O/T St Neots watch

[Formic]

I went along to see them face local rivals Biggleswade Town yesterday, and saw them drop more points as the pressure of being favourites for promotion seems to be affecting them on and off the pitch.

Biggleswade had to play three-quarters of the game with 10 men, yet coped much better with the wind that affected the game. The Saints fans were getting a bit disgruntled, with plenty of calls to players and management on how to play the game, who should be brought on etc. The St Neots chairman then had a go at the fans on their forum - never a good move....

They also seem to have problems behind the scenes, with their website being taken down and no replacement available over the busy Easter period - not exactly something a club would normally do at this stage of the season.

Slough have narrowly missed out on promotion for the past couple of seasons, and that experience might mean that St Neots end up in the playoffs rather than going up automatically.

I really enjoyed the game yesterday, as a neutral - far more than recent games I've watched in higher leagues.

[BartonRaz]

It was I that pulled him up on what he was saying on the St Neots forum. I tried to put it in the most respectful way possible, but I find some of the things he comes out with on there thoroughly baffling. It's almost as if he is telling people off the way a parent would, and by-and-large they all accept it. I don't know if you saw it, but after the Slough defeat he released a statement on the website that was cringeworthy to say the least, ironically their form has dropped since although it's probably a coincidence.

I've never been one to hide my feelings after a game (as you all well know ;) ) but it seems like everyone has to tread on egg-shells over there.

Anyway enough of that. I saw you there Formic ;) along with a whole host of other faces. I've been to around 10/11 St Neots games now, home and away, and went to both games over the weekend including the away trip to Marlow. They appear to be choking badly at the final hurdle and i'm not convinced the manager knows how to rectify it. At Marlow who are bottom of the league, they only managed one shot on target and that came with about 5 minutes to go. They really should have lost the game. With 3 games left against considerably weaker opposition they need to pick their performances up or risk another season in that division which would be a travesty considering how talented their squad is.

[Formic]

I saw your reply on their forum - and agree with what you said. We've seen with Ladak what impression it can give if a chairman starts arguing with the fans on an internet forum.

I think both of the teams I saw yesterday would do well in the league above if the various dire games I've seen at Bedford are anything to go by - I saw Bedford v Banbury on Saturday and it was a total borefest with no sign of any skill on either side. The gates at St Neots are pretty impressive compared to many at the level above too.