Last week's battling display against Fylde was fantastic not only because it yielded three very satisfying points, but also due to the fact that our new-found defiance and belief lends itself perfectly to a relegation battle where composure will be very much needed. While we were second best for most of the encounter, of which there is no shame against a team as decent as Fylde are, the most pleasing aspect was the way we fought our way back into the match even when a battering looked to be on the cards.
Two months ago, conceding after 34 seconds would be a setback from which we probably wouldn't recover, such was our fragility yet the recent additions seem to have made us mentally stronger. From just a couple of matches it's easy to conclude that Manny Onariase is one of the best defenders at this level; his timing and ability to read the game is something we haven't seen since Craig Robson left for Barnet in the summer. Then, at the other end, you have Ángelo Balanta, who has made our attack so much better and even then still gives the impression that there's more to come from him. Conor Wilkinson's brilliant goal last weekend further illustrates the quality we now have. Earlier on in the season, we would control games yet simply be unable to score but now we have players who only need one chance to do so, and that's the difference. In sixteen games we only scored more then once inside ninety minutes on a single occasion but we've now done it three times out of the last four. Recently, it's been like watching a different team and the only blip has been away to Sutton, where we weren't even that bad. However, it was the disappointment of the display at Gander Green Lane that may cast a few doubts this weekend, when we make the short trip to Bromley. Artificial pitch, physical team, on the outskirts of London - we've been there before. It's almost exactly the same situation as when we played Sutton three weeks ago except Bromley are lower in the table. The last time we played on a plastic surface we looked leggy and lethargic but while it's hard to attribute the pitch for that, it can definitely be said that there's something psychological about it, especially when you've lost on the same type of pitch a matter of weeks ago. Hopefully, though, we're not looking for excuses come 5pm. We have the capabilities to beat Neil Smith's side which could take us as high as 17th in the table. Losing would be the worst thing to happen ahead of Tuesday's game as well because that has all the credentials of being a huge clash in East London. Against Harrogate and Fylde, we got in their faces, showed neither any respect and were clinical in front of goal. Bromley aren't a terrible team but it would be a shame to lose to them. Just yesterday they brought in Jack Barham from Barnet, who will be very familiar to us after scoring a brilliant winner against us in August so that's something we'll have to be wary of. As demonstrated by their demolition of Hartlepool recently, they can score goals but the fact that they shipped four against Braintree at home also illustrates they can concede them too. One of their biggest threats will be Omar Bugiel, a player who in the past has proved more of a obstacle without the ball than with it. We'll always be wondering 'what could've been' had he not dived to win a penalty in the 2016/17 play-offs so let's not give him an opportunity to get one over on us. Where could we be now if that penalty doesn't happen and we take a lead into the second leg? It still hurts to be honest. Anyway, looking at their form they've been very hit and miss. In their last encounter they were beaten by Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road but that's not the kind of match that they will be judged on. Prior to that they had an FA Cup meeting with Peterborough United where they took the lead and looked to be on route to a cup upset until Frankie Raymond's rash actions earned him a red card, derailing his side's hopes. They lost 3-1 after that. Today I really fancy us for the victory. We've been very good in the last few weeks and if we play to that level will have every chance of taking three points home. It's going to be absolutely freezing, pitch black by half time and we'll be in an uncovered side terrace so I really hope we put in a performance! We've been a joy to watch since we made our signings just over a month ago and finally it appears that the good times are slowly returning. With plenty of away fans there today, it could be an enjoyable day. Do us proud boys. Up the defiant, determined Dags.
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January 2024
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