Colchester Match

[Hempstead Gaz]

One of strenghs a year or so ago was that we were a big, strong, powerful side, able to "bully" other teams to get a result.

Often in the conference that is the case.

We really do need to add muscle and height to our team to physically compete at this level.

It simply does not work just to have skill and pace if you concede goals every time the ball is flung into the box for a pair of 6'2" strikers to outjump the defence.

It's all a question of balance. At present we are unbalanced because We lack the physical attributes for us to succeed.

The search for players of that ilk (or should it be hulk) must continue.

[PogoDave]

Reading some of the posts on here sometimes I wonder whether I was watching the same match as some people. The result was a shock to the system but we can still take some positives out of it. James Smith looks a good purchase and I'm sure will excell in the conference and can only get better alongside the experience of McCarthy. I thought Bobby Bowry looked completely off the pace and a bit out of his depth, but against a weaker opposition he looked like he could be a busy midfielder and fill McKimms shoes for a while. Grant looked sharp but you can't really judge any of the strikers as they barely touched the ball. We seemed to be playing as if Roy and Siggy were still up front, which is completely pointless when both strikers are about 5'10".

 

I still think its too early into pre season to make too many judgements. But we need to get a decent keeper. Badly! If it was the clubs mistake as has been suggested on here, then they should go to Pullen on bended knee and apologise. We need him.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Spot on Pogo.

Assuming that Pulls hasn't actually signed for somebody else, can we not make him an offer he cannot refuse - such as a TWO year contract, instead of the miserly 1 year efforts Fleet usually offer. I would hope that such a contract would also continue payment during the summer break.

without a class keeper such as Pulls, it is going to be a very long winter.

[Slartibartfast]

Everyone seems to be saying the same thing, we need a big striker to challenge for the high balls we keep knocking aimlessly forward.

What we actually need is some players with the intelligence to spot that if you have a pacy shorthouse like Manny being marked by a 6ft 4

defender he needs the ball played to his feet not his head.

I thought Smith, Gooding and Bowry all showed that they should be good additions to the team last night. MacDonald, Grant, Boot and Manny didn't impress.

We need to sort out the goalkeeping position and find that elusive 20 goal a season striker.

[kmj]

I agree with much that has been written in particular about our 'keepers and lack of an effective striker. There was clearly a gulf in class between us and Colchester but this was increased by the fact that they are used to playing together and our side was experimental. That is possibly one of the reasons that Grays did so well against Colchester last weekend. I understand that they have largely retained their championship winning side of last season and are used to playing together. The match against Basingstoke should be a better indication of our players ie better than Folkestone but not as good as Colchester.

 

I thought that Andy Drury made some dreadful passes, giving away the ball or putting it out of play just as it seemed we could develop something. His mind seemed elsewhere. ( Possibly Stevenage ? )

 

Also, Darren is right about the programme. Superficially attractive but duff content. £1 for 4 pages was extortionate. Full of errors just like last season. If this is a taste of what is to come then I can only conclude that the Chairman isn't bothered that we will be the laughing stock of the Conference in 2005/06. Who ( if anyone ) edits this?

[49er]

I agree about the programme,it was terrible value at £1, and yes, who does edit it?. Even a word like Folkestone was spelt wrongly (with only one E).The club needs to get their act together,and sort it,as well as that crappy burger bar. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

[Harry J Allstars]

Yet more developements from the Pullen saga, I now here that he was asked to come back and choose not to.

 

Face it chaps, he's gone and he ain't coming back.

[thatguy]

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
Yet more developements from the Pullen saga, I now here that he was asked to come back and choose not to.

Face it chaps, he's gone and he ain't coming back.

Nooooooooooooooooo! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bawling.gif" alt="" />

[John Pearce]

I went to last nights match determined to look for positives for the coming seaspn, however what I saw was extremely worrying and quite frankly a farce.

 

Yes I know it was only a friendly, yes I know they are a league side etc. etc. but they are just excuses for what was a terrible performance.

 

If either (or both) of the goalkeepers on display last night are to be first choice next season then heaven help us, they were both so far out of their depth it was embarrassing.

 

Gooding looks to be a fair player and should do well, I also thought Smith did well but caught on a number of occasions, his inexperience did show at times and that put added pressure on McCarthy who was hardly the fastest player on the pitch.

 

Of the other 'signed' players on the pitch. In my opinion Bowry did well early on but faded badly. Drury's contribution was virtually nil, gave away the ball far too often and when he had the ball he ran up to many 'blind alleys'. Saunders, Skinner and Lovell tried hard but clearly lacked match fitness.

 

Up front continues to be a major headache/worry. Macdonald tried hard, he chased back, tried to hold-up the ball and was often looking for support that quite clearly wasn't there. He could do well, but needs help as he does not appear to be the answer to Fleet's target man problem. He is not going to be the 20 goal-a-season player that the Fleet require.

 

As I said initially, I went to last nights game looking for positives. There were some, but not enough to convince me that next season is not going to be anything more than the usual struggle. Grays beat Colchester on Saturday 2-1, yes I know that they have a settled squad of players, but its only weeks away when the Fleet have to travel into Essex to play them, just a few weeks for Daish to turn what was on show last night into a side that will hold its own next season.

 

It already looks like the 2005/06 season is going to be a long one.

[Gravesend Gills]

Quote:

kmj said:
We will be the laughing stock of the Conference in 2005/06

You’re already a laughing stock.

I feel sorry for any neutrals that went along last night, because with what you have said about the program, the facilities and the performance on the pitch I really don’t think that they would be in a hurry to come back.

Quote:

White Van Nistelrooy said:
It already looks like the 2005/06 season is going to be a long one.

Make the most of it though because come the end of the season I really don’t think there will be many clubs finishing below you. Look on the bright side of things – this time next year you could be facing the prospect of playing the likes of Bognor Regis Town, St Albans City and Bishops Stortford in the Conference South.

[Harry J Allstars]

D-N-F-T-T

[thatguy]

Oh and gillingham arn't a laughing stock. Just try to keep your players, before pointing at us. Oops there goes another gills player, bring out the youth squad.

[Gravesend Gills]

Fair enough things ain’t great at our place either, but let’s face facts – would any Fleet fan realistically turn down the opportunity of being in our position?

 

Plus we have away games at Blackpool and Bournemouth to look forward to so that can’t be bad can it?

[Harry J Allstars]

Quote:

Gravesend Gills said:
Fair enough things ain’t great at our place either, but let’s face facts – would any Fleet fan realistically turn down the opportunity of being in our position?

Meanwhile Scally wants to be in ours, Ebbsfleet here we come.

And don't pretend league One or Division Three is the be all and end all.

Premier League in five years you say? Conference Premeir League maybe.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

We have Morecambe and Scarborough away trips to match those!

[Gravesend Gills]

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
And don't pretend league One or Division Three is the be all and end all.

Premier League in five years you say? Conference Premeir League maybe.

Pretend that Division One or Three is the be all and end all? What kind of clown are you? When have any Gills fans ever claimed to be in the Premiership within five seasons? Certainly none of the loyal brigade of fans who are realistic about what kind of club we are.

Don’t need to move to Gravesham to nick anybodies fan base – we already have more fans in your town than you do.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

Gravesend Gills said:

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
And don't pretend league One or Division Three is the be all and end all.

Premier League in five years you say? Conference Premeir League maybe.

Pretend that Division One or Three is the be all and end all? What kind of clown are you? When have any Gills fans ever claimed to be in the Premiership within five seasons? Certainly none of the loyal brigade of fans who are realistic about what kind of club we are.

Don’t need to move to Gravesham to nick anybodies fan base – we already have more fans in your town than you do.

You plank - none other than the Scally wants to move too Ebbsfleet.
do try to be just a little bit aware of what is happening at Gillingham. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Gravesend Gills]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:

Quote:

Gravesend Gills said:

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
And don't pretend league One or Division Three is the be all and end all.

Premier League in five years you say? Conference Premeir League maybe.

Pretend that Division One or Three is the be all and end all? What kind of clown are you? When have any Gills fans ever claimed to be in the Premiership within five seasons? Certainly none of the loyal brigade of fans who are realistic about what kind of club we are.

Don’t need to move to Gravesham to nick anybodies fan base – we already have more fans in your town than you do.

You plank - none other than the Scally wants to move too Ebbsfleet.
do try to be just a little bit aware of what is happening at Gillingham. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I'm fully aware of his plans but Scally is the plank - I can't see it happening. Gillingham are Medway's team and the Fleet are Gravesham's team and I can't see it changing - even if more people on your town actually follow us than you, which is what I was trying to say.

[jc]

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:

Quote:

Gravesend Gills said:
Fair enough things ain’t great at our place either, but let’s face facts – would any Fleet fan realistically turn down the opportunity of being in our position?

Meanwhile Scally wants to be in ours, Ebbsfleet here we come.

And don't pretend league One or Division Three is the be all and end all.

Premier League in five years you say? Conference Premeir League maybe.

Interesting that you warn everyone not to feed the trolls, Harry, and then do exactly that yourself.

Stop biting, everyone - just ignore him and he'll go away.

[thatguy]

And Charlton have your fans!!!