Billericay v Slough

[Reading Rebel]

Billericay have had a poor start to the season losing their first 4 games but their confidence will be boosted by their recent 4-1 win over Hemel with Jake Robinson scoring a hat trick.  

Tends to be a few goals in our game against them but If we can keep it tight at the back I think we can nick this one 1-0.

[Reading Rebel]

Fairly even first half with Slough having the better of the early exchanges and really should have taken the lead when an excellent chance fell to Malachi Linton who really should have scored but didn't.

Billericay came more into the game but we still had chances and umpteen corners to none for Billericay but failed to make any of them count.

The game was very even until a simple ball straight through the center of our midfield put Billericay in an attacking position and being already on a yellow card a really silly foul from Ryan Bird resulted in him being sent off and we now had a huge task on our hands.

An early goal in the second half by Jake Robinson made our task even harder but credit to our players for taking the game to Billericay and another good chance fell to Malachi Linton but a decent save prevented him getting the equalizer.

 A second well taken goal for Billericay from a free kick eventually sealed our fate.

Billericay were really nothing to write home about and with 11 players on the pitch I think the outcome could have been a lot different. 

 

[Bernie Gogan]

Yes agree with RR, we in fact had more of the ball and more efforts on goal. Their keeper was much the busier of the 2. Thought we deserved something from the game. New Lodge hasn't been a happy hunting ground for us, even last season they grabbed an equaliser in injury time.

[Nathan]

Very disappointing performance and result against a side I felt were low on confidence and there for the taking. We dominated possession and chances, yet rarely looked like scoring.

I feel we're crying out for a striker to play alongside Dan Roberts, as it's simply not working for him as a lone striker. Ben Harris's recovery can't come quickly enough!

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, Nathan said:

Very disappointing performance and result against a side I felt were low on confidence and there for the taking. We dominated possession and chances, yet rarely looked like scoring.

I feel we're crying out for a striker to play alongside Dan Roberts, as it's simply not working for him as a lone striker. Ben Harris's recovery can't come quickly enough!

Nathan, you mean a permanent striker not one that's on loan?

I'm not sure they were low on confidence IMO they just didn't look a very good side and no more than mid table at best.

[Reading Rebel]

There's no doubt that so far this season we have not looked good defensively and have given away far too many cheap goals.

Not sure what the problem is but opposing forwards, like Jake Robinson today, have found it far too easy to find space to score.

I think we need something a bit more solid in midfield. Putting Lee Togwell back into midfield in a sort of holding role I think will give us that bit of solidity that we've been missing and should hopefully give our defence a bit more protection.

[3spirit]

18 hours ago, Nathan said:

Very disappointing performance and result against a side I felt were low on confidence and there for the taking. We dominated possession and chances, yet rarely looked like scoring.

I feel we're crying out for a striker to play alongside Dan Roberts, as it's simply not working for him as a lone striker. Ben Harris's recovery can't come quickly enough!

I didn't watch or listen to the game yesterday but have just looked at the Twitter and then listened to the post match Bakes interview, I can understand what you are saying about Dan Roberts as a lone striker, Nathan but against Billericay he was sub, so what difference did that make on yesterday's game?

I've not seen Malachi Linton play yet but fans have got give him a chance to settle in, and Bakes reckons he had a good game yesterday. On paper, I think our managers could have made a very shrewd acquisition with him, so let's give him some leeway if he misses the odd chance or two. I'm not overly disappointed about an away defeat to Billericay, regardless to how the game panned out.

One point I would like to mention, is from Bakes post match interview, when Bakes says about another defensive lapse of concentration cost Slough again [ just after half time], from what, last season was 'one of the tightest defences in the league'. This observation from our manager is a bit of a misnomer and airs on being harsh in my opinion, as while I recognise that our team do have a habit of failing to get their arse in gear for at the start of the second half, this time around we were down to ten men, had just bought Lee Togwell on[44th minute?] to replace Paul Hodges and cover for the Ryan Bird sending off. Lee didn't have a lot of time to establish where he would be playing and how the team would shape up. Talking in the change room about it, isn't like the actuality of playing.                                                                           Jake Robinson is going to find space, he's a class player. We also have a rookie in our left back position, unlike when George Wells was there. I don't mean to be critical of Louis Lomas, as I have never seen him play [ in person] and he is young and starting out on his career but the player he has replaced was a major player in our team last season. Louis may have had a blinder of game yesterday,I don't know but he is new to the team and the Conference South and the players he's facing this season. Just watching goals on video from Slough games this season's, I've noticed Louis hasn't been able to stop a cross from the attacking winger on three occasions that has led to Slough conceding goals, so I believe we need to be patient with him and how our other defenders are operating. I'm not looking to single out Louis, as Josh on the other side isn't always faultless either but I just wanted to highlight that our defensive unit is not the same. Add Mark Nisbet's absence and we are nothing like last seasons tight ship [despite the Togwell's in the heart of the defence]. Ryan Bird may have been unfortunate to pick up two yellow cards and these things happen but his dismissal appears to be the turning point of the game. According to Reading Rebel and Bakes, Birdy was at fault for the second one, so he needs to take some of the blame for getting himself sent off which in turn had an effect on yesterday's loss.

I also noted that we had new pairing in centre midfield yesterday from last season, so in my mind Neil's comparison is way off. 

I can understand Neil, and Slough fans who watched the game being frustrated in losing, given the officials decisions and how many chances Slough had but when I see the Slough team we are putting out this season, I see a team in transition and one that has had a lot of changes, so for me these mixed results are understandable. We've only played 6 league games, so a couple of losses on the bounce is not worth worrying about IMO. 

I can see us turning over Hungerford on the back of this defeat.

[Reading Rebel]

33 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

I didn't watch or listen to the game yesterday but have just looked at the Twitter and then listened to the post match Bakes interview, I can understand what you are saying about Dan Roberts as a lone striker, Nathan but against Billericay he was sub, so what difference did that make on yesterday's game?

I've not seen Malachi Linton play yet but fans have got give him a chance to settle in, and Bakes reckons he had a good game yesterday. On paper, I think our managers could have made a very shrewd acquisition with him, so let's give him some leeway if he misses the odd chance or two. I'm not overly disappointed about an away defeat to Billericay, regardless to how the game panned out.

One point I would like to mention, is from Bakes post match interview, when Bakes says about another defensive lapse of concentration cost Slough again [ just after half time], from what, last season was 'one of the tightest defences in the league'. This observation from our manager is a bit of a misnomer and airs on being harsh in my opinion, as while I recognise that our team do have a habit of failing to get their arse in gear for at the start of the second half, this time around we were down to ten men, had just bought Lee Togwell on[44th minute?] to replace Paul Hodges and cover for the Ryan Bird sending off. Lee didn't have a lot of time to establish where he would be playing and how the team would shape up. Talking in the change room about it, isn't like the actuality of playing.                                                                           Jake Robinson is going to find space, he's a class player. We also have a rookie in our left back position, unlike when George Wells was there. I don't mean to be critical of Louis Lomas, as I have never seen him play [ in person] and he is young and starting out on his career but the player he has replaced was a major player in our team last season. Louis may have had a blinder of game yesterday,I don't know but he is new to the team and the Conference South and the players he's facing this season. Just watching goals on video from Slough games this season's, I've noticed Louis hasn't been able to stop a cross from the attacking winger on three occasions that has led to Slough conceding goals, so I believe we need to be patient with him and how our other defenders are operating. I'm not looking to single out Louis, as Josh on the other side isn't always faultless either but I just wanted to highlight that our defensive unit is not the same. Add Mark Nisbet's absence and we are nothing like last seasons tight ship [despite the Togwell's in the heart of the defence]. Ryan Bird may have been unfortunate to pick up two yellow cards and these things happen but his dismissal appears to be the turning point of the game. According to Reading Rebel and Bakes, Birdy was at fault for the second one, so he needs to take some of the blame for getting himself sent off which in turn had an effect on yesterday's loss.

I also noted that we had new pairing in centre midfield yesterday from last season, so in my mind Neil's comparison is way off. 

I can understand Neil, and Slough fans who watched the game being frustrated in losing, given the officials decisions and how many chances Slough had but when I see the Slough team we are putting out this season, I see a team in transition and one that has had a lot of changes, so for me these mixed results are understandable. We've only played 6 league games, so a couple of losses on the bounce is not worth worrying about IMO. 

I can see us turning over Hungerford on the back of this defeat.

Taking away the fact that we are only 6 games into the season, I think there's a couple of reasons why so far this season we are not as tight defensively as we were last season.

I would say the loss of Guy Hollis and Mark Nisbet is certainly a factor.

Whilst Lee Togwell can do a good job in defense I think he is needed more in midfield to add that bit of grit and experience to what is a new and relatively young midfield.

On the point of Malachi Linton, do we know how long he's on loan for? I don't think it was mentioned when his arrival was announced.

[Reading Rebel]

Stark contrast in the post match manager interviews.

To quote Jamie O'Hara, 'Billericay dominated the game especially in the second half'.

Not sure what game he was watching and strangely no mention of us going down to 10 men.

[sdelaney]

3Spirit you can listen to Ade.s matchday commentary on Mixlr it is free.

Download from google play store.

 

[sdelaney]

43 minutes ago, sdelaney said:

3Spirit you can listen to Ade.s matchday commentary on Mixlr it is free.

Download from google play store.

 

That.s fot the away games his commentary for the home games are on the streaming service which as you have mentioned before you do not watch.

[Irishadrian]

2 hours ago, Reading Rebel said:

Stark contrast in the post match manager interviews.

To quote Jamie O'Hara, 'Billericay dominated the game especially in the second half'.

Not sure what game he was watching and strangely no mention of us going down to 10 men.

At least someone has told him we have 2 managers In his pre match preview he made a number of references to our Manager!

[3spirit]

18 hours ago, sdelaney said:

3Spirit you can listen to Ade.s matchday commentary on Mixlr it is free.

Download from google play store.

 

I know that, SD, I often listen to games but Saturday I chose not to, as I had other things I needed to take care of. There are other things in life than Slough Town FC,you know. 

Perhaps you're more dedicated than me, SD but that is your choice/prerogative. I believe in each to their own. If it makes you happy following Slough Town FC 100% of the time, good luck to you, I'm not stopping you but you should refrain from lecturing people on what they should do, as that is being extremely narrow minded.  

[3spirit]

18 hours ago, Reading Rebel said:

Taking away the fact that we are only 6 games into the season, I think there's a couple of reasons why so far this season we are not as tight defensively as we were last season.

I would say the loss of Guy Hollis and Mark Nisbet is certainly a factor.

Whilst Lee Togwell can do a good job in defense I think he is needed more in midfield to add that bit of grit and experience to what is a new and relatively young midfield.

On the point of Malachi Linton, do we know how long he's on loan for? I don't think it was mentioned when his arrival was announced.

For some strange reason I forgot to mention Guy Hollis! Even more strange given he is one of my favourite players in our squad. 

I think your point about Lee is a valid one but Bakes and Unders both know what Lee can do but they need to find out what Cameron McGilp and Aaron Kuhl are like. You can only see that properly in matches, so in my mind I think our managers are doing it right. As players I can't really comment on them[Cameron and Aaron] as I've not seen them play for a full match.

As for Malachi Linton, I don't know how long his loan is either. Perhaps some kind soul on the forum will enlighten us? 

[Reading Rebel]

56 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

For some strange reason I forgot to mention Guy Hollis! Even more strange given he is one of my favourite players in our squad. 

I think your point about Lee is a valid one but Bakes and Unders both know what Lee can do but they need to find out what Cameron McGilp and Aaron Kuhl are like. You can only see that properly in matches, so in my mind I think our managers are doing it right. As players I can't really comment on them[Cameron and Aaron] as I've not seen them play for a full match.

As for Malachi Linton, I don't know how long his loan is either. Perhaps some kind soul on the forum will enlighten us? 

With both Ben Harris and Ada on the road to recovery I think it's safe to assume that Malachi Linton's loan deal is reviewed on a monthly basis.

[3spirit]

7 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

With both Ben Harris and Ada on the road to recovery I think it's safe to assume that Malachi Linton's loan deal is reviewed on a monthly basis.

Have you watched every game so far, RR?  How do you think it's going for the team/squad/new incumbents so far?  Out of the 6 games what opposition side impressed you most?

[sdelaney]

2 hours ago, 3spirit said:

I know that, SD, I often listen to games but Saturday I chose not to, as I had other things I needed to take care of. There are other things in life than Slough Town FC,you know. 

Perhaps you're more dedicated than me, SD but that is your choice/prerogative. I believe in each to their own. If it makes you happy following Slough Town FC 100% of the time, good luck to you, I'm not stopping you but you should refrain from lecturing people on what they should do, as that is being extremely narrow minded.  

3Spirit come on I did not know if you had downloaded Mixlr was just letting you know.

[Reading Rebel]

11 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

Have you watched every game so far, RR?  How do you think it's going for the team/squad/new incumbents so far?  Out of the 6 games what opposition side impressed you most?

I've watched every game so far except the Dorking game.

So far I've been impressed with the players we've signed. They all look to be players with a lot of ability.

As I've said before we do seem to have midfielders who are similar in the fact that they are all players who are comfortable on the ball. As always it's about getting the right balance.

With our small squad and injuries we are light with our options in the defense and attack department but hopefully that will change when players come back from injury. 

The side that has impressed me the most has been Maidstone who looked strong all over the pitch. They lost to Dartford the other day but going by the reports were a shade unlucky to lose.

 

 

 

[Jon Underwood]

1 hour ago, Reading Rebel said:

With both Ben Harris and Ada on the road to recovery I think it's safe to assume that Malachi Linton's loan deal is reviewed on a monthly basis.

The loan officially expires at the end of December as this coincides with the end of the 3 month funding that we have been promised.

We have a very good relationship with Wycombe and a regular open dialogue with them which means we could end the loan before then (if it wasn’t working for any reason) or potentially look to extend if it was working for all parties.

We were very happy with Mal on Saturday though and think he will be a real asset in his time with us.

[3spirit]

30 minutes ago, sdelaney said:

3Spirit come on I did not know if you had downloaded Mixlr was just letting you know.

I might be thick on occasion but if I was desperate to know something I would ask. Adrian's commentary on the radio has been talked enough on this forum, so SD, why tell me and not anyone else? To me it sounded like you were being sarcastic and not a good Samaritan.

A misunderstanding, ok I'll accept that.  Let's move on, life's too short ..........