Roberts (new keeper just signed)
Howard
Curran
Olomowewe
Ezennolim
Hyde
Dunne
Elito
Papadopoulos
Nzala
Payne
So three starting players signed in the last week, and only two starters were with us last season, so reinforces what a massive rebuilding Warren has done in less than three months since last season ended. I believe we have some injuries, but this still looks a really strong team.
The ball spent a lot of the time being hoofed especially by Taunton.....our forwards need to shoot on sight...however very impressed with our defence and the next new keeper
Be interesting to gauge todays performance on Tauntons next result.
Their two centre backs getting yellows gives an idea on how resolute they were not to concede.
Overall quite happy with a new set of players playing an opener, which is hardly local.
In the post match interview on YouTube the Taunton manager said, "First 15 minutes we were really playing catch up in terms of our mindset, they were first to the ball, they were quicker, sharper, and you can see they train full time, they are a full time club and one of the favourites for the league and you can see why. I thought they were very good, very compact, very technical, strong, all the things you expect when you come up to the National League."
I saw in pre season games how Warren was working hard of getting the players to understand the importance of keeping a shape, so great to see this is paying off. Also pleasing to see the immediate recognition for the changes Warren and the new board have made to the added time spent in team preparations.
Wanted a win and a better performance considering all the signings but a point in very hot conditions will do. It was the sort of game where even if we did play better it felt like a nil nil all day long regardless. Fitness levels are a world away from last season
In the post match interview on YouTube the Taunton manager said, "First 15 minutes we were really playing catch up in terms of our mindset, they were first to the ball, they were quicker, sharper, and you can see they train full time, they are a full time club and one of the favourites for the league and you can see why. I thought they were very good, very compact, very technical, strong, all the things you expect when you come up to the National League."
I saw in pre season games how Warren was working hard of getting the players to understand the importance of keeping a shape, so great to see this is paying off. Also pleasing to see the immediate recognition for the changes Warren and the new board have made to the added time spent in team preparations.
Training 3 mornings a week isnt full time. And as far as being one of the favourites for the league lets at least play a few games before that sort of thing gets put about. Their managers comments are a cover for their failure to score against a team who the bookies rate at 66/1 to win the league
The game
Personally I'm happy with the point, it was a scrappy first half where we created very little, our crossing needs to be seriously worked on and when we are breaking down the wing GET people in the box. I thought we was lucky to get to half time at 0-0 as they had a couple of chances including a two on one situation which really they should have put away. Second half we had a few chances and we controlled the last 15 mins and had a great chance that Tarique Hyde scuffed but as I said I'll take a point away from a side buzzing to be even playing at this level.
The club/ ground
Seems to be a friendly club, chatted to quite a few fans.not impressed with no match programme, sorry I may be a fuddy duddy but I like a match programme as a souvenir. The bar needs sorting out, no draught beer or cider isn't good and just can's plus i think they only had 3 people serving with a crowd of over 800 in the ground, I think the food was overpriced and wasn't anything special. Perhaps im being picky and I'm sure they will get things sorted as it was only the first game at this level. Very impressed with our away support, could hear our fans all the time which was brilliant
Apparently there is a programme "on line", which was the case with Eastbourne last season.
As for Braintree it will be interesting what they are doing. Last season I arrived at 7:10pm and was told all the programmes had "sold out", not that anybody seemed to have one (including our officials).
