I have spoken to quite a few of you since Saturdays game. Frustrating would be the least counterproductive thing I could say. You all know that we should have walked away with a win in this game, I don’t need to tell you. We do need to stop loosing to these guys though and I think they are a little in our heads. What to say then? Firstly what were the key differences between the game the week before and this? I think it’s true that Sun Sports are a much better team than Oxhey A. This is important to remember, as it will be no good going through the season as flat track bullies, loosing the games that matter and beating the lemons. I would also note that we were much more positive in the Oxhey game, and way more negative and hesitant with all aspects of our game against Sun Sports. We snatched at our passes, communicated negatively, missed opportunities and made the wrong decisions all across the park. That is not to say we started badly, as we should have been two to the good before they even had a sight at our goal. Indeed the first twenty minutes I thought we were going to smash them. However…… we gave away a few silly free kicks, they got their tails up, we missed a few chances, got on each others backs and before we knew it we were staring down the barrel of a 2-0 deficit. Halftime should have steadied the ship, but we started where we left off and some lacklustre ball retention and abject tackling culminated in a clumsy stick on penalty and we are now 3-0 down. PANIC… If I had to put my finger on it - Panic - is where it comes from. I can only tell you how it felt having seven or more conflicting shouts in various degrees of desperation when in possession. Communicate, but don’t discourage or frighten. We are fortunate to have two midfielders in our team who are both in a rich vein of form, and are both impervious to the hubbub that goes on around them. They seem to be able to lift themselves above the noise and play through the storm. Indeed the goal that we scored with half an hour to go, owes itself to Jonnny and his bravery taking a 30 yard dig. I say brave because had he been high wide and handsome, he would have taken a few select words for his efforts. Jonny, I salute your bravery, artistry and confidence. There are others on our team who will make the wrong decision if they are pressed in a counter productive way. I know from my own experience during this particular game that I made several wrong decisions in the melee of conflict, and I’m no shrinking violet. Now, the goal made several things happen: One man made a stand, took it upon himself and asked for the team to come with him. Belief became the order of the day, and Sun Sports visibly weakened under the challenge - you must have seen this? The second goal came from a sublime passage of play, and was utterly brilliantly even under pressure. This is the sad part, as we ran out of time to put it right. It’s a shame, but it is our own fault, and the only way we get anything from this is to learn. I know this team has the ability to do so, we just need to trust each other and empower each other to produce at a collective team level. Each player has a different set of buttons that when pressed will produce the goods. I’d suggest that we will get more out of a game, if we play with the attitude and desire from the last thirty minutes than the first hour?! We are back in the league again on Saturday. 3 Points is vital, I think you all know this. Be prompt, be ready, have your game faces on, communicate, enjoy the shit out of it and keep it Rotten.
