Unofficial Halesowen Town FC Forum

So, after quite a bit of discussion on here over the last few weeks about recent performances and results, I'd be interested to know what (if anything) people think we need to change our form. And, dare I say, if we want to kick on next year?

Personally speaking, I'm not too discontented, and would gratefully see us keep this formation/system and the majority of this squad into next season. Perhaps just a bit of experience in the middle of the field?

What do others think?

Up front, I'd be happy to stick with our current three of Ben, Iyesden and Daniels but I think we could do with another player on the bench who can get us a goal or two, in case, like yesterday, one or both of the strikers has a bad day at the office and of course injury.

I've been delighted with this season, delighted we've not been involved in any relegation dogfight and had some cracking away trips.

On the pitch, the strength of this team is the desire of the players and closeness they clearly have. I'd like to see this built upon next season and certainly not broken up. I'm happy to trust Johns judgement as he knows his players better than me, but I think in certain games this season, particularly against the weaker teams we've needed someone who can play that killer pass. As much as I love the combativeness of Fordey, Tonksy and Bragoli I'd like to see us have midfielder who can thread a pass between centre backs and therefore in certain games maybe two from that three would be better. I guess the other thing we could do with is a striker at this level who can get us 20+ goals a season. (Which club wouldn't want that).

I just want to see some entertainment down at the Grove. I think for ten pounds you would be within your rights to expect a little more than watching a team keep banging the ball over the top from the defenders to the forwards. I just want to see something a little different sometimes. That's why I was disappointed that Laity went because he offered something else. A little bit of pace would obviously be welcome even though it will be hard to get. I like the defence. It's going forwards where it gets harder. A ball playing midfielder would be great to add a bit more composure. Christie I like a lot. Really good player but we need cover for him as he makes a huge difference when he plays

I am not really interested in promotion despite my post earlier. I enjoy the days out supporting Halesowen but this season the football has been a hard watch at times.

Agreed Rob, early days I know but we may have that midfielder in the new lad Meese. For me he showed a lot of promise. Just a thought, I think Griff has an eye for a pass. that one pass yesterday in the first half to put, I think it was Iyesden, through was superb

We've done well for a first season at this level. Personally I would have persevered with Ben, all he is lacking is confidence and sitting on the bench won't fix that. Nobody that has played in his place could match a confident Ben. If more 'football' was played instead of the long ball I feel both forwards would benefit from that as well. The real big plus point for me has been the defence. If we can keep that group together, what a great basis to build on for next season. With just a little more quality in the middle of the park (costs money I know) we can kick on from being a fair mid table side into a play off hopeful quite easily.

Yeltz27 wrote:I just want to see some entertainment down at the Grove. I think for ten pounds you would be within your rights to expect a little more than watching a team keep banging the ball over the top from the defenders to the forwards. I just want to see something a little different sometimes. That's why I was disappointed that Laity went because he offered something else. A little bit of pace would obviously be welcome even though it will be hard to get. I like the defence. It's going forwards where it gets harder. A ball playing midfielder would be great to add a bit more composure. Christie I like a lot. Really good player but we need cover for him as he makes a huge difference when he plays

I am not really interested in promotion despite my post earlier. I enjoy the days out supporting Halesowen but this season the football has been a hard watch at times.

Not getting at you here but you say you like the defence, but then say you don't like how they 'bang the ball forwards'.

Having ball playing defenders at this level are rare. If we get some, we'll most likely not be as tight defensively. Curtis can play a bit, I think it's more a need for the midfielders to be comfortable receiving the ball off the back 3 and playing out...II too liked Laity we just didn't have a position for him. Certainly not above Green...

In reply to Yeltz27. How was yesterday not entertaining?. But to balance things, I totally agree about your comments about Iyesden and Laity. I knew I'd become a Yeltz fan when I was devastated when learning Laity had left

RobYeltz wrote:

Yeltz27 wrote:I just want to see some entertainment down at the Grove. I think for ten pounds you would be within your rights to expect a little more than watching a team keep banging the ball over the top from the defenders to the forwards. I just want to see something a little different sometimes. That's why I was disappointed that Laity went because he offered something else. A little bit of pace would obviously be welcome even though it will be hard to get. I like the defence. It's going forwards where it gets harder. A ball playing midfielder would be great to add a bit more composure. Christie I like a lot. Really good player but we need cover for him as he makes a huge difference when he plays

I am not really interested in promotion despite my post earlier. I enjoy the days out supporting Halesowen but this season the football has been a hard watch at times.

Not getting at you here but you say you like the defence, but then say you don't like how they 'bang the ball forwards'.

Having ball playing defenders at this level are rare. If we get some, we'll most likely not be as tight defensively. Curtis can play a bit, I think it's more a need for the midfielders to be comfortable receiving the ball off the back 3 and playing out...II too liked Laity we just didn't have a position for him. Certainly not above Green...

Yes it appears I have contradicted myself. I like the defence as defenders. And I actually think they can play more football than they do. But surely the long ball is an instruction to them as well?

Yeltz27 wrote:I just want to see some entertainment down at the Grove. I think for ten pounds you would be within your rights to expect a little more than watching a team keep banging the ball over the top from the defenders to the forwards. I just want to see something a little different sometimes. That's why I was disappointed that Laity went because he offered something else.

The defence has been generally excellent all season. I agree that the Wimbledon style long ball game and hard-work ethic can be somewhat overplayed and the system can be complemented by one or two ball players. The same could be said for Tonksy's long throws, but actually those have quite often led to goals or chances to score so I guess if you have that weapon, why wouldn't you use it?

It is Step 7 of English football so the skilful player with the ability to unlock defences with a slide-rule pass is always going to be at a premium. Generally, I haven't seen many other teams in this division playing the ball through the midfield; if teams have some quick forwards or wide players, they look to get it to them at the earliest opportunity. An alternative is ball retention and passing through the midfield, but that demands more skill, a lot of work and notably better pitches. I couldn't say that FC United especially impressed with their 'footballing' skills, and were not averse to the long ball and the long throw ins, but they are very well organised.

Given these parameters, however, there have nonetheless been some entertaining games; I accept it for the level that it is and respect the hard work the players put in.