TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade

@tufcchris

Chris discusses the Cup loss

THE GLOOM CONTINUES

Another Saturday afternoon against Maidstone at Plainmoor, and another defeat to contemplate. This one saw a much brighter and positive start, with us playing in a shape and structure that was so majorly lacking seven days earlier. The three centre backs were able to push forward as possession was looked after so much better, but again chances came and went. Tom Lasplie was again the main unfortunate culprit in both halves. But the territorial dominance, ownership of the football and chances created had to see us in front. And the calamity that then befell Mark Halstead just before half time only made it worse. On second viewing, the goal should have been disallowed as the ball was kicked out of his hands the second time. But it shouldn’t have got that far if he caught it in the first place. A moment to sum up our current situation.

TOM’S TROUBLES

I am a fan of Tom Lapslie, and have been ever since he walked in the door. But I cannot understand the position that he is playing in further forward. Tom has many qualities, including his combative nature, like for a tackle and abilities to break the play up. But incisive through passes, attacking verve and finishing are not among them. And we also have players that have more quality and are better equipped to do that role in Lewis Collins and Brad Ash. I don’t get why this role is being asked of him when he could be so effective elsewhere in the team.

POOR MARK

The form and reliability of goalkeeper Mark Halstead have been one of the positives for the start of this season. Things would have been far worse far more often without his saves and ability in goal. But the challenge of being a keeper is that there is nowhere to hide, and when you make a mistake it can be pivotal, as was proved at the weekend. 0-0 at half time wouldn’t have been the end of the world and would have allowed us to re-evaluate for the second half. But the calamitous mistake right on half time changed the feel of the match. I also feel that despite the deflection, that he will feel that he should have dealt better with the shot that led to the second goal.

THE BIG QUESTION

I am quite obviously not going to write this article and not address the big issue: the manager. The whole situation right now is very odd and very frustrating. The build up to the game with the frankly unbelievable comments that the club allowed out from the weekly press call left a cloud over Plainmoor pre-match. What an incredible thing to allow on the club social media channels? Who thought that was a good idea? But the players were clearly prepared and the performance was better. but it counts for nothing if you lose. Again, and for the third time in four matches in all competitions.

I am not one to be reactive on such matters and think you should always give more time as less. But Saturday was enough is enough for me. He should have gone in January after a run of awful results culminated in defeat at Yeovil and turned on the fans for the first time. Then the comments in the week and another pop within the first fifteen seconds of his post match interview this weekend. The question I ask is WHAT DOES HE EXPECT? What can he possibly have to feel hard done by about in this situation after last season and the ragged start to this season. He cannot think that the criticism coming his way is unfair. It’s a results business and ours have been terrible for far too long.

The other main question for me is who would make any decision on the manager? CEO George Edwards is clearly the only person anywhere near the owner’s ear, and does he have an experienced football background? Not to my knowledge. But he is at every game and was again on Saturday, and he must be able to feel the unease both in the stadium and on social media. This season of all years cannot be allowed to drift. It just can’t. Getting out of this league at the first attempt is vital.

BACK TO THE LEAGUE

Whilst the FA Cup exploits are behind us for another year, and the money would have been nice, next week will see us return to the main goal: promotion. The next three games are vital to the club for a whole number of reasons. It’s very rare that you can say that 9 points is vital, but it really is. All teams in the bottom third, all struggling. We simply have to front up to these games and win, starting against lowly Welling United at Plainmoor on Saturday. Whoever is in charge….