v Chippenham (A)

Awful just awful sums up Saturday! This may sound a like a rant but its not meaning too before I start believe me this my thoughts this has been thought about apologies for any offence not my intention if this causes any, I am there Saturday or please speak to me if that's the case I include myself in this too. Lots of questions some of which we all got to ask ourselves.

We went into Saturday with a record of 1 win in 10 which sounds awful but before Banbury it was 6 unbeaten so you can manipulate the stats to what ever point your view your trying to make whether its a case for the players or the manager/ digs at the directors/ digs at Jem / digs at Laird. What we cant change is we sit 2 places from the relegation spots granted a bit of a cushion but its far too close for comfort with plenty of games still to play.

Firstly the game Saturday we were awful from start to finish no positive going to go back to the point about Nathan Walker I have made pervious he is a centre half we as a unit look better, we look more solid we concede less we pick up more points these are facts you cant manipulate. The defensive unit looks more solid the players as individuals we get more out of Shane, Brookes, Neil Martin. This is not a dig at Matt Oldering or Chris Dillon both individually are decent but as a pairing its a disaster they look all at sea together. Nath is a vocal commanding presence a leader is certainly a character he brings the best out of the Oldering and Dillon. Some players are natural leaders others need to be led neither is a criticism its about getting what's best. Is Craig aware of this? I would hope Stuart Heath would have mentioned this/ players as he will still be learning about the team etc. I have no idea but its something I would have hoped happened if he went against it that's his progatavie as manager and will be judged on results and signings over his tenure same as everyone before him.

What he maybe is responsible for is not changing anything of note until we were 4.0 down yes that's when he changed things about. We had been off the pace out fought out played from minute one why was it not changed before? As 4.0 flattered us Shane made a couple of smart stops throughout. He can be absorbed from some of the blame he is learning about the players etc. But it was clear from the outset 4.4.2 was not working so don't wait until we are being thumped before doing anything about it. Funny thing is once he made the changes we looked a lot better as a side a unit more composed better in possession of the football had more of the game which is the annoying thing. He was sat down for the majority of the 2nd half from what I could see I wanted the players to be cajoled they needed direction the constant thing people mention is the age of this team so I would have thought this would have been the coaching element in game management perhaps could be better things to look for overlaps which maybe they missed but is obvious from the side? that's an example of many which could be used. 

Now for the players when you have been thumped the obvious quote is there not giving 100% something I have accused them earlier in the season at Chesham whether that's right only they can answer truthfully. Im sure on the whole they are my question is could they do more? Could they make that run, are they encouraging others around them? Will they cover a team mate whose lost out. Are they looking at the pitch and playing the right ball or taking the easy option? Do they show enough pride? Only they know that honestly. Is there all for one and one for all attitude!?

We look at directors I feel really sorry for them at times its a thankful task I think off the pitch a number of things have improved look around the town / at a game everybody has a scarf now its very noticeable its small things but its good to see its getting the word out. Replica shirts you see more of them those jackets I like that we all look at the bad things these are over looked due to results / league position. Could they be more open? Its hard to say as not everything can be put in the public domain due to clauses confidential legal things etc. I think they are very approachable and will answer what they can. Could they have done things differently have they made errors? I'm sure they have they can only answer that as can everybody above. Would we have done things differently from the outside yes speaking personally I would but then again I am not in control of the facts mind so while its maybe relevant without the facts it could be considered irrelevant. I would like to know about the game Sean enquired about sponsoring the delay. Any new leads to sponsoring I would have hoped they are all over pretty much. Was there a glitch something I think that needs to be answered.

Now onto the fans, What got me about Saturday was the atmosphere amongst us the fans it was flat no optimism no gallows humour ( We have all needed that down the years) we didn't get behind the players this could go back to many games this season I am just using Saturday as an example as was most recent of course there is exceptions Boxing Day. Are we quick to criticise? Could we maybe be more supportive of the situation? Above I questioned could players make that run with a crowd fully behind you applauding it id say you are more inclined to make it? Do they play the easy ball as they fear a backlash if it goes wrong? Do we offer and share ideas with the board about revenue schemes? It may or may not be viable but let people hear. The odd curse to your mate or he should have done better is always going to happen at every ground from the Nou Camp to the Avenue granted but does it transfer onto the pitch all to often? football is about views and opinions its an emotive sport its part of the reason we love it I guess.

We are we are due to a number of factors but one thing is for sure we have all played a part in its success's and failures we are not down here due 1 man/ women's  failing its a collective thing something we can all look at an evaluate our part could we all be doing more to play our part? That's something everybody who reads this post can ask them selves.

Now please lets stay in this league starting Saturday!  UTM