RPL Athletic Dressing Room

[vincenzo]

C'mon fellas lets get a good result tonight and try enjoy this season

[SaintM]

I think if the team can keep it's chin up like it did last week, then it's gonna be a fine season.

Of course we'll be gash on the pitch, but that's taken as read

[SaintM]

Oh and if people can get on for 9pm that'd probably help our chances.

[vincenzo]

so whats the line-up this week or is it the same as last?

[SaintM]

-------------SaintM-------Hereticboy--------
-Scratch-------------------------------TMB--
-------------------Sith---------------------
--------------------------------------------
-Any----------------------------------Chris-
--------------------------------------------
-----------------Outsider-------------------
--------------------------------------------
-----------Vincenzo---------Pompey----------

That's if Scratch can make it. If not, then Chris will slip into RB and Outsider will have all three across the midfield.

We'll review after tonight's games whether we need to look at a different formation or not. We're apt to take it wide with the diamond, and as we know crossing isn't very fruitful for our diminutive guys.

[vincenzo]

thanks for this - i'll be on at 9 tonight

[SaintM]

Razzle is gonna be around tonight (well, until he falls asleep from jet lag) so we *may* have a full team

[vincenzo]

Nice one I hope a lot of the lads can join up for a kickabout beforehand.

Get to know one another like

[Tomox]

Just had a text from Heretic, he can't make your games tonight

[SaintM]

Cheers mate.

...

On the same subject, Scratch is unlikely to attend so I suspect we're gonna have another swap around in defence.

[SaintM]

Razzle is gonna be around tonight (well, until he falls asleep from jet lag) so we *may* have a full team

I clearly spoke too soon.

[SaintM]

Back to plan F then:

-------------SaintM-------Razzle------------
-Chris---------------------------------TMB--
-------------------Sith---------------------
--------------------------------------------
-Any------------------------------------Any-
--------------------------------------------
-----------------Outsider-------------------
--------------------------------------------
-----------Vincenzo---------Pompey----------

Outsider as any (for the first game at least) and Chris moved back to RB. Razzle will have to cover Craig's gap.

Sorry guys, a bit "in at the deep end", but I guess that's what happens with no practice and late absences.

We'll do what we can with another makeshift back line, but at least we've got a couple of strikers up front this time.

Chris, you'll need to re-read that PM I sent out before last week's games. I need you to keep disciplined at the back!

[Chris303]

Will do, I'm still at work at the moment. I'll be back for the game, but not for the praccy unfortunately.

[Tomox]

Cheers for the games boys. Both really enjoyable, tight affairs

[mackenie]

Yea cheers for the games fella's, shame the goals had to come in that manner.

[Big Gus]

Good games, good turnout. Cheers.

[SaintM]

If we only played for 85 minutes, we'd of been coming home with 4 points.

(I mean, if the games were only 85 minutes long. Clearly, we did only play for 85 mins)

[pompey88]

Mexico are a bit pants aren't they?

[SaintM]

Mexico are fine.

Even if they weren't, it's not gonna change

[vincenzo]

City did alright with Turkey?

Dont get too down lads, there was enough to see something that can be built on. Just got to get balance and the right mentality in certain situations of the game.

Not blaming anyone but after getting battered for 60 mins and pulling back for 1-1 it would have just been good to knock the ball around for 5-10 mins betweens us.

nevermind, hope you guys can make practice next week

[SaintM]

In other news, it's the first point of the season won tonight

[LittleJoe]

Love it.

[SaintM]

City did alright with Turkey?

Dont get too down lads, there was enough to see something that can be built on. Just got to get balance and the right mentality in certain situations of the game.

Not blaming anyone but after getting battered for 60 mins and pulling back for 1-1 it would have just been good to knock the ball around for 5-10 mins betweens us.

nevermind, hope you guys can make practice next week

Aye, we did well to get into a position to get points in each match. Just a shame that we didn't hold onto what we had in that second game. Pushing forward when we needed to take a breath and keep possession cost us dearly.

[mackenie]

In other news, it's the first point of the season won tonight

first point of your managerial career

[SaintM]

Three people left to vote for their MotM and both awards are currently tied!

first point of your managerial career

First of many !

[vincenzo]

Yeah, I can see we are a good set of lads. If we can get together a bit more Athletic will be a much better team and will start getting results

[SaintM]

Just sith and Chris to gimmie their MotM awards!

[Guest]

Just sith and Chris to gimmie their MotM awards!

We already know sith is voting for himself.

[Mercury]

My thoughts on last night. Firstly, I was gash in the second game - couldn't get going at all for which I apologise. I think if the games had been the other way around we may have come away feeling more positive as apart from the first 10 minutes or so, we played well in the first game.

I do find the negativity annoying - it doesn't seem to take much for everyone to start moaning and it isn't in a good natured banter way. Getting comments like "that pass was fucking shit" really don't help. Also, being shouted at every time the full-backs go over the half way line winds me up. The full-backs should support if the attack is progressing on their side of the field and others should cover for them - we (and particularly me) need to talk more during play.

[Guest]

I'd say the manager should lay down the tactics, and decide what you'll do for each position...