Bognor 0. v. 2 Horsham

[cityboy]

After the promise of a change of fortunes following our game v Banbury; this game was back to the same old rubbish.
First half for 25 minutes we were 2nd to most balls and the players lacked the desire we had hoped to see.Fortunately for us despite hitting the woodwork; the best chances went to us and Taylor Seymour made an excellent double save to deny us. With the half supposedly heading to a 0.0 score for not the first time this season we gifted the opposition a goal. Young Toby seems to have a mistake in him too many times. Whilst I appreciate he is young and learning I have to say this is happening too many times and is proving an achillies heel to the team!!
2nd half vastly improved effort and nore much of it we had Horsham on the back foot. Taylor Seymour had an inspired game to continue to deny Bognor. In the dying seconds as Bognor pushed forward Bognor were caught on the counter attack to concede a 2nd.
All in all a really poor effort and great disappointment to the festive crowd.
I have given up commenting on the state of the officials this season but today's was up there with a totally innept display. However as he was being assessed we couldn't expect much more.
My concern is this seems to be a regular occurence at Bognor this season much to the annoyance of the home fans. I wonder how long the fans will put up with poor performances on the pitch from both players and officials?
Still onto Lewes for our new year's fixture. Hopefully; an away game and a new year we might see a change of fortunes.

[cg07]

Although the referee didn’t help matters yesterday, I think the aggregate 0-6 loss to Horsham this season is reflective of a lack of experience and cohesion within the team. Obviously, as with most teams at the level, players come and go and move on, sometimes quite quickly, which means that the 11 is never fully gelled when it comes to a weekends fixture. The lack of clinical finishing, especially at home, has been letting us down this year, the core of the squad is far too good to be floundering in lower mid table, but unfortunately that is where we have found ourselves the last few seasons. Same excuses every week though regarding youth in the team, but there are more experienced players in Craney, Robbo and Harvey. Still, looking forward to Lewes with optimism as we are only halfway through the year and could still gain league places yet.

[ronnie]

Yet another keeper error, I’m afraid his confidence is shot and we need a change. Thought we were competitive first half but no more. Second half we were better but as a team physically struggle. The new chap McLeod looked decent. Rabbetts and Paterson both took a battering but both kept going and battled.

We cannot have ‘clinical finishing’ if we do not create chances. Sideways and backwards constantly drives me nuts! Hani was not involved until the last ten minutes but he really needs to cross the ball more, infuriating the amount of times he wants to beat a player, just cross it!!! Nathan just seems distracted. Still convinced Pato’s header was over the line and the keeper clawed it out, but as always the officials aren’t up with play so no way could they tell!!

The woes of being a football supporter, we’re all better managers and players than what’s in front of us!!! Just need one good result and performance to turn it around 👍

A very Merry Christmas to one and all 🎄

[Dodgy Keeper]

My principle memory from the game was watching the silky skills of Doug Tuck (once of this parish). I admit to being a critic of Doug when he spent so many seasons with us because he was playing with other Bognor players who impressed more. Now, it's the opposite. Oh to have his clear headedness and ability in a Bognor team. We've no-one capable of creating time and space in the way that he still does. I despair when I look at how our team is being coached and led. They are inherently good players but being very poorly instructed. Yesterday was long ball after long ball. That's NOT the Bognor way. Time and again the possession then passed to Horsham and we were back on defence. Further salt was rubbed in to the wound seeing that Alex Parsons is back playing at Worthing. Let's face it, Bognor is no longer an aspirational club that quality players want to come to in order to accelerate their careers. Until there is change at Board level and pitch side I can only see us stagnating or declining.

[cg07]

I agree with Ronnie as one result is all we need to create a turning point and push on for the rest of the year. We have pulled out big results at times eg. Lewes in the FA Trophy, WSM and even Aveley 6-1. I think confidence is low but one results could turn it around for us.

[stevebone]

Frustrating afternoon for the Rocks ... here's Robbie's post-match thoughts, plus some pics from Lyn and Trevor - www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/football/bognor-regis-town-boss-some-of-our-players-dont-understand-what-it-takes-to-be-successful-3966665

[Goldy]

One word to sum up yesterday for me was ,flat.

The ground,crowd,on the pitch just felt that.
If Nathan takes his chance early doors,we are moving. Misses another really good chance before Taylor Seymour (who we had in pre season)makes a brilliant double save. The save he made in the second half near the end of the is ridiculous,hints of it being over the line but unfortunately you’re never gonna get those at this level.
I like Toby I really do,but what a mistake for their first goal,just whack the ball into Hawthorn Road.

Liked the look of Sammie McLeod (number 7) looks a type of midfielder we’ve been missing.
Whatever isn’t clicking we need address it before we get put into a relegation scrap come end of the season. Tough month of fixtures ahead of us.

[Fish and chips]

I think it's clear to see. This season that Robbie is out of his depth and not good enough to be manager with the poor tactics we keep using. Jack kept taking the flack before when manager with Robbie by his side but it shows now with Jack out of the way That Robbie coaching and managing must not be good enough. And It needs to change before it's to late. We are only heading one way in the table and it certainly isn't up. Isn't it ironic that the gk that "wasn't good enough for us" in pre season was brilliant yesterday for Horsham. I think in general our squad is good enough (apart from the goalkeeper position yes I no he's young but that excuse can't last forever we have games of football to win) our players are good enough for high mid table. But they can't do it without a proper manager.
Hopefully the board step up and get talking to maybe a certain couple of people ( birmy and dabba I'd love to see). To change this season around. Yesterday was a poor crowd for boxing day. And normal game days are falling lower and lower which shows fans have had enough of this season already which is very sad indeed.

[dsrock13]

The whole subject of “ changing manager” is utter crap to be honest , we get players that suit our budget, we’re not Orem league we are what we are.
Main issues majority of team under 21, we had an experienced keeper who was deemed not good enough ( even though he got player of the year) you need an experienced keeper if you’re going to play a youthful team, we have to many loans ( again ) come end of season we’re left with a squad of 11 ( take out loans ) with no keeper, there’s the issue as this is “ The Bognor way” & has been for ages .
Instead of bitching about this that the other get behind the squad we have. Confidence is massive destroying it even more on here ain’t going to help matters. Up the rocks

[6Weeks]

Dec 27, 2022 17:29:38 GMT 1 dsrock13 said:

The whole subject of “ changing manager” is utter crap to be honest , we get players that suit our budget, we’re not Orem league we are what we are.
Main issues majority of team under 21, we had an experienced keeper who was deemed not good enough ( even though he got player of the year) you need an experienced keeper if you’re going to play a youthful team, we have to many loans ( again ) come end of season we’re left with a squad of 11 ( take out loans ) with no keeper, there’s the issue as this is “ The Bognor way” & has been for ages .
Instead of bitching about this that the other get behind the squad we have. Confidence is massive destroying it even more on here ain’t going to help matters. Up the rocks

Suggest giving it 6 weeks?

[Irish Rock]

Pompey's near neighbours had a rough time before the World Cup sacked the Manager & yesterday the guy lost his first Premier League game which happened to be @ home to the Albion. The point I'm making is, it's not just the Manager, it's the whole squad. With such a young team we need to give them time and if we can keep the bulk of them for next season, they may gel. Changing the manager is not always the answer. Anyway would anyone want to give up what they've achieved so far this season to come to a struggling club, would you?

On that note, Happy New Year to you all.

[stuartcoles]

It seems to me at the moment that it's a good job we picked up points early on as only margate below us have beaten us so far which hopefully means there are at least 6 teams worse than us but also only potters bar in the top 6 have beaten us so shows on our day we are capable of getting results in this league.the most frustrating thing for me is our ability to perform against the better sides in our league,plus the likes of weston and banbury but we can't against sides of a similar ilk or standing.confidence is clearly an issue.i like Toby but I wish the players would stop passing it back to him,just hoof it upfield which I know is not the bognor way but its much harder for us to concede in the opposition half.i think this could be a good month as Aveley will be out to prove a point,potters bar will be strong on their pitch and nick will want to prove a point,Eastbourne will probably be up for the cup,then we have margate who don't travel and brightlingsea who are struggling as usual.those are the 2 that will go a long way to deciding how we end up.hornchurch is basically a free kick as we won't be expected to get anything and corinthians were very poor at ours so a huge month ahead.lets start with a huge morale booster at lewes,get behind the boys and see where we go.COYR

[cg07]

Dec 27, 2022 17:53:07 GMT 1 6Weeks said:

Dec 27, 2022 17:29:38 GMT 1 dsrock13 said:

The whole subject of “ changing manager” is utter crap to be honest , we get players that suit our budget, we’re not Orem league we are what we are.
Main issues majority of team under 21, we had an experienced keeper who was deemed not good enough ( even though he got player of the year) you need an experienced keeper if you’re going to play a youthful team, we have to many loans ( again ) come end of season we’re left with a squad of 11 ( take out loans ) with no keeper, there’s the issue as this is “ The Bognor way” & has been for ages .
Instead of bitching about this that the other get behind the squad we have. Confidence is massive destroying it even more on here ain’t going to help matters. Up the rocks

Suggest giving it 6 weeks?

I think 6 weeks is too long to be honest, I think Robbie is there for a cosmetic reason rather than a practical one

[Dodgy Keeper]

Could it be that, if there is a lack of confidence, it's because the team appears to be sent out with no game plan other than to hoof it forward in the hope that Matt can get on the end of the ball? Other than that strategy the only other time we got 'creative' was when we over-loaded the right wing for the kick-off after their second goal. Our current approach leaves Nathan isolated and he's our most potent striker. We desperately need some better coaching for the team to re-capture the stylish way we once played. To suggest that mediocrity is the Bognor way is to accept defeat. If you're not going forwards you're going backwards. Sadly, we've lost quality players and had the usual run of more experienced players getting injured (Jake, Calvin, Harvey) and Bradley rarely gets much game time. I think we'll survive this season but unless things improve we'll see falling attendances and find it more difficult to attract quality in the future.

[cg07]

Dec 27, 2022 18:29:06 GMT 1 Dodgy Keeper said:

Could it be that, if there is a lack of confidence, it's because the team appears to be sent out with no game plan other than to hoof it forward in the hope that Matt can get on the end of the ball? Other than that strategy the only other time we got 'creative' was when we over-loaded the right wing for the kick-off after their second goal. Our current approach leaves Nathan isolated and he's our most potent striker. We desperately need some better coaching for the team to re-capture the stylish way we once played. To suggest that mediocrity is the Bognor way is to accept defeat. If you're not going forwards you're going backwards. Sadly, we've lost quality players and had the usual run of more experienced players getting injured (Jake, Calvin, Harvey) and Bradley rarely gets much game time. I think we'll survive this season but unless things improve we'll see falling attendances and find it more difficult to attract quality in the future.

You are completely right there, teams we play against look organised and like they have a plan A,B,C and even D. We just look disjointed and poorly drilled. It’s a shame but the positional discipline doesn’t appear naturally, it’s something that needs to be coached into the players.

[Felpham Rock]

Some great posts on here. Officials I don’t comment on. If they are poor,they are poor for both sides so not an excuse for performances. The last posts sum it up for me. I look at the team sheet by the shop & think for example that’s a 4-3-3. Then the game starts & I’m thinking I’m wrong it’s wing backs. Five minutes later it looks a 4-4-2. Then I give up trying to work out what’s going on because everyone is all over the place. Never known anything like it. Even when we’ve struggled in the past you could at see what we were trying to do.

[cg07]

Dec 29, 2022 17:30:06 GMT 1 Felpham Rock said:

Some great posts on here. Officials I don’t comment on. If they are poor,they are poor for both sides so not an excuse for performances. The last posts sum it up for me. I look at the team sheet by the shop & think for example that’s a 4-3-3. Then the game starts & I’m thinking I’m wrong it’s wing backs. Five minutes later it looks a 4-4-2. Then I give up trying to work out what’s going on because everyone is all over the place. Never known anything like it. Even when we’ve struggled in the past you could at see what we were trying to do.

I agree, the team lines up as the 4-3-3 but part of being an organised team is being able to adapt to the opposition and changing style to break down the opponent. At the moment, we just keep trying to force things by knocking it long and relying on Nathan and Patto to win their battles. It almost looks like the players don’t know or aren’t allowed the freedoms to play any other way.

[Goldy]

Dec 30, 2022 1:11:54 GMT 1 cg07 said:

Dec 29, 2022 17:30:06 GMT 1 Felpham Rock said:

Some great posts on here. Officials I don’t comment on. If they are poor,they are poor for both sides so not an excuse for performances. The last posts sum it up for me. I look at the team sheet by the shop & think for example that’s a 4-3-3. Then the game starts & I’m thinking I’m wrong it’s wing backs. Five minutes later it looks a 4-4-2. Then I give up trying to work out what’s going on because everyone is all over the place. Never known anything like it. Even when we’ve struggled in the past you could at see what we were trying to do.

I agree, the team lines up as the 4-3-3 but part of being an organised team is being able to adapt to the opposition and changing style to break down the opponent. At the moment, we just keep trying to force things by knocking it long and relying on Nathan and Patto to win their battles. It almost looks like the players don’t know or aren’t allowed the freedoms to play any other way.

Hmm,Patterson is the type of forward fans have been crying out for. More of a presence,can hold the ball up and wins flick pjs. What’s tough atm him and Nathan haven’t quite clicked,if we look back to Mondays game Nathan missed 3 very good chances,on another day he scores at least 1.

New signing Sammie could be a missing part in the team,especially in midfield and also adds a bit of height and happy to play ball.

I kinda see our formation as a weird 4-1-2-1-2 with Hani setting on the byline to give us width. Downside is he doesn’t defend,leaving your full back isolated.

Anyway onto Monday at Lewes. Get behind the lads.

[charlie]

Delusional. There’s a lot of hit and hope aerial balls when a simple pass on the ground can do. How has Nathan has scored 12 league goals with so little service. Only real chance he had was the first one. Feel sorry for Pato as well. They both look frustrated and not distracted. Too many changes to the team, it’s unrecognisable since the summer and every week there is a new player. Hard to get a system going with so many changes. Haven’t seen good play since Aveley away, with good passing and less aerial balls. Need consistency in who plays where and formation. Confidence looks low across the whole team. Hope Robbie can turn this around as he’s a good man.

[Goldy]

Dec 30, 2022 22:29:26 GMT 1 charlie said:

Delusional. There’s a lot of hit and hope aerial balls when a simple pass on the ground can do. How has Nathan has scored 12 league goals with so little service. Only real chance he had was the first one. Feel sorry for Pato as well. They both look frustrated and not distracted. Too many changes to the team, it’s unrecognisable since the summer and every week there is a new player. Hard to get a system going with so many changes. Haven’t seen good play since Aveley away, with good passing and less aerial balls. Need consistency in who plays where and formation. Confidence looks low across the whole team. Hope Robbie can turn this around as he’s a good man.

No need for name calling. Disagree Nathan had 3 very good chances and I’m sure if there was highlights you’d see that.
Aveley away was good you’re correct.

[lockwood22]

Aveley away was good but we've been good since and will be again. I may be blinded but I just don't see long balls or any hit and hope. I see a team genuinely working hard but taking time to settle with the new faces we needed/wanted! We created lots on Monday and a more confident/another day Nathan scores all 3 of his chances and we go away happier! Here's to Monday, the lads need us.

[westbank]

Who can forget the league below when BFTFC wallowed there then the hierachy of Connie South beckoned. I remember when Tom Martin hugged Jack Pearce at Walton after securing promotion to Connie South Given the structure of the club THAT'S IT. So why on earth do folks bang on about 'sack the manager' 'not good enough' 'so and so are playing out of position', 'bad day at the office'

Look what happened to Brighton Town like they wanted to be called - same league as Littlehampton and Chichester. Be grateful folks.