Todays game.

[michael]

Thought i'd make a few personal observations on the game only as previous thread seems to have got lost in comments on off field issues.

 

I thought comments on Ryan were unfair.

Maybe not a world superstar performance today, but still our best player.A bit wasted on the flanks,despite his ability.If Donovan plays with Edwards we need Ryan in centre to cover the lack of pace of Edwards and Donovan, although otherwise, i thought Edwards and Donovan had decent games.

Hasseem did not put a foot wrong as usual, but he can offer so much more and he is equally wasted on the right flank.Should be in midfield

 

Despite our strong midfield, we did not function there today. JK is hot and cold.Maxwell-only commment at this stage is that first games are always difficult,but cant see how he can keep Sacha and McGowan out).

Think people are continuosly harsh on Standen.He does well.

 

On current form, best midfield to me is Deen Sacha and Mcgowan.We need Mcgowans strength of character

 

I thought Adolf was rather anonymous today until his 'goal' .

I cant see how our top scorer in Remy can be omitted

[michael]

Meant to add that my man of match was Mitten, for his one world class save that kept us in the game , and despite his fumble near the end

[zhukov]

Michael I agree, Charlie was the man of the match with some terrific saves especially as Charlie is still carrying an injury from the Cray game.

Although we won today, it was a poor game for the spectators. Despite the new signings it is hard to see how they could be an improvement on our existing players and the ones that have recently been released. Thankfully we play some poor teams in our league.

Today's points are important but there is much work to be done in starting to build a successful team.

[Cookie]

Very true Zhukov very true.

[Wellsie]

I think today's interview I did with Chris will go some way to answer these questions. With any luck, it will be available from the web-site over the next 24 hours.

[michael]

Zhukov-first games are always difficult and have some sympathy with Maxwell there,but in many ways does he remind you of Charambolous-lots of huff and puff.

Difficult to see how Maxwell is ahead of McGowan,Sacha and Gradley in midfield(and Deen who i'm certain is better in defensive midfield),so am surprised at the signing, particularly as it is a loan signing ,which surely causes more disruption and gets away from the settled side.

 

Could understand it if it is a full back or even attack. but we do seem well blessed already for once in midfield.

There again first games are difficult and Graham Gooch got zero on his England debut.

[P.W.]

[color:"blue"]I agree about Maxwell, on first impression he doesn't seem to add much to the team that we haven't already got (or recently had ie:Brown / Burke).

After a season and a bit without one it seems Chris has developed 'Chequebook fever'.. symptoms: has unused cheques in book & must use <normally associated with computer gaming geeks / technology buffs and the female of the species> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[michael]

I simply think CK needs to be absolutelysure that new additions add to the quality of the tream and are better than existing.

 

I don't think we need squad players now, but simply improvements wherever available.

Possibly need strengthening at full back as we have not really replced Green but otherwise any signing must be better than current incumbent; and current incumbents are pretty good.

[Chris1]

We certainly need more solidity in midfield. We have plenty of bodies and some decent skill, but you also require strength (eg. Sodge). What we would all give for CK to unearth another like him!

 

Best of the current bunch for me would be McGowan and Gradley (still with us?), with Sacha in there somewhere for his free kicks if nothing else.

 

I prefer Keister playing deeper, with two good blocking full backs. Standen is good at this, if only he would stay in position (I agree with Cookie on this in another thread). Don't know who is best at right back.

 

Ryan usually looks good on the left, although many people on here seem to prefer him central. Why does he remind me so much of Ferdinand? I can't decide if it's his style of play or the fact that he looks a bit like him. Oates is a natural for right wing-back, but he doesn't seem to run at defences like he used to. He used to open up conf defences regularly.

 

Our two best forward seem to be Amoako and Remy. Braithwaite has lost pace, although to be fair he always encourages the others and works hard.

 

Mitten has been a wonder this season. Loads of presence, much improved kicking, excellent throwing out, good on crosses, hardly any kittens; what else can you say. I was going to give him 10/10 on Saturday until that slight fumble near the end.

 

Wealdstone web site has it that the ref was hurried into giving the goal by the fact it was announced on the pa. So well done stadium announcer if that is the case!

[Chris1]

Just noticed I missed out Bill. Sorry mate! He would be the final defender in my team above.

[Wellsie]

Can't belive that I did have any influence on the referee - I only announced (incorrectly first of all) the goal scorer when it looked to me as if the ref had given it. The Wealdstone players then pursued him across the pitch. Having said that, I'm happy to take any credit! (Does that up my mark out of 10 in another post?)

[Cookie]

The ref gave it straight away Wellsie so dont feel you were pre-empting his decision as those at WEALDSTONE say & as for your announcement, having the slightest influence on his decision,well thats absolute crap.(no disrespect meant to you with this). I wouldnt have been surprised had he disallowed it but he didnt so am glad for the lucky break.

[Wellsie]

None taken! Chris's perspective was that Adolf didn't touch the guy so that's proably why the ref gave it. It also looked to me as if it was a combination of head down and foot up. But both players were closing on each other rapidly in a 50-50 situation. Still, like you Cookie, I'm glad it was given!

[seasidesteve]

definately no foul a very brave goal considering the size of the keeper and the clattering he gave adolf just previously

[Cookie]

Of course it wasnt a foul otherwise the ref wouldnt have allowed the goal but where his feet were it would have had other refs give a different decision.I have seen less severe feet up given the whistle before. As a ref I would without doubt have blown up for dangerous play but I wasnt the ref and it WAS my club that benefitted so I am happy about it on this occasion.Contact dosent have to be made.What would we have said had it been against us. I think we would all be shouting from the roof tops that it was foul play.

Anyway its gone and we got the benefit of the refs' decision on this occasion. .

[Cookie]

And yes.I agree with you that it was extremely brave play on AMAOKE's part.

[Coffin Ender]

It should not have been a goal and we did not deserve to win. I hope we play better tomorrow.

[Chris1]

Don't forget we should have scored after 2 mins. True their little lad Josh missed a sitter, so perhaps a draw would have been fair.

[michael]

We should also have had a penalty whem Ameoko was tripped about 5 minutes from end.

 

You also haveto say that depite his size, the Wealdstone keeper hardly attacked the challenge with Adolf with any aggression, and maybe Adolf desreved to come off best