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Post by harrythehaddock on Aug 1, 2023 22:17:41 GMT
Much more encouraging than I'd seen previously, although it has to be said Wallingford in the first half weren't terribly strong opposition.
They stepped up in the 2nd half and gave us more of a game, eventually ending in a 2-1 win ,after well taken first half goals by Ty & Oliver Jovanovic, who looks like a useful acquisition. Some really nice football in the first half, with Crosbie & Pearce particularly impressive. New goalkeeper is very vocal, and appeared a bit more comfortable than I'd seen before, although he didn't have a great deal to do. overall 9 of the starters seem more than good enough for tier 4, plus Rocco, Owen 'Army' James & Moriarty gives you a decent enough starting base.
It looks like a pretty tough start so let's hope they're given a bit of time as it's obviously a work in progress
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jr
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Post by jr on Aug 1, 2023 22:30:19 GMT
Much better team performance tonight for the first 60 mins. Much better team play with Tyriq back. I did question why Rocko did not start because I would expect him to start on Saturday. The depth of talent from the bench looked fine. Overall a boost to confidence before Saturday
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Post by peterduck on Aug 1, 2023 22:56:43 GMT
I thought Wallingford were stronger than Chalfont actually, making the first half even more pleasing, once Wallingford got there goal was always going to be more them but thought we did well, and to be honest should of been out of sight by then anyway. Rocko I too thought would have started but actually thought young Empson did well, better there then previous weeks and probably offers more defensively. Jury still out on Ty, took his goal well but without ball is so frustrating to watch, Ox Utd Owen James missed tonight probably from tackle on Saturday but certainly some decisions to make for JW before then!
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Post by Luke on Aug 2, 2023 5:57:44 GMT
Nice to get the win, but we made harder work of it than necessary and once again never looked like keeping a clean sheet. Why are we trying to pointlessly play out from the back anyway?
Can't agree with the 'jury being out' on Ty, he is our best striker, is in good form, and we are much better when we have him in the team. Hopefully he signs on for Saturday!
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ian
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Post by ian on Aug 2, 2023 11:17:39 GMT
Good first hour, but the subs disrupted us and we lost our rhythm somewhat. The trick is to get the whole squad performing to the standard of the first hour, we have a competitive squad, up to them all to fight for their places and prove themselves as number one choices; not many can consider themselves 'automatic choices', which is how it should be.
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nelmo
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Post by nelmo on Aug 2, 2023 12:53:27 GMT
Crosbie and Pearce look to be a great bit of business. Pearce was much sharper last night than he has all pre season. Once he gets to know his team mates more he will come into his own. Crosbie looks horrible to play against, I think we will see some great midfield battles with that lad.
Ty also looked like he had a point to prove. Big Owen clearly threatening his spot and that’s exactly what we need to get the best out of him.
Road to Wembley starts Saturday!
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Post by harrythehaddock on Aug 2, 2023 14:07:36 GMT
Good first hour, but the subs disrupted us and we lost our rhythm somewhat. The trick is to get the whole squad performing to the standard of the first hour, we have a competitive squad, up to them all to fight for their places and prove themselves as number one choices; not many can consider themselves 'automatic choices', which is how it should be. au contraire Ian , I think the first XI pick themselves - 9 of the starters from last night n then perm 2 from 4 of Moriarty, the Army lad, the other blond midfielder & Rocco. The rest look very much like squad players imho
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ian
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Post by ian on Aug 2, 2023 19:32:27 GMT
Good first hour, but the subs disrupted us and we lost our rhythm somewhat. The trick is to get the whole squad performing to the standard of the first hour, we have a competitive squad, up to them all to fight for their places and prove themselves as number one choices; not many can consider themselves 'automatic choices', which is how it should be. au contraire Ian , I think the first XI pick themselves - 9 of the starters from last night n then perm 2 from 4 of Moriarty, the Army lad, the other blond midfielder & Rocco. The rest look very much like squad players imho Bold that! Owen James (2) wasn't there last night, nor was Hayden Beadle. New CB didn't feature, carrying a knock so rested ahead of Saturday. There's another 3 to throw into the mix!
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Post by harrythehaddock on Aug 2, 2023 19:38:31 GMT
good point well made. Although beadle is only 17 isn't he? still, at least we've more or less made up a full bench of players who can perform at our level
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2023 20:24:24 GMT
Might only be 17 but his ability at set pieces is going to be massive for us this season.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2023 7:22:35 GMT
I think, player for player, this squad is better than last years.
No fence sitting from me!
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Post by harrythehaddock on Aug 3, 2023 12:12:31 GMT
I think, player for player, this squad is better than last years. No fence sitting from me! Sorry, I cant agree with that! 5 of the team are the same. Theres no comparison between Ball & Empson n Feyi & JJ. Riddick was a huge loss n Crosbey is going to have to have some season to match him. Sonny n Pearce is like for like, although I can see Pearce coming out on top. And from what Ive seen, I'd be more confident with Hoppy in goal. Finally I'd say Jovanovic is much better than Nasher but not as good as Stobbs, so about evens on that one
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2023 12:18:26 GMT
I think, player for player, this squad is better than last years. No fence sitting from me! Sorry, I cant agree with that! 5 of the team are the same. Theres no comparison between Ball & Empson n Feyi & JJ. Riddick was a huge loss n Crosbey is going to have to have some season to match him. Sonny n Pearce is like for like, although I can see Pearce coming out on top. And from what Ive seen, I'd be more confident with Hoppy in goal. Finally I'd say Jovanovic is much better than Nasher but not as good as Stobbs, so about evens on that one Pearce is better than Sonny - he was one player we all always rated at Thame. JJ hardly played during the good run at the end of the season. Bally did well for the club, but had become stale and thought that finishing 16th was good. It wasn't. Hoppy had a great season - but this lad is a much better prospect - you don't play at the level he came from without being a good keeper. Riddick is the only player that left that is a miss - and he's gone to a higher level. Think you have rose coloured glasses on their Harry!
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Post by harrythehaddock on Aug 3, 2023 15:11:26 GMT
Sorry, I cant agree with that! 5 of the team are the same. Theres no comparison between Ball & Empson n Feyi & JJ. Riddick was a huge loss n Crosbey is going to have to have some season to match him. Sonny n Pearce is like for like, although I can see Pearce coming out on top. And from what Ive seen, I'd be more confident with Hoppy in goal. Finally I'd say Jovanovic is much better than Nasher but not as good as Stobbs, so about evens on that one Pearce is better than Sonny - he was one player we all always rated at Thame. JJ hardly played during the good run at the end of the season. Bally did well for the club, but had become stale and thought that finishing 16th was good. It wasn't. Hoppy had a great season - but this lad is a much better prospect - you don't play at the level he came from without being a good keeper. I think my specs are very clear, but suspect you might have a touch of amnesia Simon! JJ did play a fair few times in 2023 I seem to remember & I think it's fair to say that Hoppy is/was one of the best keepers in the division. The new lad might have come from a pro club, but he's young and it's not guarenteed he will cope with the rough n tumble & pressure of the game at our level. I hope you're right though. I don't know if it's just me but all I saw from Bally was total commitment , and as with Riddick, we always looked a much poorer team without his presence. Sorry to say that, even if he was stale, Ball is a much better player than Empson from what I've seen. This isn't criticism of Wells, btw. He did bloody well to guide us to safety with a disunited dressing room . This is now his team, with his players, playing the way he wants. It's a very young team, which hopefully will grow and improve both individually and collectively. It will be very interesting to see how it goes, especially with such a tough start.
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jr
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Post by jr on Aug 3, 2023 16:37:45 GMT
Just checked the listed of players who have signed forms and they now include Tyrig Hunte and Jack Empson. I was very glad to see them both on Tuesday
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