Biggleswade match

[Radders]

Echoing what others have said. Good team performance which by the end led to a deserved victory. Thought the midfield 4 were all very good, with hicks and hollis managing the massive unit number 9 amazingly well and agree Fraser was fantastic getting up and down the right. Special mention also to smithy who did amazingly for his goal having just come on and then played very well for his time on the pitch.

 

Think someone on a previous thread wrote about the importance of being competitive. I totally agree and in the games that I've seen in the last couple of months we have always been in the game, even those we have eventually lost. Compare that to the start of the season when as soon as we conceded it felt all over.

 

We need to stay positive and keep us this hard work as the next 4 games look challenging to say the least (st Neots (h), Poole (a), Merthyr (h), Weymouth (a)) but we have proved we can match anyone in this league on our day so hopefully we can go into these matches confidently.

[Ian]

I thought at times last night we were unplayable such was the positive movement across the whole team. I can't think of anyone that didn't put in a really strong performance. The front two were a real pain to their defence all evening, the midfield were hungry for the ball and to get forward and our back four rarely gave them a sniff. I was a bit worried at half-time that our lack of reward would bite us on the bum in the second-half but we continued where we'd left off.

 

A good result but an even better performance. Great stuff :-)

Edited December 2, 2015 by Ian

[3spirit]

Very good performance! I was pleased for Ryan Hope he strikes me as a very good lad and has been in and out, looks a good player. With rummy away a lot in the remaining time he is with us, I can't see how he can play over a developing hope! Very demoralising to him if that happens... Not saying that's why managers are doing after tonight obviously, got the feeling that was the case before though.

 

Well done all, great and very important win to keep us on the upper side of midtable in a congested league

 

Horses for courses, Sloughboy.

 

Think we have to remember Ryan Hope is only 20 and so is still developing, while I agree he had an excellent game last night [ bar one challenge he bottled which led to a Biggleswade break] think the management know what they are doing regarding him.

He's certainly put a marker down for Saturday's game and I would be gobsmacked if he doesn't start the match.

 

Charlie Strutton had a game to forget last night, though it may had been better for him, had his well struck shot from a tight angle gone in, rather than hit the post.

Think he had the wrong studs on last night as he seemed to slip over nearly every other tackle.

 

I do think we have to credit the Biggleswade's defence especially their centre halves in the first half, as they really marshalled our attack and I think we were fortunate when Gavin Hoyte came off with an injury,and them having to reshuffle,it seemed to be the catalyst to Slough finding holes to look dangerous with every attack.

That's not to take away, how good Slough played as a team on the night.

 

A very good 3 points earned. 

 

.

[Reading Rebel]

Ed. Charlie Mpi had a ice pack on his ankle when they came off

 

 

Didn't notice that. Thanks tbox.

[Reading Rebel]

Depending on how bad the injured players are and with some very tough matches coming up, our already thin squad could be stretched to the limit.

[HorshamRebel]

Match Photos : https://www.flickr.com/photos/horshamrebel/albums/72157661783853271

[Neil Baker]

Depending on how bad the injured players are and with some very tough matches coming up, our already thin squad could be stretched to the limit.

Just a little update on the injuries from last night, Charlie should be fine as his was a kick for the "non penalty" in the second half, a couple of days rest and pretty sure he will be ok for Saturday.

 

I would say at this early stage Jhai will be a doubt as he came off with a hamstring injury, however we do not know the full extent, also Searsy turned his ankle in the corner in the warm up, and having just spoken to him, it is not quite as bad as he thought.

 

He went straight up to A&E to get an x ray to make sure there was no serious damage, which there wasn't, and in all probability he has tweaked his ankle ligaments, which would usually be 3-4 weeks.

[Reading Rebel]

Just a little update on the injuries from last night, Charlie should be fine as his was a kick for the "non penalty" in the second half, a couple of days rest and pretty sure he will be ok for Saturday.

 

I would say at this early stage Jhai will be a doubt as he came off with a hamstring injury, however we do not know the full extent, also Searsy turned his ankle in the corner in the warm up, and having just spoken to him, it is not quite as bad as he thought.

 

He went straight up to A&E to get an x ray to make sure there was no serious damage, which there wasn't, and in all probability he has tweaked his ankle ligaments, which would usually be 3-4 weeks.

 

 

Thanks for that info Bakes.

 

So, with Searsy our for possibly a month and Rummy away for a month that leaves us with two fit central midfielders. Any re-inforcements in the offing?

[maidenheadrebel]

Great game to watch last night. Good to see the team close down their players very quickly to win the ball and some very good football played.

Looking forward to Saturday.

[Reading Rebel]

Thanks for that info Bakes.

 

So, with Searsy our for possibly a month and Rummy away for a month that leaves us with two fit central midfielders. Any re-inforcements in the offing?

 

 

This was on the assumption that Gurkhan is more of a wide player.

[Neil Baker]

We have spoken to a lad we were looking to get in prior to last night, and we are hopeful to hear some positive news from him today, if we get the lad in we will not be looking to bring anyone else in at this stage, unless we pick up another injury.

[Martin]

What a cracking couple of Tuesday nights results they have been.

 

I am becoming ever more switched on in the prediction league, when it became apparent I wasn't going to make last night's game - a dominant home win it had to be!

 

Certainly sounded that way following on twitter so was relieved to hear the goals go in after seeming well on top. Great stuff lads.

 

Must say not seen a huge amount of Ryan Hope but very impressed with his attitude, stays positive and always looking to grab his chance when he does get in the side.

[3spirit]

Just a little update on the injuries from last night, Charlie should be fine as his was a kick for the "non penalty" in the second half, a couple of days rest and pretty sure he will be ok for Saturday.

 

I would say at this early stage Jhai will be a doubt as he came off with a hamstring injury, however we do not know the full extent, also Searsy turned his ankle in the corner in the warm up, and having just spoken to him, it is not quite as bad as he thought.

 

He went straight up to A&E to get an x ray to make sure there was no serious damage, which there wasn't, and in all probability he has tweaked his ankle ligaments, which would usually be 3-4 weeks.

 

Seems we're cursed with the left back position.

Just when Jhai and Lewis looked to be building a great partnership on the left side, it now looks likely that Jhai will be out for awhile. Talk about bad luck.

 

Bakes,won't we be incredibly stretched, if Rummy and Searsy are out as well?

Surely we will need more than one addition, especially with the left being a problematic side.

Will be a shame if have to move Nathan Webb out of midfield again.

[SloughFlyer]

An excellent performance from the whole team once again. Picking a MoM would be, once again, a difficult task due to the high level of performances from all of the lads.

 

I thought we looked dangerous down both flanks and with a bit more clinical crossing and final balls into the box / a bit more luck to have the ball drop to a Slough player we could have easily been 3 up at half time. When we weren't, it was then vital to get that first goal, and couldn't be more happy to see Ed Smith get it. Hopefully that will spur him on to a return in form.

 

Just before the corner that generated the 2nd goal we had a stone wall penalty turned down, but good for Charlie Mpi standing up and getting the ball over line.

 

2-0 I think flattered Biggleswade in the end as Mark Scott had very little to do, but a good clean sheet and a great turn around from the 5-1 defeat earlier in the season.

 

The injuries to Dhillon and Mpi are most concerning as I think Webb, Hope and Rumbold are excellent midfielders should Sear be out for a while. Fingers and toes crossed for the other 2 not being too serious though.

 

All in all an excellent performance and hopefully a sign of this to come as a tough month kicks off.

[RebelDelaney]

Thats the second cracking game i have missed looking forward to game on saturday.

very good commentry by Adrian on the radio.

Well done to the squad also Eddie moving up the scoring charts.

 

COYREBELS

[Sir Rebel1965]

Good result against an opposition who always give us a game, and had their chances, however the defence did their job and are getting stronger every game and the understanding of who does what is coming together - Hicks is coming on very well and is becoming a no nonsense defender who attackers are starting to dread.

 

Midfield, even with the changes are putting the shifts in and controlling the games - this then provides the service up front.

 

The forwards are continuing to get the chances and picking up goals, but the difference was Smith coming on and delivering where Strutton has failed - I cannot see what the managers see in Strutton.

 

3 more points in the bag and a points per game ratio of 1.41 which is far stronger than a few weeks ago.

[RebelDelaney]

It was at the away fixture in August that Eddie saw the mist and also got the injury that has kept him out for so long.

Really hope he can stay fit for the rest of season if he does he won.t be far off the 100 mark.

 

COYREBELS

[Stuntman Mark]

He took his goal very well and looked sharp. A fully fit and firing Ed Smith will be a massive bonus for us but the other lads up front have done well in his absence and he needs to earn his spot in the team again. 

[Reading Rebel]

Good result against an opposition who always give us a game, and had their chances, however the defence did their job and are getting stronger every game and the understanding of who does what is coming together - Hicks is coming on very well and is becoming a no nonsense defender who attackers are starting to dread.

 

Midfield, even with the changes are putting the shifts in and controlling the games - this then provides the service up front.

 

The forwards are continuing to get the chances and picking up goals, but the difference was Smith coming on and delivering where Strutton has failed - I cannot see what the managers see in Strutton.

 

3 more points in the bag and a points per game ratio of 1.41 which is far stronger than a few weeks ago.

 

 

Probably harsh on Strutton as every player is entitled to an off day.

[3spirit]

Everyone knows Ed Smith is technically a very good forward. His downfall is his acts of rage and wild challenges when he gets the hump. Probably why he's not playing higher.

 

Comparing Ed to Charlie Strutton is silly really as both have different strengths and weaknesses. To me, both are among the best players we have in our current squad.

Charlie Strutton is still only about 75% fit, so a fully fit Strutton should bang in a hatful of goals in Premier division, if he gets the chance.

 

Ed Smith, as well as scoring goals, creates for others and is a good link man. With Charlie Mpi, Scott Harris and Lewis Putman, I'm well happy with the range of forwards we've acquired for this season. It's the best we've had for a long time in my opinion.