Leatherhead (a) - FA Trophy 2nd Round

[BevereeMaster]

What seems to be a common occurrence under Jules is there is no real middle ground we either go on win streaks or serious losing streaks.

Needs to mix it up and fast, still not sold on Deadfield in a step 2 midfield.

[TW10]

"still not sold on Deadfield in a step 2 midfield."

The reality is we are not really a step 2 team

[Tony]

This was always going to be a potential banana skin of a game and we stepped right on it within a minute of kick off. Ince was ruled out injured in the warm up which meant Robertson came in and left four on the bench. The Ince saga needs to be brought to an end. We gambled on him ( and Grego-Cox) getting fit to play enough games to have an impact on the season but this must now be plain to all that the gamble won't pay off. How we can extricate ourselves from this I don't know, perhaps we can't. What was clear today with a midfield three of Robertson, Deadfield and Atkinson we had little forward impetus and struggled to win the midfield duels. Going forward was ponderous and in the first half resulted in just one half chance for Gardner which Leatherhead smothered. Kader out wide or up front was anonymous and new lad Dixon had very little to work off. We looked vulnerable to crosses all day although our keeper looked sound. He could nothing about Leatherhead's two goals though. Both came down our left flank where we looked rather open all game until Mason was brought off and Sayers plugged the gap. Credit to Leatherhead on the first with a good cross met by an equally good header. The second came from a similar position after a weak clearance gave the ball back on the edge of the box. No surprise that Jules rang the changes at half time, Fasanmade and Silva coming on for the hapless Robertson and Kader. Fasnamade immediately carved a chance for Dixon but his close range shot hit the keeper. We were more lively going down the slope but clear cut chances were few. Leatherhead defended well and were always a threat in our box. Rodari and Parkinson also came on but with little impact. We hit the post in stoppage time but nearly conceded a third but for a great save. On paper it should have been a side capable of winning the tie but on the day we looked no better a standard than Leatherhead. Their more settled side compares to our constant chopping and changing so you could argue lack of familiarity played a part in the defeat. But we weren't good enough in individual battles and if this doesn't improve we might do well to sign a couple of players from today's opposition.

[Lord Elpus]

Let's get the formalities out of the way first...Leatherhead thoroughly deserved their win and good luck to them in the next round. You can see why they're top of their league.
Onto us...that really was absolutely dreadful. Better be careful what I say, but there are no excuses for looking second best, slow, predictable and clueless against a side two divisions below, however decent they are.
Despite being named as starting, Ince was withdrawn very late indeed and is still clearly not fit enough yet. Will he ever be, and how long are we going to continue with this? Otherwise we fielded a pretty much full strength side, so no excuses there. After a shocking start where we were a goal down almost immediately we then quickly conceded a second, and you could see we didn't have the heart for mountain climbing or miracle working after that. Not one meaningful attempt on their goal during the first half tells its own story and is in itself an absolute disgrace. The second half was a little bit of an improvement from us but in truth Leatherhead could probably have scored at least one more.
So we exit the Trophy in shameful fashion. Where do we go from here? I'd start with a huge clear out and make approaches for many of that Leatherhead side who showd more commitment, fight, fitness and yes, skill than we did this afternoon. Our mostly technically good players came up woefully short today and apart from a flash in the pan at Horsham, have done for a while now. I'm sure people will refer to our injury list...well two of them are just taking up valuable space in the squad and on the wage bill right now.
Not good enough.

[Josh2002]

Ince was seen leaving the ground early into the first half. As has been said, think it may be time to end the experiment as it has clearly not worked.

[Tony]

To be fair to Ince we don't know whether it's the same injury or something new but supporters will make their own conclusions unless the club gives more detail.

[BevereeMaster]

Bring back Stan Flaherty might bring some flair to our midfield

[Lord Elpus]

Ince was seen leaving the ground early into the first half. As has been said, think it may be time to end the experiment as it has clearly not worked.

Didn't even want to stay and support a club who have been (perhaps a bit naively) extremely supportive and patient with him? Nice touch.

[Josh2002]

Bring back Stan Flaherty might bring some flair to our midfield

Not sure he’s the answer to our problems.

[TW2-Beaver]

Didn't even want to stay and support a club who have been (perhaps a bit naively) extremely supportive and patient with him? Nice touch.

It wasn't a good look.

[Lord Elpus]

Didn't even want to stay and support a club who have been (perhaps a bit naively) extremely supportive and patient with him? Nice touch.

It wasn't a good look.

Well even if he was told he didn't have to stay, it's still an appalling look.

[Tony]

Jules post match comments says Ince felt his knee a bit in the warm up and decided he couldn’t play. Jules for the first time showing some criticism saying Ince should have given it a go. Better news that Massey and Grego-Cox should be back for next week.