Monkeygrinder's Organ
Dodgy geezer swilling vapid lager
It was imminent about a fortnight ago! I'd say it's well underway now.
Brentwood Town vs Dulwich Hamlet - Tuesday 12th April
- Thread starter Paula_G
- Start date
Monkeygrinder's Organ
Dodgy geezer swilling vapid lager
I think we got a bit lucky last year to be honest -we were in a comfortable position (very close to the eventual winners I think) and just scraped in to the playoffs in the end. The top 2-3 ended up miles ahead of us so I don't think their form dropped off, it was more that the rest weren't too close when we started losing.
This season there are loads of teams just below us (some with games in hand), I don't think we'll get away with another extended run of poor form.
Poids
Well-Known Member
On a related note I was looking at the form of the last couple of sides to win the title. Both Maidstone and Wealdstone lost 6 games all season when they won it.
There was a real resilience about those sides. I can remember quite a few occasions hearing the half time scores and they'd be a couple of goals down but they'd invariably manage to come roaring back and get at least a point.
There was a real resilience about those sides. I can remember quite a few occasions hearing the half time scores and they'd be a couple of goals down but they'd invariably manage to come roaring back and get at least a point.
Monkeygrinder's Organ
Dodgy geezer swilling vapid lager
Something that Hampton, East Thurrock (including twice from a goal down against us) and Tonbridge have all done quite a bit recently.
And we haven't really done.
Paula_G
Flitting in & out like Tinkerbell on Meth
Assuming the 501 was on the London Transport Oyster? There is a bus from Epping to Brentwood but is run by Townlink, seems to be about one an hour but can't see a price on it. Town Link Buses » Timetables
Pink Panther
Well-Known Member
Yes, that was the last game called off in the League or an FA competition. (There might have been teh odd league or county cup tie called off to save the pitch when it wasn't technically unplayable.) The same season Not Police at home on New Year's Day was also called off. From memory both those games were on days when every other match in our division was also washed out.
Last season we finished 20 points behind runners up Hendon and were 4th; the previous season we finshed three points behind runners up Kingstonian and finished 6th!
As a rule you need at least 2 points per match to win teh championship, so that's 92 points minimum in a 46 game season. When we won D1S we had 89 points from 42. Last season Hendon got 95 points and that wasn't enough to win it. At the moment it looks more open with ETU top on 66 from 34. Had we beaten the three strugglers in our last three games, as I'm sure most neutrals would have expected never mind anyone at our own club, we'd be top with 68 from 34, and therefore on target. The championship is still feasible, as beating ETU on Saturday week would reduce that gap to two points with ten games to play, and Hampton have dropped enough points in recent weeks to suggest we can catch them (big if right now) IF we get our act together and put together a run of wins. Bognor and Tonbridge have games in hand, but given their Trophy run and the fact that they don't have our strength in depth beyond their best XI, there's ample scope for Bognor's form to fade, and Tonbridge have already blown a load of games in hand since they were in pole position a few matches before we visited them in early January.
Two seasons ago I thought we did very well in our first season back in the Premier Division since 2001, and last season we did well finish two places higher with (IMO) a weaker side, albeit with fewer points. The disappointment for me in both those seasons wasn't teh final position, it was teh fact that we were in serious contention to actually win the league against expectations before having our poorest run of form over the final dozen or so games of the season. In each of those seasons our players exceeded my expectations for much of the season and their final placing was probably a true reflection of their strength. This season we do have the players to win it. If someone else puts together a great run now and we simply can't catch them, fine, they'll be worthy champions and I'll congratulate tham for it, but anything less than pushing them all the way to the final couple of weeks will be a significant underachievement in my view.
Paula_G
Flitting in & out like Tinkerbell on Meth
Looks like that 21 is out too, Townlink went out of business and the bus is now run as a shuttle between Ongar and Brentwood. Second chance for 21 bus service
Pink Panther
Well-Known Member
Yes, my original info came from an out of date Essex bus timetable book, and before attempting to post further details I thought I'd better check for updates online. Normally rural bus services rarely change much, but in this case they clearly have!" The 501 appears to have been renamed as the 21 by a different operator, and the Epping to Ongar section has ceased altogether.
Another option I discovered is train from Fenchurch St / West Ham / Barking to West Horndon, then there's a very limited bus service 565 that gets you to Brentwood High St (last one back leaves at 1730) or train to Basildon then bus X3 to Brentwood goes relatively near to the ground, but runs only every 2 hours.
Probably easiest and cheapest to do the recommended route via Newbury Park, then replacement bus service @ £3 for the whole journey assuming we don't get any jobsworth checking for rail tickets on the bus. (That leg ought to be bloody free anyway given the amount of inconvenience caused.)
Lyham
Well-Known Member
That's right - Hendon had 2.07pgg last season but apart from that, 2ppg would have won 3 of the last 4 seasons. Maintaining our current position of 1.79ppg would also have won a playoff position in 3 of the last 4.
Interestingly, no team currently has a 2ppg ratio.
Paula_G
Flitting in & out like Tinkerbell on Meth
Considering Brentwood is in Oyster Zone 9, as long as you have your Oyster Card on you and it has enough cash on it then if some jobsworth gets on the should have a reader for it and all you need say is swiping at t'other end. Since the buses are usually hired in by Tfl or the Rail Company, the bus companies get paid whatever so they're not bothered about collecting faces.
Paula_G
Flitting in & out like Tinkerbell on Meth
Our man in the know from Brentwood Town, informs me that for those who might struggle with the walk up to the Arena there is a number 73 bus which runs from the chip shop near the station to the ground. Cab fare is circa £7. Pubs on the way for those that require refreshment.
StephenMac
Well-Known Member
Going to be a pain in the arse journey but with plenty of comedy potential. Any recommended Brentwood pubs? I've mislaid Paul's handy guide for February.
ForwardHamlet
Well-Known Member
I can't remember the pubs (helpful) but I do remember his closing remark of 'An anagram of Brentwood is Bored Town, which says a lot about the place.'
ForwardHamlet
Well-Known Member
Paula_G
Flitting in & out like Tinkerbell on Meth
Forgot.. this is TOWIE Country, pop in here for Vajazzle! Amy Childs Official Salon
all to nah
Well-Known Member
Suits me....am in Hamburg that weekend, watching Altona!
Altona is off, too. But we've watched 3rd plying 4th yesterday and will grab two other matches today. Never was happier than in the last weeks, that there're some of these new grounds with artificial pitches and covered stands around in Hamburg...
Blitzwalker
Well-Known Member
I'm fully expecting to have to find artificial pitches next weekend in Hamburg too. Just seen the forecast for the week and it's not good.
all to nah
Well-Known Member
It's terrible. I finished the latest copy of the fanzine last week. It was very expensive and I have to sell them. Now I've got 500 copies at home and the last two matches have been postponed. If the match next week is off, I'll miss the next four (because I'll be in Barcelona after that)...
So fingers crossed.
Blitzwalker
Well-Known Member
Let's hope so anyway.It's terrible. I finished the latest copy of the fanzine last week. It was very expensive and I have to sell them. Now I've got 500 copies at home and the last two matches have been postponed. If the match next week is off, I'll miss the next four (because I'll be in Barcelona after that)...
So fingers crossed.
Pink Panther
Well-Known Member
It certainly doesn't create a very favourable impression in their first season at this level. Don't know whether it's historically a vulnerable pitch, or maybe problems have developed since the start of this season which are not possible to fix until the summer, e.g. collapsed drainage, or last summer's remedial works didn't go according to plan.
sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
Yeah, it's a bit wet but the weather isn't that bad.
would become unplayable. Unfortunately more rain was forecast!Matboy_Slim
Active Member
Was over Whitechapel way when I got the call regarding the postponement, fully intended to get over to Shenfield/Brentwood early as to watch The Arse on TV. Had to settle for a breakfast curry then the match in a local pub.
Would of rather watched the postponed game. Still.... managed to grab a breakfast curry
Would of rather watched the postponed game. Still.... managed to grab a breakfast curry
