ryman league

[jl]

pretty poor day for the ryman league yesterday in the fa cup with all the remaining sides losing, most of them by cricket scores.

 

a quick view of the league table sees that we have slipped to 10 th place and are now equidistant in terms of points (12) from the top of the table and from the relegation zone!!! i accept that we have a game in hand over most of those above us (except kingstonian) which if won could see us back to 5 th. i think this emphasises how tight this league could still be this year which begs the question why are we shedding players faster than the trees are shedding leaves. altho i have to say i have agreed with most of the departures we do need to ensure we maintain some depth in the squad otherwise we ll end up doing a wivenhoe n pitching up with 8 players.

 

i just hope its not part of the masterplan to make sure we were up there until the planning permission got granted n then bothered...i think its getting to the stage where the squad needs strengthening..any thoughts?????

 

 

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/argue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/argue.gif" alt="" />

[Simon BTFC]

Only Dave McD and Mark Brennan have left so far.... We did start the season with an unusually (for us anyway) large squad.... However if Fewings and Richard Graham do leave it would leave us pretty lightweight in attack. Apparently both have the opportunity to fight for their place in the squad if they want to....

 

The next half dozen or so league fixtures could prove all important - almost all are games we won last season:

 

Grays h won 3-2

Hampton a won 2-1

Basingstoke h won 2-0 <-- Effectively the "game in hand" as 1 of only 2 games on dec 10th

Harrow a won 2-0

Ford h n/a (2nd from bottom)

Canvey a lost 3-0

Aylesbury h n/a (but won away earlier this season)

 

A good return from those 7 games would see us firmly established in the chasing pack at least, if not in the lead group.

 

Aldersh*t have some very tricky matches coming up including Hendon, Kingstonian, Purfleet and St. Albans so this could prove to be an excellent opportunity to make up some ground on the leaders.

[jl]

scott forrester, some bloke called joe baker......

juho might just as well have

[Simon BTFC]

If we're going to go back to the beginning of the season you could argue that we've brought in Ollie, Roy and DJ (assuming he stays) to replace those 3. As I said we did start the season with a large squad, 20 players in the first team squad is a lot.

[Guest]

Summer signings:

 

Gone:

 

Forrester (2 games)

Bubb (looked quite good)

Brennan (slow)

McDonald (was getting better)

Fewings? (Our best striker before injury)

Rantala? (didnt get a chance)

R. Graham (listed, despite playing well)

 

+ quality Baker

 

staying:

 

Kerrigan: (solid)

 

 

[Simon BTFC]

Forrester & Bubb or Essandoh & DJ? Definately the latter for me.... Brennan not up to the pace of the league and wasn't performing. Mcdonald in a position where we are strong with Penn and Henty both good right backs. Hopefully having shipped Brennan and McD out we'll bring in an attacker or two to replace them. The back 6 (JJ, Henty, Adedeji, Moore and Kerrigan with Penn or Willo in front of them) looks very solid but we have not been scoring enough goals.

[GazzaBTFC]

<blockquote><font class="small">Quote Simon BTFC:</font><hr />

but we have not been scoring enough goals.

 

<hr></blockquote>

 

which would make the loan of Fewings a bit silly really, wouldn't it?

[BTFC Martin]

I would rather a creative midfielder joined.

[Simon BTFC]

I'm with Martin on this one at the moment - we've not been creating enough chances for the strikers in too many games. Part of that could be blamed on the tactics, 3 at the back tended to negate the effect of the Grahams who I guess would be considered our most creative players.

[Guest]

Does anyone know whether or not we are keeping DJ after his loan?

[BTFC Martin]

GC is a defensive manager, keep a clean sheet first then hopefully score a goal (especially away from home), once the goal has been scored shut up shop.

[Guest]

I get the impression that he is out of favour, and I do think that on the pitch he doesn't look as committed as he once did. I fear he may well return once his loan spell is over.

[Simon BTFC]

I think he's been struggling with an injury. Definately looked like he was a bit stiff when he came on against enfield the other day.