|
|
Post by Rijs on Sept 16, 2018 20:38:17 GMT
The late goal hurt, but Mark Jones was brutally honest and correct in his assessment: we were just not good enough.
True, we were missing captain Joe and the spark of Rob Sinclair. True, our small squad means that at such a time we have few options left on the bench to lift us. And true, Bath are a decent side who may well finish in the play-offs. In addition, the ref did not appear to give us much injury time, considering how many long stoppages there had been; but to be honest, we didn't look like scoring even if we had had five more minutes.
Some players still acquitted themselves well. Reece Fleet worked hard, and Kabby Tshimanga did cause them a few problems in the second half. Josh Ashby and Zac had their moments in that period, too, and young Udoka is showing greater maturity than one would expect from a teenager-- some real promise there if he continues on this path. Craig King made a couple of fine saves, and one which was superb. But overall we seemed to lack something, especially in the final third.
Jonah has a chance to try out one or two others in the Cup next week. It should help to have Joe back, and it would be good to see more of what the likes of Krasniqi, Stewart, Fasanmade and Atkinson can do -- but not all at once, as we have seen before how things can go wrong in a cup match against opponents from a lower league. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Chris B found that over the last ten years, City have actually fared better against teams from higher steps than those from lower!
|
|
|
|
Post by shutler on Sept 16, 2018 21:51:14 GMT
Left very disappointed but we are a bit of a shambles of a squad. Firstly the squad is too small and we have not imo brought in a good enough level of player, looking at the bench yesterday there was no one to change the game.
The game itself there was too much of individuals trying to do it all themselves, infuriating. As soon as Bath realised they could run at will down our right hand side they pumped the ball down and then constantly launched balls into the box and with no Oastler, they looked like they could score at will. Fleet battled away as did Ashby, Pato should have done better with his chance at the start of the second half, but he was probably in shock at actually getting a pass, the service to our strikers is particularly poor.
We need to strengthen or there’ll a lot more days like yesterday.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Sept 17, 2018 15:09:46 GMT
...as we have seen before how things can go wrong in a cup match against opponents from a lower league. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Chris B found that over the last ten years, City have actually fared better against teams from higher steps than those from lower! You're more or less right Rijs. Over the previous 10 seasons City have gone out of the FA Cup to sides: Higher than them by 3 Steps on 1 occasion; Higher than them by 2 Steps on 2 occasions; From the same Step on 2 occasions; Below them by 1 Step on 3 occasions; Below them by 2 Steps on 2 occasions. Cray Valley(PM) are 3 Steps below City so it would look like a victory for them would be a bit of (unwanted) modern history for City. Fingers crossed for an absence of banana-skins.  |
|
|
|
Post by OWHH on Sept 17, 2018 15:42:38 GMT
Didn't leave till probably an hour after finish. But several of us still behind the goal in shock, After game. A word on Baths squad : Clarke and Rigg and Mills added to an already midtable team, almost certainly putting them into play-off contention. Craig King, Man of match, by country mile, which speaks volumes. Put a link below to Jonah's response. Hopefully he's 😎 cooled down by now  Center of park two center halves, sat too deep, the only reason they didn't score more was a mixture of their forwards not handling the surface when shooting, and Craig King in Goal. Defensively, if you sit that deep your asking for trouble. Some last ditch defending at times Kept the score down. But as we were getting towards injury time, I could be seen praying, that we didn't go for goal, leaving ourselves open at the back for another Sucker punch. Sadly we did, and the counter was an easy training ground move with us outnumbered and Craig had no chance. Overall can't complain about the result really as said above it wasn't good enough, or as a certain fan would say, "Well below par". Mind you, how many times do you get warned before a booking, for us it's not long, for other teams it seems to be several warnings, a few laughs and a smile. Ref also talking to himself after giving a corner, then went back on it when it came off of Clarke as he hit the post with his head, but got a glove to it, the Linesman however thought different to everyone else and convinced Ref who seemed to be in a world of his own.I I could mention a couple of borderline offside decisions, But to be fair heard the Bath fans moaning about the same. We have put all our best performances in with Sincy & Joe in, even Eze provides competition and a threat for Taby, but he's injured, only good news is most are not far away now from returning. We have Joe back for cup after suspension, it's worth remembering he has been immense defensively especially at home, and as our Captain was missed against Bath. With Sincy and Zak racing at defences from both sides we are much more of a threat upfront. Squad size, agree with comments above, but we have to release to replace, or get a good loan deal, which isn't easy this early stage of the season. Our funds are limited and we don't want to go the way of Whitehawk, with Forty players being tried out before they got the right combination, which although probably helped us, by beating teams around us last season. Didn't really help them, accept put a few points on the board and make their relegation look respectable, if that's possible. Heard some nonsense about resting players next week, I don't think so its the FA Cup.... Finally, well done to Josh Ashby on a well taken goal. |
|
|
|
Post by OWHH on Sept 18, 2018 14:59:43 GMT
...as we have seen before how things can go wrong in a cup match against opponents from a lower league. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Chris B found that over the last ten years, City have actually fared better against teams from higher steps than those from lower! You're more or less right Rijs. Over the previous 10 seasons City have gone out of the FA Cup to sides: Higher than them by 3 Steps on 1 occasion; Higher than them by 2 Steps on 2 occasions; From the same Step on 2 occasions; Below them by 1 Step on 3 occasions; Below them by 2 Steps on 2 occasions. Cray Valley(PM) are 3 Steps below City so it would look like a victory for them would be a bit of (unwanted) modern history for City. Fingers crossed for an absence of banana-skins. Any figures of home games in compo on present surface... I know it's early days |
|
|
|
Post by Rijs on Sept 18, 2018 20:11:48 GMT
Thanks, Chris. We rely on you to prove (or disprove) our suspicions!
If we get past this one, I'll probably be hoping we meet someone from a higher step than ourselves next time! Five times in ten years, and we're due for another one soon...
|
|
|
|
Post by OWHH on Sept 19, 2018 15:49:25 GMT
Interesting to note that would have been 8 league games at Marsh lane unbeaten on the Crumble, if we had lasted another minute Saturday.
And wouldn't have lost League home game since April last season when we lost 0-1 to Chippy, with player sent off.
As for home FA Cup, Just two Games Leiston 4-2 Won step below
And then beat Bognor same step 1-0. Just did home games as that's where we are playing the game Saturday if I'm not mistaken.
|
|
|
|
Post by toocoulson4schoolson on Sept 19, 2018 17:04:57 GMT
Weird game this one. We deserved basically nothing but still came close to something, which you cou choose to take as either a positive or negative. It's good that we seem to be able to survive our off days (Weston being a prime example) but a shame to still be suffering them so regularly.
The first half was one of the dullest we've seen in recent years and at half time it was hard to believe that Bath were anything special. The second half, however, showed the value of a good side taking their time to get to know an opponent and capitalising on their weaknesses. In this case, that was balls into the box which is an area where we're usually half decent but not having the aerial presence of Oastler seemed to really cost us. The first goal was dreadful from a defensive perspective and the free header they conspired to miss from 5 yards out was even worse. Craig has then had to make a cracking save from a third header which was barely contested. I'm sure I've forgotten more similar chances as well...
The winner was a bloody good hit. Could we have cleared it earlier? Hell yes, but a makeshift defence and a 'keeper carrying a knock are going to make mistakes when they're having the kitchen sink thrown at them.
Our equaliser was spectacular but lucky - it's brave to hit it from there but I think its an easy save without the deflection. Our finishing in the box was wayward all game - we're learning to expect a few easier misses from Tshimanga (followed by him putting away a much harder chance) but Pato's effort at the start of the second half was way out of character. Off days happen for any player and with nobody fit as backup up front we're at the mercy of those off days.
Of course, a big squad is out of the question for us unless Step 2 standard players suddenly decide they'll play for free, but we're really missing the Nomads as a source of hungry players who can do a job for a game or two.
On the bright side, Mills looked absolutely shite in front of goal.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Sept 19, 2018 17:38:33 GMT
...but we're really missing the Nomads as a source of hungry players who can do a job for a game or two. I was surprised at the (sudden) disappearance of the Nomads. I can see that the management want to focus the development of players in a different way, but I'm not sure that I can see players, however good they might be, stepping straight from Youth level to 1st XI level. With Nomads; City Development and Nomads Development all in the Hellenic set-up two or three years ago there always seemed to be someone capable of filling a 1st XI gap for a game or two. I worry slightly that the good Youth players will move elsewhere (Banbury, Didcot etc) in a search for 1st XI football if they can't (quite) make it into City's team on a regular basis. |
|
|
|
Post by OWHH on Sept 19, 2018 18:27:23 GMT
Things have changed financially Chris, even the casuals have to raise funds to pay for kit etc. And well done to Mark Heelis who is doing an exceptional job with them.
Not sure what the cost was, but must have been a factor in the decision
To fold the side.
The club is always looking for legitimate investment, and who knows we may return to a reserve team at some stage in the future, should that transpire. Also the sooner the outstanding debt is cleared the better.
A financial plan is in motion to do just that. A cup run in either competition or both would help. But that's in the hands of the players and management.
|
|
