2023
Dec 27, 2023 19:31:16 GMT
Post by Tom Bowen on Dec 27, 2023 19:31:16 GMT
So 2023 has come to a close, and we sit one spot outside the playoffs at the end of the year.
Okay, compared to December 2022, when we were on a cup run and 13 unbeaten in the league, we may not be as good as that. But last season was an exceptional season, and as Garbo said in his interview with Dom, people seem to be comparing this season to last season, which is understandable but also slightly unfair.
We are doing well this season and attendances are on the up. This season we are averaging 745 attendance so far, compared to 602 last season, so we must be doing something right. We may still be low down the attendance charts, but we are competing with Yeovil, Torquay and Maidstone on that front, the first of which had 6,000 at their game on Boxing Day!! And that's over 6K for the second time this season!
Attendances on the up, and ending 2023 with just one loss in five. Our home form has been excellent this season, our away form has been, well, a bit worse. But we have been in some of the games. And we have shown we can compete.
Injuries are always a tricky one, and you can never predict how an injury is going to affect your team until it goes wrong. I like Michael Folivi's football, but he does seem to be quite injury prone, we've had JNW out too, which was a big loss down the left.
Tactics: Hmmm. There's been a lot of tinkering. Three at the back, four at the back, five at the back. Seems to change game on game, which is understandable at this level, depending on player availability, injuries etc. However, I feel it would be helped significantly with a right back.
Transfers have also been a strange one, with a huge rebuild in the summer bringing in ex-National League players. Unfortunately, despite their calibre and talent it just didn't work out for Parts and Uppy. And with Mekki out on loan it just means Sid Nelson, who was the first announced signing, remains out of the first four.
There were suggestions on here that Spencer had "given up" on the season after Folivi nearly signed for Hemel. He directly addressed that in his last interview saying he hasn't given up, which I wouldn't expect him to give up! (That also makes me guess he reads the forum, although why wouldn't you, if you're the manager)
And yes, we may be critical of the team/management/club (select as appropriate) and there may be booing (which I disagree with), but at the end of the day we're all passionate supporters who want the best for the club.
We are in a very good position right now, not just literally in the table, but also more generally as a club. Our second season in the NLS for a while, and look at where we were pre-lockdown. Lucky to get 200 at a home game, and now knocking regularly on 600/700.
I'm too young to remember firsthand what happened in 2007, and I'm sure there's not many people at the club who want to be reminded of it. As more young people come through, they (mostly, apart from a few people who try to ruin it - although there are a few at every club) act well, act positively and want the best for the club.
There are more volunteers than I could possibly mention, from the car park attendants, everyone in the club shop, the food stalls, everyone on the 50/50 and golden goal, the radio comms and media people, the ground keepers, bar, hospitality and club staff. Apologies if I've missed out anybody!
We are a proper community club, and I'm sure we can get behind the lads and push us up towards the playoffs for the final half of the season.
Lastly, thank you to Andy Smart, Phil Down, John Cracknell and Dave Workman for all of your work at the club over the years, and you will be sorely missed. Rest in peace 💛💙
See you all at the Cherrywood on NYD. Hopefully we can break over 1K again.
#UpTheF*****gBoro
Okay, compared to December 2022, when we were on a cup run and 13 unbeaten in the league, we may not be as good as that. But last season was an exceptional season, and as Garbo said in his interview with Dom, people seem to be comparing this season to last season, which is understandable but also slightly unfair.
We are doing well this season and attendances are on the up. This season we are averaging 745 attendance so far, compared to 602 last season, so we must be doing something right. We may still be low down the attendance charts, but we are competing with Yeovil, Torquay and Maidstone on that front, the first of which had 6,000 at their game on Boxing Day!! And that's over 6K for the second time this season!
Attendances on the up, and ending 2023 with just one loss in five. Our home form has been excellent this season, our away form has been, well, a bit worse. But we have been in some of the games. And we have shown we can compete.
Injuries are always a tricky one, and you can never predict how an injury is going to affect your team until it goes wrong. I like Michael Folivi's football, but he does seem to be quite injury prone, we've had JNW out too, which was a big loss down the left.
Tactics: Hmmm. There's been a lot of tinkering. Three at the back, four at the back, five at the back. Seems to change game on game, which is understandable at this level, depending on player availability, injuries etc. However, I feel it would be helped significantly with a right back.
Transfers have also been a strange one, with a huge rebuild in the summer bringing in ex-National League players. Unfortunately, despite their calibre and talent it just didn't work out for Parts and Uppy. And with Mekki out on loan it just means Sid Nelson, who was the first announced signing, remains out of the first four.
There were suggestions on here that Spencer had "given up" on the season after Folivi nearly signed for Hemel. He directly addressed that in his last interview saying he hasn't given up, which I wouldn't expect him to give up! (That also makes me guess he reads the forum, although why wouldn't you, if you're the manager)
And yes, we may be critical of the team/management/club (select as appropriate) and there may be booing (which I disagree with), but at the end of the day we're all passionate supporters who want the best for the club.
We are in a very good position right now, not just literally in the table, but also more generally as a club. Our second season in the NLS for a while, and look at where we were pre-lockdown. Lucky to get 200 at a home game, and now knocking regularly on 600/700.
I'm too young to remember firsthand what happened in 2007, and I'm sure there's not many people at the club who want to be reminded of it. As more young people come through, they (mostly, apart from a few people who try to ruin it - although there are a few at every club) act well, act positively and want the best for the club.
There are more volunteers than I could possibly mention, from the car park attendants, everyone in the club shop, the food stalls, everyone on the 50/50 and golden goal, the radio comms and media people, the ground keepers, bar, hospitality and club staff. Apologies if I've missed out anybody!
We are a proper community club, and I'm sure we can get behind the lads and push us up towards the playoffs for the final half of the season.
Lastly, thank you to Andy Smart, Phil Down, John Cracknell and Dave Workman for all of your work at the club over the years, and you will be sorely missed. Rest in peace 💛💙
See you all at the Cherrywood on NYD. Hopefully we can break over 1K again.
#UpTheF*****gBoro