Bedford Town v Slough Town

[readingrebel]

Note to management and Players:-

 

Do not take your holidays in pre-season, take them when it don't matter after 13th of August.

 

How many of you have kids, if you do, you'll know that it's the only time you can take holidays,after schools are closed.

 

 

Epic Rebel,

 

 

If you had read the thread properly you will see that it has already been said that taking holidays during pre-season sometimes cannot be helped due to having children etc.

[epicrebel]

RR

Just replying to above post.

I know it was said before but other people haven't read it by the looks of things.

[Cookham Rebel]

Right, how many of our players have kids?!?!? Woozely and Swift, that's it!!!

[3spirit]

I think this discussion is far from boring and is very relevant and healthy for a fans forum.A proper debate alway is. I'm very surprised Brighton Rebel says he prefers it boring,as I've always found him open-minded in his programme notes and I was under the impression that he was one of the instigators of the excellent fanzine 'Rebel Without A Clue' in our Conference years. Perhaps I'm ill-informed on the fanzine writer but I would say,if he was the writer then the seaside air must be turning him into a pipe and slippers man and far from the colourful,outgoing,opinionated,nice, charming character, that I remember from the past.

 

As for Tom, your argument about fans not being a manager is a ludicrous one.Footballers don't always make good managers. As Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton proved. Jose Mourinho did alright ,didn't he? In any football, at any level,whether it be professional,non-league or plain park/Sunday morning football, if a team is well-organized, play with a unified togetherness,have a couple of stand out skilful players and have the 'spine' of the team right ie good goalkeeper,mainstay centre half,mainstay centre midfieder and mainstay centre forward. Then that team will be very hard to beat and will definitely be challenging for honours. However,stick the wrong man in the management box and wrong tactics and bad planning and poor organization can ruin the most capable of teams.

 

I'm not as bothered as Cookham Rebel about our pre-season results but I do agree with him and ,The Lawrence Years, Nathan,Reading Rebel,Rebel Yeller on most of their other points. Rebel Yeller made the point about NBH, Adam Martin and Simon Sweeney not being ready for the start of the season. With these three missing our squad is a lot weaker without them. Dave Woozley and Alex Brown haven't had that much game time together and I hope they play against Chesham as our central defence is key for the success of our team,as is the defensive side of our centre of midfield. Something of which we have been poor, under Steve Bateman.

On paper our squad looks capable of being a match for any of the teams in the Central Division. I'm particularly happy about the addition of Charlie Mpi upfront,as we've been needing a player like that for a good while. The concerns and reservations I have for this up and coming season is still some of the players temperaments and indiscipline, the so-far poor variations of the systems we play and this rather casual approach by the manager, that it goes with out saying that we are going to set this division alight, when to my mind this is the worst prepared side we've had under Steve Bateman. There's no harm him being confident in the players abilities but often it backfires on him, as some of the Slough team think they're irreplacable and better than they are.

I hope that Slough hit the ground running. Funny enough last season, Dave Anderson said Steve Bateman likes to have his teams winning games from the off, whereas Anderson prefers to build up slowly in the first few games. I think a winning mentality is what you need to be champions. Having followed St Neots preparations closely,they seem to be building up a head of steam for the start of the season and there's no doubt they're going to be a formidable side.

 

From our pre-season, I've seen nothing to write home about, but the season is a long one and we seem to have the funds to chop and change personnel to get it right and I hope Steve Bateman proves to be the man to do this but like Cookham Rebel and others,having seen his teams for 2 and a half years now,sometimes you wonder if he really knows what he is doing !

[A Rebel and a Saint]

The problem is Cookham Rebel, you are entitled to your opinion as a member of the forum, but you do not need to keep going on over and over and over making the same point. We get it, the players probably should be turning out for pre-season so that the team can gel together and yes we lost to Bedford quite badly, but you just keep making this point again and again and in such a negative way. You then sit there and complain about not being allowed to express your opinion and at the same time moaning and insulting others for having different opinions to yours, which of course then means you make your point once again just in case we had forgotten after the first times. Just let it go, we have to have faith in the players and management that we have.

[Cookham Rebel]

Like 3spirit, I'm not convinced anymore... I am going to be negative because this team is so badly prepared to mount a title challenge it's untrue!!!

 

I would have faith if I saw a management team and players that cared, truth is, the current crop clearly don't barring 2 or 3!!!

[Rebel Kay]

Oh I can't be bothered

Edited August 1, 2011 by Rebel Kay

[readingrebel]

The problem is Cookham Rebel, you are entitled to your opinion as a member of the forum, but you do not need to keep going on over and over and over making the same point. We get it, the players probably should be turning out for pre-season so that the team can gel together and yes we lost to Bedford quite badly, but you just keep making this point again and again and in such a negative way. You then sit there and complain about not being allowed to express your opinion and at the same time moaning and insulting others for having different opinions to yours, which of course then means you make your point once again just in case we had forgotten after the first times. Just let it go, we have to have faith in the players and management that we have.

 

 

 

Araas, sorry to be pedantic but Cookham Rebel was complaining about being shot down in flames for expressing his opinion not for 'not being allowed' to make an opinion.

 

BTW I seem to remember someone calling people 'stupid' and 'idiotic' for expressing an opionion thats different to theirs.

[3spirit]

Oh I can't be bothered

 

 

Why did you edit it,Rebel Kay? I was about to reply and to attempt to shoot you down in flames, ha ha ha !

 

I thought you made a valid point and even though, I didn't agree with all of it, there was sincereity in what you said. If we can't voice our own honest opinion on a fans forum, then that forum is a waste of time.

As previously mentioned by someone, this is NOT a fan club, it's a forum ! ! !

 

By the way,Rebel Kay, Steve Perkins and Simon Martin are teachers.I don't know of any others. As both are currently not on the Slough scene,it's probably not relevant.

[brighton_rebel]

I still am an opinionated big gob and yes I was behind the fanzine.

But i suppose the sea air has made me realise that supporting your team, means just that. I've never been a manager, ain't that good at football and am usually too pissed to anaylse the game. I like to watch the team i've supported since i was 12, enjoy the banter and the day out, and the company of most of our fans. I can also work out that at our level, players and managers aren't full time and have to juggle busy lives, work and families and that missing a few friendlies isn't a crime against humanity.

I mentioned this last season, but when we lose there are loads more postings than when we win. And usually by the same people.

I'm with Ted, the most important thing is the new ground in Slough although like everyone I'd love to get promoted and out of this level of football.

Only two more long forum weeks to go before we really see what's gonna happen.

[A Rebel and a Saint]

Well said BR.

 

RR - my point is that there are too many people on this forum who take offence to other people having different opinions. the reason that we get these long threads on the forums when we lose more than when we win is not because of more people being critical, its the people who just have to keep arguing their point about how bad we were in that game while those of us who like to take positives try to take a different opinion on the games.

[Martin]

Spot on Warren.

 

Just in response to Nathan I wonder whether you can ever agree with anyone? You form your opinion and then seem to believe it as a statement of fact. I remember listening to you moan on and on last season about how on points per game ratio we were a mid-table side and then when the fixture list clogged up and we had loads of games in hand we couldn't possibly make up ground on the others and make the play-offs. Now if I am not very much mistaken I was stood at Hitchen's ground come April watching a play off semi-final. So forgive me if I don't put a huge amount of weight in your opinion.

 

I acknowledge that the games in August are important but only as important as every other league fixture. Hitchin last season won four of the first five only dropping points at play off contenders Rugby. It didn't do them a whole lot of good in their quest for the title which actually came down to the last kick of the ball in the last game of the regular season.

 

You seem to have two kindred spirits in CR and 3spirit but unlike you I am not sure they have the best interests of the club at heart. They seem to be determined to undermine the management and slag off the players. Hopefully CR will take up the invite in the SB post and be back on here to eat humble pie but somehow I doubt it.

 

We really do need to reign in the expectations a little. As Warren says the players have busy lives and jobs to juggle together with their playing commitments. I for one know that with my work as it is I couldn't possibly manage what is required for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with the amount of hours I have to work. Bear in mind that these guys probably have to save holiday time and get a bit of goodwill in the bank to make some of the real fixtures during the course of the season. So do I care if they are all in attendance at every pre-season friendly - no.

 

Also let's be realistic St Neotts have pots of money that they are throwing at trying to win this league. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. I want to build a sensible sustainable club that can gradually work its way up the pyramid to a level to which we are more accustomed i.e. one or two steps below the conference which is where we have spent the vast bulk of our history. Look at some of the teams that have taken the St Neotts route before like Fisher and Rushden and see where they are now. One day the money dries up and if you aren't sustainable it goes massively tits up.

 

And compared to previous seasons this pre-season is wonderful. I've known seasons were we have barely had a fixture and of course post conference we had a game where we fielded four different sides in one game a week before the first game kicked off. Incidentally we won that day against Sutton United who went on to canter to the league title and suffered only one home defeat all season being that one to a makeshift Slough side. So sometimes preparation and early season results are both meaningless in terms of how the games will go and who will eventually win the league.

 

I fully expect us to have a tilt at the play-offs again and it is on that basis that I will judge the side as the season progresses. I have full faith in SB and the squad to achieve that.

[3spirit]

I still am an opinionated big gob and yes I was behind the fanzine.

But i suppose the sea air has made me realise that supporting your team, means just that. I've never been a manager, ain't that good at football and am usually too pissed to anaylse the game. I like to watch the team i've supported since i was 12, enjoy the banter and the day out, and the company of most of our fans. I can also work out that at our level, players and managers aren't full time and have to juggle busy lives, work and families and that missing a few friendlies isn't a crime against humanity.

I mentioned this last season, but when we lose there are loads more postings than when we win. And usually by the same people.

I'm with Ted, the most important thing is the new ground in Slough although like everyone I'd love to get promoted and out of this level of football.

Only two more long forum weeks to go before we really see what's gonna happen.

 

 

Thank God ! Thought you were becoming part of the estabilishment !

I agree with your summing up. I think we all get carried away at times on this forum and perhaps, as I know of myself,somewhat cynical of supposed negative opinions. No one likes moaners but truthfully, we all like a good moan ! We both have been supporting the side for along time now and obviously, getting the new ground is the priority. I just can't see what's wrong with voicing people's honest opinions about the team on this forum. If you really find it boring,don't read it. Simple.

Most of us lead pretty dreary lives and so our football club becomes something to focus on,where we can leave our monotony behind,and have a bit of escapism from all the woes of the world. I don't drink alcohol at games but love a beer or three afterwards. I like dissecting where we went wrong in the game with my friends and I like posting my views and reading other fans views on here. There's often fans you agree with and fans you don't don't.This forum is definitely one of the best ones forums in non-league scene,as I read many. So long may it continue.

[Rebel Kay]

I editted it because it had taken me so long to type it, that by the time I had, several people had answered most of what I had said in between, so then it sounded daft.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rebel Kay]

I think you are spot on Martin. These guys have lives outside of football, families, work etc. It must be a nightmare to juggle it all. I know its their choice, but I think we have to be realistic in our expactations.

 

How many of us have been to every pre season game? and yes I know its different for them as they are players.

 

We just need to be realistic

[Nathan]

Nathan just because people dont agree with you does not mean they are "yes men", they just see things differently to you that's all.

 

Sue, I didn't say that because people disagree with me. I said that because I honestly get the impression that some people on this board regard all criticism as merely unhelpful and boring, and they somehow make people to feel as though they've done something wrong for daring to air any!

 

 

Just in response to Nathan I wonder whether you can ever agree with anyone? You form your opinion and then seem to believe it as a statement of fact. I remember listening to you moan on and on last season about how on points per game ratio we were a mid-table side and then when the fixture list clogged up and we had loads of games in hand we couldn't possibly make up ground on the others and make the play-offs. Now if I am not very much mistaken I was stood at Hitchen's ground come April watching a play off semi-final. So forgive me if I don't put a huge amount of weight in your opinion.

 

Just in response to Martin, the answer to your question is yes. It just happens that on this occassion I am agreeing with Cookham Rebel and 3spirit.

 

Regarding my predictions last season, I made those predictions based upon our inconsistent results and performances. Some of our results and performances (especially against the sides were needed to consistently compete with) were dire to say the least, and not worthy of a team who had hoped to be promoted. Given some people's constant bleating about how that league was more difficult than the year before, I has also expected to a higher points tally required to reach the play-offs.

 

Needless to say, we were all delighted that we made the play-offs, and glad we were proved wrong on that count. I publically stated so on this forum after the Biggleswade game. You've all had you chance to rub my nose in it. But that doesn't change the fact that it was never a certainty, and at times we (that is to say the team) really made things difficult for themselves. It was also a massive underachievement considering the management and players we had.

 

Now, if that isn't a vote of confidence that they can do better, then I don't know what is!

[3spirit]

Spot on Warren.

 

Just in response to Nathan I wonder whether you can ever agree with anyone? You form your opinion and then seem to believe it as a statement of fact. I remember listening to you moan on and on last season about how on points per game ratio we were a mid-table side and then when the fixture list clogged up and we had loads of games in hand we couldn't possibly make up ground on the others and make the play-offs. Now if I am not very much mistaken I was stood at Hitchen's ground come April watching a play off semi-final. So forgive me if I don't put a huge amount of weight in your opinion.

 

I acknowledge that the games in August are important but only as important as every other league fixture. Hitchin last season won four of the first five only dropping points at play off contenders Rugby. It didn't do them a whole lot of good in their quest for the title which actually came down to the last kick of the ball in the last game of the regular season.

 

You seem to have two kindred spirits in CR and 3spirit but unlike you I am not sure they have the best interests of the club at heart. They seem to be determined to undermine the management and slag off the players. Hopefully CR will take up the invite in the SB post and be back on here to eat humble pie but somehow I doubt it.

 

We really do need to reign in the expectations a little. As Warren says the players have busy lives and jobs to juggle together with their playing commitments. I for one know that with my work as it is I couldn't possibly manage what is required for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with the amount of hours I have to work. Bear in mind that these guys probably have to save holiday time and get a bit of goodwill in the bank to make some of the real fixtures during the course of the season. So do I care if they are all in attendance at every pre-season friendly - no.

 

Also let's be realistic St Neotts have pots of money that they are throwing at trying to win this league. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. I want to build a sensible sustainable club that can gradually work its way up the pyramid to a level to which we are more accustomed i.e. one or two steps below the conference which is where we have spent the vast bulk of our history. Look at some of the teams that have taken the St Neotts route before like Fisher and Rushden and see where they are now. One day the money dries up and if you aren't sustainable it goes massively tits up.

 

And compared to previous seasons this pre-season is wonderful. I've known seasons were we have barely had a fixture and of course post conference we had a game where we fielded four different sides in one game a week before the first game kicked off. Incidentally we won that day against Sutton United who went on to canter to the league title and suffered only one home defeat all season being that one to a makeshift Slough side. So sometimes preparation and early season results are both meaningless in terms of how the games will go and who will eventually win the league.

 

I fully expect us to have a tilt at the play-offs again and it is on that basis that I will judge the side as the season progresses. I have full faith in SB and the squad to achieve that.

 

Martin writes the following.....

You seem to have two kindred spirits in CR and 3spirit but unlike you I am not sure they have the best interests of the club at heart. They seem to be determined to undermine the management and slag off the players. Hopefully CR will take up the invite in the SB post and be back on here to eat humble pie but somehow I doubt it.

 

I think he is wrong about me...........

I pay my money each week to watch Slough Town FC and I buy a programme, occasionally I put money into the bucket on the way out and I do have a form of sponsor running with the club.

 

How's that not supporting,Martin?

 

I just don't wear those rose-tinted glasses that you obviously wear !

Of course, I don't want us to go bust and if you actually read one of my recent posts,you would have seen that I hoped Slough could model itself on how Chesham are currently running their club, both off and on the pitch. What we need is value for money and in my opinion, sometimes we don't get that from some of our players in our squad,in the form of ill-discipline. That doesn't mean to say that I don't support the team any less than you do and of course, want to see Slough do well regardless.

At matches I tend to go for words of encouragement rather than slagging players off but on this forum, I cut through the bullshit and call it as I see it. That is all.

Edited August 1, 2011 by 3spirit

[Windsor Rebel]

So why did you not meet Jacko then 3 spirit, or is it easier to hide behind a keyboard rather than tell someone what you think face to face?

[3spirit]

So why did you not meet Jacko then 3 spirit, or is it easier to hide behind a keyboard rather than tell someone what you think face to face?

 

Well,of course,it's easier to hide behind a keyboard.Just as you are doing now. In my 47 years of life,I've had plenty of fights and fracas of which I'm not proud. So these days I prefer a non-confrontational approach.

I didn't meet Jacko because I thought,maybe wrongly as it turns out, as I don't know Jacko personally, that I would inflame the situation by my opinions on certain players and that it was possible that it would lead to confrontation,anger and resentment .

Remember,Windsor Rebel, I still want to go and watch football matches cheering on Slough. I don't want to go there for a boxing match!

 

However,I'm not a pushover and don't intend to be one now, my opinions are my opinions and if you so wish we can meet.

 

I do think, having been a mediator, that these face to face requests are rather silly, as what does that prove. Often just because a bloke can shout louder at a face to face meeting, doesn't mean that the quieter bloke is any less a man or that his points aren't valid ones.

If I was a player,coach or manager,I would rather read a supporters criticism on this forum, than hearing it in person on a match day. As this can lead to trouble and violence.

[Windsor Rebel]

As I said in the other thread, 3 spirit, happy to meet you for a chat about all matters football. As I am sure you appreciate, people come over a lot

differently in real life than they appear on here!