Weymouth - Onwards and Upwards!

[Guest Wycombe Rebel]

Turner

Fraser Hollis S.Togwell Wells

Grant Lench L.Togwell Worsfold

B. Harris Roberts

Subs: Armsworth, Davies, Williams, W.Harris, Amartey

Controversial this early but I’d dual register Birdy at somewhere like Bracknell at a lower level to get his fitness and confidence up!

Edited August 11, 2019 by CookhamRebel

[3spirit]

Ryan Bird just needs to find the back of the net for Slough, to get his confidence rising. While I can't say he's set the place alight with his football yet, I find it daft that he gets singled out for the blame because of our three defeats. I certainly wouldn't dual reg Ryan Bird. It's far too early to judge what he's capable of.Currently it's about the whole team getting into a rhythm of how they play and believing in what they are trying to do. It only takes sparks of invention, and goals scored in the opposition net, to bring about a change in fortune.

We have tough games coming thick and fast now and I agree Dan Roberts needs to start from the off against Weymouth, as I'm hoping he will be our catalyst to improve our movement and effectiveness in front of goal.

13 hours ago, CookhamRebel said:

Turner

Fraser Hollis S.Togwell Wells

Grant Lench L.Togwell Worsfold

B. Harris Roberts

Subs: Armsworth, Davies, Williams, W.Harris, Amartey

Controversial this early but I’d dual register Birdy at somewhere like Bracknell at a lower level to get his fitness and confidence up!

Sounds like Ben Harris had a good game against Concord Rangers, so I agree with your pairing up front, Cookham Rebel, to start against Weymouth. Your team selection looks a sound one to me but we dont know how fit Sean Fraser is, so that might alter what team we actually go with.I do think we should make 3 changes to the team that started against Concord, to freshen the line up. So Sam, Dan and Joe look the obvious incomers.

As we also need to get a home win under our belt, I would have Ryan Bird on the subs bench, at the expense of Scott Armsworth for this game [if Sean Fraser is fit].      

[Reading Rebel]

14 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

Ryan Bird just needs to find the back of the net for Slough, to get his confidence rising. While I can't say he's set the place alight with his football yet, I find it daft that he gets singled out for the blame because of our three defeats. I certainly wouldn't dual reg Ryan Bird. It's far too early to judge what he's capable of.Currently it's about the whole team getting into a rhythm of how they play and believing in what they are trying to do. It only takes sparks of invention, and goals scored in the opposition net, to bring about a change in fortune.

We have tough games coming thick and fast now and I agree Dan Roberts needs to start from the off against Weymouth, as I'm hoping he will be our catalyst to improve our movement and effectiveness in front of goal.

Sounds like Ben Harris had a good game against Concord Rangers, so I agree with your pairing up front, Cookham Rebel, to start against Weymouth. Your team selection looks a sound one to me but we dont know how fit Sean Fraser is, so that might alter what team we actually go with.I do think we should make 3 changes to the team that started against Concord, to freshen the line up. So Sam, Dan and Joe look the obvious incomers.

As we also need to get a home win under our belt, I would have Ryan Bird on the subs bench, at the expense of Scott Armsworth for this game [if Sean Fraser is fit].      

Ryan Bird came on as sub against Concord so can't be blamed for that defeat besides I don't think Ryan Bird is being singled out. 

To date I think it's our forward line in general that hasn't been converting the chances that have come our way.

It's a tricky one with Birdy because he needs to play games not only to get himself fitter and sharper but also to get his confidence up by scoring a goal.

On the team selection I really cannot see how Warren Harris can be left out of the starting 11.

[GlenSTFC]

I think if every supporter got fully behind the lads from KO that would be a massive boost for them. But we all know we’ll hear the snidey negative comments from a few who are never happy... We all know (especially for strikers) it’s about confidence, Birdy scores a screamer imagine how high his confidence will grow? By all being positive it can only improve our chances of turning around our form.

[3spirit]

2 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

Ryan Bird came on as sub against Concord so can't be blamed for that defeat besides I don't think Ryan Bird is being singled out. 

To date I think it's our forward line in general that hasn't been converting the chances that have come our way.

It's a tricky one with Birdy because he needs to play games not only to get himself fitter and sharper but also to get his confidence up by scoring a goal.

On the team selection I really cannot see how Warren Harris can be left out of the starting 11.

Well, no player should be guaranteed a place and there are loads of games to come especially in August, so Wazza doesn't have to necessarily start against Weymouth, as it's good to give players rest. As a player we know he is Mr Reliable whatever position he is put in but sometimes to freshen play you have to look at alternatives. I wasn't at the Concord match, so can only go by reports of who played well and who didn't but as we lost the game it's evident, that also incurring three straight defeats on the bounce, our team needs a shake up of sorts.

I don't see players being picked as subs as a demotion, as it's a squad game nowadays, not just about the first eleven, so whether Wazza starts the game or is a sub makes little difference really in the big scheme of a full season. Obviously he will start more games than anyone else on his favoured position of right wing, as he is our number one right winger there but Joe Grant needs games, too, and for me I would give him the opportunity to play right wing against Weymouth, if he is fit enough to start.    

[Reading Rebel]

2 hours ago, 3spirit said:

Well, no player should be guaranteed a place and there are loads of games to come especially in August, so Wazza doesn't have to necessarily start against Weymouth, as it's good to give players rest. As a player we know he is Mr Reliable whatever position he is put in but sometimes to freshen play you have to look at alternatives. I wasn't at the Concord match, so can only go by reports of who played well and who didn't but as we lost the game it's evident, that also incurring three straight defeats on the bounce, our team needs a shake up of sorts.

I don't see players being picked as subs as a demotion, as it's a squad game nowadays, not just about the first eleven, so whether Wazza starts the game or is a sub makes little difference really in the big scheme of a full season. Obviously he will start more games than anyone else on his favoured position of right wing, as he is our number one right winger there but Joe Grant needs games, too, and for me I would give him the opportunity to play right wing against Weymouth, if he is fit enough to start.    

Only 3 games in so I don't think players are in need of a rest.

It's early in the season but Weymouth is a big game for us to get back on track and I imagine will come with all the pressures of a big game so a player of Wazza's experience and class will be vital if we are to get anything from the game.  

[GlenSTFC]

Going by Neil’s comments I’ll go with this starting XI:

Turner

Fraser, Hollis, Togwell, Wells

Harris, Lench, Togwell, Grant

Harris, Roberts

[HEAVY TRUCKER]

i think we will have to tighten up at the back, whoever plays there will have to be on their top mettle, for at the moment this is the area where our achilles heal is imo.

Edited August 13, 2019 by HEAVY TRUCKER

[GlenSTFC]

We certainly have to stop giving away cheap goals but we also need to be a lot more ruthless in front of goal. Having Dan available tonight is a big boost although I worry we may be placing a lot of expectation on his young shoulders especially after our poor start. But looking forward to seeing how he plays tonight and if he can improve our striking fortunes.

[Reading Rebel]

As Glen say's it's both ends of the pitch at the moment but I have every confidence that things will change starting tonight.

Big boost to have Sam Togwell and Dan Roberts back in contention for selection.

Massive task tonight against an unbeaten Weymouth side that come into the game on the back of giving Chelmsford a 4-1 thumping.

 

[Reading Rebel]

I see Weymouth have now got their own radio station, I think it's called muff radio, and are at AP tonight broadcasting the game live. 

[Guest Wycombe Rebel]

On 12/08/2019 at 10:16, 3spirit said:

Ryan Bird just needs to find the back of the net for Slough, to get his confidence rising. While I can't say he's set the place alight with his football yet, I find it daft that he gets singled out for the blame because of our three defeats. I certainly wouldn't dual reg Ryan Bird. It's far too early to judge what he's capable of.Currently it's about the whole team getting into a rhythm of how they play and believing in what they are trying to do. It only takes sparks of invention, and goals scored in the opposition net, to bring about a change in fortune.

We have tough games coming thick and fast now and I agree Dan Roberts needs to start from the off against Weymouth, as I'm hoping he will be our catalyst to improve our movement and effectiveness in front of goal.

Sounds like Ben Harris had a good game against Concord Rangers, so I agree with your pairing up front, Cookham Rebel, to start against Weymouth. Your team selection looks a sound one to me but we dont know how fit Sean Fraser is, so that might alter what team we actually go with.I do think we should make 3 changes to the team that started against Concord, to freshen the line up. So Sam, Dan and Joe look the obvious incomers.

As we also need to get a home win under our belt, I would have Ryan Bird on the subs bench, at the expense of Scott Armsworth for this game [if Sean Fraser is fit].      

Not singling any individual out for blame 3spirit, it's a team game, no individual can ever be solely at fault. Just feel you need everyone firing on all cylinders in this league because it is so competitive and just feel it might benefit Ryan Bird to go and find the net, once a striker gets a feel for it, they pretty can find the onion bag at any level, it's all about confidence and it just seems to me that Ryan's has been shattered by his time at Maidenhead.

[3spirit]

7 hours ago, CookhamRebel said:

Not singling any individual out for blame 3spirit, it's a team game, no individual can ever be solely at fault. Just feel you need everyone firing on all cylinders in this league because it is so competitive and just feel it might benefit Ryan Bird to go and find the net, once a striker gets a feel for it, they pretty can find the onion bag at any level, it's all about confidence and it just seems to me that Ryan's has been shattered by his time at Maidenhead.

I feel Ryan Bird will benefit being around our squad, as at some point we will click [hopefully tonight] and he has enough experience under his belt to come through this lean spell of his. To me it defeats the object sending him out on a dual reg. All players need time to settle in, it's just some get there quicker than others. Ryan doesn't look as sharp as he did back in the day when he was playing for Burnham but there has been 'a lot of water passed under the bridge' since then for him, but as a team we haven't exactly set up loads of chances for him or has he had a single foil to play alongside him regularly, so 'the jury is still out' on what he can achieve for Slough IMO.

You cannot level at him that he is not trying to get involved, as he is. I'm not going to judge him on a short pre-season and after only three league games. We need to see where we are with him after about 15 games. Ironically I think he will be useful in our winter games but whether he will get that long to prove himself, I don't know.

 

[Rebellier]

Ryan Bird will definitely get some more games now seeing as Francis has gotten himself a 3 match ban for a stupid challenge this evening.

[GlenSTFC]

A well earned and much needed point tonight. Performance was a lot better and both teams had a few chances to win it. Impressed with Dan’s performance, he provided the spark this evening. Shame about the red card but from where I was sitting it looked nasty but not malicious. Weymouth look a decent team and I’d expect them to be challenging for the play offs.

[Windsor Rebel]

Ryan Bird is unfit, overweight and not strong enough for a 6 feet plus forward 

[Irishadrian]

Defence much improved but another game without a goal from open play Great to get our first point but we've  dropped down to 21st  as others also start to pick up points  Bath are the new leaders who we play next week Its been a tough August!

 

[Neil Baker]

44 minutes ago, Windsor Rebel said:

Ryan Bird is unfit, overweight and not strong enough for a 6 feet plus forward 

He has also been going through a very tough time, with him and his partner losing a baby 3 weeks before pre season started at 25 weeks (where there was also concern for his wife) which has been devastating for him and wife, so maybe cut him a bit of slack, he is a very good lad, and he knows he is not sharp enough at present, but will work hard to try and get there.

[3spirit]

A committed performance from our players tonight but we did ride our luck at times and are fortunate to get away with a draw. Thought Francis was unlucky with the sending off, given that the Weymouth player made a meal of the challenge because as soon as Francis was given his marching orders, the supposed injured Weymouth player was up and walking about. Francis did get the tackle wrong but it looked worse than it actually was. More bad luck befalls the team, with him now going to be out suspended.

Shame Francis had to go off as I thought he made a difference when he came on for Ben, and we were beginning to get some success against the Weymouth defence with Francis's pace and Dan Roberts tireless running and movement, the only caveat to that was we failed to have many shots in the second half and so the Weymouth keeper got off lightly. Once the sending off happened, our attack pretty much came to nothing.

Impressed with Weymouth. They played some good stuff and look like a side that will cope with the Conference South in their stride.

On Slough, we gave away a sloppy goal early again and were fortunate to get our penalty, I thought, and we were very lucky to get away with one, when George Wells brought down a Weymouth attacker in our penalty area,with the ref waving play on.However, we fought to keep in the game and while there are still areas of our game that needs improving on, this performance gives us some hope for better things to come.

Dan Roberts was my man of the match but the one gripe I had with him, was when he found himself in front of the Weymouth goal, in the first half, and passed the ball wide to Lee Togwell. Unselfish play from him-yes but he should have shot, we need goals from our forwards, not them passing the buck, when they get clear goal scoring opportunities. Apart from that one minor thing, I thought he had a fine game.  

Edited August 13, 2019 by 3spirit

[Rebellier]

Francis' over the top challenge effectively killed off any chance we had of getting 3 points. He has already apologised on Twitter.