Enfield Town (H) - 28th Sept

[Sparky]

Well, that was fun.

What was really pleasing was this. We dominated the first half, but towards the end of it looked a little complacent, passing the ball around without really progressing it. But instead of keeping doing this in the second half, we upped the tempo and came out with even more purpose. No sitting back on a lead. Great stuff.

First time I’d seen Mauro. Really good. He and Josh work really well together. Both are always taking the ball on the half-turn, looking for opportunities.

And a shout-out to Dom who looked very assured in that centre back role.

Jules, love your ethos, and the team you’re building, but mate, stay off the pitch

[Shepperton Supporter]

Interview with their manager.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIPL2_HgOSs

[geedub]

Enfield have the match highlights up too now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA1krRNz61M
Plenty of highlights for us - not so many for them apart from the shot that hit both posts

[Shepperton Supporter]

Yes the highlights were interesting as for me it gave a different angle on the goals especially the final one.
An enjoyable watch!

[Tony]

As an interesting question whilst we while away the hours, who from last season’s squad would you have started over Saturday’s starting XI?

[Shepperton Supporter]

As an interesting question whilst we while away the hours, who from last season’s squad would you have started over Saturday’s starting XI?

An interesting question Tony, think I would divide my answer into two categories. Those I would have back for certain. Fernandez is the most obvious and probably Inman.
Those I may feel would be an upgrade Pitbalado would be in this Because he would be our own player possibly Desbois but Curd has done nothing wrong thus far. Think we need another striker then Seymour?
It is interesting that of the players that left not many of them are currently first choice at their new club except Pitbalado. Desbois is injured which accounts for him out. Fernandez has only made 2 starts and 3 substitute appearances todate.

[EastTerracer]

Seymour for sure but even his form wasn't so good at the end of the season. Bunmi is doing well but we'll probably need other options.

[Tony]

I wonder if Seymour would fit this system. Most of his goals were penalties and now that we have Roberts to do that role, would the rest of his game push Babajide out of the team? I think Babajide could come good with goals in time but for now he is a better target man to play off than Seymour. Close call.

Not sure Inman would be best suited to the possession game we have adopted but his aerial power would be a consideration (leaving out his friendship with the manager). Fernandez I think yes for his heading ability at both ends of the pitch but then you have to drop one of Taylor or Revan or probably push Revan to right back.

[TW10]

Babajide is a real handful and very entertaining to watch and although not the same type of player id have him any day over Bloomfield, Seymour too if we are playing a lone striker. The entire midfield is an upgrade on last season. Curd has done nothing wrong and is learning and improving all the time but Dubois was exceptional and probably the best in the league, pretty much the same goes for Fernandez. And of course we have a better Manager who plays miles better football. I enjoy watching them this season, last year we ground out results but rarely was it easy on the eye.

[TW10]

Oh and finally Kristian Campbell is a joy to watch, maybe not as solid a defender as Donaldson or Pitblado but miles more skilful.

[Sparky]

Interesting question, Tony.

A difficult one to answer too, simply because this team plays so differently from last year's.

But I can honestly say, I wouldn't swap any of them. Okay, maybe bring in Fernandez or Inman for a bit of strength at the back, but that would be it.

They might not be the strongest physically but they make up for it with footballing intelligence.

Yes Ben Seymour had pace, but after a few games opposition defenders had worked it out, stepped back a yard, and that was that. When Babajide gets the ball and faces up to defenders you can see the terror in their eyes.

Agree with TW10, Kristian Campbell is a good example of this footballing intelliegence. I stand near the halfway line, close to KC when he's playing on the left. He's constantly looking for space, even just a yard here or a yard there, never settles.

It's been so refreshing watching this team, compared to last year's "get it forward quickly at all costs" attitude. We're playing like modern football is played.

Here's one example from the Enfield match. The second goal. We had three players gathered for a short corner. Enfield were utterly confused (you can hear their manager screaming at them on their highlights . That enabled Archie to stroll into the box, get a shot off, and Jake scored from the rebound.

[Shepperton Supporter]

Looking at the replies thus far there would not be many players from last season that would push their way into the current. Fernandez is the only one that most feel would improve the current team as his aerial ability would reduce the vulnerability in the air. As for striker options, Seymour seems the favourite, but as has been pointed out he is not a target man but he would give options up front and we probably could do with a fourth striker. The Torquay game might give us sight of both him and Dreyer to assess their qualities.