Posted by: @calvertskans

↑

@dorking-eagle To be fair to Marc, he did say a "two week break from league action" which is technically true. Playing lots of league games when you're not playing well isn't great as you end up losing too much ground in the promotion race. Preparing and playing a one-off cup fixture is a welcome change.

Fair point well made Tom. I felt there was an inference of a 2 week break, when in reality you are right, there is no less pressure in a cup match, it is just a different pressure I suppose, and requires a different approach.

It is worth mentioning re Prior that he is one of only two outfield players to start all 7 matches (the other being Camp) and he is our second top scorer (2) and has joint most assists (2) so far.

Stats from the game show how unlucky we were to walk away with nothing from the game:

Possession: Hornchurch 44% - 56% Dorking

Shots (OT): Hornchurch 8 (2) - 14 (2) Dorking

xG: Hornchurch 0.68 - 1.49 Dorking - Only 2 teams have registered an xG of more than 1.0 against us yet we've conceded 10 goals

Top Performer: Tony Craig [7.8]

Those stats tell us what we probably know - we're a far better side than the results we are getting. And all this despite the injuries and resulting tiredness (tiredness as a direct result of having a very light bench, no ideal changes and no rest - as well as someone like Frank Vincent playing in a totally different position requiring different energy levels).

All in all, not a great situation, but one that will change I'm certain.

The lighter squad was, I believe, partly a result of needing to reduce the playing budget, so it's a tricky one as we don't not want to blow that out of the water with signings and loans etc - but that might need to happen to a degree.

And of course Foulkes - he played on despite the injury sustained in the first half - resulting in us having to change our game plan of passing back and playing out. Another unfortunate set of circumstances! And I don't think we have a reserve keeper?

Finally a note on Hornchurch - one of the best sides we've played so far imo - and thier fans are great - noisy and turning out in much bigger numbers than years gone by. The ground, however is still terrible from a spectator pov - awful view, now restricted too by having to remain in the 'away' section. Pitch was great tho.

JP officially made 40 appearances last season with very few of those appearances not being a full 90. As we know the back up we signed (Murphy) was barely played. 

This season approaching 37 in December he has already done 7 games on the bounce. He is on course for another 40 league appearances at this rate, and again most weeks he will do the full 90 and not get taken off. 

There needs to be a touch of realism about what he is physically capable of. Yes he will play because he is a warrior, but should he really be playing this many games at his age given he has played a proper full season just the season before? It all adds up. 

The issue is always the fact that we aren’t ever going to get any back up who Mark is going to trust as much as JP9. But then as the years go by he becomes less and less effective and can play fewer games at the level required. 

@hemelwanderer Spoke to Marc - apparently Jason was ill last night too, just not as bad as Alfie. That, along with having to play as a lone striker would've made a big difference.

Ade, same as last season, I was in the back row of the stand on the halfway line (which was now the away seats) and the view was absolutely magnificent. Admittedly not everyone wants to sit (and if everyone who stood went in the seated stand it would have been chaos as there wouldn't have been enough seats), but the view just slightly off centre was pretty much perfect, and I barely noticed the 6 lane running track either

@dorking-eagle Yeah that would've been better tbf - but we usually prefer to stand - which involved trying to see past the dugout and management team/subs etc. Didn't even know Charlie had hit the post until the post match!

Still, must've been 150+ which was superb for a Tues night - and a bit of a squeeze.

Foulkes out for 4 weeks with an injured spleen

@hemelwanderer A big blow at a crucial time. It will be interesting to see what we do now.

I don't think Sullivan will play as his only senior football experience seems to be with the B Team and Horsham YMCA at Step 5. That would be a massive call to play him in the FA Cup and against the likes of Dagenham.

A loan option seems more likely and i've seen Slav Huk mentioned but he's on loan at Bognor in step 4 and I don't think he is at the required level anymore.

Dan Lincoln could be a likely option as the cricket season has just finished and he appears to still be without a club 👀

Personally I would like to see us get Ted Curd on loan from Chelsea. Was on loan at Hampton last season and looked one of the best keepers in the league.

I'm sure Marc will announce plans in his update tomorrow...

Yes, i would imagine Marc will get a loan keeper in for Saturday. Any keeper who comes in is likely to have to play at least 4 games so it is important you get the right guy in who can fit in with the way Dorking play. Crawley had to get 4 or 5 emergency keepers in last season due to injuries/international call ups for their No1, some good, some not so.

I assume Max Foulkes would not be option due to lack of experience or can't be recalled from loan? Dan Lincoln would be good call even for 1 or 2 games.

Intending to come to both Totton and Dagenham games as Crawley away, but can't make Wingate as on holiday.

@calvertskans A massive blow for us, seems that we have got rotten luck at the moment. I am almost certain that Marc will be looking to the loan market to bring a GK in with the view to playing in at least 4 games and the FA Cup tie vs Wingate.