Lost [ Tue 20th Aug ] v Anstey Nomads, KO 7:45pm NPLD1M HOME

[Three of Diamonds]

I've not seen a team like Anstey, playing with such quality since our old Conference winning one. I'm going to say they played Step 1 football or even better against us for 30 minutes.
We do make too many errors and play at too slow a pace ( get caught in possession) but just look at the quality of goalkeeper they have. Monday will not be like this unless we crash and burn. I'd ask the management team to get the players together on Saturday and watch the video of how Anstey played, then try and put into practice.

[davealbon]

Last night was my first game of the season, including pre-season, so I'll hold off making judgements on the new players for now.

Anstey are a quality team for this level, clearly head and shoulders above us, as we knew they were likely to be. Sadly, they were also a team of gobshites and frauds. They reminded me a bit of Crawley when they suddenly found themselves with money to burn; signed all those talented players who were also complete bell ends.

What disappointed me though was that they were also faster, stronger, fitter, better in air and more organised than we were. A few people have commented recently that we have a team of men this year compared to the boys of the past two seasons, but that wasn't apparent from last night's game.

That said, I thought we actually competed pretty well first half. In addition to the goal, T and Jamal both forced smart saves, and we battled away well although were on the back foot for most of the half. Unfortunately, we conceded two really poor goals, and at bad times too. For the first, there was no pressure on the ball in the middle of the park and acres of space for their left winger, one decent diagonal pass and they're in behind us with a simple chance to equalise. Then the second, just minutes before half time, we give the ball away cheaply when in a good position to counter attack, and seconds later it's a penalty and we're behind going into the break.

Credit to Harriman for changing the formation at half time; I thought both wing backs were too high up the pitch first half and Anstey caused a lot of problems down both flanks (we were lucky it was only 2-1 in all honesty). Unfortunately you can't account for a goalkeeping howler in the opening minutes of the second half (but how many times have we now conceded from a hopeful long ball over the top this season?) nor losing a centre back to injury (fingers crossed for Hughesy, he's been desperately unlucky over the past couple of seasons, really hope this is nothing serious) and having to play T out of position.

From then on we were on a hiding to nothing, and it was no surprise when Anstey were soon 5-1 up. At that point it was a question of how many, but credit to the lads, they regrouped and kept fighting to the end, and we actually had Anstey on the back foot for the final 5 or 10 minutes.

One player I will comment on individually is Jamal Adams, who I thought was a real handful for the Anstey defence despite a lack of decent service or support. Unfortunately the half time formation change didn't suit him and he was much quieter after the break, but I saw enough to be optimistic about him this season - we've already seen what he's capable of with his goal against Corby.

On to Monday then, Loughborough are unlikely to be anywhere near Anstey's standards, but we definitely have some improving to do if we are to get the result we want.

[AFCRD_Dan]

I can’t really add anything more than has already been said, other than if Anstey don’t win the league then I’ll be shocked, they were a class above

Our play reminded me of the early days of last season under Nunn at times. On to Monday.

[sussexdiamond]

I may have been hasty in the heat of the moment but just how many of the new recruits have impressed?
Charlie Green and Jamal Adams only.

When we signed so many Step 5 and 6 players I said at the time it was unrealistic to expect all of them to make the grade. But only 2 is a big disappointment.
Really hope Hughes recovers ASAP.

[davealbon]

I may have been hasty in the heat of the moment but just how many of the new recruits have impressed?
Charlie Green and Jamal Adams only.

When we signed so many Step 5 and 6 players I said at the time it was unrealistic to expect all of them to make the grade. But only 2 is a big disappointment.
Really hope Hughes recovers ASAP.

I share your concerns, but think you are being a little unfair at this stage. I think most, if not all, of Harriman's signings last season were from Steps 5 and 6 and they took us from nailed on relegation to the brink of survival in a short space of time, displaying play-off level form for most of the final few months.

[davealbon]

I'd ask the management team to get the players together on Saturday and watch the video of how Anstey played, then try and put into practice.

Why don't we just show them a video of Barcelona 2010-2016 and get them to play like that? The fact is we don't have the quality of players to play like Anstey, we need to find our own style and identity that suits our strengths. I think that's what Harriman is trying to do, but it's going to take a bit of time.

[Three of Diamonds]

I'd ask the management team to get the players together on Saturday and watch the video of how Anstey played, then try and put into practice.

Why don't we just show them a video of Barcelona 2010-2016 and get them to play like that? The fact is we don't have the quality of players to play like Anstey, we need to find our own style and identity that suits our strengths. I think that's what Harriman is trying to do, but it's going to take a bit of time.

Anything to help out or improve was my point and Barca aren't in our league schedule, Anstey are , and if we can perform half as well as Anstey in most of our games then we'll win more than we lose in this division.

[TheIncognitoKid]

Sometimes you just have to hold up your hands and say the other team was better. No shame in it, but Anstey were top drawer, they passed and moved with quality at speed and a high tempo and scored some superb goals. If they play that well for most of the season, they'll challenge for the title no problem . We're not going to be playing teams of that quality every game and i thought we did try to compete even when losing heavily.
Get your heads up lads and try to play the same way, we actually did play at a better speed near the end.

Conscious i may not be looking at it from the view of a regular fan, but put me in this camp.

Off the back of a horrible showing at the weekend I think we were all looking for a bounceback tonight. Then it transpired we were up against probably one of the best teams we've ever come up against at this level of football on that showing. They were a class above and I think you have to hold your hands up and say fair enough. If anyone finishes above them they'll do very well.

Makes you wonder how good Worcester City must be to have beat them 4-1 on the opening weekend!

[STAGMAN]

Anstey could have easily gone in 3-2 down at half time if it wasn,t for a couple of smart caves , but as you say once that 3rd goal went in they played us off the park for most of the 2 nd half. We won,t come against many teams like them in this league

[Dazzler]

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