Thoughts v Hertford

[Stevenage Canary]

Morning all. I am new to the forum. As an intro I am a SBFC season ticket holder but very much hold Hitchin as my second team. I have watched Hitchin more and more in the past couple of years, alas not seeing us win as often as I would like due to back to back relegations (albeit the first one rescinded).
I thought last night was very much an insight into why Hitchin have struggled to win enough games over a prolonged period. Nice football, in fact very nice at times. But lacking an end product. Then always susceptible to the sucker punch at the other end. I've lost count of how many games I've seen us dominate and lose in the last 5 minutes. There is no way we should have lost that game. I thought the initial subs injected purpose into the play and the Brookes goal was well taken and well deserved. Surely the momentum was with us, but we then made further changes which seemed to make us worse and Hertford regained belief in the last 10 minutes. Even then, at least shut and shop and take the point. But no, a terrible second goal to concede, and then hit on the break chasing the equaliser. Indeed they could have had a fourth right at the end.
My assessment of the current group would be as follows. Apologies I don't know all the names. Franklin is a star at this level, but often cuts a frustrated figure. I wouldn't be surprised to see him leave if this season ends up drifting towards mid-table obscurity. Kai Tearle looks like a new player. I didn't rate him before this season, but he has been excellent and thought he was MoM last night. Disappointed to see him subbed, and if was tactical and not due to a knock then I think it was a mistake. Brookes is a class act, if he had explosive pace he would be amazing. We miss Gleeson when he doesn't play, but can't rely on him to be fit at his age.
Left back/wing back frustrates me, he;s got ability and gets into great positions but his end product is very poor, and he is very lightweight. My main issue would be up top. Absolute top priority in the summer was to sign a top striker at this level. Preferably two. I think we have totally failed to do this. Rhiney is bang average in my opinion. Slow, not particularly brave, not great in the air. Can finish when it falls to him, but does not get involved enough for me. I prefer the lad who came on for him. But he is very raw, and nowhere near the finished product. It's a big failure that it's been obvious for probably over a year Hitchin need a decent striker but haven't recruited. Also I would like to see a bit more of a nasty streetwise edge in the team. A bruising centre half and a tough tavkling centre mid were not recruited.
Lastly a word on MJ. I think the jury is out on him atm. Gets them playing neat, attractive football which is very pleasing on the eye. But not convinced he knows how to scrap out wins and we are way too easy to play against and break down. I don't think recruitment has been good enough, and maybe he needs to bring in a Brett style number 2 who will put a rocket up the players as I just can't imagine him bawling out the players when they need it.
Finally, I can't see Hitchin troubling the top 5 on what I've seen so far. Unless they sign a new spine to the team, and that is no easy task when they haven't managed it for 2 years. However I will keep the faith as best I can and hope my initial rant isn't too negative and will look to contribute to the board where I can.

[steve.max]

Welvome to the forum Stevenage Canary.

A more than fair assessment.

[Brian]

Welcome to the forum Stevenage Canary and interesting first posting.

Very disappointing last night.

Although at 1-1 I think we all felt Hitchin would go on and win the game, I thought Hertford looked a yard faster, more direct and made less mistakes.

Our play out from the back is so telegraphed and pedestrian, usually resulting in an under hit or loose pass to a midfielder who has no chance of keeping the ball or an overhit pass deep into the opposition territory and possession is lost. Either way, the word is out that put us under a little bit of pressure, we panic and give the ball away.

On the few occasions Hertford played out from the back, the ball movement was quick and there was plenty of movement from the team looking for the ball.

I was impressed with the Hertford lad who got their first two goals, who got into good goalscoring positions in the box. The number 8 who was strong in midfield and prepared to run box to box with the ball and the lad that came on as a sub during the first half. Big and strong upfront. We couldn't knock him off the ball.
All things we just don't seem to be able to do at present.

I do like Michael Jones, he's a young manager learning his craft and a good guy. After the last couple of seasons it will take time to get it right but given the crowds we are attracting we really do need to start getting some results at home quickly.

On current form we are nowhere near play-off contenders.

[Greenfinch]

Stevenage Canary, excellent post and says it all, Brian always appreciate your imput too, only comment I would make is that we haven't got time for a Manager to 'learn his craft'. We have been in the doldrums far too long and the fans deserve action for their loyalty and the history of this famous club.Its not been right from the pre-season frendlies, never had a settled team from day one, and still signing players,why change a winning side after the win against Dunstable.Rotating players,and playing out from the back is for the Premiership, this is the Southern League,we want passion a will to win and committed players, and we have them,but its not happening.
Liam Brooks, Toby Syme left out, Josh Coldicott -Stevens( player of the year at Royston)Taylor Rhiney(leading goal scorer at Barton last year) Mbunya Alemanji left out, the best player Callum Nicolson (subbed).What are they being told to do in whatever system or style of play,as its not working.