Really is nothing to say,Absolute Capitulation,Wouldn't say cruising at 4 1 but fairly comfortable, then the tide turned, you could feel an air of complacency dropping in, then It all just fell apart...Losses happen, sometimes against lower set teams,But not one single fan today thought that was an acceptable performance,which is rare,Some might even call it embarrassing or a disgrace...Looking forward to Dans post match interview, if he does one. That's it for another year (again) We Go again Saturday.
First credit to Stoneham, they were completely outclassed first half before Atkinson stupidly grabbed the ball in penalty area even though he was pushed, but when Dan made it 4-1 they just went for it, and we became a pathetic shambles. Far from the first time this team has managed to fall apart from cruising, already shipped 2 goal leads at Tiverton and Didcot but this one took it to a completely new low. Much needed prize money thrown away in an awful 20 minute spell. Given the way their #7 was cutting us apart the substitutions should have been about protecting the lead and helping back four, instead they just made things worse. Disappointing doesn't even begin to describe this debacle.
I`m trying hard to remember a worse FA cup defeat. Bracknell anyone? Newbury? This though is probably THE worst one I`ve sat through in 26 years of watching BTFC, because of the context. Because at 4-1 it was game over, or should have been. The next half hour we looked cocky initially, then concerned, then leaderless, then clueless. Capitulation is a strong word, but the right one. It`s quite hard to ship 4 goals (and include the pen miss and at least two other gilt edge chances Stoneham missed) in little over half an hour. But we managed it.
The question is why? Close to Dan as he walked off, ahead, alone with his thoughts, face like thunder. And rightly so. I`m sure he will front up with Nick later, but he will have to take some responsibility. Reidy our best threat subbed, no impact off the bench at all. Don`t want to single out players, but Ben Cook looked like he was wading through treacle all afternoon, Cal (who is a fine asset usually) was absolutely taken to the cleaners for pace in the second half, reckon 3 of 4 goals came down his flank (where was the tactical switch to give him cover?). Our outstanding CBs had nightmares, Stoneham looked like they could score every time they went forward from 1-4 down. Where was our composure, game awareness, simple football smarts? Also, outfought and outskilled in that dismal period.
Stoneham as Dan said prematch are a good side, especially going forward. But from 4-1 up, to lose like that.... Guess we can concentrate on the League now, and make sure there is a reaction at Beaconsfield. Not a huge fan of the "we go again" cliche, when it relates to the Cup. It`s a year before we can "go again"....
This is the makings of a decent side. Totton on Monday showed us that. But just maybe it needs one or two "winners" added, guys who hate to lose, and drag the team with them Interestingly, I couldn`t recall a single `Stoke foul in the first half. Maybe a "reducer" or two might have helped. Too nice? Too naive ? Let`s see how they respond to this. Walton heading our way in three weeks, that would be a good one to get ourselves "on" again.
Post by westernwaycasual on Sept 2, 2023 21:10:33 GMT
That feels absolutely horrendous. Winning the league not so long ago was the best day in the club's history and we can't sugarcoat it, that is one of the worst.
Losing to a lower league side would be unacceptable enough but to do so from 3-0 and 4-1 up is particularly horrific. Couldn't even accept the life of their missed penalty and the prize money down the pan is a big blow.
There are highs and lows in football and after the buzz of last season this is a big crash down to earth. Need the hurt to prompt a response next weekend but this will sting for sometime.
Congrats to Stoneham. Well deserved and hope they get a good tie or go on a run.
It’s even more disappointing when you see that the next match would have been Yeovil away 😡
Don't think SO, as we would have Had a different Ball Number !!!
Teams from Step 2 entering the draw are allocated alphabetically, but teams from previous round allocated number based on position in previous round of the draw.
SO In THEORY If WE(basingstoke) Had Made It Through To The Second Round Proper, As We've done before, WE Would Still Be the Same BALL Number!!? I Did not know that!
Last Edit: Sept 6, 2023 15:41:04 GMT by footystaruk
