Said it before.....

[OldTowner]

So I will say it again !!

Town forwards are too weak and too lightweight.

We need a strong forward who can score goals.

What are the Club / Management doing about it ?

There MUST be a forward out there that we could get to play for us.

The goals are drying up. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

[lovely stuff]

I'm afraid that we could well be out of the play-off places,by the time the management team,and some of the supporters work that out. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smash.gif" alt="" />

[Southport - TOWNER]

LS - that is quite insulting to your fellow supporters!

[lovely stuff]

Fair enough.I've changed my post to 'some' instead of 'most'.

[OldTowner]

I see that Barking have found a new 15 goals in 15 games striker....how come we don't find these local players ?

And I see that Mercer has gone to Ilford. I thought he looked okay and a good addition to the squad.

Good job I am not Manager !

[lovely stuff]

Even EFC have managed to find a goalscorer.Marlon Stuart scored 31 times for Brook House last season.

[Sponsor of Beer]

At a dozen or so points in front of the seventh placed team [and Wivenhoe now in the top six-a side that allegedly threw its play off game last year] should be enough to secure a play off spot even with the current strike rate/force. It seems to me, though, that a number of sides are actively seeking to avoid the risk of promotion. Corby only drawing at Harlow would seem to support what was being suggested at their place recently, for example.

 

I currently predict that we'll get the third spot after two penalty shoot outs following nil nil draws in the play offs.

 

I wonder whether individual players [at any club seeking to progress] acknowledge that they either aren't good enough to hold down a level 3 place or that they would be unable to commit to the travelling? If so, what effect could that have on performance?

[OldTowner]

S o B.

Yes thats all very well....but does not answer the point about Town being short of firepower up front and seemingly, happy with the situation.

Other Clubs ARE finding new goal scorers. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

[lovely stuff]

I'm also worried about the ambition (or at least pragmatism) of our board.I think Softie recently said that we as a club could not financially sustain being promoted (or words to that effect).

 

I know the board do everything possible to raise funds and are doing a great job of it,but talk like that does not inspire confidence amounst the supporters about future progression.(or at least progression in the next 2 to 3 years).

[Steph]

LS

 

We have the highest crowds amongst the other clubs and seeing as how BW charged £8 yesterday I think that the fans can expect to see an increase in admission next year whatever league we are in. (Except the ESL but I think we are safe from relegation) I have no doubt that the club could survive at the next level (and challenge if we could get our own ground) and certainly crowds/prize money should increase. Les should be able to attract additional sponsership as well.

[Sponsor of Beer]

So, two home wins this week would make the play offs pretty assured. And a prolific striker would make the second place a better than evens prospect.

 

Fair summary?

[OldTowner]

LS

Perhaps we have come too far, too quick, in our short history.

Football Clubs need cash and you cannot keep asking 300 or so supporters to keep paying.

At the end of the day a "Supporters Club" cannot progress up to Conference level due to financial instability.

Expectations are high and our current position is great, BUT, If the Club are to progress they WILL need a Money Man to come in. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

[Sponsor of Beer]

Not sure that its a necessity to go from one extreme to the other, but an open discussion would be welcome.

[andyetfc]

Steph.

 

BW charged less than £8.00 for admission yesterday because they offered a limited number of programmes to supporters as part of the package. They normally charge £7.00 as displayed under the 'ETFC are coming today so let's put up the price' notice.

 

Can you explain why fans should 'expect to see an increase in admission fees next year whatever league we are in'?

[lovely stuff]

I don't neccessarily agree with that.

 

I think we can survive at Ryman premier status ,with the way the club is set-up.If we progress into the premier,our attendences will go up by an average of 80-100 per game,and we could charge £8 entrance fee.Half the clubs at premier level manage to survive without a big finacial backer.

 

I agree that we will need money from our own bar receits,plus all the rest, in order to progress into the conference south.But i still maintain that a club with attendances of 800-1000 and with their own ground,and bar reciets CAN survive in the Conference without a big money man.

[andyetfc]

LS

 

On what basis do you assume that gates would go up by between 80 - 100 each home game?

[lovely stuff]

We would attact a few more people, by playing at a higher level (and in a more media accessable League) ,and away fans would increase a bit.We are averaging 300 this season.I see no reason to suggest we wouldn't average 380-odd in the Ryman Premier.

[Father Jack]

Quote:

OldTowner said:
Town forwards are too weak and too lightweight.
We need a strong forward who can score goals.
What are the Club / Management doing about it ?
There MUST be a forward out there that we could get to play for us.
The goals are drying up. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

Agreed OT. So let's widen this debate a bit. Any suggestions? Let me open proceedings by suggesting Rikki Burbridge of Hornchurch (mind you we probably couldn't afford him!) Any sensible suggestions?

[Steph]

Quote:

andyetfc said:
Steph.

BW charged less than £8.00 for admission yesterday because they offered a limited number of programmes to supporters as part of the package. They normally charge £7.00 as displayed under the 'ETFC are coming today so let's put up the price' notice.

Can you explain why fans should 'expect to see an increase in admission fees next year whatever league we are in'?

We have the lowest price in the league - albeit shared with other clubs. It is clear that 370 were prepared to pay £8 (£5 concessions yesterday) Whilst I would agree that we should aim to keep price of admission down I also think that we have to be realistic and a price of £7 (Children under 14 free and £4 concessions OAP's, students and unemployed) should be considered. I do not think that a £7 charge would deter many people certainly not more than would reduce the additional income and the free entry for youngsters would ensure that there were more Towners replacing those getting a bit long in the tooth.

[Sponsor of Beer]

On the basis that we don't seem to be lodging 7 day notices and failing to agree terms with players, isn't it rather more about mindset than who a star striker might be. Until there's an acceptance or otherwise that one's needed, speculation on who it might be seems wasted.

 

My preference would be to get a big [as in tall, rather than round] centre half in [posibly the guy from Berko] to allow Russell to get back playing in midfield first.