Another good win against a Three Bridges side who got the ball forward plenty of times.  But if a team wants to go toe-to-toe with us, I'm confident we can outgun them.  And so it was in this game.  People who know me will know that I am probably one of the most pessimistic supporters during a game.  I never feel we've got a big enough lead!  But in this game, I was very optimistic that we would win - even at 2-1 down.  We were playing with good pace and were getting players forward and creating chances.  And there's a confidence about the group at the moment - even when something goes wrong, there's a feeling that we'll find a way to put it right.

I share the optimism around thinking yesterday we were still OK even at 2-1 down. If anything we started slow and looked a little complacent and their 2 goals really made the team realise they were going to need to perform much better than that to get to 12 wins in a row (what a record by the way). Big test at Hastings on Saturday. 

I thought Chace was outstanding yesterday...again. In the last few weeks (months?) he has taken up a bit of a deeper lying midfield role, because Billy does the more advanced midfield role generally (no.10 role you might say). I think this means Chace has to be a little bit less flair and attacking minded, and a bit more nittygritty and disciplined, which he has surprised me in his aplomb in doing.

He still regularly picks up a loose ball and has those bursting runs into and around the box which inevitably end up in penalties or free kicks because the oppo never see it coming as he glides past them. He is so good at that. But again, what has impressed me most is how willing and capable he has been in the slightly deeper role where there is a lot more midfield “battling”, tackling and dispossessing to do, before quickly and efficiently distributing the ball. A very very intelligent player at this level, and proving to be very disciplined in a new(ish) role in the team.

Claudio also very worthy of a mention. Has learnt to distribute the ball a little earlier (with lots of "encouragement" from the management team and his team mates). Still occasionally holds on to it too long but is certainly learning in that respect. It still always surprises me just how difficult he is to dispossess on those long and often (too) mazy runs. Improving with every game and starting to add a bit more end product to his repertoire.

We're a joy to watch even when we are not at our up most defensively. Bash is a brilliant squad player and is always willing to do the hard work that goes unnoticed. Thought he got caught out by a few early over-the-top balls yesterday but improved as the game went on and went about righting his earlier wrongs. Such a role model for anyone at this level. Disciplined, committed and absolutely solid. A mature character and great for the younger players in our squad to learn from. So glad he decided to u-turn on the retirement decision. 

The match report in the Crawley & Horley Observer ends like this.......

"Certainly, Bridges deserve a lot of credit for their performance, but Tooting are the best side they've played this season by far and will be deserved champions if all goes to plan."

It's the " by far " bit that I really like 

I jape you not Plumpers.

" And it's Tooting and Mitcham, 
Tooting and Mitcham FC,
We're by far the greatest team,
Three Bridges reporter's seen. "