Dulwich vs Concord Rangers 25/4/23

[Pink Panther]

The bad news is Concord are playing H&W, who look in disarray. They can't make the play offs now, and they've got two points from their last 4 away games!

Edit: H&W can just about make the play offs, but they'd need two hefty wins to make up the goal difference.

At least Havant have stopped losing. They're now unbeaten in their last 4, all draws, and have only lost 2 of their last 8 (to Worthing and St Albans) since we beat them. I'm not sure how they've gone so long without a win with their squad. They still looked pretty strong to me at our place, considering they were a man short for 75 minutes. The good news is Concord's goal difference is so poor, a draw in that game is as good as a defeat from our point of view. They can only catch us by winning both remaining games.

Interesting that Frankie Raymond was dropped to the bench in such a critical game. Not that I disagree with the decision, just interesting, especially if the stand in manager made the call. We didn't seem to miss him.

Decent effort, but I got the impression that Concord were a tiny bit hungrier, which was the difference and aided them to a share of the points.

Moment of the night for me was when the ball went out and smashed into someone's pint, and Andre Blackman was having a laugh with the fans. In all his games - must be 100 or so - I have never seen him interact like that. Seems he is human after all

Terry Harris is a vastly experienced assistant. He's had that role for well over 1,000 matches, mostly at higher levels, working mainly with John Still but also Peter Taylor, Wayne Burnett, Nathan Jones and Hakan of course. He must have had to deputise for the manager on previous occasions. I dare say there's been a considerable amount of discussion with Hakan by telephone or video call over team selection and that Hakan will have seen the full recording of Saturday's game.

Our current situation and match strategy doesn't really suit Raymond's game at all. At Hungerford he was repeatedly clattered when trying to slow the play down and pick passes and seemed to be struggling to close down opponents when we were defending. One of the photos in the official club photographs showed nasty looking marks on the outside of his left shin above the ankle, caused by the foul that earned the first red card. Maybe he was still sore from that?

There do seem to be a lot of tweaks to the team selection from one game to the next. I'm never entirely sure which are tactical and which are due to people carrying injuries. Jones has done remarkably well in the last three games but I'd feel a lot more confident with Holland and Phillips to reinforce the spine of the team. We know Porter and Crichlow can't play on Saturday, which leaves us worryingly short of forward options. Assuming the other 14 players used tonight are all available, possibilities for the other places appear to be Phillips, Fawole, Owusu, Vint, Campbell, but I'm guessing most if not all of those were not fit enough for Concord. Are we even going to have a full bench on Saturday?

As for Blackman, he often seems to be in a world of his own. He was driving me to distraction tonight, turning inside or backwards to look for obscure options when there was a simple ball forward open to him on his favoured left foot. Carew used to annoy me by doing that, but generally in safe positions when opponents were dropping deep, not at left back in the no man's land of an end to end relegation battle.

 

[charliepooley]

The situation would be a bit easier for us if someone docked Concord a couple of points for their dreadful grey, baggy kit

Thanks for that i thought it was just me ha, it was hard to pick them up at times , a few times i thought a hamlet player was on his own and on the ball then realised a concord player was by the side of him as a tackle went in
Thought i was the only one, also mentioned it during the game
i thought it was a entertaining game at times , twice sitting in the stand so further out the crowd jumped up thinking the ball was in the net in the second half , one time it went around the side of the net, then near the end a concord player slipped letting hamlet in passes the keeper looks like its a open goal but somehow goes for a corner off a oppo player who seemed to come from nowhere
Well seemed to maybe it was that kit !

 

[Pink Panther]

Thanks for that i thought it was just me ha, it was hard to pick them up at times , a few times i thought a hamlet player was on his own and on the ball then realised a concord player was by the side of him as a tackle went in
Thought i was the only one, also mentioned it during the game
i thought it was a entertaining game at times , twice sitting in the stand so further out the crowd jumped up thinking the ball was in the net in the second half , one time it went around the side of the net, then near the end a concord player slipped letting hamlet in passes the keeper looks like its a open goal but somehow goes for a corner off a oppo player who seemed to come from nowhere
Well seemed to maybe it was that kit !

Maybe that's why the referee didn't see that defender bring down Lawless in the box? I can't stand grey kits, or all black. They look dreadful, especially under lights, and there was no need for it when Concord normally play in yellow. It still wasn't as bad as the Slough kit, which features several different shades of grey.

How exactly did that Mills shot not go in. Did Porter not follow up quickly enough? Did he look offside? Was it just bad luck with great defending? I'll certainly be interested to see that on video.

 

[pengedragon]

Mills squared it rather than shot, just an incredible bit of defending unfortunately

 

[Alex W]

felt like 10,000

I also thought yesterday was particularly noisy. The Rabble has really grown this season, and it's a real credit to the people who've put in the effort and tried to get more involved in the singing.

Anyone who wants to make a bit of noise and support the team, your vocal chords will be extremely welcome behind the goal on Saturday!

 

[pompeydunc]

Maybe that's why the referee didn't see that defender bring down Lawless in the box? I can't stand grey kits, or all black. They look dreadful, especially under lights, and there was no need for it when Concord normally play in yellow. It still wasn't as bad as the Slough kit, which features several different shades of grey.

How exactly did that Mills shot not go in. Did Porter not follow up quickly enough? Did he look offside? Was it just bad luck with great defending? I'll certainly be interested to see that on video.

Porter could have perhaps reacted a little quicker, but ultimately I think it was largely a fantastic last ditch tackle. Fine margins.

I've been hoping Dover go down since their owner's q and a, but now in awful position of hoping they beat Weymouth (and Concord don't pick up maximum points). I really can't see us scoring against Chippenham, unless we get a pen or get lucky. "We're not creative enough, and we're not positive enough."

 

[Taper]

50/50 we go down I think. We were so poor. And Chippenham are always well drilled.

 

[Hamlet Pete]

The more I look at the table and think about last night the more pessimistic I feel. We have to stay up, right?

 

[AveryDave]

50/50 we go down I think. We were so poor. And Chippenham are always well drilled.

Although it’s still in our hands, I think you’re right - if we stay up, feels more likely we’ll benefit from others results rather than get the point or points ourselves that are needed to put it beyond doubt.

Rather than rise to the challenge, like Concord and Weymouth in recent weeks, it feels like we’ve been terrified of making a mistake or slipping up. Maybe the finality of knowing exactly what’s needed on Saturday will provide the motivation to get it done. Let’s hope so.

 

[AveryDave]

The more I look at the table and think about last night the more pessimistic I feel. We have to stay up, right?

It’s all about Thursday’s game. If Concord manage to get the win, it feels a lot different.

 

[MrFouldsy]

That was attritional at best again. If we need to win on Saturday it's not happening. The team couldn't rise to it with a game to go so I cannot imagine how they're going to react on Saturday. While I'm on a negative streak, really question Mills continuing in the side. We're obviously massively short of options but the knock downs don't work (there's so little up with him to be fair) and at times it feels like he's being carried. Also, Danny if you're reading this, you're a wonderful guy - just think they need to give you a rest!

 

[EDC]

On a lighter note, wasn’t the kebab queue insane?

 

[Hamlet Pete]

I made a remark to my mate that the size of the queue for that was akin to our attendances of old chortles

 

[Moroccan Sunset]

Poter's a big loss, certainly. He needed to redeem himself last night for a bloody stupid sending off at a time when he's needed, but he didn't. I've really grown to like him as a player, but that inability to control himself has set us back massively for the final game.

I'm feeling tense about the final game, too. There are reasons to be cheerful though: I think everyone can see Mills is not the player he once was, but he's hit double figures again, in a side that is battling relegation. He may be less mobile than in previous seasons, but his aerial prowess and ability to hold the ball up is still v much there. There are goals in Mills, even if he's on a dry run at the moment.

I think Powell's the big one, though. His goal return, given the number of starts he's had, is impressive, and his strikes have caught a number of keepers out this season - even the professional Chelsea keeper got beaten by one. I'm sure he'll start and I would hope he's given license to support Mills as much as poss.

It's slim pickings after that. Owusu is around (although is he injured?) but everyone knows he wants out, so can he really be trusted in a game like this? He'd offer a genuine goal threat, but I don't think I'd want to pin my hopes on a bloke that couldn't be arsed to turn up for the Worthing game. I think our next best bets are Ming and Felix, who have both popped up with important goals at various stages this season, and there's no reason to think they can't do so again.

The other big factor is the crowd. I'm sure it'll be a sell-out and even the casual fan will understand what's at stake here. I don't know what gates Chippenham get, but I doubt they're used to over 3,000 people turning up and supporting the team they're playing. We all saw for ourselves the effect the crowd had on the players in the play off final of wheneveritwas - hopefully we can create that same kind of electricity again. I'm sure it makes a massive difference to the players.

You can chew all this over and come up with a million different possibilities between now and Saturday (as I am involuntarily doing - probably along with everyone else here), but it's essentially a cup final, and anything can happen in 90 mins. Our home form since Hakan and Terry came in has had a remarkable upturn and we're playing a side that has nothing to play for. All is not lost, even if Concord beat H&W. We'll just have to see.

 

[Moroccan Sunset]

That was attritional at best again. If we need to win on Saturday it's not happening. The team couldn't rise to it with a game to go so I cannot imagine how they're going to react on Saturday. While I'm on a negative streak, really question Mills continuing in the side. We're obviously massively short of options but the knock downs don't work (there's so little up with him to be fair) and at times it feels like he's being carried. Also, Danny if you're reading this, you're a wonderful guy - just think they need to give you a rest!

I don't think they've got a choice. If you take him out, we have no other fit/available strikers. I'm sure Hakan would have wanted another striker, but the injury to Holland and the stupidity of Krasniqi I think probably forced him to get more defensive and midfield cover in the shape of Stephens/Woodman, and Lawless.

 

[Hamlet Pete]

The noise behind the goals in both halves last night was amazing, keep that up on Saturday and that will stand us in good stead

 

[bkbk]

Really slim pickings in the attacking third. Powell has a knack for scoring goals so he probably has to get the nod as there are not a lot coming from elsewhere. Only Mills and Porter are in double figures. Those two red cards for him and Crichlow were so fucking thick. Guessing with a few of the below. Vint and Owusu dont seem fancied / are excommunicated. Fawole has not appeared in recent weeks.

Aaron Jones

Sanchez Ming
Will Wood
Kristian Campbell
Andre Blackman
Ronnie Vint
David Stephens
Deon Woodman

Quade Taylor
Conor Lawless
Kreshnic Krasniqi
Joe Felix
Johl Powell
Cameron Thompson
Nana Owusu

Danny Mills
Josh Fawole

Suspended:
Gianni Crichlow
George Porter
Frankie Raymond

Injured:
Dan Smith
Charlie Grainger
Jack Holland
Kalvin Kalala
Michael Phillips

 

[AveryDave]

Poter's a big loss, certainly. He needed to redeem himself last night for a bloody stupid sending off at a time when he's needed, but he didn't. I've really grown to like him as a player, but that inability to control himself has set us back massively for the final game.

Unless Fawole manages to get fit, would imagine Cameron Thompson is the next option as the only attacking player on the bench last night who will be available on Saturday? Alternative is to push Powell up alongside Mills and replace him in midfield with someone like Raymond, but can't recall him ever playing that far forward.

We're playing a side that has nothing to play for.

This is the main positive I can come up with. Pretty sure Taunton at home are the only team we've played all season who were more or less safe and unlikely to reach the play-offs, and that was probably our most straightforward game for months.

 

[pengedragon]

The noise behind the goals in both halves last night was amazing, keep that up on Saturday and that will stand us in good stead

Thought the crowd was good last night. Is it too simplistic to say the 1000 not there are those who don't tend to be so engaged in what's happening on the pitch? Probably

 

[baleboy_93]

Fawole popped his knee out about ten seconds before kick off against Taunton, but is back running and fingers crossed can be added to the squad for Saturday with another training session under his belt on Thursday. Raymond also suspended for Saturday after a 15th yellow of the season at Hungerford

 

[scousedom]

My last men’s league game on a Saturday was that Billericay match a couple of seasons ago, but having been on Tuesdays since, and read on here how much better things had got queue wise, I was surprised at the state of things last night. I didn’t even bother trying for food and the three times I queues for beer took 15, 20 and then 0 minutes. Am guessing it was a one off with reduced outlets because of midweek?

Oh and while we’re after reworking rebel songs people have heard on Partridge…

The Car Wash or the Greendale End
Or in the Toilets Opposite
Every man must stand behind
Charlie Martin Grainger

(Hopefully Aaron Jones’ middle name has three syllables)

 

[Don't Slow Down]

Imagine if we had a reserve team or a youth team, a young hungry forward thrown in for Saturday.........

 

[Don't Slow Down]

Fawole popped his knee out about ten seconds before kick off against Taunton, but is back running and fingers crossed can be added to the squad for Saturday with another training session under his belt on Thursday. Raymond also suspended for Saturday after a 15th yellow of the season at Hungerford

Another liability within the squad, substituted in the 79th minute and booked in the 90th!
Hopefully all the I'll disciplined players that have cost us dear this season will be binned!

 

[bkbk]

I gave up with food. It's a bit of a rarity to get a crowd like that midweek and the midweek evening games typically have more people wanting to eat. That is usually offset by the larger crowds because I never normally have trouble getting a drink or bite on a Tuesday night.

 

[baleboy_93]

Another liability within the squad, substituted in the 79th minute and booked in the 90th!
Hopefully all the I'll disciplined players that have cost us dear this season will be binned!

To be fair to Frankie, he was booked purely for celebrating our goal by running down the touchline. The ref told him he had to book him as he had done so for a Hungerford player, who had sprinted 50 yards across the pitch for their goal celebration, he felt he had to be consistent

 

[Don't Slow Down]

To be fair to Frankie, he was booked purely for celebrating our goal by running down the touchline. The ref told him he had to book him as he had done so for a Hungerford player, who had sprinted 50 yards across the pitch for their goal celebration, he felt he had to be consistent

I justed watched that back, he literally took 5 steps on to the pitch. The Hungerford player off the bench was no better than a supporter invading the pitch!

 

[Hamlet Pete]

Fawole popped his knee out about ten seconds before kick off against Taunton, but is back running and fingers crossed can be added to the squad for Saturday with another training session under his belt on Thursday. Raymond also suspended for Saturday after a 15th yellow of the season at Hungerford

Is it me or is our disciplinary record this season the worst in recent memory? Is there any way we can find this out?

 

[pitchfork]

Not been for a while, the experience was not great, massive queues to get a drink and the view of the match was limited at best. From what I did see on the pitch shocked me at how backwards we have gone as a footballing side. Whilst we make great strides forward with our off pitch endeavours the lack of quality on the pitch is shocking. I don’t know if I have rose (no pun intended!) tinted glasses from days gone by but this team can hardly string two passes together. No one controlling the game in the middle, no composure on the ball, it felt like watching an U15 school boy team. Lots of people running around and no idea what to do. The one chance we did have to get what would have been a totally underserved win was when Mills squared the ball (why he didn’t shoot as he had already rounded the keeper, is beyond me) to his teammate who I think was already deciding on what celebration he was going to do rather than focusing on putting the ball in the empty net showed exactly where we are at.

I can see Concord winning on Thursday and then I don’t think we have ability to get over the line judged by that performance. Hope I am wrong!

 

[Don't Slow Down]

Is it me or is our disciplinary record this season the worst in recent memory? Is there any way we can find this out?

There has to be a chance it's a club record for ill discipline!

 

[Pink Panther]

I justed watched that back, he literally took 5 steps on to the pitch. The Hungerford player off the bench was no better than a supporter invading the pitch!

I didn't notice that Hungerford player get booked but his behaviour was ridiculous. He sprinted from the bench to the far corner and was still cavorting in front of the supporters behind the goal, waving his arms at them, while everyone else was more or less ready to restart. There must have been at least a 2 minute delay after that goal went in and his antics were solely responsible for some of it. Other people from their bench also encroached a short distance onto the field. Were they also booked? I bet he wasn't feeling quite so chipper at the final whistle.