That doesn't sound good , lets hope we can bounce back for Saturday.

One thing I admire is Tom's honesty and the most important part of overcoming a problem is recognising it, I think we should see some changes this Saturday although after the great second half against the Poppies It's surprising things went so wrong last night.
Lets hope it can all turn around at Downton.
C'mon Poole!!

I am not going to comment on last night, all has been said with varying degrees of vitriol.

What I would say is every player should look in the mirror this morning and ask themselves….is this the club I really WANT to be at.

It is NOT about touting yourselves around each summer, and landing where you find the best deal.

Poole this season, Wimborne the next, Hamworthy the next, then Poppies, Christchurch etc etc. However hard it may be to get inside a players head, I'm sure PTFC only want players who WANT to play for this club, and take it forward. When you sign on the dotted line, MEAN IT.

Of course the ability has to be there, but a player must also have the right attitude in all he does i.e preparation for games, training etc. A couple of games a week (win some, lose some) perhaps training, pick up the brown envelope is simply not enough. A desire to succeed, both personally and for the club, is paramount.

Every player should have gone home last night feeling completely distraught at that performance, thought about it and be determined to put it right with a determination to never let it happen again. Yes, there will be defeats along the way, but not in the manner of last night !

Of course a settled side is desirable, largely working off a squad of say 16 players from seasons start. Players then get to know each others game inside out and gel as units across the park. What’s so frustrating (for management and supporters alike) that seems difficult to achieve in this league.

Instant changes ? Perhaps the best way to get wins over the next couple of games, is to field more or less the same side. My thinking being if any player doesn’t want to put last night right big time, as quickly as possible (even from a pride viewpoint) they should not be wearing the shirt ! i.e a reaction is expected !

Come on lads, I’m afraid you let everyone connected with the club down last night. You can do a whole lot better that (The Bournemouth performance (for instance) was superb throughout, and I include the first half in that). You owe it to the club and yourselves as individuals, to do all you pssibly can to now win the laegue.

;D :DI can't really comment on the game as I didn't go, but having seen the comments at about 5.15 this morning lol I take it it wasn't too pretty.

Are there any positives that can be taken out of the game?
Seems strange that the lads could put in such a poor performance after the highs of the Poppies game.

A case of underestimating the opponents or a come down from Saturdays game? Answers in a brown envelope please lol

Just to compare, the team for the Dorset Senoir Cup last night was Omerod, Whitley, C Cullingford(Ayres) I Richardson, Cann, T Smith, Skelton, Saadi(Holmes) Gill, Osborne(S Smith), Gates

Eight, including subs of last nights team were not present in the teams in September/October period

OK - lots of comments (which is a good thing). I'll add my own personal comments now on this season etc (for what they are worth):-

I can remember Chris Reeves coming to a Supporters Club meeting before the start of this season and he was convinced that Tom's key priority for this season was to go into it with a settled side. Last season we started with a a few extra players and it took time for the team to settle, which is natural. By the time he had got the team to his liking we were already too far behind Gosport, Totton etc last season and we were playing catch-up. For this season Tom was adamant that a) he wanted the majority of last season's players and b) he wanted a settled side for the START of the season and that meant very little tinkering in pre season games - even in the friendlies it would be pretty much the main starting eleven playing.

This he did and therefore we started this season with a settled and very good side. The result? Just a couple of league defeats up to Christmas and top of the league. For me this vindicated everything Tom had set out to do. Other clubs (notably VT) had brought in a lot of new players (but bloody good ones for sure) and they didn't start as well as us.

However, as already posted by someone else - what was our 'best' eleven right at the start? Up front? Probably Karim and Stuart Cannie were first choice with Steve Smith as promising back-up? Who could have forseen Karim and Cannie being gone within a few weeks? Disruption for sure.

Defence? Certainly Luke and Ricco are the rocks at the back and have been all season. I probably felt that Alan Jordan would be part of the 'big three' at the back but again, nobody had control over his job. Sean Hogan is a key player - broken ankle in October. Yelland I thought was beginning to really settle into the side well and showed lots of promise. Again - he's decided to move on. Big Max in goal. Like everyone, I felt a little sorry for Max come Christmas - he had done absolutely nothing wrong but was out. BUT (and a big but) I back Tom 100% on Harvell. I believe him to be the better keeper and he has been nothing short of superb since joining - I can't remember one mistake.

Midfield? Taffy, Trefor, Funnell, Cann and Culliford for me. Taffy's injury and absence for the last month is obviously a massive blow - you can't replace him easily. Having said that Chris Smith has come in and done a terrific job - but he's been out now a while too!! Funnell's departure is sad for sure - loved him playing for Poole - such a talent and so many superb goals and moments to remember. But again, can't fault Tom on this - if a player is not happy then he either puts up with it or doesn't. Tom has shown strong management and Gary has made his decision. It happens.
Stuart Brown has come into good form but is unfortunately not available all of the time.

So whilst everyone wants to see a settled side playing it just isn't easy to do that at this level. I'm sure Tom would love to send out a similar side every week but most of the changes have been through necessity rather than choice in my opinion. Of course we all have questioned certain selections at certain times but that's why we love football - we all think we are great managers as well!

And I for one wouldn't want to see wholesale changes come Saturday. Firstly we simply don't have the depth of squad to do it and secondly the players we have got have had a fantastic season so far, and having come this far, it SHOULD be down to them all to see the job out now and see how far they can get. And if that means losing the last 11 league games then so be it. They have earned the right to finish the job.

There can be no excuses about the Dorset Senior Cup game. It was a shambles but all the players we have are good players and they don't become bad players overnight. Did they all have an 'off day' at the same time? Don't know - doubt it. It certainly did look as though they started the game thinking they only had to turn up to win but there was enough about Portland right from the start to shake up that belief. It just has to be put down to experience for everyone and we move on.

This is by far the best team and season I've seen in many years and each game can't come quick enough at the moment. Long may it continue. And despite the anger and feelings over last night (myself included) we all know that we will be there on Saturday backing all the players and management team.

100%

Steve

Thanks for your posting Steve . Excellent piece with which I couldn’t agree more.

I have no doubt Tom knows the value of a settled side, and saw this as the way forward for this (and any other) season. But again, (see previous thread) I believe in this league for a variety of reasons (many out of the mangers control) that is so difficult to achieve.

Just touching on Tuesday night briefly. Be fair, who saw that coming - none of us and certainly not Tom. In fact, over-reaction could be our worst enemy right now, playing right into the other title pretenders hands.

Personally speaking, I have watched the game from 10 years of age (I won’t state my current age) from the highest level, following my (other) beloved side all over right through to helping with kids – Tuesday was and still is right there at the top of the “gutted” league, however, there is a “BUT” coming here.

It happened, it’s gone. What remains is to put matters right, with a determination through the squad to stand up and be counted. Every single game from now ‘till seasons end is a cup final. Apart from applying the ability they have, each and every player must bring 100% guts, steel, drive, character and a complete refusal to be beaten to the table. I believe Tuesday WILL be turned ‘round. The players’ WILL respond, go out and give their all. If this response is not there, questions should be asked – but I believe a positive reaction will occur.

As for you great people who have followed the side for many, many years now, I know you’ll remain right behind the lads. Yes, they deserved to have their arses kicked all over the place on Tuesday, but don’t turn on them now. Yes, we have tended to “foul-up” cup games this year, but we are still in there pitching for the title - we must ALL be “200%” behind that cause. If not , what has all the blood, sweat and tears to date been for ?

COME ON LADS, BLOW THE REST OF THE SEASON AWAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I’ve used spellchecker this time ! I put my previous gaffs down to emotion !