Players to go - fan's opinion

[Sue]

There is no anger or resentment towards you from me 3Spirit.

 

The only thing I would ask is when I post the Trust is left out of it, as I said before these are my opinions and mine alone.

 

You should also know by now that a woman is always right!! LOL.

[HP9]

As not much is happening on this forum,at the moment, and I'm currently at a loose end, thought I would seek some supporters opinions about who they would release, given the fact that Steve Bateman quoted in a local newspaper, that he would like to add two defenders,a midfielder and a forward to the squad.

I would have said he should have said a goalkeeper, too,if that's true about Richard Hayward coming to pre-season training. I do hope so.

 

So given that information I would think [only my guess,mind] that Mr Bateman and Mr Anderson will know they will need two central defenders being that Chris Seeby has already left and Steve Perkins playing career is nearly over. I'm hoping Steve Perkins will be kept as player/coach, playing as cover and for emergencies. He,in my opinion,would be an asset to our players and management team given his knowledge of the game and teaching ability/cool head . Given John Lawford has left,there is a space to fill.

 

On the midfield front ,as a guess, I think SB and DA will consider getting rid of Adam Logie. I definitely wouldn't do that. I would lose Shaun Byrne,due to his match fitness and re-current injuries.

 

Up front,it's going to be a toss up between Simon Martin and Ben Abbey.This will be dependent on the size of the striker being brought in. IMO I would release Ben Abbey due only to his age and height and the fact that we will keep Danny Burnell and Sean Sonner, and not because he's done anything wrong.

 

Ironically,in an ideal world,though,if I was manager and had the chance to completely overhaul our current squad I would be looking to bring in a goalkeeper,two defenders,two midfielders[one being a holding midfielder and one who is a creative player who could play in the centre or on the right wing] and two proven goalscorers[ one being very tricky with ball skills ie Harry Hunt, and one being a natural target man/holder up of the ball ie Ian Hodges] .

.

So controversially,I would let go Rob Bullivant, Paul Coyne,Sean Sonner,Shaun Byrne,Ben Abbey,Ben Porter..... and with Chris Seeby leaving and Steve Perkins with the coach role. That still leaves a nucleus of a good squad.

 

However, paradoxically,I do agree with Steve Bateman about the need for continuity/stability/co-herence and not needing to change too much for 2011-12 season. In my view, with just the right tinkering we MUST have a chance of getting promotion this year. Only over the forthcoming season will we know if our discipline and players pulling together will justify the faith shown in them.

 

 

Given that this message has caused so much anger and resentment towards me and what I've written, I thought I would re-read it to see if I could have phrased it better. I'm not sure I could have done.

It certanly wasn't mean't to get everyone's backs up. It was just my honest opinion.

What I can't make out, is why is an honest opinion so offensive?

 

We all pay to go to watch Slough Town FC. Now I'm not one of the most vocal of supporters.However, I do try to offer words of encouragement/geeing up to the players. I do NOT shout and swear at the referee,linesman or players but lots of supporters do.

What I'm trying to get at , is Rob Bullivant, Paul Coyne, Sean Sonner, Shaun Byrne , Ben Abbey and Ben Porter have probably been called far worse things on the pitch than what I'm trying [obviously badly ! lol ! ] to relay here.

It is NOT and never was a personal attack on the life of each of these individuals. It was my poorly worded assessment of how I see/view our squad and it's deficiencies. Ben Abbey, Ben Porter and Shaun Byrne, I actually rate as excellent squad players and we're lucky to have them and when in the first 11 can make a difference,when match fit.

 

As for the other three,Paul Coyne and Sean Sonner will still be Slough Town players next year regardless of my opinion. Both are excellent on their day and are assets when their discipline doesn't let them down but to my mind their temperaments can be detrimental to getting a united Slough Town FC and the endeavour of trying to turn our squad into a Championship winning side,not the play-off hopefuls we've become.

As for Rob Bullivant , none of us watching Slough last season can say we saw the best of him. He looks to me, to be short of confidence and perhaps,injuries and his weight are slowing him down. The Windsor fans on their forum rated him highly and they've seen far more of him than I have. My point though,was have we got the time to get Rob Bullivant fit and performing at his best, when currently we really need a proven keeper with no issues. Richard Hayward fits that bill perfectly. Charlie Fanner or Jamie Jackson [if he want's the role] are perfect back up.

 

I hope this message has gone some way of clarifying what I was trying to say. I would like to apologise to all the people who feel offended,if there are any.

3Spirit, no issues from me on what you've posted. If you want to comment about a prospective Rebels squad that's fine. Personally I will leave it to the management to determine

the players they want therein. I do have 2 points regarding our team, firstly let's never loose sight of the fact that we don't have masses of cash to splash when building a squad (with our own ground and an income therefrom we should be able spend more on the team) and secondly there is definitely a need for individuals that are able to keep discipline remain focussed and dig deep to pull out results despite it all. Sort that out then we should see ourselves challenging for the title rather than a play off place. Last season's squad was good enough to play at a higher level, but we have to get out of this league and that's what we need to focus on. I can't put up with playing village sides with no support for much longer (no disrespect to them they have earnt the right to be in our league). We're playing at our lowest level for 50 years (Corinthian League circa 1960) and it's time we started our way back to a decent level.

 

I bet there's a few of us supporters who can remember the likes of Staines Town, Maidenhead, Hampton, Braintree, Boreham Wood, Carshalton etc., etc. who we would normally expect to beat, whereas now it's not the case. We still match these clubs in attendances from time to time even though we aren't even playing in Slough. Wouldn't it be great to have 500 - 600 or more watching us take them on again?

 

 

Thanks,Bernie. I don't expect Steve Bateman to take notice of what I say, I was just giving my honest view of the changes I would make,which I hoped would lead to a healthy discussion/debate. I don't expect Slough Town to be winning every week or have these outlandish dreams of playing top Conference football again. Well,definitely not while we haven't a ground and our crowds only average 300.

 

I do, however, in this current Zamaretto Division Central , think we should to be up at the top challenging for automatic promotion. Mainly because that is what Steve Bateman says he wants his team to be doing,when quoted in the Slough Observer and Express.So far, he's accomplished getting us in the play-offs both times under his guidance. As worthy as that is,I still feel that we have some way to go before we are up there vying for 1st place.

 

I was reading the Bedfont website the other day, and was refreshed by how the new manager put over his ideas. He said that Bedfont had 'realistic ambitions'.

Now to me,that was spot on for Bedfont,given the size of the club and their attendances. Bet your life,they will still be a hard team to beat, if the manager gets it right. A good season for them will be top 10 or a great season ,top 7. Slough carry the burden of expectation from the past and the size of the town [not that we've had much help in that way for awhile,however,hurrah! things are changing for the better in that concern] We ought to have 'realistic ambitions' and to my mind that should be to get promoted to either the Zamaretto Premier or the Ryman Premier. Then consolidate till our new ground is well and truly up and running. It is,though,not the end of the world,staying in the Central division.You get loads of derbies and most of the sides are nearby. If we do just want to stay in this division,then I'm surprised we haven't looked at more cost effective youngsters to balance the books.

So with a squad like ours and the rumours you hear of expenditure,the Chairman and the Club,must want what we all want- promotion out of this league.

 

I dont think you have said anything wrong at all 3spirit and you certainly did get a discussion going. Fair play to ya.

[3spirit]

As not much is happening on this forum,at the moment, and I'm currently at a loose end, thought I would seek some supporters opinions about who they would release, given the fact that Steve Bateman quoted in a local newspaper, that he would like to add two defenders,a midfielder and a forward to the squad.

I would have said he should have said a goalkeeper, too,if that's true about Richard Hayward coming to pre-season training. I do hope so.

 

So given that information I would think [only my guess,mind] that Mr Bateman and Mr Anderson will know they will need two central defenders being that Chris Seeby has already left and Steve Perkins playing career is nearly over. I'm hoping Steve Perkins will be kept as player/coach, playing as cover and for emergencies. He,in my opinion,would be an asset to our players and management team given his knowledge of the game and teaching ability/cool head . Given John Lawford has left,there is a space to fill.

 

On the midfield front ,as a guess, I think SB and DA will consider getting rid of Adam Logie. I definitely wouldn't do that. I would lose Shaun Byrne,due to his match fitness and re-current injuries.

 

Up front,it's going to be a toss up between Simon Martin and Ben Abbey.This will be dependent on the size of the striker being brought in. IMO I would release Ben Abbey due only to his age and height and the fact that we will keep Danny Burnell and Sean Sonner, and not because he's done anything wrong.

 

Ironically,in an ideal world,though,if I was manager and had the chance to completely overhaul our current squad I would be looking to bring in a goalkeeper,two defenders,two midfielders[one being a holding midfielder and one who is a creative player who could play in the centre or on the right wing] and two proven goalscorers[ one being very tricky with ball skills ie Harry Hunt, and one being a natural target man/holder up of the ball ie Ian Hodges] .

.

So controversially,I would let go Rob Bullivant, Paul Coyne,Sean Sonner,Shaun Byrne,Ben Abbey,Ben Porter..... and with Chris Seeby leaving and Steve Perkins with the coach role. That still leaves a nucleus of a good squad.

 

However, paradoxically,I do agree with Steve Bateman about the need for continuity/stability/co-herence and not needing to change too much for 2011-12 season. In my view, with just the right tinkering we MUST have a chance of getting promotion this year. Only over the forthcoming season will we know if our discipline and players pulling together will justify the faith shown in them.

 

 

Given that this message has caused so much anger and resentment towards me and what I've written, I thought I would re-read it to see if I could have phrased it better. I'm not sure I could have done.

It certanly wasn't mean't to get everyone's backs up. It was just my honest opinion.

What I can't make out, is why is an honest opinion so offensive?

 

We all pay to go to watch Slough Town FC. Now I'm not one of the most vocal of supporters.However, I do try to offer words of encouragement/geeing up to the players. I do NOT shout and swear at the referee,linesman or players but lots of supporters do.

What I'm trying to get at , is Rob Bullivant, Paul Coyne, Sean Sonner, Shaun Byrne , Ben Abbey and Ben Porter have probably been called far worse things on the pitch than what I'm trying [obviously badly ! lol ! ] to relay here.

It is NOT and never was a personal attack on the life of each of these individuals. It was my poorly worded assessment of how I see/view our squad and it's deficiencies. Ben Abbey, Ben Porter and Shaun Byrne, I actually rate as excellent squad players and we're lucky to have them and when in the first 11 can make a difference,when match fit.

 

As for the other three,Paul Coyne and Sean Sonner will still be Slough Town players next year regardless of my opinion. Both are excellent on their day and are assets when their discipline doesn't let them down but to my mind their temperaments can be detrimental to getting a united Slough Town FC and the endeavour of trying to turn our squad into a Championship winning side,not the play-off hopefuls we've become.

As for Rob Bullivant , none of us watching Slough last season can say we saw the best of him. He looks to me, to be short of confidence and perhaps,injuries and his weight are slowing him down. The Windsor fans on their forum rated him highly and they've seen far more of him than I have. My point though,was have we got the time to get Rob Bullivant fit and performing at his best, when currently we really need a proven keeper with no issues. Richard Hayward fits that bill perfectly. Charlie Fanner or Jamie Jackson [if he want's the role] are perfect back up.

 

I hope this message has gone some way of clarifying what I was trying to say. I would like to apologise to all the people who feel offended,if there are any.

3Spirit, no issues from me on what you've posted. If you want to comment about a prospective Rebels squad that's fine. Personally I will leave it to the management to determine

the players they want therein. I do have 2 points regarding our team, firstly let's never loose sight of the fact that we don't have masses of cash to splash when building a squad (with our own ground and an income therefrom we should be able spend more on the team) and secondly there is definitely a need for individuals that are able to keep discipline remain focussed and dig deep to pull out results despite it all. Sort that out then we should see ourselves challenging for the title rather than a play off place. Last season's squad was good enough to play at a higher level, but we have to get out of this league and that's what we need to focus on. I can't put up with playing village sides with no support for much longer (no disrespect to them they have earnt the right to be in our league). We're playing at our lowest level for 50 years (Corinthian League circa 1960) and it's time we started our way back to a decent level.

 

I bet there's a few of us supporters who can remember the likes of Staines Town, Maidenhead, Hampton, Braintree, Boreham Wood, Carshalton etc., etc. who we would normally expect to beat, whereas now it's not the case. We still match these clubs in attendances from time to time even though we aren't even playing in Slough. Wouldn't it be great to have 500 - 600 or more watching us take them on again?

 

 

Thanks,Bernie. I don't expect Steve Bateman to take notice of what I say, I was just giving my honest view of the changes I would make,which I hoped would lead to a healthy discussion/debate. I don't expect Slough Town to be winning every week or have these outlandish dreams of playing top Conference football again. Well,definitely not while we haven't a ground and our crowds only average 300.

 

I do, however, in this current Zamaretto Division Central , think we should to be up at the top challenging for automatic promotion. Mainly because that is what Steve Bateman says he wants his team to be doing,when quoted in the Slough Observer and Express.So far, he's accomplished getting us in the play-offs both times under his guidance. As worthy as that is,I still feel that we have some way to go before we are up there vying for 1st place.

 

I was reading the Bedfont website the other day, and was refreshed by how the new manager put over his ideas. He said that Bedfont had 'realistic ambitions'.

Now to me,that was spot on for Bedfont,given the size of the club and their attendances. Bet your life,they will still be a hard team to beat, if the manager gets it right. A good season for them will be top 10 or a great season ,top 7. Slough carry the burden of expectation from the past and the size of the town [not that we've had much help in that way for awhile,however,hurrah! things are changing for the better in that concern] We ought to have 'realistic ambitions' and to my mind that should be to get promoted to either the Zamaretto Premier or the Ryman Premier. Then consolidate till our new ground is well and truly up and running. It is,though,not the end of the world,staying in the Central division.You get loads of derbies and most of the sides are nearby. If we do just want to stay in this division,then I'm surprised we haven't looked at more cost effective youngsters to balance the books.

So with a squad like ours and the rumours you hear of expenditure,the Chairman and the Club,must want what we all want- promotion out of this league.

 

I dont think you have said anything wrong at all 3spirit and you certainly did get a discussion going. Fair play to ya.

 

 

Cheers,WCW,you're a top man who knows his football ! ha ha ha ! and a fellow Spurs fan to boot .

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

OK- gunna throw my tuppence in, I think we should keep them all, we needs a few to strengthen the team but there are no players that i feel couldnt add something to the squad,

 

However i do think we need some additions in most positions,

 

The thing i really want to see is Sam Bateman getting more chances , he has never played badly for slough and always gives 100%