V Gloucester

[Oops]

From the horses mouth, “we are not scoring goals”. Just what I said a few games ago, same as last season. Oops, perhaps I shouldn’t repeat that, got berated for it last time.

[Artemis]

From the horses mouth, “we are not scoring goals”. Just what I said a few games ago, same as last season. Oops, perhaps I shouldn’t repeat that, got berated for it last time.

Yet the "goal scorers" he has or has signed and moves on generally do score at other clubs.

That has to be down to Elliott.

Lose on Monday and the pressure is on.

[Prof]

I made all the friendlies and TBH we looked great. Have missed all league games so far due to holidays (but will be there Monday). But it sounded dreadful today and like many my dreams of a fantastic BUFC swansong season to commemorate the departure from York Street are rapidly turning to nightmares.

[oxo]

Just got back and can report it was just as bad as people on here who have not been say. Okay missing arguably our best three forwards but everyone is part of the squad and none of them with exception of our keeper and George Green when he came on showed any enthusiasm, the rest looked uninterested. Ironically we could have two up after five minutes the main culprit being Tom Clare unwilling to go in where it hurts on a couple of occasions but it is not right to single anyone out really as they were all very poor. Our mid field were non existent in the first half and we are sadly lacking in that area. In all honesty we made Gloucester look good. Big improvements needed.

[wayne, york pilgrim]

I have never been one for calling for the managers head and was fully willing to give Craig all of last season and then pre season to prove himself. He has certainly proved himself in bringing in decent players (on paper), who have done well previously. He has also let players go who have gone on to do well else where, but there now lies a problem. Players do well before they come and players do well when they leave.
 It looks like there is a problem with the tactics that Craig is trying to make the team work to. Something doesn't click. Most of last season it didnt click and now it's not coming together again. He needs to adopt a completely new strategy or if he cant then he needs to leave, or bring in players that suits the style he wants them to play (which he kept trying to do last season and failed). One thing is for sure, our last season at york street needs to be a positive one and I now doubt craig is the person to bring that.

[Burgh Boy]

Shambolic.

[Bodge]

Give him 10 games, if we haven’t improved Mr Newton will have to get rid or York St will see a sad ending. thankfully the united club do a dam good pint or I wouldn’t bother Monday.

[Champs next year]

A lot of facts & sense posted tonight re: our start to this season. Their are glaring indications already that if unchecked; this could be a re run of the last disappointing campaign.

Yes, pre season looked promising, they are friendlies, the CN is a different proposition. As already stated; there is a pattern with CE of strikers struggling in his system; then they move on & produce elsewhere? Also his inability to blend a midfield that is both dominating & creative at this level.

The start we've had is the last thing Craig needed after last season. Why that dreadful fear of playing at home last season developed is unclear; but it appears it's carried over to this season? Oxo's match report of players today looking disinterested is unacceptable & again you have to be concerned at the Managers ability to get this group focussed, organised & firing. I said a couple of times towards the end of last season that if CE was going to put a decent side together it would have been last campaign. I still hope I'm wrong but the signs so far are not good. CE has been given excellent support by the Chestnuts financially over 2 pre seasons plus & he's had enough players at Boston to fill the Gliderdrome. I do not think the Board will allow him to hire & fire like he did last season. The next 4 or 5 results will be crucial.

[brummie exile 1960]

Too tired and fed-up to post last night. We were well beaten by a slightly better than average side who had much better ideas about moving the ball forward with purpose. Their No. 7, Parker, was far too sharp for our back four, and according to a couple of Gloucester fans I talked to, wasn't even fully fit! Their No.1 striker, Marlon Jackson was also out injured.
As for our side, Clare looked what he is. Very raw and short on confidence. I think he needs an arm round the shoulder, not a boot up the backside. He has the physique of the textbook target man and could yet come good. Knowles was unlucky with one snap shot, but was otherwise kept quiet. The midfield was a graveyard. When Greene came on he showed a positive attitude, but was a little rusty and needs a starting place in the line-up. The defence had a really bad day. CE talked in his interview of "illness in the side" and I wonder if one or two of the back four are affected. Ainge definately didn't look 100%.
Judging purely on yesterday's showing, this season is going nowhere. Vast improvement is needed. I am a CE supporter but I'm certain he knows the clock is ticking and it is his job to make things happen.

N.B. 1. It was lovely weather for playing cricket, not football.
       2. I thought the referee was above average for this league. He was always in control, didn't book anyone and, bless him, didn't send Greene off for a reckless touchline challenge at the start of the 2nd half.
      3. It was a penalty.Their player was brought down, the ref was 10 yards away and the United players didn't complain.

[semion]

Ainge to me looks a poor signing. Looks to be carrying a stone overweight.  I’ve seen milk turn quicker than him.  Always going to be trouble if a striker gets a run at him and he gets caught one on one. 

Craig’s got 5 games to turn this around. Otherwise it’s the order of the tintack

[The Third Twin]

Ainge to me looks a poor signing. Looks to be carrying a stone overweight.  I’ve seen milk turn quicker than him.  Always going to be trouble if a striker gets a run at him and he gets caught one on one. 

Craig’s got 5 games to turn this around. Otherwise it’s the order of the tintack

I accept Ainge isn't the swiftest, but he's everything else a centre back should be, and he's got confidence on the ball and a decent long pass on him. I'd rather have him in the side than Ryan Qualter, Steve Killock or Tom Batchelor. We've potentially the best pairing at the back since the Pidge, Garns, Mills team. Let's not forget it's the first defeat since last Easter.  it was poor yesterday, and I'm a fan who doesn't like people who aren't doing what they're paid for, but you get these games. Despite saying this, I share your lack of confidence in CE, as it does seem like he's not learnt everything he could have from last season's opening fixtures. Especially given the positive pre season, I'd hoped for a better start.

[Chelsea]

Elliott must go now give someone else  chance before it's too late

[semion]

Third twin, it’s not about him not being the swiftest the guy is too slow and will cost us this season.  Ok he he is strong in the air but on the deck he is putting extra pressure on the rest of the back line who are having to cover for this, when they can.  The guy should be shedding the pounds.  He knows he struggles for pace so needs to be in peak condition to compensate for this.

We won’t go down under Craig but we won’t be challenging for 2-5th place.  York are a shoe in for top spot

[The Third Twin]

Third twin, it’s not about him not being the swiftest the guy is too slow and will cost us this season.  Ok he he is strong in the air but on the deck he is putting extra pressure on the rest of the back line who are having to cover for this, when they can.  The guy should be shedding the pounds.  He knows he struggles for pace so needs to be in peak condition to compensate for this.

We won’t go down under Craig but we won’t be challenging for 2-5th place.  York are a shoe in for top spot

Ainge is on a season long loan, I believe, so he can be returned if necessary, without cost. I still think he's a better player than you, but time will tell on that one. I do agree that if things were to continue as they are, then we won't be looking at the playoffs nor relegation, but our farewell to York Street season could just peter out into nothingness, and that would be a great shame.

[oxo]

I was there, it was not good but bloody hell it was our first defeat get a grip.