Weston-Super-Mare v WFC - Match Thread
Nov 8, 2023 11:21:11 GMT
Worthing Scottish and worthingwire like this
Post by Keithsson on Nov 8, 2023 11:21:11 GMT
The games come thick and fast now. Including Alfreton we are 'Sat/Tues' right through November into early December... nine games in 29 days.
It's a hectic schedule which will fully test the robustness and focus of our squad. But in a very tight league this year, and with back to back league wins for the first time since August, whilst it may be a tough physical challenge, if we can seize on this little bit of momentum then the rewards for a strong November could be massive.
Next up is another long trip, Weston-Super-Mare.
Match Centre - Link
Match Tickets - Seemingly 'pay on the day' only, the link provided is merely for the prices - WSMFC Website
Coach - WFCSA Travel
Ground Guide - The Optima Stadium
'The Seagulls' (no, it doesn't sound right does it) have had a funny old season so far. We think we've tailed off a bit but it pails into comparison to their decline from play-offs to the relegation places...
WSMFC Position/Points graph - Link
As we ascended back into the play-off zone last night they slunk back to 18th with 18 points from 16 games...
NLS table - Link
They only dropped down though because they didn't play this midweek. That in itself could be a huge factor and may (we hope!!) be the reason several key players were not utilised at all or were withdrawn early last night.
Weston currently sit 22nd in the overall form table with just 4 points from the last 18 available, we are now 14th with 7/18. Looks promising but the only caveat I'd observe is the teams they've played in those six games, it's been a tough run of fixtures... Chelmsford H, Braintree A, Torquay H, Maidstone H, Dartford A, Aveley A. For a team in their league position that they secured those points with a win against Torquay (3-2) and a draw against Maidstone (1-1) isn't all that shabby.
Both their positive recent results came at home but despite that they're still in 21st place for home form with 6 points from the last available 18 at home. All season the only other points they've gained at home were all against teams beginning with 'H'... Havant (1-0), Hemel (1-1) and Hampton (1-1). Our away form you'd think would take a long while to digest the humble pie of our hat-trick of 4 goal 'pants down whoopings'. But with three wins in that spell also we're actually 7th for away form 9/18 on the road.
NLS Form (last 6 H&A) - Link
For your viewing offering this time, as a guide to what they can do, the battle of the 'gulls...
Weston v Torquay highlights (24/10) - YouTube
So there's room for encouragement in the numbers. But our performance levels have flip-flopped like an octopus in sliders in the last month or two so that breeds no room for complacency.
A big factor on the day will be how our defence deals with their main threat Reuben Reid. Firmly in veteran status now at 35 I've followed his career as he started out in the mid noughties at Argyle. A precocious and stroppy teen he then knuckled down and filled out massively to become a very strong presence up front. Great at holding up play, knocking defenders off the ball and with a poachers eye and a vicious shot he not unsurprisingly had a decent EFL career. He's exactly the type of forward I feel we need, a proper menace. Not quite an Akinfemwa but think Cal Kealy on steroids only with more of a ruthless streak. Joel and Joe will have their work cut out on Saturday.
I've touched on our squad situation already... Robbo and Klass seemingly fit and well in the stands last night, Ricky and Nicky withdrawn early. No-one seemed to hobble off so I'd anticipate a quite light training session on Thursday and a few changes from Havant.
All Saturday games...
Bath City v Aveley
Chelmsford City v Chippenham Town
Eastbourne Borough v Braintree Town
Farnborough v Weymouth
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Maidstone United
Havant & Waterlooville v Torquay United
Hemel Hempstead Town v Taunton Town
St Albans City v Tonbridge Angels
Truro City v Dartford
Welling United v Slough Town
Weston-super-Mare v Worthing
Yeovil Town v Dover Athletic
The potential therefore exists for 3rd place with a win on Saturday, that'd really put us back on the map. With some 'green on green' action at Hampton a draw there would be ideal. And although a draw for Bath would be unlikely to see us overhaul their goal difference, and thus keep us 4th, that they're playing 2nd place Aveley means it wouldn't be a bad outcome at all to lose a point to the system. We can't catch Aveley yet but if we're on the decent run of form we've all been desperate to start making, they'll come another day.
That's all of course contextualised by the remaining threat from below, we're not out of the woods by any means. If we **** it up at Weston we could still end the day in 11th.
Safe travel to all heading over and come on you Rebels!
It's a hectic schedule which will fully test the robustness and focus of our squad. But in a very tight league this year, and with back to back league wins for the first time since August, whilst it may be a tough physical challenge, if we can seize on this little bit of momentum then the rewards for a strong November could be massive.
Next up is another long trip, Weston-Super-Mare.
Match Centre - Link
Match Tickets - Seemingly 'pay on the day' only, the link provided is merely for the prices - WSMFC Website
Coach - WFCSA Travel
Ground Guide - The Optima Stadium
'The Seagulls' (no, it doesn't sound right does it) have had a funny old season so far. We think we've tailed off a bit but it pails into comparison to their decline from play-offs to the relegation places...
WSMFC Position/Points graph - Link
As we ascended back into the play-off zone last night they slunk back to 18th with 18 points from 16 games...
NLS table - Link
They only dropped down though because they didn't play this midweek. That in itself could be a huge factor and may (we hope!!) be the reason several key players were not utilised at all or were withdrawn early last night.
Weston currently sit 22nd in the overall form table with just 4 points from the last 18 available, we are now 14th with 7/18. Looks promising but the only caveat I'd observe is the teams they've played in those six games, it's been a tough run of fixtures... Chelmsford H, Braintree A, Torquay H, Maidstone H, Dartford A, Aveley A. For a team in their league position that they secured those points with a win against Torquay (3-2) and a draw against Maidstone (1-1) isn't all that shabby.
Both their positive recent results came at home but despite that they're still in 21st place for home form with 6 points from the last available 18 at home. All season the only other points they've gained at home were all against teams beginning with 'H'... Havant (1-0), Hemel (1-1) and Hampton (1-1). Our away form you'd think would take a long while to digest the humble pie of our hat-trick of 4 goal 'pants down whoopings'. But with three wins in that spell also we're actually 7th for away form 9/18 on the road.
NLS Form (last 6 H&A) - Link
For your viewing offering this time, as a guide to what they can do, the battle of the 'gulls...
Weston v Torquay highlights (24/10) - YouTube
So there's room for encouragement in the numbers. But our performance levels have flip-flopped like an octopus in sliders in the last month or two so that breeds no room for complacency.
A big factor on the day will be how our defence deals with their main threat Reuben Reid. Firmly in veteran status now at 35 I've followed his career as he started out in the mid noughties at Argyle. A precocious and stroppy teen he then knuckled down and filled out massively to become a very strong presence up front. Great at holding up play, knocking defenders off the ball and with a poachers eye and a vicious shot he not unsurprisingly had a decent EFL career. He's exactly the type of forward I feel we need, a proper menace. Not quite an Akinfemwa but think Cal Kealy on steroids only with more of a ruthless streak. Joel and Joe will have their work cut out on Saturday.
I've touched on our squad situation already... Robbo and Klass seemingly fit and well in the stands last night, Ricky and Nicky withdrawn early. No-one seemed to hobble off so I'd anticipate a quite light training session on Thursday and a few changes from Havant.
All Saturday games...
Bath City v Aveley
Chelmsford City v Chippenham Town
Eastbourne Borough v Braintree Town
Farnborough v Weymouth
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Maidstone United
Havant & Waterlooville v Torquay United
Hemel Hempstead Town v Taunton Town
St Albans City v Tonbridge Angels
Truro City v Dartford
Welling United v Slough Town
Weston-super-Mare v Worthing
Yeovil Town v Dover Athletic
The potential therefore exists for 3rd place with a win on Saturday, that'd really put us back on the map. With some 'green on green' action at Hampton a draw there would be ideal. And although a draw for Bath would be unlikely to see us overhaul their goal difference, and thus keep us 4th, that they're playing 2nd place Aveley means it wouldn't be a bad outcome at all to lose a point to the system. We can't catch Aveley yet but if we're on the decent run of form we've all been desperate to start making, they'll come another day.
That's all of course contextualised by the remaining threat from below, we're not out of the woods by any means. If we **** it up at Weston we could still end the day in 11th.
Safe travel to all heading over and come on you Rebels!