Player Reviews - Personal Opinions - Long Posting

[GarySTFC]

Squad run down in the eyes of me, reviewing how I think each one has done so far this season.

 

DJ Zepherin - Apart from that mistake at Northwood has looked fairly reliable. You can still hear the intake of breath at Wexham Park though when a ball goes back to him, but seems to have calmed that side of his game down. Has made some cracking saves - especially against Northwood, but will play second fiddle when Adrian Blake returns to full fitness.

 

Dean Palmer - Has had flashes of brilliance, and then flashes of a player who doesn't look comfortable at this level. Quick to go forward with the ball, ok tackler, but as seems common with a Slough back line, looks suspect to pace and acceleration.

 

Ricky Browne - I think the jury is still out on the centre back. The family ties with the gaffer won't help him, but he's looked stable so far without being solid. Caught out at Marlow (He was still arguing against a foul when they quickly took a free kick which led to their first) through a lack of discipline and doesn't seem strong enough in the air. Does appear to have a quick turn of pace and has made some superb recovery tackles.

 

Steve Daly - If Sammy Winston hadn't scored so many, we'd be looking at player of the month here. Steve has led by example and has fought tooth and nail for every ball he can to show his love for the club and fans. Almost unbeatable in the air, both in defence and attack, he's been one of the stars so far.

 

Paul Reed - I don't yet think we've seen the best of this full back. Good set piece taker, plenty of energy, but maybe lacking in confidence from others around him.

 

Ryan Spencer - Still fitting in with the team, but certainly appears to be no right wing back. Right midfielder yes, but seems to be too advanced for defensive duties. Has a good cross, and a good forward running work ethic, but can't be depended on for defensive work all the time. Possibly a touch too lightweight on the ball.

 

Michael Gilkes - Well the old timer is proving me a touch wrong this season, but the 90 minutes are taking their toll on the 37 y/olds legs and it shows in the final twenty minutes as defensive running is sacrificed. Has been the main creator this season with his work down the left wing and also through the middle. Has made a welcome addition on the coaching team with his vocality, encouragement and general instruction.

 

Veli Hakki - The big question is, will we have him still in October? Still one of the main sparks for the team, and creates so much from his own ball skill and vision. The Northwood game summed him up. Did things simply, went largely anonymous through not doing anything spectacular, then bang, wonder goal at the end.

 

Chris Metcalfe - Possibly the best of the close seasons signings. Continually talking to those around him, continually wanting the ball to feet, continually making good use of the ball when he has it. Works hard alongside Veli in that central midfield 'engine room' and has already proven himself a valuable asset.

 

Paul Barrowcliff - Well, he's continued from where he left off. Solid in the tackle and good with his distribution. He's already displaced Paul Reed from the left (wing)back position following his return from injury and is one of the longest serving players at Slough. Gives the side that balance down the left and his versatility is also a huge asset when he can drop into central midfield.

 

Andrew Deaner - Given only bursts of action this season which has pleased some fans, but Andrews all round game is continually improving. His link up play continues to impress as does some of his distribution. Will never win over certain sections of the crowd, but for his sheer effort and workrate for the side and also the fact that despite all the barracking, he never lets his head drop, the boy deserves a lot of credit.

 

Tony Boot - Perhaps a touch too lightweight for the division. Tony's movement and finishing is certainly high, but the distribution to him so far has been high balls which he is contesting with people a far bit taller than him. Has proven he's capable of scoring at this level and with the right service and partner could well flourish.

 

Steve Hale - Close to Metcalfe in the 'best summer signings' stakes. This lad is a strikers striker. He THINKS like a forward - closing in shots for a rebound, quick free kicks. Scored a well taken goal at Thurrock. The most impressive thing about 'Haley' is his efforts to encourage the crowd and keep the atmosphere going.

 

Saving the best til last.....

 

Sammy Winston - When will we find a defence that can stop him? Top of the scoring tables this month for the Division after scoring in every game. Agressive, strong, hard working and cool in the finish. Sammy's worked hard over the summer on both fitness and temperament and is now reaping the rewards. He's forming a lethal partnership with Steve Hale which is causing defences no end of problems. Has been head and shoulders above everyone else in the squad this month and with five goals already to his name, will the golden boot await?

 

Well, I'll leave those open to discussion. I'm sure plenty of points will be agreed, and some disagreed.

 

Fire away.

 

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[Guest]

Well Gary thought I would take up your challenge of debating the team's performance thus far,okay you will probably dismiss me as a women who does not understand football,but as both my father and uncle played for Slough and various other non league clubs including Wycombe I feel I have a rough idea lol.

As yet I have not seen the other goalie Blake so can't comment,but the one in goal at the moment has done very well on shot stopping and kept us in the game against Nortwood.

Dean Palmer just hasn't got it as a full back(might do better as an attacking midfielder because he looks okay going forward)Surely Howard will be the right back when fit.

Daly is playing excellently at the moment,could this be because all of his injuries are behind him?

Brown has been unoticable to me,maybe this means that he's doing his job properly,but I would say that for a centreback his heading is poor.

Barrowcliff,yet another allright going forward but not a great defender.

Spencer to my mind does not get involved enough either at defending or playmaking(maybe its early days and he will improve)

Both Haki and Gilks when on top of their game are worth the entrance fee,and the latter is playing how I remember him at Reading .

Disagree with you entirely on Metcalf at the moment,he seems to slow and more likely to get sent off than create much-how would you rate him with say Hawthorne(when he was first with us)or if you have a longer memory Steve Thompson.

Winston and Hale seem an ideal pairing-I noticed on Monday that Hale's first touch was excellent and will be a good foil for the new rebirth of Sammy Winstone,who if he stays fit will get a sackful of goals.

In conclusion I would think that the team as a whole can only improve with each game,and my only worry is, that if the two forwards got injured or suspended we have no equal replacements.

Right now as a women I must get the kids tea lol!

ps.Gary can't seem to get a posting under my correct name,so have reversed the name.

 

 

[Ed]

I agree with most of this. However, I did not think that Ryan Spencer was meant to be a wing-back, only a normal midfielder. However, I think that if CJ returns, then Gilkes could play on the right so CJ could play on the left. Gilkes seems to create all over the field and does not neccesarily need to start on the left. If Wilko recovers, he could be an ideal replacement for Metcalfe WHEN he is suspended (I think it could happen quite a lot this year!)

[Greengrass]

Playing Gilkes on the right is a massive waste, if he stay's in the form he has now, then there is no need to include CJ in the starting 11. Spencer has done excellent on the Right and theres always Wilko who had a decent few games last season out on the right. At least Gilkes doesn't run the ball out of play every time, unlike James who playes like a headless Chicken! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/argue.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

That said, I am sure I speak for the vast majority of fans when I say that CJ is the best local player we have had on our books since we fell from grace 4 years ago. It would be great for the club if he could stay and provide that electric pace and skill down the left. Yes, the ball runs out occasionally but I'd rather have that than a winger who doesn't try to beat the man. Nevertheless, with Gilkes in this kind of form, perhaps the best tactic would be to play Gilkes for 60-70 minutes and then bring on CJ to rip the defence to pieces for the last portion of the game.

 

Whatever happens, go with Hale and Winston.. like someone said, the replacements don't look up to the same standard, so we can only hope Sammy can stay injury free from all the kicks and punches he gets, week in week out.

 

The defence is a tricky one.. Personally, I'd go with

 

RB Howard

CB A.Brown

CB Daly

LB Barras

 

Brown has been getting some reviews.

 

But overall, having not seen any games and going on other people's views, it seems we have the real building blocks to defeat any team in this division.

[Guest]

Agree with almost everything said in Gary's initial post. Metcalfe, in my opinion has looked good as the ball winner/player in midfield and his being there means Hakki can advance more. It is also very true that his constant encouragement to the others can only be of benefit. Spencer also looks a good player (when in the game) but in the Northwood match he seemed to go missing for large portions of the game. In terms of the striking, Winston/Hale have to be the initial pairing but with five/ten minutes remaining, if we are winning, Deaner is useful to bring on (I can't believe I'm saying this) as he will chase consistently and not give the opposition a second on the ball. That last period of a game is where his 100% attitude will really help us, but, as mentioned above, it will not be enough for a 90 minute run out. It would be nice to have just one more striker to fill in for Hale/Winston when or if they are unavailable. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shotgun.gif" alt="" />

[Martin]

Gary is spot on with Metcalfe, he is the type of midfielder and player every team needs. I heard him shouting to the team against Marlow, saying that they had lost their shape and needed to slow the game down and keep the ball. He was right on the money and it is that kind of on the field leadership you need with a team of youngsters and new uns.

Daly is the same, although sometimes when he yells "Daly's" you can't be sure he will get it.

Ryan Spencer will fit in very nicely given time. He seems quite assured and sometimes takes the ball excellently. When he gets used to his role I think he will be an asset.

Winston has been the shining light so far, he has always looked like a goal scorer but could not get a break last term. If he stays fit he should get plenty this year.

I would love to see CJ back in the team but when fit I think he should be used as the Gilkes replacement after 70 minutes. His pace terrifies defenders, see how Maidenhead had to kick him out of the game. With him running at players in the last third of the field and with 20 minutes to go he should turn games.

I am very encouraged by the start and by the squad as a whole. We have played two teams that also started strongly in Hornchurch and Northwood and having taking 4 points from those games (should have been 6) we should have no fear.

Highlight of the season so far? It is one of three, the Winston goal against Hornchurch, the Haki goal against Northwood or Andrew Deaners crunching slide tackle in the dying minutes against Northwood. For me it has got to be Deaner. You gotta love the effort.

Now can we please have a cup run? Come on the rebels!