Trophy replay at Merthyr

[Chris]

The comments of lack of squad is frustrating, as tonight was always going to be extremely difficult, with 3 days notice for what is a 3 hour plus journey, for a group of players who all have jobs and commitments (we now currently have the strongest squad of players we have had since we have been at the club), I am afraid as you are aware we had 2 that could not make it as previously mentioned, Seb unable to get out of work also, 2 injuries in Luke and Scott (4 if you include the 2 long term injuries) and then to top it off Bettsy and his boy were unavailable last minute due to a family issue.

 

At 3pm we thought we would have 15, we didn't, and there was nothing we could do about it, however having 13 did not affect the game or the score.

 

Apologies Bakes, as me splitting my paragraphs up probably didn't help me make full sense. As I said in the previous post it's fully understandable that we get injuries (and unavailability) - all I meant was hopefully we can look at the U18's set-up as a club over the summer and if we have a shortage of players more/some of them will be good enough to step-in if needed.

 

I did not mean we need a first-team squad of 25 or anything like that.

[Neil Baker]

Ha ha don't worry Chris, I was just grumpy when I got in after a really long day and a defeat.

 

In all honesty Bettsy is our link with the youth team, and at 3pm he was with us with Oscar who would have been 4th sub if Hatchett was OK, or 3rd if not, however a family issue meant that neither could make it:

 

We have 2 other youth team lads signed on, however at 3pm, when we are leaving at 3.30pm from Bracknell, meant we had no chance of filling the bench.

The honest answer however would be that even with an extra youth team lad on the bench last night, we would not have brought them on, as the difference in level between the youth team and ourselves is currently huge, and that is similar to most sides around the country these days.

Funnily enough when we played Cambridge City away, Gary Roberts who is very experienced had 2 subs on the day, and I asked him why he had not taken any reserves or youth team players, and his answer was the same, there was not much point as the difference in level was so huge that they would not be up to what he needed.

 

We are all for getting young players involved, however only if they are good enough, Oscar is currently probably the best prospect from the youth team at 16, issue is if you start to involve them and they are not up to standards they can even affect things like the warm up, where you are doing keep ball exercises, and you have one player giving it away constantly, causing others to get frustrated.

[Stuntman Mark]

From the first game I felt Merthyr were one of the best sides we had faced this year and definitely the best footballing side, so not a bad effort from the boys last night and onto the Hitchin game now.

[Reading Rebel]

I think if you're ever going to go down the artificial pitch route 'Desso', the surface that Arsenal play on, would be the way to go.

Edited November 19, 2014 by Reading Rebel

[3spirit]

Only beatable on Saturday because our defense kept us in the game coupled with some erratic finishing from Merthyr.

 

Not sure if people are going too overboard about them.

 

I think they are the best passing team we've come across, where most of their players are comfortable on the ball, possibly to do with them playing on a 4G pitch but also that they've got players who have played at a higher level and in Gavin Williams, a player playing way below the level he should be playing at (possibly something to do with the reported £600/£700 a week that he's on). 

 

Yes,I'm well aware of their talented array of players but that doesn't excuse the fact that on Saturday,a number of our players were half hearted and significantly off their own game,in what should have been a blood and thunder cup tie.

 

This is not a dig at Bakes and Unders.These things happen.Sometimes hard to pinpoint why.

 

From this layman's view of the game,it seems that the teams that have given us the most trouble this season,have been the teams that play the same high tempo,passing game,as Slough endeavour to play ie Redditch, Merthyr, Paulton etc.Perhaps this is something we will need to work on.

 

How did Leigh Rumbold shape up last night? He might be arriving at a good time to help us in the midfield battles to come. 

Edited November 19, 2014 by 3spirit

[staines_rebel_Jr]

I played on a 4g pitch a few weeks ago and found that the bounce wasn't very different to most grass pitches however the ball will roll a lot further and wont slow down like it will on grass which means it is easy to over hit a pass especially when it is wet. However if you play on the surface regularly and get used to it then it is fantastic to play on if your team can pass well and don't rely on hoof ball football.

 

I haven't been able to get to many matches recently but from the rebels radio it does seem that this team is prepared to dig deep and battle hard for each other which is fantastic and as fans you cant ask for much more than that. Will it be enough to chase promotion, maybe. I would be very surprised if we don't finish at least in mid table though unless we get a points deduction like Burnham (3 points for ineligible player)

 

Would like to say a massive thank you to Jon and Adrian for the rebels radio for the past  1 1/2 seasons it has been great to listen to and long may it continue, especially when you a bickering between yourselves.

[jonblack]

 

Rebels Radio commentators raving about the Merthyr players but TBH with the money they're shelling out to players like Gavin Williams I think they should be good.

 

 

All top non league and in the past amateur sides are so because they have money to buy the better players. That is why Enfield Wycombe and Slough were forces to be reckoned with once upon a time.It's just not our turn at the moment.

[GlenSTFC]

Harping back to the good old days... now where have i heard that before?

[jonblack]

 

Harping back to the good old days... now where have i heard that before?

 

 

I would imagine you heard it or read it from anyone who follows non league football, its just the way it is.Mostly you only have to look at some of these teams doing well but have very poor gates .

By the way didn't see you at the game last night ?

[GlenSTFC]

And I suppose you would know what I look like Jon Black???

[jonblack]

 

And I suppose you would know what I look like Jon Black???

 

 

Was you there then ? We were.

[GlenSTFC]

Ha ha not the 'Royal We' again! Any chance your grandsons Jon???

[Neil Baker]

   

 

Was you there then ? We were.

To be honest whoever you are, you must lead a slightly sad life to constantly sign on to this forum (after being banned on the other accounts), and then pretend he is someone else each time, I think this is your 4th of 5th log in name:

 

Each time you come on with a different persona, but every time resort to the same condescending comments.... whilst pleading that you are not the same person...

 

You are nothing but a   and most people (if not all) are incredibly bored of you!!!

[jonblack]

To be honest whoever you are, you must lead a slightly sad life to constantly sign on to this forum (after being banned on the other accounts), and then pretend he is someone else each time, I think this is your 4th of 5th log in name:

 

Each time you come on with a different persona, but every time resort to the same condescending comments.... whilst pleading that you are not the same person...

 

You are nothing but a   and most people (if not all) are incredibly bored of you!!!

You seem to be paranoid about someone ( sorry but I don't know him ).I have only posted a few times if you can point out to me the derogatory remarks or anything offensive I have written please.Also if you can point out to the chum above you I don't have any grandsons thanks.

[GlenSTFC]

Why don't you make yourself known to Jon or Neil after a match Mr Black? Warm regards, Chum.

[Rebel Sue]

Nope, we had our turn May 5th 2014, so quite happy with that !

[jonblack]

Why don't you make yourself known to Jon or Neil after a match Mr Black? Warm regards, Chum.

Why would I want to do that are the other 300 fans doing that ? Maybe you could point out my un Slough FC posts I cannot find them.Nor can anyone else.

Take it you weren't there then, not like us full time supporters who took time of work to go.

Edited November 19, 2014 by jonblack

[RebelDelaney]

Changing the subject on a positive note good to have Jake Dobbo and Leigh back in the team a tough game and pitch as returns go.

 

Well done to Eddie 100 games loads of goals and alot more to come for the Rebels.

 

Great banter from John and Adrian the Morecambe and Wise of Non League Radio.

[Reading Rebel]

Changing the subject on a positive note good to have Jake Dobbo and Leigh back in the team a tough game and pitch as returns go.

 

Well done to Eddie 100 games loads of goals and alot more to come for the Rebels.

 

Great banter from John and Adrian the Morecambe and Wise of Non League Radio.

 

 

Or is that Laurel and Hardy  

 

Seriously, I listened to it all and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

As you say, the banter is great between them.

[Reading Rebel]

Our exit from the Trophy means that currently we have no game on Saturday the 29th November.