v Bedworth

[3spirit]

We come back again to consistency of performances..... if we were consistent the likelihood is we would pick up regular wins against the lower teams in our league, and struggle to get points against the higher placed clubs.

 

Our last two matches are a clear indication of the inconsistency, along with only achieving 7 points from 5 matches against clubs in the relegation zone (4 of those 5 being home matches), and defeats against Frome, Burnham and Potters Bar in cup competitions.

 

Both you and Horsham Rebel are right about consistency and the weather hampering of it.

We are very much a Jeckyll and Hyde team, in that we never know from one game to the next, which Slough team is going to turn up ie how we play.

 

I do feel we are steadily making progress in stabilising the team into the Premier Division, to which Bakes and Unders deserve credit for achieving. Maybe not enough for some but realistically with the players we have managed to obtain and taking into account the crowds we get and the fact we are still ground sharing, and the rumoured- not the biggest but fair budget we have, think we need to be patient on what we can achieve currently. 

 

However, we've still a long way to go before we are challenging for honours, unless we go out and buy up some big name players. Never a sure thing in promotion but certainly a way of getting up the table fast.

Things will need to get better, though, when we are in the new stadium.

 

So next season could be a bit more pressurized for consistent results and better fare from the cup competitions.  

[3spirit]

Curtis, you have just hit the nail on the head! Agree with everything you just said.

 

3spirit, I think you watch a different game to all of us, every week

 

RebelJoe1971, you're entitled to your opinion, just like I am.

 

Your post has made some valid points but a bit over the top IMO.

 

I can't help it that you see a different game to me[ or others] but from what I've just read of your rant on your post, perhaps you are not as rational or realistic as me. You seem to have somewhat of an excitable personality and that you are expecting too much.

 

Both of us agree, though, that we shouldn't be getting beat by teams like Bedworth but is our team as bad as you would have us believe. Of course it isn't.   

[3spirit]

It will be interesting to see how we play when count comes into the team as he is much more of a play maker.

 

Count Dracula?

 

I take it you mean [Paul] Coyne. You are right, it will be interesting to see how he gets on.

One of his best attributes is his passing but a long time out of the game and now Slough playing in a higher division is going to be testing but he would offer something different to the centre midfield players we have currently have at our disposal. 

 

I'm actually more worried about his temperament than his football ability !

[3spirit]

Also wonder how Jake Parsons is doing on his comeback? He's definitely a player that can bring a creative edge.

[staines_rebel_Jr]

Damn Typo. It was meant to be Paul Coyne

[Curtis]

3spirit,

 

It all depends what your aspirations for the club are.... some are clearly delighted we are in the Southern Premier at long last, some would like to see us progress to the Conference South, and some with long memories might not be happy until we are in the Conference Premier.

 

Personally I think we should be looking to be at least be on a par with Maidenhead United and Hayes and Yeading.

[3spirit]

3spirit,

 

It all depends what your aspirations for the club are.... some are clearly delighted we are in the Southern Premier at long last, some would like to see us progress to the Conference South, and some with long memories might not be happy until we are in the Conference Premier.

 

Personally I think we should be looking to be at least be on a par with Maidenhead United and Hayes and Yeading.

 

Agree, Curtis.

 

Having watched Slough in the Conference top division all those years ago, I would love to think we could reach those dizzy heights again.

 

At the moment, though, I think we are doing well given our resources but obviously would like us to keep improving until we have a team capable of challenging for honours in this division.

 

Bakes and Unders have done a good job IMO since they arrived at the club. I haven't agreed with all of their decisions but in the main, they've kept Slough progressing which is commendable.

It hasn't been all plain sailing  ie cup exits and disappointing defeats like Saturday's game against Bedworth but it hasn't been all doom and gloom either.

 

When we get the new stadium and hopefully with bigger investment from sponsorship, getting in the Conference South has to be our aim. 

[Neil Baker]

3spirit,

 

It all depends what your aspirations for the club are.... some are clearly delighted we are in the Southern Premier at long last, some would like to see us progress to the Conference South, and some with long memories might not be happy until we are in the Conference Premier.

 

Personally I think we should be looking to be at least be on a par with Maidenhead United and Hayes and Yeading.

I think the aspirations for all are to be successful, of course we will aspire to get to a similar level as Maidenhead, and that is 100% our aspiration as managers and beyond, however this does not just happen, we have to keep working to try and improve us so that we get that consistency level that everyone mentions, and something we are all to aware of.

At the same time we have no divine right to be successful, we have to earn it like everyone else and that will mean we will sometimes get performances like the other day as the team is not a finished article, hopefully being back in the town will  have a positive effect, not just in terms of "the anticipated improved crowds", but also the club becoming an easier prospect to sell to players, funnily enough, just because the club has history does not mean that every player we go for wants to join us...

Myself and Jon will not stop until we get to the next level in terms of consistency and performances, as once we achieve that we will be challenging for promotion.

This league is extremely tough, and as I say most weeks there is no easy game, but that does not stop people thinking that because a team is second from bottom that they are an easy 3 points (players and fans)... I think Bedworth have brought in something like 13 players since they beat us earlier in the season, of which a number of them have been recently... why are they not able to get results??... in the same vein we had a poor start, we made a number of changes and started getting results..... they are not the same team as they were, so previous form is irrelevant, all we can judge a team on is their recent form.

You usually get teams at the bottom who will start making signings and pushing the boat out to try and save themselves, it happens each year, and we got caught out Saturday, the same way Weymouth did the week before, don't be surprised to see Paulton and Frome picking up also.

The truth is we were poor on Saturday, we didn't have the same tenacity as Hitchin, and our quality was no where near what we can do... that together is probably only going to end one way, and that is exactly what happened Saturday.

We will be working hard this week, and will still go to Dorchester in positive spirits.

[Curtis]

For me consistency comes from having a strong and reliable spine to the team, and in my opinion we have at times had that, and are probably not far off it.... the best I have seen this season are Hollis and Hicks at the back, Sears and Benjamin in the middle, and Mpi and Strutton up front.

 

And players of that or similar quality, fit and available for a whole season would mount a serious play-off challenge.

[Reading Rebel]

Its Monday now and I am still very, very disappointed with Saturdays result. 2 moments we switch off and they score. We looked a completely different side to the one that beat Hitchin. I know the weather was awful but it was the same for them.

 

I have put it down to one thing and one thing only;

 

WE ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH

 

That is hard to admit but I am a paying supporter and have been for a few years now, I am entitled to say whatever the hell I like. With our current crop of players, we are a bottom half side and that is a simple fact. Good teams are consistent and they don't lose 6 points to a team that will be playing Division 1 football next year. I keep hearing the saying 'on our day we can beat anyone'. Well guess what?! On their day, in this league, anyone can beat anyone! Only the top 5 teams rarely have off days and that is why they are there.

 

I think Neil and Jon are the right men to take this club to the 'next level' if you like. They just need to get rid of some of the dead wood. I know a few of the players have come over with them and both parties have shown some loyalty but that should only go so far. The 'old friends' act needs to stop now.

 

Anyway, back to Saturday and the reason for this rant in the first place. I think team selection was spot on, although 2 of the second half substitutions had me scratching my head in amazement. Why on earth was Puts taken off? Was he injured? If he wasn't, this is bizarre. Bringing on a left back also, were we trying to keep the score down? Hope for Webb? Really? Ryan Hope is a young lad with potential to an extent. He is not good enough to be playing centre midfield for Slough Town right now. I just don't see what the managers do in him.

What really annoyed me was how deflated we looked when they equalised. This totally destroyed our confidence. When they went 2-1 up I think they held out with relative ease. Very smart, going down every 2 minutes. Taking an age with throw ins and goal kicks. We need to learn how to cope/change the way we play when this happens.

 

I wont be at the next game, but then again I'm not sure which one of the 2 Slough teams are going to turn up either.

 

A very negative post, I know. It had to be done, things need to change!

 

UP THE REBELS

 

 

I think most of us know and accept that at this present time we are not good enough to get into the play-offs. We have a team that should finish somewhere around mid table and given our current situation is commendable and acceptable to most supporters.

 

From having a team that consisted mainly of ex Godalming players we now have only 3 and only two of those are regular first teamers so I'm not sure where you're getting this 'old friends act' from. It doesn't exist and over the course of the last two seasons our managers have proven by their actions that it doesn't exist.

Edited February 8, 2016 by Reading Rebel

[3spirit]

For me consistency comes from having a strong and reliable spine to the team, and in my opinion we have at times had that, and are probably not far off it.... the best I have seen this season are Hollis and Hicks at the back, Sears and Benjamin in the middle, and Mpi and Strutton up front.

 

And players of that or similar quality, fit and available for a whole season would mount a serious play-off challenge.

 

Teams can always be improved upon, whatever level you're at. I think you have to bear in mind that our managers have had to chop and change personnel to find the right players/balance to the team and we're still not where we want to be yet.

 

It would be nice to think that if we are playing in a new stadium next season, that then we will be able ' to push the boat out a bit ' to bring in a few quality Conference South players and a couple top drawer Southern Premier players to bolster our promising squad. 

We've seen what two Conference South players/and one half fit striker of Conference Premier standard can do this season. They made a huge impact in a short space of time.

 

Like everything, it comes down to what we can afford and what we can't afford.

 

Consistency will only come when you have a settled side.

 

The problem that Slough have at the moment, is that the 'higher standard' players that gets brought into our club are usually carrying injuries/on the re-hab trail, or are surplus to requirements at their usual club ie Adrian Sear, Paul Stonehouse, Charlie Mpi.

We can sign well from the Central league/equivalent league, or take a chance from a lower division but we don't seem to be able to buy the best players available from the Southern Premier or above ie go and buy Chesham's or Hungerford's best player, for example. 

 

So this is inevitably why, we are not in a position to storm up the table currently.  

[Reading Rebel]

Agree, Curtis.

 

Having watched Slough in the Conference top division all those years ago, I would love to think we could reach those dizzy heights again.

 

At the moment, though, I think we are doing well given our resources but obviously would like us to keep improving until we have a team capable of challenging for honours in this division.

 

Bakes and Unders have done a good job IMO since they arrived at the club. I haven't agreed with all of their decisions but in the main, they've kept Slough progressing which is commendable.

It hasn't been all plain sailing  ie cup exits and disappointing defeats like Saturday's game against Bedworth but it hasn't been all doom and gloom either.

 

When we get the new stadium and hopefully with bigger investment from sponsorship, getting in the Conference South has to be our aim. 

 

 

The Conference South should be our target within the next few years.

 

The Conference National is a very different league to when we were in it. 

 

As far as I'm aware all the clubs are full time paying full time wages. I know Wycombe have achieved it and are now a football league club but probably a step too far for a club like ours. 

[3spirit]

The Conference South should be our target within the next few years.

 

The Conference National is a very different league to when we were in it. 

 

As far as I'm aware all the clubs are full time paying full time wages. I know Wycombe have achieved it and are now a football league club but probably a step too far for a club like ours. 

 

I'll doubt if I will be around to see us play in the Conference Premier !

By then I'll be pushing up daisies ! ha ha not !

 

Conference South definite possibility.

Edited February 9, 2016 by 3spirit

[Reading Rebel]

According to Wikipedia around half the Conference National clubs are full time with the lowest average gate being 590.

[3spirit]

Its Monday now and I am still very, very disappointed with Saturdays result. 2 moments we switch off and they score. We looked a completely different side to the one that beat Hitchin. I know the weather was awful but it was the same for them.

 

I have put it down to one thing and one thing only;

 

WE ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH

 

That is hard to admit but I am a paying supporter and have been for a few years now, I am entitled to say whatever the hell I like. With our current crop of players, we are a bottom half side and that is a simple fact. Good teams are consistent and they don't lose 6 points to a team that will be playing Division 1 football next year. I keep hearing the saying 'on our day we can beat anyone'. Well guess what?! On their day, in this league, anyone can beat anyone! Only the top 5 teams rarely have off days and that is why they are there.

 

I think Neil and Jon are the right men to take this club to the 'next level' if you like. They just need to get rid of some of the dead wood. I know a few of the players have come over with them and both parties have shown some loyalty but that should only go so far. The 'old friends' act needs to stop now.

 

Anyway, back to Saturday and the reason for this rant in the first place. I think team selection was spot on, although 2 of the second half substitutions had me scratching my head in amazement. Why on earth was Puts taken off? Was he injured? If he wasn't, this is bizarre. Bringing on a left back also, were we trying to keep the score down? Hope for Webb? Really? Ryan Hope is a young lad with potential to an extent. He is not good enough to be playing centre midfield for Slough Town right now. I just don't see what the managers do in him.

What really annoyed me was how deflated we looked when they equalised. This totally destroyed our confidence. When they went 2-1 up I think they held out with relative ease. Very smart, going down every 2 minutes. Taking an age with throw ins and goal kicks. We need to learn how to cope/change the way we play when this happens.

 

I wont be at the next game, but then again I'm not sure which one of the 2 Slough teams are going to turn up either.

 

A very negative post, I know. It had to be done, things need to change!

 

UP THE REBELS

 

I also disagree with you [there's a surprise!] on Ryan Hope. To me he is keen as mustard, has an upbeat manner, is young and fit, has good mobility and bags of energy. Is definitely a trier,not a shirker and so is worth keeping.

Of course, he isn't the finished article but give the lad a chance !

 

Sometimes it's better to have a fitter younger player complementing with an experienced older hand, in the heart of the battle that is the in centre of midfield than two old lags. The younger man does a lot of the running.

 

It often depends on the style of play.

 

Definitely the right call replacing Nathan Webb for Ryan Hope in my book. As was the sub of 'Putts', for Jhai Dhillon, a player who has played as a winger for Hitchin and easily has the capabilities of it. 

[staines_rebel_Jr]

Ryan Hope is only 20 I think so will be improving a lot.

[Manor Park Rebel]

I'll doubt if I will be around to see us play in the Conference Premier !

By then I'll be pushing up daisies ! ha ha not !

 

Conference South definite possibility.

Not going for a cremation then? I thought you would want your ashes scattered on the new 3G pitch. That probably brings up yet more health and safety issues. Here we go again.

[Mark44]

 

Just to pick up on one point regarding loyalty. Only 3 of our current squad came from the godalming days and I think our managers have proved that they will chop and change anyone for the good of the team....wheeler, mcclurg, Somerville etc have proved that

Edited February 10, 2016 by Mark44

[Reading Rebel]

Just to pick up on one point regarding loyalty. Only 3 of our current squad came from the godalming days and I think our managers have proved that they will chop and change anyone for the good of the team....wheeler, mcclurg, Somerville etc have proved that

 

 

Only 3? who'd have thought it   

Edited February 10, 2016 by Reading Rebel

[GlenSTFC]

Had we beaten Bedworth twice which wasn't beyond the realms of possibilities we could have been 5 points off Weymouth in 5th place with 2 games in hand! Just goes to show how a bit more luck and consistency can make all the difference. Looking at the table you'd say we're more or less safe from relegation but there is a real possibility of finishing lower than last season which is the worry.