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Butcher looks to preserve squad

At a guess, ?280

Gaffers Aftermatch Thoughts

Season Tickets 10% off next season

I actually thought all of the starting eleven played well today. I would have to single out Tokely as being immense in defence today. He seemed to pop up everywhere and was organising everything from the back. After the way last season finished, I thought he possibly showed today that his strongest position is now in the middle (as Butcher has already seemed to notice).

:huh:

Sanchez certainly splits opinion and there appears to be a desire to present him as either useless or the best player we have. In reality he is neither and is simply average. His major failing is to lack a cutting edge, whether it be in front of goal, passing a ball or in beating a player where he seems to get past the first man then wait for the defender or others to close him down without maximising the advantage. Is Eric a better player? Not necessarily, however as I mentioned in an earlier post, as long as he provides some form of end product (e.g. scoting in the past two games) he is likely to be the preferred choice.

In other words we have the basis of a squad for next season assuming we are promoted and assuming all, or most of, the above want to re-sign for the club. We appear to have the basis for a team not a squad. Outwith this group we do not really have the necessary players to replace these listed in the case of injury, suspension or loss of form. Even Eric is a major question with Rooney having to show that he is able to replicate his scoring form at a higher level (I would caveat this with the statement that he has justified being given the opportunity). We have a few younger players who with time may make the step up, however if we are to make it out of this league we are needing probably to add four to five 'SPL level' players.

Yet again a slag off Jud thread (as appears every time he is left to do the announcements). The only reason that Jud ends up doing the announcements is that nobody else is willing to do this and it is unfair to give personal critisism. I agree that we need to sort this out and since Don "left" we have not found a replacement. Something for Darren to sort out.

There is a massive difference between being able to run around for 90 minutes a couple of times a week and being able to perform at 100% effort over the same period. Adding in that most players have niggles or minor injuries which are not allowed to recover between games this all adds up to the fact that players fatigue over time. Take the case of the british cycling team. They have a programme which aims to have the performance peak once every four years (i.e. the Olympics). Footballers are expected to 'peak' over 10 months every year.

Sorted your typo for you

He'll keep getting a game as long as he scores. To be honest neither Odi or Sanchez are up to the mark and of the two Odi is more likely to get goals. Otherwise he does quite a good impression of someone jogging around the park pretending to look interested. Cox was impressive yet again with Rooney, Golly, Tokely, Hayes and Foran all good also. I thought Proctor actually played quite well in the first half but lost his was during the second half. Stratford...........well, it is clear why Duncan is such a massive part of this team.

:025: :025:

I had the unenviable pleasure of watching the game with a number of County and Neutral fans. Whilst none of us thought that it was a stone wall red card, we did agree (including the peg sellers) that the tackle would have appeared to have been two footed. As a result, I'm not really surprised by the appeal failing.

It is apparent from a number of things which have happened over the past month or so that the club realises that there are improvements to be made in the way in which it interacts with the supporters. I see clarification of the stadium ownership as closure of a long running area of confusion. With the positive manner in which Darren has been interacting with supporters via CTO and the reappointment of Kenny C with a view to improving communications there is acceptance that things could not continue in the manner of the past couple of years. Clearly with results improving on the pitch, the overall atmosphere is much more positive than it was a few months back, however there at least an appreciation that improvements must be made. Time will determine whether this is successful, however this is a positive development. If we can just sort out the aquifer, all will be well!

:(

Not if the coverage on the STV evening news was anything to go by! An interveiw with an ex player........why even bother.

It wasn't done on purpose. I think it was very responsible of you to come on here and admit to it. At least the club will know where to send the invoice. Seriously guys, you do yourself few favours and then wonder why you get a (self perceived) hard time!!! I know where you are coming from, but we are nothing compaired to most football fans in larger clubs. It's not as if we are hooligans or anything. Oh that's all right then

As an alleged goalscorer, it speaks volumes if you don't even get a game when your team is needing to score three goals to even get a point.

Slighty off topic, however I was highly amused to see the tinks in the south stand were actually annoyed that Section G were jumping up and down for a good part of the second half. I normally don't go in for all this Section G nonesense, however on this occasion :021: :P

The second half performance was professional. We effectively stopped County having any real chances and made sure that we did not over commit. Three points at this time is more important than trying to score six and throwing away the game. I thought Rooney did ok. Worked tirelessly and caused a number of problems. Will he be good enough if we get promoted.....not sure but deserves a chance.

I have it on good authority that SMEE doesn't actually have any mates :P

We can even forgive the Official Site for claiming we are on top by goal difference only :D

Not sure if you are referring to the football or the non-football antics - I can see a Facebook campaign starting to bring back the Whippet racing

In a defensive sense Proctor was sound yesterday. Going forward and passing are not his strong point I would agree. Butcher must balance the fact that Tokely seems to have lost pace this year (not that he was ever the fastest) and fitness wise is not able to get up and down the line. He does add a bit more in an attacking sense however. Having seen the tactics which County employed against us I would stick with Proctor. The call is between Bulvitus and Tokely for the Centre Half.