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#Post#: 514--------------------------------------------------
Harsh Reality
By: AUFCfan Date: August 26, 2017, 11:50 am
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So a 5-2 defeat back in league action and the score line
flattered Ashford. Could and should have been double figures but
for a fine goalkeeping display by young Aaron Lee-Wharton
between the posts and the fact VCD clearly took their foot off
the gas in the second half.
No blame attached to the youngsters, who tried their best, or
the players way past their prime. Richardson-Brown cut a
frustrated figure and I hope he isn't too disenchanted by what
is occurring as he would be a huge loss.
Neither is blame pointed at Jason Whitmore, who can only play
the cards he's being dealt at this stage.
What is certain, is that if Mr Crosbie continues this venture, a
relegation battle is a certainty. Yes there are some players to
come back but more are required and quite why so many players
are away on holiday's at this time is puzzling.
If the chairman cannot see that changes are required then it's
going to prove a long season for the faithful who chose to stick
around. There were many fans today who were abject and annoyed
at the line-up, and peeved at the turn events with no plan in
place it appears.
I fear the worst for the Sittingbourne game on Bank Holiday
morning, which may well turn into a trouncing that today should
have been.
#Post#: 516--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harsh Reality
By: Justlovemyfooty Date: August 27, 2017, 3:21 pm
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Ive copied a post from the Ashford United Facebook pages made by
Don earlier today. Hope this helps to answer your questions?
A message to our supporters from Don Crosbie.....
Hi to all of our loyal supporters,
After yesterday's game I thought I'd put my thoughts out.
It's been a tough time for us at the club with all the senior
players away on holiday etc.
I can't believe how that could happen but I can assure everyone
it won't happen again!
We will over the next two weeks go from strength to strength I
promise you there is no need to panic.
Lets all praise the youngsters for being brave enough in
stepping up to provide a team whilst the senior players get
back. They don't deserve any criticism as they are playing for
the badge and the club and not for money. They are a great
prospect and I'm sure will become great additions when they
become fully developed as Ashford men.
We as a team will be getting stronger as the senior players
gradually return to the squad plus the addition of a few new
faces.
Conner Westney made his debut yesterday (after impressing in
training on Thursday evening) scoring a fine goal, unfortunately
he limped off injured. We really aren't having much luck at the
moment.
I can assure you all that everyone is working hard behind the
scenes to turn this around.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement from the
stands.
See you all at Sittingbourne on Monday.
Come on the Nuts & Bolts!!
DC
#Post#: 517--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harsh Reality
By: AUFCfan Date: August 27, 2017, 4:20 pm
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Not particularly.
It's the kind of rhetoric I've heard many times from him and his
predecessors, and frankly I find the statement rather
condescending.
[quote]Lets all praise the youngsters for being brave enough in
stepping up to provide a team whilst the senior players get
back. They don't deserve any criticism as they are playing for
the badge and the club and not for money. They are a great
prospect and I'm sure will become great additions when they
become fully developed as Ashford men. [/quote]
The above quote is an admission in it's own right because Mr
Crosbie was adamant about playing youngsters during the F.A Cup
fixture against Redhill. Something he stressed the former
management team wouldn't do.
This isn't a quick and easy fix, nor will everything be rosy in
two weeks. Whatever shape the team eventually takes form, it'll
be a case of playing catch up all season. This league is
extremely demanding and there are no pushovers like in the SCEFL
- just wait until Ashford face some of the better outfits who
would tear apart a team like VCD.
As I've stated before, even the successful team under Danny Lye
required improvement heading into this season and we've taken a
backward step.
There are lots of questions to be answered and I'll judge Mr
Crosbie not on his words but his actions (or lack thereof) in
the upcoming weeks, as I've done up until this juncture.
#Post#: 518--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harsh Reality
By: Aufc Date: August 28, 2017, 7:12 am
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My concern is that Jason Whitmore will be given the job
permanently. From what I've been told by a former aufc youth
manager is that he allegedly has no coaching or playing
experience of any standard. When he took control of the youth
teams he would pay coaches to come in and take the sessions.
That's OK at youth level but at this level we need a manager
with experience of this level or I fear all the hard work of
getting us out of the scefl will be undone. Imo we should
approach jim ward and ask him do a job till the end season to
steady the ship and build for next season.
#Post#: 519--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harsh Reality
By: John Pease. Date: August 28, 2017, 12:47 pm
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A point at Sittingbourne! Well worth a "well done" to all
concerned.
#Post#: 521--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harsh Reality
By: Justlovemyfooty Date: August 30, 2017, 8:29 am
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AUFCfan it's a good job we don't rely on your positve attitude
to rally the troops!
It was clear to see on Monday how much having a few experienced
players back in the team helped to settle the youngsters.
Phillips, Kingwell and Davidson all had good games and
marshalled the lads through the game.
Sittingbourne were unbeaten having won two and drawn one, our
lads could and possibly should of been 2-0 up at the break.
Williams, Lavender, Woodcock, Eldridge, Lee-Wharton all had
superb games on Monday. This shows youth mixed with experience
can work.
I say give Jason a chance, he's got a good coaching team around
him and despite what you say has done a fantastic job with the
youth. It's through his passion and hard work that we have such
an exciting crop of young players at the club.
Most of those have played under him since a very young age, who
better to bring them into the first team?
We all new that once Dan left we'd go through a challenging
time, especially with four players leaving and a few injured or
on holiday.
Let's not forget, if Dan had stayed he'd of had the same problem
recently with lack of players. Goodchild would of been
suspended, he'd of had rory, Welfs and stone but I'm not sure
they would of helped the youngsters as all being attacking
players.
So many clubs would of panicked and brought in a manager not
right for the job, he in turn would of brought in a load of his
own players and completely overlooked the youngsters.
Then everyone would complain about that and ask why the club
rushed in at this early time of the season to replace Dan.
I'm sure we will lose some games along the way but I think we'll
surprise a few clubs to.
I believe we have a few new faces coming in this week to help us
through.
#Post#: 522--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harsh Reality
By: AUFCfan Date: August 30, 2017, 6:17 pm
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A dose of realism is being negative? My goodness. I would
retort in that regard but personal attacks (good natured or
otherwise) are disdainful on social media in my humble opinion.
I hope the new faces you mention transpire in the very near
future and they are of the sufficient quality required to assist
the team through this transition period and beyond.
It's very easy to like Jason Whitmore but you cannot blame a
proportion of fans for having doubts about his ability to manage
at this level with the lack of experience all too apparent.
Hopefully it's a steep and rapid learning curve.
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