Was there again today and we were SHOCKING. Ignoring the fact that we couldn't pass the ball five yards, our set pieces were woeful, the ball wouldn't stick up front and we created NOTHING, the big worry felt like a lack of desire. Our senior players need to stand up and be counted - want the ball, keep players positive and start making an impact on the game. Poor old Matt Partridge must have wondered what he'd let himself in for today!
I also hope that Liam starts channelling the obvious frustration that he's feeling at a lack of service (sorry, make that no service whatsover today) in a positive way rather than telling his own fans to shut up, which I've now seen two weeks in a row. He's fast becoming the scapegoat and we need his goals!!
Just goes to show how much Moore & Dickie & a few poor teams in the league got the manager out of jail last season.
Honestly, what did Rice, Dunn, MaCauley, Macklin, Gasson & Williams do last season to deserve contracts this season? To sign them all back on with contracts again this season was very lazy management.
Why no new faces? The only outfield player we signed in the Summer was Will Salmon, best mates with Tom Bird, & from what I've seen he looks a notch below Smart, Case & Rice, why was he signed?
And Enver-Marum is a disgrace. He needs to be reminded that he's playing non league football, you aren't & never will be Champions League son, so, drop the attitude & start scoring goals.
First of all, even if I don't agree with what they say, I defend the right of every fan (especially those who follow BTFC on the road) to air their views - both positive and negative.
They pay their money and devote a lot of time and effort to following the Club and they should not be expected to blindly support everything they see - it causes disharmony and isn't great for Club morale when fans gets restive but that's football and life and goes with the territory.
However, that said, I don't agree with the dissenting voices.
Far from "getting out of jail" last season JB led BTFC to their second play offs in the short time he has been manager.
It is a statistical fact he is already the most successful manager in the Clubs history.
There is a lot of turnover of players at this level so JB clearly took the not unreasonable decision to retain the squad that finished third last season so there was continuity - so many teams at this level are constantly changing and players never gel.
It hasn't worked out yet but then it's not even September yet.
And is JB sitting on his hands doing nothing? Far from it.
Sam Akinde has come in, a much needed kick up the arse for Liam Enver-Marum, overall a bitter disappointment to me since he looked so brilliant in the Hants Cup Final win over H &W end of the 2013/14 season.
He has been mostly poor since and if I was to criticise JB at all it would be for giving the fella endless second chances when Flood and Macklin are offering more in every game I have seen this season.
JB has got BTFC playing more attractive football these last few seasons with great success.
He is also dynamic and won't go down without a fight - the last 15 minutes hosting Bishops Stortford were very exciting and but for the outstanding Nikki Bull they beat moneybags Margate three nil all day long.
Yes, they need a win and tomorrow's Gosport game is massive - more high drama down The Camrose.
Ian - I agree with most of what you've said. my initial post was meant to highlight what I see as a lack of desire and effort this season from the players and not to start calling for the manager's head - that would be ridiculous! I expected a realistic top 10/top half finish this year which is obviously still achievable if there is a bit more desire.
I've been to every game this season, apart from the opener at Ebbsfleet, and it has felt that the players are just turning up and expecting their team-mates to go and win the games and not putting in a shift themselves. Have we forgotten our obvious over-achievement last season and that in order to get anywhere near a top 6 finish like last year, each and every player needs to play their socks off!!! The only time that we've looked near the level of last year was at Oxford for the first hour before our legs ran out.
I do think we need tot decide how we're going to play though as sitting Harper as a deep midfielder for his distribution is pointless when the defenders start launching the ball on sight, as per what happened on Saturday. Fingers crossed that We something different today!
A few more games have come and gone, and still the situation remains the same or perhaps even worse. The core of the team is players from last season, so it would suggest that the success of last season was probably down to those who are no longer with us, and unfortunately their replacements have not proved they are up to the same standards. We were very fortunate to have had the missing players last season, but it is looking very much that we still cannot afford the players we need. This is disappointing after all the effort that has been put into the club and its build up with the academy and under 21 teams. I do hope that all the efforts made will repay in the end, but we will still have to pay the going rate or we will end up being a supplier of players to our competitors
Post by ohmannymanny on Sept 13, 2015 11:57:57 GMT
I'm still hanging in there. Yesterday was awful but confidence is low - a win will help that. I did think we got it wrong tactically yesterday playing 3 centre halfs when Eastbourne only played one up front but our defence is leaky at the moment and Bristow clearly doesn't have any confidence playing with four across the back right now. Oh how we miss Mr Dickie.
I'm still more concerned at the lack of creativity up front. Floody is a one-man attack for us right now - I'd like to see Gilkes given a full 90 minutes for a change as his 10 minute cameos from the bench feel a bit pointless. Still yet to see anything from Akinde to get excited about.
Fingers crossed. Bristow looked a bit of a broken man after yesterday's loss and he's obviously feeling the pressure.
I think if we let the strikers shoot more instead of trying to pass it in the box it will allow them to play with more freedom and hopefully more goals will come from it
I can't think of anything worse than giving Gilkes 90 minutes. He had to be constantly coached by the other players yesterday. Then he told Bird to F off after Tom told him to pass to him. The exact phrase was 'f off. F you. I know what I'm doing.' Straight after kicking the ball out for a throw
I have seen nothing to suggest he can do it on the pitch. Like I said, he had to be coached by virtually every player on the pitch on saturday - perhaps if he listened to them he might be better...
It is certainly a worrying set of results and the season is now a quarter gone in terms of league games played.
That said most of this squad took btfc to 3rd last term and to write them off after a quarter of the games this season seems premature to me.
I sympathise with JB - many of his squad were probably in demand in close season after last season's success and I can see why he would want to nail them to contracts and have the chance to go again with a settled side.
He now finds himself with too many contract players not delivering and probably limited room for manoeuvre with the player budget.
But I still think this is a good team playing badly, not a bad team.
Wealdstone are - like St Albans - the sort of team Btfc should be beating to be safe (the target right now) this season and Saturday's game is massive.
Can't wait tbh =D
Last Edit: Sept 15, 2015 12:47:16 GMT by iandavies
I would agree we have some good players, on past performances, but right now not one of them can be happy with the way they have played this season overall. I have no sympathy with JB (or any manager) if they take the plaudits when a team is playing well, they should expect the opposite when it is playing badly.
It made a pleasant change to see Manny back in the starting XI last night, somebody who actually shows some composure on the ball around the opposition box (although he did backheel the ball to the opposition in his own half for their 1st goal last night). What he has done wrong over the summer to not even get sub appearances often this season is puzzling.
To re-sign SOME of the same players from last season made sense, to re-sign them all (except Jenkinson & Case) which probably left little in the budget for anybody new, now looks like an error. This season we have again not got any natural competition/cover for Bird at left back & also the same problem with Harper as a deep-lying midfielder.
Most goals we have conceded this year were either scored from set-pieces (something we very rarely do) or when we lose possession in the opponents half & seem unable to make a tackle to win the ball back.
As for scoring goals, we keep changing the shape of the team but none of the strikers are scoring regularly, although in recent matches we have been creating chances.
We need a win & fast, the players look beaten as soon as we let a goal in these days.
Ultimately the club's judged by the results on the pitch but I also think something is not right off it. Losing the Soccer AM partnership, Simon Hood no longer being on the board, the lack of progress on the new ground, fans arguing amongst themselves on here, Facebook and Twitter, rumours of board members not getting on with each other and Rafi going on the pitch after the Eastbourne game doesn't make for a happy club. I'm not defending Jason or the players as they've got to take their share of the blame for where we are but I'm a big believer that if things are right off the pitch it creates a feel good factor that filters down on to the pitch.
Some good points made Rob. Really felt the club came on leaps and bounds last year but I suppose it's easy to say when we had such a good season overall. It is a shame though - I haven't seen much arguing amongst fans, unless you class this message board as such (but that's the whole point isn't it - to voice your opinions and listen to those of others!) but I do think Bristow's support is waning and he really to turn it around quickly.
I personally believe that Bristow has three games to change it around as there is then a two week pause in the fixture list (not including Hampshire cup in this) which would give the club time to seek a replacement. At that point, given that teams around us have games in hand, we could be 4-6 points adrift and in a dark place. As much as I'd like to keep Bristow in there, my preference would be to keep the team in the division first and foremost so if a decision needs to be made then so be it.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and to air it.
That said, to suggest the Club's most successful Manager EVER - play offs twice in three seasons - might be out on his arse in mid October (three games hence) seems incredibly harsh and just plain wrong to me when you consider the time Ernie Howe, Francis Vines and Frank Gray were given.
Football can be a cruel game, things have gone wrong for good managers many times over the years and the bottom line is the Club cannot and should not be relegated.
I am sure JB knows this.
But we aren't even halfway through the season yet.
Post by ohmannymanny on Sept 18, 2015 23:22:03 GMT
Sorry Ian, I must disagree (sorry)!! I totally take the point about past success but we're not talking about having a ropey start or a disappointing first few games. We are bottom of the division after ten games with performances getting worse - and they have been getting worse as opposed to improving (Hayes and St Albans were two of our worst away appearances in some time) - and with a management who appear to be void of solutions. I think if there is no improvement, then 13 games is plenty to make a change. I just want to stay in this division!
Having said all that, I actually have a good feeling about tomorrow and quite fancy a 1-0 win. So I'm going to shut up and hope JB pulls through.
A strange game on Saturday. At times in the 1st half we looked very good going forward. Unlucky to go behind to a deflected goal, we responded very well & got a deserved equaliser.
It was very unusual to have a referee (at least in the 1st half) who gave the majority of decisions in our favour, I cant ever remember seeing that. How Harper stayed on the pitch after shoving the referee in the chest is beyond me.
Macca had a very strange game. I have never seen a more disciplined performance from him, he stayed back as Harper's minder all game. His passing was not good enough at times but he worked tirelessly in an unfamiliar role. This allowed Soares to be pushed on & the combination between him & Bird, particularly 1st half, caused Wealdstone no end of problems. We created chances again but failed to take them except for Gilkes' follow-up at the far post.
2nd half, we never really got going. Wealdstone were very much on top. I think a draw was just about a fair result.
Never apologise for having a different opinion, ohmannymamny, passions run high in football and for too many years in my view the Club has been divided by those wanting to stifle dissent and those who, feeling stifled, predictably aired more dissent than ever.
I thought BTFC were all over Wealdstone much of the first half and agree Soares was in much better form.
But I thought BTFC offered a lot less second half which was disappointing and yes, a draw was fair.
I think Howe is a decent keeper but he doesn't inspire as much confidence as the superb Moore did.
I think Bird is the best left back in the league going forwards.
I think in Smart and Salmon they have two excellent right back options.
I love Gasson's passion but think he is error prone and I think Ray is simply an excellent football player at this level but isn't a natural centre back.
I think Harper could almost qualify for a mental disability grant based on the sheer lunacy which went unpunished by a referee feeling guilty for getting in the way.
I think Flood was disappointing by his standards on Saturday but I think he poses a constant goal threat most weeks.
I think Enver Marum is looking more and more like a waste of a wage packet and contract. I cannot remember ever seeing a forward who comes out second best in so many 50-50 challenges - no hunger, no passion, no desire, and now his first touch is deserting him too..
I think Lloyd Macklin has a million times more desire than Enver-Marum but doesn't offer enough as a forward.
I think everyone at BTFC should be looking over the border to Wales on Saturday to see how Ross Cook - injured arm permitting - gets on against Merthyr's Southern Premier League centre backs in the FA Cup for Hartley Wintney.
If he scores the case for BTFC snapping Cook up and pairing him with Flood (or even Hallahan who surely deserves to be coming on as a sub at the very least) becomes stronger than ever.
Last Edit: Sept 21, 2015 21:30:06 GMT by iandavies
Agree about Ross Cook Ian, he was unplayable in the Fleet Town replay. He was harshly sent off on Saturday for a robust but ball winning challenge (I've watched Hartley twice in the last week, reasons don't matter). I'd also be having a look at Warren Bentley at Winchester City, scoring for fun
I quite enjoyed the first half on Saturday and good to be reminded of some of the interplay we saw last season, particularly down the left through Soares and Birdy. Louie was the best player on the pitch before the break but I just felt we didn't have enough presence in the box to make his crosses count - Floody needs some help! I thought Gilkes struggled early on but then grew into the game which was good to see. A bit of pace at this level always worries defenders!
They made a couple of changes tactically in the second half (I could have sworn they played wing backs?) and totally controlled the game - I can't remember us having a chance, which was a shame. Although we dominated the first half, they had some great chances and I think we were probably lucky to get a point from the game, particularly when you throw in the comedy decision not to send off Harper, which was basic refereeing. Got away with one there!
On the subject of Macklin, if he could just work on his first touch, I think his game would improve dramatically. So often he gets the ball in a dangerous area and seems to beat himself by taking a bad first touch - I'd like to see him sit on the shoulder of the last defender and stretch the game. In my opinion, with the pace of Macklin and Gilkes on both wings, we could play a 4-3-3 and really cause some teams some problems. That way he can flood the midfield behind them with three bodies but give the opposition something to think about at the back too.
Also great to see Manny back, even though he looked understandably unfit, and show a bit of control in midfield. God, I love that man.........
What you have to consider is that players are at this level for a reason. Yes, if Macklin had something to his game other than pace & power he'd be a much better player & consequently much higher up the football ladder. The fact that he can't trap a bag of cement, is useless in the air & can't finish means he's playing off the bench for us.
Louis Soares player of the season so far by miles.
Not so much a target man, more your Chris Flood to Sam Argent's Liam Enver-Marum (although both battle hard for the ball and have an undoubted eye for goal). I'm not sure he'd be great for our disciplinary record!!!