The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Our final position is still very much in our own hands. Get 4 points against Leek and beat Newcastle. Easier said than done of course.

With Quigley in midfield and Westwood at right back we will be much stronger than tonight.

Losing to Wittton is no big deal as they have beaten every top 6 team they have played including Shaw Lane. Had we played at least one of the games that were postponed I think we would have come into this game with a bit more confidence, rather than worrying about a possible 3 defeats in a row.

Tonight Witton were so much stronger physically than our guys, so many times our players were literally brushed aside. Very unlucky for Taylor not to have scored early in 2nd half, that would have been a game changer.

Oh well at least there was one bright spot this evening........ at the Emirates and Leek failed to take advantage of our defeat.

Rushden123 wrote:Against a good all round team our performance was actually an improvement on recent games. Still the same players who are not good enough in Harris, Curtis and Lorraine. When u compare the two management teams on the sidelines it's embarrassing ours once again were at a funeral with the only time they said anything was to moan at the ref. My opinion that peaksy's time is up still remains.

Questions are now starting to be asked, as the home record is relegation form. I always ask the question, who could do better, but there would be a queue as far as the eye can see putting themselves up for the position. I think at this stage they should be given the chance to see if they can make the play-offs, but if it isn't achieved then it should be recognised that they can't take the team any further. I think mark starmer realised that he couldn't take the team any further when he stepped down and peaksy should fo ghd same.

In all fairness we weren't too bad tonight at all but the difference between the sides in both boxes was obvious.

I know that quigs has been playing cb for kings Lynn this season but on that performance he doesn't look like one to me, Imo this was a game where we could really have done with his bite in midfield.

We were a but unlucky that their second goal came during our best spell of the game but yet again after the goal it was a good 8/9 minutes before we made a change when there should've been a reaction straight away.

I know witton are a very decent side but it's getting bloody depressing turning up to home games and expecting nothing. Our record against the teams around us is not great which doesn't bode particularly brilliantly for the double header with leek which will probably define our season.

One question I have to ask is if we miss out on the playoffs will there be questions asked because surely that is the minimum requirement

Couldn't make the game last night but was pleased to see Ben Heath get a start. How did he get on?

Also, did Bowen look like his usual self or a was he a bit rusty? I'm assuming he hasn't played much competitive football for a while.

BartonRaz wrote:Couldn't make the game last night but was pleased to see Ben Heath get a start. How did he get on?

Also, did Bowen look like his usual self or a was he a bit rusty? I'm assuming he hasn't played much competitive football for a while.

Ben did OK, apart from a bit of poor kicking, and he made a great save towards the end although he wasn't the best keeper on the pitch as the Witton keeper was outstanding. Apparently their regular keeper was injured and they have tried a few others without success. Witton have, apart from their keeper, used very few players this season and frankly it showed. A very well drilled outfit who will run Shaw Lane close for the title.

Bowen looked strong and mobile and speaking to Pressman pre-match he clearly has had very little football at Brackley so he was obviously a tad 'rusty' and does need minutes. Let's hope he can start scoring against Northwich this Saturday.

Witton were better than us all over the pitch, pure & simple. Not helped by a totally inept referee, he was clearly out of his depth. He made some questionable decisions for both sides.

Our home form has always been one of our best assets, but this season it's been deserted. Personally I think not making the play-offs may not necessarily be a bad thing, we aren't good enough.

diamondgeezer1 wrote:Witton were better than us all over the pitch, pure & simple. Not helped by a totally inept referee, he was clearly out of his depth. He made some questionable decisions for both sides.

Our home form has always been one of our best assets, but this season it's been deserted. Personally I think not making the play-offs may not necessarily be a bad thing, we aren't good enough.

We are now played three, lost three with that ref in charge as far as I can see, with him having also taken charge of the game at Lincoln in the FA Trophy and our home game against Kings Langley last season.

Formic wrote:

diamondgeezer1 wrote:Witton were better than us all over the pitch, pure & simple. Not helped by a totally inept referee, he was clearly out of his depth. He made some questionable decisions for both sides.

Our home form has always been one of our best assets, but this season it's been deserted. Personally I think not making the play-offs may not necessarily be a bad thing, we aren't good enough.

We are now played three, lost three with that ref in charge as far as I can see, with him having also taken charge of the game at Lincoln in the FA Trophy and our home game against Kings Langley last season.

Now you mention that, I did think he looked familiar.