STAMFORD RESULT

[Squadron Leader]

Just been given the result a 0 - 0 Draw. Fair result by all accounts, although we missed a few chances early in the first half so I have been told.

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bisou.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bisou.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bisou.gif" alt="" />

[lovely stuff]

Totally solid in defense.Battling performance in midfield.Impotent up front. Another shut out,another game without a win. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Hall, Allen, Magona, Gant, Hall, Penn, Campbell, Hall, Paul, Hammatt, Woodward, Morgan, Negus, Brotherton, Smith, Ritchie

 

Gate 302

 

When home teams set their stall out from the outset for a draw you know they respect you.

 

Kieron Woodward glided down the wing and whipped in a lovely cross for Trevor Paul to head. Hateley dived and save it. At the other end Stamford shot wide. An along the ground shot from Bryan Hammatt was gathered by the keeper. The wet ground appeared to take the sting out of on ground shots. Paul Campbell had a shot saved. Stamford appeared to play for time from the start. Determined not to let Town step up the tempo and outplay them. Adam Gant went down to a nasty foul and the offender was booked for his troubles. The best chance of the first half came from a Bryan Hammatt move to try to walk the ball into the net before passing to Trevor Paul who fired with great power only for the defender on the line to block with his leg. Town ended the second half with about 10 minutes of added time which was fair because of the delaying tactics from Stamford.

 

Kieron Woodward led the charge with a shot saved. He then had another shot sail over. Steve Magona then had a shot sail over the bar. Johnny Morgan subbed for Kieron Woodward. Magona then had probably the best chance of the second half however as he chested it down it fell badly for him – shame. Matty Negus on for Paul Campbell, which was probably wise as the wingers were running in mud and it must have been hard work. Rudi Hall was starting to look like something that has risen from the bottom of the swamp, being covered in mud. Johnny Morgan’s fresh pair of legs was proving valuable in dancing round players. Then final ten minutes saw Stamford try for a winner but not with much conviction. Stamford is a pretty little town at Christmas. Glad we are not playing on this pitch later in the season, it is bad enough now.

[Diver1830]

Good result for you then, however we were the victims of the infamous lino that let play go on when the guy was 2 yds offside for the 2nd goal at your game at Redbridge in the Trophy last Tues.

This time he flagged for a free kick that was never a foul and lo an behold Waltham Forest scored from it when they were only worth 1 point at most.

[Gazza]

A good away point, but thats about it, dreadful game, lots of commitment with no goalmouth action other than the first 30 seconds, good day out though Stamford is a wonderful Town.

[Southport - TOWNER]

not even Sky in the bar!

 

"a good day at the office for the defenderss."

[OldTowner]

Quote:

Softie said:
Hall, Allen, Magona, Gant, Hall, Penn, Campbell, Hall, Paul, Hammatt, Woodward, Morgan, Negus, Brotherton, Smith, Ritchie

Gate 302

When home teams set their stall out from the outset for a draw you know they respect you.

Kieron Woodward glided down the wing and whipped in a lovely cross for Trevor Paul to head. Hateley dived and save it. At the other end Stamford shot wide. An along the ground shot from Bryan Hammatt was gathered by the keeper. The wet ground appeared to take the sting out of on ground shots. Paul Campbell had a shot saved. Stamford appeared to play for time from the start. Determined not to let Town step up the tempo and outplay them. Adam Gant went down to a nasty foul and the offender was booked for his troubles. The best chance of the first half came from a Bryan Hammatt move to try to walk the ball into the net before passing to Trevor Paul who fired with great power only for the defender on the line to block with his leg. Town ended the second half with about 10 minutes of added time which was fair because of the delaying tactics from Stamford.

Kieron Woodward led the charge with a shot saved. He then had another shot sail over. Steve Magona then had a shot sail over the bar. Johnny Morgan subbed for Kieron Woodward. Magona then had probably the best chance of the second half however as he chested it down it fell badly for him – shame. Matty Negus on for Paul Campbell, which was probably wise as the wingers were running in mud and it must have been hard work. Rudi Hall was starting to look like something that has risen from the bottom of the swamp, being covered in mud. Johnny Morgan’s fresh pair of legs was proving valuable in dancing round players. Then final ten minutes saw Stamford try for a winner but not with much conviction. Stamford is a pretty little town at Christmas. Glad we are not playing on this pitch later in the season, it is bad enough now.

Town gave 100% on a poor pitch, BUT it was the same old story up front. Missed openings.
We are so lightweight it is not true.
No real pace. No strength. No goals.
We need a big goal scorer to lead the line.
Stamford tactics awful - not exactly the football acadamey ! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

[Sergeant D]

With Town so dominant, it was hard to believe that we didn't come away with 3 points. Defense and midfield were excellent and then there were the strikers.......totally ineffective.Why was our best striker (Smith) on the bench and not used when it was obvious that the front two were not working (again)? If we are to have a realistic chance of promotion, we need to have an effective front line.

[lovely stuff]

Give Morgan and Smith a go up front.It would give us the option of running at defenders, and a little bit of physical presence.

[OldTowner]

Quote:

Sergeant D said:
With Town so dominant, it was hard to believe that we didn't come away with 3 points. Defense and midfield were excellent and then there were the strikers.......totally ineffective.Why was our best striker (Smith) on the bench and not used when it was obvious that the front two were not working (again)? If we are to have a realistic chance of promotion, we need to have an effective front line.

THIS IS GETTING BORING.....
Every week ( other than after Wakering ) we read the same stuff.
Defence did okay, midfield okay BUT forwards totally ineffective.
The Bryan and Trevor combination is just NOT WORKING. How many time does this have to be said by us the supporters, who pay to watch every week? I cannot believe that there is not a goalscoring forward in a lower league who would do a better job for us. Where is our scouting system ?
I have said it before and I know I will say it again...Our current front line is far too lightweight. They are pushed of the ball all the time, their shots are weak and their goal ratio per games stinks ( whatever Jim thinks )
I think the main "complaint from supporters" is that we dominate games, but fail to score and therefore kill off teams.
At Stamford we were under the cosh for the last 10 - 15 minutes due to our lack of goals.
Something has to change soon or the support will dwindle particularly at home where our record is not so good this season. ( away record is super ) <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

[Father Jack]

An alternative interpretation might be that the service to the front two is poor and not playing to their strengths, i.e. too many long aerial balls and too many overhit through balls. With this in mind, isn't it strange that "the best passer at the club" (according to Jim), Steven Velandia, and the fastest forward we have, Kojo, are both out on loan?

 

Just a thought.

[lovely stuff]

Rudi and Russell in midfield are inspirational players and ball winners.Neither of them really offer penertrating passes through the opposing defence.They invariably win the ball and lay it simple.Valendia could split open a defence with a pin-point pass.The trouble is, finding room for him in the system.He likes to play in the same part of the pitch as Rudi.

 

If we had someone to provide the cutting passes.I still say that players like Smith or Kojo would get on to more of them.

 

We all know that our current two forwards lack certain things.Pace,physical presence,heading ability.This is supposed to be made up for,by the fact that they are natural goalscores.That is why its so frustrating that when they do get a sniff on goal or a shot from the edge of the area, they invariable fluff the chance.If they were deadly finishers, we could accept their other shortcomings.

 

Look,Hammett has scored over 100 goals at this level or higher.Paul scored 4 goals against Chopper in one game.They have produced in the past.Its just a case of how long can we continue to wait, to see if they can reproduce their past career form.The fans patience expired long ago.How much patience Jim has left,only he knows.

 

Our two strikers are both great lads.All us fans are willing them to start producing,but it can't continue as it has been doing for much longer,otherwise we will be mid-table before we know it.Our players (and the fans) deserve better than that.

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Give Velandia a go he impressed me at Thurrock and hasn't stopped yet! The reserves won't miss him for a week.

[Sponsor of Beer]

For once (the first time?), I agree with Softie. But perhaps not for the same reason. Managers at this level watch far more opposition games, and there's plenty of opportunity to read an ETFC match report without popping down to Enfield for a Gazette. However good they are, players are becoming known quantities.

 

Steve V. offers a lot as a player, and perhaps as much as an 'unknown'. Whether or not he starts tomorrow, he'll surely get a chance soon with supensions and Xmas fixtures, etc.