Hornchurch (Away) The Oliver Twist Match Thread

[ninestein]

Kabamba scores late on to make it 1-0

[ETBee]

I feel quite disheartened after that. Once we lost Browne (holding his hamstring), then RHJ, we lost all our attacking ambition. We ended up just passing and passing to no effect. It looked as if we were trying to protect a one nil lead. Hartigan dropped as far back as he could and even Stead could have no impact. Probably only 3 shots at goal.

[BigBee]

I feel quite disheartened after that. Once we lost Browne (holding his hamstring), then RHJ, we lost all our attacking ambition. We ended up just passing and passing to no effect. It looked as if we were trying to protect a one nil lead. Hartigan dropped as far back as he could and even Stead could have no impact. Probably only 3 shots at goal.

Why ??? This was a friendly and intended to test our squad.

In many ways, this will probably mirror some league games in this upcoming season and prove to be good preparation for a tough season.

[ETBee]

Exactly. It did test our squad (and DB's tactics if things go wrong) and I think we were found wanting. With only a couple of weeks to the start of the season it's about players showing that they play together as a team and rehearsing routines which result in goals or confident defending.

[Mikel Bee]

Only PSF I've been to so far but the biggest positive for me was how we defended various breaks in our back line which I was convinced was going to lead to a goal. Their finishing wasn't great but our closing down and a couple of excellent saves were reassuring.

The Southend fans there telling anyone and everyone they were going up and how many season tickets they've sold probably shows they see us as a threat. Nicke's reaction to them was golden.

[john dockers shorts]

Having gone to the game it was a really decent workout. We had loads of the ball. Played half the game with a guy called George at the back who we borrowed off Hornchurch, young lad Blower who did alright. Brunt got called into action not even prepared to play due to a couple of injuries, so he suddenly appeared kitted up. We played a good 15 mins in first half with 10.

Of the players out there hard to say who will definitely start in league

Nicke
Harts
GK
OLUWO
STEAD

Clifford looked full of running played well, Kenlock especially second half getting forward loads.

Nicke scored a good headed goal, deep cross from Coker I think and nicke headed it back over keeper.

I'm not sure if our starting 11 will be any stronger than last year hard to say. But we won't be playing games like we did last season with a patched up 11. You could easily say we have 18 players who could be rotated without a dip in levels. DB always says the teams with best defences win leagues.

[djhdjh]

Exactly. It did test our squad (and DB's tactics if things go wrong) and I think we were found wanting. With only a couple of weeks to the start of the season it's about players showing that they play together as a team and rehearsing routines which result in goals or confident defending.

In the regular season will we be playing with only 2 subs and Jack Blower (who did set up the goal with a lovely cross) at right wing back?

Shows the importance of pace in the side, we looked good getting in behind or out wide before Browne and Hall-Johnson went off and didn't after that. But in a real game we'd have had Kanu and maybe Francis out there to provide it even after that.

Kenlock looks like a real player.

Kabamba is so good. 1 chance, 1 goal. Him and Stead are a menace and are going to score loads of goals again this season, they both look faster even than last year to me.

[Ajtheone04]

Losing 3 players in a pre-season game feels like a loss regardless of the result.

Hopefully they'll all be back in training on Monday as i've seen the word 'precautionary' used a few times

[Uniman61]

I am not at the match so not in a position to pass any opinion on the injuries, however I didn't understand at Chelmsford and again today why we only have one sub when we know that the slightest knock we will bring the player off for precautionary reasons.
[/quote

Not sure why we would have two games same day when as Becbee said seemed strange when it any player felt any things he would be withcfawn, but to be forced to borrow a player from the opposition who are from a lower league, Seems bit amateurish. Just hope the 3 injuries are more precautionary, but with one holding his hamstring it's concerning.
Previous username roy57

[WestHampsteadBee]

Playing two games in the same day is fine as long as you make it through the games. It was intended to give 90 minutes to 22 players. Unfortunately 3 had to come off as a precaution but this was not caused by having 2 games as none of them played in the first one. No big deal, just got to hope there was nothing serious but looks like they were all precautions anyway so fingers crossed.

[hoofer2]

Exactly. It did test our squad (and DB's tactics if things go wrong) and I think we were found wanting. With only a couple of weeks to the start of the season it's about players showing that they play together as a team and rehearsing routines which result in goals or confident defending.

In the regular season will we be playing with only 2 subs and Jack Blower (who did set up the goal with a lovely cross) at right wing back?

Shows the importance of pace in the side, we looked good getting in behind or out wide before Browne and Hall-Johnson went off and didn't after that. But in a real game we'd have had Kanu and maybe Francis out there to provide it even after that.

Kenlock looks like a real player.

Kabamba is so good. 1 chance, 1 goal. Him and Stead are a menace and are going to score loads of goals again this season, they both look faster even than last year to me.

I went to PSFs at Hitchin and Hemel. Not sure Kanu is a starter based on what I saw - struggled to get onto games but took alot of kicks to win free kicks.

Coker and Kenlock at left centre played well together. I think we need to start season with most solid defence and start season with Coker.

Will be disappointed if Stead does not start in first game of season. Has been the standout player for me

[letchbee94]

Only PSF I've been to so far but the biggest positive for me was how we defended various breaks in our back line which I was convinced was going to lead to a goal. Their finishing wasn't great but our closing down and a couple of excellent saves were reassuring.

The Southend fans there telling anyone and everyone they were going up and how many season tickets they've sold probably shows they see us as a threat. Nicke's reaction to them was golden.

Yes it was eh hehe

[letchbee94]

Nice looping header by kabamba.
Good we kept a clean sheet