Today's game vs Dover

[Cookie]

Todays attendance 404.

[Boney Crisp]

There was in my eyes at least about 500 today, a lot of us know what that ground looks like with attendance of about 400 because thats what we got when we played there, but parmenter has probabaly taken of a number of the attendance so he could keep the money that would have been made from that extra 50-100.

[Wellsie]

Hhmm, I'm not sure Jim needs to do that!

[michael]

Wildes seems just the type of player we need.

 

'Call for the Wildes'.

 

That would encourage me that RT has the right type of contacts/ management skills if he can secure him on a contract for the 'Gate.

 

ATend of day, the player has got to want to sign, but hope this one does not slip away

[MargateFan]

I did remark to my dear one, mm, that you would have been impressed with Wildes had you seen him. My word he is a big lad, taller than Donovan, and stocky, but skilful and nimble. I liked him a lot.

I also thought that Lewis Smith was excellent, he was playing wider than we have seen him, as Greg was not playing, but he was sound in that position, and controlled the ball well. He has pace too.

Donovan has come in for some criticism from others, but I think he is getting better and better. Dean had a really good game yesterday when coming on for Skinner too.

Defensively we had no real problems, apart from the horrendous conditions and slippery pitch, but I do not like to see us rely on defending as much as that, together with the fact it makes for an abysmal spectacle.

The first few friendlies had us in a far more attacking mode, and it paid off. I hope to see us do more of that when we hit the real games. I think we sorely missed Proths yesterday in midfield. I am also hoping that McKimm is not so casual when the real thing starts, he looked that way for the last two friendlies. Hopefully that was just conserving his energies. Mind you his goal looked very casual too, but came along just when needed, so it perhaps is just his style.

[Cookie]

Margatefan said

"I also thought that Lewis Smith was excellent, he was playing wider than we have seen him, as Greg was not playing, but he was sound in that position, and controlled the ball well. He has pace too.

Donovan has come in for some criticism from others, but I think he is getting better and better.Dean had a really good game yesterday when coming on for Skinner too.

Defensively we had no real problems"

 

Was I at a different game June? Sorry,i.m.o.I cant agree on all counts.Defensively we were very rocky all through.If it wasnt for Dovers bad finishing & some good goalkeeping on Scots part, we could have been talking about a defeat today,a defeat by a 4 or 5 goal margin.

All other comments I am in agreement with entirely.One thing that I can say was better today from the defence was that defensive headers out from long throw ins & corners were much better.High balls over the top were the main problem & we were caught out by them on numerous occasions. I lost count on the amount of times an attacking player recieved the ball behind the defence.Calling for off-side when clearly it isnt then standing still hoping for a flag does not help.I call that bad positioning,not being in communication with each other & sheer "hope to god I was right because I aint running back if I'm wrong"!.

[Gate Watcher]

We just weren't at all convincing against Dover. Second best all over the park. The weather didn't help but it was the same for both teams. Other than Scott in goal, Wild and Robinson there wasn't too many positives.

[Cookie]

Spot on GW,spot on ! (i.m.o)

I have no concerns however that things wont improve considerably next week with a full & proper starting line up & a different attitude.

[Gate Watcher]

We really do need Protheroe back in midfield. If not, then Abbott would be fine in there with Manny out wide if at all possible. Failing that then Cory would be the next best option. Maybe Hickman or Bagley impressed for the reserves yesterday? Bagley is a right winger as far as I know and Hickman is a battlng midfielder. Would prefer to see either as they potentially look better options than some we have seen.

[Dave Dixon]

No sign of Cory yesterday.

[Gate Watcher]

He was there but didn't get on. Don't blame RT for wanting to look at Ellis and Manny though and then give Pinns and Hockton the second half to keep them in shape.

[Cookie]

Absolutely no blame for giving them a go & but he was right to replace them at half-time having shown nothing(not entirely their fault.)However those replacing them were unable to improve things either.Indeed the whole show seems to rely on Proths through the middle & yesterday was a prime example of how he is missed when not available for selection.

[Gate Watcher]

I think Proths and McKimm function well together but as we saw yesterday you can't just have McKimm on his own in there (although McKimm did misplace a few passes he did a lot of good things). We looked too lightweight.

[blueblood]

Another game where i wondered why i had missed a afternoons pay to watch it. This definitely was the worst game i have seen since the Heybridge(away) game last season.

Yes i know we started with only 4 outfield experienced players.

Yes we had trialist, but up front 2 experienced trialists though how you can expect Manny to chase high(Folkstone style long balls) i don't know.

After all of the frustrations yesterday i can honestly say i wouldn't like to be in Clive Walkers position if that was Dover's 1st choice.

As Tam said CK by Xmas. What are the odds "Cookie".

Any way the season starts Saterday so its Onwards and upwards.

[MargateFan]

Of course we were at the same game, Cookie, but football is about opinions and those are mine. Who's to say they are any less valid than yours, if different?

Those who were not there might want to see a range of opinions, and then make their own minds up later on. Certainly if our defence were so bad, given the amount of pressure Dover were exerting, we would have been 4 or 5 down. Fact is we did not concede more than one, and a good one at that.

We all go to games with our differing views on what are strengths and weaknesses in the team, and then cut our view of the game itself to fit that - it's human nature. It is hard to remain objective, particularly at a local derby with bragging rights at stake. But hopefully those that could not go yesterday can get a flavour from differing opinions that at some time in the game, most of the players in the team did some things right as well as got some things wrong.

[Dave Dixon]

I didnt see Hogarth do anything right.

I didnt even see him touch the ball.

Opinions are always given, but I do see a lot of things about this game agreed on.

Lets see what happens saturday.

[Coffin Ender]

It is bizarre how a game as insignificant as yesterday with an experimental team can lead to a thread of more than 50 posts.

It just shows the problem that Robin Trott faces (and what CK faced at the end) - expectations among some of our supporters are utterly unrealistic.

[blueblood]

"Life is often riddled with errors", very true June.

[blueblood]

What is unrealistic about wanting success, Both we as supporters expect it and the club needs it.

[Cookie]

Opinions no problem & respected but if we are to give out to those that didnt go our views should we not avoid any confusion.

As I have said elswhere the fact that we didnt concede more than the one goal was mainly down to poor finishing & some sterling goalkeeping by Chalmers-Stevens.

When I think about it again it may not be down to opinions after all but differences of satisfaction levels amongst us.Some are happy with certain things whereas others would prefer more.I think that thats where we differ.Maybe I am one that prefers the latter.

Its good to talk!