Prediction - STAMFORD

[steve.max]

On that performance one can see why Stamford have only scored 8 goals from 9 away matches. As per usual the players gave their all, had plenty of the play with no result where it matters.

Congratulation to the prediction winners: Alan Brooks, Pipeman, Rapid Viennetta, Peter Barnes and Andy Denniss.

Would like to wish everyone a merry xmas and let`s hope for a better new year.

[Greenfinch]

We need a Centre forward who can hold the ball up and win headers.
We need a playmaker in midfield.
We need a dominant centre back.

[Jon Barnes]

Perhaps I shouldn't say this but the officials were appalling.
Who's going to sort out this disgraceful officiating.
Ban me if you like.

[Brian]

Perhaps I shouldn't say this but the officials were appalling.
Who's going to sort out this disgraceful officiating.
Ban me if you like.

Hi Jon

I am the forum administrator and have been for some years now, I'm not sure why you should feel that you will be banned and I'm quite disappointed that supporters feel they will be banned for free speech.

For the record I have never banned anyone from the forum. I have only once had to remove a post which threatened to incite violence at a game and then lock the thread.

If you are referencing a posting a week or so ago by High Flying Bird on the appointment of Michael Jones which questioned whether we could sustain large crowds if the product on the pitch wasn't good enough then I can assure you I did not remove the post or ban the poster, I was very surprised to see it had gone and as Club Admin have the ability to look at the history of the thread so could see the poster removed it themselves which I can only guess was because no one choose to respond which is a shame as it would have been a very good debating point and I can assure you I would like a vibrant forum like it was twenty years ago.

I can also say that I have no idea who High Flying Bird is.

I want as many people posting on this forum as possible with some great footie chat and debate.

As for Saturday's game you are welcome to my thoughts.

Firstly, I thought the officials were excellent, did very little wrong in my opinion and the ref tried to let the game flow. The linesman in front of the main stand kept up with play, one of my main gripes and got all the offsides right in my opinion which actually favoured Hitchin in the first half.

As for the team. We gave the goal away by very poor defending. The scorer was less than six yards out, unmarked at a corner. The only times Stamford looked dangerous was when we lost the ball in positions that allowed them to counter attack.
The BBC Radio Lincs reporter next to me told me after losing to Stratford last week Graham Drury had changed the side to be more workmanlike and close the opposition down. Unfortunately the word is out that Hitchin want to pass the ball about and play football.

It was a bit like the Stratford game again. Concede an early goal and have to chase the game against a team that will let us play in the middle of the park but then have a line of 10 across the final third of the pitch and to be honest Stamford executed the plan very well.

Our problem in my opinion and it goes back to High Flying Birds posting I guess is we are lacking some quality in the final third. I like Henry Snee, I was disappointed when he left us the first time as he works very hard but he can't do it on his own. We have very few attacking options. Liam Brooks is still struggling with injury and sat with Maric on the radio the other side of me however Liam is more of a no10 type player who will link the midfield to the forward line but he's not a 20 goal a season striker and unless we can uncover a couple of decent strikers to support Henry and get on the end of some of the crosses that came into the box on Saturday, we are going to struggle.

Anyway please do not feel that I intend to ban anyone and everyone is welcome to post their thoughts as long as there are no personal insults or character assassinations.

It's what this forum should be about.

Oh and no politics please - the only Kier that can be discussed here is French Kier - be constructive