Reasons for losing ?

[Hempstead Gaz]

It seems that according to LD in the Distorter here , the reasons we lost against Exeter were inexperience and the "superior physical presence" of Exeter.

 

Now I may be wrong, and I understand that young, inexperienced players come cheaper than trusted old veterans, but shirly it it not more costly to sign bigger, more rugged and physical players.

Most of ours do seem to be 5'6" or stick thin.

 

in a different era, Andy Ford proved that big, strong players can do a job - as we did against Jeff King's expensive show ponies at Canvey in 2002.

Perhaps with the money freed up with the departure of DeBolla, this is an area LD may want to address.

[Stu M]

Originally Posted By: Chatham Gary

bigger, more rugged and physical players.
Most of ours do seem to be 5'6" or stick thin.

Opinel, Hawkins, Goodhind, Macca, James Smith, Chukki, Nade, Bostwick...

I think we have our fair share of big physical players - if you read many away fans' message boards, they're always complaining we're too physical!

[Hempstead Gaz]

I think LD was probably referring to our midfield, who were clearly outmuscled on the day. As you say, we have our share of "hefty" defenders, but only Chukki appears to put it about up front.

[Slartibartfast]

I thought we lost because they where better than us, not surprising given the relative size of the clubs and given that they can leave players like Lee 'cash' Elam on the bench where we couldn't afford to sign him in the first place.

If it came down purely to physical size Torquay where much bigger and while we may have been slightly fortunate to pick up all three points against them we certainly puy up a decent performance.

[gaspode]

In an unusual turn of events for this board; I agree with both of you.

 

Yes, we lost because they were by far the better team.

 

But I feel that the place we lost it was in midfield (where we did look overrun)

 

We missed Bostwick, not only because he has been the bite in our midfield (gaining yellows and reds as he goes), but also because it made us move McPhee. Add the fact that Barrett had the worst game that I have seen him play and we were totally outplayed in the middle of the park.

 

If it wasn't for the gargantuan effort shown by McPhee and a couple of Cronin saves we would have been trounced.

 

Hopefully with Bostwick back, Barrett on top of his game (if selected) and McPhee showing his usual work rate and ability, the midfield should be more robust on Saturday giving us the platform to continue our great league form

 

 

[Hempstead Gaz]

We lost to Exeter, not because they are overall better than us, but because, on the day, we played poorly.

We have proven that when we play well , we can beat any team, including the leaders in successive years.

[Slartibartfast]

Of course we can beat any team on any day, but not on every day.

 

Yes we beat Oxford last season and Torquay this season but the reason we all get so pleased when that happems is because they are unexpected results.

Exeter will almost certainly finish higher up the league than us, that will not be a surprise to anyone. We may well finish higher than York, Halifax and maybe Oxford, that will be a shock.

 

[ChrisEggleton]

Well lets just hope we do a job against FGR today

[thatguy]

we made a total ass of it.