Rushall Olympic

Not anything positive to take from today - the programme was as good a read as my last visit there, is about the best I can come up with.

Today was an awful way to start 2015, the conditions where pretty poor and early on it seemed to have 0-0 written all over it, a very scrappy first goal and after that Rushall where on top, pretty much.  The second goal was a very good one on the stroke of half time but we wern't quick enough to close them down and we look very poor at the back in too many games.  Rushall played better against the wind in the second half and had chances to increase their advantage, Lait was the best player on the pitch and he couldn't get in Halesowen's side which is surprising.

We where just dreadful in a word.  Benbow forced a good save early on, and looked the one player likely to spark something, but only a bizare own goal in the last 3 games is also concerning. Not much time to dwell on it, less than 48 hours, i'm not at all hopeful for Saturday on today's evidence.

I was traveling back from Tenby today and do didn't get to the match but thanks to Baz I got regular updates.

We were truly dreadful according to Baz and the commentary I listened to on "The Bridge" pretty much gave that impression.

Something needs to change at the club,maybe a complete overhaul of the squad and some new blood on the coaching side of things,things seem to have become very stale and things seem to be going backwards.

The quality of our actual football has been very poor on the whole this season,I think this season is pretty much a write off now and we might as well start planning next seasons campaign.

I hope I'm wrong and things turn around but I've lost confidence in the majority of our squad,we've seen very little this season to suggest this group are going to take us forward.

Btw,happy new year to everyone I know and who contribute to the forum.

Don't manage to get to many away games but thought I would give it a go today........
Oh dear, I am sure that the team don't need the likes of me telling them where they went wrong, suffice to say I have been to better games !
As a positive person I would say that Chris Knight was one of our bright spots , he seems to be Mr Consistency this year, and despite the result I enjoyed my day out in the none league fraternity.
Here's hoping Saturday at home will be better,

Absolutely awful performance but its been coming. Performances over the last few weeks have become dire.

Every player and the management team need to take a look at themselves and ask am I doing myself justice. The answer has to be no.

Knight has done well but sorry isnt a left back. Benbow was our only threat and how long before he gets fed up. We have nothing on the bench to change the game and the young players we have arent up to the standard in this league.

For me their best two players were the wide men. The lad from yeltz would do well in our team. The other I believe was released by Walsall. Those are the kind of youngsters we should be looking to sign.

Defensive we are very poor and that I think is down to our mobility in the centre. Big Ex aint up to it and if we are to move forward we have to get rid of him.

I see Francis has left the club a player who never let the side down but cant make the squad from that it look very clicky.

Time to show your bottle Gary and sort this mess out before it goes to far.

Just sat down with my popcorn. What did I miss?

Wasn't there so cannot comment on the actual gruesome details of the performance. Nor shall I repeat what Jim described the result as to me. However the most concerning thing is that it was so inevitable. I was talking to an FC United fan during the game (Sorry Paul) and as we went 1-0 down I went we'll lose this 3-1. I thought we'd score, but thats besides the point. I didn't have any confidence we'd get back into it.

The issue for me isn't as much that the players aren't talented I just don't think they have the guts anymore and I do think it comes down to the fact that many don't really care. In 3 years we lost something like 6 games at home? When we had a local team. I know the management can't do that now. However, we've got to find a solution to the problem, and soon.

I dread ti think what's going on in Luke's head. If he has any sense he'd be flirting with Worcester.

Man of the Match voting was;

LUKE BENBOW 9

Chris Knight 4
Kieran Morris 2
Exedus Geohaghon 2
Undeserved 2
Lean Broadhurst 1
Sam Tye 1
Drew Canavan 1

Winner of the Wine was STEVE SIDAWAY

Thanks to all who took part.

Jack wrote:Wasn't there so cannot comment on the actual gruesome details of the performance. Nor shall I repeat what Jim described the result as to me. However the most concerning thing is that it was so inevitable. I was talking to an FC United fan during the game (Sorry Paul) and as we went 1-0 down I went we'll lose this 3-1. I thought we'd score, but thats besides the point. I didn't have any confidence we'd get back into it.

The issue for me isn't as much that the players aren't talented I just don't think they have the guts anymore and I do think it comes down to the fact that many don't really care. In 3 years we lost something like 6 games at home? When we had a local team. I know the management can't do that now. However, we've got to find a solution to the problem, and soon.

I dread ti think what's going on in Luke's head. If he has any sense he'd be flirting with Worcester.

Why can't the management do that now?? Everything Jack has just mentioned here I mentioned on here months ago.

Like I've said before on previous threads, I do not believe that just because our playing budget has increased that this automatically means we have better players. Paying players more money does NOT equal more effort and ability. In fact at this level it will have totally the opposite effect.

If we halved the wage bill we would all of a sudden find that we had a squad of more hungry,more locally based players all eager to succeed, more willing to mix,socialise and integrate. Instead of this we have found ourselves lumbered with a squad of average at best journeymen from around the Midlands who have come to pick up a bit of easy money in return for very little effort. These players all know now that Stour pay out a few quid more than in recent years, they don't give two hoots about the club.

I know I keep banging on about it but I do firmly believe that the club has lost it's heart and soul. Speaking to Tony Drake, Wurzel's old man, after the Evesham match in the Worcestershire Senior Cup, he said exactly the same before I had chance to even prompt him. This is coming from someone who is now an outsider, it is that obvious.

I think the club need to get back to the ethos of what made us a very special club, Gary knows the factors, I know he used to bring up such points when talking to potential signings, stressing the togetherness of the squad and how important the mixing and social aspect of the club was.

I don't think paying less money would be detrimental to our current league status. When we first got promoted to step 3, our budget was probably in the bottom 4 or 5 in the league and was for many seasons but we constantly achieved success, challenging in the top 6 year after year, playing some great football along the way. The buzz around the club was amazing, something I will never forget. That whole atmosphere appears to have disappeared. This CAN be done again though, we CAN get back to our roots and traditional club ethics. It might not be as professional or as well organised but hey, what would we prefer to see?

I know what my answer is and that of many,many others.

If Benbow is thinking of leaving because we are looking like a mid-table outfit in one season then I'm not sure he has the right attitude! Other than that I largely agree with everyone's sentiments.

We used to have such a constant squad over many seasons. Just looking at the line-up for the 3-3 draw at Plymouth:

Solly - never really came back to the team regularly after injury. Ended up dropping down a level or two
Lloyd - not sure what he's doing now? Often put on the bench as Griffiths was preferred by management. Thought Griffiths was poor for Halesowen on Boxing Day and always preferred Lloyd.
McCone - definitely don't want him to play for us ever again so fully agree with management's stance on him
Bennett - waylaid by a mystery virus, never returned. No word from the club about him despite 400+ appearances. Why hasn't anyone clarified what is happening?
Smith - such a solid performer for us, what happened to him?
Rock - moved on after being told surplus to requirements
Geddes - no need to bring this up again!
Broadhurst - one of only two players here still playing regularly at the moment. A Stour legend.
Drake - moved on after being told surplus to requirements
Rowe - went to Kiddy (a professional club) and came back unfit, never reached his previous heights
Billingham - terrible injury this season

Used subs:
Evans - a superstar for Stour but so unlucky with injury
Craddock - never thought he was that good, and a short spell this season proved that theory

Unused subs:
Bateman - GK, moved on
Slater - terrific servant to the club who moved on
Canavan - a current regular and a superb servant to the club
Dyson - retired but a solid Stour career

What happened to all these players? Our line-up now is barely recognisable whereas previously there was barely any change from say 2006 to 2010. Obviously some move on and some arrive but the nucleus and the heart of the team (and indeed the club) was ever present.

Something seems to be slightly askew now...can anyone shed any light on what exactly happened to cause this? One specific event or a chain of events?

Nath don't really understand your comments. When we played Plymouth you were there in a suit with a club tie on. For me the club hasn't changed therefore are you saying you have changed or certain circumstances have changed in your life.

You mention Gary when signing players but surely that hasn't changed so are we saying Gary's judgement at the moment is not right.

Looking at the players Paul mentioned I think Gary has put them out to grass to soon.

I agree team morale isnt good at mo but thats up to the management to change.

I would agree Gary has got rid of too many players and the signings he has made are very poor.

One last comment any team would miss the talent of Ben at this level.

Some great comments, but it all comes down to the fact that it has all gone tits up and we have a manager that cannot turn it around.i hear of another three players have left this week???keep bringing players in then letting them go within 6-12 months will only take even longer to get a settled side.
I have been saying for two years that we have a management team that have played at the very highest level so they should know how to get a team to play football.there is no pattern to the play, we lump it from back to front and teams find this easy to set up against.
Imo changes are needed wether that be the manager or coaching staff to bring in some fresh ideas.STALE STALE STALE.

Have received an unofficial text saying till and KRD have been released.
I understand that Paul Lloyd retired on medical advice

Apparently Worcester have put in a 7 day approach for one of our players!

I don't believe it's Benbow though.

Three players already gone this week including Andre who I thought was a really decent guy and never given a good run of games to establish himself,I wish him well.

Its a right "dog's dinner" of a season at Stour,something doesn't feel right.

This revolving door of players is becoming ridiculous.

Really gutted to see Andre go. OK, he got a silly sending off this season, but that is not a reason to put him on the bench for 90% of games. I only remember him starting against Shildon and Ilkeston and he was substituted at half time on both occasions. Certainly I was mystified with taking him off against Shildon and this was backed up by him winning the man of the match award for a 45 minute performance, surely a first.

He is the only Stour player I can think of who has surely spent more game time on the bench than on the pitch and that's sad. He must have travelled far and wide with Stour just to warm up and warm down and was never given a proper chance for us.

Less bothered by KRD and Till going. KRD promised so much after he single-handedly steamrollered us in the Birmingham Senior Cup semi-final at Sutton but he never lived up to it. Something happened this season that saw him lose his motivation completely. He came on as sub in a few recent matches and looked totally disinterested.

Till did OK for us, he did a job, but to be honest, he is one of the players Nath was referring to - a journeyman, who certainly isn't a bad footballer or anything, but someone who would happily put in an acceptable shift every game and collect a pay cheque. Not someone who wears their heart on their sleeve or really cares about the club. If Hednesford offer him £10 more a game, he'll be off there. And so on until he's been to every club in the Midlands!

STALE STALE STALE I see one of our posters has said.

I can suggest we can add a few more STALES before anything is done about our managerial staff. On the pitch the club is going backwards & has been for some time. We see players coming in, players going out. I'm surprised the doors still have hinges on.

Three have gone this week already, and it seems another could be on their way. Lets face it, we could bring five Chelsea first team players in. They would be played out of position, and with our lack of coaching on a five aside pitch they would be as good as other 'rejects' within weeks.

The football is utter dross and it continues to get worse. I no longer look forward to games, Indeed I look for excuses not to go to games at present.

Lessons are not learned, excuses are made.

It's all been said before and I'm even starting to bore myself to death. I see a few years of mediocrity whilst the pennies continue to drip away on wages for players that our managerial staff can not gel in to a team.

Just to echo the sentiments of others regarding Andre leaving - he was very loyal and reliable and not given the chance to prove himself I feel. Obviously I don't know how he came to leave but its sad either way.

Does this mean we now have no Stour players getting on the coach actually in Stourbridge anymore??

You mention disinterested,not putting in a shift and not wearing your heart on your sleeve, GH brings these players in not the players.what I would say is if they have been watched they would know what their attitude is like.if the attitude was good when they came to the club then why has it changed?

STALE STALE STALE I see one of our posters has said.

I can suggest we can add a few more STALES before anything is done about our managerial staff. On the pitch the club is going backwards & has been for some time. We see players coming in, players going out. I'm surprised the doors still have hinges on.

Three have gone this week already, and it seems another could be on their way. Lets face it, we could bring five Chelsea first team players in. They would be played out of position, and with our lack of coaching on a five aside pitch they would be as good as other 'rejects' within weeks.

The football is utter dross and it continues to get worse. I no longer look forward to games, Indeed I look for excuses not to go to games at present.

Lessons are not learned, excuses are made.

It's all been said before and I'm even starting to bore myself to death. I see a few years of mediocrity whilst the pennies continue to drip away on wages for players that our managerial staff can not gel in to a team.




Absolutely spot on

Lol, I cocked up there

stoursi wrote:Nath don't really understand your comments. When we played Plymouth you were there in a suit with a club tie on. For me the club hasn't changed therefore are you saying you have changed or certain circumstances have changed in your life.

You mention Gary when signing players  but surely that hasn't changed so are we saying Gary's judgement at the moment is not right.

Looking at the players Paul mentioned I think Gary has put them out to grass to soon.

I agree team morale isnt good at mo but thats up to the management to change.

I would agree Gary has got rid of too many players and the signings he has made are very poor.

One last comment any team would miss the talent of Ben at this level.

Si, the fact is that you and I both know I love the club a great deal and like you say, I was involved with the club and was very proud to be so. Nothing has changed mate, I wouldn't be wasting my time on here otherwise would I? The fact is, for reasons I've touched on in numerous other threads, I've become very disillusioned over the last couple of years. That upsets me to say so. I'm not saying in any way shape or form that Gary has lost his judgement, I just think that with an increased budget available, we as a club have had to look outside our usual comfort zone when it comes to recruiting new signings. Gary no doubt feels immense pressure to produce the goods as he has for the last 10 years, like I've said, having this money available to bring in so called better players is a bit of a noose around his neck. He is damned if his does, damned if he doesn't. I'm just saying that I think as a club, we would be much better off getting back to basics and for us to to sign the type of players who during Gary's reign have been players in the mould of 'the Stourbridge way'.

Yes, my personal life hasn't been great Si, but it hasn't clouded my judgement. In a way it's allowed me to take a back seat and say things as I see it rather than to fit in with club politics. I know Gary well and he has been a great friend to me over the years and I'll tell you something, he is probably reading this now, agreeing with a lot of what I'm saying.

I know Gary was very proud of Stourbridge Football Club being the way it was, I know progress unfortunately usually means change and I'm not knocking the club for that. I'm just trying to say that if at all possible, we should be trying to achieve what we had before with the methods and ethics that we had before. I don't honestly believe the club would be any worse off in terms off standard of football, if anything I can see it would improve performances 100% and with a reduced wage bill, we would be much better off financially too.

I'm not trying to knock anything or anybody, I'm just trying to constructively try to help find solutions. I haven't got Gary's number any more, I rarely go out, I don't see anybody. This is the only way I have to try and express an opinion and to be able to speak out and try to offer some thoughts. I'm just trying to suggest a way forward that would help.

Amazing... After a few years of success, we have one bad season and everyone starts to panic.

Yes the fact that players seem to be coming and going very quickly is worrying, but not necessarily surprising. After all we have moved into a new league which is totally different to the one we played in last season. I said at the start of the season that it would be difficult, and that we should take the first season as a learning session instead of getting to hopeful.

We have played games this season against teams like FC United & Skelmersdale and we have won, which proves that the team we have got does have the potential to be successful. They just seem to have a problem maintaining it over more than one game at the present time.

At the moment we are still in the top half of the table. When we are in one of the relegation places (which I don't see us being in this season) I will join you in panicking, until then I won't.

I will just get behind the team (regardless of who's on the pitch!), and give them the vocal support they need. I just wish I could get to more away games but I can't...

Upon having a couple of days reflection and having re-read the post, how f***ing dare Stoursi bring up my personal life in relation to anything I have to pass opinion about on Stourbridge Football Club? It's a total disgrace. What the f**k does he know about anything? I never once criticised anything or anybody, in fact I just offered a constructive opinion and was posting first and foremost to agree with Jack's comments. Why the f**k pass comment on me and my personal life when every other post was far more critical than anything I said? I'm fuming, I have tried to look at this is a reasonable manner but find this goes beyond reasonable. Would anyone care to enlighten me to exactly what I've done to receive such a personal attack? As I've said on numerous occasions, I've got nothing but the club's best interest at heart and for anyone to bring up my totally irrelevant personal life that they know f**k all about is totally out of order and a disgrace.

Nat firstly I will apologise because it was not meant against your personal life at all.

All I was saying was you were part of the club and giving up your time for the club.

Sorry you took the post the way you did.

stoursi wrote:Nat firstly I will apologise because it was not meant against your personal life at all.

All I was saying was you were part of the club and giving up your time for the club.

Sorry you took the post the way you did.

Thanks for responding Si, apology accepted. I just got touchy because my comments on the club and how I see that things could be improved upon and problems resolved are heartfelt and genuine and I would feel the same regardless of my personal life..

I did give a lot of time and effort for the club, loved doing so and hopefully at some point will be able to do so again. All the comments I made about the equation of increased playing budget and out of town players = drop in effort and performances, I would have mentioned to Gary and Andy P if I still went to the match. I haven't changed!