Long midweek trip to King's Lynn

[A Rebel and a Saint]

3Spirit, you are normally one of the first to come out with some kind of crazy team tactic you think we should try, playing people out of position or in an unusual formation, but when the managers do actually change it up you're the first to complain.

4-5-1 was the right formation for the match last night in order to restrict Kings Lynn and try to keep it tight. We played very well and received a lot of praise from opposition fans. My only small issue is that while Perry up front did a huge amount of running around, when we did have the ball we were a little ineffective in getting it to him. Saying that though, Kings Lynn have some great defenders and defended well too. We had chances but they had the better chances and it was a really tight game that was only going to be decided by a single goal.

Lench did apologise to a couple of our fans and was no doubt given the correct response by the managers, so hopefully we will not see that happen again.

The players were a credit to our club last night. If you're going to lose a game, that's the way it should be, we went down fighting with some exceptional performances from every player. Certainly not taking the foot off the gas and gives plenty of hope for the incredibly tough schedule to come.

[Reading Rebel]

Perhaps Floody being unavailable was one of the reasons why we played 4-5-1? 

[Reading Rebel]

Sounds like we were unlucky not to get something from the game but I am a bit puzzled as to why we play 4-5-1 when we have eleven players, and go for it when we have gone done to ten players 3-4-2, and are a goal down?

 

Kings Lynn on a Tuesday night is never going to be an easy game and I can understand why the managers would think a point achieved there would be a good result.

I don't share the same rhetoric, as I think to become the best team in the division, you should fear no one, and need to go to places like this and win.

 

To me, Slough are starting to 'take the foot off the gas' as we've let players go prematurely and have failed to bring in suitable replacements.

Only having 3 subs last night, shows this to be the case.

 

Mentality wise, we seem to have lessened our aims and are now.settling for the also ran spot.

It looks like a lower placed play off spot is the best we can hope for.

 

Disappointing considering all the hope and excitement we had at the start of the season, with such a well faceted squad of players that had been assembled, for a title shot.

 

I hope I'm wrong but it feels like our team is heading for the same outcome, as we did last season.

 

 

The only player we've let go is Brad Wadkins for justifiable reasons.

 

BTW Brad hasn't been in the Enfield squad for the last 4 games.

[HEAVY TRUCKER]

now 3 spirit you be careful you might just get accused of being negative ,eh neil.

Edited March 15, 2018 by HEAVY TRUCKER

[3spirit]

3Spirit, you are normally one of the first to come out with some kind of crazy team tactic you think we should try, playing people out of position or in an unusual formation, but when the managers do actually change it up you're the first to complain.

4-5-1 was the right formation for the match last night in order to restrict Kings Lynn and try to keep it tight. We played very well and received a lot of praise from opposition fans. My only small issue is that while Perry up front did a huge amount of running around, when we did have the ball we were a little ineffective in getting it to him. Saying that though, Kings Lynn have some great defenders and defended well too. We had chances but they had the better chances and it was a really tight game that was only going to be decided by a single goal.

Lench did apologise to a couple of our fans and was no doubt given the correct response by the managers, so hopefully we will not see that happen again.

The players were a credit to our club last night. If you're going to lose a game, that's the way it should be, we went down fighting with some exceptional performances from every player. Certainly not taking the foot off the gas and gives plenty of hope for the incredibly tough schedule to come.

 

I do seem to wind you up, ARAAS.  Don't mean to but you always seem to over react to anything I say.  

 

I wasn't at the game and don't like to comment about games I've not seen.

 

If Slough had got a draw at Kings Lynn, most  STFC fans would be fairly happy with that

 

My observation was more a general point, on why we would start in 4-5-1 formation against currently the second best side in the league. 

Kings Lynn didn't go to Hereford playing 4-5-1 and Hereford didn't come to Slough playing 4-5-1. To me it's a question on creating a winning mentality.

 

I'm not questioning the managers right to choose the formation at any given time.

I can understand why they did what they did.  

 

I agree, ARAAS, that Bakes and Unders get damned if they do and damned if they don't but that's the nature of a football forum, it's about opinions. 

 

It just puzzled me that we would go 4-5-1 from the start of the game, when we have so many good attackers.

I would understand it more, if we had built a 0-2 lead and then went 4-5-1.

It just struck me, that seemed a damage limitation exercise.

 

That tells me that our squad has gone backwards, from where we were at the start of the season, when we had so much choice and talent on offer, that we would have gone to Kings Lynn in a more positive attacking frame of mind. 

We no longer have the versatility of components, and through injuries and players being let go, our dip in form and confidence to beat the better teams have suffered.

 

We haven't becme a bad team overnight but I think people are kidding us that we are on the money for promotion.

[3spirit]

The only player we've let go is Brad Wadkins for justifiable reasons.

 

BTW Brad hasn't been in the Enfield squad for the last 4 games.

 

What about Gavin James and Nathan Webb?   

 

Then through injury we have Harrison Gilkes,Ben Harris and Alan Inns side lined.

 

Players always come and go, that's for the managers to decide. 

 

To me Ben Harris and Perry Coles haven't been 'natural fit 'replacements for anyone.

They just happened to be available.

 

I know Ben was signed when Brad left but I don't liken their game to each other.

From the couple of games I've seen Ben play,he reminds of Sean Sonner, in that he is not afraid to put a tackle in and will get involved in the game.

Unfortunately the timing of his injury, has been a blow to the cohesion of our strike force.

 

Perry Coles I haven't seen in a Slough shirt yet, so am reserving judgement on him but as you know Reading Rebel, I've never been keen on two little strikers up front scenario.

Perhaps that's just me being 'old skool '  !

[Reading Rebel]

What about Gavin James and Nathan Webb?   

 

Then through injury we have Harrison Gilkes,Ben Harris and Alan Inns side lined.

 

Players always come and go, that's for the managers to decide. 

 

To me Ben Harris and Perry Coles haven't been 'natural fit 'replacements for anyone.

They just happened to be available.

 

I know Ben was signed when Brad left but I don't liken their game to each other.

From the couple of games I've seen Ben play,he reminds of Sean Sonner, in that he is not afraid to put a tackle in and will get involved in the game.

Unfortunately the timing of his injury, has been a blow to the cohesion of our strike force.

 

Perry Coles I haven't seen in a Slough shirt yet, so am reserving judgement on him but as you know Reading Rebel, I've never been keen on two little strikers up front scenario.

Perhaps that's just me being 'old skool '  !

 

 

Gavin James and Nathan Webb are still Slough town players.

 

Far too early to make any sort of judgement on Ben Harris and Perry Coles only to say that I'm more than happy with what I've seen of them so far.

[HEAVY TRUCKER]

according to the observer neil baker has said that matty lench let the side down by getting sent off for arguing with the refferee, surely he was only following an example set by neil himself only a few weeks ago.

[epicrebel]

according to the observer neil baker has said that matty lench let the side down by getting sent off for arguing with the refferee, surely he was only following an example set by neil himself only a few weeks ago.

In Neil's defence the ref sent off the wrong person. 

[3spirit]

Gavin James and Nathan Webb are still Slough town players.

 

Far too early to make any sort of judgement on Ben Harris and Perry Coles only to say that I'm more than happy with what I've seen of them so far.

 

That's why one is playing for Met Police and Thatcham and the other is on loan at Beaconsfield.

 

The way Bakes worded both of their moves,it doesn't seem either are in the managers plans for taking Slough forward.

[Reading Rebel]

Sounds like we were unlucky not to get something from the game but I am a bit puzzled as to why we play 4-5-1 when we have eleven players, and go for it when we have gone done to ten players 3-4-2, and are a goal down?

 

Kings Lynn on a Tuesday night is never going to be an easy game and I can understand why the managers would think a point achieved there would be a good result.

I don't share the same rhetoric, as I think to become the best team in the division, you should fear no one, and need to go to places like this and win.

 

To me, Slough are starting to 'take the foot off the gas' as we've let players go prematurely and have failed to bring in suitable replacements.

Only having 3 subs last night, shows this to be the case.

 

Mentality wise, we seem to have lessened our aims and are now.settling for the also ran spot.

It looks like a lower placed play off spot is the best we can hope for.

 

Disappointing considering all the hope and excitement we had at the start of the season, with such a well faceted squad of players that had been assembled, for a title shot.

 

I hope I'm wrong but it feels like our team is heading for the same outcome, as we did last season.

 

 

Disappointing yes, but not surprising considering our cup runs and postponements due to the weather?

 

IMO virtually impossible considering squad size's for most clubs at this level to have the cup runs and win the league. 

[3spirit]

Disappointing yes, but not surprising considering our cup runs and postponements due to the weather?

 

IMO virtually impossible considering squad size's for most clubs at this level to have the cup runs and win the league. 

 

Hereford had a better cup run than us and they seem to be doing ok !

 

I do, actually think Slough's had a very good season thus far, it just frustrates me that we get fed loads of excuses, as to why we arent keeping up with the leaders.

Yes, the cup run, the weather, postponements and injuries have hampered our progress no question.

 

However, I'm of the opinion, that our recruitment policy since December hasn't been the best it could have been to keep the squad sharp and at the top end and that the competition for places that we had so successfully at the start of the season, has given way to those that are in favour.

 

Good that Bakes and Unders are looking to bring in a couple of new faces before the transfer deadline.

 

Still, think a play off place is attainable and I just hope that we can make a better fist of it than we did last season.

[Reading Rebel]

Hereford had a better cup run than us and they seem to be doing ok !

 

I do, actually think Slough's had a very good season thus far, it just frustrates me that we get fed loads of excuses, as to why we arent keeping up with the leaders.

Yes, the cup run, the weather, postponements and injuries have hampered our progress no question.

 

However, I'm of the opinion, that our recruitment policy since December hasn't been the best it could have been to keep the squad sharp and at the top end and that the competition for places that we had so successfully at the start of the season, has given way to those that are in favour.

 

Good that Bakes and Unders are looking to bring in a couple of new faces before the transfer deadline.

 

Still, think a play off place is attainable and I just hope that we can make a better fist of it than we did last season.

 

 

3spirit, you cannot compare us to Hereford!

 

They are a bigger club with the resources and squad numbers to cope with cup runs, injuries, weather etc.

 

If you agree that cup runs, weather, postponements and injuries have hampered our progress 'no question' then they are not excuses but facts.

 

Disagree about 'recruitment policy not being the best it could have been'. We have made several 7 day approaches to freshen up the squad but for one reason or another players have turned us down which nothing can be done about.

[Bernie Gogan]

Have to remember that players have families, travel issues and full time work and for those reasons alone may not want to join up. The higher the quality of player then the further the net has to be cast, so don't envy our managers trying to recruit to improve the squad.

[3spirit]

3spirit, you cannot compare us to Hereford!

 

They are a bigger club with the resources and squad numbers to cope with cup runs, injuries, weather etc.

 

If you agree that cup runs, weather, postponements and injuries have hampered our progress 'no question' then they are not excuses but facts.

 

Disagree about 'recruitment policy not being the best it could have been'. We have made several 7 day approaches to freshen up the squad but for one reason or another players have turned us down which nothing can be done about.

 

Don't agree about Hereford. Can't see why you think they are better than us.

We may not have the same financial resources as them but we beat them at their place and threw away the points when we played them at Arbour Park,  when we should have won, so I think we shouldn't undervalue our set up, to what they have at Hereford. I'm not overawed by them.

 

The biggest advantage they have is the size of support they can call on. Think this is a big factor in why they are so consistent,as their crowd can overwhelm and intimidate poorly supported teams, and players not used to performing in front of such big numbers.

 

I don't know who our managers tried to get in when they put in their approaches but I'm of the opinion,that while some players don't want to play for Slough, there are plenty who will.

Off the top of my head I can think of 4 players who have recently moved,who would have been good for Slough/and would have been interested by Slough.  Three are now in the  lower reaches of the Conference South, and the other plays in the Central/East division, so players are around.       

Bakes and Unders know a lot more players than I do, so I'm surprised we've not been more productive in our transfer dealings of late.

Perhaps it's more to do with saving money.

[Reading Rebel]

Don't agree about Hereford. Can't see why you think they are better than us.

We may not have the same financial resources as them but we beat them at their place and threw away the points when we played them at Arbour Park,  when we should have won, so I think we shouldn't undervalue our set up, to what they have at Hereford. I'm not overawed by them.

 

The biggest advantage they have is the size of support they can call on. Think this is a big factor in why they are so consistent,as their crowd can overwhelm and intimidate poorly supported teams, and players not used to performing in front of such big numbers.

 

I don't know who our managers tried to get in when they put in their approaches but I'm of the opinion,that while some players don't want to play for Slough, there are plenty who will.

Off the top of my head I can think of 4 players who have recently moved,who would have been good for Slough/and would have been interested by Slough.  Three are now in the  lower reaches of the Conference South, and the other plays in the Central/East division, so players are around.       

Bakes and Unders know a lot more players than I do, so I'm surprised we've not been more productive in our transfer dealings of late.

Perhaps it's more to do with saving money.

 

 

I didn't say they were better than us. We've already proven this season that we are at least as good if not better in a one off situation.

 

Unfortunately winning the league is down to consistency over a season and it all boils down to Hereford's resources, size of support and reputation as a big club.

 

Not sure how you know those players would have been interested in coming to Slough if they are now in the Conference South and very possibly on better money? 

Edited March 19, 2018 by Reading Rebel

[Reading Rebel]

Don't agree about Hereford. Can't see why you think they are better than us.

We may not have the same financial resources as them but we beat them at their place and threw away the points when we played them at Arbour Park,  when we should have won, so I think we shouldn't undervalue our set up, to what they have at Hereford. I'm not overawed by them.

 

The biggest advantage they have is the size of support they can call on. Think this is a big factor in why they are so consistent,as their crowd can overwhelm and intimidate poorly supported teams, and players not used to performing in front of such big numbers.

 

I don't know who our managers tried to get in when they put in their approaches but I'm of the opinion,that while some players don't want to play for Slough, there are plenty who will.

Off the top of my head I can think of 4 players who have recently moved,who would have been good for Slough/and would have been interested by Slough.  Three are now in the  lower reaches of the Conference South, and the other plays in the Central/East division, so players are around.       

Bakes and Unders know a lot more players than I do, so I'm surprised we've not been more productive in our transfer dealings of late.

Perhaps it's more to do with saving money.

 

 

'I don't know who our managers tried to get in'

 

Exactly the point. 

[Reading Rebel]

Matt Lench has been given a 2 match suspension starting tomorrow.

[3spirit]

I didn't say they were better than us. We've already proven this season that we are at least as good if not better in a one off situation.

 

Unfortunately winning the league is down to consistency over a season and it all boils down to Hereford's resources, size of support and reputation as a big club.

 

Not sure how you know those players would have been interested in coming to Slough if they are now in the Conference South and very possibly on better money? 

 

The players I thought of, bar one, had all played for local clubs,so that was my reasoning.

[Reading Rebel]

The players I thought of, bar one, had all played for local clubs,so that was my reasoning.

 

 

If those players played locally it probably makes sense that our managers know about them?