F A Cup Second Qualifying Round - Crowborough Athletic (H)

[Josh2002]

Did it sound like from that interview that Sodje refused to play? If so, that’s an utter disgrace

[RogerB]

I feel very sad to say this but Alan Dowson’s interviews are becoming increasingly incoherent and rambling. He seems a lost soul at the moment without the strong support that people like Luke Ruddick and Martin Tyler would have given him in the past. I so hope I’m proved wrong but nothing in this interview filled me with any confidence for an improved showing on the pitch.

[Tony]

Sparky, I agree with a lot of your analysis. Dowse picks out only two players that have performed, and one of those, Mather, had been largely ignored until the last couple of games, the one lad who had been signed from a lower league. Basically, it now seems we have decided we signed a squad that is either not too bothered, or not up to the job, so we have to start again with a different approach. Is this what the club wants? I presume Dowse knew something about these players before he signed them? Why did we give a new contract to Ince after never playing for more than a handful of minutes in three years? And then still not play him? We had plenty of time to plan recruitment yet find ourselves here after just 10 games. Are we going to get a positive reaction against Dagenham when we couldn't get one for last night's game?

I know Dowse feels the pressure to put things right but just recruiting more players feels a bit too hit and miss to me as a strategy. We might get lucky, we might not. Surely we need to target some proven individuals who are not just surplus elsewhere, but that is going to cost. And how do you move on our surplus players?

[TW10]

Sparky I don't mind mentioning a player by name..you were clearly referring to Widdrington. By far the worst in a long list of poor signings this season.

[Lord Elpus]

If Sodje refused to play then he should be first out of the door. Ince, and the whole story since Julian signed him, is just a total embarrassment now.

[EastTerracer]

I think Dowse has a lot to offer the club but his player recruitment and motivation of the team seem sadly lacking. I doubt we have the money to keep him on in a different role though.

[Tony]

Recruitment and player motivation do seem to be quite important when appointing a manager!

[EastTerracer]

Recruitment and player motivation do seem to be quite important when appointing a manager!

Indeed, pretty fundamental.