Town v Hemel Hempstead

[lovely stuff]

At the moment our team is a bit weaker and with less structure and cutting edge than last season. I do not blame the manager at present, we lost a prolific goal scorer and we brought in 3 or 4 players who have had experience at this higher level. For whatever reason it just hasn't gelled yet. Some of our players from last season also look tired and not fully match fit yet.

In hindsight maybe we should have targeted the best players from last seasons Isthmian league rather than journeymen from the National league. But it's all a learning curve.

Edited August 26 by lovely stuff

[Mr Happy]

The last time I felt this gutted after a game was the play off loss to Hornchurch.  We deserved a point from this game but fair play to Hemel, they scored a good goal.  We held our own throughout the match and there are many positives to take from this.  The four teams we have lost to are in the top four.  If we come out the way we did yesterday we will pick up the points.  With a little tweaking, just below mid table is still there for the taking.

[Raingod]

Have missed the last 2 - but pleasing to read we were worth a point vs Hemel

After recent defensive performances Gav has sought to correct it and we almost had a clean sheet yesterday. How did we set up yesterday?

I would have bet my mortgage against both Ollie and Sam being dropped yesterday - and again Gav is showing he is prepared to be ruthless.

LS - from what I hear the top Ishthmian players are being paid loads - which may explain why we havent brought as many in - I would have loved to see Elliot Long, the Chatham winger or Matt Johnson join us! 

Still early days - but we do need to get some more points on the board asap - we've dropped into the bottom 4 and have 2nd worst GD - still confident we can stay up !

[Benjrider10]

15 hours ago, lovely stuff said:

I do not blame the manager at present

Should hope not! I've been nothing but impressed since our manager took over. He (and Jon Nurse) are a class above what we have seen before.

[The Crowing Cockerel]

My concern is that we really needed to get off to a flyer to stand any chance of surviving. Realistically, the likes of Dorking, Farnborough, Maidstone, St Albans, Chelmsford, Worthing etc are going to get their act together sooner rather than later and we have yet to play them. On the brief occasions we have got the ball down and tried to play football we have looked far far better. I've no idea what the players have been told to do, but the long ball game is really not playing to our strengths. A long way to go, but we need to somehow get into the habit of winning otherwise we're going to have a tough time in the cup competitions too.

[4wembleyfinals]

Regarding recruitment is concerned I understand that several players have been recently considered but their wage demands have been many times more than we can offer. They have been snapped up by other clubs with much higher budgets than ours. That is the reality of senior none league football today.

Everyone must be aware that we need a " good striker". I don't have any idea as to how long Marcus' contract had to run or whether it had reach it's end.  If it was the former and he went before well before his time a few extra games with him in the squad could have given the new players time to bed in.  He may have also helped  to set us up with a few goals and points. IF, this had happened it would have become noticed by scouts and  his transfer fee could have increased. BUT then JUST a thought. But too late now!!! Hindsight is a wonderful thing and things are as they are.  

Don't envy Gavin's task. But I'm sure he and his team will try to improve our position. WE are at the stage where any point will be gratefully received to raise moral and kick start our season. 

Edited August 28 by 4wembleyfinals