No more 4-5-1. But what would YOU do ?

[Hempstead Gaz]

My choice would be 3-5-2

If everyone were fit and available for the next game, I would go:-

Holloway

Gooding Ross Smith Watkins

Protheroe Saunders McKimm Drury Jackson

MacDonald Rawle

Subs: Kerr R Smith Slatter Moore Sodje

 

If Provs has left by then , swap Slatter.

 

At least this team would (without Liam's intervention) show a bit of spirit, passion and attacking flair.

It simply cannot be any worse than the dire, negative, boring dross the has been produced of late.

[jc]

I've already given my views on this system elsewhere, but:

 

1) Where's Bobby?

2) Ross Smith seems to be on the pitch and on the bench. He's good, but not quite that good.

[BustaGut]

If push comes to shove and no slatter or Protheroe.guess there is always skins? but may take a bit of juggling around.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:
My choice would be 3-5-2
If everyone were fit and available for the next game, I would go:-
Holloway
Gooding Ross Smith Watkins
Protheroe Saunders McKimm Drury Jackson
MacDonald Rawle
Subs: Kerr R Smith Slatter Moore Sodje

If Provs has left by then , swap Slatter.

At least this team would (without Liam's intervention) show a bit of spirit, passion and attacking flair.
It simply cannot be any worse than the dire, negative, boring dross the has been produced of late.

Of course I meant Jamie Smith on the bench - it was rather early when I posted. As for Bobby, do you not feel he fulfills a similar role to McKimm, with a bit more culture but a little less passion.
Now that Macca and Jay are fit again, what role will Bobby have, apart from the bench? An apparent good problem for Liam, but a difficult choice, nevertheless.

[jc]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:Now that Macca and Jay are fit again, what role will Bobby have, apart from the bench?

He didn't even get that in your selection.

I agree that there's a bit of a selection dilemma here, what with the return of McKimm, but given that Bobby's been amongst our very best performers this season, it would seem illogical to drop him. There's no reason why McKimm should necessarily be an automatic pick - ultimately, in my view, it should be a case of 'let the best man win' between the two of them for the 'defensive' central midfield spot, alongside the more attack-minded Jay. Time will tell as to who that is.

[Riverview Supporter]

Id rather play an ornamental bird bath instaed of gooding.

[Harry J Allstars]

How can anyone pick Macca over Bowry? How about a professional league career on your CV? Have you made your feelings known to Daish by way of letter? Or even better going into the bar and talking about it after the game? He is often in there after a game. Why not go in there after the match on Saturday and say I'm Gary from Chatham and tell the bloke what you think.

 

Personnally I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head with your selection, apart from Bowry that is.

 

Goalkeeper is a given (not the Newcastle one) three good solid defenders that can tackle but they all have poor distribution, yes even Ross needs to work on that. Watch him on Saturday, he is still my player of the season though. Now that Proths has all but left I would have Drury on the right of Midfield and Jacko on the left with Bowry, Saunders and Slatter in the middle and Rawle and Charlie up front.

 

A bit of trouble with this in my oppinion would be Drury (its not what you think though, read on). In Andy we have one of the best possible right wingers in this league, he can run with the ball, pass and shoot. He is also very clever with tricks, the guy has it all.

 

Someone pointed out to me recently that when we play shooting towards the Swanscombe end and Jukebox is on the right he playes very well. On this occasion he obviously has the manager along with the rest of the bench giving him encouragment. However when the second half comes and plays on the opposite side of the pitch his head drops becuase he doesn't have the manager breathing down his neck all game.

 

At first this thoery seemed to make perfect sense that was, however, until York on Saturday. The first half the whole team was poor and you couldnt have picked anyone out for playing well, even Jukebox, who was on the right side of the pitch and just in front of the dugouts.

 

When the second half came we saw a different team, okay we never made any clear cut chances but had lady luck been smiling on us and we may have nicked a goal. Jukebox was made to play on the side of the pitch that was soon to become known as the beach. Because of the surface there was nothing Andy could do, it was just poor. On a few occasions he switched over to the left but wherever he played you could see the effort was there.

 

So then when Andy isn't playing in front of the Stonebridge Road side of the ground he plays well, when Andy plays well the team play well.

 

What could possibly be on that side of the pitch that makes Andy play so badly?

[Bernard]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:
My choice would be 3-5-2
If everyone were fit and available for the next game, I would go:-
Holloway
Gooding Ross Smith Watkins
Protheroe Saunders McKimm Drury Jackson
MacDonald Rawle
Subs: Kerr R Smith Slatter Moore Sodje

[...]

As for Bobby, do you not feel he fulfills a similar role to McKimm, with a bit more culture but a little less passion.
Now that Macca and Jay are fit again, what role will Bobby have, apart from the bench? An apparent good problem for Liam, but a difficult choice, nevertheless.

The proverbial 'having a word with yourself' might be in order.

There is no way on earth that, judging on Bobby's performances this season in comparison with McKimm's in seasons past, that the former should be left out for the latter. We talk about 'passion' but I'd wager we'd have been relegated three year's back without the likes of Mark Bentley, a man with no ties to the club as he strove for better things. The same is true of Bobby: whilst there is evidence to suggest McKimm is more of a 'Mr GNFC' than Bowry, there is no disguising that he is not as skilful a player.

With the idea of a more balanced midfield seemingly preferable one attacking and one defensive central midfielder is required: Bobby and Jay fitting the mould nicely.

Secondly, you appear to have three wingers in your team. Shoving Drury in the middle (and on the left???) because there's nowhere else to fit him seems illogical. It seems sensible to put him on the right wing where he plays best, since having the players in their best positions is obviously better than a mish-mash of random players. Then dump Protheroe, since he may be likely to leave and you have room for Mckimm, if you want, or just make it a 4-4-2 as usual.

Either way, Bobby must play.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

jc said:

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:Now that Macca and Jay are fit again, what role will Bobby have, apart from the bench?

He didn't even get that in your selection.

I agree that there's a bit of a selection dilemma here, what with the return of McKimm, but given that Bobby's been amongst our very best performers this season, it would seem illogical to drop him. There's no reason why McKimm should necessarily be an automatic pick - ultimately, in my view, it should be a case of 'let the best man win' between the two of them for the 'defensive' central midfield spot, alongside the more attack-minded Jay. Time will tell as to who that is.

Personally, I don't think there is a great deal to choose between them they both occupy centre midfield as the holding, robust and tackling player, as I said, Macca possibly offers more passion and committment, whilst Bowry offers more experience and class.
The main problem is that it becomes a bit congested if Liam plays both + Jay. As Macca is the incumbent whilst Bobby is injured, that is what largely governed my selection.
As Harry said, Jukebox is probably our most gifted player, but who needs encouragement all the time. It would be nice to see him in a libero role in front of a midfield 4 and behind Charlie and Mark.
But I cannot see it happening given Liams apparent reluctance to play a more expansive game.
As for going in the bar afterwards, it is simply a thing I have never done- I have a wife and 2 kids to go home to, and in the evening games I invariably have to get up at 04:30 the following morning.
I can only hope that Liam reads this forum to get a feel for what the "average" supporter is thinking.
Do not get me wrong, Harry, in no way do Iwish to see Liam replaced, he hase built a 'solid' mid table team, it is with the season dead, apart from a chance to qualify for the LDV trophy (if the seats are installed), we have chosen this time to have our worst form and most dull, unattractive football.
Now is the time to experiment, bring in some fresh tactics and blood some more youngsters - Kerr, Groombridge and Phinbow spring to mind.
Liams retained list will be published eventually, it is no secret that Skins and Provs will not be here (but I hope they are) so there will be vacancies in the first team squad for next year - we could have another Luke Moore in our ranks.

[kmj]

But hopefully a Luke Moorelike player who can actually score goals in the Conference.

[Hempstead Gaz]

I really meant a young local player, hungry to build a career here, much as Jacko has done.

[kmj]

I agree that would be something to celebrate.

[Riverview Supporter]

Agree with most points all round on this thread. I think that the club built the expectations too high. Going full time may have had a detremental effect on the supporters in that they (me included) expected more than is reasonable. Behind the scenes , things may be going forward , with finances for seating being secured. new ground being spoken about , trying to go to friday evening games, but the man in the street is not getting the message. I dont have answers. Wish I did , but the bottom line is that to pay the bills and develop a succesful team , we need bums on seats (when we get the seats).

 

I was sceptical about the Friday night games , but actually enjoy them. leaves my weekend free as well. The programme is getting a little better.

 

But some things need to get sorted for next season. We are a business and like all business`s need to make money. So why do we play Tuesdays when there is Champions League footie on ITV and not the Wednesday. League directive I believe , but someone has to be saying no , as a business who cares for there customers , this is unacceptable. Midweek trips to Hereford and Forest green are a joke when there are plenty of teams nearer.

 

The Farce of kent Cup pricing should be dealt with before the season kicks off. A totally unecessary waste of resources to sort that I expect.

 

I dare say there are a few more. The club are listening (catering looks like improving) and hopefully can push things in a forward direction in the next year.

[FleetFanatic]

Most teams win playing 4-4-2.

 

I would play 4-4-2. Have I ever mentioned the diamond midfield,

with Drury playing just behind the from two?

 

Oh - I have.

 

What we actually need is a plan b & maybe even a plan c, to react when plan a has gone wrong on the pitch.

 

I think they call it tactical nous.

[BustaGut]

We would all like a winning team but sadly we do not have one at the moment.Though that is the case and the morale on here is low it would be a lot higher if we had taken just a few more points from our last 6 games (states the obvious).In saying that, there is only so much poor football that people will take and more importantly PAY FOR (falling attendences) especialy if losing.I know people will argue but we are also attending the match to be entertained.and to play as we have of late in a negative defencive manner,Is not entertaining.The stay back in your own half and hoof it forward only works if you have quick guys at the front who can catch the ball firstly, and then go on to score.As our team has proven we are not capable of doing this,OK sometimes we do catch it to be fair,Then lose it or have a weak shot or have no idea what to do with it.When the team played the ball along the floor at least it gave others chance to score even if by more luck than judgement as they could keep up with play.I realise i am being negative. but maybe it reflects the way we are playing at the moment,Without flair and imagination, except for the odd flutter.Maybe ok for us die hards, as we always feel things will improve in the long run, but to keep new supporters coming to the club enticing them to come back and more importantly taking there money.They will and do expect to be entertained at least part of the time.Had my rant, will be there on Saturday having my whinge as normal. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bootyshake.gif" alt="" />

[Fleetbabe]

Quote:

Riverview Suppor said:
The programme is getting a little better.

Come on then, what's still wrong with the programme? If we know, we can go about trying to sort it.

[northfleet nigel]

The programme is fine, take no notice. It is certainly as good, if not better than most in this league.

 

As for 4-5-1, sometimes you just have to vary the formation and team to suit the strengths and league position/form of the opposition.

 

Had York not scored so early, I am convinced we would have got a result as we played very well, indeed much better than of late that. Come along to the Tamworth game and get behind the team.

[jc]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:
Now is the time to experiment, bring in some fresh tactics and blood some more youngsters - Kerr, Groombridge and Phinbow spring to mind.

The latter is on loan with Jamie Darvill at Dorking at the moment.

Quote:

Fleetbabe said:

Quote:

Riverview Suppor said:
The programme is getting a little better.

Come on then, what's still wrong with the programme? If we know, we can go about trying to sort it.

Apart from a few stray spelling and punctuation errors that remain (although this aspect of the programme has certainly improved), there are also a few things that could be done to improve the statistics page - in particular, removing the 'players who have left the club' box (even though it did tell us that Hodgson had left <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) and including the information of the players concerned in the main list of matches, perhaps by typing in the name of each player in each match instead of symbols. The present system means that while you can see how many games a departed player played, you cannot see which games he played in, meaning that the record is incomplete.

I realize that it would be overly arduous to change the system in this way for the remainder of this season, but a change of this kind for the start of next season would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: I see Mike's already requested this in the 'Next Season's Programme' thread - apologies.

[jc]

Quote:

northfleet nigel said:As for 4-5-1, sometimes you just have to vary the formation and team to suit the strengths and league position/form of the opposition.

Had York not scored so early, I am convinced we would have got a result

But why, when our defence was largely on top in the second half, did we not take the opportunity to introduce a second striker much earlier?

[nellyi]

It has to be 4-4-2,the players are best suited to that system,I dont think 3-5-2 or 4-5-1 would work