AFC Sudbury

[The Invisible Man]

Well done lads, given our past home form I reckon a score draw against a good team above us in the league must count as a good result.

 

Let's use this as a springboard and start to build our season.

[Mr Happy]

A fair result although we should have nicked it at the end. Good to see a few Sudbury lads make the long trip mid-week and they really knew how to make some noise.

[SteveS]

Quote:

Rhymenreason said:
1- 1 gate 257
Town looked very good in the second half and had two sitter of a chances fall to Bryan Hammatt - need I say more.

First time I've posted on here but couldn't believe that comment.

Don't know who you are or where you stand but for me Hammatt played well last night and has been in decent form this season. His chance in the second half which went narrowly wide showed that his confidence is starting to return as he took the shot early. The back end of last season he'd have been looking to pass. It seems like you're holding him responsible for us not taking three points? Or are you just joining the anti-Hammatt bandwagon?

I dare say he'll tell you he should have scored, but then so should Crace in the second half and definitely Campbell in the last minute.

As for the rest of the side, Michael Black has been a huge disappointment and I hope Jim sees the error of his ways soon but the rest of the squad seem to be improving with the amount of games they play together, especially at the back.

Velandia has been the star of the show for me, how long before he gets snapped up?

Allen made a difference last night so credit to Jim for bringing him back, Ritchie still looks unfit and Nyman did well again after coming from the bench.

Crace and Hammatt also seem to be developing an understanding up front after looking very similar players at first.

All in all an evening to raise my confidence a bit. Long may things continue to improve.

And no, I'm not a player, official or management!

[Chopper]

well done fellas, a point against a good team that will be up there at the end of the season.

[Barney]

I'm in agreement with SteveS... also the first time I've come on here, but I feel the need to defend Hammatt too. Yeah, he might have put that chance away, but it would have been a fantastic finish had he done so. Certainly Crace and Campbell's chances were easier, and whilst frustrating that we didn't score, I'm not about to get on anyones back as a result. That second half performance was excellent, and we were unlucky not to beat one of the stronger sides in the league, but if we play like that week in, week out, we'll be up there, that's for sure.

 

As for the rest of the team, I'm inclined to agree with SteveS about Black too, but then it's still early days for him. I thought Allen was a revelation at the back when he came on, and with his pace we looked a lot more assured, and able to tidy up potentially threatening situations. He worked well with Tickner too, who never looked like losing a header or a tackle. Campbell was excellent (as usual) and given time on the ball, Velandia can really hurt sides with his passing range.

 

Anyway, despite not taking 3 points, that performance has certainly made me feel much more optimistic about our chances, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the same throughout the season.

[lovely stuff]

Quote:

Chopper said:
well done fellas, a point against a good team that will be up there at the end of the season.

Are you addressing the Sudbury fans with that comment.Or us Town fans???

Anyway.You're correct,either way.

[Tom S]

Stop being so reasonable, LS. I can't handle it.

[Mr Happy]

Whilst not being a Hammatt fan, he did play well last night. I just feel that since he joined us he hasn't consistently performed yet has been consistently picked. If he can address this then fair play to him.

[lovely stuff]

Quote:

Barney said:
I'm in agreement with SteveS... also the first time I've come on here, but I feel the need to defend Hammatt too. Yeah, he might have put that chance away, but it would have been a fantastic finish had he done so. Certainly Crace and Campbell's chances were easier, and whilst frustrating that we didn't score, I'm not about to get on anyones back as a result. That second half performance was excellent, and we were unlucky not to beat one of the stronger sides in the league, but if we play like that week in, week out, we'll be up there, that's for sure.

As for the rest of the team, I'm inclined to agree with SteveS about Black too, but then it's still early days for him. I thought Allen was a revelation at the back when he came on, and with his pace we looked a lot more assured, and able to tidy up potentially threatening situations. He worked well with Tickner too, who never looked like losing a header or a tackle. Campbell was excellent (as usual) and given time on the ball, Velandia can really hurt sides with his passing range.

Anyway, despite not taking 3 points, that performance has certainly made me feel much more optimistic about our chances, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the same throughout the season.

I thought Hammett had a decent game last night.His and Crace's movement was good.He should have done better with the one-on -one with the keeper though.The angle was never there for the shot he tried,but yes, Craces chance was just as easy.

Overall.It was the best we have played at home this season,and the best Hammett and Crace have played as a partnership.

It looks like Hughes will never get a sniff of a chance.So Hammett and Crace will definately be our forward line for the season.So its good to see a spark of a partnership developing.I stll think they are two similar as players.With the same sort of strengths and the same sort of weaknesses.The fact that Subdurys defense was lacking in pace,did make our forward pair much more dangerous.With the option on long balls over the top and in the corners to Hammet/Crace,as well as the usual intricate one touch play.

I still have a slight worry regarding our forward lines effectivness on winter pitches,and if the opposition have quick centre backs.

But overall,if feel more positive than i did before the game.And if (IF) we can play a way that suits our forwards and if (IF) they continue to form a good partnership, then i can see plenty of goals this season.

[lovely stuff]

Quote:

Tom S said:
Stop being so reasonable, LS. I can't handle it.

Tom..I was trying to be bit sarcastic with my reply to Chops.

[Steph]

I think that Bryan's current form is down to having better players around him. He played well last night as he has consistently this season. There is less responsibility for him to do the business with Crace alongside so he is able to flourish. His pace also seems to have picked up a little.

 

He is certainly worth his place now. My mum does not criticise him as much as she did.

[Tom S]

Quote:

lovely stuff said:

I still have a slight worry regarding our forward lines effectivness on winter pitches,and if the opposition have quick centre backs.

Andy Pape has apparently told our webmaster that we'll see the best of Crace when the pitches get worse.

[Tom S]

Quote:

lovely stuff said:

Quote:

Tom S said:
Stop being so reasonable, LS. I can't handle it.

Tom..I was trying to be bit sarcastic with my reply to Chops.

Oh, so you weren't being reasonable. That's a relief <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[lovely stuff]

Quote:

Steph said:
I think that Bryan's current form is down to having better players around him. He played well last night as he has consistently this season. There is less responsibility for him to do the business with Crace alongside so he is able to flourish. His pace also seems to have picked up a little.

He is certainly worth his place now. My mum does not criticise him as much as she did.

Maybe if Hughes get to play EVERY game this season (even if he plays poorly in most of them).He may come into a bit of form the season after, and then be actually worth his place. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Seriously,Hammetts form has improved since last season. And about bloody time! I hear the collective cry.

[Tom S]

Quote:

Mr Happy said:
Whilst not being a Hammatt fan, he did play well last night. I just feel that since he joined us he hasn't consistently performed yet has been consistently picked. If he can address this then fair play to him.

As I've said many times, I think he played very well for most of last season; he just couldn't score. The rest of his game for me was fine and wasn't why we missed out on promotion. If he'd been on penalties rather than Rudi and if he had different family connections no-one would have been complaining.

[lovely stuff]

Sorry Tom,but thats rubbish.The fact that Hammett missed qiute a few easy chances last season, was definately not top of the list of gripes from the Town fans.

 

The main concern was his overall contribution.Yes he put the work in.Yes he got into good positions on the pitch,but last season he invariably wasted his good positions he took up,by being too weak in possession, too weak in holding the ball up, and in laying-off correctly weighted passes to his fellow team mates.When the ball came his way, he would either be beaten to the ball by the defender,or if he did retain possession.The attack would lose momentum or cease because of a weak or poorly timed lay-off.

 

As i said though.He got a clean sheet with me at the start of the season,and i have been reasonably impressed with his improvement.I hope the improvement continues ,as does his hopefully blosoming partnerhip with Crace.

[andyetfc]

Quote:

Tom S said:

Quote:

lovely stuff said:

I still have a slight worry regarding our forward lines effectivness on winter pitches,and if the opposition have quick centre backs.

Andy Pape has apparently told our webmaster that we'll see the best of Crace when the pitches get worse.

Best let every Brimmo team from the vets down to the under 8s play on the pitch then and rough up the good work that Roy has put in!

[bjr]

ETFC played very good football last night against a Sudbury side that were well organised and physically strong.

 

Agree with various posts about Crace and Hammatt - both played very well last night. Crace looks a very classy player indeed and Hammatt showed excellent vision with a couple of intelligent through balls. Both could, maybe should have scored in the second half, but all credit to the Sudbury defence / keeper who did their jobs.

 

Velandia was excellent again - I've seen his playmaking skills before but he was physically tough last night too. Some of his 30 / 40 yard passes late in the second half were superb.

 

Magona I thought was all at sea in the first half and caught for pace far too often. But Dave Allen's introduction at half time gave us a vital edge in pace at the back and seemed to give Magona more confidence in the second, when he was solid.

 

Hunt had the best game I have seen from him too. He showed real commitment in the 50/50 tackles and headers and deserves to keep his place based on that performance.

 

But my MOM was Lee Smith, who was terrific in the first half when playing out of position and held the fort in the second.

 

So, if the next team is picked based on form, I think the starting 11 should be:

Jerome John

Campbell

Tickner

Dave Allen

Bastian (if fit) / or Gant

Nyman

Smith

Hunt

Velandia

Crace

Hammatt

 

The players can all take great confidence from last night's performance. Let's hope they continue to play as well for the remaining home games.

 

I have one concern - with the exception of Hunt (and Patrick once he is fit) we don't have any great height in the squad. This makes set pieces, particularly corners, against teams like Sudbury who were physically very tall, difficult. But it does encourage us to keep the ball on the ground.

 

Last comment - that's the first game I have seen at Brimsdown under the floodlights for quite some time. Whatever has been done to them - it worked!! The lux level was really good.

[Tom S]

Quote:

bjr said:
Bastian (if fit) / or Gant

From what I hear it's Gant for the foreseeable future <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I'd keep Gant and put Allen in place of Tickner. Which of Allen or Gant plays central would depend on circumstances.

[lovely stuff]

If Stephens has gone again????

 

Then i would go for (when fit), a back four of Campbell.Allen.Patrick.Bastian.

 

Gant/Magona/Tickner are consistant 100% players and great clubmen,but you always feel they are on the limits of their endevour in keeping the oppo out.I personally think that only one of those three can play in a back four at anyone time.If two or all three are playing, the nerves start jangling,through their lack of pace and liking for a last-gasp lunging tackles.

 

Midfield? At the moment Smith/Nyman/Velendia + one other. Black has been poor, and should have to prove himself from the bench a few times, before deserving to start again.Andy Pape rates Dave Hunt, and thinks his strenghs are committment and workrate in tough games.I hope so, because he hasn't impressed so far).

 

Up front.As i havn't seen Hughes or Caicedo on the pitch long enough to make a judgement.Its Crace and Hammett up front,BUT with the option of replacing one of them (with Smith/Nyman/Hughes) if either has a sustained dip in form.