TheBigDog

@Lukers1?

Everyone has the right to an opinion and the right to put that opinion over forcefully. Also, I know that this board is a place where language can sometimes get vitriolic. However, I find both the above posts crude and offensive. You do yourself no favours at all. We all agree that today was a shambles both on and off the pitch. And we certainly have enough cause to be angry but have a bit of class when you do.

Anyone know how the Academy team got on last Saturday against Salford? There was an article previewing the game but then ...nothing. There is no report on the Salford site either. Did the game actually take place?

Quite a few on here have given the team some credit for last night’s performance. Others have not. It’s all about opinions at the end of the day. For me, we are still a work in progress. But we have seen some progress - and that’s encouraging.

So...if we accept that we were up against an under 21 side that looked well coached and had one or two technically strong players whose game plan was ball retention and look to break fast.... i think that tonight was an opportunity for Banide to see the rest of the squad (bar Hamer, Sylla and Iacovitti) start a game - then what did we learn? Zabret - good shot stopper and was vocal when needed. One punch early on when he could easily have caught. Had no chance with the first goal which was a screamer and maybe his defenders should have cleared from his initial save for the second. Hamer - definitely the MotM. Never stopped. Still needs to improve his positional play though. Stott and Iacovitti - a fair game at the back for both I thought. And they both scored... Smith-Brown - tidy performance but would have liked to see him get forward more. Eagles - obvious quality. Also obvious that he is some way off being match fit. Sylla - another good game and ran Hamer close for MotM. He need to stop putting his hands on players when closing down though as this leads to too many free kicks. Fage - I like the look of this lad. Quick and energetic. Faded somewhat second half. Azankpo - took his goal well. Should have scored with a header first half but led the line well. Nepomuceno- reasonable game. A couple of good crosses, one good shot and of course the corner that led to the goal for Stott. Not yet back to his best. Vera - one flick on and a couple of deft touches. Too slow when through on goal. Overall an ineffective game. Gonzales - played the second half. Looked slow and disinterested. Adams and Dolan - chased down well but ultimately too little time to judge. Useful workout - bring on Crewe Alexandra.

3-2 victory- Wemberlee Wemberlee etc.

Fage looks decent. Vera wins header

And if the pitch is true to form after the winter then ‘We shall fight on the beaches...’ comes to mind.

Banide on our new LB and the team in general ahead of tomorrow’s match: “He’s been training well and I have a good feeling with him. He’s a good guy and he’s happy to be here. We need to help him to strengthen the team and feel good. “It’s our job and for the moment it’s important to work well with everybody and try to prepare for the game with serenity and concentration.” ‘Serenity and concentration’ ... not quite ‘Keep the Faith’ but it could catch on...

Slightly jumped the gun there @oafc1955

New thread not needed. This has been and is being discussed constantly on this and other forums.

Disagree Bristol. I saw it differently but I suppose that’s what this board is all about. Captain or not I don’t think that his performance yesterday warrants the heavy criticism he has received.

Exactly.

Wow! I was at the game yesterday and I cannot help but think that one or two on here have it in for Maouche. Yes he didn’t have a great game yesterday but he was nowhere near as bad as some are making out. With Woods, Wheater and Mills being the exceptions, the rest of the team were fairly average at best. A poor performance resulting in defeat so let’s lump on the captain.

494 sold. Could top 600 tomorrow. Let’s hope we turn up on the pitch as well

Now this worries me. What I do not want is to go back to playing football in a ground with only three stands in use. If it means that the stand is in use but the facilities are not being made available then I would imagine the club will offer season ticket holders the choice of moving. If the SLA terms are prohibitive and financially disadvantageous to the club or the rent is unreasonable then I say to all parties to get around a table and sort it out. After all both want the the club to be successful don’t they?

Having watched a few minutes of ‘highlights’ posted by our junior vlogger, It was more of the same approach that we have seen during preseason. No urgency, no tempo, no attacking plan and defensively poor. Either the players are saving themselves for when the real stuff starts or we are well and truly fooked

Memo to self - listen to your head

We’ll be reet- the ref’s called Scott Oldham... expect a pen soon

Halifax at home this evening. I expect to see, given the current players at the club, a starting eleven that is close to the one that will start at Forest Green on Saturday. I also expect to see a huge improvement in approach with a higher tempo and a more competitive attitude. Defensively much tighter and creating (and taking) our chances up top. Thats my heart speaking. My head is telling me something different...

He has chosen to do this for the pre-season friendlies - it remains to be seen if that is the case when n the home league games start

I’ll be there with a mate of mine. Last season the beer tent served a decent pint and the vegetable samosas were tasty. Not the best place to watch football but it’s the first game of the season. I just don’t miss these

Cruel but fair

The point I was making is that, yet again, you posted something that was total bollocks.