Conference South

[Reading Rebel]

I think we should wait until we play some matches in this league to see how we may fare and what improvements may be needed.

 

 

But Glen we are going to bring in a few players regardless.

 

Just thought some people might have an opinion on this subject but maybe not and every ones happy to continue in the same vein.  

[Reading Rebel]

It makes sense that the vast majority of the squad are given a crack at the National South as they’re the ones who got us there. No doubt we’ll sign 2 or 3 but the same number may depart but as Neil said the player situation will be reviewed as the season progresses and new players will be added if need be. Hopefully we can get a big home friendly as we’re a more attractive proposition being a higher level and great facilities.

 

 

I would also like to get the odd 'big friendly' at home. Wycombe, Reading, Fulham, QPR or Brentford would be nice  

 

Can't see it being Maidenhead because Devonshire doesn't like 3G unless we play them at their ground.

Edited May 16, 2018 by Reading Rebel

[3spirit]

Unless we sign some big players (size wise) again we are going to be the smallest squad in the division.

 

Does anyone think this will be a problem in the Conference South or just like last season we have the quality and the players to overcome this?

 

Perry Coles proved otherwise ! 

To be fair to Bakes and Unders they proved that the team don't have to be giants to win a division.

 

I openly admit to being dubious about the Perry Coles signing at the time because I thought the amount of high balls we put in from crosses warranted a 6ft+ striker.

 

Against Kings Lynn in the play off final, I was flabberghasted by the antics of the big Kings Lynn players who fell over so easy when tackled by the willing but diminutive Perry Coles. Absolutely embarassing to watch.

I'm amazed Ian Culverhouse didn't get into his players at half time about it.

 

I still think we would benefit by having a  6ft+ striker and I also think it wouldn't do any harm to have 6ft+ centre half in the squad but as women know ' size really doesn't matter, does it? !  ha ha ha.

[Reading Rebel]

Martin Tyler, the football commentator has followed Dowson to Woking in a coaching role, quite amazing as he's 73.

 

Seems he's been a Woking supporter all his life.

[3spirit]

Perry Coles proved otherwise !

To be fair to Bakes and Unders they proved that the team don't have to be giants to win a division.

 

I openly admit to being dubious about the Perry Coles signing at the time because I thought the amount of high balls we put in from crosses warranted a 6ft+ striker.

 

Against Kings Lynn in the play off final, I was flabberghasted by the antics of the big Kings Lynn players who fell over so easy when tackled by the willing but diminutive Perry Coles. Absolutely embarassing to watch.

I'm amazed Ian Culverhouse didn't get into his players at half time about it.

 

I still think we would benefit by having a 6ft+ striker and I also think it wouldn't do any harm to have 6ft+ centre half in the squad but as women know ' size really doesn't matter, does it? ! ha ha ha.

In the past, divisions 2 and 3 of league football [now divisions 1 and 2] and the Conference were notorious for big physical sides. I think that rhetoric has changed somewhat.

Conference North may still have a few big sides in it but as for the Conference South I really don't know,as I've only seen the odd game here and there.

 

The days of the archetypal big number 5 seem to be gone.

 

Reading Rebel's point about big sides got me thinking on the centre halves we've had under Bakes and Unders,

 

Guy Hollis has been the most successful and his assets are his strength,physique and speed around the pitch and taking no prisoners when he puts in a challenge. He's not the tallest but the' opposition find him hard to shift off the ball. Certainly no mug centre half.

Mark Nisbet has formed a good partnership with Guy. Mark's assets are that he times his headers well and can show assurane on the ball when needed. When on song he makes it look easy. I would say Alan Inns is that type of player, too. Both have nous and a good footballing brain

As for Matt Day, he seems a mixture of Guy and Mark/Alan in how they play. Not the biggest in height but reads the game well.

 

The best tall number 5 under Bakes and Unders we've had, was Justin Clayton , unfortunately he didn't have his heart in the game and was a poor trainer by all accounts. It was a real shame that, as I could see real potential with him, as he could score goals and his physical presence in defence looked ideal. Definitely a better player than he got credit for.

 

Tom Moran was raw and a touch naive when he was at Slough, and has ended up playing and settling in a division lower than he could play. Adam New had potential but very young and was being touted as being watched watched by league teams.Where is he now?

Billy Jeffery's looked the part but seemed to have injury problems and it appeared that he lost his bottle.

Brad Hewitt willing enough but not up to the standard of the level we were at then. Reece Yorke,steady player but nothing special,

Bound to have missed a couple out.

 

So finding a big, talented centre half is problematic as most are either just stoppers or just play like donkeys, or haven't the desire to succeed, however when you find that rare one that can do more than trap a bag of cement, is aerially dominant and is a great around the field of play on the deck, then they can be worth their weight in gold to progress any team.

 

Finding one is the hard bit !

Edited May 17, 2018 by 3spirit

[Reading Rebel]

In the past, divisions 2 and 3 of league football [now divisions 1 and 2] and the Conference were notorious for big physical sides. I think that rhetoric has changed somewhat.

Conference North may still have a few big sides in it but as for the Conference South I really don't know,as I've only seen the odd game here and there.

 

The days of the archetypal big number 5 seem to be gone.

 

Reading Rebel's point about big sides got me thinking on the centre halves we've had under Bakes and Unders,

 

Guy Hollis has been the most successful and his assets are his strength,physique and speed around the pitch and taking no prisoners when he puts in a challenge. He's not the tallest but the' opposition find him hard to shift off the ball. Certainly no mug centre half.

Mark Nisbet has formed a good partnership with Guy. Mark's assets are that he times his headers well and can show assurane on the ball when needed. When on song he makes it look easy. I would say Alan Inns is that type of player, too. Both have nous and a good footballing brain

As for Matt Day, he seems a mixture of Guy and Mark/Alan in how they play. Not the biggest in height but reads the game well.

 

The best tall number 5 under Bakes and Unders we've had, was Justin Clayton , unfortunately he didn't have his heart in the game and was a poor trainer by all accounts. It was a real shame that, as I could see real potential with him, as he could score goals and his physical presence in defence looked ideal. Definitely a better player than he got credit for.

 

Tom Moran was raw and a touch naive when he was at Slough, and has ended up playing and settling in a division lower than he could play. Adam New had potential but very young and was being touted as being watched watched by league teams.Where is he now?

Billy Jeffery's looked the part but seemed to have injury problems and it appeared that he lost his bottle.

Brad Hewitt willing enough but not up to the standard of the level we were at then. Reece Yorke,steady player but nothing special,

Bound to have missed a couple out.

 

So finding a big, talented centre half is problematic as most are either just stoppers or just play like donkeys, or haven't the desire to succeed, however when you find that rare one that can do more than trap a bag of cement, is aerially dominant and is a great around the field of play on the deck, then they can be worth their weight in gold to progress any team.

 

Finding one is the hard bit !

 

 

Some great points there 3spirit.

 

I think you're right when you say there were mainly big sides in the Conference National and now Conference North and South and to have any chance of competing you had to fight fire with fire. I agree it has changed some what but for me those big sides are still there in midfield, central defence and a big mobile striker who likes nothing better than getting his head on the ball.

 

There's no doubt next season those big sides, when they see us, will try to bully us by arial bombardment in both penalty areas.

 

Your point about the Centre back who is aerially dominant and can play on the deck and around the field, well they are about but they are either in the football league or they cost an arm and a leg, a bit like your 30 goal a season striker.   

[3spirit]

Some great points there 3spirit.

 

I think you're right when you say there were mainly big sides in the Conference National and now Conference North and South and to have any chance of competing you had to fight fire with fire. I agree it has changed some what but for me those big sides are still there in midfield, central defence and a big mobile striker who likes nothing better than getting his head on the ball.

 

There's no doubt next season those big sides, when they see us, will try to bully us by arial bombardment in both penalty areas.

 

Your point about the Centre back who is aerially dominant and can play on the deck and around the field, well they are about but they are either in the football league or they cost an arm and a leg, a bit like your 30 goal a season striker.   

 

RR, I certainly take on board your point about beefing up the team but I don't think there's any need for panic just yet.

I am hoping that a couple of signings we make this summer, addresses this issue.

 

Dependant on Matt Day and Alan Inns situation, will determine whether we bring in one or two centre halves.

 

Centre midfield, I would add one more, that's why I like the idea of someone who can play in defence but can also play midfield.

Lee Togwell has been our lynch pin for the past two seasons and for me is still a very important player for us but I would like to find a bigger mobile powerhouse type as an alternative to him. for certain games.

 

Up front, as previosly mentioned I'd be looking for a 'marquee'  6ft+ forward. Someone who knows the Conference South and has scored goals in it. Doesn't need to be prolific but does need to be a handful for defenders.

 

Right wing is going to be an interesting one through the season. Can Harrison Gilkes get back to his best?

Will Wazza be up to the rigours of the Conference South?

 

Left wing I believe Dobbo will still be Dobbo, whether we choose someone else to share his burden,as the season goes on, is anyone's guess?

 

What do you think, RR?

[Reading Rebel]

Perry Coles proved otherwise ! 

To be fair to Bakes and Unders they proved that the team don't have to be giants to win a division.

 

I openly admit to being dubious about the Perry Coles signing at the time because I thought the amount of high balls we put in from crosses warranted a 6ft+ striker.

 

Against Kings Lynn in the play off final, I was flabberghasted by the antics of the big Kings Lynn players who fell over so easy when tackled by the willing but diminutive Perry Coles. Absolutely embarassing to watch.

I'm amazed Ian Culverhouse didn't get into his players at half time about it.

 

I still think we would benefit by having a  6ft+ striker and I also think it wouldn't do any harm to have 6ft+ centre half in the squad but as women know ' size really doesn't matter, does it? !  ha ha ha.

 

 

Unfortunately 'falling over' to get a player booked or sent off is the norm these day's.

 

The KL players got Perry booked so I'm pretty certain Culverhouse was saying at half time keep doing what your doing and there's a good chance you'll get Perry Coles sent off.

Edited May 17, 2018 by Reading Rebel

[Reading Rebel]

RR, I certainly take on board your point about beefing up the team but I don't think there's any need for panic just yet.

I am hoping that a couple of signings we make this summer, addresses this issue.

 

Dependant on Matt Day and Alan Inns situation, will determine whether we bring in one or two centre halves.

 

Centre midfield, I would add one more, that's why I like the idea of someone who can play in defence but can also play midfield.

Lee Togwell has been our lynch pin for the past two seasons and for me is still a very important player for us but I would like to find a bigger mobile powerhouse type as an alternative to him. for certain games.

 

Up front, as previosly mentioned I'd be looking for a 'marquee'  6ft+ forward. Someone who knows the Conference South and has scored goals in it. Doesn't need to be prolific but does need to be a handful for defenders.

 

Right wing is going to be an interesting one through the season. Can Harrison Gilkes get back to his best?

Will Wazza be up to the rigours of the Conference South?

 

Left wing I believe Dobbo will still be Dobbo, whether we choose someone else to share his burden,as the season goes on, is anyone's guess?

 

What do you think, RR?

 

 

Agree Togs has been an integral part of our team last season and agree maybe a 'powerhouse midfielder' would a good alternative to what we have at present. Not sure on the 'certain games' bit. I know it's a squad game but If he's that good a player he will want to play every game he can and won't be happy on the bench.

 

I'm sure Wazza will still be effective in the Connie South. Not sure what side Gilkes play's left or right, perhaps he can play both and a good alternative when Dobbo or Wazza are not on song. As I've said before i think we need a number 9 who is good in the air and will knock defenders about, possibly Ben Harris but it will be a gamble on his fitness.

[3spirit]

Agree Togs has been an integral part of our team last season and agree maybe a 'powerhouse midfielder' would a good alternative to what we have at present. Not sure on the 'certain games' bit. I know it's a squad game but If he's that good a player he will want to play every game he can and won't be happy on the bench.

 

I'm sure Wazza will still be effective in the Connie South. Not sure what side Gilkes play's left or right, perhaps he can play both and a good alternative when Dobbo or Wazza are not on song. As I've said before i think we need a number 9 who is good in the air and will knock defenders about, possibly Ben Harris but it will be a gamble on his fitness.

 

When I said 'certain games' I was meaning that we could play the powerhouse with any of our other midfielders [ including Togs ] to vary our play and break up the opposition . I didn't mean that he would just be a sub.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Jafooly]

Can't wait to see our team of giants lumbering around the pitch next season. Just hope they remember to kick the ball every now and then.

[3spirit]

Can't wait to see our team of giants lumbering around the pitch next season. Just hope they remember to kick the ball every now and then.

 

Is that the best you can offer,Jafooly?

[Jafooly]

Is that the best you can offer,Jafooly?

Sorry I'll try harder next time.

 

 

P.s. the NBA play offs are on right now (Basketball with loads of tall people) you should watch a few matches, might be more your kind of sport.

[Jafooly]

Also im off now, didn't mean to ruin yours and RR's little love in.

[sdelaney]

I.m with you Jafooly what did the tall KL players do when we got into the game in the play offs.

As the oldies will remember in the 70s we swapped a combative no nonsense striker in Roger Connell for the tall Kieran Summers.

What a mistake.

[maidenheadrebel]

For me its about playing football where the ball remains on the ground for most of the game, as Slough generally has done over recent seasons. Height is often mistaken for ability by some.

Agree with the comment on KL players in the play off final. On the day the team playing the better football won and look at the two forward players who caused the most problems!

[SloughFlyer]

To be fair sdelane Gash of KL caused us all kind of problems in the home game and the final.

 

I think having the variety up front is the ideal scenario. That way we can adapt to the game situation and have plenty of options depending on home / away, pitch and opposition. With variety also comes uncertainty from the opposition managers and players as they aren't sure what we will have up front. Having 3/4 of the same player will make us predictable and easier to defend against.

 

I also agree with a bigger midfielder to compliment Togs and Dunn. I wonder if Davies stays? If so, a bigger midfielder again gives us options.

 

I think our weakest area seems to be defending corners and free kicks, perhaps a taller, stronger in the air centre back will be on the cards to aid us in that area. Add to that a bigger forward and midfielder and we will be more of a presence in both boxes.

[Curtis]

Looking at our last 13 league matches and 2 play-off matches since we signed Scott Davies & Matt Day (we have won 13 drawn 1 and lost 1), 38 goals scored and only 12 goals conceded.

 

I can't see us having an enormous budget to compete for promotion with the bigger clubs (by attendance and budget), Billericay, Woking, Torquay, Dulwich, Dartford, Wealdstone & St Albans, so I would be quite happy for us to have a consolidating season, and if we manage to start the new season with the squad we finished with last season then I would be delighted.

[Reading Rebel]

To be fair sdelane Gash of KL caused us all kind of problems in the home game and the final.

 

I think having the variety up front is the ideal scenario. That way we can adapt to the game situation and have plenty of options depending on home / away, pitch and opposition. With variety also comes uncertainty from the opposition managers and players as they aren't sure what we will have up front. Having 3/4 of the same player will make us predictable and easier to defend against.

 

I also agree with a bigger midfielder to compliment Togs and Dunn. I wonder if Davies stays? If so, a bigger midfielder again gives us options.

 

I think our weakest area seems to be defending corners and free kicks, perhaps a taller, stronger in the air centre back will be on the cards to aid us in that area. Add to that a bigger forward and midfielder and we will be more of a presence in both boxes.

 

 

Ah, at last an excellent well thought out reply. 

 

Exactly what I think myself and 3spirit are saying. A different kind of player in the heart of defence, midfield and in attack to give us options/variety which I think we will need in the Connie South.

[Reading Rebel]

I.m with you Jafooly what did the tall KL players do when we got into the game in the play offs.

As the oldies will remember in the 70s we swapped a combative no nonsense striker in Roger Connell for the tall Kieran Summers.

What a mistake.

 

 

SD, your talking about a one off game at the end of a long hard season.

 

How many points did two of the biggest teams KL and Kettering take off us in the league?

 

As SF say's I don't think any one of us even you would say no to Michael Gash up front.

Edited May 17, 2018 by Reading Rebel