Match Thread vs. Aldershot 04.09.21 [NL]

[MAD_MAGPIE]

I didn't think we were our best by our standards yesterday (by that I mean the standards we set in the last bunch of games at the end of last season.) We seemed sloppy in passing, and what we were trying to do just did not seem to be working for us. We did pass the ball around the back and were looking to go down the left or right, but we just could not find the gaps. So had to keep trying.

However what we do have in the side even if things may not be working is quality and Kyle Wootton is as sharp as anything in front of goal at the moment so it was good that he opened the scoring with his 4th in 4th.

It was disappointing to concede right near the stroke of half time but Aldershot were not making it easy for us, as they had a point to prove that they were not going to be the leagues cannon fodder so when they took the lead it was time for us to up our game.

It always intrigues me when opposition players prefer to come and celebrate in front of the home supporters rather than their own very loyal travelling fans. So it was justice served two minutes later when Kyle Cameron scored his first goal for the club.

One of the best chances of the game fell to DKE who hit a shot that the keeper kind of got down to and then DKE scored by kicking the ball through the keeper. The referee judged the keeper to have the ball in both hands and disallowed the goal but I'd like to see that again.

The third goal was once again a moment of quality from a great one two with R&R and Roberts finishing in the back of the net.

I was really impressed with Kairo Mitchell yesterday and think he is a really good acquisition. Also it was great to see Alex Lacey back in the side again. I see there are some negative comments on here towards JOB. I have nothing but good things to say about this player. He is a leader and a warrior and wears his heart on his sleeve, is brave as he tries to make things happen. That contribution to the team and his experience both on and off the field cannot and should not be understated.

All in all it was a case of job done and we got the three points at home and that's all that matters. We want automatic promotion so we need to be getting 2 points a game and wining regularly and we are bang on this target right now with 8 points from 4 games. We remain unbeaten since the start of the season so it's a good platform we are building.

What yesterday proved is that we are not going to brush aside teams 5-0 every week like Barnet and the lesser teams will not make it easy for us. We probably would have drawn or even lost a game like the one yesterday in season one or two.

[jackal2]

I see there are some negative comments on here towards JOB. I have nothing but good things to say about this player. He is a leader and a warrior and wears his heart on his sleeve, is brave as he tries to make things happen. That contribution to the team and his experience both on and off the field cannot and should not be understated.

Totally agree.

People focus on the fact that some of JOB's passes went astray, but the reason he sometimes loses the ball is because he takes risks to try to make things happen, whether it's leaving his position to make a forward run, or playing a pass first time to build the momentum of the attack and put opponents on the back foot. Give me that bravery any day over the Mark Fotheringham-type players who play hundreds of simple five-yard safe passes which make their game stats look good but achieve nothing for the team.

As well as being an extremely hard worker, JOB never hides. If something doesn't work, he visibly curses himself but goes straight back into the thick of the action and tries to make it work next time. His passion for the game is obvious. I would imagine this is exactly the type of player IB wants, and I'm sure one of the reasons he gave JOB a new 2-year contract is because he highlights him as an example to the rest of team, especially the younger players. The player has courage, mental resilience and a work-rate of someone ten years younger. He can also play in several different positions. I think as fans we should appreciate this, and judging by the standing ovation he got yesterday when he was substituted - having run himself into the ground - I think most do.