Another away day reverse for the Terras after this (sort of) derby day defeat to Salisbury City in Wiltshire.

As with Forest Green, this mob are a big of a bogey side having been complicit in the last days of Jason Tandall's reign. I must admit to having thought my prediction of a draw was on the money, but alas a goal after half time was enough to ensure that wouldn't be the case. 

JHMBE mentioned in his interview to the local press that we need to be more clinical in front of goal. I think most Terras fans would agree with that. McPhee has been a real bonus but scoring goals was a major problem for us last season and we need to guard against that again this term. Much as we all love Beavon, I think we would all prefer a few less rave reviews for his performance and a few more goals. It is too early to judge PJ as he hasn't been fit, but I don't see us as a team full of goals. 

I am not concerned as yet as I would hope that we still have enough in the squad to do well, and I suppose every team could do with a 20 goal a season man, but especially us. 

Still all is not lost and one defeat is not the end of the world. 

It is important to bounce back at the weekend and I would be positive enough to think that we could. 

Until tomorrow...

The Terras came back from 2-0 down to record a 3-3 draw with Championship side Bristol City at the Wessex Stadium last night.

The should have been Premiership vistors were ahead before Kevin Sandwith pulled one back. Kevin Betsy restored City's advantage before a two goal salvo on the half hour from Stuart Beavon ensured a share of the spoils for Weymouth. 

My spy at the match informed me that we looked great going forward but shaky at the back. With the likes of Lee Trundle in the Bristol team though that is not unexpected. We wont be facing forwards of that quality week in week out in the BSP this season!

So a positive end to the week, which was made better with manager John Hollins quashing rumours that the club were looking to cash in on player of the season Scott Doe. Internet rumours linking him with big spending Stevenage Borough. 

Match photos from the clubs official website can be found by clicking here. 

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Its twenty five past seven in the morning and I already sat at my desk. If anyone tells you that the credit crunch isnt biting hard, then please shoot them on my behalf.

:0(

Anyhow on to matters Weymouth and it has to be said that it is a very quiet time in the world of the Wessex. Usually this means that a disaster is around the next bend, but I get the feeling that this time the focus is on hard work and a dedication to get it right on the field this season.

There is still plenty of debate about where our goals are going to come from, and I suppose Marcus Stewart's move to Exeter City will only increase the speculation, so it will be interesting to hear what JHMBE has to say on the matter.

Personally I would like to see a proven hitman in the squad, although you could point to Beavon (who despite a lean season in front of goal still proved a handful last season), Dubois and "Nanny" McPhee. If Anton and Couttsie can chip in from midfield then we should be ok.

In having no 'proven' 20 goal per season strikers in the squad you put pressure on the defence to keep clean sheets, thus keeping you in matches, and that is the area we have arguably weakened in selling Kyle Critchell.

Interesting stuff and plenty to keep us debating hard until the season starts proper. Right I am off for a bit of retail therapy and ordering my new shirt!

Until tomorrow.

And so season 2008/09 is off to a winning start away from home and in Europe.

I say Europe because Portland is a bit off shore, and whilst yes I accept that it is connected to the UK by a causeway I think that the French probably think they are going overseas when they go to the Mt. San Michel. Maybe.

Anyhow I am sticking with it as I always thought our rare wins against Newport Isle of Wight were European victories so there. Argue if you want, but my logic is sound!

My man at the match isn't answering his phone yet this morning but I can stick with the facts I know and that is...

Portland United 0-4 Weymouth (The scorers I think were Dubois 2, Beavon, Sandwidth)

Of course the real tests lie a lot further down the track and history will show us that a decent pre-season for this club usually means a terrible season, but i am staying positive.

It would be nice to think that we can have it all this campaign. And I did dream that Chris McPhee became the first player to score the winning goal in consecutive seasons for different clubs in the FA Trophy. 

Beaver got the second against a below par York Side.

My dreams don't usually come true but its worth keeping an eye out!

Ok, thats all for this morning. Keep the Beat the Blogger entries coming in... I want to see your holiday snaps!!!! (not those ones)

Typical. I am off on holiday next week and it is during the next 7-10 days that we can expect the rest of the 2008-09 Weymouth FC squad to come together.

So says assistant Manager Alan Lewer to the Dorset Evening Echo.

I think it is fair to say that we have seen the last of both Paolo Vernazza and Michael Malcolm in a Terras shirt after their prolonged in ability to commit to the club and sign the deals offered them by John Hollins.

Vernazza is not so much of a loss for me as he was a sort of luxury midfielder that we couldn't really accommodate last year.  Money Mike on the other hand always looked lively and whilst he never really gelled with Stuart Beavon to form a decent partnership he would have been a handy player to have around the squad. Impact players I believe they are called... It used to be 'supersub' in my day.

Speculation is rife about who will or won be coming to th club and I must admit to continuing to be a little uneasy about how public the club is being about some of their targets. Ok they are not naming names, but they are certainly dropping enough hints to narrow down the field considerably. 

As stated on the last blog, I hope this is because the players are in the bag, and some of the names mentioned would only add quality to the club.

Ambition has also been showed with the clubs rejection of a bid from Cambridge United for Stuart Beavon. £15,000 is an absolute insult. Hands off Mr Tindall... or we will delve back int your blog!!!

So now let's follow that up by getting the right players in the right positions and using the budget the club has to the most effective result.

I am not thinking playoffs or beyond, I am thinking respectability in the middle of the table and a decent cup run. One Manager, One Chairman.

Fingers crossed eh?