Season so far

[Neil Baker]

I don't think anyone will be looking to switch off, if you look at the table, it is still all to play for, in reality we are 10 points off the pace for play offs and yes it is a long shot, but we will give it a go until mathematically impossible.

However we have 16 games to claw those points back, and will need to play a number of these rivals (as will they each other) and when you look at the games already played, we have played every team away in the top 11 with the exception of Hungerford.

As I said a long shot, and we would need to probably win 4 out of the next 5 to have half a chance, however we are not looking downwards, and the lads also know that they are playing for a place next year, our aim is to finish as high as we possibly can but to improve the team (which I believe we have on last season).

Yes we lose Charlie which is a big blow, but it gives the likes of Eddie (who has been inured most of the season but fit now), Lee Barney and Scott Harris a good opportunity, and I would say these are all good players at this level.

With regards to Charlie I still expect him to make a few appearances between now and the end of the season also.

I know there have been a few posts recently about consistency which I do understand as we seem to get unstuck sometimes in games most people expect us to win, and someone also saying we are clearly a bottom half team, well I tend to disagree with that, and stats over a big chunk of the season prove that on CURRENT form we are not.

 

Since we made our changes to the team at the back end of September (Likes of Ryan Parsons, Jamie McClurg, Ben Edwards, Gary Macdonald and Adam Martin all going) and replacing them with younger hungrier players, we have amassed 33 points from 19 games a total of 1.73 points a game, and even over the last 10 games (not having Declan or Strutts at all and Stoney for 8 of the games) and a period where we had to bring in players short term to cover injuries (Jepson, Hallahan and Case) we have still picked up 17 points from our last 10 games (1.7 points per game), so not as bad as one or two like to make out.

Unfortunately take the poor start out (9 points from first 11 games) we would probably be play off contenders now.

One other thing to bare in mind is the age of the current squad, Eddie is currently the oldest at 29, the vast majority of the squad are 25 or under, and still learning.

Also make no bones about it this league is extremely tough, and for me this is harder than last year.

Not saying myself and Jon have got everything right as we haven't, but i think we can identify issues and we work hard to try and address any problems we have.

One thing that did frustrate us in a previous thread, was the "obvious favouritism", well this can only have been towards the likes of Guy (who has been superb this season) Warren who took a while to get going after a potential career threating injury (but for me we are starting to see the old Warren back and anyone at Dorchester will testify to that) and Scott (who has still come up with goals for us this season, and vast majority of the games has been a real handful, I would agree him and Charlie did not work together however), I am pretty sure over time we have proved that if we believe someone is not doing it for us we will let them go, regardless of who they are.

Anyway another tough game tomorrow at Cirencester and one which we look forward too... COYR

Edited February 15, 2016 by Neil Baker

[Reading Rebel]

I don't know if you can answer this Bakes but the player who you have put in a seven day approach for, is he a defender, midfielder or a forward? 

[Neil Baker]

Ha ha cant really say at this stage... we might have some more info later in the week.

[Reading Rebel]

Spoilsport     

[HorshamRebel]

Looks like you're going to have to wait a bit longer like the rest of us

[Sir Rebel1965]

People seem to forget the fact that there is no benefit achieving promotion this year as it would not be allowed in the same season as changing grounds.

 

This season has been about consolidation.

[David Carpenter]

Very hypothetical I know but why would changing grounds have any bearing on promotion issues? Provided the ground was to required standard, ready and notified then promotion would not be an issue surely?

[Reading Rebel]

People seem to forget the fact that there is no benefit achieving promotion this year as it would not be allowed in the same season as changing grounds.

 

This season has been about consolidation.

 

 

Must admit I didn't think it was a problem as long as the ground is given the required grading from the League.

 

Where did you get this info from Clive?

[A Rebel and a Saint]

I believe that if you get promoted and then move to another ground (of the right standard), you also have to bring the ground you got promoted in up to the standard you got promoted to.  So we go up, we move out, but we still have to upgrade Holloways Park to a Conference South standard.

[HorshamRebel]

That's what Truro have been hit with.

[GlenSTFC]

It's an absurd ruling, surely some common sense needs to be added? Imagine how much it might cost to upgrade HP upto Conf. South standard? Anyone know how many seats/cover/capacity is required?

[3spirit]

I don't think anyone will be looking to switch off, if you look at the table, it is still all to play for, in reality we are 10 points off the pace for play offs and yes it is a long shot, but we will give it a go until mathematically impossible.

However we have 16 games to claw those points back, and will need to play a number of these rivals (as will they each other) and when you look at the games already played, we have played every team away in the top 11 with the exception of Hungerford.

As I said a long shot, and we would need to probably win 4 out of the next 5 to have half a chance, however we are not looking downwards, and the lads also know that they are playing for a place next year, our aim is to finish as high as we possibly can but to improve the team (which I believe we have on last season).

Yes we lose Charlie which is a big blow, but it gives the likes of Eddie (who has been inured most of the season but fit now), Lee Barney and Scott Harris a good opportunity, and I would say these are all good players at this level.

With regards to Charlie I still expect him to make a few appearances between now and the end of the season also.

I know there have been a few posts recently about consistency which I do understand as we seem to get unstuck sometimes in games most people expect us to win, and someone also saying we are clearly a bottom half team, well I tend to disagree with that, and stats over a big chunk of the season prove that on CURRENT form we are not.

 

Since we made our changes to the team at the back end of September (Likes of Ryan Parsons, Jamie McClurg, Ben Edwards, Gary Macdonald and Adam Martin all going) and replacing them with younger hungrier players, we have amassed 33 points from 19 games a total of 1.73 points a game, and even over the last 10 games (not having Declan or Strutts at all and Stoney for 8 of the games) and a period where we had to bring in players short term to cover injuries (Jepson, Hallahan and Case) we have still picked up 17 points from our last 10 games (1.7 points per game), so not as bad as one or two like to make out.

Unfortunately take the poor start out (9 points from first 11 games) we would probably be play off contenders now.

One other thing to bare in mind is the age of the current squad, Eddie is currently the oldest at 29, the vast majority of the squad are 25 or under, and still learning.

Also make no bones about it this league is extremely tough, and for me this is harder than last year.

Not saying myself and Jon have got everything right as we haven't, but i think we can identify issues and we work hard to try and address any problems we have.

One thing that did frustrate us in a previous thread, was the "obvious favouritism", well this can only have been towards the likes of Guy (who has been superb this season) Warren who took a while to get going after a potential career threating injury (but for me we are starting to see the old Warren back and anyone at Dorchester will testify to that) and Scott (who has still come up with goals for us this season, and vast majority of the games has been a real handful, I would agree him and Charlie did not work together however), I am pretty sure over time we have proved that if we believe someone is not doing it for us we will let them go, regardless of who they are.

Anyway another tough game tomorrow at Cirencester and one which we look forward too... COYR

 

Bakes, is Ed Smith truly fully fit? 

That to me is currently our biggest problem [with the exception of Charlie Mpi leaving], as Ed has struggled all season to get fit properly, as it seems one injury after another for him.

 

I would have thought that a Lee Barney and Scott Harris partnership up front in this division is far from ideal. Not disputing that both are good players in their own right. Just think that against the better teams they will struggle to amount much of a challenge [regardless of Scott's battling qualities] to the big defenders we usually see at this level.

 

Our options as other forwards are rather limiting,too as Jake Parsons[has his own injury worries], Warren Harris[ is a small bloke too], Lewis Putman[you favour on the left and has yet to prove it up front at this level, although would be my preferred option to the ones I'm mentioning ] and I suppose as a stop gap you could see if Nathan Webb could do a job there for the odd match.

It's good that Charlie may be available for a few more games this season but it does rather leave a less favourable situation, with how you are going to cope when he's not around, and if Ed Smith falters with another injury?

    

I hope this week you're talking to another bigger type forward ! ha ha !

[Reading Rebel]

My money is on a midfielder to replace Rummy who I think is due to leave us in a few weeks.

 

Also doesn't look as if we will see much more of Searsy this season.

Edited February 16, 2016 by Reading Rebel

[Neil Baker]

Stuart, I don't see where you see Scott Harris as a "small striker" he is one of the most physical strikers in the league????

 

He may not be 6 foot 3, but he is maybe a shade under 6 foot, and he is built like a brick (well you know the rest), he gives defenders no respite, and ask a number of managers in the league their defenders do not enjoy playing against Scott.

 

On Eddie he has come back and played a few 90 minutes, so is not injured.... his match fitness will no doubt develop, but he got through a 90 on Saturday whilst ill also.

Edited February 16, 2016 by Neil Baker

[David Carpenter]

With regard to the ground grading issues the following should be considered:  When we were promoted to the Southern League Premier Division for season 2014 - 2015 the ground was not compliant with with the grading requirements. Under the rules we were however given a grace period to rectify this by end of March 2015 which was achieved (new seated stand etc.) Equally Truro City were admitted to the National South for the current season with deficient ground grading against which they were given a similar grace period which they did not comply with. They have eluded their contractural requirements by taking up a ground share agreement. I agree this is a harsh ruling but I guess the intention is to prevent future similar actions. This does not lead to the conclusion however that if The Rebels were in the position to move into the National South (Promotion place, ground grading, ground ready etc.) they would then have to upgrade Holloways Park to National South status(!!!). I suppose in fact the ground could be reverted to before the recent upgrading back to Level 8 (non-league Level 4)status.

[Jon Underwood]

In terms of our forward options we are currently happy with the 3 mentioned.

 

Eddie's injury issues are well known to all but so is his fantastic goal record and we have no reason to believe he won't remain fit now and have a really good end to the season.

 

Scott Harris has scored 10 goals in 16 starts (plus 8 sub apps) for us this season which is a decent strike rate, particularly as we consider him more of a support striker, not an out and out goalscorer, as his biggest attribute is his hold-up play and bringing others in to the game.

 

Lee has always scored goals and we have had nothing but strong recommendations from the 5 or 6 people we have spoken to about him. His attitude has been spot on since joining and we want to give him plenty of opportunity to prove himself in the coming months.

 

It is true we don't have a Charlie Mpi type now (there aren't many of those around to be fair!) and as with every other position we will keep our eyes and ears open to see if we can improve our options but this isn't an area of concern for us just now and we look forward to seeing how our 3 forwards form partnerships in the coming weeks.

[epicrebel]

It's an absurd ruling, surely some common sense needs to be added? Imagine how much it might cost to upgrade HP upto Conf. South standard? Anyone know how many seats/cover/capacity is required?

Is our situation the same as others?

We are not going to ground share to get promotion, we would be going into a new ground with the right grading for the future. 

[David Carpenter]

Further to my previous post perhaps a sensible solution would be for the required improvements to be independently costed and the monies donated by Truro to a mutually agreed charity or charities? Current ground grading requirements emanated of course from the erstwhile situation with the then owner of Colne Dynamoes spending all the money on the team and nothing on the ground to match the resulting elevation of the club.

[David Carpenter]

Another comment - Billy Hunter's picking up the same point I made in my earlier post

[3spirit]

Stuart, I don't see where you see Scott Harris as a "small striker" he is one of the most physical strikers in the league????

 

He may not be 6 foot 3, but he is maybe a shade under 6 foot, and he is built like a brick (well you know the rest), he gives defenders no respite, and ask a number of managers in the league their defenders do not enjoy playing against Scott.

 

On Eddie he has come back and played a few 90 minutes, so is not injured.... his match fitness will no doubt develop, but he got through a 90 on Saturday whilst ill also.

 

I know Scotty may be taller than you, Neil but I don't believe he's a shade under 6 foot ! ! ha ha !

 

You seem to have answered the question about getting another bigger forward in, by your reaction.

That's your call, not mine.

I just don't favour two small strikers up front regardless. I prefer a little and large combination when playing two forwards.

 

I do, however, think that with the players we have in the squad currently, that it should be enough to get us over the finishing line for this season but you know me, I like to add attack players whenever possible.

That's why I was dropping hints for another striker.    

 

Funny enough I thought you may have opted for an older experienced player from a lower division just for this season, as a back up 3rd/4th striker. There are one or two about that would be ideal fill in men, as cover, that wouldn't be that costly but obviously you and Unders are going a different route.

Each to their own.