v Havant

[jack]

I, for one, certainly enjoyed todays game, despite the disappointment at the end, and the rain. We battled back well from a early goal down, when we looked completely overrun. In fact, if we had a striker who could slot one-on-ones away, we would have been two or three up at the break. By the end of the first half we looked the stronger and more creative of the two teams. Unfortunately the second half was the reverse, as we struggled to make any chances until Rambo’s excellent second goal.
Good performances by Rambo and also Loui (despite not finding the net), Baker on his return (great diving heading in the first half), Pullen (best player this month) and Green. A little disappointed in Robinson, who got into a couple of good positions but perhaps took one touch to many.
Regarding the League position, its pleasing to see us move up a spot, but apart from Maidenhead its still to tight to call. We are certainly fighting well, and I can’t see us losing to many games, but its hard to guess a safety figure still.

[alan]

I thought it was great to see that after the initial 20 minutes of H&W's masterclass in passing football, that we remained positive and then got at them for the remainder of the Half. It is true that there were three Loui one on one with the keeper - a lob, or a side foot into the net would've done it. But, a bit of panic on the final touch gave it to the keeper. Darren Bakers header was powerful but at the keeper. Anton wanted too many touches, I think that nobody would have criticised him if he had one touch and then a crack at goal.
We showed that we can mix it with the consistently top placed teams. But, on the other hand, we showed our inability to hold a lead yet again.

[shinless]

Agree, the players were magnificent in awful conditions.
But I am totally baffled as to why the management seemed to shut up shop so early, it didn't help us one bit! Why bring on Hemsley and not Crabby to help relieve some of the immense pressure we were under? Crabby would have also been up against Havants number 2, who had been booked.
Again,well done the [you]players[/you], and well done Rambo for taking our only second half chance so well.

Rob

[cliff]

Considering the conditions and the standard of the opposition that was the best game par far since the draw with Oxford. I was at last pleased to see Rambo doing what he does best, attacking the box, well done. I agree with the comments regarding Anton to many touches, he needs to work the ball first time when the opportunity raises itself, although I am sure that will come in time. Unsure about the Hemsley substitution, never imagined him as a midfield player, I thought he looked uncomfortable.
I for one thought the man of the match was Loui's, once again he worked hard and caused a number of problems for that big centre half. I feel that he needs a goal and like Rambo will probably go on a good run.
My only critisim was the soft first goal, we need to get this sorted, I don't think Hooky commands his box enough. I cant help wondering whether that first goal would have gone in if the defence had been higher up the pitch.
I think a draw was a fair result at the end of the day.

[dripping]

Agree with you Cliff the defence sits to deep and therefore comes under the cosh. If only we pushed out more with Hooky sweeping up on the edge of his box we would not get pinned back so much. Also as Shinless says if Crabby had come on and been told to sit on there right back as far up the pitch as he could I am sure we would have had more of the later stages of the game. We do not defend corners and free kicks well and this is something that needs addressing for next season. Havant's first goal was a prime example of our problems. If Hooky would only demand that our defenders defend on the edge of the 18 yard box and no further back when fee kicks are coming in from any position near the half way line he would find that he could come and collect a lot of crosses without being under pressure. The same applies to corners where the opposition put a couple of players on the goal line with Hooky so we put players in there as well making life impossible for Hooky. Why not let him deal with the players on the line if the ball comes in there as most of the time he will get a free kick if challenged. I am convinced that we might not have conceded the second goal if Hooky had been given more space by his own defenders. Still the main thing is we are playing a lot better and another couple of wins from somewhere should see us safe.