Yeovil v County: Match Thread (11/08/2019)

Making a weekend of it with lads I used to work with down here. The only thing I can guarantee for tomorrow is a banging headache and a gob tasting like the inside of a tram drivers glove.

0-1 County

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To be fair, I thought Yeovil started brightly and we were just getting into the game when some sloppy defending let them in. Not for the first time our opponents keeper made some good saves to keep them in front. I'd like to say that Thomas scored a blinder but I was taking a leak at the time so missed it. I think we were the better team in the second half and on balance it was probably a fair result.

Had the Notts County game been our opener, we'd have happily taken the two away points from a possible six, so we need to stay calm, have some perspective and focus on the long game.

However, while I believe Maidenhead was a blip, I do think we will need to strengthen up front at some point, just to give us some options.

I totally trust Jim to do what's necessary.

Completely agree. 

Maidenhead played a good away game and it was one of those that could have gone either way.  We were just punished for being wasteful.  Two away draws, showing the fight to finish the games strong continues the theme we saw last season where we were very often the final scorers in the games.

Ultimately, for as great as last season's achievement was, we were a PT side winning a PT league and we won it by 1 point.  We've now gone into a FT league, not acquired anyone new with proven impact in the league we've entered while losing two of our most effective players in Warby and Dux.  

Some of those getting promotion before us (the Salfords, Fyldes, Harrogates etc) were many points better off than us compared to our title-winning season.  Although the general consensus has been that NLN is stronger than NLS, that still doesn't account for thinking we'll simply find out feet and be right up there like those sides.

For me, we'll obviously have highs and lows as always but the bigger picture has now changed from our time in NLN where we really should have been getting out of that league last season.  I think it will take a few months to really see where we truly are in this league - surely this season is more about establishing ourselves in the NL and gaining a better understanding of what's needed to evolve the squad for future seasons.

Totally agree Herm.

I’m not fully engaged in this season yet as it’s still cricket season for me - I usually start paying attention from about September onwards (however I have my eye on Wrexham away for my first game of the season).

We have had a pretty low key summer, however what I am most pleased about is retaining the likes of Palmer, Minihan, Hinchliffe etc. I think we all expected to lose Dux and Warbs, but keeping the core of the squad together was crucial for me.

Realistically, a comfortable mid table finish is absolutely ideal in my eyes. When you get promoted, the first goal should be to stay up and consolidate at whatever level you are at.

Maidenhead was disappointing, however a point away at each of the teams who were relegated from the football league last season in my opinion is a decent return. I think we will be okay. Trust in Jim and the boys!