Your Opinion - the team

[Chris]

Right then boys and girls with just seven days till the big kick-off what's you ropinion of the team, and squad. What are the positives and the things you are worried about?

 

Personally i'm quite happy with the way things have gone pre-season, apart from the Maidenhead first half where we were overrun in midfield with two new players.

 

The area that worries me most still is the goalkeeping position. Seems Jake Whincup has signed on loan, but i'm afraid to say although Hornchurch think highly of him i'm far from convinced. Call me harsh, but I thought he should have saved Team Bath's goal today as he got a good enough hand to the ball. He totally missed one cross, palmed another onto his own post and his kicking and communication skills with the back four have not impressed me so far.

 

I really hope i'm wrong and hopefully he is a decent keeper, but i'd rather have a permanent signing who WILL be training with us not another side, and a keeper who really wants to play for Slough, not just to prove something to his own club when he's just on loan to us. You may think it's a little harsh, but that's how I feel and therefore I think despite his age Michael Parkin should start Saturday.

 

Back line is generally good and i'm pleased with. Josias has been outstanding pre-season, but the left worries me a little. I like Murph, but as a centre-back, not a left wing back and think Haddow or Steer should start. Personally i'd go for Alex.

 

Midfield I think we have good quality, although a tall midfielder would be nice. Trouble with midfield I think is both Veli and Chopper who are both quality like to go drifting which leaves Wilko or Mets (whoever plays) by themselves. Against Thame it was good as both Wilko and Mets played and sat allowing Chopper to wonder therefore giving good protection to the back three when attacks break down, which wored well. I'd go for Wilko and Mets with either Chopper or Veli in midfield, but I'd hate to choose who to leave out from them two.

 

Looks as though they will both start though which does not totally bother me, I just think we look more secure with Wilko and Mets.

 

Up front Hodgey is still number one, but we are missing Booty I think and still need a replacement. Matt Miller is getting better with his build up play and Andy Deaner has also done pretty well pre-season, but neither are a replacement for Booty. Seedel has the potential to do well, but is injured. Still think we need another striker.

 

Anyway that's what I think - anyone else please?

[Radders]

Personally I have no real worries with the current ten outfield players and their positions. I do share the concern about the keeper as Whincup looked very suspect today (dare I say Foster-like) and when I've seen Parkin he has looked pretty reliable. Also, if Whincup only stays for three months then its going to be difficult for a 17 year old to fit straight into the team just as we hit a crucial part of the season (the run in to Christmas). Because of that I agree that Parkin should start against Dover.

[Burnham Lad]

Pretty fair analysis, Chris!

 

I am on hols at the moment so could not get to today's game but had the chance to see Eastbourne Borough take on the Daggers. Tony Boot was there but did not get to play until the last 20 minutes, as a sub. In that time he had two close range chances and one longer range, each time being denied by some good goalkeeping, but looking very sharp - I have not seen that in the Slough front line yet, so I think you are right - we will miss him.

 

Incidentally, I got to speak to him for a couple of minutes before the match and he sent his best wishes for a successful season - was very interested to find out how Hodgy was doing.....

 

(In case Nelson the Dagger comes on, and he didn't see it, D&R won 1-0 and were held comfortably in the first half, but in the second speed, class and greater fitness started to show and they could have won by more, although Eastbourne had their chances. A good work out for both teams.)

[Guest]

I thinkyou are being very harsh on Jake Whincup, he made 3 or 4 saves today that kept you in the game, he did lose the flight of the ball in the sun once,but overall i think he done well.I have had the chance to watch Jake inthe past and he is a outstanding prospect, he is only 18 years old and if i were you i would get behind him and enjoy him, i'm sure that at the end of his loan period you will be hopeing he stays.

[Ted]

I think we've got a good squad, but lack players who can shoot from the edge of the box or beyond. We need this variety or we will be too predictable.

[Paul Stephens]

We need

A striker and A pacey Wing back as a matter of urgency. Josia has been much improved this season, but does not have the pace to get beyond a good defender, he uses his hands too often. Murph does not appear to have the skills to play wing back. At thame I thought he was trying too hard in a new position, against Bath I was very disappointed.

1)For the penalty the ref clearly said no encroachment. Murph was standing inside the box and made no attempt to move out. A better ref might have disallowed the goal.

2) having been called for a foul throw, Murph took the next one with one foot on the pitch

3) worst of all we saw several flashes of that temper again when he was overlooked when overlapping. He then drifted out of the game and had a little sulk, on several occasions staying in midfield rather than making any attempt to get back and defend.

[Martin]

Paul I think that is incredibly harsh on Smurf. I thought he has shown some decent flashes in a new position. I have been impressed with his crossing and think he adds defensive solidity to the left hand side. Having said that I would drop Moeller who has done nothing wrong, move Smurf to centre back and play Danny Steer.

 

I am a little worried about the keeper although it is too soon to judge either Whincup or Parkin. They are IMO too young. Purely on what I have seen I would start with Parkin.

 

I am also a little worried about who is going to play up front with Hodgey. Miller is going to have a good season but needs a goal. I am sure when he gets one he will get a hatful but we need competition and with Andy away and Seedal injured it ain't there.

 

On the whole however, I am hugely impressed with the squad. They look sharp and focussed and in most positions there is lots of competition.

[Matt]

I'd prefer to see Steer for Murphy, nothing against him but I think he's probably better as centre-back. And I agree with Chris that we need another striker, although when Miller scores that goal he badly needs, I can see more coming. I'm most concerned about the 'keeper situation though, it's looking more and more like releasing Foster was a little hasty (again, nothing against Whincup and Parkin but they're both very inexperienced).

[BFR]

I think the team is shaping up very nicely. In my opinion James Saulsbury looks a great addition to the squad and will the pivotal man in a three man defence. I quite like the looks of Murphy as a wingback and have been impressed with the quality of his crossing. Whether or not he can do that in competitive fixtures remains to be seen and at that time Eddie might want to think about Haddow or Steer for a more penetrative approach. From the goalkeeping point of view I say give the boys a chance! From what I've seen of Whincup and Parkin both look very talented and prepared to come for the ball. Last season we had Alan Foster who wouldn't come for the ball for love nor money and he indecision cost us goals. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, whereas both of these kids are hungry, willing to learn and if they make a mistake through an error in judgement, they will learn from it. A bit more experience would perhaps be better, but I seem to remember the best keeper we saw last season was the Worthing lad, who wasn't particularly old. Lets see how they perform before we start moaning about them. They are young and need our support.

 

Bring on the Dover match.

[defrancog]

I think that Eddie and the rest of the management team have earned the right to be trusted. If they think that Fozzie should have gone and be replaced with either Whincup or Parkin, then I am happy to trust their judgment. The same goes for all the other player movements in the off-season.