Dean Austin

[Irchy cob]

Agreed, I thought Bridge was much improved on Saturday - needs to keep the level up now on a consistent basis. The only thing that slightly concerns me is he isn't particularly quick for a winger and as a right footer on the left he doesn't go outside enough so could become a bit predictable. Promising enough though and is worth his place for his set pieces alone.

[clarkeysntfc]

Bridge > Powell

[Dan]

That's not saying much. Pretty sure Trevor Gould is also better than Powell.

[guest3181]

Is there a "Director of Football"?   or equivalent?

Money speaks.  If the money side goes belly-up, we are not in a good place.

But, if we storm the Table, all is good..... 

I love every one of you!

xxxxx

[guest3023]

I missed the 2nd half of the Cambridge game, due to having to leave at ht to travel to the airport for our holidays. We got back yesterday so I've not seen us play since. What I will say though is that we've been dam wasteful at both ends so far this season, and it is rather frustrating.

The squad has plenty of talent within it, collectively more so than any team thats previously got us out of this league. Forget the 'width issue', we are creating plenty of chances with what we've got. The issue is scoring them and also defensively we are all over the place, conceding good chances to the opposition on a regular occurrence in all of the games we are playing.

Firstly, I think the goals 'will come'. I do believe we will score 80 goals plus this season. Its been a while since I made that prediction! 

The problem we have though is that there simply isn't enough leaders, big characters or organisers in the side. The first thing I would do is appoint a new captain, that player would be Buch. Taylor and Pierre are the best 2 options we've currently got as a central defensive partnership and perhaps if the responsibility of captaincy is removed from Taylor it *might improve his own game. We also need to get McWilliams back in the team asap, and get JJ involved again. JJ was very quiet to say the least at Carlisle (and hasn't played since), but him and Crookes don't compliment each other so with that in mind Id shove Crookes out wide where he has arguably played his best football for us. At Walsall he was brilliant, and far more effective as a winger than say Hoskins or Powell have been.

A tweak here and there and we could have a brilliant season. But if Deano does believe that that will happen without addressing the personnel a little here and there he will be under heavy pressure soon if results don't overall improve. Until we've played 10 games though, its too early to judge. I judged us after the 6th game 3 years ago when Dagenham beat us 2-1 at home. Our record at that point was 2 wins, 1 draw, 3 defeats.  We ended up with 99 points!

Good post. Bang on about the lack of leaders/big characters. I'd say this is probably the biggest weakness in the side and has been for a year or two.

It seemed almost every time a goal would be conceded last season, either to go behind or be pegged back, the shoulders would slump and heads would drop. Yes they were in bad form and a lack of wins compounds confidence issues but I can't help but think this was as you suggest down to a lack of character throughout the team. I think DA is doing a good job of building the confidence of the players back up from what has obviously been a very low ebb for some time which also should only continue to improve.

As to the Captaincy, I'd be tempted to give it to McWilliams! Barring that I think Foley would be a good candidate, or even Hoskins. I'm a firm believer that captains should lead by example and all three have good temperaments, are grafters and never stop running - all qualities that are vitally important when up against it.

[guest3181]

Good post. Bang on about the lack of leaders/big characters. I'd say this is probably the biggest weakness in the side and has been for a year or two.

It seemed almost every time a goal would be conceded last season, either to go behind or be pegged back, the shoulders would slump and heads would drop. Yes they were in bad form and a lack of wins compounds confidence issues but I can't help but think this was as you suggest down to a lack of character throughout the team. I think DA is doing a good job of building the confidence of the players back up from what has obviously been a very low ebb for some time which also should only continue to improve.

As to the Captaincy, I'd be tempted to give it to McWilliams! Barring that I think Foley would be a good candidate, or even Hoskins. I'm a firm believer that captains should lead by example and all three have good temperaments, are grafters and never stop running - all qualities that are vitally important when up against it.

Captaincy is more than just fannying around on the pitch, waving arms and playing to the audience.

Why was Buchanan captain whilst Wilder was in charge?

[guest3230]

Your very close associate did he explain why the one man who made the decision went for someone he was uncertain of?

Nope. Not a clue. This was at the awards dinner and I was on the table next to KT and DA.

My guess is they talked through a lot of things and got to a happy mutual understanding and all is good.

Anyway, I just found his response to us conceding interesting. Some managers wave arms, rant etc and others take stock. No right or wrong. Look at JFH, he looked like he was waving flights in most of the time.

[Clarity]

Captaincy is more than just fannying around on the pitch, waving arms and playing to the audience.

Why was Buchanan captain whilst Wilder was in charge?

Pretty sure Marc Richards was captain under Wilder

[guest3023]

Captaincy is more than just fannying around on the pitch, waving arms and playing to the audience.

Why was Buchanan captain whilst Wilder was in charge?

All things that McWilliams, Foley and Hoskins don't do, exactly.

Buchanan may have been vice-captain to Richards under Wilder, who else would have been better do you think?

[Battery Man]

I do think we lack leaders in this team, we have some good players but a shortage of leaders. I think Taylor and Buchs are very similar in that they are quick to blame others for their mistakes on occasion. I am not sure who would be the best choice of captain, but in my opinion neither Taylor or Buchs fit the bill. That said, I thought Taylor, apart from the cock up for the goal Saturday, had a much better game as did Buchs, though Buchs wasn't up against a nippy winger which helped his game.
Foley may make a good captain given a good run in the team, as I think will McWilliams with a bit more experience.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Van Veen would make a good skipper.

[1971cobbler]

I do think we lack leaders in this team, we have some good players but a shortage of leaders. I think Taylor and Buchs are very similar in that they are quick to blame others for their mistakes on occasion. I am not sure who would be the best choice of captain, but in my opinion neither Taylor or Buchs fit the bill. That said, I thought Taylor, apart from the **** up for the goal Saturday, had a much better game as did Buchs, though Buchs wasn't up against a nippy winger which helped his game.
Foley may make a good captain given a good run in the team, as I think will McWilliams with a bit more experience.

IMO Taylor spent too long complaining to the referee every time he got outmuscled in an aerial contest with their forward.

Having looked back at some of the goals we have conceded whilst he's been here, it's a common theme (Colchester goal being a recent example).

Needs to be a lot stronger in this league.

[everbrite]

I do think we lack leaders in this team, we have some good players but a shortage of leaders. I think Taylor and Buchs are very similar in that they are quick to blame others for their mistakes on occasion. I am not sure who would be the best choice of captain, but in my opinion neither Taylor or Buchs fit the bill. That said, I thought Taylor, apart from the **** up for the goal Saturday, had a much better game as did Buchs, though Buchs wasn't up against a nippy winger which helped his game.
Foley may make a good captain given a good run in the team, as I think will McWilliams with a bit more experience.

You have answer above from Deepcut - van Veen! I can see him now pointing fingers and scowling at the defence, even cajoling them. Elect him now.

[guest2677]

You have answer above from Deepcut - van Veen! I can see him now pointing fingers and scowling at the defence, even cajoling them. Elect him now.

A natural leader of men. He's come here to save us.

[Dr Feelgood]

Austin Out!!!!!

[GrangeParkCobbler]

3 wins in 13 games, only 1 in 8 this season......for all the pretty football the results aren't that pretty.

[Dr Feelgood]

Chelts is a huge game.
Lose that and hes done.

[guest3230]

It is a pretty big game on Saturday. It's going to be a low crowd, wonder if it may drop below 4,000? Need a result otherwise things may slowly turn.

I think we will win and comfortably.

[WasRambo]

I genuinely want the guy to succeed but this isn't a great start to the season.

As for his post match interviews, totally boring and devoid of inspiration. Maybe thats just his personality but its the same thing every time. Looking to the floor, shrugging shoulders. Looks like he has no idea whats going on...

[Manwork04]

He'll be gone by bonfire night.