National League fixtures 11/8/18

[#Beebot]

Batshit post match interview from Still in which he claims we played well and says we'll be fine because Luton got off to a slow start in their title winning season a few years back.

I'm too young to remember Still's first spell here, I've always respected him, but having backed his appointment I'm losing respect for him very quickly. We've just put in two of the most dire home performances I've seen, far worse than last year (and that was dire), with a squad that he's near entirely built by himself, and he has nothing constructive to say.

I hated McGhee and Westley but at least they were generally pretty honest and accurate in their post-match interviews.

 

[Leewilson]

This fixture has gone from a top of the table clash to a relegation six pointer in 12 months

Sad isn’t it. 2 seasons ago, I’d say we both played the best football in the league.

 

[chipmunx]

Nearly got an undeserved win out of that, we are not a terrible side but we are just shocking at home and today we put in a rather lazy overall performance IMO. We always seem to start games slowly, our midfield again always gets overun - as soon as I saw Barrow were more of a passing side I knew they'd cause us problems.

Barrow a much improved side from last season as I thought, with lots of gamesmenship thrown in as well. But despiet these improvements I still thought they were very suspect in defence, not sure how we found so much space for our second goal.

Conceded from a long throw at the end, Dean Brill in no mans land a draw in the end was about right again as in the second half we did improve, despite switching off god knows how many times.

First questionable ref I've seen this season, he nearly lost control in the first half and denied Barrow a stonewall penalty I thought in the second half.

From our perspective, we badly need a better central midfielder and striker to assist Bonne.

in our managers post match interview he said he'd already seen video highlights of certain instances - for your 2nd goal apparently the player that broke free was 2-3 yards off side and he agreed on the stonewall penalty.
I know it's only 3 games in, but I don't see us being near the bottom 4 this season any more....

 

[#Beebot]

Well last season we had 10 home defeats playing the most shocking football ever, was amazed we managed to average 3.5k which is just a bit less than our last football league season. People still turned up, god knows why but they did, back your club, get to games!

The crowd is entirely unsurprising, we were below 1500 several times last season. Even in our title winning season at this level we were below 2000 a few times. The move to THL has generally taken a few hundred off the attendance and it's got worse as ticket prices have gone up and performances have declined.

The attendance at home to Braintree on Tuesday was actually higher than I thought it would be. It was a good opportunity to signal a fresh start to more casual supporters but we were dire and I wasn't surprised to see the attendance fall again today.

I expect well under 1000 home fans unless things get better. I think today was our lowest league attendance since 2003 although I might be wrong on that.

 

[The Terminator]

in our managers post match interview he said he'd already seen video highlights of certain instances - for your 2nd goal apparently the player that broke free was 2-3 yards off side and he agreed on the stonewall penalty.
I know it's only 3 games in, but I don't see us being near the bottom 4 this season any more....

I thought at the time it was a 50/50 call as well, looks like this one has gone in our favour today.

You showed enough to me today to keep yourselves out of trouble, a few of the bigger clubs will eventually take notice of your number 7 Jack Hindle though, looked like he could do well at this level after joining from Colwyn Bay.

 

[Soup Ladle]

The crowd is entirely unsurprising, we were below 1500 several times last season. Even in our title winning season at this level we were below 2000 a few times. The move to THL has generally taken a few hundred off the attendance and it's got worse as ticket prices have gone up and performances have declined.

The attendance at home to Braintree on Tuesday was actually higher than I thought it would be. It was a good opportunity to signal a fresh start to more casual supporters but we were dire and I wasn't surprised to see the attendance fall again today.

I expect well under 1000 home fans unless things get better. I think today was our lowest league attendance since 2003 although I might be wrong on that.

The way your crowds are going we’ll have to rename you Barnetwood

 

[BarraMatt]

Very pleased with that result and from by the sounds of the radio commentary a win wouldn't have been unjust, Evatt suggesting Orient's second was 2 or 3 yards offside. Today's result is a far cry from last season where we self-destructed following Orient's equaliser. Evatt still states the best is yet to come and with a decent number of the squad coming up from leagues below hopefully they'll improve after getting games under their belt.

Chesterfield on Tuesday is probably the first home game I've been looking forward to in about a year and hopefully this recent renewed optimism will entice a few more through the turnstiles. On paper, it should be a decent game. How many do you Spireites think will make the trip given you've got Salford on the Saturday?

 

[Pliny Harris]

The crowd is entirely unsurprising, we were below 1500 several times last season. Even in our title winning season at this level we were below 2000 a few times. The move to THL has generally taken a few hundred off the attendance and it's got worse as ticket prices have gone up and performances have declined.

The attendance at home to Braintree on Tuesday was actually higher than I thought it would be. It was a good opportunity to signal a fresh start to more casual supporters but we were dire and I wasn't surprised to see the attendance fall again today.

I expect well under 1000 home fans unless things get better. I think today was our lowest league attendance since 2003 although I might be wrong on that.

Didn't you get 1600–1700 home fans in more or less all season in 2014/15?

 

[EnglishRed]

The crowd is entirely unsurprising, we were below 1500 several times last season. Even in our title winning season at this level we were below 2000 a few times. The move to THL has generally taken a few hundred off the attendance and it's got worse as ticket prices have gone up and performances have declined.

The attendance at home to Braintree on Tuesday was actually higher than I thought it would be. It was a good opportunity to signal a fresh start to more casual supporters but we were dire and I wasn't surprised to see the attendance fall again today.

I expect well under 1000 home fans unless things get better. I think today was our lowest league attendance since 2003 although I might be wrong on that.

This is why Barnet aren't proper members of the Brotherhood.

 

[JaredSUFC]

Beyond the gamesmanship, did they actually look like a side with players on half-million contracts? We go there on Tuesday for our most local away game of the season, and I think whether we treat them as some sort of "scalp" or not, it'll look a lot different to our easily sussed opposition in the last three games.

In the 1st 20 minutes they looked that they had enough about them to blow us away. We responded well to their goal and our equaliser changed things around. So to summarise they look like World beaters until challenged. And they can’t handle pace. They’ll click in a few weeks so any win is a retrospective scalp

 

[spireite]

Very pleased with that result and from by the sounds of the radio commentary a win wouldn't have been unjust, Evatt suggesting Orient's second was 2 or 3 yards offside. Today's result is a far cry from last season where we self-destructed following Orient's equaliser. Evatt still states the best is yet to come and with a decent number of the squad coming up from leagues below hopefully they'll improve after getting games under their belt.

Chesterfield on Tuesday is probably the first home game I've been looking forward to in about a year and hopefully this recent renewed optimism will entice a few more through the turnstiles. On paper, it should be a decent game. How many do you Spireites think will make the trip given you've got Salford on the Saturday?

It's a big 3 hour trip on a Tuesday night, I can't see it being many!

 

[Master D]

This is why Barnet aren't proper members of the Brotherhood.

They never can be. Historical tinpotter.

 

[John Still]

Two very poor sides today showing why they will be fighting for conference south title next season. Can have all the commitment you want but the quality is Ryman league. Only bright light was the two new signings coming on and making a difference. I can see us going 8 or 9 games now without a win with our upcoming fixtures.

At least I can laugh at the real John still messing things up, again. Oh and Salford!

 

[B2TF]

They never can be. Historical tinpotter.

I make the rules, and you are correct. If you weren't in FL in 1986 you can NEVER be a member of the Brotherhood of Great & Historic Football League Clubs.

 

[SpireiteDan]

How many do you Spireites think will make the trip given you've got Salford on the Saturday?

With it being a Tuesday i wouldn't have thought many more than 200. I can't pretend i'll be one of them either.

 

[Pliny Harris]

In the 1st 20 minutes they looked that they had enough about them to blow us away. We responded well to their goal and our equaliser changed things around. So to summarise they look like World beaters until challenged. And they can’t handle pace. They’ll click in a few weeks so any win is a retrospective scalp

Nice one. I agree that it's probably better to play them at this point: these squad overhauls under the burden of expectation tend to produce hiccups. Whether it ends up being so tough or not, it'll be framed as our biggest test.

And ironically given how much is supposed to have changed since our four games there two seasons ago, that situation sounds exactly the same to how they were previously. We drew twice at theirs and won twice at ours, but it turned out that giving them respect showed them to be an intimidating, skilful side before you realised how much they hated players running at them, and balls being put into the box. They won and converted penalties in both of our league games too, but the home fixture saw them two ahead at half-time, at which point it was clear they still hated the opposition getting up in their face, with us finally winning the match 4–2.

I'm not sure what makes this completely changed squad and management susceptible to the same things but hopefully it's picked up on more at this level than at 'North standard. We're putting the yards in without having much of a midfield presence currently, but hopefully outmanoeuvring them in whichever way we decide will keep them in those relegation places. A win would be colossal.

 

[Soup Ladle]

They never can be. Historical tinpotter.

I make the rules, and you are correct. If you weren't in FL in 1986 you can NEVER be a member of the Brotherhood of Great & Historic Football League Clubs.

This long standing power struggle at the top of the brotherhood is sending seismic shock waves across the organisation. The questioning of each other’s legitimacy in making the key decisions is rather unsettling and could threaten its mere existence

 

[Except The Lord]

As one sided of a game I've seen down the Shay in a long time that was.

Fair play to Maidstone fans, travelled in decent numbers but their team just couldn't cope with us for almost all of the game. We look very good.

Salford will be an interesting test on Tuesday but so far I can't knock anything about Town this season.

Top of the league, long may it continue

 

[SomeMightShay]

Batshit post match interview from Still in which he claims we played well and says we'll be fine because Luton got off to a slow start in their title winning season a few years back.

I'm too young to remember Still's first spell here, I've always respected him, but having backed his appointment I'm losing respect for him very quickly. We've just put in two of the most dire home performances I've seen, far worse than last year (and that was dire), with a squad that he's near entirely built by himself, and he has nothing constructive to say.

I hated McGhee and Westley but at least they were generally pretty honest and accurate in their post-match interviews.

John Still has always been one of those managers who when interviewed, never seems to see fault in himself or his players, defeats are most often down to issues out of his control and the opposition very rarely get any credit.

 

[B2TF]

This long standing power struggle at the top of the brotherhood is sending seismic shock waves across the organisation. The questioning of each other’s legitimacy in making the key decisions is rather unsettling and could threaten its mere existence

I was about 4 years ahead of our mutual friend, he's just a bandwaggoner. I'm kind of yer actual Farage while he's just Carswell. Just.

 

[Master D]

John Still has always been one of those managers who when interviewed, never seems to see fault in himself or his players, defeats are most often down to issues out of his control and the opposition very rarely get any credit.

Does he still speak in the third person? Always thought he was an arrogant bell to be honest.

 

[Boz]

This fixture has gone from a top of the table clash to a relegation six pointer in 12 months

That was dire - other than the first 15 minutes when their keeper made a decent save from Wanadio and Agyepong hit the post, we were toothless.

I know its only 3 games, but we're in serious trouble this season. I genuinely dont even know where our goal is likely to come from.

Not looking forward to Tuesday at all!

What’s gone wrong at Aldershot? An unusually negative performance in the game at PP near the end of last season, but thought that a one off and that you’d be in play-off contention again this season.

 

[Tin Roofs & Stone Steps]

We wanted a response to Tuesday eve’s poor showing and got it.
Better side by quite a way, super first half, wave after wave of attack. Could of scored 5 or 6 but Belsham their keeper, put in the best display I’ve seen in many a year. Had MOTM sewn up after 45mins.
Large parts of that game we brushed Harrogate aside, they were very physical but at times couldn’t handle our movement and pace up top.
Cracking game which had it all.

 

[Joe.]

Have I mentioned on here how much I hate Ebbsfleet?

Fuck off Ebbsfleet

Love you too!

Sounds like we rode our luck a bit at times but I'll take it.

 

[Chief Rocka]

And Davies sounded like he got a bad injury. We are most definitely jinxed, we’re all condemned to a lifetime of misery

Definitely out Tuesday, after that who knows, was always going to be a risky signing, I got a shudder seeing Laing getting ready to come on, your heart is in your mouth every time the ball goes near him, what's happened with Anderson, nowhere to be seen, same with Woods and Hawkes, neither of which were injured, Woods might of spat his dummy out over not being sold but if we're still paying him let's use him.

 

[karlready]

What’s gone wrong at Aldershot? An unusually negative performance in the game at PP near the end of last season, but thought that a one off and that you’d be in play-off contention again this season.

Shots are in serious trouble; we were unable to retain the core of quality players from last season, as we cannot afford player wage demands,and, especially ,longer contracts. Gary Waddock has assembled a slightly larger squad of raw,young players ( also a couple of veterans that need nursing along). They need time and patience,and that is not going to happen.
Puny midfield,lack of creativity, misfiring forwards. Can't see a way out of this one.
BTW, some on this board would do well to remember that this season is a marathon, not a sprint....

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Have Orient given up on Alabi yet? Should give up football and take up his fake daily mail articles as a career.

 

[The Terminator]

Have Orient given up on Alabi yet? Should give up football and take up his fake daily mail articles as a career.

He did ok in our first two games, but had a bit of a stinker yesterday. Can't fault his work rate.

Don't think he's helped by our midfield at times.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

He did ok in our first two games, but had a bit of a stinker yesterday. Can't fault his work rate.

Don't think he's helped by our midfield at times.

Meanwhile we have to wonder if Caprice is the same player your fans bemoaned. Looked great yesterday in an attacking 4-4-2.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

Winning 3-0 and not even playing that well, that’s got to be good. The first half was such poor quality from both teams, it was a really slow game. Then one bit of quality from Jennings with a superb cross and a well taken header from JMD and we somehow went in at half time in the lead. There’s been rumours of a sickness bug in our camp, so that may have explained the performance, especially Roberts who looked way off the pace and subsequently replaced at half time. A big shame to lose Young after half an hour as well, hopefully it’s not too serious. Rutherford filled his position expertly though and may even have created a new position for himself.
It was good to see us be clinical for once, as that would have ended 0-0 last season. Really impressed with Rekeil Pyke when he came on, he was direct, strong and even showed quality with a goal and an excellent assist for the 3rd.
Lainton got MOTM and it’s very hard to take that away from him as he was once again superb, but because we won 3-0, I’d give it to an attacking player and that’s Jennings. One of his best performances for us, was solid defensively and was great in attack too, including the previously mentioned assist for the first goal.
A negative was Pearson though, who looked quite a bit off the pace at times. He’s allowed one bad game though. Maybe he was affected by the sickness bug too.
Thought Boreham Wood looked ok, just lacked final third quality. You won’t come up against a stronger opposition all season though. Every single one of them built like a house.
Really impressed and pleased with what I’ve seen so far from us. Sam has made a fantastic start to management.