KShep Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 What a performance and what a result. This Fleet side has shown us attractive football on occasions this season, and on others, dogged tenacity. Today we combined both of them. When we did have the ball, we used it well, and when we lost possession we fought hard to win it back. The goal we conceded was very soft- we backed off until Power had time and space enough to pick his spot. Apart from that, we were defensively solid. Sacha seems back to his heroic best, throwing himself in front of anything and everything. Hawkins and Smith both looked solid and Ricketts was as quiet and efficient as ever. The midfield is starting to look very strong when on its day. All four today seemed reliable; all four offer something going forwards, and all four can hold their own defensively, some more than others. I was impressed that three out of four of them got the goals today. We've always said that it's better to rely on the many rather than the few for the goals and that's the case today. As for the strikers? I think Luke Moore is still a bit too lightweight to be hugely effective, but if he is given space to run, pass or shoot, then he looks a dangerous player. There's been a lot of hype over John Akinde- it is all warranted. When Chukki came on for him at the end, it looked as if we had removed an experienced and talented player for a nervous youngster. Not only is his hold-up play spot-on, but his hard work in pressuring defenders and chasing the ball down is refreshing to see. He reminds me of Liam Hatch, although I hope we can keep hold of him for a bit longer than 'the beast'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopeful Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 in the past ive been quick to criticise the way we play,in particular the hoof ball.Today we played good football, we passed the ball around, looked for the space to run into,we scored good goals,it could have been more,well done to all the players.Now i expect it every week, even if we dont win them all it will be entertaining,this and this alone will bring the crowds back.Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Fan Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Im pleased to hear you saying they played well, considering it was in front of their largest home gate of the season so far (not counting friendlies) - I hope it rolls over to their gate on Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Akindes' raid down the left wing in the first half is the best thing I have seen at Stonebridge Road in ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverview Supporter Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 The team today put in the kind of performance that we all need to praise and speak about this week. Get the crowds up and get behind the lads. At stafford , I saw something in some of their eyes which hasnt been there for a while . Passion. Passion to play for the fleet. John Akinde is one of the most thoughful players of his age I have seen at Stonebridge Road for years. He pressurises expierinced defenders forcing them to play longballs , he looks up . His hold up play is excellant and to hear his name from behiond the goal only lifts him. Saturday could well turn into one of those games where the fleet come of age and stamp out their message that we are here for play offs and we are here now. Three games in six days and I still want more. Best xmas for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hirsty Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Originally Posted By: Yorkshire Fan Im pleased to hear you saying they played well, considering it was in front of their largest home gate of the season so far (not counting friendlies) - I hope it rolls over to their gate on Saturday. Are you a Grays fan ? "they" ? "their" ? I thought you were a Fleet fan courtesy of the MyFC b*llocks ? In which case it should be " we played well" & " our largest gate of the season" .....or are you a Halifax fan really ? Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KShep Posted January 1, 2008 Author Share Posted January 1, 2008 Originally Posted By: Hirsty Originally Posted By: Yorkshire Fan Im pleased to hear you saying they played well, considering it was in front of their largest home gate of the season so far (not counting friendlies) - I hope it rolls over to their gate on Saturday. Are you a Grays fan ? "they" ? "their" ? I thought you were a Fleet fan courtesy of the MyFC b*llocks ? In which case it should be " we played well" & " our largest gate of the season" .....or are you a Halifax fan really ? Cheers, Yet if he described the Fleet as 'we', implying he was a fan, someone would crucify him for claiming to be a 'fan' from Yorkshire. He's either distancing himself unnecessarily, or claiming to be a part of something he has no right to be in, and can't win. Give it a break. And back to the important point! RS I think you have it there; against Stafford, as time went on, and from the word 'go' today, they looked hungry and united. They would work for each other and really push themselves that extra few %. As the point was made, this football should draw the crowds back in. 1368 today, thats at least 1100 Fleet fans and closer to 1200. We got a monkey off of our backs today by actually playing well and scoring goals in front of a big crowd- let's hope they're back for Saturday, versus a Weymouth side in a bad run of form, who could be there for the taking. Although this is Ebbsfleet, so expect an 800 crowd and a 4-1 loss... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu M Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Originally Posted By: KShep We got a monkey off of our backs today by actually playing well and scoring goals in front of a big crowd- let's hope they're back for Saturday, My brother-in-law came along for the first time since Cinderford in 1995 - said it was better than he thought it would be and while not likely to be a regular will be back a couple of times before the end of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hirsty Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Free speech pal (well, limited these days anyway !!)!! Sorry to rock the MyFC boat but I thought that "we" were trying to eliminate the "us" & "them" situation ? So surely we are all "we" now ? whether we like it or not ?!( subject to Due Dillycaboodle or whatever !). I still don't like the thought of fans of other Conference teams having a say in how we run our club/team/tactics etc. If anyone can't win, then it's me my ol' china !!....but nearly having lost the will to live ( not to mention money !) after all this old sh*t, then I am not sure that I can be bothered to try & win anymore !! I will continue to support my home town team in the future though, if not in person, then in spirit !! The club is bigger than the individual Brian !! Over & out ! Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hempstead Gaz Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 The bar will miss you, Hirsty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claudius Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Complimentaries on what seemed to have been a good performance today.It is nice that Ebbsfleet scored more than one goal,and also nice to see the club on the smallest,but yet,runs of wins. A more positive performance from the team I recon and long may it continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Akinde is such an exciting player I think he could be the key to the playoffs! It was a great day for the Fleet today and I'm glad that so many people came to see such a performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrewc Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 A great win today, one to savour as I fly back to Singapore on Thursday for the last eight weeks of my secondment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John@TheFleet Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 This was only my second game of the season and how pleased I was I managed to make it. There was some good football played amongst the hoofs from defence and the ball across to the left for Long's second (and our fourth) was pure quality, a superb finish as well. A big thanks to the Plough End for my welcome back song, I loved it! Bring on Dartford at home, I'm not going to miss that one for anything, even if it is only the KSC. Come on the Northfleet!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ifa Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Quote from Thurrock Gazette. Sounds fun............anyone with any news?? Ebbsfleet were ecstatic while Grays looked defeated. Matters weren't helped off the pitch by banter from the Ebbsfleet fans being met by a tirade of abuse from Grays chairman Mick Woodward that would, according to the rules at the New Rec, have seen him ejected from the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hempstead Gaz Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Originally Posted By: Riverview Supporter The team today put in the kind of performance that we all need to praise and speak about this week. Get the crowds up and get behind the lads. At stafford , I saw something in some of their eyes which hasnt been there for a while . Passion. Passion to play for the fleet. John Akinde is one of the most thoughful players of his age I have seen at Stonebridge Road for years. He pressurises expierinced defenders forcing them to play longballs , he looks up . His hold up play is excellant and to hear his name from behiond the goal only lifts him. Saturday could well turn into one of those games where the fleet come of age and stamp out their message that we are here for play offs and we are here now. Three games in six days and I still want more. Best xmas for years Totally agree about Akinde. He has rammed the doubts of those who thought he was better off the bench firmly back down their throats. He clearly IS good enough, and he clearly IS fit enough. He and Luke ran the defence ragged today, so much so, the Grays midfield had to play very deep to help out. He has awareness of those around him, good touch, but most importantly, does the simple things well. Doesn't over elaborate. As a result our 4 midfielders were able to press forward at every opportunity - which is why we created so many chances. It is Nade and Eribenne who look the weak links in the squad at present, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doheochai Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Originally Posted By: Chatham Gary Totally agree about Akinde. He has rammed the doubts of those who thought he was better off the bench firmly back down their throats. He clearly IS good enough, and he clearly IS fit enough. He and Luke ran the defence ragged today, so much so, the Grays midfield had to play very deep to help out. He has awareness of those around him, good touch, but most importantly, does the simple things well. Doesn't over elaborate. As a result our 4 midfielders were able to press forward at every opportunity - which is why we created so many chances. It is Nade and Eribenne who look the weak links in the squad at present, Its days like today that make me wish I wasn't living a plane+train ride away from Stonebridge Road - congrats to the team for an excellent performance and to the fans whose support came across on the commentary. as for Akinde - he clearly has impressed. A word of caution - his is still very young and I would hope that Daish would take a long-term view in terms of his potential rather than a short-term fix. I would like to see him being brought along at a steady pace, get good coaching and be an asset to the club for years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Akinde moved as much as Macdonald but with the oopmh of Haworth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu M Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Originally Posted By: ifa Quote from Thurrock Gazette. Sounds fun............anyone with any news?? Ebbsfleet were ecstatic while Grays looked defeated. Matters weren't helped off the pitch by banter from the Ebbsfleet fans being met by a tirade of abuse from Grays chairman Mick Woodward that would, according to the rules at the New Rec, have seen him ejected from the ground. Proof that you can dress yourself up with a lot of money but you'll remain a thug at heart. On a separate note, anyone else see ex-Fleet skipper and now Tonbridge manager Tommy Warrilow at the game? He seemed to have a small posse in tow with him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard C Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Thought i recognised him!! walking along in front of the plough end! still enormous!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan W (GNFC) Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Every goal today (including the Grays goal) was well taken. Barrett's goal was almost like slow motion & I assume that Flitney didnt see it until late, as well as the placement right in the corner being excellent. The second was great link up play, combined with a slick finish from Stacy. Bostwick did well on the crucial 3rd - it would have been easy to hit a rushed 1st time shot when the ball found its way across to him, but instead he neatly dummied inside the defender before sliding a precise shot into the far corner. And Stacy's finish for the 4th was sublime, following an excellent crossfield pass by George. Bearing in mind that Grays had the league's best defensive record before today (still 2nd best), and we werent noted for our goalscoring, it was great to get a performance like todays. It could even have been 5 as that move shortly after half time was worthy of the ball hitting the back of the net as well (it did of course hit the back of the net - unfortunately from behind the goal!). Grays seemed to have gaping holes down their right today & most of our threat came from that area. They played some decent football themselves as well - but for all that, I dont recall Lance having 1 save to make other than the one they scored from. Couldnt understand the ref's decisions at times yesterday - Hawkins booking wasc a yellow, but Akinde's?? The linesman was 5 yards away and didnt seem to flag for a free kick, yet the ref deemed the tackle worthy of a yellow. Akinde himself had been fouled regularly through the afternoon, yet the ref chose to ignore several challenges that were more worthy of yellow than Akinde's. Add to that the foul on McPhee (or Bostwick?) in an almost identical spot to the Hawkins yellow, which was no different to Hawkins foul in many ways, yet the Grays player wasnt even spoken to. All we ask of referees is consistency - yesterday, we certainly didnt get that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham S Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Best Fleet performance I've seen in a long time. We played like a unit that believes in its collective ability to prevail over the opposition. We passed the ball with conviction; we outmuscled them in every area of the pitch &, even when Grays showed for 20 minutes or so at the start of the 2nd half that they are a very useful side, we dug in with a confidence & determination that made the jitters against Kidderminster seem like something suffered by a different team in a previous season. Akinde was truly amazing on occasions today, with his strength taking him past, even through challenges, as if they weren't there. And to perform like this in front of a larger than anticpated crowd too - how un-Fleetlike is that? Next thing we know, we'll get another big crowd on Saturday & turn it on again. ....OK, let's not get silly, now. Feet on the ground, chaps. Graham S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1kieron1fleet Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 still enormous and still good he was my manager/coach a couple of years back at my teenage club sutton dynamos (mates with his son to) i think neil barret had a smashing game and he scored, chris mcphee was unlucky (what an exciting player)bostwick,s powerful shot(sometimes to powerful!)back 4 had a tremendaus game (sasha puts his head most players wouldn't put thier heads, fantastic player)stcy cant get any better shorly luke play quite well bit to lazy though (needs to play to the whistle)botn subs coleman and goergie were very good (why dont goergie get a starting line up such a good player with that team we make it believe in it , we might just se it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustaGut Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Originally Posted By: Riverview Supporter At stafford , I saw something in some of their eyes which hasnt been there for a while . Passion. Passion to play for the fleet. Is it possible that what you see in there eyes, was realization that the transfer markets is now open and they could lose there place in the team,and be replaced, if the Myfc monies comes through ? just being cynical really! the question had to be asked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan W (GNFC) Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 One point regarding Michael Boistwick that should be noted is his improved disciplinary record recently - n yellow cards in his last 6 games and only 1 in his last 8. Given that he had picked up (I believe) 7 yellows and a red in the period prior to this, he's clearly learning fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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