A Bit Worrying

[Guest]

Other people on this site after todays poor showing seem intent on getting into a good natured slanging match about the state of Southwood.Indeed they will never give the Rams credit for what they have achieved and what they are trying to do.All this IMO is a distraction away from the reality of the position the Gate are in.I have supported Margate for the last forty five years through thick and thin particularly recent seasons,and have never critised any one in the Club and am not going to start now.But on the playing side of things I am very worried,all I can see is a tough season ahead with relegation a real possibility.IMO there is no obvious reason to expect any more.There just do not appear to be any real decent players to sign.The team I thought today were a shambles,and will not survive when the season gets going.We are not in the same position as a few years ago.We are a damn sight weaker on the playing side, and CK has got to construct a full squad from nothing.Th e comment apparrently from KP in yesterdays Gazzette .I dont think helps,where he says" I could say to Chris, the Directors have done their bit, now get us back where we were or belong" This smacks a bit of putting CK under pressure.I think CK could answer "I got you where we were Others mucked it up" Next week I know a large crowd will turn up at HP. The team have got to perform well so they all come back,some how I doubt it .I say with all my heart ,I would love to be proved wrong!!!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[jkmaskell]

I cant promise you that CK will suddenly pull some star players out of the bag, but give it a while. Give it the first 5 games of the league. At least let Margate get into the rhythm of this division.

 

About Southwood, I know I was one of the people who spoke about it first. I only brought it up because I thought it important that perhaps those issues be brought up, for the benefit of Ramsgate FC. It wasnt an excuse for the result but it weas important nonetheless.

I wasnt intending to distract from the reality of MFC's position. There is clearly an awful lot of work for CK and the teams officials to do behind the scenes to build the team ready for the Maldon Town game. The only thing we can do right now is to stand behind the team and give it the full blooded support of every single fan.

[Guest]

Thank you for your reply.I could not agree with the last bit more!! UP THE GATE <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Cookie]

But you dont agree with the first bit,is that what you are saying.

I too commented about the ground and there is nothing wrong in talking and debating an opponents ground & amenities having just visited it. I went to Dover the other week, got a draw and commented on how GOOD the stadium looked. In both cases there was no intent to deflect from the on field activities,play or result.

I too am in agreement that we have some work to do but in line with CKs routine, today saw the first appearance of players and most definately a first joining up of such players playing together as a unit. Whether we feel CK should do more to get a settled side sooner is not for us to question really as in the past this has worked for us admirably but on reflection, and considering the above statement I can see nothing BUT improvement coming our way.. I for one just hope its sooner rather than later and despite this result we can look forward to vast improvement. It may well begin next week and thats the most important time for it to start, not in a friendly with our neighbours.

I have every confidence that it will be sooner rather than later that the players we are getting in now will gel and fight a good fight and become one of the forerunners in this league.

We must be patient whilst bearing some unsavoury result such as todays.

[margateshot]

The one thing that the team have lacked, again, this season is superior opposition. I would liked to see us play a couple of Conference teams at least and a league club. This has obviously not been possible due to the fact that the club wanted to leave the pitch as long as possible. Today of course would have been ideal but all other clubs above us have started the season already. ( Why is the Ryman league starting a week later). I hope that the team can have a good couple of training sessions this week to get to know each other. It will also be important for us, as I'm sure we will be, very vocal next week to lift the team, even if things don't go immediately right. Lets not forget that only three players starting next week have ever played at Hartsdown, and none in its current form. I would have thought that the team may have had a training session at Hartsdown this week to familiarise themselves with the ground.

[michael]

I'm not known for massive optimism, but despite todays loss, the team looks ok to me for the Ryman.

 

Yes-its another tough league, but there is some talent in todays team-Oates, green, keister, Hasim Dean,Gradley are all good-not average players.Watson will do well in 50% of matches, so thats 6 good players which is a foundation.

 

Compare it to last seasons starting line up-yes attack was stronger , but midfield was weaker with an unfit Gradley last year, Charamb and Benevides and a similarish defence.

 

I think this squad is good enough for mid table and with a bit of time and team strengthening (maybe possible this year if we get income via` home games) it could be top 8 which i would take .

[Guest]

I say thank you to you all for your replies.As I said earlier I have not and will not critise any one and that includes fellow supporters like your selves.The well being of OUR Club is far more important than any thing I have to say an althuough disaggreeing with you on a couple of points ,these are irrelevant in the context of the Grand Plan for the Club. I am with you 110%!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />!

[michael]

To my 'magnificent6 above, i should have added Heero who is imo ok at this level,not seem Popovich,think Cola will improve and if nothing else has 'organisational skills',Charlie ok in goal at Ryman level,so although we do not know who's signed up yet , i think possible squad is currently good enough to be mid table;and i suspect will be strengthend once conference clubs off load a few in september and again as the money starts to get tight in October once clubs start to exit the FA Cup .

[michael]

Any sign of Nnumubi around yesterday.

 

I thought he looked pretty good in the game i saw;plus seemed to have a bit of an idea where the goal is, and what to do when you see it.

 

I thought him and Watson would make a good front pairing-certainly the best front option to me.

[zhukov]

There was no sign of Nnumubi yesterday. Hilaire came on to replace Whiteman?

In the first half we had more attacks than in all the previous friendlies put together largely due to good approach work by Greg and Pat and Heero and Greenie but failed to score.

[Porka]

Guessing this is Marc Whiteman - former Man Utd trainee? Joined Bury in 2001 and then moved to Weymouth and Lewes. Thanks Google!

 

Something I found on Sam Okikiolu when he trialled for Southend Reserves in 2003

 

Quote:

Sam Kola Okikiolu (centre-back; ex-Wimbledon)

Very loud and self-confident off of the ball, but hesitant and a total liability on it. Failed to form an effective partnership with Tom Jordan, although he did make the effort to learn everyone’s names! Made a succession of poor passes, and was not tall enough to effectively threaten at either end against taller players. Gave the appearance of being strong, but was really not good enough at all.

Chances of being asked back: Very poor

 

Sounds very similar to what a lot of you guys have been saying about him in pre-season.

 

Seems he went on loan to Clyde in his Wimbledon days and then spent time at Aylesbury, Wingate & Finchley, and most recently Staines with some time training with Lewes in between.

[Cookie]

All the bad things in the above statement didnt show yesterday as he continually won the ball in the air,made very good telling passes,kept hold of the ball well when needed and distributed it well too. One game I know but on yesterdays showing I felt he was exceptional & I for one will give him the benefit of the doubt. Is one of those newcomers to our ranks that I feel is worthwhile sticking with as he obviously has talent.