Hopes, dreams or expectations for this season

[Curtis]

The first two seasons we were in the Southern Premier we finished something like 15th & 16th.... if we manage to finish in a play-off place in our first season in this league I think it will be a remarkable achievement.

[3spirit]

I think it hasn't resonated with some yet that 1 club in 3 will make the playoffs this season We are currently in the play off group If anyone has a plausible reason why we shouldn't be there at seasons end let's hear it !

 

I find it strange that from 2nd to 7th place can get you a play off. To me it seems like it's undermining the need to be among the best and makes a mockery of the title race.

 

However if Slough finish in the top 7 I'll be delighted.

To be honest,anything higher than 18th would be good to me, come the end of the season.

From what I've seen so far, I think a mid table finish [10th to 13th] is more realistic than a play off place.

 

I'm not getting too carried away by our early season form,as there's still a hell of a way to go but that said,we are doing very well currently, and our fans should be well pleased with our performances so far, bar the East Thurrock result.

I really don't see us being relegation material but I don't see us getting a play off place either but you never know,stranger things have happened.

 

We are doing exactly as I had hoped for, in that we are not being overawed/over powered by anyone,

[although I missed the Torquay match,which some alluded to that our team took awhile to get going and were a bit frozen/not very creative on the day, by the task at hand]. Thankfully,though,we managed a very creditable draw.

 

So Irishadrian,I'm not jumping the gun, in thinking we are ready made for the play off place just yet.Long way to go.

[Reading Rebel]

I find it strange that from 2nd to 7th place can get you a play off. To me it seems like it's undermining the need to be among the best and makes a mockery of the title race.

 

However if Slough finish in the top 7 I'll be delighted.

To be honest,anything higher than 18th would be good to me, come the end of the season.

From what I've seen so far, I think a mid table finish [10th to 13th] is more realistic than a play off place.

 

I'm not getting too carried away by our early season form,as there's still a hell of a way to go but that said,we are doing very well currently, and our fans should be well pleased with our performances so far, bar the East Thurrock result.

I really don't see us being relegation material but I don't see us getting a play off place either but you never know,stranger things have happened.

 

We are doing exactly as I had hoped for, in that we are not being overawed/over powered by anyone,

[although I missed the Torquay match,which some alluded to that our team took awhile to get going and were a bit frozen/not very creative on the day, by the task at hand]. Thankfully,though,we managed a very creditable draw.

 

So Irishadrian,I'm not jumping the gun, in thinking we are ready made for the play off place just yet.Long way to go.

 

 

All well and good 3spirit, but Adrian wants 'plausible' reasons why we can't make the play-offs. I don't see that in your post.

 

The only game where I think we were overawed/over powered was the first half of the Chelmsford game.

[Bernie Gogan]

Personally I have felt we can make the play offs since before the season started, but I won't be disappointed if we don't of course. This level was always what I wished for back in the "dark days" without a home of our own. I've actually seen nothing to fear in this league so far and the improvement in standard of football and facilities has been brilliant all round, even East Thurrock!

[Mr Rebel]

Very pleased so far. Personally before the season I feared on occasions we may get comprehensively beaten when we have an off day but even the few we've had we've dug deep and battled hard

 

As a newly promoted side key to survival is don't be easy to beat and I think defensively we've improved dramatically the last 2 years and the step up has been almost seamless

 

Can we stay in and around the playoffs long term? Who knows but main aim still remains confirm safety ASAP and whatever happens from there we shall see.

[Irishadrian]

I'm quite heartened by most of these comments Pre season all the talk was of survival and staying in this league and our first 10 games suggest better than that There are of course a few issues Our top scorer is a loanee who I'm sure will score plenty Can he be retained? Can the lads find another as good? History suggests they can! Can we adapt to the winter months? Why should we do it less well than any other team? Our defence is excellent and performances suggest we have the best keeper I think on our day we need fear no team at all but the only reservation I have re the playoffs is can we stay significantly injury free?If we can I think a top seven place is achievable.

[Guest route104]

Have to say the club is in a far better place than five years ago, the appointment of Bakes and Unders was a masterstroke they have built a team over the seasons that can challenge they rarely sign a duff player and play the game the right way. this season we have stepped up our game and have now found our feet in this leauge. Would like to see a top ten finish ,but with such a small squad that may be difficult.

[epicrebel]

I'm quite heartened by most of these comments Pre season all the talk was of survival and staying in this league and our first 10 games suggest better than that There are of course a few issues Our top scorer is a loanee who I'm sure will score plenty Can he be retained? Can the lads find another as good? History suggests they can! Can we adapt to the winter months? Why should we do it less well than any other team? Our defence is excellent and performances suggest we have the best keeper I think on our day we need fear no team at all but the only reservation I have re the playoffs is can we stay significantly injury free?If we can I think a top seven place is achievable.

We don't depend on just 1 scorer we've had 9 different goal scorers

[Irishadrian]

I understand that but only one is our top scorer!

[Jafooly]

We have the joint tenth best offence with 13 goals but importantly we have the 3rd best defence.

 

Interestingly our away form is marginally better than our home form after 5 games of each

[Bernie Gogan]

The smallness of our squad may be a problem, but I think it also gives us scope to bring players in if and when needed. Far better than having 5 or 6 sitting around picking up wages and not getting games. Some clubs have big squads, we probably know who they are. It's a long season and I trust our managers to improve the squad as appropriate.

[Jafooly]

Having a small group does allow them to become a lot closer and that shows in every match where we have ground out results. There is a clear team spirit and a willingness to work hard for one another. Results like this weekend and the one against Chelmsford shows Neil and Jon have got themselves a group of fighters.

[Irishadrian]

Bernie Agreed I'm sure the current size of our squad is because that's what the lads want After the huge windfalls of last season I don't believe its a budgetary matter and the lads will be able to react to loss of form or serious injury

[GlenSTFC]

I think the 18 man squad is just right as I can imagine it’s difficult enough telling just 2 players they’re not included on match days. Plus our managers have enough contacts to bring in players on loan if any emergencies arise.

[Reading Rebel]

If we are no longer rotating, keeping certain players happy and match fit could be a problem.

 

We already have Nathan Smart on dual reg and Louis Soares and Manny Williams don't seem to be getting a look in when it comes to league games. 

[GlenSTFC]

It keeps the starting 11 on their toes knowing there’s 7 others ready to step in (although certain positions are safe!). Then the subs know they have to impress when they come on to push their claim to start next time.

[3spirit]

For me keeping Sam Togwell and Lee Togwell fit will be key to our success. With Sam coming into our defence he has brought an assurance and confidence to our defence with his experience in the pro game and his willingness to work for the team.

Guy Hollis and Mark Nisbet have both been around the block and are wily characters,both clever defenders in their own right but I think with Sam's addition at the back, we have definitely enhanced our central defence for this important first season in the Conference South.

He turned up just at the right time !

 

Lee had a flying start to both pre-season and the league campaign and is definitely one of our most consistent of performers. He has been a revelation since he arrived from Beaconsfield. His overall game has come on leaps and bounds. I wouldn't say he is the best centre midfielder but I would say he is like the glue that keeps our team together. Without him we never function as well. 

 

You could add Jack Turner and Chris Flood, as they and the Togwells are the spine of our team. If we can keep these 4 injury free we have every chance of pushing up the table.

I think our squad is very adaptable bunch, which is good for when players are out injured but while we don't need to add any players at this current time, I'm expecting a couple of additions later in season to push us on further.

[Reading Rebel]

For me keeping Sam Togwell and Lee Togwell fit will be key to our success. With Sam coming into our defence he has brought an assurance and confidence to our defence with his experience in the pro game and his willingness to work for the team.

Guy Hollis and Mark Nisbet have both been around the block and are wily characters,both clever defenders in their own right but I think with Sam's addition at the back, we have definitely enhanced our central defence for this important first season in the Conference South.

He turned up just at the right time !

 

Lee had a flying start to both pre-season and the league campaign and is definitely one of our most consistent of performers. He has been a revelation since he arrived from Beaconsfield. His overall game has come on leaps and bounds. I wouldn't say he is the best centre midfielder but I would say he is like the glue that keeps our team together. Without him we never function as well. 

 

You could add Jack Turner and Chris Flood, as they and the Togwells are the spine of our team. If we can keep these 4 injury free we have every chance of pushing up the table.

I think our squad is very adaptable bunch, which is good for when players are out injured but while we don't need to add any players at this current time, I'm expecting a couple of additions later in season to push us on further.

 

 

Agree about Sam Togwell's experience making our defence more assured and solid. He certainly adds a 'voice' to our defence which I don't think we had before.

[3spirit]

All well and good 3spirit, but Adrian wants 'plausible' reasons why we can't make the play-offs. I don't see that in your post.

 

The only game where I think we were overawed/over powered was the first half of the Chelmsford game.

 

Well, plausible reasons for not making it, is we haven't played Woking,Billericay,Welling and quite a few other talented sides yet, to know whether we are that good, plus for a small squad like ours we will need to stay injury free,as others have said, to have any chance of sustaining a play-off challenge.

For me, we are still a couple of players light in certain areas, to do that. 

[Irishadrian]

3Spirit

I agree that circumstances may require a bit of tweaking of the squad and I'm sure the lads will have it covered You name Woking Billericay and Welling and of course they will be tough games but they already have 6 losses and 5 draws between them and some of these losses to teams below us in the table I see no runaway super teams and on our day we can beat all of them Of course it won't always be our day but the belief in the squad is remarkable Well done to the squad and the backroom boys