pre-season target vs final result

[staines_rebel_Jr]

The main target our managers set at the start of the season was to improve on last season. There was also hopes of finishing in the top half of the table.

 

Last season we finished in 16th with 51 points (would be 55 if Hereford games were not expunged, but we would still finish 16th). We are currently 13th with 50 points with 8 games remaining. The league is starting to settle down with the majority of teams having played 35-38 games only Histon and Bedworth have played 39 (both bottom 4)

 

Merthyr and Chesham could both overtake us if they win their games in hand so could Stratford and Cambridge but less likely.

 

looking at our remaining games;

 

sat - H - Weymouth - 7th

tue - A - Bideford - 24th

sat - A - Kettering - 8th

mon - H - Hungerford - 6th

sat - H - Chippenham - 3rd

sat - A - Cambridge - 19th

sat - H - Kings Lynn - 10th

sat A - Merthyr - 15th

 

We have 4 games coming up against teams pushing for playoff. (Weymouth, Kettering, Hungerford, Chippenham)

We have an awkward away trip to Bideford on a Tuesday were we already know we will be short on numbers.

And 3 games against teams who probably won't have much to play for. (Cambridge may well be safe by the time we play them)

 

Last season - 16th - 51 (55) points

So far this season - 13th - 50 points

 

 

Will we get more points - Most likely

Will we finish higher - Probably.

Will we finish top half - Maybe.

[Neil Baker]

Yep has been what we have been working to also SJR, however also I believe the team is a lot better than at this stage last year, back end of the season we were comfortably getting beaten most weeks, and were not putting up much fight, and I would say the squad was ageing, whereas we have incoprporated since September a squad with a younger feel, I think Scott Harris is the oldest in the team at 28/29, on Monday night other than Scott there was not one player that started over the age of 25, which for me bodes well.

I also think with the exception of Biggleswade (pre changes) and Weymouth (where we were very light and disjointed) we have remained in pretty much most games since the changes.

I do believe that with a few decent additions then we have a squad to work on during the summer, that could come back and hopefully be even more competitive.

We have had some disappointing performances and results since the changes, the ones that predominately stick out for me are Stratford Bedworth and Chesham at home.

[Reading Rebel]

Whilst I agree that our squad has a different feel about it as regards age etc. If we are to improve next season and hopefully make a push for the play-offs there are a couple of areas I think need looking at.

 

For the second season running our goals for column is looking pretty healthy with the 5th best attack in the division. With no Ed Smith and no Charlie Mpi next season IMO we will need to find a couple of strikers to replace them in order maintain our good strike record and reach the play-offs.

 

Our goals conceded column has, for the second season running, been a cause for concern and IMO needs addressing if we are serious about making the play-offs. Currently we have the 4th worst defence in the division with only Histon, Bedworth and Paulton having a worse defensive record. I'm not saying it's all down to the defence just that the goals conceded column needs to improve somewhat if we want to have a shot at the play-offs next season. 

[Neil Baker]

Whilst I agree that our squad has a different feel about it as regards age etc. If we are to improve next season and hopefully make a push for the play-offs there are a couple of areas I think need looking at.

 

For the second season running our goals for column is looking pretty healthy with the 5th best attack in the division. With no Ed Smith and no Charlie Mpi next season IMO we will need to find a couple of strikers to replace them in order maintain our good strike record and reach the play-offs.

 

Our goals conceded column has, for the second season running, been a cause for concern and IMO needs addressing if we are serious about making the play-offs. Currently we have the 4th worst defence in the division with only Histon, Bedworth and Paulton having a worse defensive record. I'm not saying it's all down to the defence just that the goals conceded column needs to improve somewhat if we want to have a shot at the play-offs next season. 

100% on the agenda ;-)

[Graham Cox]

 I think for most fans the target for this season was a good mid table finish as a consolidation exercise and it looks as if this will be achieved. There have been management decisions that some of us have questioned, equally there have been decisions with which we totally agree.......that is a great part of being a fan, especially at our level, where management are quite prepared to explain some (if not all !!) of these decisions to fans both personally and on this forum.

 

So job done for this season, although all fans would obviously like to see us win all remaining games to produce a better finish than expected..................and genuinely there are good things to look forward to next season on the much awaited new ground, where, dare I say, expectations may be a little higher.

[Mark44]

My own personal target has always been the same over the past few years and its a very simple target.....

 

"Be playing Step 3 football when we return to the town"

 

That translated to this season meant that I was happy for us to survive. I believe Bakes and Unders have once again exceeded my expectations and I look forward to the new season with a lot of excitement

 

COYR

[Reading Rebel]

100% on the agenda ;-)

 

 

Never doubted it for one moment  

[Curtis]

I would say the squad was ageing, whereas we have incorporated since September a squad with a younger feel.......which for me bodes well.

This has been the biggest positive for me this season, I think we now have quite a few players who will continue to develop and improve over the next few seasons.

[Reading Rebel]

I think most of the successful teams have the odd one or two older players that bring the experience and leadership required in any team. 

[staines_rebel_Jr]

Dave Woozley !!!!

[3spirit]

While I agree that the attack and the defence need strengthening, I also feel that we need to add some much needed steel to the centre midfield, as we had, when our best run of results came in October with the inclusion of a big powerful player like we had in Declan Benjamin.  

[Sloughboy]

Totally agree re Declan, I personally felt his worth was overlooked and all attention on Stoney, personally felt Declan deserved a lot more praise than he got.

[Reading Rebel]

I thought Declan was excellent when he first came to us but IMO did tail off a little bit towards the end of his loan spell, that's not to say he wouldn't be an excellent addition for us.

 

On his return to Oxford City I think Declan has been a sub for most of the time, not sure if he's injured but he hasn't appeared in their squad for the last two games.

[3spirit]

Totally agree re Declan, I personally felt his worth was overlooked and all attention on Stoney, personally felt Declan deserved a lot more praise than he got.

 

 

I thought Declan was excellent when he first came to us but IMO did tail off a little bit towards the end of his loan spell, that's not to say he wouldn't be an excellent addition for us.

 

On his return to Oxford City I think Declan has been a sub for most of the time, not sure if he's injured but he hasn't appeared in their squad for the last two games.

 

It did seem that Declan's enthusiasm and effort waned towards the latter games, as if he thought he was too good to be at our level, so perhaps his attitude might not be what our team needs, however good he is.

 

I'm surprised we haven't tried Dan Hicks in a holding midfield type role, especially when we had Justin Clayton who could of filled in for Dan at centre half. 

Dan likes to play the ball out from the back and is no pushover and would be a cheaper option, leaving us to bring in quality at the front and another solid no nonsense centre half next season[unless Brad Hewitt is it].   

Not ruling out Dan Hicks out as a centre half but believe we need options for next season.

[Curtis]

Last match I saw was the Dunstable 1-0 win, and I thought we looked very solid defensively, and when the same back four played against St Neots and Hungerford they only conceded one goal... so maybe Bakes and Unders are close to resolving the defensive issues.

 

In central midfield I think Webb and Hope have been getting better and better as the season has progressed..... I thought Declan was good, but think Webb and Hope could possibly be as good or better than him by the start of next season.

[3spirit]

Last match I saw was the Dunstable 1-0 win, and I thought we looked very solid defensively, and when the same back four played against St Neots and Hungerford they only conceded one goal... so maybe Bakes and Unders are close to resolving the defensive issues.

 

In central midfield I think Webb and Hope have been getting better and better as the season has progressed..... I thought Declan was good, but think Webb and Hope could possibly be as good or better than him by the start of next season.

 

I'm not suggesting get rid of Nathan Webb or Ryan Hope. On 3G the tempo of the game should be slightly faster, one presumes, so young quick players are needed but our away games won't be on 3G much and against the better teams at home and away matches, we need an alternative, when the opposing team attacks us. Too often we lack leadership and bite against the best sides. My belief is we should beef up the team a bit and add a bit of aggression to our style, without playing dirty.

 

When I view our current team now, we look lightweight with Guy Hollis/Mark Scott being the exceptions.

I'm not suggesting that all the players need to be over 6ft and carthorses but I do think we need an edgier team, that won't be over ridden and front up when needed.  

[Reading Rebel]

Last match I saw was the Dunstable 1-0 win, and I thought we looked very solid defensively, and when the same back four played against St Neots and Hungerford they only conceded one goal... so maybe Bakes and Unders are close to resolving the defensive issues.

 

In central midfield I think Webb and Hope have been getting better and better as the season has progressed..... I thought Declan was good, but think Webb and Hope could possibly be as good or better than him by the start of next season.

 

 

I think defensively you have be a solid unit over a period of time i.e. a good part of the season not just the odd games now and again.

 

But as we all know it's not all about the defence, they have to be given a certain amount of protection from the midfield.

[SloughFlyer]

And I would say that's a massive key area of improvement for us RR. Especially given the 4-4-2 formation we play, with the attacking wingers, games will be won and lost on the strength of the central midfield.