City win again!

[Rob_the_Saint]

They can't take this one away from us, can they?

 

Home debuts for Tom Beechy Beech and a new goalkeeper John Armand - not very tall but did alright.

 

City dominated (never thought I'd use that word again) the first half hour as 'Stoke looked like half their players were still going round the M25. Several chances at either end but poor finishing by both teams.

 

Second half spoiled by constant whistling by the ref, mainly against us. Roach eventually equalised, but they pushed forward leaving lots of space for us to counter-attack and we could have had more than the winner. Clarke nearly scored the goal of the season when he went through three tackles but put his shot narrowly wide.

 

Good result for Migs' men but still second from bottom.

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/excited.gif" alt="" />

[Wilf Woodend]

Very good performance with every player doing well against a side so far good enough to be third in the league. A deserved win.

 

New keeper and Beech looked good prospects, Clarke looked sharp and the team did not look as nervous as the last time I saw them (Thurrock).

 

Well done to all involved.

[Rob_the_Saint]

It just goes to how how simple a game of football can be sometimes. You just need a goalkeeper, two decent full-backs [Hooper, Cousins] a couple of big lumps in the middle [Zoricich, Martin] two ball-winners in midfield [Marwa, Parker] a couple of skilful wingers [Walshe, Hann(when fit)] and two stirkers who play well together [beech, Clarke(OK, maybe got in each other's way a bit but it will come)].

[Blaze]

Im sorry but im not sure on 'Beechy' if im being honest he hardly looks like a footballer more like a cricketer and he didnt play that well at all. He can't jump that high for a tall lad either!

 

Even though we won there is no need to get carried away with performances.

 

Don;t get me wrong i thought this was the best the saints have played. Keeper done well (whats wrong with Jackman by the way?)

 

Walshe man of the match!

[Rob_the_Saint]

I dont think 'Beechy' is fully fit myself. For a lad who has a 'blistering turn of speed' he lookd a bit sluggish to me, but some big players are deceptively quick.

 

Once he starts putting a bit more into it and starts punching his weight (not literally!) we'll see how good he is.

[JKiF]

the keeper was xcellent , saved 3 or 4 certain goals

brilliant performance all round

 

.......and that run from clark was sublime

[The Caretaker]

I agree Blaze.

 

A good win and very welcome but I have to say that for a side at the top end of the league Basingstoke were awful. Some of this was down to a renewed vigour in Citys play (its a shame it has to come to this to kick start some players) but lots was to due with their own shortcomings. I honestly believe we have played as well as that prior to Saturday but only in patches and maybe we got a little bit of luck this week which has been in short supply recently.....whats the saying "the harder I work the luckier I get"

 

Keeper did okay (Jackman just makes too many mistakes I am lead to believe and did we have 2 keepers at the start of the season that we knew were injured ?), defence looked solid ( been similar personel for a lot of the games though), midfield battled well (that definitely was a first) and the strikers worked hard (but I still dont see a 25 a season goal poacher). Have to say that despite all that I didnt note a tremendous shift in the style of play we have witnessed to date.

 

I too will reserve judgement on "Beechy". I certainly didnt see the blistering pace refered to in his details when were buying him and we must buy some socks that fit but lets give him a chance to settle.

 

A bright start and hopefully with the right person in charge we can go on from here

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/excited.gif" alt="" />