An open letter to Liam

[Hempstead Gaz]

Dear Liam and Alan

 

This is an open letter on an open forum to say thank you for helping the Fleet to such an encouraging start to the season.

At the end of the day, not only is the result important, but to us fans, so is the style and method of play.

I openly admit I was a critic last year of the tactics we employed (ie route 1 football, 5-4-1 and late substitutions, of the lack of strikers and surfeit of full backs).

I believed then and I still believe I was correct in my criticism.

I also thought, (and still do think) players of the talent of Jackson, Protheroe and to a lesser extent Saunders could have found a squad place in a full time set up.

It wasn’t to be and I accept we have moved on.

This year, with a brand new squad, built around the core of remaining players, we have got off to a highly satisfactory start as far as results go, but the method of play is a true breath of fresh air.

3-5-2, particularly at home, is a real crowd pleaser, albeit forced by injury and suspension.

The crowds WILL return.

The 2 main factors behind the dwindling crowds last year were the poor results, but more importantly, the unattractive product that was on the pitch.

As long as we continue to play the ball on the ground, as has been so evident (and successful) so far, the word will spread that we have a product that is worth coming to see again.

Radio Kent, the Gravesend Messenger and Reporter all have a part to play in spreading the gospel, but it must come mainly from the club.

I will let people better skilled and qualified than me decide how that should happen, but in partnership with the media, there is no reason why the crowds should not rise to 1500+ again.

In the meantime, to any management and players who may cast their eye on this forum, a very big thank you for changing the club around for the better.

[Harry J Allstars]

We have 9 points and have gained those points from Tamworth, FGR and Alty all teams in last season's relegation fight.

 

This time last year we had seven points and had beat Canvey and Woking along with a snore draw against Cambridge, all teams that finished above us.

 

The management staff don't need you to write them letters when times are going well, they needed them in the middle of March when we were crap. If you don't write a letter then the last thing you should do is come on here day in day out and slag them off.

[BustaGut]

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
We have 9 points and have gained those points from Tamworth, FGR and Alty all teams in last season's relegation fight.

This time last year we had seven points and had beat Canvey and Woking along with a snore draw against Cambridge, all teams that finished above us.

The management staff don't need you to write them letters when times are going well, they needed them in the middle of March when we were crap. If you don't write a letter then the last thing you should do is come on here day in day out and slag them off.

Maybe everything you say there is very true but, I feel if we had played all these teams at the end of last season I believe we would more than likely lost them all.

[Stu M]

Although if you think we should have hung on for a win at Aldershot and deserved a point against York, we'd be on 13 points and level on points with the leaders.

 

If, if, if...

[Harry J Allstars]

That is actually very true Busta. Think back to the end of last season, would we have scored three goals so late on? Would we have kept on going? Don't think so. And the same on Saturday you just know FGR would have scored.

 

However my point is if you think back to just after we played York at home last season the club was rocking, just a few weeks later and this place was like a morgue. My point is if the same thing happens again will Gary turn so quickly?

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
.

However my point is if you think back to just after we played York at home last season the club was rocking, just a few weeks later and this place was like a morgue. My point is if the same thing happens again will Gary turn so quickly?

Only if we revert to the dire route 1 stuff we endured for most of last year.
THAT is what drove the fans away, NOT the results.

[Hirsty]

Well.....f*ck my old boots !!

 

Either you are suffering from schizophrenia, or are a crawly bumlicker, or someone who has seen the light & are enjoying that portion of humble pie. It's nice to see that you are giving the management & board the credit they deserve !!!

 

Now if you just get the smile back, you can rejoin the human race again !!

 

Cheers,

 

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

 

PS....no offence intended mate....just couldn't resist this one as you were such a miserable **** before !! Now, if you were to get in the bar and buy me, Andrew C, Redolent, Ada, James, Big Jon & Jonesy a beer, then I am sure we can let bygones be bygones ( whatever a byegone is !!)

 

Double cheers,

 

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

 

PPS....cue other miserable old sods saying that two swallows don't make a summer ( no jokes about swallowing please !)

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

Hirsty said:
Well.....f*ck my old boots !!

I would prefer not to copulate with your smelly old footwear, Hirsty.
If we finish top 10 I might buy you and the boys a pint!!!
Seriously, I am just happy we are playing the type of football we only dreamed of last year.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
We have 9 points and have gained those points from Tamworth, FGR and Alty all teams in last season's relegation fight.

This time last year we had seven points and had beat Canvey and Woking along with a snore draw against Cambridge, all teams that finished above us.

The management staff don't need you to write them letters when times are going well, they needed them in the middle of March when we were crap. If you don't write a letter then the last thing you should do is come on here day in day out and slag them off.

Quality posting, Harry.
I'm wrong when I slag Fleet off when they play crap.
I'm still wrong when I applaud them for playing well.
You have me a tad confused. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
And show me 1 posting from me since July slagging the team off.

[FleetFanatic]

Where's the other letter that you were going to send?

 

You know, the one where you said you wanted to make medical history by having his babies?

 

On a more serious note - have you sent this letter, or merely posted it on here? Technically that would mean it not being a letter.....

[FleetFanatic]

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
The management staff don't need you to write them letters when times are going well, they needed them in the middle of March when we were crap.

I can't imagine any letter last March if based on results, would have been very nice.

No coincidence that now this is truly Liam's squad, not the part-time leftovers inherited, that things look different.....

[David Holden]

Such a pity that you couldn't go the whole hog and apologise to Liam for the rather nasty personal attack that you saw fit to post when things weren't going our way.

[Hempstead Gaz]

I cannot remember posting nasty personal comments, I have only spoken to him at the fans forum last year, and found him very personable, frank and open.

My gripe then was as his abilty to manage the team.

If last year I implied Liam couldn't manage a Fleet side, then I apologise.

I might be naive, but tactics generally come from the manager, and last year the tactics and style of play, by anybody's standard were poor.

It was a conmbination of thse things that saw such a dropping off of crowds, which have yet to recover.

Players of the abilty of Protheroe Skinner Bowry Jackson MCKimm Saunders did not become route 1 hoofers overnight.

The team has changed out of all recognition, but so also has the tactics.

Who can deny that our tactics are a complete opposite of last year.

We are playing attacking football.

We are passing the ball to each other.

We have eliminated the long aimless hoof to our forward.

We are playing a mix of short crisp passing with accurate long diagonals to the wide men, who get the ball in behind the defence.

I might be blind, but in my eyes these 5 things are a direct result of it is these things I am congratulating him for LD.

If we continue to play the patient passing play we have seen so far, the crowds will return.

If people still want to turn this into a slag CG thread, fine, but at least admit first that things have got better on the field.

[Slartibartfast]

Its nice to see people are happier with the performances but results have gone pretty much as expected so far. We may have played well against Aldershot and York but we didn't get any points, the three matches we have won are good but not really surprising.

As always three wins means the manager is a genius and three losses mean he is a pratt, when we win it is because we are brilliant and when we lose it is because we are rubbish, the opposition, or lack thereof, have nothing whatsoever to do with our results.

We have made a good start but we are still one of the smaller teams in a tough league. I hope everyone is still as happy after we have played Halifax, Grays, Exeter and Rushden...by then we should have a better idea of what sort of season we are going to have.

[eufckev]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:
Dear Liam and Alan

This is an open letter on an open forum to say thank you for helping the Fleet to such an encouraging start to the season.
At the end of the day, not only is the result important, but to us fans, so is the style and method of play.
I openly admit I was a critic last year of the tactics we employed (ie route 1 football, 5-4-1 and late substitutions, of the lack of strikers and surfeit of full backs).
I believed then and I still believe I was correct in my criticism.
I also thought, (and still do think) players of the talent of Jackson, Protheroe and to a lesser extent Saunders could have found a squad place in a full time set up.
It wasn’t to be and I accept we have moved on.
This year, with a brand new squad, built around the core of remaining players, we have got off to a highly satisfactory start as far as results go, but the method of play is a true breath of fresh air.
3-5-2, particularly at home, is a real crowd pleaser, albeit forced by injury and suspension.
The crowds WILL return.
The 2 main factors behind the dwindling crowds last year were the poor results, but more importantly, the unattractive product that was on the pitch.
As long as we continue to play the ball on the ground, as has been so evident (and successful) so far, the word will spread that we have a product that is worth coming to see again.
Radio Kent, the Gravesend Messenger and Reporter all have a part to play in spreading the gospel, but it must come mainly from the club.
I will let people better skilled and qualified than me decide how that should happen, but in partnership with the media, there is no reason why the crowds should not rise to 1500+ again.
In the meantime, to any management and players who may cast their eye on this forum, a very big thank you for changing the club around for the better.

This is bl**** brillaint Gary. This is exactly what I would say.
Thanks, Liam and Alan (2 great guys) <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

we have been playing good football this season. And long may it remain. But to be honest the only thing that will get the crowds back is a title challenge. Which I doubt we have that in us.

 

 

Whilst, not for one second, diminishing the good work the part timers did for us. I personally don't think any of them looked comfortable enough on the ball at this level ( or in Drurys case consistently comfortable ) ) , and therefore supported the clearout in the summer.

But this means, that I am putting my trust in jason and the board that pur strive to Full time football is sustainable.

 

I am positive this season, and look forward to watching a better standard of football and footballer than previous seasons , although without some initiatives coming from the club, I can't see that our crowds will rise to level that we would like.

 

If we started to target an older age group of kids, it would be a start. I know this may bring hassle with it, but in my opinion would be worth perservering with.

 

 

Up the Fleet

[FleetFanatic]

We seem to go round in circles on the subject of what groups we need to recruit to the supporting ranks.

 

The Asian community, teenagers, younger groups, youth clubs etc.....

 

.....nothing brings them in like a run in the FA Cup.

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

we go round in circles on the forum.

But as far as I can see the club do little else .

 

 

FA Cup runs are good short term boosts, but unless you are / or have done the ground work the crowds soon disappear once the glory game has gone.

 

 

Up the Fleet

[Harry J Allstars]

It is ironic that Hirsty should ask if you're schizophrenic as I asked you this last season as you're showing classics signs of it. Change your mind from one month to the next and then claim that everyone is attacking you. Yep that’s schizophrenic alright.

 

I wasn't attacking you Gary I was simply asking that if the teams form dips like it did last season would your attacks return. Simple question really.

 

Many people were unhappy with the way we played last season (one of them wears my shoes) but not all of us scrutinised the teams performances in the same way you did. And can you stop with the "everyone is attacking me", this is a forum. When you post something people question it, get over it.

[Hempstead Gaz]

I have changed my opinion this year in the same way as we have changed our play.

Last year we played pub football, this year we are passing the ball.

If we revert to the old stuff , I will start to moan again.