[ Sat 1st Mar ] v Newport Pagnell Town, KO 3pm UCLP AWAY

[BartonRaz]

To be fair to Ling, he's had some alright games, but today he had an absolute stinker and I'm always nervous when he comes anywhere near to the box, its like he has a phobia to it or something, I don't what it is, but he just can't seem to do anything right when he's in it and it probably should go without saying, he is one of the worst finishers I have ever seen. Sorry to be harsh to the guy, but like Faz, I don't think these players should be starting games after their recent form.

Don't like digging out individuals at this level but it's hard to disagree with that. Koriya is a totally different player to the one we signed. I defended Ling on here in the face of major criticism post-St Andrews but in reality he's offered us very little since he joined the club. 2 assists and 0 goals in 16 appearances says it all really. To put that in perspective Lance Allen made 4 assists and scored twice in 11 appearances, 9 of which were from the bench (and I suspect half of those were 2/3 minute cameo's). Problem is our squad is so thin that we don't really have the options available that we might like.

The stats on the OWS make interesting reading generally. Assuming today's game isn't included in the stats then I believe Dunkley has 27 assists and 22 goals in 37 games. How's that for contribution?

I heard the whispers going around the ground regarding King. He's clearly a very complex guy.

[BartonRaz]

By the way was that the first direct free-kick we've ever scored? Can't think of another one in a competitive game although I think Dunkley scored one against Ampthill in pre-season.

[Formic]

By the way was that the first direct free-kick we've ever scored? Can't think of another one in a competitive game although I think Dunkley scored one against Ampthill in pre-season.

Matt Gearing scored one at Buckingham last season - but they are certainly pretty rare.

[rudolph_hucker]

with some weak performances from Taylor, Koriya, Ling but a bit of quality from Bunts for the goal gave us three points.

I actually thought Taylor worked hard today. Some good balls in especially in the first half.

[Pete]

Surely players should be working hard as a given? It doesn't mean they didn't have a poor game. Plenty of poor decisions in the final third by the already mentioned players. I find it odd that some players have got better since they've been at the club but I would say certainly two and probably three of the starting eleven today have gone backwards in development terms since they signed. Perhaps it's hard to judge people on such a difficult pitch but still, not playing the easy ball again and again became a little tiring.

[rudolph_hucker]

Surely players should be working hard as a given? It doesn't mean they didn't have a poor game. Plenty of poor decisions in the final third by the already mentioned players. I find it odd that some players have got better since they've been at the club but I would say certainly two and probably three of the starting eleven today have gone backwards in development terms since they signed. Perhaps it's hard to judge people on such a difficult pitch but still, not playing the easy ball again and again became a little tiring.

Fair comment, ok I thought he worked "harder" than some of the others.

[Olly]

By the way was that the first direct free-kick we've ever scored? Can't think of another one in a competitive game although I think Dunkley scored one against Ampthill in pre-season.

Matt Gearing scored one at Buckingham last season - but they are certainly pretty rare.

Yes I remembered that one as well, not as spectacular as today's though, not that its a competition. Most of the time at this level I'd rather they didn't shoot tbh, often when they line up for a direct freekick in the UCL you know its only going in one place, miles over the bar, but fantastic to see Bunts buck that trend today

[SouthRushdenJFC]

I don't think we are looking at the whole with Greg Long. He'd not played for five months before joining us and hasn't been able to benefit from a week in week out run of games due to postponements. This is effectively his preseason.

He also gives us balance being left footed and I don't think it's coincidence that Matt Gearings rich vein of form had come when he's operating on the right.

That said Greg is clearly lacking confidence in front of goal and I wonder if a couple of matches in the U21's might help.

[sussexdiamond]

I agree that Ling has not performed as we would have liked but I don't think it helps when morons like the guy at Cogenhoe shout abuse directly at Ling near the touchline. It was when Ling failed to beat his full back, well all I can say to that what right does any attacker have to beat his man every time, why not give credit to the defender?

Too many fans seem to think we are still in the Conference and expect the same skill and dedication levels.

[Trek]

Fantastic strike by Bunting. Don't see many free kicks at our level taken like this. I actually thought he was too far out to attempt an effort on goal and was expecting him to clip a ball for Dunks.
This will really be worth watching on video and I know Mal got many excellent photos of the free kick as I was standing right behind him and pulled his leg asking if he had missed the goal. ;)