RAVENS OFF TO FLYING START

Subs

• Hill for Mcloughlin

• P.Barber for Stokes

• Stokes for M.Barber

• Mcloughlin for Halloran

After a couple of average performances in recent friendlies I think most were expecting a tough time against a decent Robins team.  I though was quietly confident.  The footballing lesson we received mid week has done us a lot of good.  Teaching the players that you don’t have to take a man on to get past him. 

At the end of last season I said that we were 4 players short of a competitive squad.  Well let me introduce Dayle Palmer, Steven Hannaford, Jack Foster and Ryan Stokes.  I know what you are all saying. Ryan isn’t new but to me he is a new signing as he adds something to our outfield squad that we didn’t have before. 

Goalkeeper Steve has come to us from the lower divisions and I think he has already shown that he will be an asset to us.  He was very assured and confident against the Robins and it is nice for him to start his time at the Ravens with a clean sheet.

Dayle Palmer is our newest signing.  I really think he could be the surprise package this season.  Dayle adds not only a much needed left foot to our squad, but great pace and fitness and a hunger as this is his 1st football team.

Obviously Jack was away for this game but he has also shown enough in the friendly’s suggest he will add steel and depth to our squad in defence.

I judge the strength of my squads by what is on the subs bench and when you think we have got to add Jim and Jack to Paul and Graham. That in my eyes is stronger than ever before.

So, to the game.  We were in control from the start and always looked comfortable at the back.  Scott and Henners were man marking and tackling well and Mikey was always covering any other danger.  Dayle slotted in well at left back.  Perhaps more impressive for me was the midfield.  Mark, Dylan and Ryan all passed the ball simple and well and Matt was buzzing around and making things happen. 

I thought the way Alex linked up with the midfield and with Mike upfront was outstanding, particularly in the 1st half.

Going forward we were a threat.  We have accepted that we need to score more goals and we are trying to encourage midfielders to get forward.  Ryan and Matt both had 1st half shots and Mark obviously scored a goal to add to the one he got in the friendly.  We all know that Dylan poses as bigger threat as any, so all in all I was pleased with that side of things.

Upfront we have been a little short at times but toward the end of last season we all saw that Mike Halloran caused many problems for the opposition.  On the strength on his 1st half performance hear I think we may have found a good outlet and goal scorer in him.

The 1st goal came half way through the 1st half when Mark cut inside and fed the ball in to the area where Mike powered home.1-0.

The 2nd goal swung in directly from the corner.  In Mark we have the best corner taker in the league and we didn’t make enough of that last season.

We didn’t play as well 2nd half but we continued to pass the ball well and defend resolutely.

Well done to all on a good start to the season.  Lets make sure we improve on it against Kings Heath (Celts) next week.

Steve