Tonight

[ewstute]

Obviously Peterborough are leads above us, but that was far from their first team tonight.

So many players lacked effort when they were defending. Not bothering to run back, not bothering to get near players and just generally looking out of position. Very poor.

Fallon needs to go and someone who will get the team organised and actually get the team to look like they're enjoying playing needs to come in.

[hfc08stutes]

Well according to a boro fan we were sat with last night, he said he wouldn't be surprised if 5/6 of them will be starting against Rochdale this sat so who knows? Obviously they were going to steam roll us. They train full-time every day, we do two nights a week up at Impington vc as far as I'm aware so lets keep things in perspective. Not only as a team but man for man p'borough showed why they have been a league1/championship club for the past few seasons. Wouldn't be surprised if the do v well this season under Grant McCann. Think they've had a solid pre-season as well, beating the likes of Leeds and Brentford if I'm not mistaken.

Saying that there was still a few things that showed we still need some work. Mainly the defense (as the scoreline would allude to) stuck out as the most important area needing improvement. There was very little shape, ie 3/4 chasing the ball, man marking was v poor and ariel challenges were non-existent. Distribution was also poor, even some of the simpler passes to be made went wayward. Also too many long balls pumped forward. Would have had no problem with us losing the ball had we at least tried a little more possession football. Anyway all said and done, again, we can't be too harsh. We have picked up most of the players from leagues below, including one or two from the Kershaw and even I've played a few games at that level! So it shows where we are.

On the plus side of last night, if any of the lads are wanting to progress with their football, Posh showed them how much work they have to put into their games, even if they want to be half as successful. Saturday will be tough but nowhere near as tough as last night, the hard work starts now though. As long as they took on board the total footballing lesson posh taught them last night and take that into this season, setting the bar as high as possible, then we can try and have a solid season, as long as the boys want it enough.

[histonfan01]

Agree with your post and analysis HFC08.
Not got much more to add other than I thought our keeper, although he let in goals looked good and made some decent saves and Danny Gould looked good on the wing.
Most disappointing thing for me was the lack of Histon supporters there. The game could have been a good income for the club but very few showed up.

[hfc08stutes]

Yes, the gate was a massive shame! Although I didn't think many would turn up. One of my massive bugbears with the residents of Histon/Impington is the naivety and lack of loyalty, but I spose that's the difference between true fans who love every aspect of supporting a club compared to people who just like being affiliated with a winning team. We all know most of them didn't find it hard to make time and get off their backsides on a Saturday when we were rising through the leagues and made it into the conference. I don't think most of them realise the potential that the club still has. I know many would scoff or laugh at that statement but we have such a strong infrastructure in terms of a really good ground (which is ours) and willing volunteers who put in so much hard work so that people can enjoy Saturdays at the Glassworld. All we need to make things really work is a strong core support who are willing to come along to games and get involved in club events. We could actually still be a really competitive club in the league above at least, if 300/400 turned up regularly. Its just a shame people ( mainly the local community) aren't willing to come together and give us a try again. They could so easily have a club that could create a feel good factor and one to be proud of! Oh well, something may click one day, just hope it isn't too late by then.

[suffolkwilk]

In terms of attendance we must remember it was a friendly. I usually avoid them and only came because my son won't get to many games this year so wanted to see a match. I prefer to wait to the real thing rather than see some traillists who you won't see again come the season start. I'm sure there are many with the same view of friendlies. Attendance will drop as we are now at a lower level with less publicity etc. hopefully we can win a few games to make it more interesting to come and watch. I used to bring friends over to sample the atmosphere but haven't for a while as most time sit has been pretty dire and no reason for them to come back

[hfc08stutes]

Yeah, I understand for friendlies but I guess I was alluding to a more general point. Just frustrating as you would think after the heights reached and history the club has created over the past 10/20 years, there'd be more than a measly 100 or so turning out on a Saturday. I remember when fall was sacked by Roach and many said they were refusing to attend because they weren't happy with this. Well Fallon's back now, so I'm still waiting for those fans to come back. Something says to me they were telling porkies!? (they were)

[hornet]

Last Night was a bit of a foregone conclusion. A good, mature league two team taking on a “small fry” recently compiled evo-stick team.
No-one wants to see a young, inexperienced team (with only 3 games under their belts), get a pasting. Hence the low (local) attendance
IMHO The fixture should never have been arranged in the first place and has done nothing to help the team, their confidence, the fans or anyone else.

Having said that – I do think there is the basis of a good side here and these boys need a bit of confidence, self-belief and positive encouragement.
We all know there is little money and as such some pressure is placed on the youth system, but I also know that there are some good players in this squad and once they are up to speed the rest of the team will raise their game.
It may take a little time, but I really hope that this bunch will stick together, there is the makings of a very capable side here and I’m sure they will come good in their league as the season progresses.
Matt Clements has a track record of getting the best out of players (and has played at a very high level), and with Fal’s experience, I think you will start to see a very different team than the one that played last night.

There are some local lads playing in Fal’s team, this will also spark some local interest and draw a few more in.
The league they’re playing in is more suited to the team, a few more wins will certainly be on the cards this season, I’ll be looking forward to seeing some better football, when I return this season, you never know I might bring some mates !!! (even the wife) !!!
(I can still get Chips at half time right ?)

[hfc08stutes]

Aug 3, 2016 14:13:18 GMT hornet said:

Last Night was a bit of a foregone conclusion. A good, mature league two team taking on a “small fry” recently compiled evo-stick team.
No-one wants to see a young, inexperienced team (with only 3 games under their belts), get a pasting. Hence the low (local) attendance
IMHO The fixture should never have been arranged in the first place and has done nothing to help the team, their confidence, the fans or anyone else.

Having said that – I do think there is the basis of a good side here and these boys need a bit of confidence, self-belief and positive encouragement.
We all know there is little money and as such some pressure is placed on the youth system, but I also know that there are some good players in this squad and once they are up to speed the rest of the team will raise their game.
It may take a little time, but I really hope that this bunch will stick together, there is the makings of a very capable side here and I’m sure they will come good in their league as the season progresses.
Matt Clements has a track record of getting the best out of players (and has played at a very high level), and with Fal’s experience, I think you will start to see a very different team than the one that played last night.

There are some local lads playing in Fal’s team, this will also spark some local interest and draw a few more in.
The league they’re playing in is more suited to the team, a few more wins will certainly be on the cards this season, I’ll be looking forward to seeing some better football, when I return this season, you never know I might bring some mates !!! (even the wife) !!!
(I can still get Chips at half time right ?)

Glad to hear you'll be on board next season. Although last night does come across very negatively, I don't think the result should be taken at face value. I'm sure Matt and Steve told the lads to try and learn from the experience rather than focus on the result. I'd like to think, if they are an honest bunch and they take their game seriously then they'll try and learn from the Posh experience and it'll hopefully give them something to aspire too! I agree that if we keep them together then no matter how we start, we can grow into the season and develop into a decent team.