Bedford Updates

[drummyb]

Todd Parker is an interesting one. You can tell he is ex PL academy. Clearly a pure footballer but spent most of his time vainly asking the back four to pass to him rather than lump it.

Nobody else seems able to put foot on the ball at all. Sadly Parker seems to be a luxury player. Happens to a lot of ex academy players at this level. Almost a different sport they are brought up to play in academies.

Hope I am wrong hut suspect he won't have the physicality to do well here.

He's already done well imho. Love watching him and every team needs a bit of flair.

[RobYeltz]

Is there anyone any good in our squad. Thought during preseason we were 'looking good' 'coming along nicely' 'Russ is putting together a good squad - much better than last seasons'. Now one away draw and a home defeat, it's end of the world time again. Reading this is entertaining to say the least. A wave of optimism gone in the blink of an eye.
Just one win and we will be promotion favourites again - such is life

I think people were rightly optimistic in that new players had come in who we knew and had impressed us when we had played them. Tee was outstanding for Bromsgrove, caused us no end of problems and got a move to Rushall in a higher league. Woolacott and Flanagan likewise, performed well against us and all season in a Redditch team that finished higher in the league than they perhaps expected. Throw in Cassidy too who was outstanding at Alvechurch and it's a fair to suggest we should be optimistic. Unfortunately, and for whatever reason unbeknown to me and others is that the squad building kind of stopped there. Nat Kelly on trial was signed giving us a left side balance that was much needed - especially if playing three central defenders, and Booth again was signed despite, in my humble opinion not being at the level required. On our bench we currently have a promising 17 year old kid who hasn't played a minute, a 40 year old GK coach, two (at best average) strikers and a RB Cassidy who when he comes on is being asked to play out of position. No sign of Taylor in recent weeks or no reason why he's not been in the squad. Is he injured? Has he left? Being able to use 5 substitutes now should help clubs with stronger squads - this should be us, but we aren't we're threadbare.

It's very early in the season yes - but in all three games we've seen large parts of the game where we're second best. We were fortunate to beat Kettering, a draw wouldn't have been an unfair result. At Redditch we did well to get a draw really with how they dominated all bar a 20 minute spell and yesterday - wow arguably one of the poorest performances I have seen from Halesowen. This squad is possibly 5 players short if Taylor has gone, the lack of depth is concerning.

[TractionJackson]

He's already done well imho. Love watching him and every team needs a bit of flair.

This.

He's potentially one of our best players but needs a workhorse in midfield to play off of.

[410viawednesbury]

I have no issue as how the team plays as you win some and you lose some, that is the game. What does interest me is how you have only one recognised goalkeeper. If, the good Lord forbid, Platt gets injured then what? A 40 year old goalkeeping coach plays until further notice, that's not the greatest of cover surely? Why not a youngster out of the Academy or whatever the next team below the first team gets called nowadays? This is a,genuine question as I felt that last season we got away with no injuries to the keeper even though it's the kind of position where your prone to the odd hefty challenge or two.

[andy]

I guess with a keeper you just draft one in from somewhere if the worst happens. It's not the sort of level where somebody just wants to sit on the bench for the entire season. I don't think Platty needs pushing, he's revved up enough as it is.

[Yeltzbaby]

I always think it takes approx 12 games for clubs to settle and see where we are against others. Last season after 12 games we had, I think, 23 points. Let use that as a measure of where we are

[drummyb]

I guess with a keeper you just draft one in from somewhere if the worst happens. It's not the sort of level where somebody just wants to sit on the bench for the entire season. I don't think Platty needs pushing, he's revved up enough as it is.

Its the first season I can remember, that we have had a reserve keeper tbh.

[Simons]

I always think it takes approx 12 games for clubs to settle and see where we are against others. Last season after 12 games we had, I think, 23 points. Let use that as a measure of where we are

Needham Market lost their 1st game last season 6-1 but still went on to win the league. Mickleover won their first 11 games but didn't get promoted. Yesterday was bad, but at least coming early in the season, means something can be done to change things. (hopefully)

[optimist1]

One saving grace from yesterday is that it's still early enough to address the areas we need to strengthen and come the Christmas fixtures hopefully we'll be fighting at the right end of the table.
I'm sure Mr Penn isn't at all happy with that performance, it seemed to me wrong set up and wrong scouting info (if any). Bedford were a strong, tall, physical side and we didn't play much to feet in the right areas... between lines, channels, width etc.
All we did was play to their strengths like pumping the ball 40 yards to the biggest defender on the pitch, who by the way had a great game. Once we went behind after 2 mins it gave them even more belief and we were always second best after that.

I do think overall this season will be one without ambition and only an intention to become more established and secure. After the demise of Nuneaton Borough, Coalville Town and a few others in recent times it would be a dangerous experiment to start solving any promotional aspirations with an open cheque book.

But sometimes you need to find the balance, currently with this squad we will struggle in all the cup competitions and end up slipping down the league and, unfortunately, lower attendances.

Finally, in my opinion there are about 6 names on the back of the programme that are never going to get off the subs bench even if we played the lowest ranked side in the Birmingham Senior Cup!

[Brightgoldenhaze]

I guess with a keeper you just draft one in from somewhere if the worst happens. It's not the sort of level where somebody just wants to sit on the bench for the entire season. I don't think Platty needs pushing, he's revved up enough as it is.

Its the first season I can remember, that we have had a reserve keeper tbh.

We had an academy kid on the bench for a bit a few years back (Dan Whitehead?) but not for long. I don't know why people are moaning about it now there is someone though!