maybe don't show to come back and get the ball which is a shame as we have some great passers of the ball but to suggest the long ball game is all we should expect is ludicrous and I am sure jimmy and colin would say the same,as others have said we are a better side when the ball is on the deck but it does need everyone singing from the same hymnsheet

Edited April 22, 2011 by Eastside Urchin

[missunderstood]

While I agree that ryman players do not have the technical abilities of top players,they all know how to pass the ball on the deck.I am not advocating playing like barcelona but to keep it simple,sometimes it is lumped long as a clearance under pressure which is fine,sometimes its because the midfield maybe don't show to come back and get the ball which is a shame as we have some great passers of the ball but to suggest the long ball game is all we should expect is ludicrous and I am sure jimmy and colin would say the same,as others have said we are a better side when the ball is on the deck but it does need everyone singing from the same hymnsheet

 

 

Point taken, but I'm sure D&R supporters would would prefer to watch route one football in league one, rather than pretty short ball stuff in the Conference, or Rymans.

[UD161]

To right!!! Obviously the perfect scenario would be to watch perfect football in League One, but the players we have, and are likely to ever attract, are not going to be good enough to

compete against other players at that level purely by playing passing football. You have to make the best of what you have got. As someone else said, at non league level what you really want is effort and commitment, and even now we are in League One I still thik the same. This afternoon, as long as I come away knowing every player has given his best and we have tried to win the game then I will be happy that I paid my £18. I say this with most the sport I watch.

 

Just a note to the original poster, and this is not meant as a dig, but you say you have been through the highs and lows etc, but that is based on 10 years I am guessing (from the way you write it). Well the last 10 years have been pretty eventful at Hornchurch, but what about what went before that?? Years of Isthmian League Three or Two North as was in front of crowds of 80. You have to remember you are a lot better off in many ways than you were then and so to think you should be playing highter or automatically pushing for the play offs is lacking a bit or perspective in my eyes.

[cup of tea]

To right!!! Obviously the perfect scenario would be to watch perfect football in League One, but the players we have, and are likely to ever attract, are not going to be good enough to

compete against other players at that level purely by playing passing football. You have to make the best of what you have got. As someone else said, at non league level what you really want is effort and commitment, and even now we are in League One I still thik the same. This afternoon, as long as I come away knowing every player has given his best and we have tried to win the game then I will be happy that I paid my £18. I say this with most the sport I watch.

 

Just a note to the original poster, and this is not meant as a dig, but you say you have been through the highs and lows etc, but that is based on 10 years I am guessing (from the way you write it). Well the last 10 years have been pretty eventful at Hornchurch, but what about what went before that?? Years of Isthmian League Three or Two North as was in front of crowds of 80. You have to remember you are a lot better off in many ways than you were then and so to think you should be playing highter or automatically pushing for the play offs is lacking a bit or perspective in my eyes.

 

However Dagenham play. I think they've done very well to get to the level they are.

I think Colin has performed a minor miracle to keep the club going in the first place.

As a relative newcomer to Hornchurch (6 or 7 seasons, not sure exactly), I'd love to see us play in the Conference South but there's clubs out there worse off then us (Croydon, ilford etc)

[missunderstood]

To right!!! Obviously the perfect scenario would be to watch perfect football in League One, but the players we have, and are likely to ever attract, are not going to be good enough to

compete against other players at that level purely by playing passing football. You have to make the best of what you have got. As someone else said, at non league level what you really want is effort and commitment, and even now we are in League One I still thik the same. This afternoon, as long as I come away knowing every player has given his best and we have tried to win the game then I will be happy that I paid my £18. I say this with most the sport I watch.

 

Just a note to the original poster, and this is not meant as a dig, but you say you have been through the highs and lows etc, but that is based on 10 years I am guessing (from the way you write it). Well the last 10 years have been pretty eventful at Hornchurch, but what about what went before that?? Years of Isthmian League Three or Two North as was in front of crowds of 80. You have to remember you are a lot better off in many ways than you were then and so to think you should be playing highter or automatically pushing for the play offs is lacking a bit or perspective in my eyes.

 

However Dagenham play. I think they've done very well to get to the level they are.

I think Colin has performed a minor miracle to keep the club going in the first place.

As a relative newcomer to Hornchurch (6 or 7 seasons, not sure exactly), I'd love to see us play in the Conference South but there's clubs out there worse off then us (Croydon, ilford etc)

Today's result means Dagenham need a minor miracle to stay in league one but its still a remarkable achievement. IMO Dagenham and AFC Wimbledon offer the perfect blue print on how small clubs should be run.

For clubs like Hornchurch and Romford its probably just as remarkable for us to maintain the status quo with our limited resources.

Edited April 22, 2011 by missunderstood

[Eastside Urchin]

Maybe but the fans aspirations are for connie south and I know the club want the same,I fancy us for next season