Having been away and missed the last couple of games (phew!), it stikes me that the backlash on here is quite restrained bearing in mind the huge disappointment it's been for all of us. To find ourselves in our lowest league position of the season with just 3 games left is pretty devastating to say the least. OK, there are a few knee jerk comments like it's a conspiracy and the club don't want to go up
and finding one or two players to blame, but on the whole it's been quite restained and well balanced - already looking forward to next season when we can build on what's been achieved this year. It's a credit to the fans that despite the disappointment, we can still be objective and recognise how much has been achieved this year. A more balanced view than most clubs' fans I reckon!
Just a couple of points though in terms of the players. Firstly, I don't agree that things started to go pear shaped since Dave Martin left. Of course we missed him; who wouldn't? But since he and Ryno didn't regularly play in the same side together, his departure gave Ryno the chance to have a regular slot, and again, I think most other sides would welcome such a talented player too. Had we been a few points clear at the top when Dave left then perhaps I'd agree it was the defining factor, but the real contenders have come from the back, Maidstone, Hastings and Tooting have all found form at the right time whilst none of the early runners, including the Darts, were able to really impose theirselves and break away from the pack in the first half of the season (whilst Dave was still with us).
The biggest issue has in my opinion been central midfield. When Eddie has not played, we have looked awful and totally devoid of ideas. When Nick Barnes joined us, he provided the agression and mobility we needed to complement Eddie, and after he left, he wasn't replaced. I'm sure TB tried, but the right player wasn't available. Therefore Lew was asked to continue to play out of position in a midfield role. He isn't by his own admission a midfield player, but he has had to play there virtually all season.
At the end of the day, I really don't feel that any of our players are mercenaries and they all want the Darts to do well, but it would appear that something has gone wrong during the past few key games when the pressure has been on and, frankly, we have been found severely lacking in a few positions. A great shame, but perhaps the pressure found us out.
One thing that I really do hope though, is that TB rises above his obvious disappointment and stays at the helm next season. He is a man of great integrity and passion for the Darts and to lose him would be a massive blow. OK, we have all occasionally thought we know better in terms of tactics, but as fans we always will!
I'm not sure which of Duke, Martin or Spike's categories I fall into categories I fall into and I don't suppose it really matters, because like all Darts fans, we will be back next season at our wonderful ground cheering on the team just as passionately as we have this year.... whatever division it might be in!
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Topic: Chatham Town - Princes Park, Easter Monday (Read 18590 times)