Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
Some injury issues once more, feeling a little deja vue at the moment - but I fancy us at Hemel, especially given Marc's attacking intentions;
Hemel H (0) 2 Dorking W (1) 4 (Rutherford, Prior, Carter, Vincent)
901 (280 Wanderers)
As for the line up, tricky one, I can see Vincent continuing at left back, Dennon in midfield/maybe just behind the front two and Hebert starting on the left
Hemel Hempstead 0 (0) Dorking 3(1) (Rutherford,Muitt,carter)
Lineup Prediction:
Foulkes
Camp Storey Craig
Muitt McShane Gallagher Carter Lewis
Rutherford Prior
Even though Marc said Taylor is a doubt, I am sure he will start. I imagine same side as Tuesday with Vincent in for Francomb.
If JT really is injured then I think it's more likely that Gallagher or even Saunders starts in his place in midfield.
Hemel 3-3 Dorking (Prior, Rutherford, Lewis)
902 att.
Every season at this time of year the club gets a load of injuries. This season despite bringing the average age down the number out is about the same as the last 3 seasons.
We would be better off if Mark didn’t even disclose these injuries, as it’s giving the opposition coach an advantage and helping them prepare. You can hardly call the August injury issues unexpected at this point.
Based off previous history I am going for 3-1 win here with goals from Rutherford x2 and McShane.
Injury disclosure is a difficult one. The media and most fans want to know who is back/out for a while. However, as you say nowadays everything is available on-line. Most clubs will have done analysis and know which way Marc likes to play, and who played last game, so will have a basic idea anyway. However, agree some injury information is helpful to opposition.
I predict a 2-1 win, goals by Prior and Rutherford, attendance 830.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Another disappointing result. First half I thought we was the better side and Hemel didnt really trouble us. There goal come from Prior giving the ball away and the man coming in for an easy tap in. Noticed during half time that the coaching staff all came out early wonder what went on there. Second half I felt we looked pretty lacklustre and almost lethargic. No player looked like they could change the game or make an impact to swing it our way. Atm it always seems too be the final ball lets us down and luck is not going our way, ie a shot is heading for the bottom corner and the oppo player sticks a foot out and it goes wide. The team has regressed and is in need of strengthining. 4 games 4 points is not a great start.
I do believe we were the better team.
However we weren't going to score today if we played till midnight.
Whilst the ref booked LOADS of their players for various stuff all game, I thought he was rubbish at getting the game moving along. It's a shame some teams need to constantly break up the game to grind out a result, as when a team comes to play (and no just park the bus and try every timewasting trick in the book) then it can be a brilliant spectacle, like the Slough home game on Tuesday, where both teams gave it a good go, and broadly speaking it was honest and therefore a better game for all the paying spectators as a result.
The injury crisis (yet another one despite all the best intentions) is diabolical and I think everyone is sick of it. Nobody intentionally aims to get injured, but if we don't get anything out of Pybus soon then we might as well get rid (not that anyone will take him off us). I think I have seen him in Dorking Sainsburys more times than I have seen him play for DWFC for goodness sake.
Onto Monday. Is there any such thing as a must win game this early in the season? We are already 8pts off the top lol.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Yet again with better finishing and no stupid defensive mistakes we would have won this.
So frustrating coming up against another side not interested in playing football, just intent on slowing the game down to a ridiculous degree, killing it as a spectacle, destroying any momentum and just hoping we f___ up and miss our chances. Which, once again we do.
It's like playing against lower league teams in the cup every week - and Marc is right - we are, for one reason or another, a big ticket - and a side that everyone seems to want to stop from playing - because they know we are the (significantly) better footballing side.
No easy answers, and to have 4/5 key players out too is making it even harder.
And then it's back to our horrendous pitch on Monday.
I swear we'd do better in the National League, as we'd be able to actually play. On decent pitches too.
Oh well, it will come good - eventually.
I think we need to get some perspective on where we are in the season, only 4 games in. The table and the season only starts to form after 8 games in, which last season was prior to the first FA Cup qualifier.
Last season after 8 games we had a record of W3 D2 L3 PTS 11 and were struggling. We were right in the mix last season to go up automatically in the run in. We know the issues last season as to why that was not the case. Too many late goals conceded in general, and too many winning positions thrown away with late goals conceded.
The season we went up (21/22) we had a record of W4 D2 L2 PTS14 after 8 games.
The season prior to when we went up (20/21) we had a record of W7 D0 L1 after 8 games.
Lets just see where we are after 8 games - it is very early days. If we are about where we were last season or worse, I would expect there to be changes in the playing staff. The players that have been on the pitch have been good enough to win the games we have not won so far. Mark said yesterday we've created the most chances of any team in the league so far (prior to the game).
Moaning about the home pitch or teams slowing it down or having tactics to win the game, is not going to help the side. If you are good enough those things do not matter.
Yet again with better finishing and no stupid defensive mistakes we would have won this.
Quite.
Didn't score, and did concede.
All the possession and saved efforts in between count for nothing (as per Hampton at home).
It's not an anomaly if it keeps happening though.
I would say 10 games is a fair barometer. Lets hope the cup draw is kind and we can still be in that after 10, as the income from a good run in that could massively help towards a successful season.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
8 first team players out injured or unfit atm - not great with no options on the bench
Yet again with better finishing and no stupid defensive mistakes we would have won this.
Quite.
Didn't score, and did concede.
All the possession and saved efforts in between count for nothing (as per Hampton at home).
It's not an anomaly if it keeps happening though.
I would say 10 games is a fair barometer. Lets hope the cup draw is kind and we can still be in that after 10, as the income from a good run in that could massively help towards a successful season.
Agree after 10 games is a fair barometer. As you say teams have to make the most of their possession take their chances and don't concede. Certain teams like soaking up pressure and then scoring when they have a chance. This happens in all Leagues.
Prior to the Crawley game yesterday I spoke to a Tranmere fan who said he was hopeful of getting something from the game, as Tranmere like to play against possession based teams. We had masses of chances in the first half and they defended for their life. They then scored with their first chance on target in the second half, due to poor defensive marking at a corner. We then threw everyone forward including defenders, their keeper went long over our last man, and we lost 2-0 despite winning all the stats apart from the one that matters. We have 1 point from 5 games, few experienced players, and in trouble.
I am intending to go to the Tonbridge game on Monday and hoping not to see Crawley mark 2!
Yes, FA Cup draw Monday lunchtime in 8 days time
Need a really kind draw. And 100% avoid ******* Horsham!!
Last season, for the 2nd qualifying Round, the country was divided into 5 zones.
Zone 4 (which DW were in) had 40 teams in it.
11 of those 40 teams, including DW were step 2 (National League South teams)
So essentially it's a 3 out of 4 chance that we should draw a team from a lower division .
Looking at Round 1 qualifying fixtures, in Zone 4, there are three 'all step 5' ties
Furthermore, there are another eight ties where at best a Step 4 side will get through
Whilst I will be no doubt hoping for a visit to Jersey Bulls, the positive news is that DW are odds on for a favourable draw, god willing of course!
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
