Why we were so optimistic

[Taking the Mick]

Yeah you was right that we were optimistic, and with Cole and Oli joining Southend you can probably see why we WERE.

 

Seeing Grays week in week out we knew the kind of talent we had, some of you yourself have been down and seen it and said how good some of our players are/were.

 

No fans at Grays are niave to think you can keep these players because you cant, one because it stops progression for both the club and the player and two the player at this level could walk (although granted its a lot stickier end).

 

We are under no illusion to how hard the conference is but our confidence stemed from us being full time, and our results against conference teams in the Trophy.

 

Yeah you also played well in previous years against conference teams but we shipped in 11 goals in two games on to let in 1. Ok its not a week in week out judgement but its not bad.

 

The Conference South was very very strong this year as you and Gravesend found out with Bishop Stortford. I would say it is stronger that previous years when it was the ryman.

 

The wheels are in no way coming off at Grays, its not losing the players thats the test its how your replace them, we wont be sucked into signing Ex league players to build up our team we will continue to invest in youth as it has stood us well so far.

[The Great Eckscape]

A good assessment, we'll see how the season pans out...

[Taking the Mick]

Cheers mate

 

We pick up alot of talent on exit from Spurs and West Ham due to Stimmo's contacts.

 

Its abit like fist refusal, other signings turn up and seek a trial, Thurgood for example had a trial at your place.

 

Kightly had trials at Barnet and they were interested apparently.

[ken]

i remeber canvey fans saying exactly the same before we got into the conference, beat pretty much every conference team we came up against. won our games week in week out. very very different when you get there, your players getting kicked all over the pitch (grays will be used to playing that way lol) and refs so bad it make the ryman look good, and playing like this week in week out took its toll.

 

you may do well, but dont even think last season is any indication of whats to come, it hurts when you realise it isnt

[Taking the Mick]

Have you read what I wrote??

 

I said we know its going to be nothing like the league we just came from, and you have just said "dont think it is"

 

Well we dont.

 

What I would say is that if we had managed to keep the squad we had and add a couple more I would have been very optimistic. And I would have had every reason to be. Optimism has dropped but we are not relegation prospects (well I hope not)

[ken]

and yet all you talk about is how well you done last season

[Taking the Mick]

You cant discount how wel you did the previous year, ok you didnt do so well but Crawley did ok, as did Aldershot when they went up.

 

My optimism was twinned with the squad we had and how well we did. Now the stronger indicator has been broken up (the players) we are only left with how well we did. Which I admit in your case and may be in our case means Nowt

[A Non E Mouse]

It pains me to say it but I personally think you'll be OK.

 

From the euphria of doing the double a lot of your fans saw the sky as the limit - and understandably so.

 

However, you see how quickly things can change. With your previous squad you would have done extremely well. However, now that some key players have moved on, the season might not be quite as good. Some of your fans talk common sense - well one or two at least and not the hangers on <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> but others don't appreciate the effects that are out of your teams control. We struggled with numerous injuries last season and you will not beleive some of the official decisions when they start going against you and cost you points.

 

Quote:

Optimism has dropped but we are not relegation prospects (well I hope not)

 

According to most other Conf fans we may have that honour so please don't steel the only thunder we have <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

 

Realistically, like us, you just need to hang on in there during your first season and I feel you'll do that.

 

As for Stimmo he seems to have turned into a very capable manager. He acquired quality players from a club up the raod whom he knew would keep him in a respectable place during his first managerial season. All due respect he has used his talents to acquire some good young talent and put a championship team together. This is probably his next stage - consolidation in the Conf. Nat.

 

Do you think that, like his young players, he may eventually be tempted away from The Rec?

[Taking the Mick]

Yeah I do, Stimmo is one of the games bright managers at this level, more than say Inglethorpe.

 

When you get Stimmo you get his contacts and that worth more than a big transfer budget.

 

Rumours are doing the rounds on Stimmos future and he is the Key for us not the players.

 

Like you say after a year like last year its hard to tell your fans to curb their wild ideas, your lot have the added extra of seeing it first hand our fans dont.

 

I actually am quite level headed and take your season as leveller.

 

Personally I am glad we are in the same league as I love Grays - Canvey games, highlight of my year

[A Non E Mouse]

Quote:

When you get Stimmo you get his contacts and that worth more than a big transfer budget.

 

Totally agree.

 

Quote:

Like you say after a year like last year its hard to tell your fans to curb their wild ideas, your lot have the added extra of seeing it first hand our fans dont.

 

We were probably optimistic as fans although the regular posters on this forum were happy to just survive. Not going to keep saying "told you so" but we were advised by Gravesend fans prior to our first season - and they weren't wrong - especially about the standard of officials!!

 

Quote:

Personally I am glad we are in the same league as I love Grays - Canvey games, highlight of my year

 

So being on the end of two defeats by your nearest and dearest is the highlight of your year <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Taking the Mick]

I keep hearing the officials are bad, are they really that bad???

 

I remember Mr Singh who was dog awful. We had Margate in last FA Cup Qualifiers and battered them and was 3-1 until the 95 minute.

 

They scored 2 goals and he blew up about 5:05

 

He had to run for the changing room and was looked in for an hour

[ronin]

Well Mr Singh is one of the best i`ve seen for a long while, sadly he`s now moved up the ladder and doesn`t seem to do the Conference anymore. There were very few good officals last year but Mr Deadman must have been the worst (Gravesend fans did warn us),but i did hear a rumour he`s moved up to football league.

[A Non E Mouse]

I felt Mr Singh was a good referee.

 

As you say Ronin Mr Deadman was one of the worst.

 

We've had a boy ref who wouldn't look out of place with under 12's - he completely lost control!

 

We had so many dodgey decisions in one season it probably outnumbered the previous couple of years in the Ryman.

 

You will find certain clubs have certain referees whom they can't stand, such as Gravesend with Mr Deadman - unfortuantely their concerns are normally correct. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

[YELLOW]

Quote:

A Non E Mouse said:

We've had a boy ref who wouldn't look out of place with under 12's - he completely lost control!

I think that was Mr Ward. We had him for the Northwich game and he was completely awful!!

[YELLOW]

Quote:

STIMMOs-ARMY said:
Yeah you was right that we were optimistic, and with Cole and Oli joining Southend you can probably see why we WERE.

Seeing Grays week in week out we knew the kind of talent we had, some of you yourself have been down and seen it and said how good some of our players are/were.

No fans at Grays are niave to think you can keep these players because you cant, one because it stops progression for both the club and the player and two the player at this level could walk (although granted its a lot stickier end).

We are under no illusion to how hard the conference is but our confidence stemed from us being full time, and our results against conference teams in the Trophy.

Yeah you also played well in previous years against conference teams but we shipped in 11 goals in two games on to let in 1. Ok its not a week in week out judgement but its not bad.

The Conference South was very very strong this year as you and Gravesend found out with Bishop Stortford. I would say it is stronger that previous years when it was the ryman.

The wheels are in no way coming off at Grays, its not losing the players thats the test its how your replace them, we wont be sucked into signing Ex league players to build up our team we will continue to invest in youth as it has stood us well so far.

Some good points there, fella.

Did you go to Welling on Saturday? Heard it was 8-1.

[PJ!]

Optimism? You should read the Gravesend forum!

[Staying-up]

The one good thing about Grays being in the Conference is that we won't have the worst ground in the Conference and the poorest support.

I can see all the other Conference Forums now saying 'I thought Canvey was bad then I went to Grays'.

[The Great Eckscape]

I remember when we used to have many links with other clubs as Grays seem to. Players from Ipswich and Colchester were the back bone of our Ryman team, why is that no longer happening. Still, I suppose West Ham are still sending us down a few!

[Taking the Mick]

Yellow

 

Didnt go Saturday, trying to make the best of the little summer we have to be honnest.

 

Saving the ££ also for holiday.

 

Hows your Pre season panning out

[YELLOW]

Bit up and down at the moment. I haven't seen any of the away games but we looked quite good at Hull but against Barnet and Shrewsbury we've been a bit dissapointing.

 

We're really lacking some firepower at the moment. I really hope we are not going to start the season with just 3 recognised forwards but at the mo we seem to have some good approach play but no real cutting edge.

 

The defence looks a little better though with the arrival of Bunce.