Maidenhead 2-0 Slough

[Tuffley Rebel]

Already forgotten the first half but the team that came out for the second half looked a lot better.

Chopper, JC and Danny Steer looked quite impressive, I would even say Andy Deaner looked better than the other strikers.

Not too bothered by the result, as long as we get right when the real games begin.

The penalty miss, Martin, will you give the goalie advice next time?

Last note, the young boy with me today was my brother attending his very first game, he enjoyed it and initially thought Slough were wearing black and white because all the fans were in Yellow. He thought we were the home team because we had all the support. He will be back for more

[Martin]

Excellent a new fan. And he already has the art of taking the mick out of Maidenhead to a tee.

 

I was trying to be that freaky scottish girl in the advert where she makes Inverness Cally Thistle win. My mistake was forgetting to tell veli to put it to his left. Doh.

 

Not much in today's game with Eddie sensibly changing the players round given that it was bloody hot. They got a penalty and I missed the incident that lead to it and then a solo run and firm shot.

 

On the basis of what I have seen in the two friendlies I think the line up against Dover will be:

 

Parkin;

 

Daly, Saulsbury, Murphy;

 

Steer, Metcalf, Harris, Hakki, Carbon;

 

Hodges, Miller.

 

 

[Nathan]

I didn't think Carbon or Metcalfe play particully well today. Based on what I have seen today, I would put Seedal ahead of Miller. I hope hodges only had an off day today, he was being incredibly ungreedy on occasions when other players would have ran up to the goal and scored.

[Martin]

Personally thought Carbon was our best player in the second half. Mets was excellent in the first half against SYCOB and gets in my starting XI on that basis. If everyone we have seen in the last two games stays on I think we have an excellent squad for the coming season. Based on my XI we would have subs from:

 

Carroll, Gyoury, Moller, Spencer, Wilko, Shepherd, Rose, Haddow, Deaner and Seedal. I may have missed people if so apologies. Very encouraging. Can't wait for the Dover game.

[Matt]

Let's face it, we're going to see more from the players in the coming season than we have in these two friendlies. If anyone has any doubts about the squad, just look at the calibre of players on the bench at the very start of last season compared with this. This season's squad makes for much better reading. The squad isn't quite 'there' yet, but I have faith in Eddie's management.

[Martin]

Absolutely, I am so impressed by the depth in the squad at the moment and in my view it is going to be tough picking the three centre backs and five midfielders out of that lot. But a nice position to be in, no? And as Eddie said in the Observer there is going to be competition for places so no one can be guaranteed a starting spot. That can only be a good thing.

[Barry Scott]

I don't want to see us playing 3-5-2 as a personal preference, as Maidenhead tore us to shreds on the break today, but the squad is coming together nicely

[Matt]

The one thing I'm not sure about is whether the 3-5-2/5-3-2 system is going to work. It looks as if Eddie has signed players with this in mind, and has also released Barrowcliff who was a left-back. The players haven't looked totally comfortable in these two friendlies, although they are, after all, just matches designed for team-building and match practice.

 

However I have to say I think 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 COULD work very very well. I think we have some tremendous centre-halves and Josias and Mullet on the wings can and will cause problems. Then we have a strong midfield, and as Martin said, no-one can be certain of a place in the first 11, which is good for competition. I do think Harris and Wilko will be 2 of the 3 in there though.

 

Then of course, there's the goalkeeping situation - Parkin has looked quite good although I haven't seen enough of him to pass a reasonable judgment yet.

 

All in all, lots to look forward to (on the pitch) this coming season. I don't think the team should have anything to fear against other teams in this league, even if some have come from slightly 'higher quality' leagues (Dover, etc).

[Martin]

I would personally prefer 4-4-2 but I am so impressed with our centre backs I am happy that we play with a three. We do need to work on covering back when hit on the break though.

 

I think undoubtedly the most interesting thing about tomorrow's fun day will be the squad training. Well worth all of the supporters turning up to see a decent session - rather than the on pitch warm up - even if they don't have any young-uns to bring.

[Guest]

I haven't seen slough play for over a year, but on todays performance I feel they have a good bunch of players, particulary impressed with Matt Miller who seemed to cause the biggest threat in the second half. Nice to see so many Slough supporters and I look forward to more games in the future!

[Chris]

Today was a bit wierd, it's like having two sides at the moment and it's a short straw to see who gets in!

 

Josias Carbon has been our best player over the two games I feel and will be in the starting line-up. Midfield's a strange one. Chopper has not started the two games, but bossed midfield second half against Maidenhead, but they totally dominated first half against our midfield.

 

Shephard looked very average again, which worries me if we have signed him (hopefully just two off days) Still not sure about Rose, plays some good balls, but just seems to lack match fitness. Veli played pretty well despite missing the pen. I'd say that both Chopper and Veli were certainties to start the Dover game with Mets or Wilko in the third CM position.

 

Goalkeeper, still not sure. Carroll did not have a lot to do despite Maidenhead's first half pressure, but Parkin played well again in the second half, so i'd give him the nod.

 

Defence looking at it i'd think Daly and Moller are certain starters with Murph or Salusbury vying for the sweeper.

 

Wingbacks as I say Josias a certainty on the right (Spence is a CM!) and either Haddow or Steer. Danny's probably just about edged Alex so far.

 

Up front it will be Hodgey (despite having an average one so far although we know he's quality) and probably Miller, although saying that Andy aint done bar so far this pre-season.

 

Anyway despite the poor first half showing things ON THE PICTH look pretty good for Dover once we start playing competitively.

[Ted]

I thought Rose played well in yesterdays match---some apart from Velli who can play an accurate long ball.

 

We could do with someone who can shoot from 30 yards though----even 20 yards would be nice.

[DICK]

Gavin only played for about 15mins before going off injured?

[Ted]

Played well when he was on though.

[Nathan]

does anyone know the attendance?