[ Sat 20th Aug ] v Nthmptn Sileby Rangers, KO 3pm FACPR HOME

[AFCRD_Dan]

I thought the defence was poor today. I can see why Jacko gets so frustrated, he had to keep telling Bradshaw to mark his man on a few occasions.

Robbie Parsons had a much better game today, probably helped by playing against lesser opposition. Although saying that, Sileby tested us.

I think we massively miss Richards & Hoban.

We need to improve A LOT or we'll be in for a long hard season.

[SwildAFCRD]

I thought we were dreadful, but a win's a win in the cup. Thought Parsons had a stinker personally, barely even realised Bunting was on the pitch, but was impressed by Bradshaw.

Be interesting to see if Peaksy brings anyone else in.

[Oundle Diamond #2]

Made the trip up north today, nothing really to add to what the independent voices of reason on this forum have already contributed, other than to say that was the most worrying and disappointing display I've seen from an AFCRD team apart from maybe the shocking Eynesbury/Oadby away defeats back in the early years. If we'd lost today, this feed would be 8 pages long already, to be honest I'm surprised it isn't.

We've gone a long way backwards since the last game I watched at Royston - and today just proves that we can't hide behind the "northern league is harder" excuse that has been banded around willy nilly on this forum for the capitulation.

Still, we're still in the FA Cup (somehow), and the league season is still fresh, change is still possible...

[StaceyH]

Sure, we weren't great yesterday but all this negativity isn't helping. Peaksy, rightly, asked the players for a reaction following Tuesday night's defeat and some of them gave him that - Jack put in a shift, Nabs showed us exactly what he's capable of.

It wasn't all bad, there are still a couple who need to have a serious look at their game and attitude but overall I'm pleased we're through to the next round, bit of prize money in the bag and, hopefully, a little bit of confidence restored.
Training this week will be interesting before the trip to Carlton next weekend. The lads need our support so let's get as many there as we can.

[corby diamond]

That's one thing I like about peaksy, he's honest in his interviews and he knows the weaknesses. They will know they defended poorly yesterday and yes it was shocking at times. The first few games at the start of the season are always shaky, the players are still bonding and I have confidence that they will pick up. Obviously the lads will have to step up massively against Hornchurch to progress but I am confident as long as they play like they are capable of.

Hopefully at Carlton next weekend they can take this win and turn it into 3 points.. Which will be valuable towards the bank holiday and Hornchurch game, which in my opinion the cup is more important than the league at this point of the season

[discodunk]

corby diamond...when you say"play like there capable of" what do you mean?....this group of players haven't produced a decent performance yet!!we have got to find some better players fast ......I think this is the level of players our management can attract(not calling for the managements heads ,just being realistic) if jacko keeps going in like a wilderbeast he will spend much of this season getting injured,,,,liam looks as though hes baby sitting aiden(I know this is the way forward but we should have covered that position by now,right back,and brought aiden on a few games until he was confident).the back four look like scarred rabbits when someone goes at then,,,,,WHY?......NO MIDFIELD BACKING THEM UP....and when we do get forward ,and loose the ball,we don't get back(or cant) .....much to do management team....good luck

[Three of Diamonds]

IMO the point of pre season is to get the team together and get it bedded in and playing together, not wait for the season to start or chop and change triallists. The management have to be asking themselves, are the players we have good enough? I have every confidence they are considering all the options.

[bozzer]

Interesting to compare team with the corresponding match last season

GK Finlay - Finlay
2 Harris - Bradshaw
3 Brown - Brown
4 Gordon - Ashton
5 Dolman - Dolman

So defensively that looks at least as strong if not stronger

6 Quigley - Harris
7 Spriggs - Parsons
8 Bunting - Bunting
11 Hoban - Evangelinos

not quite as strong

9 Lorraine - Lorraine
10 Berwick - Shariff

I would say Shariff makes it a stronger

So on paper i would say we were probably about as strong, being stronger in some areas and less so in others, so i don't think you could argue there is a lack of quality, the quality is there on a par as it was last season.

Of course it's all about opinions.

[Curly]

I know it's about opinions but we're so much poorer than at this point last season. For me there's far too many players in the squad that are simply not good enough, coupled with the loss of form of bully, Jack's and bunts who are our spine, it looks bad. We're badly lacking wide players, Robbie can do a job there but no more and evangelinos is way off any winger we had last season including Hall.

[BartonRaz]

Interesting to compare team with the corresponding match last season .

Interesting way of looking at it I suppose, but a list of names doesn't take form and player depreciation into account.