Mid season review

[Sir Rebel1965]

Now we are at the half way point in the season time to have a serious look at where we are.

Allowing for games played Slough are 13^th based on points per game on 1.3 points per game, just ahead of Concord on the same points per game (PPG) and by a one goal difference.

Using PPG we would need to have 1.6667 to be in the play offs and a considerably better goal difference.

With only one team, Ebbsfleet, on 2 points per game, other than the relegation area this league is very tight.  Usually there would be a two or three teams with 2+ points per game.

It would be fairly safe to say Slough are safe from relegation, but with such erratic performances it is hard to see them being in the playoffs.

I think todays 6-1 “performance” has given Neil and Jon a clear indication that there needs to be some major changes for next year, there are some who not fit enough or of the right mental attitude to be going into next season.

Listening to Adrian’s “filtered” commentary it was clear that going in at half time 4-1 down that Chippenham had decimated the defence with speed and accuracy.  As for the penalty and follow up there are no surprises there.

Next week’s FA Trophy game may be the last opportunity for some to prove why they should remain in the squad next season, but regardless there needs to be some serious scouting for next season’s team.

Without Alfonso’s input this season things would be a lot worse, so not having him next season means a solution is needed urgently.

[3spirit]

SR1965, I'm not disputing your statistics but I do think you're being over the top on the need for dramatic team changes next season. Yes, we have lost 6-1 today but I don't believe that makes our squad terrible. It's one game. I think Bakes and Unders are well aware of players we have and how this squad can progress but to say our team needs full scale changes seems not in touch with reality, due to the facts that Slough are constrained financially and that the transition of the squad is an ongoing process which has already been started. Our young players need to gain experience and develop.

On today's result I see it as a blip, as Chippenham are a good side,and I always thought today's game was likely to be banana skin, given it was such a dismal grey overcast day and with our players thinking more about the York City game next week. Not making an excuse for them but had Ben Harris scored his penalty and made it 4-2 and not got sent off, the game may have panned out different. Sounds like Chippenham played some fantastic stuff in the first half,so sometimes you have to take your hat off to the better side on the day. I admit the scoreline is disappointing given the way Slough have played of late but as we both know Slough this season will not be consistently good, and we need to be realistic when it comes to our results,as they look likely to be up and down.  

Edited January 8, 2022 by 3spirit

[Norbert22]

Since when did some major changes  ecome full-scale major changes?

[Shredding Green]

In such a tight division, there is no club which has not had a bad run of results this season. Rebels had a bad match today but are not on a bad run Sir Rebel 1965.

Dartford looked like running away with the title with 7-1-0 from their first eight matches but have 2-5-4 from their last eleven matches compared to Rebels 5-3-3. Yes, Rebels are on an eleven match run from which they have collected seven more points than Dartford. 

Maidstone United have only lost four matches, all in a terrible run of 0-2-4 from 9th October to 13th November when they failed to score in five of those six matches including the 0-1 home defeat to Rebels on 6th November.

The new leaders Ebbsfleet United lost three successive matches from 23rd November to 4th December when they lost 5-2 at Dulwich Hamlet. 

"Other than the relegation area this division is very tight." But matches with Billericay Town, Braintree Town and Tonbridge Angels are tight.

"There needs to be some major changes for next year." Monitoring who becomes available and developing young players I understand to be a rolling process for Bakes and Unders. As 3spirit quotes above, "the transition of the squad is an ongoing process". 

Edited January 8, 2022 by Shredding Green

[3spirit]

27 minutes ago, Norbert22 said:

Since when did some major changes  ecome full-scale major changes?

Is there a difference,other than two words? 

[Rebel Wokingham]

Last 12 league games. 
Played 12, won 6, drawn 3, lost 3. 
including wins against massive budgets - Havant, Maidstone and Dorking. 
After one poor performance and result we now need major changes? Some are not fit enough? And next week is their last opportunity to prove they’re  up to it? 
You only seem to pop up with comments when things don’t go well and have nothing positive to say after wins. 
Absolutely clueless 

[Norbert22]

41 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

Is there a difference,other than two words? 

Yes. Some and full scale are different.  Very different  and completely alter the meaning.

[sdelaney]

Some fool has to take on the mantel from Kirk who has disappeared off the scene.

[Sir Rebel1965]

10 hours ago, Rebel Wokingham said:

Last 12 league games. 
Played 12, won 6, drawn 3, lost 3. 
including wins against massive budgets - Havant, Maidstone and Dorking. 
After one poor performance and result we now need major changes? Some are not fit enough? And next week is their last opportunity to prove they’re  up to it? 
You only seem to pop up with comments when things don’t go well and have nothing positive to say after wins. 
Absolutely clueless 

So Wokingham, the last 12 games are as you quote, but if you look at the first 8 games it was won 1 drawn 2 lost 5.

 

Then if you look at the big picture of the season as a whole won 7 drawn 5 lost 8 it is a picture that shows on our day we can do it and beat anyone in this league, but also we can get beaten by anyone in this league.

 

There have been far too many times when the defence has just let the opposition walk through and score as Jon describes in his interview about the first goal yesterday.  But how many times have the defence been static this year - far too many.

 

The positives are that there has been some great goals scored and at times we have been unplayable.

 

This was always going to be a transition season, and yesterday’s game just helped to see what further changes are needed.

 

By the way thank you for your nice comment about being clueless - I will keep my thoughts about your inabilities to myself.

[3spirit]

On 08/01/2022 at 23:15, Norbert22 said:

Yes. Some and full scale are different.  Very different  and completely alter the meaning.

Well, I wasn't advocating for changes. I was trying to explain the situation as I see it, not as SR1965 feels it needs to happen.