behind-the-goal Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Point won tonight? Or two lost? Being one up with two minutes to go can make it seem like two lost. Personally, I think we should be looking at the bigger picture and see it as a point won. Why? Let me explain. After the Margate defeat in December I wrote that we would probably need around 47-50 points to stay up (in exceptional seasons that might be a few more or a few less). We've played eight games since then (only three of which were at home) and collected 12 points. That is the sort of points tally we need to stay on target. We've got 16 more games till the end of the season and exactly half of them are at home. If we only continue to pick up points at the same rate we have been doing in those last eight games, we'll end up with 49 points (which might well be enough to stay up). However, given that we've got comparatively more home games, there's no reason to expect that we can't add a few more points and go above 50. My glass is half full, rather than half empty. We WILL stay up. COYT!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newing Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 The points tally required is no longer the issue as difficult to tell with so many games left what will be required. As I said a few weeks back IMO Cray,Carshslton and Thamesmead have gone. Grays will win enough matches in their remaining 20 games to be safe with the points they have on the board already. East Thurrock have strengthened their team with two good forwards signed and will move away from danger. Harrow have points on board. Wingate the same. Your fixtures aren't too bad with 7 games to play against the bottom 8 sides as they stand right now and only 4 against teams in top 7 who will make up the top 5. To me it is a little mini league now between ÉTU , W&F , Grays , Harrow and yourselves for the last relegation spot. At the start of the season I expected the teams I have mentioned to be at the lower end of the table ( East Thurrock aside ) . I think a lot will depend on your next 4 games , a good points haul over these on paper less difficult matches is required to close the gap on the sides just above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 We have not played well in the last two games. I believe that is because we have come to games cold. We were playing better when fixtures were coming thick and fast so the players get used to each other's game. To be playing the bottom 7 may be a poisoned chalice. At this stage of the season it is the clubs in the middle of the table that have less to play for that may be the easier games. I think the squad needs strengthening, especially in midfield where we cant seem to close the game down. I was reminded last night of Met Police second goal where they ran through us like a knife through butter. Yesterday in the last 10 minutes we could not play it out of defence. Why? Because our midfielders were not taking responsibility for keeping possession or joining with the attack. We hardly ever have someone on the edge of the box when we are attacking to pick up the loose ball. Look at Thamesmead. We are defending they have players round the box like bees round a honey pot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Well one thing has been decided. Cray Wanderers are not going to win the league. I wonder when it will be our turn to drop out of victors reckoning. Carshalton are still in it by the skin of their teeth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newing Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Steph games against mid table teams are as you say somewhat easier potentially . H&R twice , Billericay , Leiston and Lewes and you will pick up points against these sides. It is however the games against the sides around you that are crucial as winning these gives you points and stops them from getting any . Look at last season for us beating W&F twice , Harrow at home , Hastings at home , Cray away and Lewes away were critical in staying up. Of course beating Hendon twice , Canvey once and taking 4 points off the Met ( all teams who finished just outside the play offs ) helped but the games against your immediate rivals are the most important. I think from the games I have seen both involving Enfield and the other sides since I left the club that there is enough ability to stay up. Presently there are 7 of my side playing week in week out and they are good enough along with the additions that have been made . Losing Gunz IMO wasn't ideal as he added a different dimension to our/your play and I think the squad would be stronger with him still there as it would if Jordan had stayed , but as we know players do come and go when there is a change of manager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlehampton Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Whether or not we are on course to stay up, at this stage of the season, is too close to call. Certainly we all hope we will, but the way things stand at the moment, we have a lot of work to do in our remaining 16 matches, to stay out of the drop zone, and there are undoubtedly plenty more twists and turns to come.Interesting to read Steve Newing's overview, and Steph's comments on last nights match. A lot of changes have been made to our team in recent weeks, with the signing of a number of Conference standard players, and this has strengthened the squad, and started to pay dividends. We all know it takes time for new players to settle in, and have playing time to maintain peak match fitness.I didn't see the match last night so can't comment on Steph's rather worrying observations. If correct, they need to be addressed before our next match at Harrow.Let's take the positives from the Thamesmead game (an away point gained) and continue moving onwards and upwards towards safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTowner Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 For what its worth...I M O Steph has made some good ( and correct ) observations of the last few matches. I find it difficult to remember a Town player picking up the "second ball" as Thamesmead defended our long high balls into their box. Bit more urgency needed. We need some pace and goals up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyetfc Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Steph games against mid table teams are as you say somewhat easier potentially . H&R twice , Billericay , Leiston and Lewes and you will pick up points against these sides. It is however the games against the sides around you that are crucial as winning these gives you points and stops them from getting any . Look at last season for us beating W&F twice , Harrow at home , Hastings at home , Cray away and Lewes away were critical in staying up. Of course beating Hendon twice , Canvey once and taking 4 points off the Met ( all teams who finished just outside the play offs ) helped but the games against your immediate rivals are the most important. I think from the games I have seen both involving Enfield and the other sides since I left the club that there is enough ability to stay up. Presently there are 7 of my side playing week in week out and they are good enough along with the additions that have been made . Losing Gunz IMO wasn't ideal as he added a different dimension to our/your play and I think the squad would be stronger with him still there as it would if Jordan had stayed , but as we know players do come and go when there is a change of manager. I would have thought we need to pick up points against those mid table teams as well to stop them from pulling away from us. Taking points off teams around us is great if we can reel others in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newing Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Andy the mid table teams aren't the issue they won't be caught but points against them would of course help. Losing or not beating teams like Harrow, Grays , W& F and East Thurrock is where most damage would be done as they are the ones above but within touching distance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vauxhallman Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I find it interesting to read that Steve says we need to win our games against Wingate and,grays, to name but two. If we had won against these teams earlier in the season when Steve was in charge we would not be in the the battle we find our selves in now but i.m.o I would rather be facing these teams with George at the helm as I believe his motivation skills are beginning to bear fruit with the players. I think that the unnecessary pressure Steve is putting on the players by his comments are disruptive at this vital time because there is no doubt players read the forum. One player commented to me only last week that the difference now is that we are being managed by a Alex Ferguson type manager who is totally committed to the fight ahead, Just cast your minds back to the home game against Wingate we are getting well beaten and our leader is leaning up against the dug out with a cup of tea, something you wont ever see George doing I am sure. Rant over. Come you Town Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newing Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Vauxhall man ( another who has just joined the forum 6 th March ) another who couldn't be bothered to comment when I along with my staff led the club from total chaos back in 2009 to the Ryman Premier than kept them up in their first season. If one of my players said that to you then of course they are entitled to their opinion and of course you will stay up because George is in charge. Unnecessary pressure what a load of bollocks you talk , you obviously don't know much about football , last season those sorts of games were the games that meant we stayed up . It's the same at all levels of football , win your games against your closest rivals . I will tell you one thing I have learnt since I left the club , non league football is full of people who are stuck up their own backsides , full of bullshit about this and that. From day one when I took over I never commented on previous management I just got on with the job in hand . If I failed it would have been down to me. Yes I was sacked but look where I helped take you . To listen to the crap you have just posted is an insult . I have had a nice evening enjoying a few drinks and yes I might be shooting from the hip a little. I hope the club stays up but if it doesn't believe you me I know it won't be down to me and my staff . When you next see me at a game come and say hello and introduce yourself .PS What do you know about my motivational skills , let me help you absolutely nothing ,they are so poor the club went from being a mid table Ryman North side to a team at the top of the Ryman North 4th , 6th and 2nd and then to Ryman Premier and survived for a season whilst also moving into a new home . My rant over !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newing Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Sorry don't ever make a comment about commitment , I gave up far more of my family time to the club than most of you will ever know . I now have that back and realise that my family and ETFC don't come close in comparison . My family had to sacrifice a lot because of my football involvement and that will never happen again. Family is precious and football club is just what it is nothing more and nothing less . If that upsets some of you to hear me say that oh well never mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vauxhallman Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Fact.Training is now attended by 20+players each week, Its very intense lots of work on fitness but an enjoyable session with lots of pattern of play.coming to training under GB is no longer a chore. Fact I think if you had been able to motivate the players earlier this season then A you would still have a job and b we would not be in the position we are in right now. Maybe I don't know much about football but all I do know is watching Enfield now is like watching a different bunch of lads playing as a team with total commitment and high fitness levels. I cant keep thinking about what you did for us in the past which was a great achievement but looking to the future and the mess you left us in. Rant over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlehampton Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Vauxhallman (whoever you are!) your comments are totally out of order, unnecessary, and darn right disrespectful. Steve, don't give this guy the pleasure of a public debate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Newing Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Fact I think doesn't work does it ? That's you opinion it isn't fact. I will tell you a fact. With the recent change to my work situation I would have had to step down from my position anyway . Another fact I have been asked by a couple of clubs about getting involved again and fact due he above I have been honest and said the timing isn't right. Fact after 7 league games we had 10 points players motivation wasn't an issue then was it. I accept the next 9 league games were what cost me my job against Canvey , Bury , Lowestoft , Hornchurch , Bognor ,Billericay , Lewes , Maidstone and W&F . I wouldn't question commitment in those accept Bognor and of course the debacle against W&F . Have a look at the run of games there and see how tough they were . This isn't fact but my honest appraisal if we had played some of the lower placed sides in there we would have won games , it was a tough run of matches in which we deserved to beat Bury and Billericay , we didn't and the board acted. Re your first comment re training , you seem to have a lot of info , what you don't know is what the training was like when we were at the club ( unless you are a player / coach yourself ) and the only thing again that you can state as fact is attendance figures all the rest is players opinion. Different managers have different styles , mine and Jason's / Pete's was mostly working with the ball. Training methods wouldn't have necessarily helped change those results over that run of games. Fact since I have left you have played 14 league matches and picked up 13 points. Fact we had 12 in the 16 matches when I was sacked. Fact you have picked up 8 points from four games against the four teams in the bottom five . Fact only 5 points from the other 9 . It does back up my point that it is easier to beat the lower placed sides and important to do so when you are in and around them. Given how you perceive the so called improvement I am sure that you won't get to upset and hopefully agree when I say that I think you will pick up 6 points over the next two games v Harrow Boro . Not a rant from me, now careful considered opinion and facts. Good luck this afternoon . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfield United Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Agree totally with Littlehampton. Vauxhallman obvious knowledge/respect of football and football management can be written on the back of a postage stamp with spaces tp spare. Facts are in our short period of history (13 years) Steve was our most successful manager we had ever had. Facts are he got us further in all of the main money making cup competitions than any previous manager. Facts are we reached the highest level of status under Steve. All these facts should hold Steve, Jason and the Hammetts to the highest esteem for years and years to come where they can all be felt very welcomed on every visit to the QE. Facts also showed that after 4+ years of eating drinking breathing Enfield Town FC things began to go wrong, results proved that, although valid grounds can be made that thanks to the inefficiency of refeering decisions to send off Joe Stevens(later rescinded) and gift Billericay a penalty plus the 'offside' goal at Bury in injury time we'd now be 5 points better off, so FACTS also show Steve and us supporters at the time were fighting against bad luck too. George has come in and re gererised the squad as well as bringing in 2-3 new additions. This is credit to the board as it MAY or MAY NOT prove a successful decision. FACTS also show we still have over a third of the season to go, 48 points to play for and a decent run, which we have neither had under Steve or George (yet) can lift us to safety. We have seen what 4 wins on the trot can do for West Ham and 8 wins on the spin for Sheff Utd at a higher level. So George has been given time IMO to show his managerial skills in turning round a ship round from IMO (again) was going down. But we are currently in a battle to not be cut off adrift from the teams above us and todays game is a must not lose away game at Harrow. We have in fact an exciting end of season watching the team scrap and fight tooth and nail for every point, all George and the team need is positivity, guts, fire in the bellies and unrivalled desire in every game till the end of the season and thats just from the supporters, So Vauxhallman, look forwards and not back because the history shows we had good times. Steve and previous staff- Always be welcomed at the QE in my eyes for the total personal committment and sacrifices made, which in some peoples vision goes unnoticed This is not a Rant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vauxhallman Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Littlehampton if you cant agree that the fitness togetherness and general play is far better now than earlier in the season then I suggest you come to a few more games, also pop down to a training session and see how many supporters are there watching us its that good. EU that's was my point I want to just look forward now and not dwell on what our previous manager did in the past, but lets make no mistake we were a relegated team lacking team spirit and fitness when gb came to the club. I can now go to work on a Monday with my head held high knowing I am not going to get the piss taken out of me because of another4-5-6- goal defeat. Enjoy your weekends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlehampton Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Vauxhallman, those of us that have been involved with Enfield football for a number of years, in one form or another, want the Club to do well and stay in the RPL. I am sure George will do all he can to keep us there. That said, I don't think it helps the cause, or the image of the Club, you making disparaging comments about a former manager who did very well with limited resources. It serves absolutely no useful purpose. Think you perhaps need to exercise better emotional control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastside Urchin Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Think vauxhall man maybe someone who probably shouldn't be posting on his clubs forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Father Jack Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Which is why I locked the thread EU. Believe me, I'm watching very closely...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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