[Paul]

Whilst I agree with most of the comments, to be fair to TF I’m not sure the early recruitment was all his doing. I remember reading somewhere that, when he took over, PC has stated that he was going to ensure local players were going to be recruited. Again from memory the ‘Gloucester’ lads from Chippenham arrived almost on the same day as TF. PC also stated he would sort players contracts, so any issues with 2 year contracts should be addressed to him.

I would imagine that recruiting locally is more to do with financial reasons. Unfortunately the pool of local players capable of playing at this level and also being in the playoffs is too small. Over the past couple of seasons SK drew from a much wider area than did LM. LM recruited locally and from the south west clubs he had contacts with - and it didn't work.

The successes we've had in the null and void season and reaching the playoffs last season were due to the talented players brought in from across the country by knowledgeable managers.

When we relied on local players in exile - Morford, Smith etc, we just about managed to cling on in NLN season after season. I can only think that available funding was the reason that TF had to recruit locally.  Admirable though bringing on local players is, to rely on that would be naive and a surefire route to relegation . "He's one of our own"  might work in the Southern League, but doesn't cut it at this level.

[Darran]

We were much more on the front foot after we'd conceded though.

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Joe looked good yesterday when he came on, he wasn't afraid to be physical.

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Joe Hanks had a snap shot well saved. That's all it takes to score and we should be trying our luck more often.

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Less petrol money to pay too. That adds more money to the playing budget.

Just seen Joe's shot on WyScout and yeah decent enough save, but it had an xG of 0.04 which highlights how unlikely we are to score from that sort of shot. Total xG was 0.3 which was actually a little higher than against Tamworth. We managed one shot in the 8th minute and our next one was on 60 minutes which was the Hanks one. We attempted just 171 passes of which just 98 were successful. So we basically averaged 1 successful pass per minute.

Our average xG for the season so far (Rushall and Bishops Stortford games are missing) is 0.82 and we have scored 0.75. Against it is 1.67 xG and 1.5 in reality. We are averaging 7.83 shots a game of which 40% are on target and our opponents are averaging 14.75 shots per game. Now having been at the Rushall game that would certainly enhance the averages, but I think it highlights how poor we are at the moment. We can attempt to draw 0-0 the away games all we want, but if we keep conceding that many decent quality shots then we are going to do hard to keep teams out for 90 minutes.

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I have watched the red card footage and it is really hard to see what happened which is why I suspect it wasn't on the highlights. It looks like the lino has given it though and if Wright really did elbow the Boston player from that position in injury time then it was a really poor thing to do from someone who should know better. I wonder if the club might appeal though, but when the footage available isn't great I'm not sure anything would change.

[Neil]

photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/tigerimage...0312299096

[Gladfans]

I would imagine that recruiting locally is more to do with financial reasons. Unfortunately the pool of local players capable of playing at this level and also being in the playoffs is too small. Over the past couple of seasons SK drew from a much wider area than did LM. LM recruited locally and from the south west clubs he had contacts with - and it didn't work.

The successes we've had in the null and void season and reaching the playoffs last season were due to the talented players brought in from across the country by knowledgeable managers.

When we relied on local players in exile - Morford, Smith etc, we just about managed to cling on in NLN season after season. I can only think that available funding was the reason that TF had to recruit locally.  Admirable though bringing on local players is, to rely on that would be naive and a surefire route to relegation . "He's one of our own"  might work in the Southern League, but doesn't cut it at this level.

Excellent post. The league position reflects the above - though I have to agree with only spending what you’ve got coming in. Unfortunately it makes for a long relegation shadowed season.

[Paul]

Excellent post. The league position reflects the above - though I have to agree with only spending what you’ve got coming in. Unfortunately it makes for a long relegation shadowed season.

I agree, we have to spend within our means. Sadly, a season flirting with relegation won't bring in the crowd numbers we need to boost the coffers. I think MC is wiley enough to take us up the table, providing he can get the players... and there's the rub.

[Neil]

Amazes me how few players there are in the FL from Gloucester. Do our senior schools still force boys to play rugby and not allow them to play football these days?

[redshift]

Amazes me how few players there are in the FL from Gloucester. Do our senior schools still force boys to play rugby and not allow them to play football these days?

If you are relying on playing at senior school to learn your skills you are extremely unlikely to make it in the premier league. You need to be in a club academy by the time you are 5.

[Daveangel]

Though I suppose you’re very unlikely to be picked up by an academy if you’re being forced to chase eggs.

[SHANDY LOVE MACHINE]

I saw cooky in Cabot circus this afternoon hopefully trying to pick up a couple of strikers in the sales

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Or before Darren says it let's hope no clowns

[Neil]

If you are relying on playing at senior school to learn your skills you are extremely unlikely to make it in the premier league. You need to be in a club academy by the time you are 5.

Don't start me on academies. Dreadful part of football.