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Post by Andy K on Oct 19, 2024 18:38:39 GMT
Simply put, a defensive display like that will lead to Birmingham's goal tally being spelled out on the old BBC vidiprinter. It's pretty obvious where our weakness lies and it's at the back. Before they scored we literally invited them to attack our goal and they missed a sitter. Then Arnold makes another mistake - of course if he was Bouzanis a large selection of the fanbase would be on his back. Most of the players either had shockers (like Harris) or were anonymous. I think Okoli had a decent game, but as we saw so often last season, you need more than one defender playing decently to prevent goals being scored. To be fair, I think we lost something with Simper going off, who has consistantly been one of our better players this season, but the number of times our players fell over today was silly.
I don't think today was anywhere near our worst performance of the season, and Oldham are a decent side. But 14 games in, a pattern has developed. We currently sit 19th in the table in terms of goals conceded. We're 6th in terms of goals scored.
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Post by boomboom on Oct 19, 2024 18:40:15 GMT
We play a better style of football this season, so you should enjoy it. A matter of opinion? I feel that the next two games will constitute a significant test of whether we're serious promotion contenders. I'd be very pleasantly surprised if we were to be in the promotion mix unless something unexpected turns up. More likely, I fear that the "R" word might start rearing its head. It's pretty clear to me that we're some way behind promotion hopefuls in too many facets of the game, as was evident this afternoon. The bottom line is that the players individually and collectively have failed to convince that they're good enough. The mantra trotted out that it's a young team which will only get better is starting to wear a little thin (just as Matt's "gelling" comments were this time last season) as I've seen no evidence of improvement. It would be easy to point the finger at the management. However, results are largely dependent on the size of the playing budget and I suspect the likes of Oldham's are significantly higher than ours. For all I know, Steve's hand might have been forced into signing young unknowns rather than established, experienced pros. On to Wednesday... |
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side1
Spectator
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Post by side1 on Oct 19, 2024 18:45:19 GMT
There was a lot of filming going on in the centre section of the grandstand today. How does this benefit the club ?
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Post by halftimet on Oct 19, 2024 18:47:05 GMT
Openthefloodgateshead on Wednesday
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Post by SuttonUnitedFCtv on Oct 19, 2024 19:36:13 GMT
There was a lot of filming going on in the centre section of the grandstand today. How does this benefit the club ? Film crew at the club today was ITV getting some footage ahead of the FA Cup game. |
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Post by surreyu on Oct 19, 2024 20:30:19 GMT
A performance that looked like one we would have put out 12 months ago before the managerial change. Awful all around, some changes needed for Wednesday. Quite a few don’t deserve to wear the shirt on current performances
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Post by Amber Aleman on Oct 19, 2024 20:39:04 GMT
What we saw today was the difference between a team of workmanlike but very experienced National League players and a team of promising, younger players still finding their feet at this level. It was no surprise that experience told.
Oldham's first goal was gifted by another fumble from Steve Arnold, who was great for us in the second half of last season, but who should now give way to Jack Sims for our next league match (though I'd keep faith with Arnie for the big Cup game). Overall, we allowed them too much of the ball, and though we had promising moments, mostly on the break, our final pass too often lacked precision.
The ball twice broke kindly for Will Davies to head us level; he couldn't get enough power on the first chance, but the second, after an initial effort had come back off a post, ended up in the net. That followed a free kick from wide left; unfortunately for us, Oldham had a similar free kick five minutes later and from that they re-took the lead.
De Silva and Sivi gave us an infusion of attacking energy when they came on, but it was veteran striker James Norwood who scored the game's fourth goal, killing off the contest. We don't have anyone like him, or their mountain-like defender Manny Monthé, in our ranks - and that's essentially why we're 13th in the table and they're 5th.
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Post by os on Oct 19, 2024 22:13:16 GMT
A very ordinary performance against a side with the experience of players like James Norwood, today and FGR show why you need some wise old heads out there. We may have some young talented players but isn't going to be enough to push for promotion in this league.
As for playing budget I see mentioned above, it would be a lot more if hundreds of thousands were not paying non playing staff. Any money that comes out of the Birmingham match has to go into the team if promotion is a serious goal.
The question I asked myself today, is could todays team beat any of the Sutton teams of the last decade?
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jr
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,199
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Post by jr on Oct 20, 2024 8:52:23 GMT
It was a really poor display and quite frankly we should have lost by 6 or 7. One shot on target the whole game is shocking. I don't think we had a shot after we scored. That's how poor we were.
Defensively we're a mess, 3 goals conceded from headers, the first 2 were just awful.
We float crosses in, they whip them in with pace and quality.
Sadly we don't have the players to compete at the top end of the table. Sure we will compete on some days so we should finish mid table.
Our constant passing to opposition players or just kicking out of touch is getting really annoying now. SORT IT OUT LADS.
Unfortunately Waller isn't anywhere good enough. Yesterday he found passing to the opposition a lot easier than passing to a man in Amber. It constantly put the rest of the defence under pressure. Eventually you'll fold. If SM persists in keeping him in the side then we won't win many matches.
Our one good player is now likely to be out for a few weeks so that's a major blow.
As others have said we do need an old head in midfield and i think that's the biggest mistake made so far.
When the game is tight what you don't want to do is gift the oppo a goal. I'm not sure what's wrong with Arnold but he's making too many basic errors. Time for Sims to get his chance on Wednesday (some people think the game is on Tuesday including the post match interviewer!)
I didn't think the ref had a bad game. He could have got the players to get on with it a bit quicker but the bookings were correct.
Anyway on to WEDNESDAY and let's hope for a much better performance. Hopefully Ransom will be back.
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Post by FaultyyearsaU on Oct 20, 2024 9:46:00 GMT
Just a completely disjointed performance today. Unfortunately, we are currently just not playing well enough to make incidents like the disputed foul for the second goal in any way relevant. Being a completely new young squad it must be be very difficult to decide on your best line up and formation but just when it appears that we might be onto something with Alex Kirk at CB he is moved over to RB with Tyler French in the centre, which as others have said didn't seem to work in previous games. This means that another game has passed with players appearing to be none the wiser as to what their roles are.
I don't blame the players for any of this. They are doing their best and they are as good as they are and nothing is to be gained by criticising them. However, I find it quite ironic that we appear to have the squad that we might have had without any of the investment from "across the pond" which has changed the club in so many ways that I am not comfortable with. In reality, of course, any money we have received will have been "soaked up" by the ever increasing cost of simply staying afloat as a football club. We would require a great deal more money to "buy" the squad that might lead to a significant improvement in our fortunes over a shorter time period.
With this young squad of players we are continually being asked to be patient and to go on the "journey" with them. That's absolutely fine, however what I find most difficult is that whilst the likes of Paul Doswell and Matt Gray would have cared very passionately about whether I did or did not go on the "journey" with them, the current Management team couldn't seem to care any less. This is what upsets me the most.
Over sentimental rubbish?, maybe, but to me it was always what made supporting Sutton United very special and it currently feels as far in the past as #InItTogether does.
Still #ForeverAmber, could never be anything else.
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Post by boomboom on Oct 20, 2024 10:15:23 GMT
With this young squad of players we are continually being asked to be patient and to go on the "journey" with them. That's absolutely fine, however what I find most difficult is that whilst the likes of Paul Doswell and Matt Gray would have cared very passionately about whether I did or did not go on the "journey" with them, the current Management team couldn't seem to care any less. I think that's rather harsh on Steve. He has a different personality from both Matt and Dos which isn't his fault. He's also less articulate and perhaps less comfortable in front of a mic (NB the number of times he says "look"), again not his fault, albeit Matt was prone to rambling and repetition. What's increasingly coming across from Steve's interviews, however, is how passionate he is. Defeats hurt him and he's elated after a good win. |
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Post by boomboom on Oct 20, 2024 10:36:39 GMT
Our constant passing to opposition players or just kicking out of touch is getting really annoying now. SORT IT OUT LADS. In doing so we're too readily conceding possession which in turns put pressure on the defence. What was also noticeable yesterday was how we failed to match Oldham's burlier players in our one-one tussles, again conceding possession.
So, our "defensive issues" extend beyond the back four. Moreover, injuries haven't helped and we might do well to have a settled quartet. Unfortunately Waller isn't anywhere good enough. Yesterday he found passing to the opposition a lot easier than passing to a man in Amber. It constantly put the rest of the defence under pressure. Eventually you'll fold. If SM persists in keeping him in the side then we won't win many matches. Glad I'm not the only one with similar views about Waller. Our full backs seem to give the opposition's wide players too much space too often, NB Oldham's first goal. When the game is tight what you don't want to do is gift the oppo a goal. I'm not sure what's wrong with Arnold but he's making too many basic errors. Time for Sims to get his chance on Wednesday (some people think the game is on Tuesday including the post match interviewer!) Arnold's concentration seems to waver. Maybe it's simply a case of age catching up with him? I was impressed with Sims at Chertsey but his lack of height cf Arnold is a concern. |
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Post by FaultyyearsaU on Oct 20, 2024 11:58:19 GMT
With this young squad of players we are continually being asked to be patient and to go on the "journey" with them. That's absolutely fine, however what I find most difficult is that whilst the likes of Paul Doswell and Matt Gray would have cared very passionately about whether I did or did not go on the "journey" with them, the current Management team couldn't seem to care any less. I think that's rather harsh on Steve. He has a different personality from both Matt and Dos which isn't his fault. He's also less articulate and perhaps less comfortable in front of a mic (NB the number of times he says "look"), again not his fault, albeit Matt was prone to rambling and repetition. What's increasingly coming across from Steve's interviews, however, is how passionate he is. Defeats hurt him and he's elated after a good win. I have absolutely no doubt that Steve is passionate about winning and that defeats hurt him. The point I was trying to make is that he appears to be passionate about the group of players he coaches Monday to Friday winning football matches. The fact that they just so happen to be called "Sutton United" on a Saturday is the bit that is not that important to him. But, as I say, I'm living in the past. We are completely in the "results are absolutely all that matters" business now and you take it or leave it |
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Post by garethl on Oct 20, 2024 12:01:53 GMT
Steve was quite blase earlier in the season that we’d concede a few and the way we’d play would be attacking and exciting. But the reality is we’re not really looking attacking or exciting (though I accept the goal scoring record is ok) and goals are flying in at the wrong end. These things are rarely down to 1 player, it all seems similar to the first half of last season. It usually is structural or 2/3 players not being at the level. But the concern has been we’ve been conceding easy chances all season and it hasn’t got better. The appalling Woking and Yeovil aside virtually every side has created easy chances without having to do anything too special, that is not a recipe for winning matches. We need to work out quickly our best defenders (or bring in new ones if they’re not good enough) and let them get an understanding. Obviously injury permitting.
Does anyone know our best side yet?
I agree the keeper needs changing, it’s the same as what happened with Bouzanis in that it’s taking too long. It can’t get any worse so let’s see Sims get a proper opportunity, he did well at Chertsey and clearly has more of his career ahead of him.
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markf
Top Performer
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Post by markf on Oct 20, 2024 12:57:59 GMT
Not going to add too much to this thread but when you're most experienced makes a mistake and it leads to a goal it can't be easy for the younger players. Unfortunately, Steve Arnold has made a few rickets so far this season which is disappointing when you consider how brilliant he was in the second half of last season. Who'd be a 'keeper eh? The clamour for Sims is understandable but does he have enough stature especially the way NL teams seem to crowd the 'keepers at set pieces? I suppose there is only one way to find out!
Having got level thanks to a pin point delivery and Will getting in front to get the first header in, like Hartlepool we conceded too quickly again. Ok, the f-k looked a poor decision and certainly not worthy of a yellow card but the marking was awful. You can see from the highlights that we never got goal side of the scorer.
Don't get why SM swapped Alex and Frenchy over; it didn't work that's for sure and the third goal came from a poor headed clearance by the skip straight to one of their players. Two passes, a cross and Norwood nets in acres of space. There was a few under par individual performances yesterday but a couple that were glaringly so.
In the past, Sutton success (and a lot elsewhere too) has been built on a settled back four and while SM has been unfortunate with injuries to Jacko, Haydn and Harry I am not sure constant tinkering helps either. Still, as I asked before, what do I know?
For fear of repeating past observations this young side needs a couple of experienced heads one in midfield for sure as there is a lack of bite which the NL cries out for.
Losing Lewis was a massive blow the problem looked to be above the ankle and wasn't an impact one either.
Thought Oldham did some good stuff. Dispossessed Sutton players countless times, got beyond us down both flanks and with Monthe at the back looked reasonably safe throughout.
The team probably needs a confidence building win but Gateshead will be very tough proposition on Wednesday.
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