The gap between 5th and 6th is shortening- Banbury and Chesham breathing down our necks and on paper both have easy January fixtures apart from playing each other, even then one of them will get three points unless it's a draw.

I agree about Griff - he saved our season last year when Sandell was out injured for  a long time.
Bringing him on for the last 20 mins or starting with him to rest Sandell definitely helped. He may not have the gas in the tank like he used to, but he always works hard and encourages the other younger players. ​Much as I admire Pratt's ability and work rate, I'm a bit disappointed with his finishing. I thought he would be challenging Sandell for top scorer, but maybe its his busy attitude that frees up space for Sandell. They don't seem to have gelled as a partnership in the way, say, Beano and Gilly did.
 

Sandell joint top in the league at 21 goals (although 7 are pens) and so still in the running for golden boot as he got last season and Pratt  with 11. I was expecting Pratt to be challenging more for the top spot - he's missed a few that I expected him to put away in games I have watched. As you say and I said too, you can't fault his effort though. At least Griff gave us a different option (albeit the old long ball hoof and chase mostly)
Anyway its goals conceded that are our undoing at the moment not goals scored, as others have pointed out and maybe Tindle being back will sort that
 

Interesting reading verging on panic. Whilst we can only worry about ourselves, the reality is, despite our 'loss of winning form' we sit 7 points behind the leaders with a game in hand. I suspect we aren't the only teams with a dip midwinter otherwise they'd be out of sight! Fromes surge up the table sees them playing 2 more games than us already, some teams around us are in similar surplus or deficit in games, so no real point in looking. Just look for the next 3 points.
Goalscorers - Sandell 21 - 7 Pens. Franny Lee anyone? Did you think City cared back in 71-72? No **. And neither should we. Pratt however doesn't take penalties, so on in play goals is a mere 3 behind Sandell, probably will outscore Griff and is far more mobile, so whats all the fuss about. Do we need a backup? - Yes. Will he get much game time while those are fit? No.
So all's rosey then? No. We concede too many goals. Its the one stat that worries me, and when suspensions injuries occur up front we could struggle to accommodate that aspect of our game thus far. But on balance, we've got the best setup in ages and have lost just 4 games all season lets push on!

Happy New Year and I look forward to getting to another game shortly.

** Worth noting that Citys early year slump saw them finish in 4th on goal average.

Last edited by George (05/1/2017 10:36 AM)

toyboy wrote:

George, all your statistics and thoughts are very interesting as always, but you have missed an extremely important and valid fact, that currently we are not playing like the team that started this season like a hurricane, sweeping every team aside with fast flowing on the deck football, nor like the team that swept Poole Town aside in the FA Cup with arguably our best performance of the season so far, nor like the team who if it had not been for the heroics of their goalkeeper would have scored double figures against Cambridge City. The point you have missed is that currently there is no competition for places which creates complacency. In my view we need a minimum of 3 quality new players, one of which must be an attaching midfielder, a no nonsense sh*t house size central defender, who kills strikers for breakfast, and another striker to put pressure on the current front two guys. Agreed we are 7 points behind Leamington with games in hand, but it's the old 'what-iff' scenario that if we had taken maximum points off Biddleswade and Cirencester, which we should have, then 7 becomes 3 points behind with still 2 games in hand. This is purely my own thoughts on the current situation, as like everyone connected with CTFC, I want us so desperately to get promoted out of this wretched SPL and prove ourselves at National (South) level, which I feel certain we will with the set-up we have. COYMB

How do you propose we pay for these players and keep others happy ?  No play and left MaCormack Griffin Campbell Jenkinson Preece to name a few