Since the Newcastle game we've seen the return to goalscoring form of wheels on his house, in a win over Peterboro and 3 points gained at Plymouth. We've seen Angie miss a penalty against Donny and More Reasons convert one, to deliver three wins in a row for the first time in about five years.
Could we do four in a row? I remember being at Palace when Dion and Hucks were running riot in 97-98 and we managed about six in a row, but three in a row is pretty good given how inconsistent we've been this millennium.
Forest away is never easy. We were there last year to see us lose, and planned to be there again this year, but ice, Dorset and 8 hour round trips meant it didn't happen.
We didn't miss too much, Forest stretched their unbeaten run to 15 and stay 3rd, we stay 17th. Forest have done well to build on last years relegation struggle, and look pretty strong this year, thanks to the investment made by their owner, delivered smartly by a canny manager. Arson, take note, investment equals progress. Nine points from the last twelve is a much needed improvement though, should keep the Coalman in charge for the second half of the season.
We're all off to Portsmouth on Saturday where we have a sniff of a chance of an upset. I'm already down here in preparation for the big day, soaking up the grey drizzle of the South Coast. Big thing to look out for at Fratton Park? The teamsheet. Players on the way out in the transfer window to Premier League clubs will not be playing - that's my prediction. We will see how Arson's stall is set out.
Pat the Dutchie is off back to Chelsea, so thanks for a few bright moments in your 20appearances. Need to work on your defending though, but definite signs of quality there, will be interesting to see if you ever make the first team squad. I doubt it, but time is on your side.
Newcastle at the Ricoh
Midweek and the glamour of Newcastle arrived at the Ricoh, looking to go 7 points clear at the top of the table.
We were merely looking to get our third win in 20 games. Now there's a record to be proud of.
Having just watched The Damned United, I'm keen to draw any comparisons between the Coalman and Cloughie in his full pomp. "I'm not saying I'm the best manager in the country, but I'm definitely in the top 1" - isn't a phrase I can hear our ever tango-ed ringmaster utter with confidence.
We lost again. Hit the bar a couple of times, came close, but couldn't quite score.
Bottom line is that this team just isn't good enough. We lack creativity, a solid defence and don't make enough chances. We're slipping closer and closer to the bottom three as the season goes on, and that's before our traditional poor Xmas showing.
Peterborough at home on Saturday. A must win game even at this stage of the season. What would we give for a goal......
We were merely looking to get our third win in 20 games. Now there's a record to be proud of.
Having just watched The Damned United, I'm keen to draw any comparisons between the Coalman and Cloughie in his full pomp. "I'm not saying I'm the best manager in the country, but I'm definitely in the top 1" - isn't a phrase I can hear our ever tango-ed ringmaster utter with confidence.
We lost again. Hit the bar a couple of times, came close, but couldn't quite score.
Bottom line is that this team just isn't good enough. We lack creativity, a solid defence and don't make enough chances. We're slipping closer and closer to the bottom three as the season goes on, and that's before our traditional poor Xmas showing.
Peterborough at home on Saturday. A must win game even at this stage of the season. What would we give for a goal......
Scunthorpe - how low can we go?
God only knows why Sky chose Scunthorpe vs Coventry as their glamour tie for the weekend, but they did. And how we suffered.
Celebrating 2 years in charge, Arson watched as a bench full of toddlers watched a pitch full of headless chickens look totally out of their depth. Angie should have scored, but refused to pass to More Reasons. More Reasons threw the toddlers' toys out of the pram, before the Gunner set up Angie to miss again from close range.
Then the back 4, or was it 3, or 5, or 2? - still don't know for sure, let the Scunny forward score from 18 yards.
We huffed, and puffed (where is our fitness coach) and then Madine missed two sitters in the final ten minutes.
We lost 1-0. Embarrassingly.
Two years on, Arson has taken us backwards, apparently because the ticket revenues haven't met budget so they haven't been able to spend money on players.
January will see Angie and Vivienne move on for a combined fee of about £2m to balance the books. The Coalman will receive money to fund wages for a free transfer, and we'll be fighting relegation for the rest of the season. It's chicken and egg isn't it - poor crowds = fewer £s through the tills = worse players. Arson, you have to face the fact that only you can break this cycle, you have to invest in the team to improve results and bring back the paying punters. That's just the way it works unfortunately. A hedge fund that refuses to speculate to accumulate is usually called a deposit account.......
This is looking bad, but regular reader(s) of the blog will notice we've been saying this since before the start of the season.
Newcastle at the Ricoh in 48 hours time. We will obviously win this 2-1 in a storming game with a great mid-week atmosphere, and paper over the cracks/chasms for another few days.
PUSB - keep the faith, keep supporting, and keep polishing that CV for when the Coalman gets the push to divert attention away from the Chairman.
Celebrating 2 years in charge, Arson watched as a bench full of toddlers watched a pitch full of headless chickens look totally out of their depth. Angie should have scored, but refused to pass to More Reasons. More Reasons threw the toddlers' toys out of the pram, before the Gunner set up Angie to miss again from close range.
Then the back 4, or was it 3, or 5, or 2? - still don't know for sure, let the Scunny forward score from 18 yards.
We huffed, and puffed (where is our fitness coach) and then Madine missed two sitters in the final ten minutes.
We lost 1-0. Embarrassingly.
Two years on, Arson has taken us backwards, apparently because the ticket revenues haven't met budget so they haven't been able to spend money on players.
January will see Angie and Vivienne move on for a combined fee of about £2m to balance the books. The Coalman will receive money to fund wages for a free transfer, and we'll be fighting relegation for the rest of the season. It's chicken and egg isn't it - poor crowds = fewer £s through the tills = worse players. Arson, you have to face the fact that only you can break this cycle, you have to invest in the team to improve results and bring back the paying punters. That's just the way it works unfortunately. A hedge fund that refuses to speculate to accumulate is usually called a deposit account.......
This is looking bad, but regular reader(s) of the blog will notice we've been saying this since before the start of the season.
Newcastle at the Ricoh in 48 hours time. We will obviously win this 2-1 in a storming game with a great mid-week atmosphere, and paper over the cracks/chasms for another few days.
PUSB - keep the faith, keep supporting, and keep polishing that CV for when the Coalman gets the push to divert attention away from the Chairman.
QPR away - match report
Two generations of the family made the trip to the Bush to see another In the Afternoon sending off in West London. Eldest of the party hadn't been to that part of the World since the 1960's, and was amazed by just how many Polish shops there were on the High Street. I mean, how much furniture can all these houses own?
A pre-match pint was almost scuppered by the insistence of home tickets for entry, eventually a good old Irish pub let us in for half an hour under a very odd mirrored ceiling.
Then to the Ground, and front row standing seats, for an OK performance. Angie nodded one in from 20 yards, QPR outplayed us for 70 minutes and scored twice, then we pinched an equaliser with 10 minutes to go. Oh, and in the afternoon got his usual red card.
Performance wasn't too bad, but still nowhere near where it needs to be.
A pre-match pint was almost scuppered by the insistence of home tickets for entry, eventually a good old Irish pub let us in for half an hour under a very odd mirrored ceiling.
Then to the Ground, and front row standing seats, for an OK performance. Angie nodded one in from 20 yards, QPR outplayed us for 70 minutes and scored twice, then we pinched an equaliser with 10 minutes to go. Oh, and in the afternoon got his usual red card.
Performance wasn't too bad, but still nowhere near where it needs to be.
What's that coming over the hill? Is it relegation?
A wise man once said "if you look up and all you can see is sky, you are either lying down or at the bottom of a deep hole".
Dennis Wise once said "you want a tip mate? Stitch this".
But that's by the by.
Are we at the bottom of a deep hole right now, or merely having a lie down? On the basis of our performance at Derby, it feels mightily like we are in a hole. Let's consider the evidence before our very eyes.
We score early, with Angie popping a nicely taken shot into the corner after Buysomewater flapped at a cross. We then spend 86 minutes and 10 minutes of added time desperately failing to prevent Derby scoring on about ten occasions. We were poor at the back, really poor.
On the positive side, we had a young team, one with an average age of 23. Our 17 year old Katie Clarke was a bit unlucky to get a second yellow, and had looked quite positive before then, but you know what you are getting with the Savage, and he didn't fail to deliver.
Oh, and Angie is out of contract in the summer, and would be pretty mad not to have a move lined up in 8 weeks time.
A young team is either full of potential for the future, or struggling to adapt to the real world right now. This one is unfortunately out of its depth, and is only heading one way.
We are in a hole. Make no mistake about it. We badly need three teams in the division to be consistently worse than we are. Right now, it's going to all about the rabbits that Arson has lined up to pull out of his hat in January. If the hat is empty, he's only getting us out of this league in one direction.
Injuries haven't helped the Coalman's cause, but our squad is smaller than Mini-me's shoe rack, and that's been obvious since August.
Palace at the Ricoh is next up, and I don't think we've ever beaten them in our shiny new Arena. This could be a very black November indeed......
Dennis Wise once said "you want a tip mate? Stitch this".
But that's by the by.
Are we at the bottom of a deep hole right now, or merely having a lie down? On the basis of our performance at Derby, it feels mightily like we are in a hole. Let's consider the evidence before our very eyes.
We score early, with Angie popping a nicely taken shot into the corner after Buysomewater flapped at a cross. We then spend 86 minutes and 10 minutes of added time desperately failing to prevent Derby scoring on about ten occasions. We were poor at the back, really poor.
On the positive side, we had a young team, one with an average age of 23. Our 17 year old Katie Clarke was a bit unlucky to get a second yellow, and had looked quite positive before then, but you know what you are getting with the Savage, and he didn't fail to deliver.
Oh, and Angie is out of contract in the summer, and would be pretty mad not to have a move lined up in 8 weeks time.
A young team is either full of potential for the future, or struggling to adapt to the real world right now. This one is unfortunately out of its depth, and is only heading one way.
We are in a hole. Make no mistake about it. We badly need three teams in the division to be consistently worse than we are. Right now, it's going to all about the rabbits that Arson has lined up to pull out of his hat in January. If the hat is empty, he's only getting us out of this league in one direction.
Injuries haven't helped the Coalman's cause, but our squad is smaller than Mini-me's shoe rack, and that's been obvious since August.
Palace at the Ricoh is next up, and I don't think we've ever beaten them in our shiny new Arena. This could be a very black November indeed......
All aboard the relegation express.....
Well, Saturday started badly after 32 seconds, and got steadily worse. Reading came to play, and we just didn't.
A few things I need to get off my chest.
1. While you don't win anything with kids (usually), you can get relegated
2. This team will not win many games this season
3. Is the Coalman trying to make a point to Arson that his squad too small?
4. Oh Lord has really upset the Coalman to not be playing at the moment.
5. It's a long season, but we are most definitely looking down not up.
6. Our hedge fund is suffering a seasonal malaise and looks to have neither leaves on its branches, nor money to spend.
7. A relegation battle is more nail-biting than a mid-table nothing season, but we're not making any progress here at all.
8. Time for a change of manager? Or is the current situation more driven by the Chairman's investment policy rather than the Coalman's ability?
A few things I need to get off my chest.
1. While you don't win anything with kids (usually), you can get relegated
2. This team will not win many games this season
3. Is the Coalman trying to make a point to Arson that his squad too small?
4. Oh Lord has really upset the Coalman to not be playing at the moment.
5. It's a long season, but we are most definitely looking down not up.
6. Our hedge fund is suffering a seasonal malaise and looks to have neither leaves on its branches, nor money to spend.
7. A relegation battle is more nail-biting than a mid-table nothing season, but we're not making any progress here at all.
8. Time for a change of manager? Or is the current situation more driven by the Chairman's investment policy rather than the Coalman's ability?
Twas the night before Reading
Reading at the Ricoh.
Not an order, merely an observation. YDO and SBJ have been conspicuous by their absence over the last few weeks, but the UCC will be in full gathering tomorrow at the Theatre of Dreams.
Thanks to the Prem Club's generosity, and the unattractiveness of the Corporate boxes this season, we've got a freebie. So, we get to watch our first ever game from the lofty heights of the upper tier of the big stand.
Yours truly, SBJ, YDO, Mrs YDO, G2, Ells Bells, Matt, Matt's elder male relatives, Paul and Dale will be joined by Uncle Bulgaria, the ever expanding Mrs Bulgaria and a couple of random Bulgarians.
Should be fun
2-0 is the prediction, as the game that turns our season is decided by More Reasons and Alansson.
Match report will follow......
Not an order, merely an observation. YDO and SBJ have been conspicuous by their absence over the last few weeks, but the UCC will be in full gathering tomorrow at the Theatre of Dreams.
Thanks to the Prem Club's generosity, and the unattractiveness of the Corporate boxes this season, we've got a freebie. So, we get to watch our first ever game from the lofty heights of the upper tier of the big stand.
Yours truly, SBJ, YDO, Mrs YDO, G2, Ells Bells, Matt, Matt's elder male relatives, Paul and Dale will be joined by Uncle Bulgaria, the ever expanding Mrs Bulgaria and a couple of random Bulgarians.
Should be fun
2-0 is the prediction, as the game that turns our season is decided by More Reasons and Alansson.
Match report will follow......
Letter from America
Two weeks in the USA and Canada and a lack of football to watch.
Trying to get into Baseball. Red Sox throwing away a 5-4 lead in the 8th was reminiscent of the Skyblues at their very best, and resulted in a quiet bar in Boston.
The argument that Americans don't like football because it's so low scoring is bollocks though. Currently in Montreal watching PHI at LAD, it's the top of the 8th (16/19ths of the way through) and it's 1-0 to PHI. Not sure what happens if they draw at the bottom of the 9th - do they have a shoot-out?
Two photos I would like to share, showing that Canada is just ever so slightly odd.....
Trying to get into Baseball. Red Sox throwing away a 5-4 lead in the 8th was reminiscent of the Skyblues at their very best, and resulted in a quiet bar in Boston.
The argument that Americans don't like football because it's so low scoring is bollocks though. Currently in Montreal watching PHI at LAD, it's the top of the 8th (16/19ths of the way through) and it's 1-0 to PHI. Not sure what happens if they draw at the bottom of the 9th - do they have a shoot-out?
Two photos I would like to share, showing that Canada is just ever so slightly odd.....
Ashes 2010-2011
First Test: 25-29 November, 2010 (Brisbane)
Second Test: 3-7 December, 2010 (Adelaide)
Third Test: 16-20 December, 2010 (Perth)
Fourth Test: 26-30 December, 2010 (Melbourne)
Fifth Test: 3-7 January, 2011 (Sydney)
Not strictly football related, but for forward planning.
Second Test: 3-7 December, 2010 (Adelaide)
Third Test: 16-20 December, 2010 (Perth)
Fourth Test: 26-30 December, 2010 (Melbourne)
Fifth Test: 3-7 January, 2011 (Sydney)
Not strictly football related, but for forward planning.
Whooa, our Best is on fire
Angie's only gone and been named Championship Player of the Month for September. Recognition of a good run of form that's taken him, and More Reasons, into the top strikers charts.
If only we could keep a clean sheet, we'd be storming up the league.
Does the Player of the Month curse mirror the Manager of the Month? Is he now due an absolute shocker? Please no.
If only we could keep a clean sheet, we'd be storming up the league.
Does the Player of the Month curse mirror the Manager of the Month? Is he now due an absolute shocker? Please no.
The M69 derby - match report
It's one of the least attractive derby monikers, named after a 20 mile stretch of tarmac that most of the country will only see as a shortcut from the M1 to the M6 and vice-versa, but to us, it does mean something.
SBJ will be writing the full match report, when he has a moment......
SBJ will be writing the full match report, when he has a moment......
A trip to the Vicarage
Watford has never been a happy hunting ground, SBJ has been many times, I only the once, but never has a win been witnessed. Until now.
The UCC were joined by Uncle Bulgaria for his first away trip of the season, with Madame Cholet in tow. We also hijacked a Charlton fan for the evening, who quite literally had nothing better to do, along with a Leeds fan who wanted to watch some proper football, so the six of us bought some refreshments and made our way from Euston to the end of the line. Or so Watford junction seemed.
A quick taxi to the ground, and a reminder that the Ricoh is a truly marvellous arena. Our view was lofty, and the atmosphere in the away end loud and passionate.
An early goal, as Klingon shot low into the corner from outside the box. Last season, I would have written that Mrs Doyle shot low into the corner flag from outside the box, so at least we've made some progress. Delight all round at a deserved lead.
Then Watford realised what we've suspected all season. That we are unable to keep a clean sheet (KeepMoat excepted). Two goals from the Hornets swung the balance around completely. No need for details here, just half close your eyes and look the other way, and you'll have done an impression of Oh Lord.
Half time arrived, unlike the half time beer, as the Vicarage doesn't serve any.
Second half saw more comedy defending, and Comedy Roadshow having a shocker. Watford could have scored a couple, but Vivienne was on top form, having an outstanding game. Angie popped up with a neat double, and the game was won. Did we deserve it? Maybe. Did we have the better defence? No, both were poor. Did we have the better keeper? Definitely - we need to keep him in January.
So, up to tenth and three points off third place. Odd league again this season.
We walked back into the throbbing heart of Watford for a beer or two before catching the train and found one of the local "places to be". We introduced ourselves to the barstaff and customer, and settled in for an hour. Must have been unhappy hour in Watford, or there was some sort of curfew, as the place was deader than Blackpool in December.
Onwards and upwards - Leicester awaits.
The UCC were joined by Uncle Bulgaria for his first away trip of the season, with Madame Cholet in tow. We also hijacked a Charlton fan for the evening, who quite literally had nothing better to do, along with a Leeds fan who wanted to watch some proper football, so the six of us bought some refreshments and made our way from Euston to the end of the line. Or so Watford junction seemed.
A quick taxi to the ground, and a reminder that the Ricoh is a truly marvellous arena. Our view was lofty, and the atmosphere in the away end loud and passionate.
An early goal, as Klingon shot low into the corner from outside the box. Last season, I would have written that Mrs Doyle shot low into the corner flag from outside the box, so at least we've made some progress. Delight all round at a deserved lead.
Then Watford realised what we've suspected all season. That we are unable to keep a clean sheet (KeepMoat excepted). Two goals from the Hornets swung the balance around completely. No need for details here, just half close your eyes and look the other way, and you'll have done an impression of Oh Lord.
Half time arrived, unlike the half time beer, as the Vicarage doesn't serve any.
Second half saw more comedy defending, and Comedy Roadshow having a shocker. Watford could have scored a couple, but Vivienne was on top form, having an outstanding game. Angie popped up with a neat double, and the game was won. Did we deserve it? Maybe. Did we have the better defence? No, both were poor. Did we have the better keeper? Definitely - we need to keep him in January.
So, up to tenth and three points off third place. Odd league again this season.
We walked back into the throbbing heart of Watford for a beer or two before catching the train and found one of the local "places to be". We introduced ourselves to the barstaff and customer, and settled in for an hour. Must have been unhappy hour in Watford, or there was some sort of curfew, as the place was deader than Blackpool in December.
Onwards and upwards - Leicester awaits.
The Coalman vs The Southgate - Match report
I need some help with a few questions.
In the afternoon - better in the centre, or on the flanks?
County Cork - creative spark, or lightweight luxury?
Klingon - destructive midfielder, positive box to box runner or neither?
Comedy Roadshow - better for us, or for Brizzle City?
I sympathise with the Coalman, at half time I had a view on each of these questions, but all answers would have been negative.
First half against Boro was poor. Despite our poor showing, we could have scored a couple, and so could they. It was all a bit disjointed, with the back four looking particularly shaky. By halftime we'd been caught out at a corner, then taken up Sunday School defending and gifted a second goal. Bad show, and a good team would have closed us out in the second half and left with three points in their back pocket.
Two subs at half time, the Gunnar and the Dutchie. We looked a bit more positive from the outset. Not that impressive, just a bit more together. MBoro sat back a bit and all of a sudden we'd created a goal for More Reasons. Katie Price down the right had looked dodgy in the first half, but had settled a bit in the second half, and picked out Angie who flicked on for More Reasons to finish neatly. May have been a touch of hand in the turn, but hey, we needed a break.
From there, we huffed and puffed a bit, but left it until the 94th minute to swing in a free kick which came out, went back in, and got poked in at the back post by Angie. Cue celebrations.
A point, which in the 78th minute looked more remote than a landslide Labour victory next May. Off to Watford on Tuesday, to see if we can be a little more solid, a bit more creative, and a bit more clinical in front of goal.
In the afternoon - better in the centre, or on the flanks?
County Cork - creative spark, or lightweight luxury?
Klingon - destructive midfielder, positive box to box runner or neither?
Comedy Roadshow - better for us, or for Brizzle City?
I sympathise with the Coalman, at half time I had a view on each of these questions, but all answers would have been negative.
First half against Boro was poor. Despite our poor showing, we could have scored a couple, and so could they. It was all a bit disjointed, with the back four looking particularly shaky. By halftime we'd been caught out at a corner, then taken up Sunday School defending and gifted a second goal. Bad show, and a good team would have closed us out in the second half and left with three points in their back pocket.
Two subs at half time, the Gunnar and the Dutchie. We looked a bit more positive from the outset. Not that impressive, just a bit more together. MBoro sat back a bit and all of a sudden we'd created a goal for More Reasons. Katie Price down the right had looked dodgy in the first half, but had settled a bit in the second half, and picked out Angie who flicked on for More Reasons to finish neatly. May have been a touch of hand in the turn, but hey, we needed a break.
From there, we huffed and puffed a bit, but left it until the 94th minute to swing in a free kick which came out, went back in, and got poked in at the back post by Angie. Cue celebrations.
A point, which in the 78th minute looked more remote than a landslide Labour victory next May. Off to Watford on Tuesday, to see if we can be a little more solid, a bit more creative, and a bit more clinical in front of goal.
Fit and Proper People
A few non-specific but football related stories that have caught the eye this morning.
Flavio may well be deemed not a "fit and proper" person to own a football team, putting the F1 Crash King in the same boat as Frank Sinatra used to be at Man City, but the investigation into who actually owns Notts County continues. Good article in the Times this morning by Kevin Eason, who tries to untangle the complicated ownership web involving QADBACK and Munto Finance, well worth a read.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6846543.ece
Something's upset Sol Campbell though - leaving with £160,000 after 4 weeks and 1 match. Nice work if you can get it, but just how bad must an away trip to Morecambe actually be?
Apparently we're also about to sign Sam Vokes on loan from Wolves. Sounds like a good addition, but will Don actually drop More Reasons or Angie and start the young talent from the outset?
A final quote, this time from the world of cricket. Gary Kirsten, coach of India, has advised his team to have more sex to increase their performance on the pitch - "go ahead and indulge" is the recommendation. Graeme Swann, when asked about this, described it as "the kind of forward thinking the game needs" adding that he assumes "Kirsten does not mean within the team. Wives and partners must be involved".
The need to clarify does make you wonder what activities Captain Strauss has brought to the dressing room before.....
Flavio may well be deemed not a "fit and proper" person to own a football team, putting the F1 Crash King in the same boat as Frank Sinatra used to be at Man City, but the investigation into who actually owns Notts County continues. Good article in the Times this morning by Kevin Eason, who tries to untangle the complicated ownership web involving QADBACK and Munto Finance, well worth a read.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6846543.ece
Something's upset Sol Campbell though - leaving with £160,000 after 4 weeks and 1 match. Nice work if you can get it, but just how bad must an away trip to Morecambe actually be?
Apparently we're also about to sign Sam Vokes on loan from Wolves. Sounds like a good addition, but will Don actually drop More Reasons or Angie and start the young talent from the outset?
A final quote, this time from the world of cricket. Gary Kirsten, coach of India, has advised his team to have more sex to increase their performance on the pitch - "go ahead and indulge" is the recommendation. Graeme Swann, when asked about this, described it as "the kind of forward thinking the game needs" adding that he assumes "Kirsten does not mean within the team. Wives and partners must be involved".
The need to clarify does make you wonder what activities Captain Strauss has brought to the dressing room before.....
Overseas Scouting
This weekend sees the Skyblues taking a break from the impending relegation struggle.
The UCC will however be working on Arson and Don's behalf on an overseas scouting mission to Berlin. The YDO, SBJ, Uncle Bulgaria and my good self will be checking out as much football as possible from the hostelries of our Germanic friends.
Depending on the vagaries of technology and telecoms, our Twitter updates will be used when required.
Wish us luck, we will try our best to return with a new creative midfielder and goalscoring machine in our hand luggage.
The UCC will however be working on Arson and Don's behalf on an overseas scouting mission to Berlin. The YDO, SBJ, Uncle Bulgaria and my good self will be checking out as much football as possible from the hostelries of our Germanic friends.
Depending on the vagaries of technology and telecoms, our Twitter updates will be used when required.
Wish us luck, we will try our best to return with a new creative midfielder and goalscoring machine in our hand luggage.
Matt Le Tissier - betting scams in the 1990's
Matt Le Tissier has launched his autobiography, Taking Le Tiss. Apart from explaining why he never played for a big club, why he never made an impact for England, and how he managed to score all those great goals, he also sheds some light on the worst betting scam of the 1990's.
Those were the days. Not sure what the statute of limitations is on conspiracy to defraud, but I assume his lawyers checked that one out first.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Southampton-star-Matt-Le-Tissier-admits-he-was-part-of-failed-10k-bet-fix-article142265.html
Update:
CPS have decided that pursuing the allegations would not be in the public interest. did the lawyers advise that this was the most likely outcome? Or did no-one think it through.
Those were the days. Not sure what the statute of limitations is on conspiracy to defraud, but I assume his lawyers checked that one out first.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Southampton-star-Matt-Le-Tissier-admits-he-was-part-of-failed-10k-bet-fix-article142265.html
Update:
CPS have decided that pursuing the allegations would not be in the public interest. did the lawyers advise that this was the most likely outcome? Or did no-one think it through.
Blackpool away - Match Report
Following on from the picture gallery below, a short summary of the "performance" against the Tangerine Army.
The terrace was open as usual, and pretty full, for at least 70 minutes of the game. We played 4-4-2 for most of the game, with Angie and More Reasons leading the line, Klingon and the Gunnar holding the centre and Ten Burners and Marti Caine propping up the defence. Jack Cork, who may just be nicknamed Son of Alan, played out wide, with Comedy Roadshow sprinting down the line on the other side. In the Afternoon and the Dutchie supported the wingers down the flanks. That was the theory anyway
The lowlights of the game - most of the minutes, where the defence were all at the seaside, the midfield were playing beach football, and the front two couldn't get near the ball. Opta stats would show 3 shots on target, but none of the shots would have reached the goal-line, let alone troubled the keeper. We were very very poor, and Don Key ignored the youth team options on the bench which may have changed the energy levels if nothing else. The SBA stomached the "display" for 70 minutes, until most gave up, vented their disgust and left to find some entertainment.
The highlights of the game. The final whistle wasn't too bad. We discussed a man of the match for a while, and failed to come up with one.
It was that bad.
Where to from here?
A lack of activity before the transfer window closed means only one of 2 things. There is no money available, and we will be stuck with the "squad" we have until January, where we could be in the bottom 3 if this continues. Or, we've got some free agents lined up ready to jump in over the next 10 days.
We must keep the faith, it's a marathon, not a snickers.
The terrace was open as usual, and pretty full, for at least 70 minutes of the game. We played 4-4-2 for most of the game, with Angie and More Reasons leading the line, Klingon and the Gunnar holding the centre and Ten Burners and Marti Caine propping up the defence. Jack Cork, who may just be nicknamed Son of Alan, played out wide, with Comedy Roadshow sprinting down the line on the other side. In the Afternoon and the Dutchie supported the wingers down the flanks. That was the theory anyway
The lowlights of the game - most of the minutes, where the defence were all at the seaside, the midfield were playing beach football, and the front two couldn't get near the ball. Opta stats would show 3 shots on target, but none of the shots would have reached the goal-line, let alone troubled the keeper. We were very very poor, and Don Key ignored the youth team options on the bench which may have changed the energy levels if nothing else. The SBA stomached the "display" for 70 minutes, until most gave up, vented their disgust and left to find some entertainment.
The highlights of the game. The final whistle wasn't too bad. We discussed a man of the match for a while, and failed to come up with one.
It was that bad.
Where to from here?
A lack of activity before the transfer window closed means only one of 2 things. There is no money available, and we will be stuck with the "squad" we have until January, where we could be in the bottom 3 if this continues. Or, we've got some free agents lined up ready to jump in over the next 10 days.
We must keep the faith, it's a marathon, not a snickers.
Roll up and spend your last dime...
It's Bank Holiday Sunday in the Castle in Blackpool - if we've got it we'll play it...
Take me into insanity
A definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Lobbing balls up to Angie is not really working for us.
A heartfelt thank you
I found the link chaps, and just wanted to make my first post a genuine heartfelt thanks for letting me occasionally ruin your witty banter with some inane drivel.
For the world of readers out there, I am unusual indeed for this blog, in that I actually live in Coventry, perhaps giving me a unique and different insight into our marvellous club.....but probably not.
By the way, I don't actually have to go to any games to post on here do I? I'm not sure I can take much more if its going to be like the Blackpool game. I was thinking that if I give SBJ some warning, I could do a Norwich/Bryan Gunn, and run down the track at our next game to hurl my season ticket in the direction of Don Key. SBJ could get the exclusive pictures, I'm sure it would increase the blog's readership no end, that clip from Norwich was on the telly and everything!
Although its fair to say, as futile gestures go, its been somewhat diluted by the smartcard season tickets.....a good old book season ticket you could hurl, a smartcard really needs a sort of wrist flick/frisbee effort if I'm to threaten Don and co. I'll get out in the garden and practice with last years smartcard, its what the international break was made for.
Blackpool reminded me of some of the great away trips of the late 80's, when you realised after about 3 minutes that we were going to struggle to get a kick never mind a result. Ahh.....good times indeed.
For the world of readers out there, I am unusual indeed for this blog, in that I actually live in Coventry, perhaps giving me a unique and different insight into our marvellous club.....but probably not.
By the way, I don't actually have to go to any games to post on here do I? I'm not sure I can take much more if its going to be like the Blackpool game. I was thinking that if I give SBJ some warning, I could do a Norwich/Bryan Gunn, and run down the track at our next game to hurl my season ticket in the direction of Don Key. SBJ could get the exclusive pictures, I'm sure it would increase the blog's readership no end, that clip from Norwich was on the telly and everything!
Although its fair to say, as futile gestures go, its been somewhat diluted by the smartcard season tickets.....a good old book season ticket you could hurl, a smartcard really needs a sort of wrist flick/frisbee effort if I'm to threaten Don and co. I'll get out in the garden and practice with last years smartcard, its what the international break was made for.
Blackpool reminded me of some of the great away trips of the late 80's, when you realised after about 3 minutes that we were going to struggle to get a kick never mind a result. Ahh.....good times indeed.
Crowd Surfing
Regular viewers will be pleased to see Jesus back in the Sky Blue fold - and who knew that Ron Weazley was a City Fan?
Gunner's Girth
This rather confirms the Youth Development Officer's concern about Aron's burgeoning waistline.
Our new manager
Introducing Don Key. It all made sense at the time - unlike Coleman's failure to bring off Jack Cork.
All I want is a room with a view
Since last we went to Bloomfield Road the buggers have started building the Jimmy Armfield stand to block our view of the pitch from the Travelodge. We were staying in disabled rooms which served as a metaphor for the team's performance. Now if only someone could pull the red cord.
Back to the 70s
There was always going to be trouble at a West Ham vs Millwall game. Always.
That's no excuse for last night's riot, stabbing and general violent disorder. Scenes which have no place in football. West Ham have said they will ban troublemakers for life, which is exactly right. Make them go and watch rugby, that'll teach them. We've watched us play both teams many times over the last 15 years or so, and these are my two least favourite away trips in London. Nasty places, nasty fans, nasty atmosphere, nasty pubs.
On a different note, Notts County paying Sol £1.5m a year to play centreback, drive the coach and turn into an ambassador after he retires? Different league with a wage structure we can't compete with. Hang on though, it's two leagues below us. Funny old game.
That's no excuse for last night's riot, stabbing and general violent disorder. Scenes which have no place in football. West Ham have said they will ban troublemakers for life, which is exactly right. Make them go and watch rugby, that'll teach them. We've watched us play both teams many times over the last 15 years or so, and these are my two least favourite away trips in London. Nasty places, nasty fans, nasty atmosphere, nasty pubs.
On a different note, Notts County paying Sol £1.5m a year to play centreback, drive the coach and turn into an ambassador after he retires? Different league with a wage structure we can't compete with. Hang on though, it's two leagues below us. Funny old game.
Bring back John Harbin
He's back in the world of social networking, and I'm concerned what exactly they are feeding him in the Ryton canteen.
Google ads
You've got to love Google ads, running off word-association technology across our blog.
Our ads today include an invitation to date single men in Barnsley, presumably in the Conference facilities also available in Barnsley. Followed by photocopying their personal details on our newly purchased Ricoh copier.
Isn't technology marvellous.
Our ads today include an invitation to date single men in Barnsley, presumably in the Conference facilities also available in Barnsley. Followed by photocopying their personal details on our newly purchased Ricoh copier.
Isn't technology marvellous.
A moment for Calum Davenport
Reading the reports of Calum's horrendous stabbing over the weekend, it's impossible not to feel shocked at what's happened. To potentially lose a career through injury is one thing, to have it taken away so bloodily would be unjust and undeserved.
I first saw Calum play in the FA Youth Cup Final, at Upton Park in 1999, where the Hammers team including Joe Cole, who was so much better than everyone else on the pitch, and Michael Carrick, who I hadn't realised was playing until I checked back, thumped Davenport and Kirkland 9-0 on aggregate, 6-0 on the night. It was more one-sided than it sounded as well.
After relegation in 2001, he played at the back and was mostly pretty good, prone to the occasional lapse (a la Oh Lord), but overall a strong presence in a fairly good side. Sold to keep the cash registers ticking over, he's had a nomadic career, never quite good enough to hold a Premiership place, never poor enough to be sold on to a Championship side.
Our thoughts are with you, fingers crossed the surgeons can work their magic and save that career, no-one deserves to be invalided out of the game in this fashion.
I first saw Calum play in the FA Youth Cup Final, at Upton Park in 1999, where the Hammers team including Joe Cole, who was so much better than everyone else on the pitch, and Michael Carrick, who I hadn't realised was playing until I checked back, thumped Davenport and Kirkland 9-0 on aggregate, 6-0 on the night. It was more one-sided than it sounded as well.
After relegation in 2001, he played at the back and was mostly pretty good, prone to the occasional lapse (a la Oh Lord), but overall a strong presence in a fairly good side. Sold to keep the cash registers ticking over, he's had a nomadic career, never quite good enough to hold a Premiership place, never poor enough to be sold on to a Championship side.
Our thoughts are with you, fingers crossed the surgeons can work their magic and save that career, no-one deserves to be invalided out of the game in this fashion.
A warm hand on his exit
I don't know any more Julian Clary gags for headlines for Gunner's victory salute. As you will no doubt be pleased to know.
Smells like team spirit
Only Tina of the outfield players didn't manage to make it to the corner to celebrate Hillary's goal.
Substitutes all in the 30s
With Demis, Oh Danny Boy, Oh Lord and Wheels all absent from the squad our 7 substitutes were:
"Quirke (GK), Clarke, Grandison, Cain, Jeffers, Walker, Cameron." I am assuming that Nathan Cameron's squad number is in the 30s - according to the website he hasn't even got a number. (and I have no idea what he looks like). Grandison came on for the cramped Manic Trainer and looked highly composed and even broke through with a mazy run to get into a great position to set up a goal. Jeffers came on for Angie and created a great chance to make it 3-0 but fluffed it in front of Luke Steele.
"Quirke (GK), Clarke, Grandison, Cain, Jeffers, Walker, Cameron." I am assuming that Nathan Cameron's squad number is in the 30s - according to the website he hasn't even got a number. (and I have no idea what he looks like). Grandison came on for the cramped Manic Trainer and looked highly composed and even broke through with a mazy run to get into a great position to set up a goal. Jeffers came on for Angie and created a great chance to make it 3-0 but fluffed it in front of Luke Steele.
Pat the Dutchie on the Left Hand Side
I wish I could claim credit for this nickname but it was the SBA who briefly sang Musical Youth's Number One hit at Oakwell. I am assuming they did change it to "Pat" from "Pass". If not God alone knows why they were singing it. And it was a lovely breezy afternoon.
Don't be givin' me no evils Pt II
The goalscorer stares his way off the pitch at half time. I promise to stop calling you Angie, Leon.
Quote of the Week
How our FA Cup bunnies plan to handle the other Sky Blues:
"It's important we do our best and kick lumps out of them - fairly of course"Do players get trained in a) the laws of the game and b) basic P.R.?
Footballers do it on Facebook
http://goonertalk.com/2009/08/13/what-footballers-say-on-facebook/
This is quite amusing.
Maybe we could script our own CCFC-themed one...
This is quite amusing.
Maybe we could script our own CCFC-themed one...
News not just in
From March 14th this year (we may have been in the post-Chelsea cold turkey and not noticed this):
"Ady Williams, 37, of Westlecot Road, Old Town, pleaded guilty to attacking former beauty queen Sarah-Jane Howe after an argument over a football match."Apparently this is the same Ady Williams who played 41 times for City from 2004-06. I have to confess to having totally forgotten he played for us - when I saw the name I couldn't put a face to him at all. Was he any good?
Pre-match stat attack: Barnsley
Since Barnsley returned from League One three years ago we have beaten them five times and drawn once (the highly charged 1-1 draw at the Ricoh in April). Despite that impressive record we have stuck close to them in the League:
Relative league performance:
2008/09 Coventry +2 pts, + 3 places
2007/08 Barnsley +2 pts, + 3 places
2006/07 Coventry +6 pts, + 3 places
Barnsley have not beaten us since October 1997 - way back in the Premiership days - a Monday night Sky TV game I think I saw in the late and unlamented Newt and Cucumber, possibly with Paul. So I shall travel to Oakwell in expectation of the inevitable defeat.
Concentrating on the League
"118:44 Isaac Osbourne takes a shot. Clinton Morrison gets a block in."
Mmmm - an unusual approach to the game if the BBC live feed is to be believed.
Mmmm - an unusual approach to the game if the BBC live feed is to be believed.
A big hi there and hello to... Martin Cranie
And the answer to the question we are all asking about our new 22 year old right back/centre-half is: Yes, he is on Facebook. And with over 1322 friends already the process of gunnerfication is already afoot.Portsmouth's number 20 has been capped by England Under 21s 16 times since 2007 and if it wasn't for those caps we would not be buying him. In that period he has made oly five appearances for Pompey according to their website or two according to wikipedia. He made his Premier League debut two years ago almost to the day in a 1-1 draw with Man Utd. According to the Sky Sports report he struggled with Nani. Not in the Wayne Rooney sense one hopes. His only other Premiership game for Pompey was three days later as an 82nd minute substitute in a 3-1 win against Bolton Wanderers.
After a Carling Cup game against Leeds he was then loaned out to QPR. The last of his 6 appearances for the Mighty Hoops was in our 2-1 victory at Loftus Road. As he was substituted after 20 minutes having been injured I didn't see him play, arriving as I did at half-time. He didn't play another club game all season, being returned crocked to Portsmouth.
In the first half of last season he was on loan to Charlton, his 19 games including our 2-1 victory at the Valley, witnessed by Craig. He made his final two Portsmouth appearances in the FA Cup this January and hasn't played club football since.
Having joined Pompey from Southampton (where he was lent to Yeovil and Bournemouth) he has 69 club apps including his professional debut in 03/04 in the top flight against Chelsea. Well ahead of Gunner there. Indeed we saw him whilst he was at Southampton as a last minute substitute in their 2-0 win over the Sky Blues at St Mary's. It's worth noting he was on loan to Yeovil at the same time Angie Best was. They were both in the Saints' FA Youth Cup Runners Up team in 2005. Then again so were Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale.
Finally...
At last I get to take a picture of a City goal being scored - here's Hillary's header for the second goal.
Ipswich at the Ricoh Match Report - Happy Birthday Roy, and thanks for the present
Sportsweek on Radio 5 on a Sunday morning (available as a free podcast in case you're interested) carried an interview today with Roy Keane as part of the build-up to the new season.
Intrigued, I listened, having rarely heard pearls of wisdom issue forth in that distinctive Irish accent. What did I learn? Well, that he's signed a 2 year contract, and will consider himself to have failed if Ipswich are not in the Premier League by the end of that period. And that he made mistakes at Sunderland, due to his own impatience and bringing in good players who were not the right characters for the club. Also that when he loses, his long suffering wife and five children know that he will be unable to sleep, and will lose his appetite for food for a couple of days. Well after this result, young Mr Keane (38 tomorrow), will be a starving insomniac for the rest of the week.
The Sky Blues lined up with Vivienne behind In the Afternoon and Ten Burners, Sharon, and making his debut on loan from Chelsea, The Postman. A new look midfield had On the Starboard Bow in the holding role, flanked by the Gunnar, with Inda Carlisle wide on the right and making his Ricoh debut, Comedy Roadshow. Up front, the usual suspects, More Reasons and Kings of. Our bench was packed with experience and youth. Experience in the form of Oh Lord and Wheels on his house, and youth in the form of everyone else. What would the next 90 minutes bring? Would we be up there with Cardiff, or down with Scunthorpe. And could we even suffer the sort of nightmare start that Norwich had seen yesterday, narrowly losing 1-7 to Colchester United.
After 4 minutes of relentless Ipswich pressure, the omens were not good. In fact, it was more like The Omen, missing only a demonic child on a tricycle, as the team tried to hang themselves from the nearest balcony. Fortunately, the Tractor Boys failed to take advantage of the situation, leaving Vivienne to claim the first assist of the season with a hopeful long punt upfield. More Reasons found himself on the edge of the box with the ball at his feet, and curled a delightful shot into the top corner to give us the lead after 9 minutes. Cue crowd celebrations and a very grumpy Irishman.
It got worse for Mrs Keane, the five Keane-lets, and the kennels full of dogs. Ten Burners got away with a hack on the edge of the box that should have been a penalty, and then a delightful period of slick interplay, thoughtful passing and intelligent moving (and it's a long time since I typed that) saw Sharon cross for More Reasons to plant a diving header in the corner from ten yards out. Two nil after 25 minutes, and life was looking good.
For about 3 and a half minutes. Then The Postman was caught out of position, the Ipswich centre-forward ran through and finished crisply past Vivienne, and our thoughts turned to holding on for 60 minutes. Could we? Should we?
We made it to half time without major incident. We'd played some nice football, Postman Pat looked stylish going forward, and OK going backwards. More Reasons had finished two chances beautifully, Comedy Roadshow and Inda Carlisle had sparkled intermittently, and the Klingon looked solid and feisty. The Gunnar had put in his usual shift of commitment and energy, and things were going ok.
I won't summarise the second half in detail, but will use a few choice words only. Alamo. Kitchen sink. Backs to the wall. Frantic. Scrappy. Indeterminate formations. Kim Wilde. ("You keep me hanging on", for those readers under a certain age, yes, the middle aged gardener used to be a pop star. Honest, go ask your dad about Marti Wilde's daughter if you don't believe me).
Hang on we did though. Three points safely in the bag, and Mr Keane glowered with a face darker than thunder as he stormed off back to the tractor park, his stomach tightening and his alarm clock facing redundancy. Our man of the match has to be More Reasons for two moments of real quality.
It's not settled those early season nerves by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a positive hard working performance, with some really nice football at times. We looked like we needed more time to organise the defence, but as Postman had only had one training session, that's not surprising.
Bring on Hartlepool, let's get a cup run underway.
League Position: 2
Wins: 1
Goals for: 2
Goals against: 1
Top scorer: More Reasons 2
Intrigued, I listened, having rarely heard pearls of wisdom issue forth in that distinctive Irish accent. What did I learn? Well, that he's signed a 2 year contract, and will consider himself to have failed if Ipswich are not in the Premier League by the end of that period. And that he made mistakes at Sunderland, due to his own impatience and bringing in good players who were not the right characters for the club. Also that when he loses, his long suffering wife and five children know that he will be unable to sleep, and will lose his appetite for food for a couple of days. Well after this result, young Mr Keane (38 tomorrow), will be a starving insomniac for the rest of the week.
The Sky Blues lined up with Vivienne behind In the Afternoon and Ten Burners, Sharon, and making his debut on loan from Chelsea, The Postman. A new look midfield had On the Starboard Bow in the holding role, flanked by the Gunnar, with Inda Carlisle wide on the right and making his Ricoh debut, Comedy Roadshow. Up front, the usual suspects, More Reasons and Kings of. Our bench was packed with experience and youth. Experience in the form of Oh Lord and Wheels on his house, and youth in the form of everyone else. What would the next 90 minutes bring? Would we be up there with Cardiff, or down with Scunthorpe. And could we even suffer the sort of nightmare start that Norwich had seen yesterday, narrowly losing 1-7 to Colchester United.
After 4 minutes of relentless Ipswich pressure, the omens were not good. In fact, it was more like The Omen, missing only a demonic child on a tricycle, as the team tried to hang themselves from the nearest balcony. Fortunately, the Tractor Boys failed to take advantage of the situation, leaving Vivienne to claim the first assist of the season with a hopeful long punt upfield. More Reasons found himself on the edge of the box with the ball at his feet, and curled a delightful shot into the top corner to give us the lead after 9 minutes. Cue crowd celebrations and a very grumpy Irishman.
It got worse for Mrs Keane, the five Keane-lets, and the kennels full of dogs. Ten Burners got away with a hack on the edge of the box that should have been a penalty, and then a delightful period of slick interplay, thoughtful passing and intelligent moving (and it's a long time since I typed that) saw Sharon cross for More Reasons to plant a diving header in the corner from ten yards out. Two nil after 25 minutes, and life was looking good.
For about 3 and a half minutes. Then The Postman was caught out of position, the Ipswich centre-forward ran through and finished crisply past Vivienne, and our thoughts turned to holding on for 60 minutes. Could we? Should we?
We made it to half time without major incident. We'd played some nice football, Postman Pat looked stylish going forward, and OK going backwards. More Reasons had finished two chances beautifully, Comedy Roadshow and Inda Carlisle had sparkled intermittently, and the Klingon looked solid and feisty. The Gunnar had put in his usual shift of commitment and energy, and things were going ok.
I won't summarise the second half in detail, but will use a few choice words only. Alamo. Kitchen sink. Backs to the wall. Frantic. Scrappy. Indeterminate formations. Kim Wilde. ("You keep me hanging on", for those readers under a certain age, yes, the middle aged gardener used to be a pop star. Honest, go ask your dad about Marti Wilde's daughter if you don't believe me).
Hang on we did though. Three points safely in the bag, and Mr Keane glowered with a face darker than thunder as he stormed off back to the tractor park, his stomach tightening and his alarm clock facing redundancy. Our man of the match has to be More Reasons for two moments of real quality.
It's not settled those early season nerves by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a positive hard working performance, with some really nice football at times. We looked like we needed more time to organise the defence, but as Postman had only had one training session, that's not surprising.
Bring on Hartlepool, let's get a cup run underway.
League Position: 2
Wins: 1
Goals for: 2
Goals against: 1
Top scorer: More Reasons 2
"It's time to put on make-up"
"The waiting is nearly over. Ipswich kick off their season against Coventry this weekend and our official online bookmaker bet365 go 17/10 that we start the season with a win."
The City website on the other hand hasn't been trumpeting the odds on a City win. Hopefully they are better than the odds of England drawing the Fourth Test.
Personally I am looking forward to seeing the best-named goalkeeper in the history of the game (other than Bertie Beanpole) play for the Tractor Boys - Shane Supple.
Since taking over at Portman Road the glowering Mr Keane has brought in the following players:
The City website on the other hand hasn't been trumpeting the odds on a City win. Hopefully they are better than the odds of England drawing the Fourth Test.
Personally I am looking forward to seeing the best-named goalkeeper in the history of the game (other than Bertie Beanpole) play for the Tractor Boys - Shane Supple.
Since taking over at Portman Road the glowering Mr Keane has brought in the following players:
- Tamas Priskin, 22, striker from Watford for £1,700,000
- Damien Delaney, 28, left back from QPR for up to £1,100,000
- Lee Martin, 22, winger from Man U for an undisclosed fee ( he started against us at Old Trafford in 2007)
- Colin Healey, 29, midfielder from Cork for £70,000 - who is well known to us as an ex-loanee and a victim of Youssef Saffri's tackling.
- Jack Colback, 19, midfielder on loan from Sunderland until January (the more alert will recognise the name from the Sunderland Echo post about Jordan Henderson - perhaps there is hope after all)
- Shane O'Connor, 19, midfielder from Liverpool's Academy after a trial (footballing trial that is)
Reflect on this quote from the ever reliable wikipedia about Ipswich's owners: "Evans is particularly attracted by Keane’s track-record as a winner and also his experience of gaining promotion from the Championship and he is expected to pour millions into a promotion push for the 2010 season. Evans is understood to have offered guarantees to Keane about a significant summer transfer budget."
Now do the signings above fit the bill of a significant summer transfer budget? Admittedly they are considerably more impressive than our incoming so far but not perhaps what the Ipswich fans were expecting. But there are of course still 22 shopping days until the lockdown.
A signing - and he's a left back
Positive news from the Coalman and Arson show. We have a left back on loan from Chelsea.
At least we have someone who is used to playing in that position, we reserve judgement on their ability until they have played at least 5 games.
No idea on a nickname, suggestions welcome.
Patrick van Aanholt
Born 29.8.90 in 's-Hertogenbosch, Holland.
In his third year at Chelsea having arrived from PSV Eindhoven, the tall, fast and technically accomplished defender immediately established himself in the reserves where he was the third highest appearance maker in 2007/08 with 14+1 games, mostly at left-back, demonstrating an ability to rocket in the odd long-range goal.
Last season was another of steady development for Patrick, with a further 12 reserve appearances in the left-back slot.
In the youth team, he was a centre-back of choice on the way to the FA Youth Cup Final, and alongside Jeffrey Bruma is a Dutch Under 19 international.
At least we have someone who is used to playing in that position, we reserve judgement on their ability until they have played at least 5 games.
No idea on a nickname, suggestions welcome.
Patrick van Aanholt
Born 29.8.90 in 's-Hertogenbosch, Holland.
In his third year at Chelsea having arrived from PSV Eindhoven, the tall, fast and technically accomplished defender immediately established himself in the reserves where he was the third highest appearance maker in 2007/08 with 14+1 games, mostly at left-back, demonstrating an ability to rocket in the odd long-range goal.
Last season was another of steady development for Patrick, with a further 12 reserve appearances in the left-back slot.
In the youth team, he was a centre-back of choice on the way to the FA Youth Cup Final, and alongside Jeffrey Bruma is a Dutch Under 19 international.
CCFC communication clampdown?
In a most worrying development for followers of this blog, and Gunnar-stalkers everywhere, I wonder what we are to make of this. Perhaps in the light of Bent-gate?
Aron Gunnarsson No internet for a bit, not on facebook.. Everyone join fantasy football at ccfc.co.uk
Yesterday at 7:00pm · Comment · Like
Aron Gunnarsson No internet for a bit, not on facebook.. Everyone join fantasy football at ccfc.co.uk
Yesterday at 7:00pm · Comment · Like
Don't tell Hitler (or indeed the women cowering outside)...
...but Mrs Doyle has gone off to make Yorkshire Tea.
Will the real Freddy Eastwood please stand up
Those of us who are good personal friends with Aron G on facebook were titillated to discover our Nordic tyro had a new friend in Freddy Eastwood- we piled on (well Kev, Matt and I did) but now it appears that Aron G is no longer a facebook friend of Freddy. Rather than assume a serious rift in the camp I deduce that Aron G realised that the facebook Freddy was an impostor and scarpered pronto. There has been one facebook status update and one profile pic that anyone could have taken. Must dash - have to send some money to a bank in Nigeria so that they can release an inheritance to me.
Gloomy outlook, and friend requests
As any regular readers of guardian.co.uk's The Fiver will know, they end their daily tea-time footy email with a random last liner. Yesterday's:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/fiver/0,,415657,00.html
POMPEY DOWN, COVENTRY DOWN, HUDDERSFIELD UP, BOURNEMOUTH UP ACCUMULATOR AHOY
Newly-signed and much-travelled-for-a-29-year-old Michael McIndoe is not yet Facebook friends with either Gunnar or Freddie (who given the lack of activity on his Facebook, one assumes / hopes is spending his time practicising his shooting).
http://football.guardian.co.uk/fiver/0,,415657,00.html
POMPEY DOWN, COVENTRY DOWN, HUDDERSFIELD UP, BOURNEMOUTH UP ACCUMULATOR AHOY
Newly-signed and much-travelled-for-a-29-year-old Michael McIndoe is not yet Facebook friends with either Gunnar or Freddie (who given the lack of activity on his Facebook, one assumes / hopes is spending his time practicising his shooting).
It's official - Middlesbrough is the UK's worst place to live
Having spent a great night out with the tumbleweed, twitchy stewards and an assorted cast of chemically enhanced locals in the days before the blog (the FA Cup replay which we really should have won), we can agree with OFCOM's ruling that Middlesbrough is the worst place in the UK to live.
We have the chance to re-visit later in the season, which is already a date itching to go into the diary.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/aug/03/location-location-location-kirstie-allsopp-ofcom
We have the chance to re-visit later in the season, which is already a date itching to go into the diary.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/aug/03/location-location-location-kirstie-allsopp-ofcom
Some random OPTA stats for 08/09
Michael McIndoe
Games 45
Goals 6
Goal assists 8
Yellow cards 2
Fouls Conceded 32
Fouls won 43
Shots on target 35
Total shots 69
David Bell
Games 28
Goals 1
Goal assists 8
Yellow cards 2
Fouls Conceded 19
Fouls won 12
Shots on target 9
Total shots 18
Michael Doyle
Games 37
Goals 2
Goal assists 0
Yellow cards 6
Fouls Conceded 49
Fouls won 26
Shots on target 11
Total shots 29
Can't find those for Clingan and Gunner - anyone able to assist?
Games 45
Goals 6
Goal assists 8
Yellow cards 2
Fouls Conceded 32
Fouls won 43
Shots on target 35
Total shots 69
David Bell
Games 28
Goals 1
Goal assists 8
Yellow cards 2
Fouls Conceded 19
Fouls won 12
Shots on target 9
Total shots 18
Michael Doyle
Games 37
Goals 2
Goal assists 0
Yellow cards 6
Fouls Conceded 49
Fouls won 26
Shots on target 11
Total shots 29
Can't find those for Clingan and Gunner - anyone able to assist?
Marcus 2 Toffees 2
Due to a combination of swine flu, tickets for the cricket at Edgbaston and a christening, most of the UCC couldn't make it to the Ricoh to watch Marcus's testimonial. A shame we all couldn't, as he deserves his testimonial season having suffered nearly as many Sky Blue years as some of the fans. Where once he was a raw talent, with slightly dodgy positioning and not quite enough pace, he's matured nicely into an experienced professional with slightly dodgy positioning and not quite enough pace, who can play anywhere across the back four. What you do get with Marcus is commitment to the cause, he rarely gives anything less than his all, and I'd rather see him on the pitch than off it.
Anyway, Everton came to play and took an early lead through an Aussie. Something that the Aussies down the M6 have so far failed to do this series. Mrs Doyle poached an equaliser, before Jose Baxter (sounds like the product of an illict encounter between a Spanish waiter and a lass from Bolton on holiday in Benidorm?) put the Premier League team in front with five minutes to play.
Cometh the hour, cometh the Gunnar, to pop home a late late equaliser in front of just over 8,000 fans. With a week to go before Roy Keane's Ipswich arrive and park their tractors all around the ground, it's nice to go into the season with a little form. The crowd could have been higher though, sign of a Sunday lunchtime kick-off, or a sign of things to come this year, as Everton bought 2,000 with them. Doubt Ipswich will do the same, as it's harvest time, and the tractors and combines will be needed.
Hopefully the Coalman will have brought in some new faces before the Sky cameras arrive, the squad's looking barer than Berni Madoff's savings account at the moment.
Anyway, Everton came to play and took an early lead through an Aussie. Something that the Aussies down the M6 have so far failed to do this series. Mrs Doyle poached an equaliser, before Jose Baxter (sounds like the product of an illict encounter between a Spanish waiter and a lass from Bolton on holiday in Benidorm?) put the Premier League team in front with five minutes to play.
Cometh the hour, cometh the Gunnar, to pop home a late late equaliser in front of just over 8,000 fans. With a week to go before Roy Keane's Ipswich arrive and park their tractors all around the ground, it's nice to go into the season with a little form. The crowd could have been higher though, sign of a Sunday lunchtime kick-off, or a sign of things to come this year, as Everton bought 2,000 with them. Doubt Ipswich will do the same, as it's harvest time, and the tractors and combines will be needed.
Hopefully the Coalman will have brought in some new faces before the Sky cameras arrive, the squad's looking barer than Berni Madoff's savings account at the moment.
Trains, Planes and Automobiles - the train on platform 1 of the Ricoh is delayed by 5 years
Reports this morning that the improbably named Lord Adonis has blocked plans to fast-track a new railway station at the Ricoh Arena as part of an upgrade to the Nuneaton to Coventry train line. There would appear to be a number of concerns about the viability of the whole line which have led the Peer to decide to only fund a standard business case process.
The upshot is that there won't be a station at the Ricoh before 2014. At the present rate of progress, we could be playing Nuneaton Boro by then.
Given the need to reduce the amount of car travel wherever possible, whoever dropped the original plans for a station at the ground ought to be taken outside and have their own personal climate changed. Short sighted thinking given the amount the stadium originally cost to build.
The upshot is that there won't be a station at the Ricoh before 2014. At the present rate of progress, we could be playing Nuneaton Boro by then.
Given the need to reduce the amount of car travel wherever possible, whoever dropped the original plans for a station at the ground ought to be taken outside and have their own personal climate changed. Short sighted thinking given the amount the stadium originally cost to build.
Footballers on Facebook, and Twitter
This social networking craze continues to develop at pace.
Aron, as we know, was early to the facebook scene, and has provided us and the blog with many happy hours. Twitter, for those of you who don't use it, is like Facebook status updates for people with ADHD. Short and sweet
The Mirror today is reporting that Darren Bent, the striker who scored a hatful of goals for Charlton before joining Spurs and forgetting to pack his shooting boots, has accused his Chairman of f****** up his transfer to Sunderland on his Twitter post. Probably not the smartest thing to do, but makes the life of the football journalist a lot easier if all they have to do for a story is watching the tweets pile in.
That wasn't what surprised me most though, it was actually that Spurs still want £14m for Bent. Puts our struggles to sign anyone into some perspective. Assuming the Coalman probably has £2million to spend (including wages) to improve the size and depth of the squad, he could blow the lot on two of Darren Bent's toes.
Different world up there in the Premier League isn't it.
Aron, as we know, was early to the facebook scene, and has provided us and the blog with many happy hours. Twitter, for those of you who don't use it, is like Facebook status updates for people with ADHD. Short and sweet
The Mirror today is reporting that Darren Bent, the striker who scored a hatful of goals for Charlton before joining Spurs and forgetting to pack his shooting boots, has accused his Chairman of f****** up his transfer to Sunderland on his Twitter post. Probably not the smartest thing to do, but makes the life of the football journalist a lot easier if all they have to do for a story is watching the tweets pile in.
That wasn't what surprised me most though, it was actually that Spurs still want £14m for Bent. Puts our struggles to sign anyone into some perspective. Assuming the Coalman probably has £2million to spend (including wages) to improve the size and depth of the squad, he could blow the lot on two of Darren Bent's toes.
Different world up there in the Premier League isn't it.
Downfall at the Ricoh
Thank you to the Youth Development Officer for bringing this to our attention:
What a difference a year makes...
From the Through the Seasons Before Us blog on 17th June 2008 at the end of Forest's successful League 1 campaign.
" This has come as a bitter disappointment to me; today Sammy Clingan has agreed to sign a deal for two years at Championship rivals Norwich City once his contract at Forest expires at the end of the month.......Sammy tends to get mixed reviews from Reds fans; personally I’m a huge fan of his contribution since he’s been with us. For us his energy has largely been deployed as a combatitive holding midfielder rather than the forward-bursting role he plays for his country. I’ve seen him referred to as ‘Sammy Sideways’ and ‘Sammy Centre Circle’, which I feel does him a massive disservice. He’s been excellent at breaking up play this season, and to me I think he’s a massive pair of boots to fill.
Sammy himself declared Norwich a ‘big’ club compared to Forest’s mere ‘good’ club status, it doesn’t bode so positively for Forest that he singles out the manager and facilities as his motivation for choosing to move on.“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining a big club like Norwich City. I’m leaving a good club, Nottingham Forest, to join Norwich and I’m really looking forward to trying to get them promoted to the Premier League.
“Once I had spoken to Glenn Roeder and viewed the fantastic facilities at the Club it was an easy decision to make. I knew of Glenn’s managerial reputation, working with big name players in the Premier League and hopefully he will help me become a better player too. I was very impressed with what he said and his plans for the future – it really caught me and now I can’t wait for the first game.”
Interesting to note that in his interviews so far with the club and the Telegraph he hasn't mentioned "big club" or "promotion to the Premier League" though he does talk about our fantastic stadium and Coalman being a good young manager. Let's hope he is as thoughful in his pass selection as he is in his choice of cliches and that "Sammy Sideways" is not the heir to Boozy.
Another door closes
From the Sunderland Echo:
No danger of a return to Cov then...
Jordan in line for Sunderland debut
Published Date: 28 July 2009
Jordan Henderson could make his Premier League debut when Sunderland visit Bolton on the opening day of the season.The youngster, whose only competitive Black Cats start came in last November's Carling Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers, played in both games in the Amsterdam Tournament and won praise from boss Steve Bruce, along with reserve-team captain Jack Colback. His pre-season performances may clinch a role on the substitutes' bench at the Reebok Stadium.
Bruce said: "We have a crop of very good kids and Jordan is one of them.
"I would have played Jack Colback instead of Jordan against Atletico Madrid, but he picked up a slight groin strain.
"We like Colback as well. There's four or five of them who have given themselves a wonderful chance.
"The one thing 18-year-olds do give you is huge energy and, to be fair, Jordan has put himself right in the window to be in consideration to play in the first game in the Premier League."
Henderson impressed on loan at Coventry last season.
No danger of a return to Cov then...
Meet the boys coz the boys are here, the boys to entertain you...
A very odd squad picture:
Frankie Bunn has turned into Mickey Adams, god help us
Dimi K looks like Demis Roussos in that baggy goalie top.
Captain Wright is halfway between Nosferatu and Paul Whitehouse's impersion of Nosferatu
And what kind of symmetry is there with Freddy midgeting in between the centre-halves?
Which two of our enormous backroom staff would have been dropped from the shot if we hadn't sold Fox and Dann - I'd guess the token ginger and the token woman.
New Title
It's not just Siralan who has had a change of identity. In a feat of Noel Edmonds-style neuro-linguistics we originally named the blog "sky blues push for the premiership" only for the team to make a last minute dash for League One. So rather than tempt fate we have switched to Down at the Ricoh, channelling Barry Manilow's Copa Cabana:
Down at the Ricoh, Ricoh Arena
The hottest spot south of Leicester (here)
At the Ricoh, Ricoh Arena
Coleman and Ranson were always the fashion
At the Ricoh....
And as the mood of pessimism sweeps the sky blue army, down at the Ricoh describes our mood and our predictions for the end of the season.
Down at the Ricoh, Ricoh Arena
The hottest spot south of Leicester (here)
At the Ricoh, Ricoh Arena
Coleman and Ranson were always the fashion
At the Ricoh....
And as the mood of pessimism sweeps the sky blue army, down at the Ricoh describes our mood and our predictions for the end of the season.
Using the summer break constructively
As August approaches, it's time for a quick reflection on what's been going on in the mad mad mad world of Ray, Chris and the SISU corporation over the last 10 weeks.
We've seen Homer depart for Huddersfield for more money than we paid for him. That makes some sense, he never quite made the breakthrough he needed to, but it was always going to be tough for him when he was played out wide, or used as a substitute. He did give his all though, and we will remember him fondly for that.
Boozy realised that he really wasn't cut out for this level of football, and passed himself sideways out of the Ricoh, and Marshall's contract wasn't renewed allowing us to give youth a chance. As of right now, Duke is out of contract, and fighting his way back to fitness, but hasn't been given a squad number, we will see whether the Coalman will bring him back on board again or not.
We also had the Super Kevin forget to mention a series of driving indiscretions to the management, who took offence at finding out second, or maybe third hand, leading to a less than dignified exit. No real surprise given several years of lifestyle issues, Super Kev, you had the talent, you just couldn't knuckle down and deliver on it.
If we rewind momentarily to February, with Chelsea coming to the Ricoh, and a back four including Dann and the mighty Fox, optimism and positive thinking were at an all time high. Coming back to reality now, with Dann going up the M6 to the Blues, and Fox hopping on a plane to join Celtic, our role as a selling club couldn't be clearer. No quibbles with both players wishing to better themselves, and Premier League and Champions League football having a much greater attraction than Newcastle at home this season, but it does seem a shame that we couldn't hold onto them. Are we building for the future, or cashing in on the now? The harsh reality of the current recession and its undoubted impact on season ticket sales, and projected gates over the next season, must have weighed heavily on SISU's minds when the offers came a-knocking. Take the money now and insure against an average gate of 14,000 to come? I can see where they are coming from.
So, with two weeks to go, we await a deluge of new signings. If not a deluge, maybe a torrent. If not a torrent, then we'll settle for a trickle. And if we're all out of trickles, then just the one signing will do. Chin up, it could be worse, we could be Newcastle fans reflecting on a 6-1 pre-season defeat at Leyton Orient
We've seen Homer depart for Huddersfield for more money than we paid for him. That makes some sense, he never quite made the breakthrough he needed to, but it was always going to be tough for him when he was played out wide, or used as a substitute. He did give his all though, and we will remember him fondly for that.
Boozy realised that he really wasn't cut out for this level of football, and passed himself sideways out of the Ricoh, and Marshall's contract wasn't renewed allowing us to give youth a chance. As of right now, Duke is out of contract, and fighting his way back to fitness, but hasn't been given a squad number, we will see whether the Coalman will bring him back on board again or not.
We also had the Super Kevin forget to mention a series of driving indiscretions to the management, who took offence at finding out second, or maybe third hand, leading to a less than dignified exit. No real surprise given several years of lifestyle issues, Super Kev, you had the talent, you just couldn't knuckle down and deliver on it.
If we rewind momentarily to February, with Chelsea coming to the Ricoh, and a back four including Dann and the mighty Fox, optimism and positive thinking were at an all time high. Coming back to reality now, with Dann going up the M6 to the Blues, and Fox hopping on a plane to join Celtic, our role as a selling club couldn't be clearer. No quibbles with both players wishing to better themselves, and Premier League and Champions League football having a much greater attraction than Newcastle at home this season, but it does seem a shame that we couldn't hold onto them. Are we building for the future, or cashing in on the now? The harsh reality of the current recession and its undoubted impact on season ticket sales, and projected gates over the next season, must have weighed heavily on SISU's minds when the offers came a-knocking. Take the money now and insure against an average gate of 14,000 to come? I can see where they are coming from.
So, with two weeks to go, we await a deluge of new signings. If not a deluge, maybe a torrent. If not a torrent, then we'll settle for a trickle. And if we're all out of trickles, then just the one signing will do. Chin up, it could be worse, we could be Newcastle fans reflecting on a 6-1 pre-season defeat at Leyton Orient
Our ground IS too big for us
| | | | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24543 | 26034 | 94.2% | |||||
| 2 | 29440 | 33597 | 87.6% | |||||
| 3 | 17474 | 20376 | 85.7% | |||||
| 4 | 24153 | 28525 | 84.6% | |||||
| 5 | 7843 | 9491 | 82.6% | |||||
| 6 | 19936 | 24200 | 82.3% | |||||
| 7 | 26023 | 32609 | 79.8% | |||||
| 8 | 11963 | 15231 | 78.5% | |||||
| 9 | 16774 | 21479 | 78.0% | |||||
| 10 | 14858 | 19920 | 74.5% | |||||
| 11 | 20111 | 27113 | 74.1% | |||||
| 12 | 15187 | 20500 | 74.0% | |||||
| 13 | 14090 | 19148 | 73.5% | |||||
| 14 | 22299 | 30602 | 72.8% | |||||
| 15 | 20961 | 30300 | 69.1% | |||||
| 16 | 13426 | 19525 | 68.7% | |||||
| 17 | 19081 | 30009 | 63.5% | |||||
| 18 | 11427 | 19500 | 58.6% | |||||
| 19 | 13082 | 22546 | 58.0% | |||||
| 20 | 15220 | 26309 | 57.8% | |||||
| 21 | 13189 | 23186 | 56.8% | |||||
| 22 | 17849 | 32689 | 54.6% | |||||
| 23 | 21542 | 39814 | 54.1% | |||||
| 24 | 17408 | 32500 | 53.5% |
Jaywatch
Are they feeding him proper in Berkshire? His muscly frame seems to have receded somewhat - maybe he's not getting enough protein.
OK, it's a dark golf glove, but at first glance one could think he was having to adjust what we know he has to carry around in his not-so-smalls.
OK, it's a dark golf glove, but at first glance one could think he was having to adjust what we know he has to carry around in his not-so-smalls.
New squad, old jokes
Arson promised us exciting signings...
'Hall drives straight through a practical joke ball which explodes on impact with streamers. "I was annoyed because I thought I hit it pretty sweet", Hall said afterwards.'
so...
Oggy
Hall - Busst - (old) Homer - Ward
Superhobbit - Strachan - Gunnar - Pead - (new) Homer
Shef - Christie
Hall - Busst - (old) Homer - Ward
Superhobbit - Strachan - Gunnar - Pead - (new) Homer
Shef - Christie
'Hall drives straight through a practical joke ball which explodes on impact with streamers. "I was annoyed because I thought I hit it pretty sweet", Hall said afterwards.'So, from this we can summarise (amongst other things) that:
Cardinal Newman never taught the adverb proper,
The old ones are maybe not the best, after all.
And with a nod to SBJ's Plymouth post, Marcus may well always be on the lookout for paparazzi, but he can't be expected to fend them off whilst on his backswing. Let's just hope he didn't drive into a wall.
And with a nod to SBJ's Plymouth post, Marcus may well always be on the lookout for paparazzi, but he can't be expected to fend them off whilst on his backswing. Let's just hope he didn't drive into a wall.
End of season dinner - the final curtain
And now, the end is near; And so I face the final curtain.
Old (Sky) Blue Eyes put it well didn't he in My Way, and May the Fourth be with you brought on the 2009 End of Season Awards Dinner.
Thanks to our very own corporate sponsors, we attended the first ever end of season do in 2006, where we stayed in the Ricoh Hotel itself, the second, where James Bond blew the budget out of the water, and we would even have had a table last year if Arson hadn't decided there was absolutely nothing to celebrate.
To summarise the evening in a paragraph (as other posts will review the season overall), yours truly, G2, Ells Bells, YDO, Matt, Paul and three non UCC members (fathers of two of us plus Dale, who has at least attended the Ricoh this season) - had table 43. No free drink on arrival was followed by some good food, some awards, Graham Poll on good form , a very bad Manchester Working Mens Club comedian ("I wasn't born in Coventry but I'm certainly dying here tonight") and a descent to the casino when the evening finished. SBJ was in Boston, not the one in Lincolnshire, so missed the evening. Overall, obviously on a tighter budget, far fewer people, and not as good as previous years.
Gunner however, our Player of the Year, was on fine social networking form, and thanked each and every one of his fans and friends personally.
Old (Sky) Blue Eyes put it well didn't he in My Way, and May the Fourth be with you brought on the 2009 End of Season Awards Dinner.
Thanks to our very own corporate sponsors, we attended the first ever end of season do in 2006, where we stayed in the Ricoh Hotel itself, the second, where James Bond blew the budget out of the water, and we would even have had a table last year if Arson hadn't decided there was absolutely nothing to celebrate.
To summarise the evening in a paragraph (as other posts will review the season overall), yours truly, G2, Ells Bells, YDO, Matt, Paul and three non UCC members (fathers of two of us plus Dale, who has at least attended the Ricoh this season) - had table 43. No free drink on arrival was followed by some good food, some awards, Graham Poll on good form , a very bad Manchester Working Mens Club comedian ("I wasn't born in Coventry but I'm certainly dying here tonight") and a descent to the casino when the evening finished. SBJ was in Boston, not the one in Lincolnshire, so missed the evening. Overall, obviously on a tighter budget, far fewer people, and not as good as previous years.
Gunner however, our Player of the Year, was on fine social networking form, and thanked each and every one of his fans and friends personally.
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