I don't know where all this negativity is coming from - the performance wasnt perfect but i thought we played some good football at times - and I feel we can only improve
On the other hand shouts of "same old" directed at management and certain players really isn't helpful. and let's not forget this isn't the premiership - we dont need to win every game to be up there at the end of the year. it's just the first game of the season!
I agree with J - I didn't think it was all bad and there were some positives to build on. We didn't have a settled side in pre-season so the first few weeks will be tricky as they get used to playing with each other. For me I was impressed with Cotterill, James, Coleman, Sinclair and Keevil from the new players. Blackman also won a lot in the air despite not looking the tallest striker.
I think the squad looks stronger than last year although I worry that we have not replaced Dasiy, Keds and Perks with similar quality.
We didn't have a settled side in pre-season so the first few weeks will be tricky ....
Only one person to answer to that and thats Neil. Thats what pre season training and the behind close doors are for. I wish for one we could start a season having a side and not a group of people. Maybe if Neil is still here he will have learned. he didnt bring a soul in for 2 months after all so that would be a very poor excuse if its used.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
I think that Neil is focused on the job in hand, but we need results and I don't think that we will get them on the performance that started against a crap side. We should have played like we did against Gillingham, then we would have got the result. We were at home for goodness sake..................what are we going to do away from home? As a part time spectator, I can see the flaws in the game. The team hasn't gelled together yet. So what do we do? Panic? Blame Smithy for not bringing new players in? or wait a while ? We haven't got the the great forward runs of Bod ( please come back mate ) or the precise crossing ability of Daisy or the power in the box of Keds. How long can we wait?
You cant (really)blame Neil for no players as the best ones had gone and some of the others werent upto it. All i would say is he brought no one in for 2 months and then we signed 9 before the first game. We appear on paper to have a strong side (apart from strikers) so lets see if they can gel , if they lose on Tuesday, then sod training take them all to the pub on thursday and let them bond.
Maybe he will start signing people for next year as soon as he sees if they are good enough and do what other clubs do tap up lower league plaers not on contract for the next year.
I aint panicking yet. Lets see if neil can gee them up for this week, if not then i'll have a rethink.
Come on boys go and get the win and then lets move up the table. Youve got your contracts now so go and do the business.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
I totally agree that pre-season was a shambles in terms of gettign a side together. Mustn't forget it seemed to takes ages for Neil to be appointed by which time players were gone. Not his fault. I have expressed my concerns about pre-season before on the board. All I am saying is that I think we have the potential to have a good side once they gel and learn to communicate with each other - Bognor's 2nd and 3rd goals were down to poor communication.
Personally I am not convinced about Bods - he had a good few months before he left but prior to that he couldn't make the starting 11. He would want big money and I think that we have players who, given a run in the side, could do a job for us.
Surely the point is that comment is made on the match seen - a poor performance will generate negative comments with hopefully something positive from the game thrown in.
I agree that it is early days and that hopefully things will improve but post match comment is just that, comment on what was seen, and if the product isn't what it says on the box then those who bought it have a right to say so.
As far as the players (and management) are concerned they are not 9 year olds playing for their local side on a Sunday morning but adults who have put themselves in the public arena. If they can't take criticism they are in the wrong job.
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YOUTH are the future
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"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010
Some of the comments made during the game and on here are a bit over the top.
I've never seen a game at this level where a team plays perfectly well for 90 minutes - why should we with new players still yet to gel? We did create some good chances, we did play well at times and there was more passing than i expected. It's early days and the team will get better. If the ref's get better as well - happy days. I never once expected to storm the league this season or be led to believe we had a product capable of doing so.
I recognise the right to voice an opinion but it's at least got to be fair.
You say that some of the comments on here etc etc.
Maybe , you could pull people up on this in the threads and if done properly will generate debate. I dont remember seeing too much that was a bit strong or unwarranted to be fair. If you did, then question people at the time. If a player is getting some stick and you think its OTT then point it out.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
There was a few harsh words on the Welling 2-3 Bognor thread which this one seems to have been generated from. To be honest it bothers me more at matches when people get on people's backs far too early.
I think the point that Gary has made is the critical one. There is a time and place for all things and in the match situation the last thing the players need is fans on their back.
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YOUTH are the future
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"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010
