|
|
Post by Jack on Sept 17, 2017 12:31:23 GMT
Realistically, this was just a game we needed to get out of the way. It sounds like 4-0 was harsh, but it always looked like a home win.
We've seen glimpses of these players being capable and I still believe our squad is nowhere near bottom 4 standard. Hannah, James, Turnbull, Akintunde etc are players that will deliver, they've just been so restrained by McCarthy that they've lost all confidence. Let's get this week right, get the right man for the job and our season can start against Maidenhead.
|
|
|
|
Post by Imperial on Sept 17, 2017 14:01:18 GMT
Spot on with that. Regards Bert and Ernie talking like we are some kind of small fry set up with gates of a few hundred and that survival each season is like winning the league. It's the mentality of the club that has been 'aim low' and if we get just above that it's job done. Look at the teams top 7/8, it's a right mixed bag and there is no reason why we couldn't be challenging for play offs like last season but the mentality of the previous managers has grinded the club down from top bottom and more importantly the supporters who are worn down with it all. My fear is it's just not a case of a new manager will automatically see us stay up like a number of supporters seem to think. It goes deeper than that, we need a new manager and the right man asap who is able to shovel out the shite and bringing players in. We saw over the years how Halifax and York started slow, changed managers and bolstered the squads and results improved but still fell short. That attitude displayed by our last two managers still makes me so angry. We're Chester in the Conference, not Cammell effing Lairds in League Two. That pair, but especially McCarthy since about March, have really shown us, the people that paid their wages, utter disrespect and contempt. Maguire's (still) unwavering backing of him takes the piss too considering the bloke spent most of this season criticising the board. Since 1958, we've spent 32 years in the lowest division of league football, 15 in the division above & 13 in the various divisions of NL. It's 10 years since we were in the league. From that I'd say it's fair to say we're historically a League 2 side but our recent history has been at this level. Other local sides that have traditionally been bigger than us (Wrexham, Tranmere) are also playing at this level. So where does this attitude that we're playing below our level or should be doing better come from? |
|
|
|
Post by tonya on Sept 17, 2017 22:18:40 GMT
Statistics don't lie and you are correct in your assessment of our club. League 2 is our realistic goal and anything more than that is a relative dream....though as football fans that's what we live for ...the dream.
For me League 2 is the aim and if we reach that level again within 5 years we will survive as a club. If we fail to I would be worried about our future. The club probably sustains itself in terms of loyalty, ticket sales etc largely from those fans who enjoyed the past. Playing at a higher level and enjoying the odd FA Cup victory....quite a few really! I am uncertain if we could carry on in the current league-or below- for over 5 years.
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnnybling on Sept 18, 2017 7:41:03 GMT
Stockport springs to mind
|
|
dirge
New Member
Posts: 20 
|
Post by dirge on Sept 18, 2017 8:10:09 GMT
Been to Dover a few times now, learnt to expect nothing so are never disappointing. But I know the routine now, so got the train down with my mate as usual, couple of pints in the town and then a taxi to the ground. Went in the main turnstiles as always, wasn't until we were in that we realised that the fans were segregated this time and we were in the wrong end. Never has been before, what's that all about?
We were about to admit our mistake to a steward, but we realised that the away end didn't have access to the bar, so we stayed in the Dover end until after our half time pint, and it was interesting hearing their fans' opinion of the team. Have to say they were fairly complimentary, albeit it in a "they're not quite as shit as I expected" way, although they were all rather amused by Astles and a perceived lack of athleticism (one old bloke kept trying to distract him with a pie.) We went into the Chester end for second half, had to negotiate with the stewards. The first one said "How do I know you're Chester fans" to which the other replied "It's not something you'd lie about is it?" which made me giggle.
But that definately wasn't the worst performance I've ever seen a Chester team put in, ironically, as other posters have pointed out, we were "McCarthy'd". They let us keep possession and looked to score on the break. I still think we have the basis of a decent team there, but we are horrendously short of confidence. I think that letting in that last minute winner against Gateshead was a huge blow psychologically to the team, and now we just expect to lose. Interestingly, Dover are a team whose confidence is sky high at the moment, and hence they are massively over-performing. Fair play to them
So I think the next few games are crucial for us. If the new manager comes in, lifts the players and we win a couple, god forbid we even win one at home, then the confidence comes back and by the end of the season we'll be in mid table obscurity wondering what all the panic was about. But another couple of defeats and I can only see it going one way.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rio Doherty on Sept 20, 2017 20:17:05 GMT
National League Highlights:
|
|
