After the 3-0 defeat to Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday, Manager James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree.
“The two goals we conceded in the second half are especially poor. To concede just after half time is a flattener because we’re still in the game at 1-0. If we got the next goal, it could’ve been a very different outcome.
“To concede such a soft goal was disheartening for everyone. We’ve then had to force changes; come away from our usual game plan to get a foothold in the match and give ourselves a chance. The changes didn’t really improve matters, but you have to take a throw of the dice sometimes. The last goal, it’s not the change in shape that’s cost it… just an individual error.
“First half, we were more than competitive in the game. I felt we dominated large parts of the mid-field and we looked a threat. We probably didn’t play enough right passes and when we did, the quality wasn’t there. But we had chances. There was a one-on-one, a header from under the crossbar that was well saved. There were plenty of promising positions that we got ourselves into around the penalty box, but poor decision making cost us.
“Across the pitch, we weren’t good enough. The boys worked their socks off trying to do what we’ve asked them to do. I’m not going to beat them up too much over it though. It’s not like we’re coming off the back of eight straight wins and we’ve been hammered. It’s a game of football against a team that’s around the playoff spots. We were in it, competitive, we’ve had a throw at it but conceded three soft goals. If you give a side like this those opportunities, it doesn’t really matter what else you do in the game, it makes it very hard.
“We can be better than that for sure. I’ve asked them to take individual responsibility and not to point the finger at someone else. Everyone could’ve played better.
“At the same time, we must remember these lads aren’t robots. There’s plenty of variables to a game of football. Bishop’s Stortford have two lads up front in Cass and Cureton who are as clinical as you’ll find at this level. If you concede chances like we have – and we’ve gifted the pair of them goals – they’ll take them.
“There’s no great surgery needed. We’ve won our previous three without conceding a goal, so we just need to look back at what went wrong and learn from it. It’s just down to how the boys correct things on the pitch. We have a great group of lads here that don’t get paid, yet they do their best. They’re good players and I know I’ll get a response from them.
“The response I’m looking for is ‘how hard are you willing to run for the team? How hard are you willing to get out there and push yourself?’ I know the team we put out against Haringey Borough on Tuesday night will be willing to run for another three points.
“It’s a good time to play Haringey. They’re a decent side that’ll come with lots of pace across the front. They’ve got a great FA Cup result at home against Poole and are in the 1st Round draw. Hopefully Haringey get a good tie and whets the appetite for the FA Cup. Perhaps they’ll overlook us a bit.
“They’ve got to come to Tolworth where we’ve won three in a row and not conceded a goal. We’re looking to make King George’s a fortress, which it hasn’t been in my time here. I believe we’ve got more points away from home in the last few seasons, but we need to use that confidence from the three consecutive home wins and add a fourth.”
“The two goals we conceded in the second half are especially poor. To concede just after half time is a flattener because we’re still in the game at 1-0. If we got the next goal, it could’ve been a very different outcome.
“To concede such a soft goal was disheartening for everyone. We’ve then had to force changes; come away from our usual game plan to get a foothold in the match and give ourselves a chance. The changes didn’t really improve matters, but you have to take a throw of the dice sometimes. The last goal, it’s not the change in shape that’s cost it… just an individual error.
“First half, we were more than competitive in the game. I felt we dominated large parts of the mid-field and we looked a threat. We probably didn’t play enough right passes and when we did, the quality wasn’t there. But we had chances. There was a one-on-one, a header from under the crossbar that was well saved. There were plenty of promising positions that we got ourselves into around the penalty box, but poor decision making cost us.
“Across the pitch, we weren’t good enough. The boys worked their socks off trying to do what we’ve asked them to do. I’m not going to beat them up too much over it though. It’s not like we’re coming off the back of eight straight wins and we’ve been hammered. It’s a game of football against a team that’s around the playoff spots. We were in it, competitive, we’ve had a throw at it but conceded three soft goals. If you give a side like this those opportunities, it doesn’t really matter what else you do in the game, it makes it very hard.
“We can be better than that for sure. I’ve asked them to take individual responsibility and not to point the finger at someone else. Everyone could’ve played better.
“At the same time, we must remember these lads aren’t robots. There’s plenty of variables to a game of football. Bishop’s Stortford have two lads up front in Cass and Cureton who are as clinical as you’ll find at this level. If you concede chances like we have – and we’ve gifted the pair of them goals – they’ll take them.
“There’s no great surgery needed. We’ve won our previous three without conceding a goal, so we just need to look back at what went wrong and learn from it. It’s just down to how the boys correct things on the pitch. We have a great group of lads here that don’t get paid, yet they do their best. They’re good players and I know I’ll get a response from them.
“The response I’m looking for is ‘how hard are you willing to run for the team? How hard are you willing to get out there and push yourself?’ I know the team we put out against Haringey Borough on Tuesday night will be willing to run for another three points.
“It’s a good time to play Haringey. They’re a decent side that’ll come with lots of pace across the front. They’ve got a great FA Cup result at home against Poole and are in the 1st Round draw. Hopefully Haringey get a good tie and whets the appetite for the FA Cup. Perhaps they’ll overlook us a bit.
“They’ve got to come to Tolworth where we’ve won three in a row and not conceded a goal. We’re looking to make King George’s a fortress, which it hasn’t been in my time here. I believe we’ve got more points away from home in the last few seasons, but we need to use that confidence from the three consecutive home wins and add a fourth.”
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