The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Awful . No left sided attacker. Diamond wasted. Smith on own a waste of time. Right back caught out far too often. System didn't work. No change? Early days I know but sheez!!!!!

Trying to be positive about the game but finding it hard to. As soon as Slinny took up his position in Bully's face, and we surrendered the midfield, this game was lost.The goalie was head and shoulders above everyone else in quality, and I just hope FBT is back soon.
Saturday could be embarrassing.

But for our keeper, I think it could have been embarrassing tonight. We will struggle to keep him if we play like that

Well that was a tough watch!

First half was instantly forgettable. The 2nd half we grew into the game but we were absolutely toothless in attack and never looked like scoring.

Goalkeeper was super all night, it’s going to be a busy few weeks for him I would imagine with a tough run of games ahead.

1st game and back to hit and hope. We got better once changes were made. But we must keep the ball !

Frightening how the opposition just need two passes right through our team to get a shot on!

To light weight in many areas

Full backs need to speed up in both defending and attacking. Neither one overlapped tonight

How not to start the season. Carried on from where we left off in our last competitive game against Peterborough Sports.

Impossible to understate how bad that first half performance was. We couldn't string two passes together and a few of our lads were stinking the place out. 2 looked like they were half asleep.

An improvement during the second half, but it couldn't really have got any worse. Tshikuna and Lorraine livened things up when they came on but I thought those subs should have been made earlier.

Didn't think Banbury were any great shakes but they didn't need to be. If it wasn't for Snedker in goal, who seemed totally crestfallen in the post match interview, it could have been a major embarrassment.

Coalville next. It'll be damage limitation on that evidence.

So disappointing after waiting so long for a game. Too many just not at the races, yet we know what they are capable of and I expect a dramatic improvement on Saturday. Will Jones must start, he is a man now and does not need to be wrapped in cotton wool. Midfield just to lightweight. I haven't seen Dommett play but on pre season reports he has to be considered. Just hope the great crowd will return. We face potentially our two toughest home games of the season in the next fortnight.

I'd expect Tom Lorraine to lead the line in what will be a physical contest. He gives a good focal point and presence in the box and runs the channels really well when we need to break out. Will Jones is an ideal impact sub at this stage but with 30 minutes maybe against tiring defenders.

Dummett raided forward well from midfield when I saw him if he wants to change up the central three. And Tshikuna was always really positive if wants to play him with Tom Lorraine and Ben Diamond up front.

Andy Peaks will have the best handle of fitness and readiness to play of all the players and will definitely be looking for a reaction.

A positive was the attendance (which then turned out to be wrong) but the atmosphere was flat, maybe to do with what was happening on the pitch.

Formation didn't suit the personal and a lot of players way off it in terms of match sharpness. Thought Jess and Joel were ok, Keeper was outstanding and will no doubt be a very key player this season. Watching the post match interview didn't feel me with much confidence, its easy to say it wasn't good enough and just blame the players for not performing but many saw this coming. Banbury are a good side but they didn't even get out of first gear which is the most disappointing.

Jon Dunham's post match report, speaking with Andy Peaks