17th Aug - Northwood (h)

[A Rebel and a Saint]

Graham it would not have been such a problem if the absent players were spread across different positions.

 

Like everyone I was disappointed with yesterday, however I think the main thing that annoyed me was the tendency to start playing long balls over the top towards their centre backs. With the players we had we would have been better off keeping it on the deck and playing it in behind that way to Osobu and Couch as we had a lot of pace in the team. Whenever we got the ball in behind into the corners we struggled to attack the crosses.

 

However it's too early for us to panic, let's get behind the team on Tuesday.

[Chris]

If agree on Rhone if were struggling for strikers Tuesday. Think he could do a job up top as he has pace, height and an eye for goal.

[Neil Baker]

Dom Is still not up to speed, by his own admission, he has been out for 6/7 months and has only played 3 times, and after each game has felt his knee, so is not really an option at the moment, I think 3 or 4 more games and he will be in contention.

[Matt]

There's no point criticising the lack of firepower up front as that situation is beyond the control of the managers right now. A mate of mine came along yesterday, not having seen any of our pre-season games, and one of the first things he noted was that we'd lost the midfield battle and were lacking someone in there to put their foot on the ball, anchor the midfield and control the tempo. Dare I say, this is something Dave Deeney did so well for us last season. I wonder if that's where Ben Edwards comes in, when available?

 

Certainly not getting carried away. Anyone remember what happened to Sutton United after a scratch Slough team put together a week before the season, beat them 1-0 on the opening day back in 1998?

[3spirit]

 

One big happy family - until we lose http://www.sloughtownsoapbox.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/breath-of-fresh-air.html

 

Am I a moaning git or a nutter,Brighton Rebel? Ha ha ha !

 

A good article as usual to be fair and I wholeheartedly agree with you about some of last season's squad and the time being right for change.

 

I think the majority on here try to offer constuctive views rather than destructive ones but sometimes

awful games and poor player performances get the better of all of us.Hence the rants!

 

I also think that some whinging and moaning on this forum, helps it to have better discussion and debate but of course,it can just lead to tit for tat slanging matches which serve this outlet no good at all.

I suppose it all depends on whether you have an open mind or a closed mind, in how you view whether you are reading a moaning git's thread or a nutter's thread or a conformist or non-conformist view !

[3spirit]

 

There's no point criticising the lack of firepower up front as that situation is beyond the control of the managers right now. A mate of mine came along yesterday, not having seen any of our pre-season games, and one of the first things he noted was that we'd lost the midfield battle and were lacking someone in there to put their foot on the ball, anchor the midfield and control the tempo. Dare I say, this is something Dave Deeney did so well for us last season. I wonder if that's where Ben Edwards comes in, when available?

 

Certainly not getting carried away. Anyone remember what happened to Sutton United after a scratch Slough team put together a week before the season, beat them 1-0 on the opening day back in 1998?

Your mate was spot on and saw our weakness,Matt.

 

As for the striker situation,if Smithy is out on Tuesday,we have the option of putting Wes Harrison up front alongside Victor[as big man/liitle man or go for pace/trickery with either Couchie,Warren Harris,Burgess,Wheeler along side Victor but if we do the latter we must try and play more football along the floor,to have any hope of breaking down Uxbridge's defence.

 

Ironically,I would like to see one of our wingers play a central role and run with the ball and not be afraid to head for the goalmouth and shoot.This creates space and can upset the other sides defensive play.Too often wingers are used solely down the line,running away from goal for the usual bog-standard cross.

Edited August 18, 2013 by 3spirit

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

Fair assessment. Thought Harris and wheeler had decent games. But it was all a bit familiar the games v uxbridge and Kettering will show what we are made of!

[HEAVY TRUCKER]

i noted yesterday that we seemed to be pulled into the middle at the back allowing their pacey wingers time on the ball as they were standing on the wings unmarked causing us all sorts of problems at the back the left and right backs have to be aware of this and stay out of the middle and call for help from the left or right mid field.

[readingrebel]

i noted yesterday that we seemed to be pulled into the middle at the back allowing their pacey wingers time on the ball as they were standing on the wings unmarked causing us all sorts of problems at the back the left and right backs have to be aware of this and stay out of the middle and call for help from the left or right mid field.

 

 

Ahh, thank god for that trusty old full stop  

[Curtis]

Subscribe to the Club Newsletter to see highlights of the match tomorrow:-

 

http://sloughtownfc.net/

 

I'm fairly sure the goal was offside....

[Jon Underwood]

Good morning.

 

Bakes and I have talked at length since the final whistle on Saturday, as we always do, to pick the bones out of the performance, what went right and what went wrong. In our opinion only Warren, Sean and Ollie came out with any real credit although we are not going to be critical of Adam Foulser who gave his all playing in an unfamiliar position.

 

The issues upfront were certainly a factor and it was by no means an ideal situation having to bring in a new striker and partner him with a centre back for the first time in our opening league game. Having said that we do not believe in making excuses and hiding behind them. The side we put out should have been capable of winning that game and I will be the first admit it that what we produced was nowhere near good enough. We came to the club promising high energy performances and Saturday was the complete opposite of that. Credit to Northwood who have coped with losing a couple of key players over the summer and worked hard for their win.

 

There are certain players who we have brought to the club who have not come close to showing the Slough fans what they are capable of. We are talking about players who have been outstanding for us over the past 2 seasons yet on Saturday (and in a couple of the friendlies) were nowhere near their best. It's our job as managers to understand the reasons behind this and ensure they improve quickly and we back ourselves to do this.

 

There will be changes in the side tomorrow. Not knee-jerk wholesale changes but we will pick a team that we believe is the right one to get a positive result in this particular game. Hopefully we will see a strong turnout from the Rebels fans again and we will do our very best to reward you with a much-improved performance and hopefully that first win.

[GlenSTFC]

Jon/Neil, what was the reaction of the players after the game? I would hope they'd all be very disapointed and frustrated but have the attitude and desire of wanting to put it right on Tuesday. Did any of them say what/how it went wrong or was it just one of those games that can't be explained? I'm surprised you're planning quite a few changes for Tuesday as I'd be a little worried that many changes might upset the camp and the players may feel under pressure after only 1 match? But I do have total faith in your management and selection and look forward to seeing the team tomorrow night, I'm sure they'll be a minimum of 100, maybe 150 Rebels there cheering you all on!

[Jon Underwood]

Glen,

 

Exactly that....the players were very disappointed with how they had performed but knowing these lads as I do they will all be looking forward to putting things right tomorrow night.

 

I didn't actually say there would be "quite a few changes", I just said there would be changes. Probably just a couple but I obviously can't say any more on that on here.

 

Look forward to seeing you all over at Uxbridge tomorrow night.

[Sue]

Yep these things happen, lets move on to the game tomorrow.

 

3 Spirit shall I pick which one you are, LOL

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

Jon/bakes feel that darren had a decent performance (ESP 1st half)) the generopinion from the kop end was 2nd half we lost the midfield battle and were bring stretched quite easily. Fingers crossed for tomorrow(as uxbridge are usually a bogey team and IMHO cost us play offs last season)

[readingrebel]

Jon/bakes feel that darren had a decent performance (ESP 1st half)) the generopinion from the kop end was 2nd half we lost the midfield battle and were bring stretched quite easily. Fingers crossed for tomorrow(as uxbridge are usually a bogey team and IMHO cost us play offs last season)

 

 

What about the Barton fiasco?

[Mark44]

I agree with djd

 

Being ahead at half time in both matches. One even by 2 goals and losing both

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

What about the Barton fiasco?

That was 2 points yes, against uxbridge we gave up 6 when in control at ht

[3spirit]

Jon Underwood, on 19 Aug 2013 - 10:05 AM, said:

Good morning.

 

Bakes and I have talked at length since the final whistle on Saturday, as we always do, to pick the bones out of the performance, what went right and what went wrong. In our opinion only Warren, Sean and Ollie came out with any real credit although we are not going to be critical of Adam Foulser who gave his all playing in an unfamiliar position.

 

The issues upfront were certainly a factor and it was by no means an ideal situation having to bring in a new striker and partner him with a centre back for the first time in our opening league game. Having said that we do not believe in making excuses and hiding behind them. The side we put out should have been capable of winning that game and I will be the first admit it that what we produced was nowhere near good enough. We came to the club promising high energy performances and Saturday was the complete opposite of that. Credit to Northwood who have coped with losing a couple of key players over the summer and worked hard for their win.

 

There are certain players who we have brought to the club who have not come close to showing the Slough fans what they are capable of. We are talking about players who have been outstanding for us over the past 2 seasons yet on Saturday (and in a couple of the friendlies) were nowhere near their best. It's our job as managers to understand the reasons behind this and ensure they improve quickly and we back ourselves to do this.

 

There will be changes in the side tomorrow. Not knee-jerk wholesale changes but we will pick a team that we believe is the right one to get a positive result in this particular game. Hopefully we will see a strong turnout from the Rebels fans again and we will do our very best to reward you with a much-improved performance and hopefully that first win.

Jon,perhaps the players are feeling the weight of expectation on their shoulders from the Slough fans/press etc.

No offence mean't but at Godalming,the management and the players had nowhere near as much pressure, and so your team were successful and over achieved.

 

From what I've seen so far,the players appear nervous and quite a few are passing the responsibility to someone else.Some are over elaborating on their natural game.

 

I think all of us fans need to be patient.

 

Steve Bateman had 4 and a half seasons to get us promoted and he still failed[variety of reasons as to why].

Rome wasn't built in a day.The fans know that.

The hype has finished and now the players need to start showing us their mettle.

 

Perhaps the players should concentrate in getting their own game/position right first and foremost and to do the basics right[if they are feeling pressurized].Then maybe the team play will start to click.

 

This fan is not expecting a magic wand to be waved by you and Neil to get us promoted this season but I am expecting to watch an entertaining,hard working,attack minded team who play for each other and not the garbage that was served up on Saturday!

That may appear to be a contradiction but to my mind it isn't at all.

 

Let's hope for better against Uxbridge.

[Matt]

We are talking about one game, in which we were missing three of our four strikers. Am I the only one willing to give these boys more than 90 minutes before being too critical? Let's see what happens tomorrow evening.