Posted by: @calvertskans

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@dorking-eagle Muitt got injured in the Carshalton game which is why he wasn't playing last night.

 

Even Marc said in the Carshalton post match interview that Jimmy was pulling a sickie coming off against Carshalton and it was because it was the Surrey Senior Cup that he was swinging the lead.

Marc said in a recent end of season interview that we MUST take cups more seriously. Whilst that mainly meant next seasons FA Cup, because of the financials that go with it, it's not a good look to do that in a final. Dorking fans were streaming out early, wouldn't clap the players etc. Not booing them off but my goodness it was garbage.

I found it bordering on disrespectful the shift that was put in last night. Had our backsides handed to us on a plate on our own patch by lower league oppo, and deservedly so.

Think it would be interesting to compare the number of signings made by rival clubs at the start of this recent season:

Dorking - 4 new signings last Summer (Murphy, Norville-Williams, Camp, Foulkes) (squad age average = 29.4)

Truro - 9 new signings (squad age = 26.2)

Torquay - 9 new signings (squad age = 26)

Eastbourne - 8 new signings (squad age = 25.6)

Worthing - 7 new signings (squad age = 27.6)

Last night the opposition just seemed to want it much more than Dorking, they were younger, fresher and it meant more yo them.

Whilst we do need to (and I believe we will) offload certain players - we can't lose sight of the fact we came very close to winning the NLS - and had we not had the injuries (and possibly luck) we had, may well have done.

So if we take Tom's possible starting 11, surely we really do only need 2 or 3 new signings - given that from the outfield 10, Camp, Milson, Carter, Taylor, Pybus, Muitt, Rutherford and Prior should be guaranteed starts. IMO that is a strong starting line up (with 2 additions - left wing and centre back).

Would also be good to see one or two youth players in the first team matchday squad - Josh Herbert looked very good last night.

As Ade says, came very near to winning NLS. Just fell short. Marc tends to favour older players and is loyal to those who have been here a while as performed for him in past. Don't expect him to make many changes probably releasing players such as Moore, Fuller and Murphy and replacing them with younger players, or experienced ex EFL players who have been released.

It’s puzzling why Marc doesn’t use the youthful athletes that are closer to home.  There are some good prospects coming up the line but they need nurturing and coaching.  Instead they may get on for the last 10 minutes then risk getting slagged off in the post-match interview – or farmed off on loan never to be seen again.

It would be interesting to know how many, and which, Non-League Clubs have an Elite Academy and a Reserve/U23 side.  And how they exploit their talent.

The extensive organisation we have is good for the Town but it’s fairly pointless if the Academy & B Team are regarded as separate entities and not integrated into the whole set-up. 

Any under 25’s we sign have mainly come up through League Academies – nothing wrong with that. But what is riskier and more expensive? Spending on experienced but injury-prone ex-pros or investing and nurturing future talent?

I think last night demonstrated again what we have seen in many games already - the massive benefit of having dynamic, athletic, physical players in attack, especially in the final stages of games.   Camp and Norville-Williams have fitted the bill here, but we need more, and further forward.  

I found it odd Marc said he used the end of season games to give those under contract to prove themselves. Surely that opportunity should be given to loan players, who have not had all season to do so.  Young is out of contract and Williams is out the building it seems. Both young dynamic players who can pass.  

On the tactics and formation, I agree that Marc needs to be able to mix it up a bit. Tbf, he has gone longer more often this season, and reverted to a 4 sometimes, but overall we have been too predictable and easy to defend against. How many goals from long throws this season? No more than 1 I reckon.

Having said all that, we were very close to winning league with that squad. Yes, we need to improve, personnel and playing, but maybe not by that much.  All doable. 

Farewell then to - 

Briggsy

Barry Fuller

Bobby Joe

Rhys Murphy

Rob Milsom

Theo Alexandriou

Joel Brown

Jack Young

Morgan Williams

and of course coach Dukesy

We'll still see Bobby around the place coaching the academy of course.

Was thinking Briggsy may be one of them but didn’t think Marc would do it. Also I thought Milsom might stay on another year but looks like he’s getting that squad age down .

Excited to see the additions 

Briggsy did a great bursting run last night that nearly gave us a goal. Proper club man. Hope he carries on playing somewhere, obv he is a young dad and also has a good professional career too.

Macca, Mooro and Francombe - how much will they feature going forward? Will Pybus ever get fit? Is Magnus going to seriously compete with Harrison next season? So many questions, but it's a lot more names on that list than I thought we would see to be honest.

I wonder if any will end up at Horsham?? 

Hope dad Derek is still checking the forum. 

Just wanted to send best wishes to Matt and family, also to you and Sandra.

The reason why my mate and I stopped trailing over to Craven Cottage every other week (and walked to West Humble instead) was down to Matt (and Macca).  I can still visualise a 50 yard Macca diagonal  picked up by Matt on the run; two steps forward and bang.  Cracking goal from 25 yards out.

Can't take that away.

So good luck and best wishes to the Briggses.

Posted by: @dorking-eagle

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Briggsy did a great bursting run last night that nearly gave us a goal. Proper club man. Hope he carries on playing somewhere, obv he is a young dad and also has a good professional career too.

Macca, Mooro and Francombe - how much will they feature going forward? Will Pybus ever get fit? Is Magnus going to seriously compete with Harrison next season? So many questions, but it's a lot more names on that list than I thought we would see to be honest.

I wonder if any will end up at Horsham?? 

Is Magnus still there? I thought he’d gone back to Oldham. At least one is bound to end up at Horsham , Briggs maybe? 
Theo I was excited a little when he signed, scored that cracker against Welling then was shipped out never to be seen again. Be interesting to see what type of forward Marc gets now. Jase can’t go on forever 

Yes I can see 1 possibly ending up at Horsham, possibly Briggs or Milsom?

@gary-munnery can I make it absolutely clear on here that Dorking offered Briggs a contract but he turned it down. You need to understand the dynamics in the club. Every player was offered a reduced contract by at least 30% and most accepted. Dorking owe Briggs a 5 figure sum of unpaid wages which haven’t yet been paid. Briggs will not be at Horsham as he lives north of Oxford but will probably be playing against Dorking next season as discussions with other clubs have started.  This is a Briggs decision not a Dorking decision. And for the record Dorking have not dealt with their most influential player over the last 10 years very well.

Can I also state that now Natthew is no longer a player of Dorking that I am now free to state my opinions freely which I haven’t been able to do so previously.