St Albans City (A) - Sat 4th Feb

[Shepperton Supporter]

Lost 2-1, await reports. Just out of relegation zone but for how long? Teams below us are hitting form.

[Shepperton Supporter]

You now have to go back to ten games to find our last win.

[Tony]

Both sides adopted a positive passing game which was thankfully without the long ball tactics we see so often at this level. We lined up 3-5-2 /3-4-3 with Barzey sometimes furthest forward. We started well and Rowe opened his account four minutes in with a low shot which came off of the inside of the post then trickled a long the line and in at the back post. But we couldn’t consolidate and conceded from St Albans first real attack, Jeffers poaching a low cross after 9 mins. Our makeshift defence got caught out a few times looking to play the offside and we conceded a second from Banton after St Albans got in behind on our right. We managed to create some good moves but not the final finish. Second half we made a tactical switch taking off Wood and pushing Kurran-Browne into the CF role, and bringing in Donaldson on the left. We had a couple of good chances from Rowe, Davis and Donaldson but St Albans should have put it beyond doubt as we pushed forward for the equaliser. Julian was the busier keeper. A good effort and we showed that we can pass the ball. But we still need reinforcements.

[Shepperton Supporter]

Thanks Tony for the report. I suppose looking at the league table and respective form, we knew it would be difficult. Hopefully both Inman and Fernandez should be back, Donaldson also which will give greater options.
Recruitment of a couple of good players becomes vital, now is difficult time and we might be forced to fund more than we want. If so, we would want key players who would be with us next season.
Have faith that Mel, with the owner’s support, will prevent relegation.

[Les1949]

No post match interview with our new manager.

[LouisFell]

No post match interview with our new manager.

Has been posted now

[Shepperton Supporter]

Thanks for putting on the interview. Mel did say he hoped to bring in 2-3 players by next Saturday, with the restrictions on loan numbers, these might be permanent signings. Let’s hope these are of sufficient quality to make a lasting difference.

[Jeb99]

Bit of a random one, but does anyone have any idea how St Albans have managed to hold on to Shaun Jeffers these last two seasons? I think yesterday was his 56th league goal in 78 games (Second 20+ goal season in a row) which is an unbelievable return. Watching his movement and play, he could easily play at least a league above. With goal scoring strikers to hard to come by, there are surely wealthy national league clubs who'd have him.

[Shepperton Supporter]

Ref Jeffers , short answer is that he gets a very good wage from them. He lives quite near and left Chelmsford because of the distance travelling.
Agree he’s a good striker, he played on loan for us a couple of seasons back. Wouldn’t mind him back!

[Tony]

Jeffers did play higher but not always a regular. I don’t know if he had a day job but many players can do financially much better by having a career outside football plus extra playing part time. Much less travelling to at NLS level too. He is 31 so probably feels no long term future at League level.

[Shepperton Supporter]

Had the opportunity to watch the highlights, agree we are starting to show signs of improvement under Mel . Both teams had chances to score and Jeffers looks dangerous. With Inman back, the defence should be better and if we get in the right standard players Mel is trying to get we should be ok.