v Braintree 25th January A

[Curtis]

An excellent three points today.... in the first half we came out very positive & it was the best I’ve seen us play for quite a while.

The second half was more of a workmanlike performance to secure the win.

[Irishadrian]

Yes  3 more points  and 3 teams now (2nd 3rd and 4th) all on 59 points  H&W have a game in hand but we have 6 points to take from them Neil has said several times he doesn't believe we can be champions  We are well placed imo to gain the advantage that second would give us.

[3spirit]

An away win is always good, though we're not exactly banging in the goals.

Amazed to see Louis Soares back in the squad.Least he knows our managers and players well and knows our tactics to settle in quickly and has plenty of experience at our level but I have to say what an underwhelming signing! I was expecting a new face. He isn't all bad, though, and as cover for our wingers will do a job for the team. Wonder if this is just a short term arrangement?       

[3spirit]

Who would have thought Wealdstone would turn over Bath City 7-0? Real amazing result that.Perhaps they are the champions in waiting.

[Neil Baker]

We are more than happy to discuss our decisions at the fans forum Thursday, however it so important whoever we bring in does not upset the apple cart so to speak, Soaresy is a top lad, can still do a job, but also knows he is coming in as an option for the 3 of Max, Lenchy and Wazza.

We have been offered players galore from clubs higher than us, however there is a common theme, either the clubs or players want far too much money (or at least more than we are prepared to pay as a club), or player is expected to start, which I am afraid we are not going to guarantee with the form of our lads (we have lost 2 league games in 23), this usually stops these conversations.

If we got a key injury then that could change.

We are delighted to welcome Soaresy back, and he has fitted straight back in this week at training, we do have another training with us, however time will tell if he signs.

[Stan]

12 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

Who would have thought Wealdstone would turn over Bath City 7-0? Real amazing result that.Perhaps they are the champions in waiting.

 

22 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

An away win is always good, though we're not exactly banging in the goals.

Amazed to see Louis Soares back in the squad.Least he knows our managers and players well and knows our tactics to settle in quickly and has plenty of experience at our level but I have to say what an underwhelming signing! I was expecting a new face. He isn't all bad, though, and as cover for our wingers will do a job for the team. Wonder if this is just a short term arrangement?       

Shows what a good side we are after our close games with Wealdstone.

We May not be banging in the goals but we are not conceding them either. When you consider that our normal centre back pairing of Nis and Guy have barely played together this season , all the more remarkable .

Bakes and Unders have a habit of bringing back players they trust or who wanted a second chance (Dobbo and Lenchy). Usually works out OK .

 

[3spirit]

32 minutes ago, Neil Baker said:

We are more than happy to discuss our decisions at the fans forum Thursday, however it so important whoever we bring in does not upset the apple cart so to speak, Soaresy is a top lad, can still do a job, but also knows he is coming in as an option for the 3 of Max, Lenchy and Wazza.

We have been offered players galore from clubs higher than us, however there is a common theme, either the clubs or players want far too much money (or at least more than we are prepared to pay as a club), or player is expected to start, which I am afraid we are not going to guarantee with the form of our lads (we have lost 2 league games in 23), this usually stops these conversations.

If we got a key injury then that could change.

We are delighted to welcome Soaresy back, and he has fitted straight back in this week at training, we do have another training with us, however time will tell if he signs.

Thanks for the heads up, Neil. Sounds perfectly reasonable what you say here.

[3spirit]

20 minutes ago, Stan said:

 

Shows what a good side we are after our close games with Wealdstone.

We May not be banging in the goals but we are not conceding them either. When you consider that our normal centre back pairing of Nis and Guy have barely played together this season , all the more remarkable .

Bakes and Unders have a habit of bringing back players they trust or who wanted a second chance (Dobbo and Lenchy). Usually works out OK .

 

I never said we wasn't a good side, Stan. I have faith in both our managers and understand the rationale' with the players they like in their squad but I'm never going to be a yes man to everything they do.That isn't my way. 

2 defeats in 23 league games is extraordinary form and the managers and players deserve huge credit for achieving this. That said I feel we have some way to go before we are champions elect but play off challengers and where the team currently sits in the table is a fantastic return for this squad IMO, given that we are not breaking the bank to do so.

However, I'm not a devotee of the 4-5-1 policy in every game and feel it is limiting in our approach to scoring goals. I readily accept the notion to play it away from home,the majority of the time but feel at our home games we should be seeking to be more adventurous. I agree that a team should be built from the back and I can see nothing wrong with our defence/goalkeeper, the midfield we have, is pretty good in general but I feel we are somewhat lacking up front and losing Francis isn't going to help matters.     

[Irishadrian]

1 hour ago, 3spirit said:

Who would have thought Wealdstone would turn over Bath City 7-0? Real amazing result that.Perhaps they are the champions in waiting.

3spirit

Well worth going onto Bath twitter and listen to their managers post match thoughts

[3spirit]

1 minute ago, Irishadrian said:

3spirit

Well worth going onto Bath twitter and listen to their managers post match thoughts

Cheers Irishadrian, I'll go and have a look there now. I bet there are some excuses.

[3spirit]

21 minutes ago, Irishadrian said:

3spirit

Well worth going onto Bath twitter and listen to their managers post match thoughts

Just watched it, IA. To be fair, Jerry Gill doesn't make many excuses. Don't suppose he could really, after a 7-0 thrashing. His view on his players performances was very honest and to the point.

He came over well on this interview but I've seen him before on social media talking crap. I wonder what he's like in person? He's certainly not a happy bunny, bet he doesn't get a lot of shut eye tonight.

Edited January 26, 2020 by 3spirit

[Jon Underwood]

Hope to see a good number at the fans forum on Thursday where we will be happy to answer any questions on tactics, formation, squad, signings etc.
 

Far easier to do that there than reply to each message on here (mostly from 3spirit!)  about why we play that 4-5-1 formation and keep settling for those boring 1-0 wins! ?

[Reeeebbbbeeeelllllls]

50 minutes ago, Jon Underwood said:

Hope to see a good number at the fans forum on Thursday where we will be happy to answer any questions on tactics, formation, squad, signings etc.
 

Far easier to do that there than reply to each message on here (mostly from 3spirit!)  about why we play that 4-5-1 formation and keep settling for those boring 1-0 wins! ?

A wins a win people need to understand this, and the type of football we play is very easy on the eye. So another win ???
keep up the good work ??

[GlenSTFC]

8 hours ago, 3spirit said:

I never said we wasn't a good side, Stan. I have faith in both our managers and understand the rationale' with the players they like in their squad but I'm never going to be a yes man to everything they do.That isn't my way. 

2 defeats in 23 league games is extraordinary form and the managers and players deserve huge credit for achieving this. That said I feel we have some way to go before we are champions elect but play off challengers and where the team currently sits in the table is a fantastic return for this squad IMO, given that we are not breaking the bank to do so.

However, I'm not a devotee of the 4-5-1 policy in every game and feel it is limiting in our approach to scoring goals. I readily accept the notion to play it away from home,the majority of the time but feel at our home games we should be seeking to be more adventurous. I agree that a team should be built from the back and I can see nothing wrong with our defence/goalkeeper, the midfield we have, is pretty good in general but I feel we are somewhat lacking up front and losing Francis isn't going to help matters.     

1-0 or 10-0 a win is still 3 points!

[GlenSTFC]

How was there just under 500 at Braintree yesterday! Alot of people mentioned how sparse the crowd looked and i did a rough headcount and got around 300 with around 125 from Slough. Can’t believe they had 200 odd ST holders who didn’t turn up!

[Reading Rebel]

We were much the better side in the first half and to go in just the 1-0 up was scant reward for our efforts.

Second half was a different matter.

Braintree should have equalized just after half-time when a player strode into our area unchallenged, rounded Jack Turner but somehow fluffed his kick and the ball was cleared.

For the rest of the half I can't remember a shot being saved from either keeper with Dan Roberts producing his usual effort but getting more isolated as the half went on.

In the end all that really matters at this stage of the season is that we got the 3 points.

COYR!!!!!!

Forgot to put that I thought our best player on the day was Warren Harris. 

Edited January 26, 2020 by Reading Rebel

[REBEL MATTERS]

Someone mentioned above the gaffers like bringing players back. Look who flash score had as scoring our goal yesterday ? 

[GlenSTFC]

How poor is that, Woozley hasn’t played for years, wasn’t even on the team sheet and his name is not in any way similar to Warren Harris! How and where did they get this name from??? Similarly the non league paper yet again full or errors, out league table on games played only accounts for the home games!

[HorshamRebel]

1 hour ago, GlenSTFC said:

How poor is that, Woozley hasn’t played for years, wasn’t even on the team sheet and his name is not in any way similar to Warren Harris! How and where did they get this name from??? Similarly the non league paper yet again full or errors, out league table on games played only accounts for the home games!

NLP is written by people from the home club, so will always have a home slant.

The scores are probably passed on from the home team as well.

Basic use of CICO

[GlenSTFC]

4 minutes ago, HorshamRebel said:

NLP is written by people from the home club, so will always have a home slant.

The scores are probably passed on from the home team as well.

Basic use of CICO

No issue with match reports but doesn’t explain the non existent quality control! How can you get the league table wrong when the figures are right there in front of you (just basic adding up would solve this!). Used to buy it regularly but haven’t for years as it just isn’t value for money personally (2/3 of the paper is match reports which aside from a quick glance I have no interest in reading). I’m only interested in the actual news stories which account for around 10%.