Revan to some extent yes, but although Atkinson was OK I didn't think he was irreplaceable...Sparky wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 7:38 pm With Dom and Mike playing for Salisbury tomorrow, it’ll be like going to a party and seeing two of your exes there, who dumped you, and you’re still not over it.
Salisbury 9th August
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Lord Elpus
- Posts: 944
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:09 pm
Despite all the doom and gloom on the playing side, what a very pleasant surprise to see the Twitter announcement that the Junior Beavers Tuck Shop in the main terrace is reopening. I'm sure it's not a big money spinner but I always felt it added to the community feel of the Bev and also helped reduce queues elsewhere if you just wanted a soft drink. A thumbs up from me to whoever decided to bring this back.
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Lord Elpus
- Posts: 944
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:09 pm
Yes that's really positive. Good to see.geedub wrote: Sat Aug 09, 2025 11:09 am Despite all the doom and gloom on the playing side, what a very pleasant surprise to see the Twitter announcement that the Junior Beavers Tuck Shop in the main terrace is reopening. I'm sure it's not a big money spinner but I always felt it added to the community feel of the Bev and also helped reduce queues elsewhere if you just wanted a soft drink. A thumbs up from me to whoever decided to bring this back.
A very much better performance than I was expecting and it appeared to be a big step forward from pre-season. The new Bromley loaneee Nathan Paul-Lavaly made a pretty strong contribution. Hopefully we might be able to extend his loan period beyond a month although maybe he is supposed to be cover before Ince comes in.
A very hard won point where we were encamped in our own half for most of the game. Salisbury didn’t take their several chances. We managed three shots all game. Neither team will win the league.
No passing game to talk of as such. It is clear we need an Atkinson type player in midfield and someone who can calm the game down and find a decent pass or build a move. I think we will see a lot more transfer activity in the next couple of weeks as no one at the club can be blind to our areas of weakness. No amount of effort shown but just need better players. Grego-Cox came on and immediately looked a much better prospect if we can get further up the pitch and give him some support. Holden made a fine save at the end but still looks shaky having been booked inside 40 seconds when rushing off his line for a ball that wasn’t his. Twice in the first half defenders played poor backwards passes straight to Salisbury forwards who fluffed the chance. Dorking won’t be so forgiving next Saturday.
No passing game to talk of as such. It is clear we need an Atkinson type player in midfield and someone who can calm the game down and find a decent pass or build a move. I think we will see a lot more transfer activity in the next couple of weeks as no one at the club can be blind to our areas of weakness. No amount of effort shown but just need better players. Grego-Cox came on and immediately looked a much better prospect if we can get further up the pitch and give him some support. Holden made a fine save at the end but still looks shaky having been booked inside 40 seconds when rushing off his line for a ball that wasn’t his. Twice in the first half defenders played poor backwards passes straight to Salisbury forwards who fluffed the chance. Dorking won’t be so forgiving next Saturday.
Sooooo… On the one hand, a fighting performance to hang on grimly for half an hour to get a point. Everybody put in a heck of a shift.
On the other hand, oh dear. If we are going to literally completely concede the midfield like this every game, we’re doomed, as Fraser would say in Dad’s Army. Salisbury aren’t that good, but we set up as a counter-attacking team without any means to counter-attack.
This really reminded me of the end of the Mel Gwinnett era. And as much as I hate the way we played, at least Ben Seymour was fast, so there was some sense to it. This setup is just puzzling. Perhaps Jules is playing to our “strengths” and thinks this is the only option open to him. But if it is, we’re in trouble, because better teams will tear us apart.
Back four looked solid enough, but we desperately need something in central midfield, not only to compete, but to move the ball forward sensibly.
Am I being pessimistic, or do you agree folks?
On the other hand, oh dear. If we are going to literally completely concede the midfield like this every game, we’re doomed, as Fraser would say in Dad’s Army. Salisbury aren’t that good, but we set up as a counter-attacking team without any means to counter-attack.
This really reminded me of the end of the Mel Gwinnett era. And as much as I hate the way we played, at least Ben Seymour was fast, so there was some sense to it. This setup is just puzzling. Perhaps Jules is playing to our “strengths” and thinks this is the only option open to him. But if it is, we’re in trouble, because better teams will tear us apart.
Back four looked solid enough, but we desperately need something in central midfield, not only to compete, but to move the ball forward sensibly.
Am I being pessimistic, or do you agree folks?
You’re spot on Sparky, i think the pessimism is understandable, and i think it’s clear we still have a lot of work to do if we want to build a competitive team. Dorking next week will be ruthless and will punish the sort of poor backwards passes the defence played today, and will easily overrun us in midfield if today is anything to go by.