Post match review from manager Jason Murray

We need to be honest: last night was a disappointing performance, and we finished second-best in every department. It was the worst showing from the team since we’ve been here. Chatham is a strong side and at the top of the league for a reason, but they’re not unbeatable, and we made them look far better than they are. If it hadn’t been for another outstanding performance from our goalkeeper, Alex Baker, the score could have been far worse.

We’ve had serious discussions with the players, and they understand that this is far from the calibre we expect, especially this season. We’re going to chalk this up as a blip and use it as motivation to reset and get back on track for the cup game against Harringay next week. Our primary focus, however, must remain on the league, and we urgently need our players back in the squad to strengthen our options.

Last night’s performance fell far below the standards we’ve set for ourselves this season. We had a very frank and honest conversation with all the players after the game, where we made it clear how we felt about that performance—we were embarrassed and let down.

Chatham is an excellent side and at the top of the league for a reason, and we expect them to do well in the cups. However, they’re not a prime team time like Barcelona.

If you’re not winning your challenges, failing to maintain your shape, leaving gaps all over the pitch, and not adhering to the game plan and clear instructions we provided, you will be punished—plain and simple. We need to learn from this and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

We have rightfully protected the players this season, despite the recent results not going our way, because their performance levels and commitment have been outstanding. The dedication during training and adherence to the game plan have been commendable. However, last night, it was evident that all of that was missing. It looked like we had ten players on the field who didn’t have a clue about the strategy we were trying to implement. We need to refocus and ensure that everyone is on the same page moving forward.

JM