MATCHWATCH : Bromley (a)

[PieEater]

Happy with that win, Bromley are the Arsenal like teams we'll have to beat this year with their fouling, feigning free kicks, long throw and shithousing.

I thought we did ok till the missed pen, it should have been a comfortable win but actually hanging on to a 1-1 did us good. we can look back at a missed pen, and shambles defending equaliser.

The new boys did OK and I think we'll do ok this season.

BTW get used to completely shit refs/

[MR. CYNICAL]

Happy with that win, Bromley are the Arsenal like teams we'll have to beat this year with their fouling, feigning free kicks, long throw and shithousing.

I thought we did ok till the missed pen, it should have been a comfortable win but actually hanging on to a 1-1 did us good. we can look back at a missed pen, and shambles defending equaliser.

The new boys did OK and I think we'll do ok this season.

BTW get used to completely shit refs/

Ok? It was typical Richardson. Go one up and in control then sit back and give them the initiative and eventually concede an equaliser. After that we struggled to regain control of the game until they had a player sent off when we finished the game on top.

[Carlos]

A rather depressing match to watch. First twenty minutes we looked decent but then seemed to sit back randomly and hardly created a chance. Can't remember their keeping making a save so not great overall. Player ratings

Pereira - 2 - what was that for the goal? Embarrassing for someone harbouring ambitions of playing in a higher league. Kicking was poor as well.

Full backs 4 - had flashes where they looked ok but also constantly hoofed the ball to no one.

Centre backs - 6 - solid, didn't look overly threatened.

Rinhomota - 2 - let's hope he was just rusty as he lost the ball numerous times, and his strength was severely lacking.

Wing - 4 - missed the penalty, ineffective all game.

Lisbie - 8 - best player, good play for first won the penalty. Think he'll be a good signing.

Stokes - 7 - looked decent good finish, not much else going on but good signing.

Kyerewaa - 3 - liked what I saw at times last season but looked out of his depth times which is mad to say when playing Bromley.

Brown - 2 - not a striker.

Thought lane looked good at left back, Randell looked ok, Marriott not sure he was fit.

Overall a nice day out but we had them on toast first twenty minutes how we ended up huffing and puffing for 70 minutes with no cutting edge must lay at the door of Richardson.

[skipper]

Reminded me of when we lost to Swindon recently. First 20 we were comfortably in control and didnt make it count. At least this time we didn't capitulate.

Definetly just rusty. I suspect that we thought Bromley would be more of a push over. Hope that that was the wake up call.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Decent start, decent end, messy middle. Probably deserved to win in normal time and if we can produce the highs more consistently throughout the game we’ll be a dangerous team to play.

Not sure on Brown but then he wasn’t getting many chances - couldn’t tell if it was his fault or the team’s. Thought the rest of the new signings looked pretty good. Hopefully things will gel and improve with more games under the belt.

[South Coast Royal]

How's yer luck?

I had a bet builder:-

Goals over 1.5
Corners over 8.5
Both teams to score
but Wing to score in normal time

Wing never misses penalties.

As for the game -a typical mid-table type 3rd division game with Bromley having a good shape and Reading having no shape but some pace.

The major problem still exists of just not making enough chances-we had 3(?) on target.
Right-back o.k.
Lisbee lively at times
Rino off the pace
Michael Cheek, even at 34 is still a handfull.

The saddest part for me was the commentator reminding us that it is not so long ago that we were a Premier League side and Bromley very much non-league.

[Linden Jones' Tash]

The saddest part for me was the commentator reminding us that it is not so long ago that we were a Premier League side and Bromley very much non-league.

Probably the only thing he got right all game....

[South Coast Royal]

The saddest part for me was the commentator reminding us that it is not so long ago that we were a Premier League side and Bromley very much non-league.

Probably the only thing he got right all game....

I didn't mind the commentator.

Just basic stuff and he knew the players of both sides and told us who the new signings were for each.
Interesting that our penalty takers were established Reading players whereas theirs were all newbies.

The cockney bloke who does our home games is almost unbearable so I am glad it is only a few evening games where I am not at the game and am watching on TV.

[South Coast Royal]

This is shocking.

Maybe I have low standards, but I think we've looked good. Dominated possession and territory in the 2nd half, had a penalty to win it and a few half chances from crosses too. Play that game 10 times and we'll win 6 or 7 of them.

Low standards and/or poor eyesight?
Once again we created so little in terms of clearcut chances and had just 3(?) shots on target, including the goal.

As opposed to "looking good" I agree with the other posters that we had a few moments but lacked teamwork and creativity-much the same as last season.

[RG30]

Enjoyable day in Bromley. Thankfully arrived just after 11 and avoided the worst of the travel problems late yesterday morning/early afternoon out of Victoria. Nice set-up as well, stadium only a 10-15 minute walk from Bromley South Train Station.

At the time I wasn't as down on the 1st half performance as others in the away end were although the comical goal they scored has to go down as a Pereira error. He's regressed badly in the 12 months and whether it's his just in his nature or the change of coaches I'm not sure but it wasn't a convincing display.

The new RB looks good and what has been a problem position for a number of years looks to have been plugged with a ready made replacement. On his debut, Lisbie looks an exciting player and should be a fun watch in the coming months.

[Stranded]

It was just the sort of game I expected in an opening fixture that frankly is probably the lowest priority of the season (and I include the Trophy in that, as we could actually win that).

There were signs of what LR wants them to do in terms of attacking but defensively still some work to do - in many ways preseason didn't help us there as we were never really tested or pushed back to test a way of playing that isn't just fall back behind the ball, so any new patterns aren't in bred yet.

So yeah rusty, but given Bromley's only goal was a total cock up, on another day, we walk away for a 2 or 3 goal win.

Another week to prepare for the "real" start of the season and a home game against a tough opponent. It will probably be another real test, so am not expecting anything amazing out of the gate but you can see where we are potentially heading in terms of playing style, the biggest question is will we get there.

[West F]

Given that the squad had been subject to a bout of Norovirus in the week preceding the game, I can understand that general performances would have been below par. Bromley have an entire season comprised of third round FA cup ties ahead of them. This was their first, and anyone who plays against them are going to have to defend league two long balls and set pieces for 90 minutes.
Their goal came from a completely shanked pass that failed to find it’s intended runner, and curved with perfect weight in behind O’Connor. Possibly a fit O’Connor deals with it, but he was turned and outpaced by Cheek. There may have been an element of ‘yours, mine, leave it’ at the end, but Paudie has the agility and recovery pace of Herman Munster at the best of times. Let alone when he has been squitting himself inside out for three days prior to the game.

[Sutekh]

Given that the squad had been subject to a bout of Norovirus in the week preceding the game, I can understand that general performances would have been below par. Bromley have an entire season comprised of third round FA cup ties ahead of them. This was their first, and anyone who plays against them are going to have to defend league two long balls and set pieces for 90 minutes.
Their goal came from a completely shanked pass that failed to find it’s intended runner, and curved with perfect weight in behind O’Connor. Possibly a fit O’Connor deals with it, but he was turned and outpaced by Cheek. There may have been an element of ‘yours, mine, leave it’ at the end, but Paudie has the agility and recovery pace of Herman Munster at the best of times. Let alone when he has been squitting himself inside out for three days prior to the game.

Not to mention being assisted by the stand up comedy routine in goal at the time.

[JC]

I think the most depressing thing about this game was Leam's post match interview. It felt like a rehash of so many from last season with just a couple of name changes. Apparently Rino had a good game!
The only possible caveat was he said that the sickness bug was still doing the rounds and I think he specifically mentioned Wing and O'Connor. If true that may explain a few lethargic performances

[Uke]

Has nobody made a jif of El Gato's penalty save yet?

[Whore Jackie]

Didn't see any of the pre-season games, but this felt an awful lot like last season. Wing very much still in the QB position. Other than the first ten minutes or so, it took them going down to ten men, before we regained any sense of positive possession. Bromley will do alright this season, a very physical, powerful and big side. Thought they were better than some on here. We really struggled to match that, Rino looked miles off it first-half, Randell took a battering after coming on.

Udoka-Malife looked the pick of the new signings, good feet, great in the air. Really impressed with him. Lisbie did well too, that RHS will hopefully be a strength for us. Felt Stokes, other than his goal and Brown were pretty anonymous. Brown's certainly not a 9. Ward won most things in the air and got better as the game went on. Dorsett was really poor, Lane looked far better at LB, and even won a few headers. I'd rather he started on Saturday, assuming Roberts won't be able to. Savage looked bright when he came on.

Agreed with RG30 on Bromley. Decent stadium set-up, easy to get to. Memo to the burger people in the away end. Lovely scram, but please invest in a larger grill pan. If we still have the heatwave in March, make sure you're factored up. Wasn't quite as lucky on the trains, got stuck at Victoria, eventually jumped on the stopper and got off at Shortlands and walked to the Star and Garter. Cracking pub with an excellent beer choice and not too pricey.

[Stranded]

The saddest part for me was the commentator reminding us that it is not so long ago that we were a Premier League side and Bromley very much non-league.

Probably the only thing he got right all game....

Imagine how Leicester will feel when the commentators compare their position when winning the PL to Bromley's when they meet...

[Uke]

Has nobody made a jif of El Gato's penalty save yet?

Oh well then...

[Clyde1998]

Didn't see any of the pre-season games, but this felt an awful lot like last season. Wing very much still in the QB position. Other than the first ten minutes or so, it took them going down to ten men, before we regained any sense of positive possession. Bromley will do alright this season, a very physical, powerful and big side. Thought they were better than some on here. We really struggled to match that, Rino looked miles off it first-half, Randell took a battering after coming on.

Udoka-Malife looked the pick of the new signings, good feet, great in the air. Really impressed with him. Lisbie did well too, that RHS will hopefully be a strength for us. Felt Stokes, other than his goal and Brown were pretty anonymous. Brown's certainly not a 9. Ward won most things in the air and got better as the game went on. Dorsett was really poor, Lane looked far better at LB, and even won a few headers. I'd rather he started on Saturday, assuming Roberts won't be able to. Savage looked bright when he came on.

Agreed with RG30 on Bromley. Decent stadium set-up, easy to get to. Memo to the burger people in the away end. Lovely scram, but please invest in a larger grill pan. If we still have the heatwave in March, make sure you're factored up. Wasn't quite as lucky on the trains, got stuck at Victoria, eventually jumped on the stopper and got off at Shortlands and walked to the Star and Garter. Cracking pub with an excellent beer choice and not too pricey.

Have to agree with a lot of this.

Bromley looked a decent enough side. I don't know what sort of side they put out, but I'm guessing it was a strong one. They certainly won't be whipping boys in this division if they keep playing like they did on Saturday.

We were the better side across the entire game and ultimately us progressing was the right outcome.

Malife certainly looked a positive addition for the reasons above, plus he got forward well and looked to progress the play. Lisbie was similar in his drive to progress the ball and that ultimately lead to the penalty.

Stokes did end up being quiet after his goal. It seemed to be the sort of game where a more creative player may struggle (especially when you're not used to playing with the players around you) and we were primarily looking to progress the game through the wide areas.

Brown did basically what I expected of him. He's not an out-and-out striker and had limited service in dangerous areas in order to do anything. Marriott will no doubt be preferred in that position if he's fit. Brown could well end up seeing more game time in the hole behind the lead striker if we have a fit options there.

Lane looked decent at left-back, although I'd note he wasn't challenged defensively. Dorsett remains a left-sided centre-back (in a three) in my mind – similar to Tyler Blackett from a few years back. He will continue to do a job at left-back, but I don't think he'll ever be at the level people expect in the advanced role we require there. Roberts will no doubt be the first choice when available.

As a marker for the season ahead, it's closer to where we want to end up than at the end of last season. I'm still concerned by the depth of the squad in certain areas and we can't draw too much from a single game, especially as we don't have a clear idea of how good Bromley will end up being in this division.

Thought it was a decent set-up there. Not sure that section is really designed for 800-odd away fans, although I think they usually only have an away allocation of about 500 and they're doing a lot of work in that part of the ground. It took a bit of time for the coaches to clear the traffic leaving the ground, although that's to be expected in that part of the country and pales in comparison to Wycombe.

One thing I noticed from my vantage point above the 'concourse' was at least twenty-five people leaving the ground with more than fifteen minutes to go (a group left after 55 minutes). I don't understand the reasoning for so many leaving that early, especially as the game was still in the balance.

[Royality creeps In]

I thought the bar/fan zone section was one of the best I have been to in a while. There was a great selection of drinks and reasonably priced. Plenty of screens showing at least two different games. I guess this area was quite new.
The ground itself looked to have been upgraded although the away fans section was a bit grim (and bloody hot)
On that point there were at least a couple of our fans either suffering/collapsing with heatstroke or excess ale!

The game itself wasn't great. A few new faces with the same old rubbish. I know it was the first game, but we went more or less full strength and it was a pretty poor display. Feeling its going to be a long season.