Saints 2 Grays 4

[Rob_the_Saint]

Maybe it was the pre-match pasta lunch in Kamillo's that slowed down our lads today. Whatever it was, we were never at the races against a resurgent Grays who looked and played like a full-time outfit.

 

Indeed, our midfield will be waking up with sore necks tomorrow from gazing upwards at the ball soaring over their heads for most of the afternoon. Strikers like McDonnell and Tomlinson thrive on through balls along the ground, not aeriel tussles with opposing centre-backs. That's De Souza's territory. Unfortunately he was at the back providing the ammunition.

 

Nobody played well. Murray and Seeby were OK, but passing moves were few and far between, and too many players seemed to be getting in each other's way and giving the ball away needlessly.

 

Not only is the result disappointing, but the chance to make some much-needed dosh for the club has also gone.

 

OK, rant over, we've got a week to get over it and back into league action at Harrow next Saturday, let's hope things start to improve. And soon.

 

[Woody]

Well said, Rob. People are probably going to come on here and say if only Oakes's shot had gone in and not hit the post, if only their goalie had not made a point blank save from Tomlinson, if only this, if only that. Well if they want to believe that, more fool them. The simple truth is that, apart from the first ten to fifteen minutes of the second half, we were second best in most areas.

 

It would be all too easy to put the entire blame for our defeat on the defence. De Souza, White and Seeby were clearly at fault for the first three goals conceded but yesterday, the midfield was a virtual non entity and that is just as concerning, if not more so. Oakes was the best of the four but that is not saying a great deal. Wraight drifted out of the game for long periods and the other two are just not good enough. The sooner Smith, Glynn and Deacon are back in this side the better, then perhaps we might get some fight and creativity in the midfield.

 

 

Quote:

but passing moves were few and far between

 

And that's another thing - Man U and Arsenal do it; Aldershot and Canvey are even able to manage it. Is it really too much to ask? Can we please leave 'Route 1' football to the likes of Wimbledon, Watford and the Doc Martens League.