After the defeat against EGT with 1-2 we are back at TPF against
Haywards are currently the number 4 in the table with 49 points out of 27 games.
They scored 51 and conceded 36 goals. Top scorer: Saunders with 13 goals.
Haywards are currently the team who has the flow: from their last 8 away games they won 6 and drew 2.
From all their 13 away games they lost only 1(!) That was back in October against Guernsey. Although they had a tough game against second bottom club Greenwich last Saturday (0-0). Also they have to play tonight in the Sussex Cup semi final against Burgess Hill.
Our away game against them we lost: https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/2018-2019/isthmian-football-league-south-east-division/haywards-heath-town/hastings-united/113405
And we? Surely we have som problems at the moment; our away form is terrible and this game is somehow the key if we can stay at the top in the table or we have to look out of the play offs.
Hopefully the team will find the spirit to bounce back and give the home crowd a lot to enjoy.
If selected it will be Sam Cruttwell’s 250th game for the club. Pretty good as I believe he has only just turned 21. _______________________________________________________ That is amazing at any level Phil.... Mark would have been a very proud Dad 🙏
Knew we'd lose so didn't bother today! No chance this season now but I feel we will do it next season. Hope Chris stays not his fault with all the injuries we've had.
Strange team selection, apparently Horlock and Mongoy dropped. Don’t understand that decision . Must have had 70% of the play. Haywards Heath big defensive side, lobbed over the top yet again. Simples.
Agree- We have been hard hit by injuries and Chris needs to be at the club for the long term. Haywards Heath were a massive side with seemingly 3 members of Ade Akinfenya's immediate family playing. Hastings had lots of possession but only looked threatening when they passed the ball forward quickly. At 2-2 were hopeful we would get a win but their third goal killed us. Looked a clear foul leading up to the goal so a very frustrating day for all at Hastings. Daniel's goals were excellent and James Pool acquitted himself well. Assume Charlie was not 100%. Hastings clearly the better footballing side but are Haywards Heath better equipped to win matches in our league?
I felt more negative after today's game than at any time this season. I'm sorry about that, because, of course, there were positives and clearly Chris had tried to come up with tactics to counter a Haywards Heath side with a predictable and limited game plan. But the reality is that we failed. Once again, we were vulnerable to the sucker punch and failed to deal with a physical side possessing at least three players who appeared to be straining their 4xl shorts. If we ship four home goals to such a team we have no reasonable prospect of qualifying for the play-offs never mind winning them and (even more questionably) achieving promotion. Chris' kicking the dugout reaction tells the tale. His game plan today failed. Believe me I don't like saying that and take no pleasure in it. But, I have to agree with Chris B: - what is left of this season is now about planning for a more realistic challenge next season. I hope that Chris A is at the helm but I hope is prepared to acknowledge that a simpler more flexible approach will be required.
Not seen too many matches this season but would like to make a few observations on what I witnessed today.
Firstly, it was very disappointing to ultimately lose pretty conclusively to a team who were technically inferior to us.
I know we pride ourselves on being a 'passing team' but I do feel it became apparent quite early on that that approach was going to be pretty fruitless today.
The principal point (I think) of passing it around the back four endlessly is to draw your opponents forward to open space in midfield. However the oversized Haywards Heath forwards never particularly tried to win the ball high up the pitch. They were all content just to retreat and line up their two rows of defenders in front of the penalty area and let us try to play our way through an overcrowded line. It didn't happen.
The frustrating thing was HH often played with a very high back line and weren't even that quick at the back so this was a day to get it forward as quickly as possible.
Once we checked back and played sideways/backward passes, all impetus was lost. How many times today did we get the ball in dangerous wide areas but the attack never even resulted in a goal attempt ?
Haywards Heath were there for the taking today but tactically we got it wrong. This was not a day for worrying about 'possession'. Had we got the ball forward quickly into the vast void behind their back four I think we could have won at a canter.
I certainly enjoyed the early part of this season and the way we went about playing our football but for 3 months now the quality of our play and the explosive intensity we once showed in cutting teams open has been lost. One thing cant get my head around is the loss of 2 of our best players on loan to higher grade teams. Our defence looks vulnerable and error prone to balls over the top and sloppy passes at the back yet arguably our best defender is playing at Whitehawk and with Golding at Lewes, how we could have done with him yesterday against a Haywards Heath side so slow at the back. Really surprised to see Horlock dropped. Apparently no injury just dropped and we bring in a keeper from a county league side to replace him. What's that all about? All the talk of injuries in the Observer I bought on Friday. Bamba out for 2-3 weeks but played. Adams shouldn't have played last weekend but apparently played in an Under 23 game on Monday. Hard to know what to believe?
One thing that really stood out though was how much of a unit, team Haywards Heath were. Technically inferior but from the moment they all came out from the changing rooms together as a team (whereas our players came out in dribs and drabs and then were in little groups) and they way they battled, that with our ability to gift goals was enough for them to do the double over us with a style of play that was effective, well drilled and executed to perfection. Our plan failed.
Last year I remember Chris Agutter saying something like last season was a long pre season to make sure we were promoted this season. It takes time to build teams but it doesn't help getting rid of decent players and then bringing in so many new players, some of which have already left us. In the Observer he said he's not really concerned about results, "it is what it is". A strange thing to say when last season was the pre season for promotion this season or is this season now pre season for next season's promotion push? Something just doesn't feel right at the moment. We will make the play offs, I'm sure of that. Confidence in getting promoted from them is low. Hope I'm wrong.
I am just I told you months ago he wasn’t the right man to get us promoted. Proudly said at the start of season he was happy and we had a very good squad. Next thing after a good start he changes squad for players who were more of a downgrade than an upgrade. How many can honestly say he will get us promoted.
I think we will just about squeeze into the play offs despite a really tough run in and in a one off game anything can happen in the play offs. We are more than capable off beating any team on our day. The problem is, is that our away record is shocking, and even if we did manage to pull off two away wins and win the play off it’s looking like we won’t have enough points for promotion anyway, so I would say it is now looking highly unlikely which is a massive disappointment after the start we made and the squad at our disposal. At the same time, with all that’s been going on around the club over recent weeks and unsavoury incidents at both Whitstable and East Grinstead, perhaps we don’t deserve it. I do just hope that incredible decision, whoever it was made by, to loan out Golding and Christie doesn’t come back to haunt us. 🙏🙏
I THINK HE HAS SPOILED AGOOD TEAM GOLDING CHRISTIE AND NOW CHARLIE WHICH IS A JOKE HAVING 70/00OF THE PLAY IS NO GOOD IF YOU DONT SCORE THE OTHER TEAM JUST SIT BACK AND WAIT CHRIS SEEMS TO BE OBSSISED WITH PEP AT MAN C IS THIS WHERE HE GETS THE SWEEPER GOALKEEPER FROM THATS 3 GOOD PLAYERS HES GOT RID OF AND GOALKEEPER IS A JOKE STANDIND SO FAR OUT OF GOAL WHEN HE WAS HERE BEFORE HE WAS CHARLIES UNDER STUDY
Perhaps Chris, but despite some recent poor results, we can’t really make any judgement until it is impossible for us to go up. It’s a funny old game and whilst there is a chance we have to keep believing. There will be some serious humble pie Chris if we do win the remaining games this season and get promoted however unlikely it may seem. We thought we had no chance two seasons ago and look how close we came to beating Dorking, who are now running away with the premier.
-- Edited by johnw on Sunday 3rd of March 2019 07:09:04 PM
Different rules then John if all we had to do was win the playoffs I’d agree but it’s not that simple to have a chance I think if we drop more than 4pts you may as well forget it
My first pilgrimage to the PF for a while and spent some valuable time with some fantastic people who I admire and respect greatly. It’s certainly not for me to be critical but Mick seems to have it right. It’s nice being patient and having lots of the ball, but it looks like we allow teams to sit in with two banks of four, while we go back, across, back, across, by which time, they are set, and all the play is in front of them. That’s not difficult to defend against. On two occasions when we got the ball forward early, in behind 2 limited centre halves, we scored. So imho, you have to be able to mix it up, otherwise it’s too predictable. You have to admire the desire to play right the way, and it works to a degree. But yesterday was about moving the ball quickly, getting runners in behind, getting some third man runs going, plus defending properly. We didn’t do enough of that. Our first thought has to be “can I go forward?” Let’s face it, it’s a horrible league, where pure footballing teams will find it hard to prosper. I would imagine Cray can play, when it is right to do so, but I bet they do the horrible stuff pretty well too, and can mix it up. Hayward’s Heath weren’t a patch on us from a footballing perspective, but they came and did a job on us. All I would add is that it is a learning curve, and we have the right people in place to move us on. It might just take a while, although there is plenty to be positive about.
Direct quote from Sam Adams on Facebook “Yesterday was a bad result yes but all this negativity ain't doing it any good. I've played under a lot of managers at the club but Chris and his coaching team are by far the best I've played under and asking for a change of manager is a joke if you ask me.”
Good enough for me.
I've seen us play some terrific football under Chris Agutter. I saw some of it in the first half on Saturday, particularly on the occasions when we managed to get Sam Cruttwell's long passes stretching the play and Lanre Azeez attacking the box. There were some good things in that half, given the recent dip in results and given the strength, if not the subtlety, of the opposition. I'm not at all convinced that we did get it wrong tactically, merely that we undermined those good things with poor defending. Yet again.
But that's the problem. I've no real argument with what we do when we have the ball. It isn't perfect, obviously, but it represents a pretty impressive attempt at implementing a passing game at this level. Sometimes it's too slow, sometimes we make costly mistakes, sometimes we struggle to break teams down; every approach has its flaws. For all the groaning whenever a pass goes backwards, and for all that we appeared to run out of ideas as the second half went on, there wasn't that much wrong with what we did in possession on Saturday.
But none of that actually counts for very much if opponents who barely touch the ball can score four goals and, really, consider themselves a bit unfortunate not to have had a couple more. Haywards Heath had, what, 25% possession, maybe even less? They were a massive side but it isn't as if they did us at set pieces. It isn't even as if they did us with a particularly direct, stick-it-in-the-mixer approach. They did us in open play. And that's the bit which does my head in.
I'll defend the passing game. I'll defend the selections and the transfers, or at least defend the manager's right to make those choices based on what he sees on the training ground and in the dressing room. I'll defend players who make honest mistakes. I can see how hard we work on using possession and I applaud that. I'm on board. But honestly, I want to be able to see how hard we've worked on not having possession. That's the difference between this side and one that might win something, and it has been all season.
We have only been following the team on a regular basis this season.
After the first few games of the season we were hooked and have been to most of games home and away.
Over the past 11 games the results may not of gone our way, but we are still playing some of the best football in the league.
All we need is a bit of luck, losing Sam Beale through injury, other injuries and suspensions have not helped us on the way. Late goals away at Horsham and Phoenix along with not finishing of Guernsey have resulted in a poor points return.
I admit it is frustrating when we have the ball in the final third and decide to go backwards, but we have to get behind the team , the board and Aggy. We have a young squad and in recent weeks the likes of James pool, Jamie fielding and Jordy have stepped up to the mark and looked impressive.
we need to give the coaching staff time to develop and improve the squad.The negativity in the stands and on social media affects the players and management. Win 6 out of the last 8 games we have a chance.
It will be difficult , but if we get behind them , we have a chance.
Lets back them away on Saturday, and for the rest of the season
Ridiculous statements... What we talking about sacking him for?? We've played a great brand of football only a few years ago we played some right ****, you want to go back to those days... Time for a bit of bloody unity and get behind the manager and the players ffs were still in the playoffs
Apart from 1 person maybe no one has called for him to be sacked. This is a pretty tame, reasoned message board and I think the points that everyone makes are valid. As a paying supporter why can't I have a view? I don't think the manager helped when he said last season was a long pre season for a promotion season this year or something on those lines. Our form of late and points tally does not encourage anything other than we will miss out this year. But as John says until it's impossible we can still believe but rather than being obsessed with how wonderful the manager is, I'm more a realist. Yes we are in the play offs but our form of late is nothing to be excited about.
Tame indeed as I’ve said many times. Chris has had more support than any manager I can remember in recent history and some of the recent criticism he has received is tame if you look ’up the road’ at the likes of Tonbridge, Folkestone, Maidstone and quite incredibly even at Lewes recently. It comes with the job sadly at every level of football management. I just wish as a club we would either ignore or handle criticism better. I only know a very small minority that want him out which is just silly whilst we still have a chance of promotion (sorryChris) but things are looking pretty desperate now with promotion looking very unlikely due to our points tally. Expectations were set very high with continuous statements in the Observer during early season that we will get promoted, and we should win the league. It was even suggested the manager deserved to get the sack if he didn’t get promoted with this squad....guess who said that ? I had a feeling all those bold statements may come back to haunt us.
Yes there have been some ridiculous statements Hastingschris but equally from both sides of the divide. Some of the comments I read, whatever the level of performance are beyond belief at times. Aggy is a big boy, he can take constructive criticism even from his biggest fans. It doesn’t always help being sickly nice as then, unintentionally , starts to cause a divide between those same fans who have maybe been supporting the club for two season and those many well respected senior members who have been going home and away for 30 years.
I have said before, absolute no criticism from me over style of play, exactly how I try and teach my youngsters. Not once have I criticised that this season and never will. No issue with the manager, has to stay next season. Cant keep changing....who else is there? We don’t have the money to spend and will continue to invest in academy players. Not sure they are as good as some make out but who better to bring them on? Say what you like but no doubts the manager is very popular with all the youngsters.
There have been some very strange going ons this season on and off the pitch. Team selection at Hitchin, players left out for apparent poor performance in training, Golding and Christie, the big fall out at East Grinstead etc etc and even last night!!! Peter Heritage playing for the u23s? What message is that sending out to our academy players? It really has been a bonkers season all round and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if we were now to go on and win every game and get promoted. But whatever happens, manager stays and supporters can air their views whatever they may be, or don’t come on this rather tame forum.
John, like always you write in a absolute positive way about the club you are passionate about. And I agree for 95% and most of all the type of football we play or try to play. But just one question about the strange things going on the pitch: Who is responsible for that; you mentioned some already ( team selection, players left out, players gone..) The Manager or has he even someone above him.?
Well who knows Bert? Communication is pretty poor and the website has never been the same since Sean left so very often supporters make up their own minds.... and there’s the problem. I’ve heard from different sources that Golding was forced out against his will as not popular with the younger players and Christie loaned out after one mistake in the cup at Saltdean. Another source claims nothing to do with that and due to budget cuts/restraints. The fact is we were never told as to why and let’s be honest they don’t have to tell us diddly squat, but then don’t complain when supporters claim and make up their own theories as to why players have been moved on.
Just heard The Observer interview with Chris, Tim. So Charlie dropped as struggling to meet the managers expectactions in playing out from the back. Fair enough.
Peter Heritage played as a forward for United, or was it Town some 30 years ago.He is now 58 and played for the full 90 minutes in last nights Development Squad game. To give the bloke credit he spent the whole game cajoling and encouraging the young team. Perhaps what we have been lacking in the first team this year is a much younger version, a Sean Ray type player who could do a similar job.
Should slot in perfectly alongside Heritage 😁 Seriously, a very good signing. Think Mundle has been crying out for a player like this to play alongside for a while. Good news.
Just heard The Observer interview with Chris, Tim. So Charlie dropped as struggling to meet the managers expectactions in playing out from the back. Fair enough.
Interesting interview, that. Even if we've lost, Chris is usually pretty bullish in his post-match comments. Sometimes a bit too bullish, perhaps, but that's a matter of taste: after all, a manager who doesn't talk things up just gets accused of being uninspiring and unambitious, so you can't really win either way.
He was notably less bullish after the defeat at home to East Grinstead, very obviously chewing over the failings in that game and trying to work out what the response should be. That response - three at the back, two up top, generally rather more cautious - saw us go on a very good run. It was arguably only a rash of injuries in positions key to that formation which halted that run.
Saturday's post-match interview is very similar in tone. I don't mind that he's scratching his head about how his team has lost a game in which they've been so dominant, because that gives me encouragement that he might try to and come up with an answer. And yesterday's signing gives me more encouragement still. Plenty of football left this season.
But surely he should realise that dominating the possession, doesn’t mean a thing these days as teams are now putting more emphasis on playing without the ball, this is my problem with Chris our style is outdated and possession and a slow build up is not a route to success.
Good signing from reading about Elphick. Should really help the struggling defence. Still can't believe the club would allow a 58 year old to play in an Under 23 league game. Got to be one of the most bizarre things this season.
But surely he should realise that dominating the possession, doesn’t mean a thing these days as teams are now putting more emphasis on playing without the ball, this is my problem with Chris our style is outdated and possession and a slow build up is not a route to success.
You're very certain about that. Fair enough, but it isn't the only point of view.
We can discuss the evolutionary history of football tactics if you like, but the main point is goals, points and league tables. If we were knocking around in mid-table, you'd have a more convincing case that we've been pursuing a course that's always been destined to fail. We aren't, though. That is at least an indication, in my view, that this has been a worthwhile attempt, not something that's been doomed from the outset.
Passing football has its challenges, of course. But every type of football has its challenges, including whatever you'd do instead. We all listen to people complain about sideways passing and slow possession; I'll bet you a cuppa and a Kit-Kat that you'll find exactly the same people complaining about our inability to keep hold of the ball when we start playing it longer. No approach is foolproof, and the fun of sounding off on a forum is that we don't ever actually have to get eleven players to implement our hair-brained schemes in front of paying punters.
If we'd been able to meet one or two of the challenges a little better than we have done - and I keep coming back to the goals conceded, particularly those where we've just over-committed and been caught out - then I think we'd be comfortably second behind Cray. I appreciate that we haven't and we aren't, and that ifs and buts don't count for very much. I also appreciate that second behind Cray wouldn't guarantee anything. But if I'm frustrated - and I am - then it's only because it doesn't seem to me that we're very far away.
I agree we are not far away with the players we have, but that was the same under Hare, my take is we have had the players, but not the manager who knows what it takes to get teams promoted at this level.
Fair play to Peter bring that fit to play 90 minutes ... I would last 9 !!
Why he left EB town I don’t know , but he sure has massive experience in the game
Before Chris B ways in ( I am still a Hastings fan ) I am sure the playoffs will happen but I feel sometimes at this level , you have to battle as a team not playing the game of tappy tappy passing
Hope to god Charlie is back on Saturday , the best and most consistent player of the team
