Stotfold v Town FA Cup

[townerboy]

woudl have bet the mortgage on papa being back on here after this defeat. what a suprise.

the 433 formation leaves us vulnerabale if the chances don;t go in the other end. i was suprised liam didnt get the start, or walid. also i am not convinced about playing two strikers as wingers effectively, adam and leon.

however, the leaugue is the prioroty

[andyetfc]

woudl have bet the mortgage on papa being back on here after this defeat. what a suprise.

the 433 formation leaves us vulnerabale if the chances don;t go in the other end. i was suprised liam didnt get the start, or walid. also i am not convinced about playing two strikers as wingers effectively, adam and leon.

however, the leaugue is the prioroty

 

Good performances must be the priority.

[Enfield United]

I'd like to add my two bob thoughts as well.

 

Firstly- Papa Laza'loo's comments can be dismissed as mischievious and a wind up. I would be concerned of Anyone taking his view seriously and giving it any substance. Basically he qualifies as a first class merchant banker.

 

Secondly, evereyone will be naturally disappointed with the early Cup exit this season, but thats football, we don't like it but we've got to live with it this season just like we enjoyed the mini cup run last season when Steve led us to our best ever progress in the competition since ETFC's formation.

 

Thirdly, it's the league for me this season, I'd swap defeat in every early rounds of the cup's for a place in the play off's although I'd still set our sights on winning the league, as we are only 3pts behind the leaders having only gained a point from the first two games of the season, that for me show's good character which will only be enhanced with a good win v's Neddham this Saturday.

 

We've loads of positives going for us, we have a new stadium very nearly completed (but we all know that) the other positives we have a very committed and able manager who know's his football, he may have different opinions to some supporters in the way he sets them up but we can only go with one opinion and we've seen in the past two seasons that Steve gets it right a lot more than he gets it wrong.

 

Playing 4-3-3 does not leave you open if the team work together correctly and lets face it if you've got the forwards then play them, 13 goals in 4 games shows that we have got that side of the game right. I've not seen a game yet this season other than a handful of pre season friendlies, but letting in an average of 2 goals per game needs to improve and I have no doubt it will.

 

The league is evidently wide open this season and we are capable of stringing a run of winning games which hopefully will give us an exciting season to look forward too.

 

The Needham Market game is a potential top of the table clash and I'm classing it as a 6 pointer even at this early stage of the season, win it and it'll substantially enhance us not win it and it'll just mean a little cataching up to do.

 

As for the squad Steve has assembled-I think it's a very strong squad with some very good additions, I believe we will have very able back up players should we suffer the injuries of last season. I disagree with the comments made about the attitude of the players. Trust me they are dtermined to gain promotion this season. We have Phil Kane back from a bad injury last year and SB looking sharp in front of goal again (as in the play off final season), jon moore available from the start of the season.

 

I'll predict we will lose some more games this season but i'll also predict we will win substantially more games than we will lose. I for one am looking forward to the Needham game this week believing 3pts are for the taking.

 

UP THE Town

[Jim Cunneen]

Once again - thanks for the highlights Mr C! Even if they don't make pleasant viewing!

[OldTowner]

EU

You have put a good slant on things ,credit for that.

But I note you did not attend this shambolic Town performance, so it is hard to understand how everything in the garden is rosy.

 

My view, for what it is worth.

I believe that those there will confirm that Kirbs in midfield is not working, playing Stuart up front central with no service is not working and playing Guns and Wally on either wing is not working.

Plus, playing a short passing game on long grass did not work, as per trying to walk the ball into the net and not changing the system until the last few minutes.

 

The Stadium ( which is looking great ) is of no benefit if there are only 100 people in it !! People want to pay and watch a winning side.

 

It will be interesting to see Management and Player reaction in the next couple of matches...lets hope it is positive..

[Arkwright]

Once again - thanks for the highlights Mr C! Even if they don't make pleasant viewing!

 

Still better than watching all 90 minutes I'm afraid.

[Out_Of_Towner]

I'm afraid we were victims of our own over confidence , The lessons of the past just never seem to be learned ,Remember Ruislip a few years back and saturdays game was very reminiscent of that . Its no good turning up expecting a walkover in this sort of fixture and a look at their keeper our guys must have thought its christmas come early . The revenue loss is a major kick in the teeth and the pressure is now very much on for the W & H game . These players need it drummed into them about the Importance of whats at stake and just what our club is all about . Aside from Dean Pennant we looked very shoddy and over confidant , We got punished and need to learn from this .

 

Rant over .

[andyetfc]

Once again - thanks for the highlights Mr C! Even if they don't make pleasant viewing!

 

Still better than watching all 90 minutes I'm afraid.

 

 

Especially from your grandstand seat?

[Enfield United]

EU

You have put a good slant on things ,credit for that.

But I note you did not attend this shambolic Town performance, so it is hard to understand how everything in the garden is rosy.

 

My view, for what it is worth.

I believe that those there will confirm that Kirbs in midfield is not working, playing Stuart up front central with no service is not working and playing Guns and Wally on either wing is not working.

Plus, playing a short passing game on long grass did not work, as per trying to walk the ball into the net and not changing the system until the last few minutes.

 

The Stadium ( which is looking great ) is of no benefit if there are only 100 people in it !! People want to pay and watch a winning side.

 

It will be interesting to see Management and Player reaction in the next couple of matches...lets hope it is positive..

 

 

 

OT-First and foremost dont mis-understand me, you make some good points and very stable ones. Your opinions are genuine and valid. But we can say that about a number of postings from others too, with the exception of you know who.

 

All i'm saying is that we can only go by one opinion and that's Steve's. His record to date is that we have finished 4th and 6th in his two seasons with us, that is a good foundation to build on. Don't forget he is working on a smaller budget than almost half the clubs in our division (so i believe).

 

My judgement of the players and coaching are staff are from witnessing how serious and determined they all are from watching them in pre season training and matches, trust me they all want to succeed.

 

Saying all that I agree with you that the next 1-2 games will be very important and not only the fans but Steve will also be expecting and demanding improvements. I hope we play poorly and win cos all I'm seeking our players to do is get the 3pts.However whatever happens it is somewhat ridiculous to even consider removing Steve from the managers position.

 

I'll be smug now and say the season is a marathon not a sprint, not an original line but a factual one.

 

Roll on Saturday.

[Papa Lazarou]

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

 

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

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?? I would have gone for Hakan Hayrettin at the start of the season if I had the chance.

 

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!! Not constructive but its how I feel.

 

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.. All ifs and buts - maybe

 

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!! Excellent, thanks for your efforts with this.

 

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

[Steph]

PL

 

At last some constructive thought. I also agree with you that the argument,

 

"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.. All ifs and buts - maybe"

 

I am of the view that if my auntie had balls she would be my uncle!

 

Kirby's effort hit the post earlier Rob pulled of a dramatic double save - he would not have been blamed if the ball had gone in. These things happen in a game of football. Player for player we should have beaten Stotfold at least 4-0 we did that to Maldon and is anyone saying that Stotfold are better than Maldon.

[OldTowner]

EU.

You will NOT find a "sack Steve" comment in any of my posts.

I have tried to be constructive with any critism of certain aspects of the performances to date, if required.

It's all about opinions.

[Arkwright]

Once again - thanks for the highlights Mr C! Even if they don't make pleasant viewing!

 

Still better than watching all 90 minutes I'm afraid.

 

 

Especially from your grandstand seat?

 

Yes, I had a nice view of the Stotfold winner & our defence.

[Bruce Darnell]

Cup defeats happen, but for me the most telling statement in this thread is Enfield United's comment "Don't forget he (Steve) is working on a smaller budget than almost half the clubs in our division (so i believe)."

 

As a person who has been a director of a club for 16 years in Australia which consistently had to operate on one of the smallest budgets in whatever division we were in at the time, I understand the problems. Sometimes, we punched well above our weight (getting promoted twice) but much of the time we didn't (getting relegated twice to back where we started). The issue for me is if this is the budget position in Division One North, what will it be like in the Premier Division if we are successful in the league? Given the usual differences between divisions when you get promoted a level, would promotion be worthwhile? Of course it would, that was a rhetorical question. You never knock back the opportunity to play at a higher level, but surely it does beg the question as to what the Club needs to compete at this and higher levels.

 

P.S. Any news on the opening date of QEII. I took a look the other day and it seems to be getting close. I will be there when it opens.

[Steph]

"but surely it does beg the question as to what the Club needs to compete at this and higher levels."

 

The answer to the question is "we dont know".

 

The opening of the QE stadium will open up a lot of possibilities for us. Not only a bar but the possibility of hiring it out as a venue, meeting room or office. In other words it should raise additional income of itself. The fact that the stadium is closer to centre of the town with reasonable transport links means that I expect crowds to be larger. There is the whole of the Willow Estate who will find it easier to get to the ground as well as the people living on the Cambridge Road. If we have larger crowds the club ought to have a larger membership. All of the above are income generating.

 

The alternative to being a fans owned club is that we get a wealthy backer and, possibly, go the way of Croydon Athletic(Censored by nervous moderator!) Wealthy backers come and go and after they have gone it leaves a shattered club. For many of us that has happened once and I for one don't want it to happen again! Wimbledon, as a fans owned club, have reached the football league. I consider that if things go right we can also achieve that however if things go wrong the club will still be around after I have gone. It has been demonstrated that may not be the case with wealth backers. Enfield, Ilford, Leytonstone, Edgware, Walthamstow, Leyton are clubs that we know that are no longer there as the sugar daddies left or, in the case of Leyton, are guests of her majesty.

Edited September 9, 2011 by Father Jack

[MbrunoB]

The club surviving at the highest level possible needs to be the aim but the most important part of that is 'surviving'.

 

We have an exciting period coming up where we move into our own home, so everyone should be behind the club pushing onward and not pushing the knife deeper.

[Out_Of_Towner]

"but surely it does beg the question as to what the Club needs to compete at this and higher levels."

 

The answer to the question is "we dont know".

 

The opening of the QE stadium will open up a lot of possibilities for us. Not only a bar but the possibility of hiring it out as a venue, meeting room or office. In other words it should raise additional income of itself. The fact that the stadium is closer to centre of the town with reasonable transport links means that I expect crowds to be larger. There is the whole of the Willow Estate who will find it easier to get to the ground as well as the people living on the Cambridge Road. If we have larger crowds the club ought to have a larger membership. All of the above are income generating.

 

The alternative to being a fans owned club is that we get a wealthy backer and, possibly, go the way of Croydon Athletic(Censored by nervous moderator!) Wealthy backers come and go and after they have gone it leaves a shattered club. For many of us that has happened once and I for one don't want it to happen again! Wimbledon, as a fans owned club, have reached the football league. I consider that if things go right we can also achieve that however if things go wrong the club will still be around after I have gone. It has been demonstrated that may not be the case with wealth backers. Enfield, Ilford, Leytonstone, Edgware, Walthamstow, Leyton are clubs that we know that are no longer there as the sugar daddies left or, in the case of Leyton, are guests of her majesty.

 

Steph I think your being a bit over enthusiastic here , We wont get that many more people than what we got at brimo and dont forget the running costs are suddenly there which probably means a smaller players budget . I do believe they'll be a few curious people boost the gate money for the first few games like when Town first played at brimo , Things tailed off a bit then and its likely to go the same way this time . The damage caused by "you know who" may never be repaired and has long been done , The southberry road crowds have found other things to do on a saturday and many have moved elsewhere . I think crowds will settle around the 250 mark . You speak of the Fans ownership again !! Well you all know my views on this ,We need backers with hard cash not a board who think the sun shines out of themselves . Time to duck here come the Inner Circle's deciples to slap me down again .

[Bruce Darnell]

I agree to varying degrees with all of the last three posts. Enfield has been down the track of a wealthy backer with awful results. Strictly speaking he was not exactly a backer because as I understand his money was in the form of loans and he got it all back, so he really didn't back anyone. A fan owned club with sufficient funds to compete at a level commensurate with member aspirations, crowds, facilities etc is the ideal solution BUT that often isn't possible unless a level of external funds can be counted on to supplement normal operating income.

 

Steph is right in his observations (albeit moderated) about wealthy backers. The genuine ones are few and far between. Once in a while there is a Dave Whelan (of Wigan Athletic) who has backed this club from non-league days to the EPL and has been the best there has been since Jack Walker's time at Blackburn, although in some respects he is better in that he became involved at a much lower level.

 

However, as Out of Towner says hard cash is what a club needs to progress. Clubs can usually only punch above their weight for so long.

 

It's a very difficult conundrum. Bring on Euro Millions tonight.

[Enfield United]

Additionally it's one step at a time. I'm desperate for us to be promoted as crowds will then rise with away support alone.

 

On the subject of crowd numbers, I agree with OOT that numbers could average around 250 mark once we have settled in at the QE. But is that bad? how does 250 compare with other step 4 clubs? I think you'll find us near the top of the average crowd leagues on that fact.

 

The reason why we have somewhat stagnated at 220-250 of late is because the paying fan won't pay £8 for an adult ticket on a regular basis to watch RND1 football. However with promotion we'd attract more locals through the gate as the footballing fan will recognise that they will be watching a higher standard of football. I hope i'm making sense. i.e where West Ham would almost certainly sell out in the Prem league but not in the Championship. The Enfield public are footballing people and I believe they will respond to success as well as the fantasticly picturesque QE and its facilities.

 

I think our net revenue stream will increase at the QE even with the overheads that alone will be enough to give us the promotion push next season if not this season.

[andyetfc]

We have always had rather larger than average attendances compared to other comparable clubs yet we are working on a smaller budget than most teams(not my words). There will be extra overheads and opportunities to raise much needed funds other than through the gate.

 

However, we cannot just expect people to flock to games even if we managed to achieve promotion as there are so many other things people can spend their time and money on.