Look on the bright side

By Mike Cox1/11/2015 19:50Sun Nov 1 19:50:03 2015

Views: 3276

With us well up with our league games and no major cup games to worry about, we should not have a serious fixture pile up this season. We can therefore concentrate in trying to avoid relegation.
I'm sure Chris Rogers or another of our Hendon history buffs will be able to let us all know - (1) The last time we went out of both national cup competitions (FA Cup and FA Trophy or Amateur Cup) in our opening ties and (2) if we have ever before been beaten by the same team in both competitions
Finally if seeing Hendon struggle this season isn't bad enough, I also follow the fortunes of Chelsea and Torquay United!!!

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It's the end of the beginning

By rwakeley2/11/2015 01:13Mon Nov 2 01:13:14 2015In response to Look on the bright sideTop of thread

Views: 3191

Two differing thoughts prevail. Right now - more-over regaining the initiiative or what I am led to believe happens this week with regards to SJP.
I don't claim to know nine-tenths of what goes on. But if SJP gets the green light this week then I can state with reasonable assurance that our style of play on plastic will probably go more Maidstone-esque rather than long-ball Ibe hold-up stuff, latch onto stuff, on soggy surfaces, which frankly looks a tad out-dated.
Despite what views we have on our personnel, we have a set of lads geared for a revamp of style at SJP and whatever the hell frustrations yours truly may have felt in the first 45 today, when they looked more dangerous from one of our corner's than what we did, we are in an underlying sense actually well positioned for the future.
Despite our on-field problems, (which will as with all things will get resolved in the fullness of time), we can all "Look on the bright side" with a ray of optimism.
We have a great Board, a great Manager - and actually as a collective the lad's in the dressing room are not that bad either!

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Re: It's the end of the beginning

By Deadman2/11/2015 08:37Mon Nov 2 08:37:42 2015In response to It's the end of the beginningTop of thread

Views: 3049

It looks like it's going to be a long season (although getting knocked out of cups and not making play offs would actually make it considerably shorter!)

The team is fragile and manage to concede even against the weakest of attacking threat. The lack of clean sheets is concerning, as is the drying up of goals.

Yesterday's game was fairly typical....(in no particular order....) concede a poor goal, have lots of possession, look vulnerable to counter attack, offer little threat despite having lots of offensive players on the pitch. Aaron again looked our main threat and had three very decent longish shots saved brilliantly. Other moments of note...a lovely cross from the by-line by Sam Flegg with no-one attacking the space, one great ball across the six yard by Leon with no-one attacking the space, a couple of close pot shots by Russell Short (?) and one clear chance to Ollie which he couldn't quite get out of his feet before being brilliantly tackled.

Generally though, it looked a bit huff and puff and there was a feeling that we weren't going to score. Full credit to Sudbury though for their hard-working and superbly committed performance. We'll need to produce something similar if we are to avoid a spanking at Dulwich on Saturday.

So, to the future. I think most of us would now settle for....a settled side, no more violent conduct red cards, a mid-table finish (be it lower or upper), a bit of entertainment along the way and most importantly, some very positive news regarding SJP. If we can start next season in the Premier Division, at SJP with the Maclarens back then things will be ok.

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Re: It's the end of the beginning

By rwakeley2/11/2015 12:10Mon Nov 2 12:10:43 2015In response to Re: It's the end of the beginningTop of thread

Views: 2940

Great observations on patterns repeating themselves. I think we've been here before - second half of 2010-11.
Lost's of red cards - you could predict the actual times of the bookings and sending offs. Lot's of different selections - more line-up's than an Iranian Firing Squad! On a personal note, I recall one game at Canvey (lost 1-4) a couple of red cards - it's the only time I've left my computer screen - I had to go for a walk to calm down!
It wasn't until the start of the next season that things changed - and we started with real consistency. Ironically looking at line-ups the difference was the introduction of one Elliott Braithwaite and one Elliott Godfrey.
It's that consolidation we are crying out for. Despite our problems, I still maintain we are actually not a milliion miles away.

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