Chippenham v Dartford Sat 3 Sep 2022

[dartfordknight]

I wasnt there yesterday but not surprised with the comments , I think I said before as others have also said , you could see pre season we were weaker. If Dowse is as experienced as he is why couldn't he see it ???? I think all of his signings are weaker than the players we had last season , he needs to act very quickly or this season will be a disaster and attendances will fall very quickly , I for one am not encouraged as a season ticket holder to turn up for cup matches to watch what we have seen so far. I hope things change and hopefully at least 5-6 players are shown the door.

[Taunton Dart]

Well I have seen all three away games in the South West as they are the nearest games to me all season. First of all I like the appointment of Dowse as manager and really appreciate the openness of his interviews. However yesterday's defeat at Chippenham only accentuated my thoughts after the opening day win at Bath.

The team has some excellent players in it and the defence looks solid enough - the main problem is that are spending nearly all the match mopping up and defending as we have no bite in midfield whatsoever. Further forward we have shown very little sign of being able to take teams apart with any attacking play. Pierre did well when alongside Rodari but is not an out-and-out striker - so we need some real leadership of the line.

IMHO defence starts from the front of the team. We need to have a striker who can lead the line and hold up the ball, especially as most of the time the ball is being hit up in the air to the front. Dan is a winger and no target man but yesterday the Chippenham central defenders had a benefit match as they were able to win every aerial challenge until the substitutions were made - the only time they lost was our goal when Tom Bonner got on the end of a fantastic cross from Connor (our other central defender!) and headed back across the face of the goal. Our MOM was on the end to finish - so do we expect the defence to provide all our threat? Charlie came on and immediately showed far more passion for the cause than anyone else I have seen up front. If we have a fit Charlie then things can improve as he was really effective. Alex Wall on the other hand seemed to spend more time standing around watching and having nasty little niggling digs at people as he was so far off the pace......this brings me on to my main concern. The midfield had nobody able to get their foot in and disrupt pay and players spent too much time in trying fancy turns across field in the middle of the park, and normally losing to a challenge, than they did in creating opportunities to get forward. Carruthers was certainly missed in the middle of the park! The reason we are conceding goals late in each half is fitness. Over many years we have been one of, if not the, fittest side in the league. This is not the case this season. Certain players, as always wear their heart on their sleeve and give everything for the cause but if our defence is under pressure for 90 minutes then sooner or later a mistake will be made. Both goals scored by Chippenham were soft and gifted to them. Not sure about the penalty as their player was falling over at every opportunity - on the law of averages, even after being booked, the ref was going to give one in his favour - but the penalty straight at our goalie should have been saved. The late free kick on the edge of the box was really well taken - but the tackle to give the free kick left a bit to be desired in such a dangerous position.

After the game I was left thinking what a number of players are actually doing on the pitch - are they fit? Are they up for the cause? Our long-term players like Tom, Connor and Charlie showed the way, the youngsters who have come through the system played with passion and are learning but some of the others seem to just be turning up.

Another thought is that for the three games in the South West the team have stayed overnight, is that a wise expenditure given the fact that they run out of steam each half.

Dowse - I am sure that you will sort things out and that the team will improve as the club is undoubtedly doing under your stewardship but there need to be some urgent additions to a squad - oh for the days of Jamie Day, Lee Noble and Burnsy, not to mention Captain Fantastic Bradbrook! In those days if we left a ground having lost we knew a win was around the corner - not so sure of this at the moment.

[KentC.]

Well I have seen all three away games in the South West as they are the nearest games to me all season. First of all I like the appointment of Dowse as manager and really appreciate the openness of his interviews. However yesterday's defeat at Chippenham only accentuated my thoughts after the opening day win at Bath.

The team has some excellent players in it and the defence looks solid enough - the main problem is that are spending nearly all the match mopping up and defending as we have no bite in midfield whatsoever. Further forward we have shown very little sign of being able to take teams apart with any attacking play. Pierre did well when alongside Rodari but is not an out-and-out striker - so we need some real leadership of the line.

IMHO defence starts from the front of the team. We need to have a striker who can lead the line and hold up the ball, especially as most of the time the ball is being hit up in the air to the front. Dan is a winger and no target man but yesterday the Chippenham central defenders had a benefit match as they were able to win every aerial challenge until the substitutions were made - the only time they lost was our goal when Tom Bonner got on the end of a fantastic cross from Connor (our other central defender!) and headed back across the face of the goal. Our MOM was on the end to finish - so do we expect the defence to provide all our threat? Charlie came on and immediately showed far more passion for the cause than anyone else I have seen up front. If we have a fit Charlie then things can improve as he was really effective. Alex Wall on the other hand seemed to spend more time standing around watching and having nasty little niggling digs at people as he was so far off the pace......this brings me on to my main concern. The midfield had nobody able to get their foot in and disrupt pay and players spent too much time in trying fancy turns across field in the middle of the park, and normally losing to a challenge, than they did in creating opportunities to get forward. Carruthers was certainly missed in the middle of the park! The reason we are conceding goals late in each half is fitness. Over many years we have been one of, if not the, fittest side in the league. This is not the case this season. Certain players, as always wear their heart on their sleeve and give everything for the cause but if our defence is under pressure for 90 minutes then sooner or later a mistake will be made. Both goals scored by Chippenham were soft and gifted to them. Not sure about the penalty as their player was falling over at every opportunity - on the law of averages, even after being booked, the ref was going to give one in his favour - but the penalty straight at our goalie should have been saved. The late free kick on the edge of the box was really well taken - but the tackle to give the free kick left a bit to be desired in such a dangerous position.

After the game I was left thinking what a number of players are actually doing on the pitch - are they fit? Are they up for the cause? Our long-term players like Tom, Connor and Charlie showed the way, the youngsters who have come through the system played with passion and are learning but some of the others seem to just be turning up.

Another thought is that for the three games in the South West the team have stayed overnight, is that a wise expenditure given the fact that they run out of steam each half.

Dowse - I am sure that you will sort things out and that the team will improve as the club is undoubtedly doing under your stewardship but there need to be some urgent additions to a squad - oh for the days of Jamie Day, Lee Noble and Burnsy, not to mention Captain Fantastic Bradbrook! In those days if we left a ground having lost we knew a win was around the corner - not so sure of this at the moment.

Like a few others and the club you need to really move on

[Kebabus]

Not much changes, we lost there last season with SK's superstars!

I'm not throwing the towel in though and recognise we are in a transitional rebuilding phase, (cliche excuses).

As a fan it's disappointing to hear that we are many miles away from having a squad to challenge.

We have to get up for our game against Bus Stop fc where Azeez is on fire.....

[Taunton Dart]

Like a few others and the club you need to really move on

KentC - proves that you don't actually read anything other than what you want to. I never said that we want those players back now - just people who give as much to the cause as they did, in the way they did. We have nothing to match in this current team for passion, bite and vision that those players displayed.

Dowse is the present, and hopefully has a long future at the club - but certainly it is not all roses with the current squad.

If he had been on longer Charlie Sheringham would have been a strong contender for MOM and that is just after returning from injury.

[Sleightly Deceptive]

Well I have seen all three away games in the South West as they are the nearest games to me all season. First of all I like the appointment of Dowse as manager and really appreciate the openness of his interviews. However yesterday's defeat at Chippenham only accentuated my thoughts after the opening day win at Bath.

The team has some excellent players in it and the defence looks solid enough - the main problem is that are spending nearly all the match mopping up and defending as we have no bite in midfield whatsoever. Further forward we have shown very little sign of being able to take teams apart with any attacking play. Pierre did well when alongside Rodari but is not an out-and-out striker - so we need some real leadership of the line.

IMHO defence starts from the front of the team. We need to have a striker who can lead the line and hold up the ball, especially as most of the time the ball is being hit up in the air to the front. Dan is a winger and no target man but yesterday the Chippenham central defenders had a benefit match as they were able to win every aerial challenge until the substitutions were made - the only time they lost was our goal when Tom Bonner got on the end of a fantastic cross from Connor (our other central defender!) and headed back across the face of the goal. Our MOM was on the end to finish - so do we expect the defence to provide all our threat? Charlie came on and immediately showed far more passion for the cause than anyone else I have seen up front. If we have a fit Charlie then things can improve as he was really effective. Alex Wall on the other hand seemed to spend more time standing around watching and having nasty little niggling digs at people as he was so far off the pace......this brings me on to my main concern. The midfield had nobody able to get their foot in and disrupt pay and players spent too much time in trying fancy turns across field in the middle of the park, and normally losing to a challenge, than they did in creating opportunities to get forward. Carruthers was certainly missed in the middle of the park! The reason we are conceding goals late in each half is fitness. Over many years we have been one of, if not the, fittest side in the league. This is not the case this season. Certain players, as always wear their heart on their sleeve and give everything for the cause but if our defence is under pressure for 90 minutes then sooner or later a mistake will be made. Both goals scored by Chippenham were soft and gifted to them. Not sure about the penalty as their player was falling over at every opportunity - on the law of averages, even after being booked, the ref was going to give one in his favour - but the penalty straight at our goalie should have been saved. The late free kick on the edge of the box was really well taken - but the tackle to give the free kick left a bit to be desired in such a dangerous position.

After the game I was left thinking what a number of players are actually doing on the pitch - are they fit? Are they up for the cause? Our long-term players like Tom, Connor and Charlie showed the way, the youngsters who have come through the system played with passion and are learning but some of the others seem to just be turning up.

Another thought is that for the three games in the South West the team have stayed overnight, is that a wise expenditure given the fact that they run out of steam each half.

Dowse - I am sure that you will sort things out and that the team will improve as the club is undoubtedly doing under your stewardship but there need to be some urgent additions to a squad - oh for the days of Jamie Day, Lee Noble and Burnsy, not to mention Captain Fantastic Bradbrook! In those days if we left a ground having lost we knew a win was around the corner - not so sure of this at the moment.

Like a few others and the club you need to really move on

Bit harsh? Thought it was quite a good read.

[KingKong]

I agree...good post.

[Tony H]

Me too, thanks TauntonDart

[Undercover Elephant]

Well I have seen all three away games in the South West as they are the nearest games to me all season. First of all I like the appointment of Dowse as manager and really appreciate the openness of his interviews. However yesterday's defeat at Chippenham only accentuated my thoughts after the opening day win at Bath.

The team has some excellent players in it and the defence looks solid enough - the main problem is that are spending nearly all the match mopping up and defending as we have no bite in midfield whatsoever. Further forward we have shown very little sign of being able to take teams apart with any attacking play. Pierre did well when alongside Rodari but is not an out-and-out striker - so we need some real leadership of the line.

IMHO defence starts from the front of the team. We need to have a striker who can lead the line and hold up the ball, especially as most of the time the ball is being hit up in the air to the front. Dan is a winger and no target man but yesterday the Chippenham central defenders had a benefit match as they were able to win every aerial challenge until the substitutions were made - the only time they lost was our goal when Tom Bonner got on the end of a fantastic cross from Connor (our other central defender!) and headed back across the face of the goal. Our MOM was on the end to finish - so do we expect the defence to provide all our threat? Charlie came on and immediately showed far more passion for the cause than anyone else I have seen up front. If we have a fit Charlie then things can improve as he was really effective. Alex Wall on the other hand seemed to spend more time standing around watching and having nasty little niggling digs at people as he was so far off the pace......this brings me on to my main concern. The midfield had nobody able to get their foot in and disrupt pay and players spent too much time in trying fancy turns across field in the middle of the park, and normally losing to a challenge, than they did in creating opportunities to get forward. Carruthers was certainly missed in the middle of the park! The reason we are conceding goals late in each half is fitness. Over many years we have been one of, if not the, fittest side in the league. This is not the case this season. Certain players, as always wear their heart on their sleeve and give everything for the cause but if our defence is under pressure for 90 minutes then sooner or later a mistake will be made. Both goals scored by Chippenham were soft and gifted to them. Not sure about the penalty as their player was falling over at every opportunity - on the law of averages, even after being booked, the ref was going to give one in his favour - but the penalty straight at our goalie should have been saved. The late free kick on the edge of the box was really well taken - but the tackle to give the free kick left a bit to be desired in such a dangerous position.

After the game I was left thinking what a number of players are actually doing on the pitch - are they fit? Are they up for the cause? Our long-term players like Tom, Connor and Charlie showed the way, the youngsters who have come through the system played with passion and are learning but some of the others seem to just be turning up.

Another thought is that for the three games in the South West the team have stayed overnight, is that a wise expenditure given the fact that they run out of steam each half.

Dowse - I am sure that you will sort things out and that the team will improve as the club is undoubtedly doing under your stewardship but there need to be some urgent additions to a squad - oh for the days of Jamie Day, Lee Noble and Burnsy, not to mention Captain Fantastic Bradbrook! In those days if we left a ground having lost we knew a win was around the corner - not so sure of this at the moment.

Absolutely spot on!

[The Duke]

I am also 100% with Taunton Darts post !!!

[Park Life]

[ozymandias]

Excellent post TauntonDart.
I only watched the highlights and from them it does seem that Dan Roberts was unlucky not to have scored a couple. The pitch looked an awful playing surface but that is no excuse as both teams play on it, although it does look to have played it's part on the penalty. What a soft shout one it was too.
I know that over 10 minutes of highlights the fans who couldn't be there should not be shouting about the lads performance. Yes, we know we have a few problems overall and the squad is lightweight. For me Wall doesn't seem that interested and has always been a poor signing. Okay, he had an injury early on but he just doesn't do it for me. There are others of course so I can't put it all down to him.
Next up Welling and if we lose that one we will never hear the last of it from a certain few.
Unfortunately I can't make it, or should I be saying Fortunately.
Things have got to change and quickly before we get dragged in to a fight to stay up. Will Dowse be given the time?
I think that the Welling game could be a season changer and I also think that the current squad are fighting for more than 3 points on Saturday.

[M1 South]

Not sure that penalty crossed the line, & was it even a penalty??
And was that sand or water coming up off the pitch??

[Bkev180]

M1 South
Even there fans behind goal said didn't cross the line we was sat next to there player who collapsed and he went straight on his phone and said to his mate look not over the line and as for the pitch it def was sand the pitch didn't look like it had been watered for a month

[Mark Sweet]

Not to justify the result, but its never a penalty in the first place, their player backs into Jordan and then throws himself to the floor and secondly no way that crosses the line.

Starting to think that the problem isn't us always getting shit refs, it's the fact that there are no good refs in the division altogether!!!!!

[Top Cat]

Good post from Taunton Dart . I will probably be told to move on as well ? but I will make this point , that the team as a whole lack that certain group of players that make up the beating heart of any great team , and we haven’t had that since those famous five of Burns, Harris, Noble , Bradbrook and yes Ryan Hayes . I believe Douse will need to be given time to rebuild the squad and flush out anyone who is not willing or able to give 100% , and maybe bring back Cameron Brodie for a start and give him his chance in the middle ? Can’t do any worse than what we’ve seen so far .

[DA Mikey]

Criminal penalty award.

[Tony H]

Criminal penalty award.

Agree! Seen it for the first time just now - horrendous decision. Can’t tell whether the penalty kick crossed the line after Young spilled it. Did the ref get a signal from the Lino on the dead ball line?

Poor challenge by Statham to give away that late late free-kick

[Skip]

Didn’t think it was a penalty on the day and we were standing down the other end from the so called foul. That video has just reinforced my view! I don’t think VAR would have helped either judging by the incompetence on display in the Premier League this past weekend…

[Taunton Dart]

[/quote]

Agree! Seen it for the first time just now - horrendous decision. Can’t tell whether the penalty kick crossed the line after Young spilled it. Did the ref get a signal from the Lino on the dead ball line?

I looked over almost immediately r and the linesman was already running back up the pitch flagging furiously for a goal - I have no idea where he started from so don't know how near the goal-line he was....but he should have been standing on the line is he had taken up the correct position.

The ref had already booked the player 'fouled' for the penalty for diving - so he had previous for trying to cheat in the match.