MATCHWATCH : Wrexham (a)

[Hound]

Yes, last season, there seemed to be a special bond between players and fans unseen for years, despite the off field drama and it was great to see the academy lads step up and almost nick a play off spot against all odds, no wonder this season feels so flat.

I agree. I think there was also the element of 'we're all united against Dai' going on leading to connection between all areas of the club that wouldn't've existed otherwise. This connection has rapidly dissipated as people's attention has shifted towards transfers and with the new expectations as a result of the ownership change.

It's not impossible to get back to where we were in terms of connection, but it will take effort from the various stakeholders in the club.

cough

Perhaps perversely I can see us struggling a bit. I cannot help but think having someone external for the squad to focus on has raised efforts in some places. While I trust in the people who brought in the League 1 squad two summers ago, we saw how hard it was to find appropriate players this Spring - Bodin might still come good, Carroll barely figured. There's huge holes in the squad - at least one striker, at least one winger, at least one centre back. We've stripped the youngsters out to plug gaps this year, so I can see a relative lull in players coming through for maybe a season.

So yeah, 20% chance of a perfect storm of failing to replace, energy levels slump after two years of backs against the walls efforts, lack of effective youngster cover.

It's a risk I think the club management has to prepare for.

Yes well called

I think there were some funny/poor decisions with contracts. Prob should have done more to keep Wareham who was a big character. Prob didn’t need both Doyle and Fraser - even though I like them both. Would rather have gone with Dorsett and Ryan than Jacob. Don’t think Kyeweera is any better than Kelvin or Camara (though he seems a good lad and interacts with the crowd)

Too many players overall, many of last seasons central figures either gone (Mbengue, Smith, Bindon, Wareham, Knibbs), sidelined (2 Kelvins, Camara, Rushesha, Garcia) or off form (Savage, arguably Wing) for one reason or another. And replaced by loans and journeymen who aren’t any better than those dropped/as good as those sold

And the football isn’t consistently any good. 29% possession at home to Orient.

[leon]

I agree. I think there was also the element of 'we're all united against Dai' going on leading to connection between all areas of the club that wouldn't've existed otherwise. This connection has rapidly dissipated as people's attention has shifted towards transfers and with the new expectations as a result of the ownership change.

It's not impossible to get back to where we were in terms of connection, but it will take effort from the various stakeholders in the club.

cough

Perhaps perversely I can see us struggling a bit. I cannot help but think having someone external for the squad to focus on has raised efforts in some places. While I trust in the people who brought in the League 1 squad two summers ago, we saw how hard it was to find appropriate players this Spring - Bodin might still come good, Carroll barely figured. There's huge holes in the squad - at least one striker, at least one winger, at least one centre back. We've stripped the youngsters out to plug gaps this year, so I can see a relative lull in players coming through for maybe a season.

So yeah, 20% chance of a perfect storm of failing to replace, energy levels slump after two years of backs against the walls efforts, lack of effective youngster cover.

It's a risk I think the club management has to prepare for.

Yes well called

I think there were some funny/poor decisions with contracts. Prob should have done more to keep Wareham who was a big character. Prob didn’t need both Doyle and Fraser - even though I like them both. Would rather have gone with Dorsett and Ryan than Jacob. Don’t think Kyeweera is any better than Kelvin or Camara (though he seems a good lad and interacts with the crowd)

Too many players overall, many of last seasons central figures either gone (Mbengue, Smith, Bindon, Wareham, Knibbs), sidelined (2 Kelvins, Camara, Rushesha, Garcia) or off form (Savage, arguably Wing) for one reason or another. And replaced by loans and journeymen who aren’t any better than those dropped/as good as those sold

And the football isn’t consistently any good. 29% possession at home to Orient.

we're not great no. To be expected from a squad in transition but I'm hoping the rate at which we improve increases dramatically because at best we don't look convincing. Despite what certain experts on here say.

[South Coast Royal]

Have just read Hunt's comments in the Chronicle about the Wrexham game.
I know managers always talk up things but to say that we were "fantastic" against Wrexham is just delusional.

We made more of the running in the first half and had 2 chances-"fantastic" for a 0--0, what would it have been if we had scored one or two goals as "fantastic" is pretty high in the complimentary stakes.
There was very little comment about the second half other than the implication that Wrexham's goals were a bit jammy.
Also MOM takes all the knocks and in doing so means our other players benefit-really?

Maybe he has been receiving hype lessons from the owners although I haven't heard lately from them whether Hunt is doing a fantastic job or indeed that he has their full backing.

[Snowflake Royal]

I agree. I think there was also the element of 'we're all united against Dai' going on leading to connection between all areas of the club that wouldn't've existed otherwise. This connection has rapidly dissipated as people's attention has shifted towards transfers and with the new expectations as a result of the ownership change.

It's not impossible to get back to where we were in terms of connection, but it will take effort from the various stakeholders in the club.

Mainly it will take effort from the fans themselves

yeah like showing up for games

Would think rather the opposite in your case

[RG30]

Opta now credited Sam Smith with the 2nd goal for anyone that cares.

[Snowflake Royal]

Opta now credited Sam Smith with the 2nd goal for anyone that cares.

Header looked over the line to me, whilst it looked an awful lot like Smith fouled to get it over the line.

[Orion1871]

I agree. I think there was also the element of 'we're all united against Dai' going on leading to connection between all areas of the club that wouldn't've existed otherwise. This connection has rapidly dissipated as people's attention has shifted towards transfers and with the new expectations as a result of the ownership change.

It's not impossible to get back to where we were in terms of connection, but it will take effort from the various stakeholders in the club.

Mainly it will take effort from the fans themselves

yeah like showing up for games