Slough v Sutton- FA CUP 1st Round Replay-Match thread

[pinewalker]

I read the posts so far and I do not see any moans, just a realistic assessment of the currently fit squad's shortcomings in front of goal. Everybody is trying, no complaints. With Wright injured and Lafayette gone we lack a natural goalscorer.

Natural striker's nous is a talent, that resides inside the head. Anticipation of flick-ons and 50/50 ball breaks, calmness when presented with a chance, awareness of the needed pass when you draw more than one defender, the ability to toe-poke it accurately with your wrong foot when you haven't time to control the ball and hit it with your right foot. All those and more I don't think are teachable, so there is no point in expecting players without them to suddenly come good.

I have seen some of our youngsters displaying those skills, so maybe we will give one the chance to step up.

[sallycat]

The moaning thing is more about what comes from the terrace during the match rather than what is posted on here.

[baggiesansutton]

Nov 21, 2018 12:29:11 GMT Del said:

Well whichever fans were moaning got through to the players as Jamie Collins let it be known he was not happy at the time.

I think the expectation is you should always put a team below you a division,to the sword. For the first 30 minutes or so we were so much better than them and it seemed like a second goal was inevitable. Didn't happen and we lost our shape and invited Slough on to us . So many clearances picked up by Slough players very similar to the home match against Dover.

I think Collins was better not acting that way but we share the guys passion. like I said I was up at 4.30 to be able to leave work in time to go to the game and then an early start again this morning as I'm sure many others did the same. Not to mention the weather conditions I think it wasn't really needed from him but I love the guys passion.

[Andy K]

Nov 21, 2018 12:35:33 GMT pinewalker said:

I read the posts so far and I do not see any moans, just a realistic assessment of the currently fit squad's shortcomings in front of goal. Everybody is trying, no complaints. With Wright injured and Lafayette gone we lack a natural goalscorer.

Natural striker's nous is a talent, that resides inside the head. Anticipation of flick-ons and 50/50 ball breaks, calmness when presented with a chance, awareness of the needed pass when you draw more than one defender, the ability to toe-poke it accurately with your wrong foot when you haven't time to control the ball and hit it with your right foot. All those and more I don't think are teachable, so there is no point in expecting players without them to suddenly come good.

I have seen some of our youngsters displaying those skills, so maybe we will give one the chance to step up.

There is a social media world beyond this forum, and ones that are more publicly known and exposed. Usually the stuff that goes up there is more ignorant, misinformed and vitriolic than what appears on Amber Planet.

[amberinexile]

'Jonah needs confidence of a few goals and will come good.'
I think what the lad needs most is to work at technique. He was clean through, but the ball took a slight deflection right off his knee/thigh that meant he also went right to chase it before hammering off target.
That miss wasn't about confidence; it was about lack of control.
You can be as confident as Messi, but if you can't control the football, it's somewhat uphill.
While here, that Sutton 'wall' for their goal was something, eh? Who ducked or moved?

[markf]

Obvious disappointment for the whole club but we should also give credit to Slough who showed the passion and belief of the underdog that SUFC knows all about; this time it was U's turn to be on the end of it, albeit in a penalty shoot out that produced some fine penalties.

After a bright opening by Slough, U's took the game to their hosts, scored and caused much alarm in the Town box. Not sure how all media outlets haven't see Harry B finish Josh T's excellent run and shot but they appear to have done so. Cloughy brought the ball down and hit a fine volley that crashed off the bar before Slough began to be a threat. Their best efforts though were mostly off target save for a weak header straight at Ross W.

Second half U's should have got the second firstly from a break away and then Wayne B brought off a good low save from Turner.

After that the home team was dominant but having appeared to seen that off we lost the ball and never got it back before the free-kick award. It looks as if Harry B pulled off the end of the wall to cover a player movement and Dobson's strike was true and accurate. Couldn't have placed it better.

Extra-time continued with both sides trying to force a winner but penalties it was and that was that.

A decent turn out from the U's fans although I was not privy to the moaning as I stood away from the seated area (thankfully, it would seem). Seems we, like all clubs have some fickle fans but then stand under the Rec covering and you'd know that anyway.

Didn't think we got much out of the ref. Yes, Easty could have gone for a second but the ball bounced up and it was a legitimate attempt to play it. Their 18 should have gone when he slapped Aswad around the chops late in et. A yellow is not sufficient for violent conduct which raising a hand to an opponent is (Kevin Amankwaah did less at Maidstone and he was provoked too). And it was the 18 who got away with shenanigans before Tom B's pen was saved. Poor management of the shootout by the officials because players are meant to walk to and back unhindered by anybody.

If we are honest over the two matches Slough probably edged it but last night was pretty even and the fact they didn't score from open play shows how good our defence was.

The comment about Cloughie being pulled out of defence to play up front is an affront to the merits of Dean Beckwith who never lets the team down. He is a very good defender. Cloughie won so many headers last night but there was a lack of anticipation by those around him and no one appeared ready to go beyond him at times.

A financial blow as well as missing out on another home occasion but the club don't normally budget past the first round so we are where we are.

Have to say that while Arber Park is a decent new stadium, the loos and tea bar set up being outside the ground wasn't ideal nor was the steward directing us to the wrong gate before the match. The announcement to away fans to use turn-style 3 wasn't helpful either as there were no directions to where that was and addressed to those already in the ground!

Minor gripes on what was a horrible night to be out to watch a full-blooded cup tie as they should be.

The stewards were fine, chatty and knowledgeable.

Onto our bogey side. They may be struggling but boy they like playing us.

[sol]

I was not in attendance so can’t comment on much - however watching the very brief highlights on the bbc sport website, the 2nd goal proved elusive.
That’s what happens when the best striker at the club is out for the season and we are investing in 2 young lads who I’m sure will come good.
Our defence is top class now, it’s finishing what we create.

I was working @bradford v Aldershot and to watch a side who are 15th in the NL take a LG 1 club to penalties is testament to what level the NL has become, it’s more akin to LG 3 than non-league.

Looking forward to when Saturday comes and Maidenhead.

[Del]

Nov 21, 2018 17:23:22 GMT sol said:

I was not in attendance so can’t comment on much - however watching the very brief highlights on the bbc sport website, the 2nd goal proved elusive.
That’s what happens when the best striker at the club is out for the season and we are investing in 2 young lads who I’m sure will come good.
Our defence is top class now, it’s finishing what we create.

I was working @bradford v Aldershot and to watch a side who are 15th in the NL take a LG 1 club to penalties is testament to what level the NL has become, it’s more akin to LG 3 than non-league.

Looking forward to when Saturday comes and Maidenhead.

Certainly is a tough league and surely worthy of a 3rd promotion place soon.

[os]

Nov 21, 2018 12:35:33 GMT pinewalker said:

I read the posts so far and I do not see any moans, just a realistic assessment of the currently fit squad's shortcomings in front of goal. Everybody is trying, no complaints. With Wright injured and Lafayette gone we lack a natural goalscorer.

Natural striker's nous is a talent, that resides inside the head. Anticipation of flick-ons and 50/50 ball breaks, calmness when presented with a chance, awareness of the needed pass when you draw more than one defender, the ability to toe-poke it accurately with your wrong foot when you haven't time to control the ball and hit it with your right foot. All those and more I don't think are teachable, so there is no point in expecting players without them to suddenly come good.

I have seen some of our youngsters displaying those skills, so maybe we will give one the chance to step up.

I don't think people are maoning on here, it all seems rather balanced, but also realistic.

Why did Neville go out and pay top money for a striker such as Adam Rooney, who scored tonight, because its the difference between an average team and a promotion chasing one. Top strikers don't grow on trees, otherwise we would all have them. Part of a managers and his coaching staff skills especially at our level is to make one. So far Dos has managed in previous season's to do it, in fact when we have tried to buy them in as the finished article they don't generally work for us. There is a whole list of them, I see Chris Dickson is banging them in at Hampton but could'nt hit a barn door with us? As stated Dos made a major investment in Tommy Wright, and no one was to know he would pick up such a serious injury.

The problem maybe easy to see but not necessarily as easy to solve, I would like to see more of Josh Taylor in the side, and the one player I know can score is Bolly so why not play him down the middle or give him a free role??

As I write Hartlepool will be kicking themselves, just gone 3-2 down in ET after conceding the equalizer on 96 mins 'ouch'

[Del]

Disappointed yes and who wouldn't be. Well placed in the League and the FA Trophy to look forward to. As Dos said in his interview its the financial implications that hurt us most but he will do what he needs to do.

[garethl]

One thing I can’t agree with from the FA Cup is the position on suspensions. I think there can easily be huge disadvantages to clubs coming in for earlier rounds having suspensions and weakening them unfairly. Eastmond would have missed the next round for a couple of yellows which doesn’t seem right or fair. Say you go on to play a league club in round 2 who have only completed one match. I’m not sure they could have any suspensions (?) as a sending off is treated differently and taken care of straight away. The side playing 2/3 ties before the second round could potentially have 2/3 of best players suspended for what would be a huge game financially and in terms of exposure for the individuals. I’m not sure what round (or if) the slate is wiped clean but it stacks the odds further against sides coming through more rounds meeting those coming into the competition later. Not sure the rule has been thought through adequately.

For Eastmond in the game gone also imagine the scenario where we went ahead to 3-1 in ET. Does a 2nd yellow card suspend him from a league game and free him up for the next round? If so that would be ridiculous too and would encourage him to do so.

You could also imagine a side like Slough playing a load of games including replays etc and because of 2 yellows over the comp a player misses a dream 3rd round tie.