So, for me, perhaps the score flattered Hanwell a bit, but they were worthy winners. Sharper and neater all over the pitch. BTFC were, a bit of a mess. Nothing clicked, second balls generally lost, pace absent in the middle of the park (not the first time I`ve said that).
The Hanwell fans I spoke to reckoned Chesham were good value for their 3-0 (A) last week, so on that basis we are probably back to looking down, not up.
Several questions, with five goals shipped in two games... last year`s best defence in the league hasn`t started either game. Realise Kai hasn`t got going yet, but MJS has no left foot and is not a right back. Cal Winchcombe has to start, but then Dan has a tough call at RB. If Scott Armsworth is fit, he has to start alongside Billy. If he isn`t, why is he on the bench? Nathan is a BTFC legend, but the game passed him by today, and he really struggled defensively. Ben Cook will look back and realise he had one of those afternoons where nothing goes right.
George Reid (who again must start when fit) and Morrison Hashii improved things a bit when they came on. One of those days to make sure we keep everything in proportion.
Long way to go, hopefully a real response at Gosport....
Cannot disagree with your comments, thought we looked devoid of movement up front first half and lacked any control in the game. We are aware of the massive step up in quality at step 3 and will need our best players to remain fit and consistent. Scott Armsworth has to play every week if fit. Let's be honest if we finish 13th - 15th it's a good season as we can consolidate and grow.
Hard to assess that, shocking (lack of) defending for their first goal changed the game completely after a bright start, then we looked all over the place for 30 minutes.
We only really started threatening after the substitutions but created enough decent chances to have made the score even closer. I would have liked to have seen those changes made at half time.
Post by westernwaycasual on Aug 12, 2023 22:00:54 GMT
Thought we were in for a good afternoon after a very promising start but complete shift change after gifting them the opener with a free header. Two other poor goals and no way back with Hanwell very good defensively and at slowing the game down. Their keeper didn't really have a lot to do. Gosport off to a flyer so a tricky test.
Yeh very poor lineup for me, as much as what smart and Argent have done for the club and the experience they bring, I just can't see the benifit of starting them.
Nathan at centre back is just asking for trouble as we need a striker who is mobile enough to hassle their defence and not give them an easy game, unfortunately argent isn't that man anymore. And tbh wasnt in the league below last season either.
Agree Mjs at left back really isn't working, we went up last year in part due to our rock solid backline and he seems to have just decided to totally dismantle it when we needed a bit of stability in our first few games.
No doubt we'll learn from today, just need to realise this league is strong and can't afford to have any weaknesses in our lineups as others teams will exploit this.
To echo what Chewy said, A very poor lineup had me worried from the off, we actually started really lively and played really nice stuff and got into good positions but we didn’t pull the trigger and we didn’t actually really have any clear cut chances in that 10 minute period.
Not at all worried as of yet but I cannot believe it’s 2023 and we are still seeing Sam Argent and Nathan Smart start for Basingstoke at step3. Smarty in my opinion the slightly more worthy and was brilliant last season but I think it’s a bit unfair on him to expect the same performances in a level above, a level where imo is a lot stronger than it was when we last played at this level.
Sam Argent the less said the better, tried jeering him on and trusting the thought process but after a very poor season last season productivity wise, it’s false hope and narrative believing it’ll be any different a level above. A complete stationary target who barely got a sniff.
Brad Wilson hugging the touchline was completely nullifying his best assets, Marcus at left back really disturbs the balance and rythm of the side.
Yeah just an all round confusing one for me.
Mark Scott Marcus Johnson Schuster Scott Armsworth Billy Upton Callum Winchcombe Michael Atkinson Deandre Brown Ben Cook George Reid Dan Rowe Brad Wilson
Is probably as good as it gets without Dunny imo. Obviously can’t argue with Artwell in the front line or Hashii, Hodges when available, real luxury of riches but please, unless it’s a lower league side, a run out in a cup, Argent shouldn’t be near the side.