Once again we were second best to a good team tonight and it just isn’t good enough. There was only Ben and Danny Andrews who had decent games. The rest fell well short of the required standard. Both Skems first two goals came from poor defending particularly their second . The winger had that much room you could haver fitted the QE2 in the space afforded to him. Yes we were a bit unlucky hitting the post twice but god so were they! We cannot afford to be giving 3 goals a game away its as simple as that. Our forward line looked weak as did aspects of the midfield. I know the season has been disrupted due to recent events, injuries and also we miss Matty Woods greatly but if we want to spend the rest of the season fighting off relegation then we are going about it the right way at the moment!!! bangwall SBL
I personally thought there was much to feel positive about last night.
We controlled large parts of the game, but Skem’s pace on the break hurt us badly. They were set up to play on the counter, and unfortunately we played into their hands at times. Have to say they look a good team (remind me of the way we attacked in the promotion season - lots of pace down the flanks).
Jon Dawson was impressive on the left hand side, i really think he is a prospect. I would give him a run of games.
Dereece and Kyle looked like they could link up well together. Dereece obviously not match-sharp yet, but he showed some glimpses of quality in the first half.
Connors still needs to get fully match fit, and once we have a few players back from injury he could be a huge asset if we can move him into midfield.
Our first goal was really well worked - with Kyle not giving up when the chance looked to have passed us by.
Confidence is low at the moment, which will result in subdued performances. If Pritch can lift the boys and we can start getting a settled team together then i can see us climbing the table before too long.
If we can tighten up at the back it will take some pressure off the forward players. Once we get a settled back 4, i’m sure we will begin to get some clean sheets again.
I thought some of the football we played at times was good, particularly going forward but our defence couldn’t cope with their pace. Sloppy for the first two goals and yet another Cock up from coops which ultimately cost us the game.
Pretty much sums it up for me.
I think we’ve been spoilt by 2 better than expected seasons. Seasons where not only was the football great, but we had success also.
We’ve picked up a lot of new fans over the last couple of years who are possibly expecting every season to be great, or who at least aren’t used to the seasons of consolidation and/or struggle.
It’s only a few years ago we were spending a hugely depressing season in the Southern League.
It’s been a really difficult summer, it’s only to be expected that the team is going to be slow out of the blocks.
If we can recover and get a top 10 finish this season then i would be more than happy.
Of the games I’ve watched that was probably our best performance. Woeful defending contributed to their goals and why Dawson was replaced - and not Platt - makes you wonder what sort of game the management watch from the dug out. And, bless him for his years of devotion and commitment to Witton, but bringing Mike Moseley on doesn’t raise the hopes of a fightback.
It’s only my third season as a witton fan but personally the only thing I expect is 100% effort and commitment. UTA
To be fair you need to look at the bigger picture, we have Gardner, Sheehan, Hancock, Glover not match fit, Olly James who I believe must have been suspended, Foster, Woods, And tuck gone to pastures new, so to put a team out against one of the strongest teams in the league and give them a good game is a good achievement in my eyes.
Totally agree with GE, Platt had a stinker last night and I would have changed him.
50 points will see us safe.only 43 to go.UTA.
Skem were good on the counter with pace but not really a great team, we are certainly short of quality up front and adjusting at the back Moyo and Connors are not Woods and Gardner for sure - but echoing what others have said how does Platt hold his place what does he actually contribute he tries but its 5/10 every time! its crying out for Sheehan it cannot be about football surely and also I agree GE Why MIke at best now he should be mostly an unused sub no room for sentiment in this game - Dereece Gardner looked more than a bit naive in his play ( there can be palyers on the pitch behind you ) and Im not sure he will be good enough even now but its early days, so for me we are still looking for 2 strikers - on the plus side Danny Andrews seems to have hit his best form, mom for me easy. And lastly on Cooper if he cannot learn that when he is under pressure on his right to put it in the stand - never his fault then - why he choooese to keep it in play causing him to scuff it god knows, he must cost us 8-10 goals a season easy with this error alone and so easy to erradicate! over to you keeper coach ha ha.
Shame about Platt but agree with the above. Whether he’s struggled because of a long summer abroad I don’t know but his chance last night summed up his season. Close but no cigar :o
Considering Sheenz missed the start of the season with being on holiday, and therefore is playing catch up on fitness, then i’m not surprised he hasn’t featured much. The last thing you want to do when chasing the game against quick opponents is throw on a player without the required fitness. If he were to pull a muscle then where would we be?
By Saturday Sheenz will have had another training session under his belt, so will be closer to a starting spot i’m sure.
We currently have 4 strikers on our books. Wilson, Thompson, Gardner and Moseley. We often play 4 1 4 1, so carrying any more forwards would be a clear waste of finance, i think 3 + Mike is about right.
Kyle works hard, and has nicked a few goals for us. The other 2 havent really had a chance to show what they can do yet. I do however think Dereece has attributes which we need - pace being one of them.
Pritch has usually been good at bringing players in, so i’m sure that we are looking at improving on what we have. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a new striker coming in if Nev is out for a while, and ft the sums add up. Strikers will generally be your biggest earners - quality goal-scoring strikers even more so.
Agree with Witton Massive, the minimum we should expect is hard work and commitment. We generally got that last night. We can all be confident that any players falling short of expectations will be swiftly replaced.
Sorry boys to appear pesimestic but in my opinion there were at least 5 players out there which were simply not good enough for this league. We can kid ourselves if you want to, but a top 5 finish this season at the moment is about as likely as Heurelho Gomes regaining the No 1 keepers jersey at WHL!!! SBL
Interested to know who your 5 would be?
Sheehan missed only 2 weeks so did many others i believe and are in the team - Pritch may be miffed that he had 2 weeks holiday at the start of the seeason or may even be showing loyalty to his new player Platt ! so i dont take lack of fitness as a valid reason for him not playing, interesting look at the team to say 5 not good enough ! if we change that slightly and say 5 not good enough to compete for playoffs then maybe :
Platt not sure what his game is to be honest just potters around midfield
Moyo good pace but not great in tackle or going forward
Gardner Looks a bit naive has some pace but caught in possession often
Wilson 100% effort but one paced and not physical enough
Cooper good shot stopper but so many daft mistakes
Thompson Never fit and injury prone ? has shown some good touches in cameos
Dawson not impressed me so far ok - not better than Josh or Danny
Most Would be good squad players but would not get in any other side competing for playoffs imo
interested to hear others views and I am aware we are working to a budget but I am mconvinced we can scout better - maybe too late now as of course everyone wants to improve the team and strikers will be a premium - which is why the poor preseason was dissapointing, I also know pritch will be working as hard as anyone to improve the team and I am still fully behind him this is just for forum discussion - BEFORE anyone gets on high horses ha ha
I can only think of Sheehan who missed the first 2 weeks?
Others missed parts of pre-season, but not the first 2 weeks of the season proper - as far as i know.
Unfair to individuals to name names but it aint rocket science SBL
Despite any management issues with Sheehan I would pick him over Platt any day as he can score goals and he’s a constant presence on the field. I also think Powell had a really good game against Skem, playing a bit deeper suits him and some of his long passing was a dream and he didn’t get booked, or did I blink and miss something.
We were talking about a presence on the field at the game, at times the pitch was deadly quiet and also we kept loosing shape in the midfield, I think more than anything we are missing Sheehans leadership in the middle, but Platt needs time to settle yeah he was awful vs Skem but everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves.
You blinked. Booked at the end for dissent I believe
You blinked. Booked at the end for dissent I believe[/quote]
ffs 
nutter