Today's game

[Reading Rebel]

The trouble is that refereeing has got worse with many referee's failing to see what a strong but fair challenge is. As proved at yesterday's match.

 

I agree that the game has moved on, and out and out thug mentality midfielders in football should be discouraged but football is a contact sport and strong challenges is part and parcel of our game which needs officiating properly.  

There is still room in the team for 'the heart on the sleeve ball winner' regardless.

 

 

I'd love to see a 'Wilko' in our midfield but as you say Refs cannot seem to tell a hard but fair tackle from a tackle of a thug.

 

Also TBF there are so many players now that fall to the ground clutching their leg and squealing with the sole aim in trying to get a player booked or sent off, that  a refs job has become nigh on impossible.

[Reading Rebel]

I am just going by what I saw.... Not with any but my prescribed glasses on. Shame the 2nd half has tainted the 1st half. Because I really do think we dominated in the 1st.

 

 

Personally I wouldn't go as far as to say we dominated the first half but in my unbiased opinion it was keenly fought with not a lot between the two sides.

 

Whether they're through amber and blue or prescription glasses your honest and unbiased opinion is much appreciated HR       

Edited March 29, 2016 by Reading Rebel

[Hammer_rebel]

Personally I wouldn't go as far as to say we dominated the first half but in my unbiased opinion it was keenly fought with not a lot between the two sides.

 

Whether they're amber and blue or prescription glasses your honest and unbiased opinion is much appreciated HR

Most of the 1st half was down our end! Even when they broke sean Fraser or guy hollis seemed to get the ball back quickly, just a shame the 1st goal was a result of a mistake. Thanks RR but u know as well as I do I would still give them even if they weren't

[staines_rebel_Jr]

I am just going by what I saw.... Not with any but my prescribed glasses on. Shame the 2nd half has tainted the 1st half. Because I really do think we dominated in the 1st.

 

We were unlucky to go in 1-0 down but at the same time we didn't exactly dominate. Unless 1 shot on goal from a soft header straight at the keeper is now considered dominating.

 

we played well down the wings but couldn't get anything down the middle due to their narrow defence.

 

Our play has become quite predictable and most teams are now savvy to it and can set up accordingly to stop us. It was good to see us shake things up a bit against Kettering even if it didn't work.

[3spirit]

I'd love to see a 'Wilko' in our midfield but as you say Refs cannot seem to tell a hard but fair tackle from a tackle of a thug.

 

Also TBF there are so many players now that fall to the ground clutching their leg and squealing with the sole aim in trying to get a player booked or sent off, that  a refs job has become nigh on impossible.

 

I think we should have an award for the best actor at clubs that visit us, who dive and feign injury.

 

Yesterday, one of the Hungerford players went down like a sack of spuds clutching his head and when he noticed the ref was having none of it, he got up sheepishly and walked back into position.

 

Mind you Nathan Webb did about five rolls across the pitch, as though poleaxed after being tackled

but once he was awarded a free kick, seemed right as rain, so it's not always other team's players.  

[Sloughboy]

Poor performance simple as that! Cannot score or look like scoring!

 

Is Charlie Mpi likely to be with us next season? If not.... Why on earth leave Barney on the bench for him to play (as much as I love Charlie as a player) - it will irritate The player and if he is wanted next season he may not be happy! More importantly, if we are unsure of him; surely he should play and have a look at him! Ridiculous really to not play him over Mpi.

 

Gokmen I agree with a previous post, play the lad, just because he is a nice unassuming (at least that's what he seems) lad, easy to leave on bench and not play as he probably isn't banging down the door for a start, play the lad, at least he looks like he wants to try and create something! Lastly for goodness sake try something different up front, formation chnage, personnel, anything, I know a strange formation was tried recently and didn't work apparently, I won't bring up the S Harris wounds again, although anyone still saying how good a hold up man and team player etc and denying what I said that he isn't good enough for us to be a top half side and him be our main striker, is baffling!! Why not play 352 with a man in the hole or a diamond instead of wide on the wing players all the time who are not creating much, must be more invention somewhere?

 

I'm sure I will get hammered for my post as per... However, things need to improve! Managers are getting off extremely lightly because they are nice guys who come on the forum! Not saying they should be replaced but they are not doing a good job right now of putting a Slough team on the pitch to 'entertain' and generate support. Just my opinion, don't shoot me!

[David Carpenter]

Sloughboy I understand your sentiments in the above post. However one thing puzzles me "i won't bring up the S Harris wounds again, although anyone still saying how good a hold up man and team player etc and denying what I said that he isn't good enough for us to be a top half side and him be our main striker, is baffling". Somewhat contradictory (and baffling!)

[Reading Rebel]

Poor performance simple as that! Cannot score or look like scoring!

 

Is Charlie Mpi likely to be with us next season? If not.... Why on earth leave Barney on the bench for him to play (as much as I love Charlie as a player) - it will irritate The player and if he is wanted next season he may not be happy! More importantly, if we are unsure of him; surely he should play and have a look at him! Ridiculous really to not play him over Mpi.

 

Gokmen I agree with a previous post, play the lad, just because he is a nice unassuming (at least that's what he seems) lad, easy to leave on bench and not play as he probably isn't banging down the door for a start, play the lad, at least he looks like he wants to try and create something! Lastly for goodness sake try something different up front, formation chnage, personnel, anything, I know a strange formation was tried recently and didn't work apparently, I won't bring up the S Harris wounds again, although anyone still saying how good a hold up man and team player etc and denying what I said that he isn't good enough for us to be a top half side and him be our main striker, is baffling!! Why not play 352 with a man in the hole or a diamond instead of wide on the wing players all the time who are not creating much, must be more invention somewhere?

 

I'm sure I will get hammered for my post as per... However, things need to improve! Managers are getting off extremely lightly because they are nice guys who come on the forum! Not saying they should be replaced but they are not doing a good job right now of putting a Slough team on the pitch to 'entertain' and generate support. Just my opinion, don't shoot me!

 

 

You can play well and be the better team without looking like scoring.

 

As far as I know Mpi has gone for good. 

 

Agree with you about playing Mpi. I said in a previous post that playing him for just two games instead of another squad player was not something I agreed with.

 

If the games were crucial I could understand it but not when we are in no danger of relegation.

 

Our managers have got off lightly?

 

Our managers have done what most supporters have wanted i.e. got us promoted when a succession of managers have failed and have kept us in the premier division for the past two seasons so why should they get a hard time?

[Windsor Rebel]

Didnt go on Monday, but reading some of the posts on here you would think the club was in

danger if extinction. Its end of season stuff guys, so dont expect too much with nothing to play for.

Just sit tight and look forward to the new stadium and fresh start next year.

[3spirit]

Poor performance simple as that! Cannot score or look like scoring!

 

Is Charlie Mpi likely to be with us next season? If not.... Why on earth leave Barney on the bench for him to play (as much as I love Charlie as a player) - it will irritate The player and if he is wanted next season he may not be happy! More importantly, if we are unsure of him; surely he should play and have a look at him! Ridiculous really to not play him over Mpi.

 

Gokmen I agree with a previous post, play the lad, just because he is a nice unassuming (at least that's what he seems) lad, easy to leave on bench and not play as he probably isn't banging down the door for a start, play the lad, at least he looks like he wants to try and create something! Lastly for goodness sake try something different up front, formation chnage, personnel, anything, I know a strange formation was tried recently and didn't work apparently, I won't bring up the S Harris wounds again, although anyone still saying how good a hold up man and team player etc and denying what I said that he isn't good enough for us to be a top half side and him be our main striker, is baffling!! Why not play 352 with a man in the hole or a diamond instead of wide on the wing players all the time who are not creating much, must be more invention somewhere?

 

I'm sure I will get hammered for my post as per... However, things need to improve! Managers are getting off extremely lightly because they are nice guys who come on the forum! Not saying they should be replaced but they are not doing a good job right now of putting a Slough team on the pitch to 'entertain' and generate support. Just my opinion, don't shoot me!

 

I disagree with your point on Charlie Mpi but agree with your point on Lee Barney. I thought we would have started with Barney and Mpi up front, although from the managers angle I presume they went with Hatchet and Charlie as both players know each others game, rather than the Mpi/Barney combination who haven't played together.

I think whatever combination was picked, the managers were always on a hiding to nothing if our team didn't score.

 

While results in the run in to the end of the season haven't been good, I think people have short memories about what Bakes and Unders have achieved since they've been at Slough.

They got us promoted in their first full season of asking, second season they consolidated the team into the Southern Premier which all the fans knew was priority. 

 

This season has been a rollercoaster ride in that we started the season poorly, when we were expecting better from the players we brought in [no managers are mind-readers in what players will cut it or won't].

The managers then re-organised and brought in quality loan signings and cut out the deadwood that was holding Slough back and we went from strength to strength and then picked up a great run of results.     

We then had a mixed bag of results, once the loan signings had gone but not without picking wins here and there.

December arrived and Ed Smith came back from injury and we gained a credible draw with Poole Town, beat Biggleswade and Merthyr and drew with St Neots - all teams around us and lost narrowly to derby rivals/bogey team Chesham 0-1.

January only two games played but we got a win and a draw.

February we beat Dorchester and Cirencester away but lost to a very good side Leamington and a re-invented Bedworth and drew with Paulton away.

 

Now onto March, now what non-league side in the land is going to score goals for fun when their two best strikers leave the club? !

We did get a credible result by beating Dunstable and two good draws at St Neots and at home against a Weymouth team that had trounced 6-1 away from home.

I don't see any shame losing to Kettering or Hungerford. Bideford on a Tuesday away from home and missing key players was never going to be easy.

 

So from my perspective this season hasn't been as bad as some supporters will have you believe.

No team gets it all their own way and it takes time to build a top team.

Yes, there are things that the managers have got wrong but don't we all make mistakes and the best way is to learn is by them.

 

We gave Steve Bateman 5 and a half years to get it right. Bakes and Unders have achieved more in their stint than he did but of course, we were spoilt under Steve,as every season we were near the top and about to lose in a play off !

 

So come on fans have a bit of realism please.  

[kirk]

You cannot keep referring to past achievements in this game, ask the Aston Villa managers.

As was said on here awhile back have they reached their limitations ?

[Windsor Rebel]

Kirk: what crap. How else are you supposed to judge someone then?

Employ a manager with no experience who has done nothing?

Edited March 30, 2016 by Windsor Rebel

[Irishadrian]

I dont really understand why an assessment of the teams display against Hungerford has turned into a discussion about the managers performances I think its inappropriate especially at this time Two years to get used to this level is imo about right and Im sure they will be much more careful about who they recruit in the summer after the handful of flops last summer I believe they will produce a team for next season capable of a single figure finish and Im happy to continue to support them

[Fortunist]

Kirk: what crap. How else are you supposed to judge someone then?

Employ a manager with no experience who has done nothing?

Well said Windsor Rebel anyone would think we are about to get relegated

[Sloughboy]

David Carpenter... Yes perhaps slightly contradictory although my point was I could have gone on and on about how things have played out since we started talking about his 'strengths' and weaknesses but didn't. That's what I meant.

[Irishadrian]

Some people want to run with the fox and hunt with the  hounds The managers are criiticised for playing Mpi ( a proven goalscorer) whilst all the talk is about how we cant score a goal !

[staines_rebel_Jr]

 

We gave Steve Bateman 5 and a half years to get it right. Bakes and Unders have achieved more in their stint than he did but of course, we were spoilt under Steve,as every season we were near the top and about to lose in a play off !

 

So come on fans have a bit of realism please.  

 

Steve Bateman came in to save us from relegation with two months left to go in 08/09 and did so, Only 1 year after we avoided relegation thanks to a reprieve !!!

 

The following year he took us into the play offs, losing in the final to a very strong Chesham side.

 

He also took us on our best FA Cup run in 10 years

 

So come on fans have a bit of realism please !!!

[HorshamRebel]

Well said Windsor Rebel anyone would think we are about to get relegated

 

Yeh, it's not like we were playing against a team in the Play-off positions on Saturday. Oh wait ... we were

 

 

Now wait for the attack on not being negative 

[staines_rebel_Jr]

HR neither Kettering nor Hungerford were in the play offs spots when we played them, Kettering were 8th and Hungerford were 6th. Hungerford moved into 5th as a result of beating us and Chippenham losing.

 

Just being pedantic

[HorshamRebel]

I know

 

They were playing for that play-off spot though, and the win got them there.

 

Also using the two clubs you mentions, Kettering and Hungerford, they are quite a bit above us in the league, and you could see why, especially as both teams also had a lot of luck on their side as well.

 

 

There are ALWAYS two teams on the pitch, and one team's performance will be affected by the team they are playing.

 

For example, on Monday, whenever one of our forwards got the ball up the pitch, he had 2 or 3 players on him before he could get the ball under control, basically giving him no out.

 

This is where the off the ball positioning of the other players comes into play. If those players are actively getting into space, in line with the player with the ball, he will have passing options.

 

We have always played at our best when we don't have to keep passing sideways or backwards a lot.

 

But, with teams doubling up, that's what us, and most teams end up doing, regardless of the tactics going into the game