Tonbridge Angels H 30th November

[Reading Rebel]

We dominated the first half without having that cutting edge to give us the goals our play deserved.

Totally understand our change in formation for the second half with injuries and our need to put our chances away but it did allow Tonbridge the space to come more into the game and as such the second half was much more even.

Our best chance in the second half fell to Francis Amartey who somehow managed to shoot wide with only the keeper to beat.

The positive is that we didn't lose but definitely two points dropped.

My MOTM was Warren Harris.

[RebelVilla]

I would agree with Reading Rebel. I thought that we were more effective in the first half and yielded a lot of possession in the second half when we went 4-4-2 (I appreciate that it was enforced on us though), which let Tonbridge into the game more. 

Hopefully the injuries are not too serious, the squad is becoming quite stretched at the moment.

Either side could have scored a winner, although a draw was probably the fairest result.

Looking forward to next week for two important games.

Finally, I was surprised that the ref allowed Tonbridge to play in their orange kit, for me the two strips clashed too much.

 

 

[GeorgeS]

8 minutes ago, RebelVilla said:

Finally, I was surprised that the ref allowed Tonbridge to play in their orange kit, for me the two strips clashed too much.

 

 

Clashed more with the stewards around the ground tbh

[Reading Rebel]

18 minutes ago, RebelVilla said:

I would agree with Reading Rebel. I thought that we were more effective in the first half and yielded a lot of possession in the second half when we went 4-4-2 (I appreciate that it was enforced on us though), which let Tonbridge into the game more. 

Hopefully the injuries are not too serious, the squad is becoming quite stretched at the moment.

Either side could have scored a winner, although a draw was probably the fairest result.

Looking forward to next week for two important games.

Finally, I was surprised that the ref allowed Tonbridge to play in their orange kit, for me the two strips clashed too much.

 

 

Agree that in the second half both teams had chances to win the game but with the amount of possession and dominance that we had we really should have put the game to bed in the first half.

[Irishadrian]

In view of all the extra effort made does anyone know todays official attendance? Thank You

[GeorgeS]

14 minutes ago, Irishadrian said:

In view of all the extra effort made does anyone know todays official attendance? Thank You

771 I believe 

[Irishadrian]

If correct imo that's a little disappointing Our average home gate this season so far has been 791

Edited December 1, 2019 by Irishadrian

[Reading Rebel]

Looking at our attendances in the league this season only Dorking (first game of the season), Weymouth (by 5), Hampton (local derby) and Billericay (non league day) have beaten yesterday's attendance of 771.

Add in the other albeit minor factors that Tonbridge are not a big draw, London clubs like Chelsea and Brentford were at home and the relatively cold weather I think all the hard work put in was worthwhile and almost certainly boosted the attendance.

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, Reading Rebel said:

Looking at our attendances in the league this season only Dorking (first game of the season), Weymouth (by 5), Hampton (local derby) and Billericay (non league day) have beaten yesterday's attendance of 771.

Add in the other albeit minor factors that Tonbridge are not a big draw, London clubs like Chelsea and Brentford were at home and the relatively cold weather I think all the hard work put in was worthwhile and almost certainly boosted the attendance.

I think you've also got to add into the mix people taking into account the traffic problems the M4 closure was bound to cause around Slough and of course the dreaded Christmas shopping. 

[Irishadrian]

I agree that without the extra work/effort the attendance would have been less I just think it's a poor reward for the people who worked so hard and whose aspirations were considerably higher

[GlenSTFC]

Yes it’s disappointing although slightly higher than I expected. I agree though it would have been lower without all the effort than went into promoting it. But let’s be positive and keep trying new and different initiatives and hopefully slowly but surely the crowds will grow to that magic 1,000 average.

[Shredding Green]

1 hour ago, GlenSTFC said:

Yes it’s disappointing although slightly higher than I expected. I agree though it would have been lower without all the effort than went into promoting it. But let’s be positive and keep trying new and different initiatives and hopefully slowly but surely the crowds will grow to that magic 1,000 average.

Continuous marketing increases awareness and then it is up to those new people who have taken an interest to decide to come to a match. What continually amazes me is the (unknown) number of our regular supporters who live outside of the Borough of Slough but we haven't yet managed to get a 1,000 of the 161,000 Slough population to come to the same National League South match. The club is doing the right things so a big thank you from me to all those who are doing them and keep up the good work. People like Arbour Park when they come. There is nearly always the factor of competition on match days : yesterday Maidenhead United were at home to the National League leaders; Hayes & Yeading United were at home  and Brentford, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and
West Ham United were all playing in London. 

See you all on Saturday against Braintree Town. Luckily, Millwall v Nottingham Forest is LIVE on SKY on Friday evening so I can go to both matches.

[Curtis]

Jon is right in his interview when he says we are over-achieving..... 10th in the attendance table, third in the league at present with a predicted final place of sixth.

Let’s enjoy it, get behind the team and hope it continues through to the end of the season.

[sdelaney]

Well done to Sean included in national  league south team of the day superb where ever asked to play.

[Rebellier]

Shredding Green   -   "Hayes & Yeading United were at home"

Agree with all you say about match day competition Sir, but Hayes & Yeading ??

[GlenSTFC]

27 minutes ago, Rebellier said:

Shredding Green   -   "Hayes & Yeading United were at home"

Agree with all you say about match day competition Sir, but Hayes & Yeading ??

Well they did get 201! 

[GlenSTFC]

My dilemma (if that’s the right word) is that on one hand I want us fighting tooth and nail to catch Wealdstone and challenge for top spot, so results like Saturday are very frustrating. But then you have to be realistic and think of where we’ve come from and what tools we have at our disposal and then you actually think ok we are punching above our weight and if we were 7th at the halfway stage we’d all have taken that at the start. The managers aim was top 7 and we’re exceeding that currently and realistically with a small squad I’m not sure we can fight for the title unless we sign another 1 or 2 higher level players. I just hope we remain as we have been, steer clear of injuries and get to participate in the play offs which would be exciting and who knows?

[3spirit]

13 hours ago, Curtis said:

Jon is right in his interview when he says we are over-achieving..... 10th in the attendance table, third in the league at present with a predicted final place of sixth.

Let’s enjoy it, get behind the team and hope it continues through to the end of the season.

 

2 hours ago, GlenSTFC said:

My dilemma (if that’s the right word) is that on one hand I want us fighting tooth and nail to catch Wealdstone and challenge for top spot, so results like Saturday are very frustrating. But then you have to be realistic and think of where we’ve come from and what tools we have at our disposal and then you actually think ok we are punching above our weight and if we were 7th at the halfway stage we’d all have taken that at the start. The managers aim was top 7 and we’re exceeding that currently and realistically with a small squad I’m not sure we can fight for the title unless we sign another 1 or 2 higher level players. I just hope we remain as we have been, steer clear of injuries and get to participate in the play offs which would be exciting and who knows?

In a newspaper article a couple of weeks ago, Unders made a very good point, that on paper the squad is not on equal par to the individual talent on offer at the bigger budgeted clubs but because of team spirit,obviously their management skill [though that wasn't alluded to] and the players notable willingness to put a lot into the cause, this season in the league so far our team has been excellent, in terms of what has been achieved.  I concur wholeheartedly on this.

From the outset of this season,I was expecting Slough to be hovering around mid table, so for Slough to be near to the top of the table is extraordinary in my book. Whether we can stay top 5 all season is another matter but I'm sure Bakes and Unders will do their level best to try and do it but I think it will be a tall order to do so but I hope I'm proved wrong.

From a squad point of view, I think we have finally got players who are so adaptable, that we can mix and match to any formation.There's a lot to be said for this when you haven't necessarily got the biggest budget in the league. Even with Ryan Bird we've managed to utilise his height and strength to use him as a centre half [although I've yet to see him play as a defender in a Slough shirt] which appears to have been a success, too.

I was hoping to be at the Tonbridge game but that went out the window due to circumstances but seeing that it was 0-0 I'm somewhat glad I couldn't make it. To stay top 5, you need to beat teams like Tonbridge at home but currently this division on the whole, is so hard to predict scorelines, as better teams seem regular in dropping points to unfancied sides. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why Slough are doing so well,as currently every team looks beatable including the hot favourites, Havant.

Hope to be at the Braintree game and hope we get back to winning ways.

Edited December 2, 2019 by 3spirit

[Reading Rebel]

33 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

 

In a newspaper article a couple of weeks ago, Unders made a very good point, that on paper the squad is not on equal par to the individual talent on offer at the bigger budgeted clubs but because of team spirit,obviously their management skill [though that wasn't alluded to] and the players notable willingness to put a lot into the cause, this season in the league so far our team has been excellent, in terms of what has been achieved.  I concur wholeheartedly on this.

From the outset of this season,I was expecting Slough to be hovering around mid table, so for Slough to be near to the top of the table is extraordinary in my book. Whether we can stay top 5 all season is another matter but I'm sure Bakes and Unders will do their level best to try and do it but I think it will be a tall order to do so but I hope I'm proved wrong.

From a squad point of view, I think we have finally got players who are so adaptable, that we can mix and match to any formation.There's a lot to be said for this when you haven't necessarily got the biggest budget in the league. Even with Ryan Bird we've managed to utilise his height and strength to use him as a centre half [although I've yet to see him play as a defender in a Slough shirt] which appears to have been a success, too.

I was hoping to be at the Tonbridge game but that went out the window due to circumstances but seeing that it was 0-0 I'm somewhat glad I couldn't make it. To stay top 5, you need to beat teams like Tonbridge at home but currently this division on the whole, is so hard to predict scorelines, as better teams seem regular in dropping points to unfancied sides. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why Slough are doing so well,as currently every team looks beatable including the hot favourites, Havant.

Hope to be at the Braintree game and hope we get back to winning ways.

After last seasons achievements just wondered why your pre season expectations this season were to 'hover around mid table'?

With a similar squad to last season with a few additions I would say most supporters expectations were to be in the play offs. 

[Curtis]

31 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

After last seasons achievements just wondered why your pre season expectations this season were to 'hover around mid table'?

With a similar squad to last season with a few additions I would say most supporters expectations were to be in the play offs. 

I think you need to remember we finished 11th with 63 points, & finished with 22 points (6 wins & 4 draws) from our last 10 league matches. In a normal season that would have been 7 points short of a play-off spot.

That late run also coincided with the loan signing of Billy Clifford, and when we didn't manage to sign him for this season I thought we would struggle to continue this season with anything like the same run of results..... I was wrong though and even though we had a poor start, with 34 points from 18 matches we are currently 4 points ahead of what is needed to average 70 points over the course of the season.