Beveree Chat

3-2 down, what an embarrassing collapse.

3-3, Siziba!

4-3 Hampton, Fernandez, goodness me!

5-3, Fonguck, and breathe…

FT: A much needed win!

Probably the most insane football match I've watched in a long time! Thought we were the better side for most of the game.

That really was an insane game. In truth we should have had it wrapped it up at 2-0 as we'd probably been marginally the better of two poor sides, but the near collapse going into 3-2 down was just really painful to watch. Thankfully we were able to claw three goals back to win but we really do need to bear in mind that Slough are going to struggle with performances like that. I also wouldn't have thought that their fanbase, or board, will be as patient with Julian as we were last season.
All terrifically exciting stuff of course but guys, a
1-0 or 2-1 will do for me!

What did I just watch? 2-0 up until 76 minutes and then six gaols in the last 20 minutes. It was like watching U9s schoolboy football but without the defensive discipline.

First I should say what a great job the club has done with the new pitch and surrounds, a huge investment off the pitch but now the team needs to repay some of that on the pitch. Slough are not much of a team and we dominated the first half possession, had a couple a decent efforts but only took the lead following a handball in the box. Sho-Silva took his penalty well but it was to be his only shot of the game. 1-0 at HT. Second half followed much the same pattern with us on top but not creating much. Just as Slough started to show a bit more adventure, a long ball forward fell to Widdrington who poked home from close range for 2-0. That should have been game over. But it was only the start of a mad 20 minutes. Slough pulled one back from a shot across the keeper from the left which precipitated an inexplicable collapse by our defence. Their second was a simple ball across the box to an unmarked forward and then De Havilland gave away a poor penalty as the Slough player was allowed to travel too far through midfield. Suddenly it was 3-2 out of thin air. Slough hardly had to try. Siziba then scored a good goal cutting in from the left ( he previously hit the post with a very similar effort) and next up was a fourth as Fernandez scrambled the ball over the line after a flick on from RGC's throw. The ref played 10 minutes of added time and deep into that Slough had a corner for which they sent up their keeper looking for a last ditch equaliser. The ball was cleared to Fonguck who cleverly slipped the ball past the only defender and ran the ball in for 60 yards for Hampton's fifth.

Three points but so nearly none. Slough are not the measure of where we should be and are going to struggle all season if they can't improve their side. Our defensive record, 13 goals in 4 games is clearly not acceptable but it is still a combination of midfield and defence lacking any resilience when put under a bit of pressure. Nash was dropped today so I really can't see how he is going to get back in the side. Ince didn't even make the bench so either Dowse has lost faith already or he is injured/ can't do two games in a week. The loanee from Norwich didn't get in the squad either but maybe signed too late. Away to Torquay next. That should concentrate the mind.

Well, that was… interesting.

First off, credit to the lads for the comeback. That took guts.

Thought we looked very good on the flanks. The wingers had great games.

But oh, when we’re defending, that central midfield needs to have a word with itself. Thought Mike Atkinson played well, but there was nobody with any speed when defending to harass their midfield. We just strolled back alongside their players.

Slough is not a good team. When a good team sees that, they’ll pack the centre of midfield and swarm all over us.

Yes, forgot to add a huge well done to all concerned with getting the ground ready. The tarmac definitely makes the surround a lot safer and when the far end has a cover again the ground will look very smart. I'll never be a fan of plastic pitches, but ours does look like one of the better ones I've seen.

Max's post match interview is live!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ787I7vu2c