Stratford

[andy]

Just read DJ's report. Russ thinks we were OUTSTANDING for 85 minutes!!!!!!! Ouch.

It just confirms my thoughts that Russ thinks this style of play is acceptable and will win us games. Not the man for me I'm afraid. I don't care how early in the season it is.*cue the barrage*

[Simons]

I don't think you are alone in that. Someone behind the dugout was having a right go at the final whistle, and Russ offered to "have a chat with him"

[Rich]

I don't think you are alone in that. Someone behind the dugout was having a right go at the final whistle, and Russ offered to "have a chat with him"

They did have a quick chat. No heated words, Russ just told him to show him some respect basically.

[optimist1]

Need to start bringing Smile on 60 mins into every game rather than start him assuming he can't play 90. We just capitulated when he went off.
To many poor decisions today defensively plus with the gaffers bizarre sub at 90 mins just shows how we never learn to see a game out comfortably and just invite pressure.
So frustrating to watch the last 12 months, how many games we've lost or drawn in the last 10 mins.
Not sure either what the coaches are bringing to the table, set pieces have no imagination or impact, the defensive coach works off the back of a fag packet, and our style of play just reminds me of Mike Bassett tactics
Anyway at least we have some points in the bank and it's still only September

[Rich]

Need to start bringing Smile on 60 mins into every game rather than start him assuming he can't play 90. We just capitulated when he went off.
To many poor decisions today defensively plus with the gaffers bizarre sub at 90 mins just shows how we never learn to see a game out comfortably and just invite pressure.
So frustrating to watch the last 12 months, how many games we've lost or drawn in the last 10 mins.
Not sure either what the coaches are bringing to the table, set pieces have no imagination or impact, the defensive coach works off the back of a fag packet, and our style of play just reminds me of Mike Bassett tactics
Anyway at least we have some points in the bank and it's still only September

Hickman was limping badly a couple of minutes earlier so presume that was reason. Our lack of players meant it was either Postle or Youssuf and I guess he went with the more experienced.
I think Smile was injured as well judging by the heavy strapping round his thigh.

[Scribbler]

I just don’t get it !!! What is the game plan ? We hoof long balls up the pitch and hope… manning and KD , for small lads , will win you headers… especially KD today, got quite a few flick ons, time after time,but there’s not any other Halesowen player within twenty yards of him, so what’s the point to this relentless, useless tactic?? Not just this game but every game… and most of the time the defenders just head it straight back at us ….. a few times today our defenders wanted a pass out from the goalkeeper.. who just waved them away and launched another hopeful ball up the pitch…. After going a goal up ,twice, it was criminal to loose that game.. and if we continue to play with this style of , I can’t call it football, we’ll loose many more games this season….

[lutleyyeltz]

Platty is doing what the manager has instructed him to do.
I'm afraid that this style(?) of play is what is going to be the norm whilst Russ Penn is in charge.
Quality football R I.P.

[DazzlingDale]

Platty is doing what the manager has instructed him to do.
I'm afraid that this style(?) of play is what is going to be the norm whilst Russ Penn is in charge.
Quality football R I.P.

I have to agree with you Lutters.
I will give Penn until Christmas at the latest.

[TractionJackson]

I feel a bit weird in that I don't think much of Penn but then there was a few moments this afternoon when we were top of the league.

Whereas last year I was a massive fan of the manager but loads of people weren't and we were using the "looks at the league table" argument to back him up.

I will say bringing Yussef on near the end wasn't thr best move.

[piearce9]

The result stung yesterday, primarily because the Stratford players are the most insufferable bunch of <insert highly offensive word here> imaginable.

We invited late pressure on Tuesday, and got away with it, but it bit us on the back side yesterday.

I’m also disappointed as we made so much progress last week and felt like we’d turned a corner after Hitchin. At this rate it could be a stop-start season, just like last season. The difference this time is that all teams in this league are in the same boat.

But after my comments about Yussef on here last week - I do have to doff my cap to the club for getting Ponticelli in. He looks perfect for us and was co-ordinating the front line from the moment he stepped on the pitch. I’m probably about to put the kiss of death on him but he looks like he could make all the difference.

So no need for doom and gloom. The club keep doing the right thing and, if Penn can get this group ticking, it could well be a good season.