3spirit

I wouldn't say it was a hasty decision to rejoin Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, Steve has the contacts there, and it is the challenge of turning around their fortunes that would have appealed to him. He is chopping and changing players like the weather,though, and so far their form has been bleak under him with just 1 win, 1 draw and 5 or 6 losses including yesterday's result. He keeps changing his line ups drastically in every game so this is never a sure way to bring about positive results but he knows enough players outside of the club, to eventually find the right formula. I expect he thought it would be a lot easier than it has proven to be so far, and as well as recruiting well in some positions he has also lost a couple of good up and coming youngsters, to land himself with couple of dud/ past their sell by date players in my opinion,so it certainly hasn't been plain sailing for Steve Bateman thus far. This week he brought in James Wetheral in the goalkeeper position, after changing to George Zammitt, 2 games ago ! That's 3 keepers in 7 or 8 games ! Hopefully this time he's got the right man between the sticks. I like Steve Bateman,so I hope he get's it right. Having watched his handy work with Slough Town FC over a number of years I think I know his strengths and weaknesses. If he hasn't got too long in the tooth, one of his biggest strengths was recruitment,so I believe he will get it right.......eventually! ?

Steve Bateman hasn't just added a couple of players ! He seems to be clearing the decks and has made wholesale changes. So far the results have been very mixed and have not led to an upturn of form but it is early days for Steve and he has made shrewd signings in forward Chris Stapleton from Dunstable and experienced left back Danny Murphy but I'm surprised he seems to be changing so many players in quick succession, as that can back fire and also leaves the fans cold with no recognised faces. Has anyone on here seen Aylesbury Dynamoes recently?

Most managers hype it up. No manager will say to fans at a start of a season, that their team is likely to finish mid table. Even Slough's joint managers over egg what the team will do. If fans thought from the outset that their team was going to finish mid table, a lot of them wouldn't bother going to matches. I sympathise with the Enfield fans, if the football being played is awful, as I've been watching Slough for over 30 years and we've had some shocking managers in the past. Ironically,one of our more successful seasons,when we were in the Conference,we had to endure the long ball game all season and that for me that was as tedious as hell. I would have rather, we had played some good passing football and finished mid-table but we fans don't always get the choice. I've been keeping an eye on Andy Leese's signings over the two seasons at your club, and on the player front I think he has recruited well. I know a few people that don't go a bundle on Andy Leese but as a manager he is no one's fool and has steadied your ship, so I would have thought one more season under him would be worth it, as your team has progressed over two seasons under him, and it isn't like he has spiralled your team down to the relegation places but it's not me, that has to watch Enfield ! Anyway, best of luck for the rest of this season and the next.

AnfieldTowner, thanks for your response. The difference between Slough and Enfield in terms of league position,is that Slough are in their first season in the Conference South. Most of the Slough fans just wanted to avoid relegation this season but our managers and squad have been excellent and we have matched most of the teams in this league. Two weeks ago,we beat 2nd placed Woking at their place and even against leaders Torquay away from home,we got to half time unscathed 0-0 but then had a man sent off and lost 4-0. Torquay are a full time side and the best team in our division,so it was no disgrace. Yes,we are very fortunate to have our joint managers,they have been a breath of fresh air since they came to the club and they are great at communication with the fans, and even join in the talk on our fans forum on occasion. As Behind-the-goal said Andy Leese is not good with communication to the fans.Our previous manager, Steve Bateman,was like that.Perhaps it's just an old school thing.

Just an observation from an outsider, I thought Andy Leese would do well for Enfield when he became your manager,as his Chesham team was a successful one over the years and he appeared to be good at spotting talent and he did built a very good side there. At that time he had Jon Meakes working as a coach with him. By what I've read on your forum, most of the Enfield fans view the football being played as poor and Enfield just don't seem to be consistent enough to challenge for the play off's. Do you think all the blame should be laid at Andy Leese's door, as he now has younger rookie coaches beside him. Steve Wales was Chesham's best player back in the day but I don't know what he like as a coach. I'm not watching Enfield play week in week out but getting rid of a manager after just two seasons,might not be the best move for your club.Look at Kingstonian as an example.They are on their third manager of the season and have wasted money galore. I believe to build a team that consistently challenges at the top, season after season,takes time to build. Yes, you can get a flash in the pan manager who gets promoted first season but 9 times out of 10 the team then gets relegated straight back the next season! To me finishing 18th with a hastily put together new squad, and then this season hovering around mid table, after recruiting more new players to your squad, in a division that Andy Leese has only had two seasons to find out about, isn't as dreadful as some of you seem to think. Nobody wants to watch dull uninspiring football but sometimes building a team to entertain and get consistent results takes time to do. At Slough,the club I support, our joint managers have been at our club six years, and we hope to keep them for a lot longer yet, before them our previous manager stayed for 5 seasons [one season probably too many but still did a reasonable job that season]. It appears to me the difference between Slough and Enfield is that Slough are enjoying their fruits because of their stability,on and off the pitch, whereas Enfield [a club known as historic name in non-league football] have become impatient for success and have not got stability. It may be, that you have the wrong manager to build the dream team you want but I think you may also be underestimating what another couple of seasons could do for his team, and you fans. If Andy Leese could get your team to say another 7 place leap in his third season, so from 11th to 4th position, would you not be happy with that? As surely you will be challenge for the title within the next two seasons. Sacking Leese means you've got to start all over again,which means back to the drawing board.

Apologies, it appears Dean Brennan, ex Hemel Hempstead and Billericay boss has today been appointed new manager at Kingstonian.

Apparently your ex manager Bradley Quinton is lined up to be the new Kingstonian manager, after Leigh Dynan was sacked after their drubbing today.

It's funny you mention Brad Wadkins and Ryan Blake. When they were both playing for Chesham under Andy Leese, they were both recognised as quality players, and were very much sought after by other clubs. The trouble is, players get injuries and get older and lose their edge, and time catches up with them. I was hoping for big things from Brad for Slough this season. He started the season well but seemed to lose focus and enthusiasm, with what our managers wanted him to do. He has been carrying an injury but I wonder if he's got a mental issue about it, thus affecting his game and holding him back from being the class footballer he can be. I think Andy Leese will change players, if he cannot get them back to their former glories. I think Enfield fans will need to be patient on this, this season. Although a 5-0 drubbing to any side is galling, because of Enfield's indifferent form, it's hardly shocking. What will be more worrying, is the lack of fight, consdering Harrow are hardly the best team in town. Ryan Blake will score goals and create opportunities. Is he really the player to blame for this defeat? I would be looking at other areas in your team, to see why goals came to Harrow so readily.

Stopped the rot. Can you make it back to back wins?

I read the Enfield forum regularly but am not an Enfield fan [ I'm a Slough fan actually] but what amazes me currently, is how fixated some of your fans have become with their negative views about Andy Leese and your team. To me many are missing the point by wanting short term success but are not looking at the bigger picture. I think many of you have been spoilt by Bradley Quinton's successful stint in the job, that it has clouded your judgement, with many expecting success to come overnight, for what is a difficult rebuilding job. Having watched Andy Leese's teams both at Chesham and at Potters Bar, the man you have recruited as manager is/was a first class appointment by your board and deserves longer than half a season to prove it to you. If I was an Enfield fan, I would be looking to see what he can do over a few seasons [ 3 at the very least ] rather than judging him on individual games. Of course all fans want to watch attractive football and for their team to be winning matches in style but getting a winning mentality and building a team to be proud of, takes time to do. Enfield are currently 14th in the table, is that so bad after starting with virtually no pre season,a new manager and a scratch squad? I would have thought if your team could push on and get a tenth place finish and maybe win a local cup,it would be a relatively good season. as a starting point for Andy's reign. Of course, plenty of room for improvement on a match to match basis but not as bad as some are saying, surely?

Read this thread and am amazed how quickly some Enfield supporters are jumping on Andy Leese's back,when your team are not even halfway through the season yet. Seems quite mad,whatever results have been. These fans are totally unrealistic and seem to think the manager has a magic wand. I think you should be focussing on the long term and looking for Andy Leese to build a successful team over a few seasons,which he will do if given the chance. Building a consistent team takes time. Any team can be a flash in the pan one season wonder but building something special is a lot harder. I do, however agree that changes will need to be made but to me that is a natural progression of any squad ie lowering the average age of the players,cherry picking players, replacing injury prone players etc .

I'm a Slough Town fc fan and I was glad to see the back of Andy Leese in his managers job at Chesham fc because he was excellent for them and we hardly ever got a look in when we played our local rivals. I think Enfield fc, with their non league pedigree, have made a first class appointment, and to get Darren Purse also is a win-win for your club. I'm just glad you're in the Ryman Premier and not the Southern Premier ! ha ha !

Windsor's formation is baffling as your suggested system has 11 outfield players in it ! ha ha !

Think you have both got muddled up. Kyle Anthony joined Slough last season from Hemel Hempstead, along with Jake Parsons,Ryan O'Toole and Joe Chandiram,all of whom had played for Windsor. Steve Bateman,our then manager snapped all four up.which most of the Slough faithful felt was right at the time. They all promptly left when Steve Bateman was removed from his position. Kyle Jeffery started out with Slough. Came through from under 18's/reserves,which had been managed by Tony Thompson. Kyle Jeffery played a couple of full matches for Slough's first team and a few sub appearances under Steve Bateman's watch. He had one blinder of a game,due to his speed around the pitch. He was at this time,playing as a right back.Unfortunately for Kyle,Simon Sweeney,our very experienced defender,had the right back slot sown up. Rumours were that Kyle Jeffery left to play for Chalfont,as he had mates playing there.Don't know if this is true or not. From my point of view,I thought Slough should have kept him and it was a mistake to let him go,as with a bit of guidance and encouragement Slough would have benefitted from him. Steve Bateman wasn't good at bringing through young inexperienced talent,one of the reasons he is no longer our manager.

Hi Rother,can't quote about how Windsor are playing,as obviously watch other local rival but totally agree with your sentiments. Fans pay to watch,so should be allowed an opinion on what they see. I go to be entertained and to watch exciting free flowing passing football.Often I come away from matches, thinking that the match I just witnessed was as entertaining,as watching paint dry!!!

Just wondering,slightly off topic I know! how Kyle Jeffery is playing for you. I thought Slough let him go too soon.Had the makings of a good player. Not sure why it didn't work out for him at Chalfont St Peter.

Rother,we have the same problem on the Slough forum! People seem to think when someone puts up their honest view of how their team performed,as though it was some terrible slight against the team/management/club. As I try to point out on our forum,if we all agreed with everything,there would be no forum !!! Forums are about debate. From this outsider,I can see value from all that has been written about on this thread.Windsor are trying to do the honourable approach by keeping costs to a minimum and the players,you have got,currently, are to be admired. The problem will undoubtedly come if your team achieves promotion,as better players will be needed.Money then will need to come into it,unfortunately. We all moan about individual games/players/manager,when we think our team has dropped below the standard we expect from them. Good luck to Windsor for the rest of the season.

A 3-5-2 of Hart Dawson Jones Lescott Walker Gerrard Parker Wiltshire Cole Defoe Rooney Subs: Foster,Cahill,Richards,Lennon,Cattermole,A.Johnson,Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Rother said ' A good game between two good sides - a fine advertisement for the CCL'. Well, Windsor fans, I have to strongly disagree with Rother.I thought Egham were crap and for a third placed team offered very little and were bereft of any attacking ideas.As a neutral, I was disappointed about the game as a whole really.I expected a much more cut and thrust game given that it was 2nd place against 3rd place. Knowing of, most of the Windsor players and being a big admirer of Keith Scott as a manager and his non-league achievements, I was looking forward to seeing how the Windsor team would shape up and how they would play to get the better of a team challenging for the title. On the day,Windsor were comfortable winners but I didn't think Windsor played that well,given the players that have been assembled in your squad. I thought Ryan O'Toole, Yash Romeo and Andrew Fagan stood out. On a positive note,though,I thought your pitch was superb and a huge credit to the groundsmen.I'm sure my team,Slough,would love to play on such a wonderful surface. As for the new ' Windsor FC ' , I enjoyed a throughly friendly,hospitable experience on the day and can only only envisage your club going from strength to strength and wish you all as the best of luck in those efforts. I hope Windsor do get promotion,as that would make the Southern Central division stronger and if Slough fail to win promotion,we can renew our rivalry[though,of course I hope we get promoted!].

From a Slough Town supporter to all Windsor FC fans,I'm truly sorry to see your club fold,as many of the genuine non-league fans are. I enjoyed our ground share period and always thought that a possible merger between the two clubs could have enhanced both teams as Dagenham and Redbridge and to a lesser extent,Hayes and Yeading have proved. I know this idea is deeply unpopular with some supporters but the pulling of resources could have benefited us both,if people weren't so prejudiced and blinkered. However,this wasn't to be but as our club[slough Town] has proven,sometimes starting afresh is the best way forward and a way of bringing the REAL supporters together and to focus our energies on the right way to run a non-league club. So from this fan,the very best of luck for the future Windsor Football Club.