I know its easily to make a scapegoat out of someone who missed a penaly, but the fact is Adie Hayes was the reason we lost today. He didn't win a header in the air and didn't give a decent pass, he's very one footed and to cap a great afternoon he takes a bad penalty (although credit their keeper). The whole team had a bad day not helped by one of our supposed better players playing so badly. I can't believe we paid money for him from the farmers. I ask the question has he played a good game for City yet? I hope lessons are learned from today and radical team changes are made for Tuesday.
Out of interest how many people are going to Ilkeston on Tuesday, because everyone i've spoken to is not, and i've heard the bus is cancelled.
You are right , its easy to look for a scapegoat. I agree Hayes was below par today but blaming him for the defeat is a bit unfair. Today City were collectively very poor. Barely anything was created against a Halesowen side who were , lets face it , ordinary. City didn`t get going today, too many players were anonymous or had bad games. The midfield was piss poor and as a result Wilkin / Collins and co got no service to speak of. However , blaming Hayes totally is a bit unjust. He wasnt the only midfielder wearing a white shirt out there. The penalty was quite well struck but give their keeper some credit, it was a decent save. To be honest , a point would have been one more than we deserved on todays performance. I rate myself as a supreme optimist, but I`m beginning to wonder where the amount of goals necessary to keep us in the Premier, are going to come from. Offensively we were rubbish,
Funny how we see the games in different ways. I have always been 100% behind Nightingale playing instead of Hayes, but to be fair, Hayes put some great through balls and showed some good on the ball control....and his penalty was fine, the keeper did well.
Whats bugging me is the lack of speed and direction up front. Collins may have scored the winner on Tuesday and was the hero but he really doesn't do enough to keep his place. I am beginning to think it's worth starting with Kev or Leon in the middle and play Thacker or Jenner alongside, someone with enthusiasm, pace and knows what to do when faced with goal. Collins had two good chances today and didn't deliver. He lacks pace and doesn't take on players as I'd expect him to.
We play the "pump the ball in the box" game too often, instead of creating shooting chances on the edge of the box. These chances would come from more midfield forward play, which sadly doesn't happen enough.
Wooding played some great balls through and split the defence more than once, but we were inept in finishing. Also thought Shane & Jack played well
We may have lost to a poor team, (and in the end became the poor team ourselves) but we did have chances and could have won the game.
The squad is still a good one but we lack pace up front in the middle and midfield still does too much watching, and high balls to front players should BE BANNED.
The team was disjointed again, and maybe reflects the amount of time they spend together training.??
I agree,to a point. Yes,we do look as though we will struggle to score. But we were poor all over yesterday. Certain members of the back four were guilty of ball watching throughout the game.Don't forget we were lucky to get away with 1-0 they hit our post twice. I feel sorry for Jack Wignall playing at right back,it must be a nightmare being left alone to defend the right flank.
Don't get carried away by the recent results,our goalkeeper has kept us in three of the undefeated games.
It has to be said that with the exception of Wilson, none of the players signed by this manager are up to the standard required for this division.
Your closing comment about batches signings not up to the standards required for this division, is it not better to look at the man who signed them and ask the question is he up to the standards required for this division??
At the end of the day the most important people at the football club, Hamilton and George, will look after Stuart Hamilton and Jeremy George first and the football club second. With them in charge it is only going to be possible to have second class Managers as a stronger and more experienced manager would challenge their authority. Sadly even with money from the sale of Milton Road our progress is capped.
In my opinion I think you are so wrong about Jez George. Since he came to City he has brought in 100,000's of pounds through sponsorship and commercial activities, without his input City would have folded years ago, he works terrifically hard and he has done us nothing but good. It's not George who feels threatened by employing an experienced manager it's Hamilton and it's he as Chief Executive who makes the final decisions at Milton Road, it's his power that would be under threat, make no mistake about that.
You really don`t know what you`re talking about do you Ken?
There is no one at the the club that is more committed to the cause than Jez. He is the best thing that has ever happened to Cambridge City, he works tirelessly to promote the club, raise its profile and bring sponsorship to Milton Road. I`ve spoken to him at the club many times (I take it you haven`t , Ken?) and his enthusiasm for our club is second to none. Lets not forget also his envolvement with the youth and reserve teams , both of which are unbeaten this season , the reserves are third in their league. That reflects really well on Jez.
I suggest you keep your narrow-minded opinions to yourself "ken" , you obviously know nothing about the club.
Name ANY managers in history that have turned a side around in 8 months - if you can they can be counted on one hand. a good club needs stability with a good forsight. Batch knows all the youth - he coaches them and has helped set up such a good policy.
Ok the results have not gone to plan so far, but dont be like other supporters, we have always finished just above the relegation zon and need LONG term plans, the only way to do this is long term stability.
I think a young intelligent stable coach with who is a good coach and an interest in the club, not just a short term interest in the club is the right way.
Look at all the successfull clubs and all have long term coaches or managers, sure we all want to win every game but look at it from a BIG picture.
Ian Painter, Hednesford Town manager. Took over in the summer a Hednesford side that saved itself from relegation on the last day of last season. Now they are riding high in third place. There you are, a turn-a-round in three months.
The difference between our Manager Batch and Painter is that Painter is vastly experienced, whereas Batch isn't, he's a rookie and while that isn't his fault, a rookie is not what we need to turn our club around.
We took on Daniels (a rookie), he was a failure and was effectively pushed out. We then had Tovey (another rookie), while he had some success he was eventually pushed out, see a pattern emerging? Now we have Batch (yet another rookie), he will no doubt be allowed to bumble along by the powers that be for 2/3 years then he will be pushed out too and we will be back to square one yet again and another few years of wallowing behind us....believe me, stability isn't in this clubs vocabulary.
Yes, Dave Batch may well be an excellent coach, but that's not the same as being an excellent manager. Coaching can be taught in books and on courses, good management cannot, that comes with experience only. While every manager has to learn the ropes somewhere, Milton Road is not the place, we need a manager who has done his "basic training" already, we can't afford more years wasted otherwise there will be nobody watching at anymore.
Painter is one to watch, I also think he has what it takes to move up another level.
Me, I'm more concerned about who appoints our Managers as they steer clear of seasoned professionals and like others have said, prefer rookies. Batch's appointment was too matey for my liking and leaves the club open to critism.
To his credit Dave Batch has done well assembling a good squad of players. Its a pity he can't get the best out of them as they must be on good money.
John Taylor hasn't done badly for the U's given his budget.