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1 of 1- Rambler
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Offline - Registered: 02/8/2022
- Posts: 212
Maidstone
Can't complain about the result. We started really brightly, moving the ball quickly up the pitch and causing Maidstone some difficulties. They, in turn, sent high ball after high ball to and along their left flank, particularly to their outstanding Number 9 who caused us all sorts of problems. This tactic yielded so many corners, I lost count. They pinned us back even further in the second half, using the right flank much more and clocked up another hatful of corners. We never kept anyone upfield as we defended these, so at every clearance they simply returned to o our last third to lay siege. Rather like Farnborough where our defence coped with every long throw-in, we did the same here with their corners. Young Lewis Colwell and Luke Haines were given a really torrid time in the first half, particularly, but they dealt with it well. Nat Williams & Freddie were further under the cosh in the second half.
The real positives for me were: Will Dawes, showing us exactly what had looked exciting to some of us in pre-season; Spokes back in central midfield ball-winning - pulling the strings; and our backline's ability to handle crosses and dead-ball situations over a prolonged peiod of time. Will Henry always brilliant when he needed to be (on 2 occasions),.The final eleven CTFC players on the pitch at the end ( plus Will Dawes) looked to me to be our best starting eleven. Tom Mehew needs game time. Parsons always looks hungry. We've got some talent there....
- Argus
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- Registered: 24/9/2023
- Posts: 92
Re: Maidstone
Not the best game likely to see and very similar to what was seen at home last season - nothing much happening for large parts - a play safe performance. Point each fairest result.Maidstone did not look as strong as they did last season and like us seemed quite cautious/tentative. As the game went on they got on top of things encouraged no doubt by us sitting in and missed a couple of chances that they should of scored.
McClure on from the start? Parsons on the bench? Did they not play in the same team against Farnborough? Was surprised with this selection.Dawes looked bright and looked to be a player who could used more centrally where Bradbury played yesterday. Strange bank holiday game tomorrow away to Chelmsford. Surely a more local match could of been arranged by the league.
Last edited by Argus (25/8/2024 1:04 PM)
- Insideleft
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- Registered: 13/6/2012
- Posts: 952
Re: Maidstone
Missing in action so didn’t see the game, but would have happily settled for a point beforehand. There were some unhappy supporters on their forum prior to yesterday, so it doesn’t seem a happy ship down in Kent.
As for our team selection I’m pretty sure Gary had one eye on tomorrows game as well. We do seem to have some good options - yesterdays bench looked particularly strong, assuming they are all fit.
- Wellard
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- Registered: 02/10/2015
- Posts: 658
Re: Maidstone
Argus wrote:
Not the best game likely to see and very similar to what was seen at home last season - nothing much happening for large parts - a play safe performance. Point each fairest result.Maidstone did not look as strong as they did last season and like us seemed quite cautious/tentative. As the game went on they got on top of things encouraged no doubt by us sitting in and missed a couple of chances that they should of scored.
McClure on from the start? Parsons on the bench? Did they not play in the same team against Farnborough? Was surprised with this selection.Dawes looked bright and looked to be a player who could used more centrally where Bradbury played yesterday. Strange bank holiday game tomorrow away to Chelmsford. Surely a more local match could have been arranged by the league.
Totally agree with that. Did we have a shot on target?
Perplexed as to why we play so defensive when at home, and even more confused why we brought AAH on and didn’t put him up front. Yes we defended well but it’s bleeding Southgate ball. One shining light was Dawes who was excellent.
- Joiner
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- Registered: 04/1/2013
- Posts: 275
Re: Maidstone
Agree with previous comments. For the last 30 minutes or so thought we were more interested in not losing than trying to win. Can't remember either goalkeeper having a save of any note to make throughout the game. Strange how Maidstone didn't make more of all the corners they had especially with their no 4 who towered above our defenders although he should have scored from one corner when he jumped unchallenged.
Keep hearing that Matt McClure never seems to be in the box. My answer to that is if he waited for the ball to come to him in and around the box he'd be waiting all game hence why he has to track back and look for it which isn't the best way to use him. Same when Harry Parsons came on little or no support and forced to go round chasing the ball. As previous comments have pointed out seem to play a defensive game at home which leaves the striker(s) isolated.
- chippy
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- Registered: 10/6/2014
- Posts: 89
Re: Maidstone
It’s only our second game at home but already we seem to be concentrating on not losing. We have two proven goal scorers in Parsons and McClure but we never play to their strengths. They will surely get very frustrated and their body language already shows this to be the case.
If we continue to play the “Southgate” style of defensive football then I for one very much regret buying a season ticket!
I hope I’m wrong but the early team styles from Gary and Joe are not good!!
Last edited by chippy (25/8/2024 6:54 PM)
- 96chipp
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- Registered: 24/10/2019
- Posts: 304
Re: Maidstone
Is this the Southgate that took England to two major finals + a semi? Effective football if you ask me…
- Wellard
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- Registered: 02/10/2015
- Posts: 658
Re: Maidstone
Is this the Southgate that took England to two major finals + a semi? Effective football if you ask me…
Effective, debatable..we’ve not won anything and perhaps could have had we been more adventurous.
Anyway back to Chippers, that style of football won’t encourage the casual supporter to come back, don’t we want to increase crowds…
I can see them dropping off alot with under 16’s now not getting in free with and Adult…
Like I’ve said before we appear to be going backwards off the pitch….another example, anyone able to understand a thing the tannoy announcer said 🤷♂️
- Jono
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- Registered: 24/2/2012
- Posts: 673
Re: Maidstone
Firstly I thought Maidstone looked a Descent side. But like us they haven’t made the start they would have hoped for. They had 3/4 player that looked very comfortable on the ball and could move the ball very quickly. But with both clubs not having the points on the board that they probably deserved the Mindset becomes different With management teams setting up more cautiously. It was a game of huge effort from both sets of players. With very few goal scoring opportunities. If a goal had come in the first half it would have been a totally different game. As many have said Will Dawes looked a real class act. And young Coulwell is looking the part and definitely not overawed being in the side It was a little disappointing not to see Parsons starting. But with todays game at Chelmsford looming Big decisions for Gary and Matt on who needed a rest and who didn’t. And I’m sure a few players needed a rest and like most squads,
it was rotated. All in all I was fairly happy with the draw. And would expect Maidstone to be in the end of season playoffs. We have become more cautious at home with the atmosphere a little flat. It must feed out to the players. But hopefully we can come away from Chelmsford with the result we all want. Good luck Gary Matt and all the squad. Cum on you bluebirds. 😎
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