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Post by tenacres on Feb 12, 2019 21:27:35 GMT
Could be a trickier game than the table suggests. They have picked up 10 from the last 6 games including a 1-0 win against contenders Salford on Saturday.
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Post by rocky on Feb 14, 2019 20:37:19 GMT
we got to win games like this
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Braintree
Feb 14, 2019 22:20:10 GMT
via mobile
Post by nobadspitfire on Feb 14, 2019 22:20:10 GMT
Although we won fairly well at Braintree earlier in the season, this will not be an easy game. Historically they have a good record against us and they're fighting for their lives at the foot of the table. I'll be very happy with a win by one goal, but a draw wouldn't be too bad.
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Braintree
Feb 15, 2019 20:55:46 GMT
via mobile
Post by viking800 on Feb 15, 2019 20:55:46 GMT
Like any team, if we stifle their game we will be favourites!
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Post by tenacres on Feb 15, 2019 22:52:13 GMT
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Braintree
Feb 16, 2019 16:00:22 GMT
via mobile
Post by tenacres on Feb 16, 2019 16:00:22 GMT
2-1 up at half time
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Post by michaelefc on Feb 16, 2019 17:38:20 GMT
In many ways this summed up the season. On the positive we are very dangerous from set pieces and in PM we have one of the best headers of a ball in this league. Our keeper was good, we have a lot of fight, spirit and commitment, and it is clear that everyone cares about the shirt, and the crowd have responded to this. On the negative side, without PM we don't look nearly as good, to be fair to Zeb, that bloke gave everything this afternoon and it is difficult to be critical, but he is not a 15-20 goal a season man, and we need that.
Defensively without Reda, we are just not very good, pace causes us a lot of problems and although I thought the sending off was harsh, it was always possible because of the speed with which Braintree attacked.
For me the key to us finishing top 7 is getting PM and RJ fit, if we do that we have a chance, if either is out for any period of time, we won't make it, because quite simply the squad as a whole isn't quite good enough.
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Post by hantslondoner on Feb 16, 2019 18:09:16 GMT
Agree with the comments above - not your standard easy win, Eastleigh doesn't do that! But again the players showed that they can battle and overcome adversity (some self-inflicted, some caused by a poor ref).
I can think of a few Eastleigh teams in the last few years who would have lost that. Talking points: the ref changed his mind about the corner for our first, when the linesman (correctly) told him he was wrong; for me, the penalty was justified, as for some reason Luke came out with his feet, Joey Jones slid oin too, but the keeper made up for it with a very good save. The clash between Mark Yeates and their man was interesting - they were screaming for a red card, I though both players slid in so two yellows would have been better. Cav's second yellow was correct (shouldn't be making that sort of challenge when you're on a yellow), can't remember the first yellow (dissent, apparently). The visitors showed why they're at the bottom with their defending for our goals, but came back well. They scored a really good goal and had some decent players, but were missing a cool finisher. We made a few unforced errors but deserved to hang on - just. Standout players for me were Macca for his two goals, and Zeb for his workrate. Zeb may not get the goals but if he plays like that he makes space and chances for Macca who will. Now out of the top 7 only on goal difference - a few midweek games coming in now, so the injury news will be key - we have a good 13 or 14 but I'm not sure the rest of the squad will be able to do it week in week out. A character-building win today, though, and not a bad watch.
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Post by nobadspitfire on Feb 16, 2019 18:47:09 GMT
Can't we have a bit more positivity about the team and the game rather than saying the squad isn't good enough? We may not have the strength in depth of some other teams, but earlier in the season we looked at this squad as relegation candidates, despite AH correctly saying we were a top 9 team. With very few changes AH and Strevs have developed the squad to play a far better standard of football than we suffered in the past 2 seasons.
On the back of losing 3 influential players to injuries today, and Cav Miley's dismissal, we played with so much character against a revitalised Braintree side who played a lot better than their league position would suggest. We also had to contend with a ref who booked our players for minor offenses, and made a really poor decision to award Braintree the penalty. That was one of the best games of the season today and the team deserve heaps praise from fans, not comments about them not being good enough for the play offs.
This is shaping up to be our most successful season in the league (ignoring cup competitions) since our first in the NL. Let's just take it one game at a time and see where we end up. If we don't make the playoffs, so what? We will have overachieved from where we thought we'd be.
My only concern is that we could now have 5 players out injured (PM, RJ, DH, BW, & OG) plus CM suspended for next week's game. Not heard any news on when Shaun Hobson may be fit, but on the face of it we're going to need him pdq. Maybe there's a possibility of bringing in another loan player, but it's likely to take a while for any incoming players to bed in with the team.
For now, after such a great 3 hard won points today, let's thank the Management and players for giving us such an entertaining game.
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Post by michaelefc on Feb 16, 2019 19:36:04 GMT
I thought my post was pretty positive! I certainly never thought our squad was relegation candidates and right at the beginning of the season I forecast us to come 9th. I think BS is doing a decent job, and i thought today was an absorbing game and a good advert for the league. The spirit of the side shone through and I think that was one of the reasons the crowd were right behind the team.
Nonetheless I feel we are very dependant on PM for goals and I think we are much more solid at the back with Reda fit. For me the fitness of these two is absolutely key. Don't see that as negative just the way it is.
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Post by thelake on Feb 16, 2019 20:04:43 GMT
2 up at home to bottom of the league, come on that should be an easy 3 or 4 win. but we got the win, that is the bottom line
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Post by hantslondoner on Feb 16, 2019 20:06:53 GMT
Same - I thought my post was pretty positive as well, and I'll repeat just one point: 'I can think of a few Eastleigh teams in the last few years who would have lost that'. That's a sign of the spirit that has been built in the team, by Strevs, and by Hess before that.
If you object to my statement: 'we have a good 13 or 14 but I'm not sure the rest of the squad will be able to do it week in week out' then I'll stand by that.
Looking at the bench today, we had some good young players on there - the ones who came on did a good job, and in the future they could be first-team regulars. But I wouldn't be comfortable about them having to start the next few games, for example (apart from Cav Miley, who's now suspended for the next one anyway). That's what I mean. And, as michaelefc says, two very important members of our first team were injured early on today, and we saw the difference.
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Braintree
Feb 16, 2019 20:45:47 GMT
via mobile
Post by nobadspitfire on Feb 16, 2019 20:45:47 GMT
My post was in reply to Michael's post, no others.
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Post by michaelefc on Feb 16, 2019 20:58:25 GMT
Fair play, everyone is entitled to an opinion. I will say having seen the interview with BS, that I was unaware than Mark Yates was injured and so we were effectively down to 9 players for the last 30 minutes. That's some effort, and I think we can be very pleased we don't have a midweek game. Lets hope we get some good news on the injuries in the week.
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Post by tenacres on Feb 16, 2019 21:32:48 GMT
Big win today. McCallum is up to 19 by my reckoning. It really is hotting up for the playoff places, good day for us on that front with 5 sides above us losing. Salford seem (touchwood) to be hitting a sticky patch.
Did anyone see what the crowd was today? Not seen it given
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