Stotfold v Town FA Cup

[seemgee]

1-0 Pennant 35 mins

[seemgee]

1-1 after 40 mins

[seemgee]

Halftime 1-1

[seemgee]

2-1 down 75 mins

[seemgee]

out of the FA Cup lost 2-1

[littlehampton]

What a BIG disappointment for everyone!

 

There are always 'surprise' results in the FA cup, but don't think anyone expected us to make such an early exit from the competition.

 

Where did it all go so badly wrong today, and why is our defence continuing to leak goals?

[OldTowner]

I think it all went wrong before kick off - the Town players attitude to the game looked all wrong.

I am sure that if you look at player v player - Town would win hands down.BUT it did not work out that way.

Stotfold Players WANTED IT more.

It took Town 35 mins for their first shot on goal, which the keeper should have saved.

Town tried to play a short passing game in long grass while Stotfold played direct long balls and ran and ran - it worked for them.

Town failed to change their tactics or formation and just kept trying to pass afer pass going nowhere.

Very dissapointing performance.

If they continue with that attitude - god help us.

[Father Jack]

Yeah, I'll go with that OT. Here's my fifty cents' worth.....

 

Rather worried by yesterdays's performance - the attitude and game plan seemed to me to be all wrong. Far too many attacks fizzled out thirty yards from goal as a result of too many passes or an unnecessary touch. Stotfold came with a game plan, a well-organised defence and a desire to close down the man in possession, and one Town attack after another ended in frustration. When Dean Pennant tried something different, i.e. gambled on a shot from distance, it went in, poor goalkeeping or not. When the Town got more direct, coinciding with the introduction of Walid, they started - too late - to create more chances.

 

I am,of course, not a member of the 'Newing out' brigade (of two?), but I do feel that the management really need to take stock and ask themselves whether the current squad is the right one for a serious promotion push this season. I am not talking about specific individuals, but about the general mix and ethos. It's an intangible thing I know, but there is nothing more frustrating than to see a squad of talented individuals misfiring and under-achieving so alarmingly.

 

No doubt Steve had his reasons, but he chose not to 'churn' the squad over the summer (Eddie McCluskey, for one, was a believer in 'three in, three out' regardless of how successful the previous season had been) - perhaps he should have done?

 

Oh well, we've had the poor performance, now let's wait for the reaction; this next week could define our season.

 

As a side issue, thought the referee was excellent yesterday - best this season. And Stotfold FC - lovely ground, nice people. Pity we were just a bit too obliging to our hosts.

Edited September 4, 2011 by Father Jack

[Steph]

FJ

 

Whilst I agree with most of your post I find the following hard to swallow,

 

"When the Town got more direct, coinciding with the introduction of Walid, they started - too late - to create more chances."

 

Walid and Hope replaced Ossei and Blackburne and I didn't really see a change in tactics. I thought it was replacing like with like. Certainly with regard to the Hope for Blackburn with no real change. Perhaps Hope lies deeper than Blackburn and Walid is more direct than Ossei but the difference is so slight that in the end the change was not that radical.

 

I cannot understand why Siva remains on the bench. Even in the kickabout at half time he displayed cross field precision passes and a fantastic one touch knock to the player he was working with.

 

I have written earlier that there were some good partnerships forming between wingers and full backs in the current squad. Those partnerships have been disrupted by the injuries to Bardle and Lockie however why cannot Siva play who does have the imagination to play the long (accurate) pass that most of the rest of the squad lack.

 

Why are we leaking so many goals. I would suggest it is using Kirbs in midfield rather than the close partnership that was there last season with Geo. Yesterday Kirbs was not even playing in front of the defence but was coming up high making frequent short passes when he got the ball.

 

I thought that Moore was our best player and I also think that Adam was ignored for much of the game. Too many of our forwards are playing for themselves rather than each other.

[OldTowner]

Agree 100% with FJ - other than Waldi point.

 

Many many supporters are calling for a couple of changes to the team and the shape - we can't all be wrong !

Kirbs should return to defence - he gives the ball away in midfield time after time.

 

Next couple of games very important in terms of results but also game plan and performance levels.

 

Going out of the Cup to a lower level team is not the point - we way we went out is what worries us all.

 

Steve is under pressure to up the anti all round.

Here's hoping.

Edited September 4, 2011 by OldTowner

[Papa Lazarou]

I've said before that Steve needs to go and this just confirms it for me. We should be capable of destroying these minnows but under Steve clearly we are not capable. NEWING OUT, lets get in done before we get into QES.

[Steph]

PL

 

Sometimes I regret the fact that there is not a filter on this forum so that I could filter silly comments such as yours.

[Papa Lazarou]

PL

 

Sometimes I regret the fact that there is not a filter on this forum so that I could filter silly comments such as yours.

 

Likewise one would be useful for your drivel about boats x

[littlehampton]

With the exception of PL, think we have had some very thoughtful and constructive views expressed about yesterdays result.

 

There is still something very special about the FA Cup competition and whilst, for clubs at our level it provides early season excitement, it is a short romance and realistically only a money-making exercise. Last season we made progress and did quite well from our involvement, yesterday we missed out on the £750 prize money on offer, and the chance to make more in the next round.

 

What happened yesterday at Stotfold is now history and we need to move on. I am sure Steve and the players need no reminding that they let themselves and everyone else down with that performance and result.

 

This is early season and it is not all doom and gloom. We have some very important matches on the radar, not least Needham Market next Saturday, and Steve and the team need and deserve our full support. They in turn need to establish the reason(s) for our cup exit, address the problem and put things right as soon as possible.

 

Whilst promotion is our main objective this season, it needs to be remembered that money finances a club and at the moment there is not a lot of spare cash around. This is why short term progress in the FA competitions is critical to funding. Next month we play in the FA Trophy competition. If we manage to win our away fixture at Walton & Hersham the club will make £2000. Thereafter, if we were to win at Thamesmead Town or Whitstable Town in the First Qualifying Round we would make a further £2200. Much needed money in these difficult times!

 

Anything is possible. Let's accentuate the positive, and hope we can win these matches and string some league points together in the meantime.

[thecoldend]

Papa Lazarou.... A few questions and points -

 

1) Were you at the game yesterday (or even any this season)???

2) Given the fact you are firmly in the "Newing Out" club (a very small one as FJ points out.......you could hold meetings in a telephone box and still have room for a dance) who would you get in to do a better job??

 

You didn't come on the forum and shout for Newing's Head after the Maldon and Redbridge games... so why now?? Shouting for a good manager (that loves the club and the club loves him) to resign isn't really constructive is it!!

 

Granted yesterday was a major disapointment and we all know the players are much better (i'm sure they do too!!!)... but on our day we can beat anyone!!! Had Kirby's effort gone in and not hit the woodwork we would of scrapped through just I think..

 

I have compiled the highlights of the game which shall be on line soon....stand by to hide behind your sofas at the video nasty!!

 

A well earned three points against a very strong Needham Market side and this will all be forgotten about.

[Tom S]

Had Kirby's effort gone in and not hit the woodwork we would of scrapped through just I think..

 

 

I'll go along with that. We had some good pressure, the defending was getting more and more desperate and the winning goal came somewhat out of the blue. Once Stotfold got their noses in front, though, there was only going to be one winner.

[Bald Fella]

I think a manager is responsible for both a under motivated team and one that is poorly organised, both were evident yesterday. I am not for one minute questioning the managers position but it needs sorting PDQ. Supporters can accept being beaten by a better side but not by one who puts in a more enthusiastic shift.

This is a really important season for the club, I believe if we can produce decent performances on the pitch we could start getting more through the gate once we're back in the QES and push on up the pyramid. Days like yesterday really undermine my optimism!

[OldTowner]

Perhaps the Playing staff need to have a few hours on a Sunday morning down at the new ground - and see the "effort" being put in by many supporters.

 

These guys, who are there every week, have the "right" attitude that was missing from the players at Stotfold.

[andyetfc]

First opportunity to see the team in action yesterday and was, to say the least, disappointed.

 

Why is Kirby in midfield? Surely his strength is commanding the back four, coming up at set pieces, and then getting back into position rather than being overrun in midfield.

 

Up front! Tried to walk it in on too many occasions rather than have a shot from far out. Just look what happened when we did shoot on sight? A goal when the rather large, yet jovial keeper, took an earth to get down to the shot. Could we not have learned from that?

 

Their first goal? Too much time and space.

 

Their second? Too much time and space for a rather tame attempt on goal. We knew it was going in and we were over 100 metres away!

 

Early days but need to up the standard quite a lot.

[thecoldend]

Including some industrial language the match highlights are below... the cold end has a little report and some photos -

 

 

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