Vs Wealdstone

[townerboy]

started well.  after 35 mins 1 up then glen little came on and we got battered.   wealdstone look decent.  the difference little and mcgleish make to them is enormous.  disapointing crowd and atmosphere imho though. not sure that jordan in central mid worked, and kirbs coming off at half time was obviously a shame. long balls to liam are never going to work.

[CD Towner]

My thoughts on today:

 

I thought we were fantastic for the first half an hour. Agreed Glen little sub changed the game. Would our management have the nouse to make such a bold tactical substitution so early in the game when were being outplayed?

 

Jay Siva showed just what a good player he is and what were missing. SN has a lot to answer for there as IMO he should have been able to offer him guarenteed first choice football but that is a discussion that has already been had on this board. Jey was competent at left back and his crossing was top notch. He clearly knew to target Imber's weakness from corners and it paid off.

 

We certainly missed Kirby after half time and didn't have the players on the bench to change the game. Campbell and Wallace are seriously out of form and Hope whilst in form, was a little off today, however as Townerboy says, lumping balls up to him isn't a good tactic. Osei off the bench doesn't seem to be ready for the physical nature of this level.

 

We are in desperate need of some midfield class and impetus. Our bench is too weak.

 

One final observation is the constant cursing and screaming of our bench. Where is the constructive encouragement and tactics they are employed to show?

[andyetfc]

What happened to Dean Green? Why is he playing for Potters Bar when he could play as a target man up front?

 

Constructive encouragement does not come from our bench and it hasn't done for many seasons. The worst part about it is that it sends out the wrong messages about our club. Some players are also guilty of this when they shout and scream at the officials and follow them around when things don't go their way.

[Plumstead Blue]

Neutral Observer here who took in the match.

 

Firstly, I've seen several dozen ETFC matches over the last couple of seasons and I thought that your performance in the first 30 minutes today was the best I've seen you play. Good passing and movement throughout the side and you could easily (and should have) been two or three to the good before they scored. I'd go as far to say that that's the best I've seen any RPL side play this year. 

 

Then the 2nd half without Kirby. Yes they introduced MotM Little, but your midfield simply collapsed. Maybe you can put it down to two games in three days. That can't continue. 

 

4-1 flattered Wealdstone but ETFC look to be going in the right direction. As mentioned, the bench looks lightweight, but play like you did in the 1st half and you'll score more than you'll concede, which is the polar opposite to your early season matches last season. 

 

You will miss Kirby if he's out for any length of time. Here's hoping he recovers just after the Lowestoft matches :-)

[OldTowner]

13 GOALS AGAINST in just 6 games.

= 4th worst defence in league - already reminds me of last season.

Concerning.

 

6 games.

3 away = 0 points.

worrying.

3-0. 2-0. 4-1.  = 9.1,

worrying.

 

Team bigger, stronger, fitter, this season.

really ?  apart from Kirbs,  not seen it.

 

I M O,  Depth of squad just not good enough.

long season ahead me thinks.

[CD Towner]

Completely agree OT. Hype and bu****t from management. Too often we hear excuses from them and what ifs. League tables and goals against columns don't lie.

[Steph]

The three away games were Kingstonian, Grays and Wealdstone. All of which will be challenging for promotion or, at least a play off place. I did not go to two of those matches but have been to Met Police, Margate, Wealdstone and Hendon.

 

I have been very pleased with what I have seen. We were ahead at all the games and tired towards the end. Wealdstone was special. The man of the match should have been the Wealdstone manager as I have never seen a substitution work so well. I wonder what would have happened if Kirbs had stayed on the pitch because, as Little was their best player, Kirbs was outstanding for us and if he has a long lay off we will miss him.

 

I am confident that this side is playing better than last year but Thamesmead is the match that will demonstrate whether we have improved. They are struggling and have a leaky defence. If we cannot get three points and a comfortable win against them then I will say we have problems but not now.

[Chase Side Towner]

Disappointing, all of what's said above is true but let's be realistic as well. Better players cost money, so we'll have to dig in for 2-3 seasons and make gradual improvements in the playing staff.

 

A look at the table today shows that we have played 4 out of the top 5 sides as it stands. That's 10 goals of our 13 conceded. I don't think Grays will be there come April, and Margate may slip to the edge of the play-offs, but certainly Kingstonian and Wealdstone will be be in the mix.

 

Think about how we played against the K's where we were in it until they got their second, and the first half hour or so yesterday. We're not a million miles away from competing against far better teams and budgets.

 

Let's get behind the team on Saturday, a win gives us 10 points, and I think that would be a very good achievement. If we make home games difficult for away teams to get points, we can build on that for the odd away win here and there.

[OldTowner]

Some interesting comments above.

 

Dean Green - played 3 - scored 3 at Pots Bar.

Could he not be used as a "Plan B" when Liam is substituted ? or even be the target man for Liam to play off ?

 

SN - Would he have made a similar substitution as Wealdstone ?

Q. Do we have players sitting on the bench who can "turn a match" ?

 

Squad appears to be "almost" the same as last season.

Chris Wild new and Kirbs moved to mid-field - what other changes made ?

Not seen Turpin yet due to suspensions.

 

If Kirbs is out for a few weeks, who will dominate mid-field ?

[MbrunoB]

 

What a pass it was by Little to set up their first goal.

[StoneCold]

OT - Dean Green was never going to be good enough for us. In his day he was a decent player but watching him a few times in pre season he had put a bit of timber on and for a player who you would think would want to impress to earn a squad place for the season certainly didn't give off that impression when given an opportunity too.

 

My concerns from watching the first few games of the season are:

 

• Kendall at right back?? Why?? He is not an orthodox full back and has been caught out on many occasions both in positioning and pace.
• Lockie sub then coming on in the centre of midfield?? Again not a natural position for him and I cannot understand why again a player is playing in a position that he is not accustom to! I thought we had a squad where we would have 2 players challenging for each position? There are actual midfield players on the bench that can come on ahead of him. I have nothing against Jordan and would have in in front of Dave at right back everytime.
• Corey Whittley - Looked great in the latter pre season games (one against Stortford) who are a step up yet come the start of the season is sat on the bench.
• Tyler once again had a fantastic pre season and showed us why he was watched a few times by pro clubs but as is far too often with him he then disappears now the season has started.
• Gunz for me was one of our star players 2 seasons ago when we got promoted, but at this level he hasn't made the step up. He is a great player yet very frustrating - he is our Aaron Lennon, will work his socks off but doesn't seem to have that end product!

 

There are some positives too, Kirbs moving into the middle is what the majority have wanted to see for much of last season and has looked solid in his new role. Liam up front will always get us goals but feel he needs support from his team mates and play to his strengths. Having him challenge 6'4 defenders for high balls is a no brainer.

We have played some a few sides who will be there or there abouts come end of April so its not time to push the panic button and it is encouraging to see that we have matched these teams for a long period of the game, I don't think talk of budgets has anything to do with us winning/losing games, we have created plenty of chances and had we taken some of them we would have been 3/4-0 up in the opening half hour of games. The fact that we didn't do so, coupled with the ever gowing concern of sloppy mistakes then see's us losing by 3/4 goals.

 

We now have 3 potentially easier games with Thamesmead, Canvey & Bury - 7 points from these 3 games will see us on 14 points after 9 games. After 9 games last season we had 8 points which will obviously be an improvement and hopefully set us up nicely in mid table! 

[andyetfc]

SN wanted two players for every position and I am sure I read on the home page that Dean Green had been signed up. It appears he was good enough yet is now at Potters Bar. That's confusing!

[OldTowner]

SN wanted two players for every position and I am sure I read on the home page that Dean Green had been signed up. It appears he was good enough yet is now at Potters Bar. That's confusing!

Yes DG has been signed and therefore one has to assume that he is one of the 22 and therefore one has to assume he is one of the two for every position.

 

Then either he is good enough ( we all have a view ) or he should not be taking up a position in the 22.

 

Like you Andy, I am confused.

[CD Towner]

Some good points Stonecold

 

Why was Lockie brought on instead of Johnstone vs Wealdstone?

 

What has happened to Matata? Is he back with the club as I was under the impression he'd been released?

[Steve Newing]

Dean Green has been dual registered, as I understand it they were short of forwards and as not selected in the 16 by Steve , he is playing keeping fit for them. Steve can call on Dean when he wishes.

[Arthur Salisbury]

Matata was at the Wealdstone game, so he must still be somehow connected to the club. I'm more confused about Liam Hope - shouldn't he have been suspended after getting sent off against Hendon?

Big Steve Newing says Mark Kirby is unlikely to be fit for Thamesmead, but we should piss that lot anyway.

[1F in Enfield]

The FA website suggests that Liam Hope's suspension starts on the 7th September, so he should be available this Saturday. http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/suspensions

[Chase Side Towner]

The FA website suggests that Liam Hope's suspension starts on the 7th September, so he should be available this Saturday. http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/suspensions

 

Yes, and Matt Turpin will have served his 7th match of his 7 match ban come Saturday, so he'll be available for the cup game next week.

[andyetfc]

Dean Green has been dual registered, as I understand it they were short of forwards and as not selected in the 16 by Steve , he is playing keeping fit for them. Steve can call on Dean when he wishes.

Are we not short of scoring forwards?

[NowhereMan]

Neil Johnston refused to warm up at half time at Wealdstone so i guess thats why he wasn't brought on.