Opposition View: Bromley FC Fan Steff Bale on Facing Notts County and Life in the EFL

Introduction:

Name: Steff Bale

How long have you supported Bromley? I have been attending Bromley matches since I was 11 years old. I’m 52 now! I am a Bromley fan, but many Bromley supporters support other clubs, especially big London clubs. I used to watch Arsenal more than Bromley, but for the last few years, I have been going to watch Bromley more than Arsenal.

Are you a season ticket holder? I was a season ticket holder at Bromley until this season when they changed it all. You now have to be in a certain area of the ground, but I prefer to watch home games in different areas of the ground and I do not wish to be restricted, so no season ticket this season due to that reason!

Age? I am aged 52.

Favourite Player? I would say my favourite player has to be Michael Cheek. He’s the top scorer every season and has scored all the important goals for Bromley, including winning the FA Trophy at Wembley against Wrexham and the play-off final against Solihull to win promotion. He also hit the ground running and is scoring in League 2 as well!

How does it feel to be in the Football League, and how has the journey been for Bromley so far?

It still doesn’t feel real, to be honest, a club like Bromley in the Football League. I still feel like it’s a dream! Some of the away trips are to epic places with big stadiums, clubs with massive history, and some have even been in the Premier League! It’s what you dream of, really! Bromley have done well so far, holding their own, winning the first 2 games, then a couple of losses (one was very unlucky) and a draw last Saturday away at Colchester. Very credible so far and don’t look out of place in League 2 at all. I think we will be fine.

Who are Bromley’s standout players this season, and what impact do you think they will have on the game?

I think Grant Smith in goal is outstanding and has kept us in the game many times. He's very solid, one of the best in the league in many people's opinion, including mine. Our defence is solid, all very tall big guys. Byron Webster is excellent at CB, our captain with a huge amount of league experience at different clubs, including Millwall. Kamarl Grant is solid in defence on loan from Millwall. He's doing a fantastic job. Also, Idris Odutayo in defence is very solid, to name a few! Up front, as mentioned, Michael Cheek is excellent and will always have a chance of scoring. He's been top scorer since he joined the club and has been absolutely outstanding, scoring this season too! Corey Whitely is also very good, chipping in with goals, and Marcus Dinanga, who signed from Gateshead with a good goal-scoring record, is one to watch this season. The squad is very well-balanced with experience, young talent, loan players, and some Bromley stalwarts who have worked hard to get into the league.

What is Bromley’s preferred formation and style of play, and how do you think Notts County can counter it?

This is a bit tricky, to be honest, although some Bromley fans might disagree. I don’t think Andy Woodman has finally found his best starting XI just yet. Obviously, there are players like Cheek and Webster who will always start, but other players come in and out of the side partly due to the injuries and suspensions this season. It was interesting the changes that were made for the EFL Cup match with Cambridge. The team had been rotated, so many squad players started and played really well. This has given Manager Andy Woodman more choices. Bromley like to play an attacking style with high pressing. They will expose opposition defences’ weaknesses, especially down the flanks. Hayes Lane has become a hard ground for away teams due to this. Notts County are an excellent side and always have a good striker who will score. I’m concerned about Notts County’s attacking options, and I think that alone may well be their biggest strength to counter Bromley.

How has Bromley’s manager been influencing their tactics, and what do you think his approach will be for this game?

Andy Woodman is always very calm and approaches games with a calm attitude. I don’t know exactly how he will approach the game or who will start exactly. I fully expect an attacking approach against Notts County and Bromley must make chances count! I’m sure Andy Woodman will drum that into the team! Andy Woodman is very influential when it comes to tactics, along with assistant manager Alan Dunn. The club recruited a gamer to the staff who was an expert player of Football Manager! This had a lot of publicity and was a brilliant move by the club. This has resulted in expert analysis of opposition, help with team selection through stats to assist the management team. This is working very well by all accounts.

How has Bromley’s form been so far this season, and what challenges do you think Notts County may face at Hayes Lane?

Bromley’s form is up and down, but they are holding their own in League 2. Hayes Lane is a very difficult place to come and get a result, even though Crewe recently scored 2 very late goals to win 1-2. Bromley’s home form is good and not many teams get a result there. It won’t be easy at all for Notts County, especially in a tight ground which is the complete opposite of the huge Meadow Lane stadium. I think Notts County will have their work cut out and may find Bromley a bit of a handful, especially up front!

How has Bromley’s defence been performing, and how do you feel the game will go against Notts County? 

Bromley have a good defence and a good keeper. They are quite solid. The only criticism is they can switch off late on. I predict 2-2 and an end-to-end game. Bromley must be very careful of McGoldrick, who is still brilliant at scoring goals wherever he goes!

What has the journey been like for Bromley over the past few seasons, and how have they adapted to life in the Football League? Are there any key moments or significant tests that have shaped their experience?

Bromley has slowly climbed the leagues to make it into the Football League. They did well in the National League for 10 years but needed to get over the line into the Football League, which they managed. For me, the key moments of recent history have been promotion to the National League, the FA Trophy Finals at Wembley, winning one by beating the mighty Wrexham with Michael Cheek scoring, and of course the play-off final at Wembley and Cheek taking us into the league along with the team scoring the penalties in the shoot-out! The significant tests have been all those things plus coming so close to promotion and play-offs. Everything has shaped the club and players into what they are and where they are now. It’s taken a lot of years, but this small South London/Kent football club surrounded by big London clubs is in the Football League to stay!!

Final comments from Chris

I think Bromley will present a challenge for Notts, one where I hope our quality in creativity and possession will result in an entertaining game. We shouldn't underestimate our opposition, at home they can be a very difficult team to break down, but if pressure can be asserted and the magpies' play to their potential I do feel encouraged. The Ravens will certainly try to press and counter Notts, they have some very capable players that defensively we must manage, but I feel the game could go either way, with a 1-1 draw or 1-2 win for Notts. I am hoping Alex Bass can retain another clean sheet, but I feel it's likely that Bromley will at least score once.

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