Saints 3 Town 0

[lovely stuff]

0-0 at half time.Town fielded a weaker line-up than on friday.The balance was not there.Hammett missed two absolute sitters in the second half.Town were down to ten men for two of the saints goals.

 

St Albans were there for the taking,but Town were well below par.Worst performance of the season.

[clarke is god]

don't you think we played poorly aswell were 4th in the conference south for god sake. no offence to you but u didnt even look like scoring exceot that sitter which my gran could have put in.

[Steph]

2 sitters and perhaps your gran plays better than our number 10!

[OldTowner]

Okay...............we are out of this cup, mainly due to poor play by Town, rather than good play by City.

Hammett missed a golden chance, even MY grandmother would have tapped in.....but we let in 3 easy headers all from their left wing and 3-0 looks easy !!

Good luck to City, who were the more proffesional side over the 2 games... they had more "nouse" and created more chances.

For Town it is back to the League and pick yourselves up against second placed Chatham on Saturday......nothing less than a win will do.

Perhaps a change of stricker may assist ? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

[Diver1830]

Exactly, who's your Gran playing for these days ?

I'm sure the Town could do her a good deal with as much Horlicks as she wanted at half time.

Someone else on the Bench could finish her crocheting.

(Although I'm not too sure about that I dont think anyone of them could finish their dinner).

 

No I think that you have to admit you were outplayed, off the pace, and surely have reached the heights that you'll ever reach unless you can persuade some intelligent use of the ball instead of thumping it long straight at the opposing centre half who swallowd it up every time tonight.

[OldTowner]

Not sure I agree with the bit about the City centre half. He was crap and would struggle to get into a good Herts League side.

[Sponsor of Beer]

Brian needs to do something to regain his confidence. His goal scoring record proves he's good enough, but something's wrong right now. It seemed to me that the consequences of the chance he missed early in the second half could be seen for both teams & it quietened Town fans. That's a shame for such a nice guy.

 

The important thing is to get behind him, in numbers, and on Saturday.

 

And Brian, stop blaming everybody else. Putting your head in your hands doesn't help anybody. You know that!

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Disappointed. Yes. I guess I believed the dream too! But I've slept since and woken up and it was far from a nightmare. I'm proud of the lads and what Jim has achieved at this level so far long may the quality tweeking continue to keep the improvements going.

 

In my opinion we still need a Thierry Henry for Southern League Div 1 level. Can we afford one financially maybe not but the league is there for the taking. With O.G at 3 still a top goal scorer this tends to still identify a need up front whilst most teams top strikers are on 7+. But the good thing about playing higher level teams is you can see what needs to be done.

[Arkwright]

Thought that we did fine till Saints scored, then panic mode took over & the team ended up with players playing in positions that they aren't used to.

I think that's the polite way of putting it.

[Steph]

I agree with almost all of your post. The bit that I dont agree with is that, "we still need a Thierry Henry for Southern League Div 1 level.". The squad is strong however what was demonstrated yesterday is that we lack height to deal with crosses at the back and to bring the ball down at the front. With the starting line up we also lack pace, against a side who demonstrated that they are vulnerable to pace, but there is pace in the squad

 

There is height in the squad, why was one of our tallest players who consistently outjumped opponents taken off? If he was to be substituted should he have been replaced by Bradley Brotherton who can offer ariel ability in defence and at set pieces?

 

Whatever has happened to Maurice Byfield? Has he left the club? if so he has not been replaced by a player with similar attributes.

 

In the first game St Albans showed that they are not a fit side and can be undone by pace. We have got fast forwards but they were not in the starting line up yesterday. Why not?

 

Our best form this season has been when a certain player has been off the pitch. Why is it our management dont see those sort of things?

 

There is a young winger who has scored 2 goals from 4 appearances this season. Compare and contrast with the style of play of another player who is a striker but has only scored 1 goal from 8 appearances.

Confidence exudes from every pore of that young winger yet the striker seems to want us to wait until he recovers his.

 

We have a difficult game on Saturday. Chatham are lying second and have only conceded 7 goals in 9 games should we wait until our striker regains his confidence. It is at times like these when the lack of a reserve side stands out as a major problem.

 

That is enough of a rant. I believe that we have the best management team in the Southern League East. Friday and yesterday we demonstrated that we can hold our own at a higher level of football.

 

Kieron Woodward and John Morgan are starting to build up an understanding which is always the hallmark of good wing play. Where was Kieron yesterday?

 

In the comments above I am not asking for anyone's head but believe that questions should be asked of the management or what is the point of a supporter owned club?

[Mr Happy]

I thought that it was a very exciting game with a fair bit of end to end action. Saints dominated early play but we increased in confidence and were only just shaded by the end of the first half. Second half we came out well but as soon as Hammet missed the open goal the lads seemed to realise that a golden opportunity had been missed. Saints then proved too strong and fully deserved their win although the scoreline was a little flattering. I cannot understand why Hammet was not taken off. We had Ritchie and Nyman on the bench and Smith was not even considered. He puts fear into opposition defenders and the Saints were not good at the back. There is clearly some problems in the dressing room and if these are not dealt wth things will start to get bad. Well played to their keeper. He took the banter in good spirit and pulled off a superb save in the second half. Well done and good luck against Kettering.

 

Just a mention on the referee. He was not a cheat as some Town fans were chanting but I have to say that he was incompetent and made a string of poor deciison against both sides. He wasn't fit to referee and ESL match and both clubs should be complaining to the FA in my opinion!

 

What still gets my goat is the over reaction and foul and abusive language of some of our fans. It is embarrassing and should be stamped out. Banter is fine but swearing at opposition players and the ref and even at opposition fans who were kids is not on.

[CueBall]

Have to agree with Steph on the points made.

I do think some questions need to be asked. nuff said.

 

As for last night well done saints I think on the whole you deserved it, I agree with your man above that you did not play like a team 4th in Conference south, we held our own against you (although we did not play as well as we could have either)until Hammett missed that sitter and then we conceeded a goal soon after. For me I think heads dropped a little and then it was there for you saints to take, thought 3-0 flattered you a little but no complaints Well done Saints.

 

Well done Town I am very proud of the teams performance over the two games

 

Good luck to Saints as they hopefully progress in the cup, I felt very welcome at Clarence Park yesterday so thank you.

 

Now heads up Town and lets show the SLE what we are made of.

[Keep the £]

Quote:

Arkwright said:
Thought that we did fine till Saints scored, then panic mode took over & the team ended up with players playing in positions that they aren't used to.
I think that's the polite way of putting it.

I quite agree. Once St Albans scored we looked out of sorts. Of course we had to chase the game but once Penn and Green were taken off we were all at sea. To be honest I was unsure about Green last season but he has been superb this season.

I notice the programme last night implied Town were over physical on Friday. I think that was unfair and perhaps St Albans should look at their own side. The challenge by their No 2 at the end of the first half last night was horrendous.

The referee proved he was out of his depth again last night. On a number of occaisons the ball was kicked away, deliberately shielded to prevent a player taking a throw quickly or a player would retreat about 2 yards from the ball when a free-kick was being taken. However, the referee took no action. Also, I wonder what it takes for him to award a penalty? Kojo was polaxed at the end yet what does he do? Point to the corner flag.

Anybody know what the attendance was last night? Thought the home support was poor for a Conf South team. Reckon St Albans should come out to "Ghost Town" by The Specials in future!

[CueBall]

Quote:

Mr Happy said:
Nyman on the bench and Smith was not even considered. He puts fear into opposition defenders
!

What still gets my goat is the over reaction and foul and abusive language of some of our fans. It is embarrassing and should be stamped out. Banter is fine but swearing at opposition players and the ref and even at opposition fans who were kids is not on.

I know I said "Nuff said" above but have to agree with Mr Happy on these points
(I am a very agreeable chap!!)

Smith, Nyman very good players talent and certainly in Smiths case strong. not used ??
Thought Deano green played well and should have stayed on.
Also Why not bring on Brotherton.

As for the abusive language I was not going to mention that as I thought it would sound like I am always moaning about it but again fully agree with Mr Happy on this point.

[Arkwright]

Quote:

Keep the £ said:

Quote:

Arkwright said:
Thought that we did fine till Saints scored, then panic mode took over & the team ended up with players playing in positions that they aren't used to.
I think that's the polite way of putting it.

I quite agree. Once St Albans scored we looked out of sorts. Of course we had to chase the game but once Penn and Green were taken off we were all at sea. To be honest I was unsure about Green last season but he has been superb this season.

I notice the programme last night implied Town were over physical on Friday. I think that was unfair and perhaps St Albans should look at their own side. The challenge by their No 2 at the end of the first half last night was horrendous.

The referee proved he was out of his depth again last night. On a number of occaisons the ball was kicked away, deliberately shielded to prevent a player taking a throw quickly or a player would retreat about 2 yards from the ball when a free-kick was being taken. However, the referee took no action. Also, I wonder what it takes for him to award a penalty? Kojo was polaxed at the end yet what does he do? Point to the corner flag.

Anybody know what the attendance was last night? Thought the home support was poor for a Conf South team. Reckon St Albans should come out to "Ghost Town" by The Specials in future!

Can't see the problem with a physical game, though I thought that one of the St Albans players was very lucky to finish the game as was one of ours, both for over the top tackles.
Other than that it was just normal rough & tumble of English football.

Don't like to agree with Mr Happy, but the couple of Towners who were overdoing the Foul & Abusive could do with maintaining the level of support but losing some of the Anglo-Saxon.

[JKiF]

Quote:

Keep the £ said:


Anybody know what the attendance was last night? Thought the home support was poor for a Conf South team. Reckon St Albans should come out to "Ghost Town" by The Specials in future!

err the home support was excellent like it always is

[Hawkeye Pierce]

I know Steph didn't agree with me regarding Thiery but I too have always been a fan of Maurice Byfield! Height, and knows where the goal is! I thought I saw another club trying to sign him.

[lovely stuff]

Byfield would not cut it regulary at this level.Greene is the same height and build as him, and he did nothing yesterday.

 

It was the first time for a long long time, that i have been embarrassed by a Town performance.We let ourselves down.We looked like a team without vision ,ideas and a cutting edge.Thats the last thing you can accuse us of normally.

 

I very rarely,if ever, criticize Jim and his tactics,but he got the selection and formation totally wrong last night.Saying that, we did badly miss Woodward on the left and i think Morgans game suffered for his absence and well.Velendia should have started.Greene should have been wide.I'm also slightly worried about the form of Matty and Rudi. They were my joint players of the years last season.This season they have been very quite.Matty is suffering from losing his left side place to Morgan,he never plays well wide right.Rudi has looked flat.This may be down to having a new baby,or the extra traveling he now does ,who knows.

 

We need SMITH AND NYMAN fit and playing again.

 

Hammett??? I think Jim is suffering from the 'Snowden' sydrome here.Ie..It's very hard to drop the son of one of your coaches.Bryan never had to play his way into the team,he came straight in,and he has done nothing so far to warrant keeping a place up front.

 

I personally wasn't impressed with St Albans at all.I thought they were flat and going through the motions.It proves how much we let ourselves down ,that we were unable to pressure them much.

 

PS. Why were we wearing that god-awfull away kit?Surely were could have got the proper kit washed in time? Its hard to pick the players out it that drab kit, and it doesn't feel like you are watching 'Enfield',but a team like of Hayes or Yeading.

 

Was it part of the deal with Steph, that his kit would be used for away Fa cup ties?

[OldTowner]

Quote:

Arkwright said:
Thought that we did fine till Saints scored, then panic mode took over & the team ended up with players playing in positions that they aren't used to.
I think that's the polite way of putting it.

Agree.
Once the first one went in it was backs to the wall for the Town and when the substitutions were made we lost all shape.
3 - 0 a bit harsh on the general showing in the first 60 minutes, BUT, when we got the ball, we gave it away very cheaply.

Saturday needs to be the start of a continued run of League wins !
Town have done well so far this season, lets not forget that just because we lost to a Conf Sth side <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

[lovely stuff]

Those two very easy misses cost us dear. St Albans scored themselves within a couple of minutes of each of those chances. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

 

Also, we played most of the first game with 10 men, and only had ten men on the pitch for 2 of their 3 goals in the replay. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />