I’ve been given the Cheltenham Town v Burton Albion game to cover tomorrow afternoon, but have to make sure I catch a plane back to Stansted from Shannon first thing this morning if I’m to make it.
The next few weeks are fairly chaotic with three trips abroad on business and a family holiday break coming up, but of course everything is organised around the footy fixtures! Like I said to my wife, I have to get my priorities right. This was just before the rolling pin bounced off my nut.
So – assuming I make it to Cheltenham – it should be an interesting tussle.
The last time these two sides faced each other, the Robins won 6-5 at Burton’s Pirelli Stadium back in March. You would think that a repeat performance is unlikely, but then given Cheltenham’s 6-4 loss last weekend up at Rotherham, who knows.
As I mentioned after my last visit to Whaddon Road, the way Cheltenham knocked the ball about was quite special and so I’d definitely recommend investing a few quid to go and watch them if you’re kicking your heels on Saturday afternoon.
I can’t comment on Burton as I haven’t seen them play for some time – in fact not since current boss Paul Peschisolido took over – and so I look forward to getting to know them better.
Burton won their first game of the season last weekend at home to Morecambe, but are unbeaten in the League having picked up two goalless draws against Barnet and Oxford (maybe Paul’s been working on that defence since March!).
So assuming I don’t over-indulge with too many points of the black stuff on Friday night and miss the flight, I may see some of you in the Cotswolds tomorrow aftrenoon.
I've set up this blog (Monday-Friday) to give extra coverage to teams I cover for the national press. Any views and opinions are all my own. Best wishes, Jeff. Follow me on Twitter and I'll update you each time I blog. http://twitter.com/JeffTaplin P.S. During the summer break I reserve the right to ramble on about anything and everything!
Friday 27 August 2010
Thursday 26 August 2010
Andy Scott’s appointment and Greg Dyke – The Guardian
Watching Brentford play last weekend reminded me of the last time I saw them play at Griffin Park.
Andy Scott was looking after the team in a caretaker capacity at the time and a decision on his future was imminent.
Brentford won the game convincingly (I seem to remember it was by three goals against Chester) and it was obvious from talking to the players that they really had a lot of time for Scott and wanted him to get the job.
Scott had his playing career curtailed by a heart problem and – just like others who had faced similar scares such as Glenn Roeder – is able to put a game of football into perspective because of this. That’s not to say he lacks passion, he certainly does, but I guess when you’re staring at death’s door it’s easier to shrug off losing a football match and look forward to putting it right in the next game.
After the game I had the dubious pleasure of being “shadowed” by the reporter from The Guardian who was hanging on my shoulder while I talked to players and so, consequently, getting the same quotes I was. Not great when you’re looking for an exclusive.
Eventually I took to ducking and diving around the Griffin Park stands trying to lose the bugger and succeeded.
When I thought the coast was clear I came out of hiding and spotted the Guardian guy chatting to an opposition player just as Greg Dyke the Chairman walked past.
Dyke was – and still is – a big football fan and is Brentford’s non-executive chairman. He had been front page news on several occasions in the preceding three years following his resignation from his position as Director-General of the BBC. This followed the Hutton Report (an investigation the circumstances surrounding the death of David Kelly, a biological warfare expert and former UN weapons inspector in Iraq.)
Even before this period, Dyke was a well known public figure having held key positions at London Weekend Television and even introduced Roland Rat to TV-AM!
I asked him what the chances were of Scott getting the job and he grinned and told me that “he hasn’t done himself any harm at all as the boys obviously love playing for him”. He told me that a decision would be made the following week, but he had put himself in a good position.
It wasn’t great stuff, but no-one else had talked to Dyke and it was the issue that most Brentford fans were talking about and so I smugly started to walk toward my car.
That was when Guardian man tapped me on the shoulder and asked: “Who was that old guy you were talking to?”
Crisis of conscience. Dyke was about twenty metres away and so could easily be caught and questioned.
I had been asked a direct question, but also wanted to protect my little angle.
“Some bloke who works in television.” I replied truthfully before saying goodbye and guiltily walking away.
Well, I didn’t lie. And frankly, if a Guardian journalist doesn’t know who Greg Dyke is …
Andy Scott was looking after the team in a caretaker capacity at the time and a decision on his future was imminent.
Brentford won the game convincingly (I seem to remember it was by three goals against Chester) and it was obvious from talking to the players that they really had a lot of time for Scott and wanted him to get the job.
Scott had his playing career curtailed by a heart problem and – just like others who had faced similar scares such as Glenn Roeder – is able to put a game of football into perspective because of this. That’s not to say he lacks passion, he certainly does, but I guess when you’re staring at death’s door it’s easier to shrug off losing a football match and look forward to putting it right in the next game.
After the game I had the dubious pleasure of being “shadowed” by the reporter from The Guardian who was hanging on my shoulder while I talked to players and so, consequently, getting the same quotes I was. Not great when you’re looking for an exclusive.
Eventually I took to ducking and diving around the Griffin Park stands trying to lose the bugger and succeeded.
When I thought the coast was clear I came out of hiding and spotted the Guardian guy chatting to an opposition player just as Greg Dyke the Chairman walked past.
Dyke was – and still is – a big football fan and is Brentford’s non-executive chairman. He had been front page news on several occasions in the preceding three years following his resignation from his position as Director-General of the BBC. This followed the Hutton Report (an investigation the circumstances surrounding the death of David Kelly, a biological warfare expert and former UN weapons inspector in Iraq.)
Even before this period, Dyke was a well known public figure having held key positions at London Weekend Television and even introduced Roland Rat to TV-AM!
I asked him what the chances were of Scott getting the job and he grinned and told me that “he hasn’t done himself any harm at all as the boys obviously love playing for him”. He told me that a decision would be made the following week, but he had put himself in a good position.
It wasn’t great stuff, but no-one else had talked to Dyke and it was the issue that most Brentford fans were talking about and so I smugly started to walk toward my car.
That was when Guardian man tapped me on the shoulder and asked: “Who was that old guy you were talking to?”
Crisis of conscience. Dyke was about twenty metres away and so could easily be caught and questioned.
I had been asked a direct question, but also wanted to protect my little angle.
“Some bloke who works in television.” I replied truthfully before saying goodbye and guiltily walking away.
Well, I didn’t lie. And frankly, if a Guardian journalist doesn’t know who Greg Dyke is …
Wednesday 25 August 2010
Press Officers – Here is the news
I’ve always tried to keep my reports football related. Sometimes the “line” might be a little quirky or humourous angle on one of the main characters in a game, but that’s the nature of Monday morning papers.
What’s the point in repeating what the fans have read on Sunday or seen with their own eyes ion the box?
As a fan myself, I’ll raise a smile if there’s a bit of footy banter type reporting on my team. It’s harmless fun and, after all, if the players can take some of the abuse they throw at each other as they leave the dressing room, they can live with a little light hearted teasing in the papers.
One thing I’ve never done is stitch a player up – or at least one that didn’t deserve it in my view. The only occasion I can remember this happening was when a West Brom centre half racially abused Reading winger Michael Gilkes a few years ago.
There was a coming together on the pitch, the defender said something and suddenly Gilkes was throwing a punch at someone twice his height, weight and reach – before being sent off. It didn’t make sense as Michael was usually quite well controlled and an easy going lad. After the game he told me what had been said.
I felt obliged to put this in the report – while also giving the other player the right to give a denial, although his face told another story when I spoke to him – and it was published. If we are really going to kick racism out of football the ref should have sent the defender off as well. He was certainly within earshot.
Far from being someone who dishes the dirt, I’ve actually cautioned a couple of lower league players not to mention certain things – getting a girl pregnant, for example, or being caught in a nightclub row involving the boyfriend of someone while the player’s wife was at home putting the kids to bed.
Frankly it’s not the sort of stuff that interests most football reporters (or fans) and there’s still generally a good relationship between most hacks and players. So why do more and more clubs feel the need to appoint press officers to act as a barrier between the players and the media?
On Saturday I was asked by the Brentford press officer; who I was representing and then, what I wanted to talk to Charlie MacDonald about after the striker had scored the opener.
I told him I was with the Sun and wanted to talk about the game unless Charlie had starred in a porn films recently. This seemed to raise a smile from Charlie who is a decent guy and who I have spoken to before on at least two occasions without managing to destroy his or Brentford’s reputation.
Frankly Charlie is smart enough to know what to say and what not to say anyway, but still the press officer sat on my shoulder as I talked to him. I’ve got to admit that it annoyed me so much that in the end I wasn’t concentrating and my questioning was fairly poor. I’d already half decided to concentrate on the Swindon angle given the press guy’s intrusion.
I did send over Charlie’s quotes and used some of them on yesterday’s blog after The Sun cut them due to lack of space.
I’m sure that Charlie MacDonald can live without seeing his wise words in the papers – he doesn’t strike me as that shallow – but clubs like Brentford should be seeing the national press as an opportunity to publicise themselves and generate interest – and, in turn, much needed funds.
It seems to me that a few clubs in the lower leagues do not understand the role the media could play in helping them and all too often employ so-called experts who can’t distinguish between a football reporter, a gossip columnist and a page three girl.
Maybe the press officer in question is under strict instructions from the club and if so I apologise to him, but ironically, I’ve always found it easy to approach and talk to players at Griffin Park in the past and, in return, have given them free coverage/advertising that they would have had to pay thousands for otherwise.
If – or when in my humble opinion – the footballing financial bubble bursts, many of these clubs will find themselves desperate for publicity to draw the punters in. I’m old enough to remember football before the Premier League (yes, younger readers, there was such a thing) and it wasn’t pretty.
If people start drifting away from live football (and it may have already started) and it’s no longer in vogue, do the clubs really think the billions will continue to roll in from TV deals?
They need to re-connect with the real fans and one way of doing this is through the local and national press.
Of course when a reporter finds barriers being put up in an attempt to get a good line, he or she will also start to wonder what the subject has to hide and they might find themselves getting even more attention because of it!
This isn’t a dig at Brentford in particular, but when they and the likes of Hartlepool start worrying about the quality of their press coverage and not the quantity, they’re not seeing the bigger picture.
What’s the point in repeating what the fans have read on Sunday or seen with their own eyes ion the box?
As a fan myself, I’ll raise a smile if there’s a bit of footy banter type reporting on my team. It’s harmless fun and, after all, if the players can take some of the abuse they throw at each other as they leave the dressing room, they can live with a little light hearted teasing in the papers.
One thing I’ve never done is stitch a player up – or at least one that didn’t deserve it in my view. The only occasion I can remember this happening was when a West Brom centre half racially abused Reading winger Michael Gilkes a few years ago.
There was a coming together on the pitch, the defender said something and suddenly Gilkes was throwing a punch at someone twice his height, weight and reach – before being sent off. It didn’t make sense as Michael was usually quite well controlled and an easy going lad. After the game he told me what had been said.
I felt obliged to put this in the report – while also giving the other player the right to give a denial, although his face told another story when I spoke to him – and it was published. If we are really going to kick racism out of football the ref should have sent the defender off as well. He was certainly within earshot.
Far from being someone who dishes the dirt, I’ve actually cautioned a couple of lower league players not to mention certain things – getting a girl pregnant, for example, or being caught in a nightclub row involving the boyfriend of someone while the player’s wife was at home putting the kids to bed.
Frankly it’s not the sort of stuff that interests most football reporters (or fans) and there’s still generally a good relationship between most hacks and players. So why do more and more clubs feel the need to appoint press officers to act as a barrier between the players and the media?
On Saturday I was asked by the Brentford press officer; who I was representing and then, what I wanted to talk to Charlie MacDonald about after the striker had scored the opener.
I told him I was with the Sun and wanted to talk about the game unless Charlie had starred in a porn films recently. This seemed to raise a smile from Charlie who is a decent guy and who I have spoken to before on at least two occasions without managing to destroy his or Brentford’s reputation.
Frankly Charlie is smart enough to know what to say and what not to say anyway, but still the press officer sat on my shoulder as I talked to him. I’ve got to admit that it annoyed me so much that in the end I wasn’t concentrating and my questioning was fairly poor. I’d already half decided to concentrate on the Swindon angle given the press guy’s intrusion.
I did send over Charlie’s quotes and used some of them on yesterday’s blog after The Sun cut them due to lack of space.
I’m sure that Charlie MacDonald can live without seeing his wise words in the papers – he doesn’t strike me as that shallow – but clubs like Brentford should be seeing the national press as an opportunity to publicise themselves and generate interest – and, in turn, much needed funds.
It seems to me that a few clubs in the lower leagues do not understand the role the media could play in helping them and all too often employ so-called experts who can’t distinguish between a football reporter, a gossip columnist and a page three girl.
Maybe the press officer in question is under strict instructions from the club and if so I apologise to him, but ironically, I’ve always found it easy to approach and talk to players at Griffin Park in the past and, in return, have given them free coverage/advertising that they would have had to pay thousands for otherwise.
If – or when in my humble opinion – the footballing financial bubble bursts, many of these clubs will find themselves desperate for publicity to draw the punters in. I’m old enough to remember football before the Premier League (yes, younger readers, there was such a thing) and it wasn’t pretty.
If people start drifting away from live football (and it may have already started) and it’s no longer in vogue, do the clubs really think the billions will continue to roll in from TV deals?
They need to re-connect with the real fans and one way of doing this is through the local and national press.
Of course when a reporter finds barriers being put up in an attempt to get a good line, he or she will also start to wonder what the subject has to hide and they might find themselves getting even more attention because of it!
This isn’t a dig at Brentford in particular, but when they and the likes of Hartlepool start worrying about the quality of their press coverage and not the quantity, they’re not seeing the bigger picture.
Tuesday 24 August 2010
David Prutton - Old Friends
I met up with Former Forest and Leeds midfielder David Prutton after the Swindon game last weekend - a very nice and very genuine guy.
One thing he mentioned that surprised me was the fact that while he’d been talking to clubs in the summer, he had been really impressed with Andy Scott the Brentford manager he scored against in the 40th minute.
“I spoke to Andy in the summer and he’s got a lot of very progressive and good ideas. My agent knows him and so I spoke to him a couple of times about Brentford and what they had to offer. I just thought it wasn’t the right time to go there plus I was really impressed with what Danny had done last year.
I’ve also got a couple of very close friends here in David Lucas and Jonathan Douglas and you don’t often get the chance to play with people you’re good mates with. I’m not just here for sentimental reasons though, they’re both very good players and you want t surround yourselves with good players if you can. I’ve played in teams where I haven’t had that and it’s very hard work.
For example David is one of the best keepers I’ve seen as a reaction shot stopper and he showed that with a save from our defender Sean Morrison against Brentford..
Another reason I joined Swindon was that Danny Wilson likes to get the ball down and play. Sometimes he wants you to play in areas you wouldn’t think of which isn’t always the way, but he’s got a lot of good ideas.”
Listening to David talk about the game, it didn’t stretch my imagination too far to see him working in the broadcast media at some point in the future. He has a quick sense of humour, but also talks well about the game – certainly easier on the ear than Robbie Savage was on 606 as I drove home!
“It’s only three games in and you can’t get too carried away. It’s got the makings of a team that can do something. We need to keep having belief and make sure the fans keep making lots of noise. Football’s a different beast nowadays.
One thing he mentioned that surprised me was the fact that while he’d been talking to clubs in the summer, he had been really impressed with Andy Scott the Brentford manager he scored against in the 40th minute.
“I spoke to Andy in the summer and he’s got a lot of very progressive and good ideas. My agent knows him and so I spoke to him a couple of times about Brentford and what they had to offer. I just thought it wasn’t the right time to go there plus I was really impressed with what Danny had done last year.
I’ve also got a couple of very close friends here in David Lucas and Jonathan Douglas and you don’t often get the chance to play with people you’re good mates with. I’m not just here for sentimental reasons though, they’re both very good players and you want t surround yourselves with good players if you can. I’ve played in teams where I haven’t had that and it’s very hard work.
For example David is one of the best keepers I’ve seen as a reaction shot stopper and he showed that with a save from our defender Sean Morrison against Brentford..
Another reason I joined Swindon was that Danny Wilson likes to get the ball down and play. Sometimes he wants you to play in areas you wouldn’t think of which isn’t always the way, but he’s got a lot of good ideas.”
Listening to David talk about the game, it didn’t stretch my imagination too far to see him working in the broadcast media at some point in the future. He has a quick sense of humour, but also talks well about the game – certainly easier on the ear than Robbie Savage was on 606 as I drove home!
“It’s only three games in and you can’t get too carried away. It’s got the makings of a team that can do something. We need to keep having belief and make sure the fans keep making lots of noise. Football’s a different beast nowadays.
Monday 23 August 2010
Swindon Town 1 Brentford 1 – Still Searching
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun - left - and the same match in The News of the World (links to both papers can be found below)
A score draw in this one, but neither manager will have had a sleepless Saturday night.
Both Danny Wilson and Brentford boss Andy Scott have brought in a few new faces in the summer and so it will take time for them to gel with their new teammates as they both search for their first win. But Scott saw his team chalk up their first point of the season and Wilson must have been encouraged by the marked improvement on Swindon’s first home game of the season – a 2-1 reverse to Brighton.
Brentford took the lead after Robin’s full back Michael Rose failed to connect properly with a header back to keeper David Lucas and striker Charlie MacDonald nipped in the score from a tight angle in the 8th minute. It was a bread and butter goal for someone of MacDonald’s experience, but the 29 year old took it well nevertheless. He said afterwards:
“That’s precisely the reason why you always need to stay sharp on a football pitch. Precisely for occasions like that.”
MacDonald hasn’t set himself any targets this season, but said:
“I’ve done well in the last two and so I’m just looking for more of the same.”
Rose was left with his face buried in the grass - presumably wishing it would swallow him up - but it was just one of those clangers that you see at every level of football from time to time. However, all the more embarrassing if you're a pro.
For the next 30 minutes Rose looked slightly shaky, but then redeemed himself with a hand in David Prutton’s equaliser.
In the 40th minute the former Stockport full back who signed in the summer, launched a long throw to the near post, Sean Morrison headed a looping ball across the face of goal and former Leeds and Forest Prutton nodded in from about two yards for his first Swindon goal.
It was noticeable that while Prutton celebrated with his some of his teammates, Morrison and a couple of the other lads ran over to Rose to pat him on the back.
Morrison himself was immense on Saturday and must have given Wilson food for thought.
The Swindon manager had already stated his intention to try and bring in an established central defender to replace former skipper Gordon Greer - who left for Brighton in the summer - but Morrison certainly staked his claim with a man of the match performance.
However, Morrison 19, has a cool head on his young shoulders. He told me after the game:
“This was my first start since about March and I think I’ve learned a lot in the last year or so. I went out on loan and probably didn’t appreciate what was happening and what it was for, but I’m not the sort of person to throw his toys out of the pram if he doesn’t get picked. Obviously I want to start as many games as I can and I’m ready whenever the gaffer wants me, but I’m only 19 and so I have time on my side and I’ll continue learning.”
Links to The News of the World football website: www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/
And The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
Friday 20 August 2010
Back to the County Ground - The Bird And The Bee
I will be reporting on the League One fixture between Swindon Town and Brentford tomorrow afternoon.
Charlie Austin seems to have picked up where he left off last season and has now scored two goals in two league fixtures, but Swindon have yet to pick up their first win (they also went out of the League Cup to Orient), but these early games are often deceptive and I suspect that many of the new players are still bedding in and Danny Wilson won’t know his best starting eleven for a while yet.
Good to see the Topgo striker Thomas Dossevi get off the mark last weekend against Hartlepool and the result was probably a good one for Swindon given that they had to come back from two goals down against the monkey hangers.
Brentford meanwhile managed to make it through the first round of the League Cup by beating Cheltenham, but have lost both their opening fixtures.
Former Oxford striker Andy Scott now manages the Bees and is sure of a warm Wiltshire welcome given his previous associations, but he really is one of the games good guys and up and coming coaches. Brentford have already been approached by other clubs for his services, but have gamely clung on to him since his appointment back in 2007. He managed to get the West London outfit promoted from League Two in 2009.
Scott suffered a life threatening heart disorder which ended his playing career at Orient in 2005.
Gary Alexander is the only Brentford player to have scored in the league this season (although defender Craig Woodman netted in the Cup) and he may be joined up front by former Newcastle hitman Carl Cort against the Robins.
All in all, this fixture looks like a great opportunity for one of these clubs to kick start the season.
I predict a win by Swindon and a two goal margin ... so that’ll be 0-0 then!
Charlie Austin seems to have picked up where he left off last season and has now scored two goals in two league fixtures, but Swindon have yet to pick up their first win (they also went out of the League Cup to Orient), but these early games are often deceptive and I suspect that many of the new players are still bedding in and Danny Wilson won’t know his best starting eleven for a while yet.
Good to see the Topgo striker Thomas Dossevi get off the mark last weekend against Hartlepool and the result was probably a good one for Swindon given that they had to come back from two goals down against the monkey hangers.
Brentford meanwhile managed to make it through the first round of the League Cup by beating Cheltenham, but have lost both their opening fixtures.
Former Oxford striker Andy Scott now manages the Bees and is sure of a warm Wiltshire welcome given his previous associations, but he really is one of the games good guys and up and coming coaches. Brentford have already been approached by other clubs for his services, but have gamely clung on to him since his appointment back in 2007. He managed to get the West London outfit promoted from League Two in 2009.
Scott suffered a life threatening heart disorder which ended his playing career at Orient in 2005.
Gary Alexander is the only Brentford player to have scored in the league this season (although defender Craig Woodman netted in the Cup) and he may be joined up front by former Newcastle hitman Carl Cort against the Robins.
All in all, this fixture looks like a great opportunity for one of these clubs to kick start the season.
I predict a win by Swindon and a two goal margin ... so that’ll be 0-0 then!
Thursday 19 August 2010
Memories - Oh Blackpool!
It’s certainly been an interesting week at the seaside.
Blackpool’s emphatic first day 4-0 win at the mighty Wigan combined with a flurry of activity in the transfer market and topped off by the resignation of Chairman Karl Oyston. If they hadn’t chalked up that win, we might have been fooled into believing they were trying to emulate Newcastle!
I remember – many years ago – being sent to watch the Tangerines play against Birmingham in a Christmas fixture. My sister-in-law was hosting a party at her home in Solihull on the evening of the game and so it may well have been New Year’s Eve.
With an order from the paper for 400 words, I was under strict instructions from my missus not to be late for the party and so when the Blues won by seven goals (by, I think, seven different goal scorers) I had what appeared the easiest of jobs.
As I wandered down from the press box I expected it to be a straightforward job; find one of the lucky seven, get some wise words, add in the managers’ quotes and then off to Solihull to write up the report with a bottle of my brother-in-law’s imported beer for company.
Once I had spoken to the managers, I strolled to the players’ entrance to wrap things up.
I had covered a few games at St. Andrews already that season and so knew many of the players. I recall I even had a good angle on at least two of the scorers and so had practically written the report in my head when I was told the Brum boys had already left the stadium.
Apparently they were also off to a party and they disappeared so quickly that they must have left the ground without even taking off their kit.
So from having my pick of seven, suddenly I found myself without any of the main characters to talk to.
Now, after a result like that there is of course one other key player and so it was with some trepidation that I eventually approached the Blackpool team bus.
If I had been the Blackpool keeper that day I think that the last person I would wish to talk to was a representative of Her Majesty’s Press Corps! But, to his eternal credit (and I’m afraid I can’t remember his name – much to my own discredit), he stepped off the coach to talk to me.
After introducing myself and commiserating with him I offered up the opinion (white lie) that he wasn’t really at fault for the goals anyway at which point he smiled and said: “Well at least Ricky didn’t score.”
I’ll have to admit that at this point I was left a little confused – I mean just about everyone else in the stadium had put one past this poor guy that afternoon ... aside from the programme sellers and ... Ricky.
The 'Ricky' in question was Birmingham’s winger Ricky Otto a guy who had served prison time, but who I always found to be very amiable and easy going.
“What’s so special about Ricky?” I asked.
“He’s my cousin,” the keeper replied. “It would have been a nightmare if he’d scored.”
Bingo! Not Pulitzer Prize winning stuff I grant you, but a fun piece that would interest fans of both clubs and raise a smile among most other fans reading the next day’s paper.
If anyone knows the name of the mystery keeper and what he's up to now, I'd love to hear from you.
Blackpool’s emphatic first day 4-0 win at the mighty Wigan combined with a flurry of activity in the transfer market and topped off by the resignation of Chairman Karl Oyston. If they hadn’t chalked up that win, we might have been fooled into believing they were trying to emulate Newcastle!
I remember – many years ago – being sent to watch the Tangerines play against Birmingham in a Christmas fixture. My sister-in-law was hosting a party at her home in Solihull on the evening of the game and so it may well have been New Year’s Eve.
With an order from the paper for 400 words, I was under strict instructions from my missus not to be late for the party and so when the Blues won by seven goals (by, I think, seven different goal scorers) I had what appeared the easiest of jobs.
As I wandered down from the press box I expected it to be a straightforward job; find one of the lucky seven, get some wise words, add in the managers’ quotes and then off to Solihull to write up the report with a bottle of my brother-in-law’s imported beer for company.
Once I had spoken to the managers, I strolled to the players’ entrance to wrap things up.
I had covered a few games at St. Andrews already that season and so knew many of the players. I recall I even had a good angle on at least two of the scorers and so had practically written the report in my head when I was told the Brum boys had already left the stadium.
Apparently they were also off to a party and they disappeared so quickly that they must have left the ground without even taking off their kit.
So from having my pick of seven, suddenly I found myself without any of the main characters to talk to.
Now, after a result like that there is of course one other key player and so it was with some trepidation that I eventually approached the Blackpool team bus.
If I had been the Blackpool keeper that day I think that the last person I would wish to talk to was a representative of Her Majesty’s Press Corps! But, to his eternal credit (and I’m afraid I can’t remember his name – much to my own discredit), he stepped off the coach to talk to me.
After introducing myself and commiserating with him I offered up the opinion (white lie) that he wasn’t really at fault for the goals anyway at which point he smiled and said: “Well at least Ricky didn’t score.”
I’ll have to admit that at this point I was left a little confused – I mean just about everyone else in the stadium had put one past this poor guy that afternoon ... aside from the programme sellers and ... Ricky.
The 'Ricky' in question was Birmingham’s winger Ricky Otto a guy who had served prison time, but who I always found to be very amiable and easy going.
“What’s so special about Ricky?” I asked.
“He’s my cousin,” the keeper replied. “It would have been a nightmare if he’d scored.”
Bingo! Not Pulitzer Prize winning stuff I grant you, but a fun piece that would interest fans of both clubs and raise a smile among most other fans reading the next day’s paper.
If anyone knows the name of the mystery keeper and what he's up to now, I'd love to hear from you.
Wednesday 18 August 2010
An apology - Silver Fox
It has been brought to my attention that the Ian Smith who approached me at half time in the Oxford United/Bristol Rovers League Cup game one week ago was no ordinary fan.
Ian it turns out, is the central defending lynch pin who has spent many seasons doing for Oxfordshire sides Abingdon and Milton what Dyno Rod do for cracked drains (plugging the leaks rather than dealing with all the sh*t).
Ian is a leg-end in his own lunchtime and known as the silver fox of the county’s footballing scene.
While this blog centres around the exploits of professional players, I am more than happy to pay homage to a true footballing great – Smiffy I salute you!
Ian it turns out, is the central defending lynch pin who has spent many seasons doing for Oxfordshire sides Abingdon and Milton what Dyno Rod do for cracked drains (plugging the leaks rather than dealing with all the sh*t).
Ian is a leg-end in his own lunchtime and known as the silver fox of the county’s footballing scene.
While this blog centres around the exploits of professional players, I am more than happy to pay homage to a true footballing great – Smiffy I salute you!
Tuesday 17 August 2010
A case for the defence – Brown Sugar
It was pointed out to me after yesterday’s blog that I failed to mention the Robin’s defence.
While this is a fair comment, the fact is that Cheltenham caught the eye going forward and – despite Crewe’s two goals – always looked the better attacking team. As Crewe boss Dario Gradi said: “I thought they were going to score ten in the first 30 minutes!”
Given this, you tend not to concentrate too much on the defending. However, both full backs – Keith Lowe and Danny Andrew – looked good going forward in support of the midfield. Steve Elliott is a solid performer at this level and looked a real rock (I was surprised when he was allowed to leave Bristol Rovers in the summer) and Martin Riley looked equally comfortable alongside him before going off with a hamstring injury on the half hour.
The dependable David Bird replaced Riley and Lowe moved into the centre to accommodate him, but Cheltenham weren’t thrown be the change and carried on playing in the same positive manner.
When you’re a keeper you hate to concede, but Scott Brown was faultless for either goal. Central defender Patrick Ada’s volley from a corner was something he may have done hundreds of times in his dreams, but one would suspect it isn’t something Gradi insists on him practicing on the training ground! And Zola’s header from a free kick was beyond Brown as well.
In fact, had Brown not been at his best in the closing minutes, Shaun Miller might have stolen an undeserved point, but the young keeper palmed away the striker’s point blank header from ten yards to ensure victory.
So to the person who is more interested in the back five, I hope this redresses the balance!!
While this is a fair comment, the fact is that Cheltenham caught the eye going forward and – despite Crewe’s two goals – always looked the better attacking team. As Crewe boss Dario Gradi said: “I thought they were going to score ten in the first 30 minutes!”
Given this, you tend not to concentrate too much on the defending. However, both full backs – Keith Lowe and Danny Andrew – looked good going forward in support of the midfield. Steve Elliott is a solid performer at this level and looked a real rock (I was surprised when he was allowed to leave Bristol Rovers in the summer) and Martin Riley looked equally comfortable alongside him before going off with a hamstring injury on the half hour.
The dependable David Bird replaced Riley and Lowe moved into the centre to accommodate him, but Cheltenham weren’t thrown be the change and carried on playing in the same positive manner.
When you’re a keeper you hate to concede, but Scott Brown was faultless for either goal. Central defender Patrick Ada’s volley from a corner was something he may have done hundreds of times in his dreams, but one would suspect it isn’t something Gradi insists on him practicing on the training ground! And Zola’s header from a free kick was beyond Brown as well.
In fact, had Brown not been at his best in the closing minutes, Shaun Miller might have stolen an undeserved point, but the young keeper palmed away the striker’s point blank header from ten yards to ensure victory.
So to the person who is more interested in the back five, I hope this redresses the balance!!
Monday 16 August 2010
Cheltenham Town 3 Crewe Alexandra 2 – Samba, samba
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
A link to The Sun's footy pages: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/
Cheltenham’s Whaddon Road ground (I refuse to call it the Abbey Business Stadium) nestles in the shadows of the Cotswold hills and – although the club is actually located in the town itself – it has to be among the most scenic settings in the football league. It’s not quite the Copacabana, but Mark Yates had the locals dancing in their green wellies and tweed jackets as though they were in downtown Rio on Saturday.
Yates has spent the summer reshaping his squad and they all seem to have bought into the style of play he wants to play – and boy was it entertaining.
Crewe – under respected veteran manager Dario Gradi – have built a reputation themselves for passing football over the years and so they also contributed to a great afternoon’s entertainment.
Yates based his tactics on a midfield diamond formation and each of the four players – Michael Pook, Josh Low, Frankie Artus and Brian Smikle – covered every blade of grass as they passed, moved and interchanged. God only knows how long they had to stay in the bar to rehydrate after the game! My guess is that they are probably still in there.
Crewe took the lead through a sweetly taken volley by Cameroon central defender Patrick Ada before Wes Thomas responded with two himself. The Railwaymen never gave up though and stuck to their guns to draw level from a diving header by big striker Calvin Zola.
In the end though Cheltenham’s winner summed up the way they had played all afternoon with a sweet passing movement from the back that finished up in the net from about 12 yards out courtesy of Thomas’s co-striker Jeff Goulding.
Goulding and Thomas had played together for one season at Fisher Athletic netting nearly 40 goals between them and if the can replicate that form for Mark Yates, he’ll be one happy bunny come the end of the season.
I suspect that Goulding will turn out to be the foil for Thomas and, if they can maintain this form and get some gaol scoring support from the midfielders, I might well have seen a top seven side in action.
However, there’s a long, hard season ahead and so Robins’ fans shouldn’t get too carried away just yet. But if you missed the game on Saturday, it’s worth spending a few quid getting along to the next home fixture. There are no guarantees they’ll win, but if they play like this it’ll be money well spent.
Friday 13 August 2010
Off to Whaddon Road – A-lex
Just got a call to cover the Cheltenham game against Crewe tomorrow afternoon and I’m looking forward to seeing the side Mark Yates has put together in the summer.
It’s tough being the manager of Cheltenham. The team doesn’t have a lot of money and the town itself is hardly noted as a hotbed of football. Rural Gloucestershire is rugby and horse racing country and – despite being one of the most affluent areas in the country – the football club is definitely the poor cousin in sporting terms.
Having said that, the Robins have done well to flit between League One and League Two in recent seasons. Sometimes expectations from some fans are too great given the limited resources. I remember former boss John Ward once telling me that while half the fans at Whaddon Road remembered the non-league days and were just happy to be punching above their weight in League One at that time, the other half were younger and expected the club to be pushing for the Championship and beyond!!
In the brief period of time that I have got to know Mark Yates, I suspect that he will deliver for those more demanding fans, although I suspect it will take a couple of seasons before they return to League One.
Crewe boss Dario Gradi has more experience than just about any other manager in the English game and is in his third stint in the role having twice tried to retire to the relative sanity of the boardroom as the club’s Technical Director. If anyone can revive Alex it is Gradi and I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes them to a top seven finish this season.
Having said that, I predict a win for Cheltenham on their home turf tomorrow by 2-0.
It’s tough being the manager of Cheltenham. The team doesn’t have a lot of money and the town itself is hardly noted as a hotbed of football. Rural Gloucestershire is rugby and horse racing country and – despite being one of the most affluent areas in the country – the football club is definitely the poor cousin in sporting terms.
Having said that, the Robins have done well to flit between League One and League Two in recent seasons. Sometimes expectations from some fans are too great given the limited resources. I remember former boss John Ward once telling me that while half the fans at Whaddon Road remembered the non-league days and were just happy to be punching above their weight in League One at that time, the other half were younger and expected the club to be pushing for the Championship and beyond!!
In the brief period of time that I have got to know Mark Yates, I suspect that he will deliver for those more demanding fans, although I suspect it will take a couple of seasons before they return to League One.
Crewe boss Dario Gradi has more experience than just about any other manager in the English game and is in his third stint in the role having twice tried to retire to the relative sanity of the boardroom as the club’s Technical Director. If anyone can revive Alex it is Gradi and I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes them to a top seven finish this season.
Having said that, I predict a win for Cheltenham on their home turf tomorrow by 2-0.
Thursday 12 August 2010
Boo who? - Two wrongs
I really can’t see the point in spending good money to get to and then watch a football match only to jeer the side you’re there to “support”.
While I had a lot of sympathy with the fans who travelled to South Africa and – in some cases – spent their savings supporting England and booed at the end of the Algeria game, I really don’t understand why some fans wasted their dosh doing it during the game against Hungary last night.
If you’re not happy – don’t turn up. That sends out a clearer message to not only the players, but the coaching staff and the Football Association as well.
Equally, the players need to understand that they are not untouchable. It is a game of opinions and sometimes those opinions might not be ones that the players agree with, but hey, accepting them comes with the big bucks.
My concern is that jeering players will filter down to the lower levels of professional football where – in my opinion – it is a far more honest game and the players don’t get paid millions and many work their bollocks off just to remain in a job from one season to another.
While I had a lot of sympathy with the fans who travelled to South Africa and – in some cases – spent their savings supporting England and booed at the end of the Algeria game, I really don’t understand why some fans wasted their dosh doing it during the game against Hungary last night.
If you’re not happy – don’t turn up. That sends out a clearer message to not only the players, but the coaching staff and the Football Association as well.
Equally, the players need to understand that they are not untouchable. It is a game of opinions and sometimes those opinions might not be ones that the players agree with, but hey, accepting them comes with the big bucks.
My concern is that jeering players will filter down to the lower levels of professional football where – in my opinion – it is a far more honest game and the players don’t get paid millions and many work their bollocks off just to remain in a job from one season to another.
Wednesday 11 August 2010
Adam Stansfield
Just heard that former Hereford United, Yeovil Town and Exeter striker Adam Stansfield has lost his battle with cancer. It certainly puts losing a footabll match into perspective when you hear tragic news like this. Adam was only 31 years of age.
Oxford United 6 Bristol Rovers 1 – The Massacre
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
It’s easy, this writing lark!
One hundred words on the final whistle. Piece of piss really when you’re covering a fairly minor first round Carling Cup tie unless …
I was looking forward to seeing how newly promoted Oxford fared against League One outfit Bristol Rovers. It was going to be a good test for them against a decent side and a win wouldn’t necessarily have been a shock – this wasn’t a footballing win though, it was blood sport at its most horrific.
Striker James Constable in particular looked to be a man making up for lost time after several seasons plying his trade in the conference. On Saturday in the goalless draw against Burton, Constable had to deal with veteran defender Darren Moore and the Oxford skipper admitted he had to check Moore still wasn’t behind him before kick off in last night’s game. However, he had no such problems with the Rovers defence.
Constable scored two and had a hand in two others (for winger Matt Green and midfield Simon Heslop) and his awareness was superb. Constable’s co-striker Jack Midson also found the net and Heslop wrapped things up with his second in the dying seconds with the Rovers players desperate to get back on the team bus and go home.
Simon Heslop also deserves special mention (as an excited Oxford fan called Ian Smith pointed out to me at half time) and he certainly helped boss the midfield and gave his teammates the platform on which to strut their stuff.
Whatever the level of football, most of us have been on the end of a drubbing like this at one time or another, but something was seriously wrong with the Rovers players last night and, although Paul Trollope claimed afterwards that spirit was good in the camp, I have seen a fair bit of these players in the last couple of seasons and felt that the problems ran deeper than a bad day at the office.
There are some very good footballers in the Rovers team which makes it an even more puzzling result and it’ll be interesting to see how they get on in the West Country derby game against Yeovil on Saturday. My feeling is that the cider drinkers will be licking their lips in anticipation if they get their hands on the DVD of this one!
But it would be churlish to put this result down to Rovers’ ineptness. As bad as they were, Oxford were excellent.
Every Oxford player got stuck in and the movement and passing were superb – the finishing wasn’t too shoddy either!
Poor Mike Green – making his first competitive start in the Rovers goal after four years with the club – deserved much better protection. Frankly the goals weren’t his fault and I hope that his teammates all chip in to buy him a decent bottle of malt so he can drown his sorrows – it’s the least they can do for him. Trollope said that several of them apologized to him in the dressing room afterwards and so that’s a start.
Mikkel Andersen is first choice as Rovers keeper for the next month while on loan from Reading, but he was away on international duty with the Danish U-21s last night. Don’t be surprised if he “misplaces” his passport when he gets wind of this performance.
Chris Wilder was chuffed with his players last night and well he might be. It’s a tricky job sitting in the dugout knowing what your players should be doing and yet not being able to really influence proceedings (ask Paul Trollope), but last night’s game was one of those that Wilder could sit back and enjoy knowing his players were doing everything right.
I suspect he wasn’t too disappointed with Chris Line’s Rovers goal either. It allowed former Rovers’ keeper (and fan) Ryan Clarke to bend down and pick the ball up and stretching exercises are good for an athlete after all!
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Oxford versus Rovers – Keep your eye on the money
I’m off to watch the 'big one' tonight in the Carling Cup and while the Premiersip sides seem to increasingly see this tournament as a bit of an inconvenience, for the cash strapped smaller clubs, it could be a way of easing their financial pressures.
Arguably both of these clubs need the money as well .
Having done well last season to get back into the league, Oxford have every chance of making it two promotions on the trot in what is a fairly even division and so any extra cash would be welcomed by boss Chris Wilder as he looks to strengthen.
Paul Trollope is in the same situation at Rovers.
The Memorial Ground fans have backed him for the last few seasons, but are becoming more demanding and the pressure will build if they aren’t in the play-off places come May. The problem is that the crowds at the Mem don’t bring in enough revenue to underwrite big money signings and so a win against Oxford - and therefore the chance to get one step nearer to meeting a ‘big’ club later in the competition - is certainly something the bank manager would be keen on!
I suspect that Trolls would love to buy (or loan) a target man to act as a foil for striker Jo Kuffour and I believe this could help spur them on. Certainly another 3-0 drubbing like the one they received at Peterborough (managed by former Bristol City boss Gary Johnson) won’t help with finances or morale.
Money aside, the game will be a good test for Oxford. It’s an opportunity for them to pit their wits against an established League One side.
Personally I see it going to the wire and penalties … so – as my predictions are usually crap - put your money on one or other side being three-nil up by half time!!
Arguably both of these clubs need the money as well .
Having done well last season to get back into the league, Oxford have every chance of making it two promotions on the trot in what is a fairly even division and so any extra cash would be welcomed by boss Chris Wilder as he looks to strengthen.
Paul Trollope is in the same situation at Rovers.
The Memorial Ground fans have backed him for the last few seasons, but are becoming more demanding and the pressure will build if they aren’t in the play-off places come May. The problem is that the crowds at the Mem don’t bring in enough revenue to underwrite big money signings and so a win against Oxford - and therefore the chance to get one step nearer to meeting a ‘big’ club later in the competition - is certainly something the bank manager would be keen on!
I suspect that Trolls would love to buy (or loan) a target man to act as a foil for striker Jo Kuffour and I believe this could help spur them on. Certainly another 3-0 drubbing like the one they received at Peterborough (managed by former Bristol City boss Gary Johnson) won’t help with finances or morale.
Money aside, the game will be a good test for Oxford. It’s an opportunity for them to pit their wits against an established League One side.
Personally I see it going to the wire and penalties … so – as my predictions are usually crap - put your money on one or other side being three-nil up by half time!!
Monday 9 August 2010
A mixed first weekend for the clubs on my ‘patch’ – Mixed Bag
I was at Swindon to watch last year’s play-off finalists lose at home to Brighton while the two Bristol clubs both lost by three goals; Rovers at Peterborough and City at home to Millwall. Meanwhile Northampton fell to Torquay after a long coach journey to the south coast in holiday traffic (I wouldn’t have fancied being on that bus on the return trip!) and Reading lost at home to Scunthorpe in the Championship.
Oxford managed a goalless draw away to Burton on their return t League Two while Cheltenham managed a 1-1 draw at Gillingham.
At least Hereford and Wycombe managed to chalk up wins away at Crewe and at home to Morecambe respectively.
I’m off to watch Oxford play Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup tomorrow and so will have splinters in my arse after sitting on the fence in the press box!
I managed to get along to see Oxford in their victorious play-off final win at Wembley and have to say that they looked better than a lot of the League Two sides I saw last season.
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
A link to The Sun's footy pages: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/
At least Hereford and Wycombe managed to chalk up wins away at Crewe and at home to Morecambe respectively.
I’m off to watch Oxford play Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup tomorrow and so will have splinters in my arse after sitting on the fence in the press box!
I managed to get along to see Oxford in their victorious play-off final win at Wembley and have to say that they looked better than a lot of the League Two sides I saw last season.
Sunday 8 August 2010
Swindon Town 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – Glass Spider
New signings David Prutton and Thomas Dossevi get Swindon's season underway
There were so many cobwebs on the County Ground pitch yesterday it must have been an arachnophobe’s worst nightmare.
Despite all that’s said about pre-season games being good for building up sharpness and fitness, the opening day fixture is very often an anti-climax and I’ve found that it usually takes most players a game or two to dust themselves down and get into the swing of things.
Last year, for example, Swindon were stuffed by five goals on the opening day and still made it to the play-off final while eventual champions Norwich had seven put past them in an early fixture.
It’s far too early to make any rash judgments and there’s no need for Danny Wilson to panic just yet. As he pointed out after the game:
“It was disappointing, but I’m too long in the tooth to over-react. It’ll get better though, but there’s plenty of work to be done.”
Personally, I don’t think the Swindon fans will over-react (well apart from the usual mindless minority you find at most clubs). Wilson and his players earned themselves some time and a lot of respect after last year’s run to Wembley. Having said that, I wouldn’t be surprised if they practice passing a fair bit in the coming week. I lost count of the number of hospital balls played by Swindon yesterday afternoon. At one point I wondered whether they had all fallen out with each other at the pre-match lunch.
Several new boys were on show in red.
Thomas Dossevi partnered Charlie Austin up front and, although Austin got his customary goal in the 80th minute (see video below), Dossevi struggled and was substituted at half time. According to Wilson the Togo striker “was shell shocked” after the rough service handed to him by the Brighton boys. Wilson wasn’t whinging and pointed out that it was something the lad “would have to get used to”.
Charlie Austin opens his (and Swindon's) account for the season
David Prutton partnered Jonathan Douglas in midfield and I was surprised that Simon Ferry started on the bench given the understanding he developed with Douglas last season.
Former Forest and Leeds midfielder Prutton put in the effort, but it didn’t quite happen for him on his debut. However, he’s been around too long to let one game bother him. I’m sure that the competition for midfield places will be an interesting one this term and it’ll be fascinating to see whether – as Wilson must hope – it benefits the club.
Fellow debutant Michael Rose looked comfortable at right back and it was the former Stockport man’s free kick that led to Austin’s first of the season.
The remaining new face, David Ball who is on loan from Manchester City, seemed to grow in confidence as the game wore on. Ball reminded me of Danny Ward who played for Swindon on loan last season. Ward started off quietly, but ended up as a key member of the starting eleven at Wembley.
I was sorry to see Sean Morrison on the bench as well yesterday, but both Scott Cuthbert and Lecsinel Jean-Francois played well in the centre of defence and so like Ferry, Morrison will need to bide his time.
Brighton’s boss Gus Poyet couldn’t believe his luck after the game and admitted:
“It was a strange game. I think we played better against Swindon last year and we didn’t get anything. It was a good start though.”
Matt Sparrow scored a brace in his debut following a summer move from Scunthorpe and it was no surprise to anyone when Poyet describe him as “a very happy boy”. His first goal in particular was stunning strike that flew in off the inside of the post from 20 yards and left keeper Phil Smith with no chance.
Sparrow spent eleven years at Scunthorpe and told me that Gus Poyet was the main reason he decided to move to Brighton. Keeper Casper Ankergren also cited Poyet as the reason he turned down lucrative deals in Turkey to join the Seagulls and you have to wonder whether the Poyet factor might see them fighting at the top of the table come next May ... but like I say, it’s too early to make any judgments at this stage.
Friday 6 August 2010
Let the games commence – Brighton Rock
I’m off to Swindon tomorrow for the League One opener against Brighton and it’ll be interesting to see how the Robins bounce back after their play-off final defeat.
After struggling the previous season, Danny Wilson’s boys did incredibly well to make it to Wembley last term, but will they find this season a little tougher? There’s no doubt that they will have earned the respect of the rest of the division and – while a top two position might be tricky with the likes of Southampton and Charlton trying to get back into the Championship – Swindon have a canny boss at the helm and a decent squad.
One player who they might miss is Billy Paynter who weighed in with 29 goals on the way to the play-off final before joining Leeds in the summer. Then again, the County Ground faithful also worried when Simon Cox left for West Brom one year ago, before Robins' fan Charlie Austin started banging them in.
Swindon’s success might depend on whether Wilson can play a suitable foil up front for Austin. Togo striker Thomas Dossevi has just signed a one year deal and former Stoke City and Pompey hitman Vincent Péricard – who was also on the books of Juventus as a kid – is itching for a run in the side. Personally I think a fit Péricard could more than make up for Paynter, although only if he matches the Scouser’s work ethic.
This might also be the season when young Sean Morrison makes his mark and it wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t being linked with a few bigger clubs by the end of the season if he knuckles down and plays to his potential. He’s only 19 years old and still learning his trade, but has all the attributes needed by a central defender. If he keeps focused, he gets the chances and the crowd cut him a little slack, he could quite easily fill the void left by former skipper Gordon Greer who – along with manager Gus Poyet and Slovak keeper Peter Brezovan - returns with his new employers tomorrow afternoon.
Simon Ferry has also signed from Celtic after spending last season on loan at the Robins and along with Jonathan Douglas and Jon Paul McGovern, was an outstanding and consistent performer on the way the Wembley.
In goal both David Lucas and Phil Smith can do a good job at this level and seem to have had the confidence of their defenders last season. There’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue.
Danny Wilson has brought in a few new faces during the summer and if anyone can get them to gel, it’s him. Wilson has been around the block and has earned the right to be backed by the fans and the board.
I’m tipping the Robins for a top six finish this season and wouldn’t be surprised if local neighbours Bristol Rovers join them. A play-off final meeting? What a great day out at Wembley that would be. Does North London stock enough cider to cope?
After struggling the previous season, Danny Wilson’s boys did incredibly well to make it to Wembley last term, but will they find this season a little tougher? There’s no doubt that they will have earned the respect of the rest of the division and – while a top two position might be tricky with the likes of Southampton and Charlton trying to get back into the Championship – Swindon have a canny boss at the helm and a decent squad.
One player who they might miss is Billy Paynter who weighed in with 29 goals on the way to the play-off final before joining Leeds in the summer. Then again, the County Ground faithful also worried when Simon Cox left for West Brom one year ago, before Robins' fan Charlie Austin started banging them in.
Swindon’s success might depend on whether Wilson can play a suitable foil up front for Austin. Togo striker Thomas Dossevi has just signed a one year deal and former Stoke City and Pompey hitman Vincent Péricard – who was also on the books of Juventus as a kid – is itching for a run in the side. Personally I think a fit Péricard could more than make up for Paynter, although only if he matches the Scouser’s work ethic.
This might also be the season when young Sean Morrison makes his mark and it wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t being linked with a few bigger clubs by the end of the season if he knuckles down and plays to his potential. He’s only 19 years old and still learning his trade, but has all the attributes needed by a central defender. If he keeps focused, he gets the chances and the crowd cut him a little slack, he could quite easily fill the void left by former skipper Gordon Greer who – along with manager Gus Poyet and Slovak keeper Peter Brezovan - returns with his new employers tomorrow afternoon.
Simon Ferry has also signed from Celtic after spending last season on loan at the Robins and along with Jonathan Douglas and Jon Paul McGovern, was an outstanding and consistent performer on the way the Wembley.
In goal both David Lucas and Phil Smith can do a good job at this level and seem to have had the confidence of their defenders last season. There’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue.
Danny Wilson has brought in a few new faces during the summer and if anyone can get them to gel, it’s him. Wilson has been around the block and has earned the right to be backed by the fans and the board.
I’m tipping the Robins for a top six finish this season and wouldn’t be surprised if local neighbours Bristol Rovers join them. A play-off final meeting? What a great day out at Wembley that would be. Does North London stock enough cider to cope?
Mikkel Andersen – Hand in Glove
Stoke City’s World Cup keeper Thomas Sorensen has tipped Bristol Rovers rookie Mikkel Andersen for the top.
Keeper Andersen, 21, agreed a one month loan deal after spending much of last season at Rovers and will face Peterborough in Saturday’s opener at London Road.
Sorensen, 34, is Denmark’s first choice stopper, but watched his young countryman at close quarters during the midweek friendly at the Memorial Ground and then said:
“He’s definitely a talented guy and I think that he’s doing all the right things at the moment. He’s secured his future at Reading with a three year deal, but has also opted to go out on loan to gain experience which is the smart thing to do and something I did earlier in my career. I know that he was highly thought of by Rovers last season when he was there last season as well and that helps.
I must admit though that was surprised to see him standing next to me in the tunnel before the game and had to do a double-take as I had no idea he’d just signed for them. But I got a good look at him and he played well. Even though we beat them 2-1 he was really unlucky for the first goal because he made an excellent save from Tuncay before he knocked in the rebound. And he had no chance with Ricardo Fuller’s second either.”
Former Sunderland and Aston Villa keeper Sorensen is still hoping to add to his haul of 90 international caps after performing well in this summer’s World Cup Finals, but had his eye on the next generation as well when Denmark’s kids were runner’s up in the Toulon Tournament. He said:
“Mikkel played well for our under-21s there and I think he started something like four out of the five games which is pretty impressive.
I may not ready to give up my shirt just yet, but it’s good to know that we have has some very good keepers coming through. Apart from Mikkel there’s Martin Hansen at Liverpool, Kasper Schmeichel at Leeds and a few others and so he has to keep working hard, but I’m sure that he’ll do well if he carries on the way he has.”
Keeper Andersen, 21, agreed a one month loan deal after spending much of last season at Rovers and will face Peterborough in Saturday’s opener at London Road.
Sorensen, 34, is Denmark’s first choice stopper, but watched his young countryman at close quarters during the midweek friendly at the Memorial Ground and then said:
“He’s definitely a talented guy and I think that he’s doing all the right things at the moment. He’s secured his future at Reading with a three year deal, but has also opted to go out on loan to gain experience which is the smart thing to do and something I did earlier in my career. I know that he was highly thought of by Rovers last season when he was there last season as well and that helps.
I must admit though that was surprised to see him standing next to me in the tunnel before the game and had to do a double-take as I had no idea he’d just signed for them. But I got a good look at him and he played well. Even though we beat them 2-1 he was really unlucky for the first goal because he made an excellent save from Tuncay before he knocked in the rebound. And he had no chance with Ricardo Fuller’s second either.”
Former Sunderland and Aston Villa keeper Sorensen is still hoping to add to his haul of 90 international caps after performing well in this summer’s World Cup Finals, but had his eye on the next generation as well when Denmark’s kids were runner’s up in the Toulon Tournament. He said:
“Mikkel played well for our under-21s there and I think he started something like four out of the five games which is pretty impressive.
I may not ready to give up my shirt just yet, but it’s good to know that we have has some very good keepers coming through. Apart from Mikkel there’s Martin Hansen at Liverpool, Kasper Schmeichel at Leeds and a few others and so he has to keep working hard, but I’m sure that he’ll do well if he carries on the way he has.”
Thursday 5 August 2010
Tony Pulis – We’ll Meet Again
I had a quick chat with Tony Pulis the other night after the Stoke boss had seen his side beat Bristol Rovers in a pre-season friendly and he was as nice a fella as I remembered from our last meeting – about 17 years ago!
Tony had taken his Bournemouth side to Cheltenham Town for an FA Cup tie very early on in his managerial career and come away with a 1-1 draw against the then non-league outfit. Standing in the bar after the game he asked my opinion of the game and – chuffed that any professional should give a f*ck what I thought – I merely told him that it was a job well done and his chairman would probably be delighted with the readies a replay would bring in. He smiled and nodded in agreement.
Given Bournemouth’s decline since, the chairman at that time obviously didn’t invest the money wisely, although Tony Pulis’s reputation has grown over the years and if he keeps Stoke up this season he will have done another amazing job.
See you again in 2027 Tony!
Tony had taken his Bournemouth side to Cheltenham Town for an FA Cup tie very early on in his managerial career and come away with a 1-1 draw against the then non-league outfit. Standing in the bar after the game he asked my opinion of the game and – chuffed that any professional should give a f*ck what I thought – I merely told him that it was a job well done and his chairman would probably be delighted with the readies a replay would bring in. He smiled and nodded in agreement.
Given Bournemouth’s decline since, the chairman at that time obviously didn’t invest the money wisely, although Tony Pulis’s reputation has grown over the years and if he keeps Stoke up this season he will have done another amazing job.
See you again in 2027 Tony!
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Bristol Rovers 1 Stoke City 2 – No Jacket Required
Unfortunately I was in my car miles from home when I took the call and didn’t have a thing to wear. Well, more specifically, I didn’t have a coat with me and by the time the final whistle blew I was sitting shivering in my shirt sleeves - having been reacquainted with the West Country wind that whips around the Mem. I won’t be making the mistake on a cold winter’s evening next February that’s for sure!
The match itself was usual pre-season fare. Nothing on the result and so a nice relaxed atmosphere in the ground as both sets of players stretched their muscles and built up stamina before real hostilities begin.
Rovers first game is on Saturday away at Peterborough United and – even though the game was meaningless – they were obviously keen to impress and they did.
Chris Lines (who will probably be in Paul Trollope’s staring eleven) sat the first half out on the bench while Dominic Blizzard, 26, took his place in the centre of midfield alongside skipper Stuart Campbell and the former Watford man caught the eye with a roving, all action performance and even grabbed a goal.
In the 45th minute Blizzard took advantage of a mistake by Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen – who flapped and missed a Wayne Brown corner – to bury a header from about eight yards out.
Former Fulham winger Brown, 21, also caught the eye and it was interesting to see him take some of the set pieces which have been the sole preserve of Campbell in recent seasons.
Rovers had re-signed keeper Mikkel Andersen, 21, on a one month loan deal from Reading hours before kick-off and the Denmark Under-21 star – returning to the Mem following his lengthy loan spell last season – looked commanding and was unlucky for Stoke’s opener.
Tuncay fired a low shot in from 12 yards in the 38th minute which Andersen did incredibly well to get down to and block, but the Turkish international left him with no chance when he followed up and buried the rebound.
Stoke’s winner came on the stroke of half time. Ricardo Fuller picked up a Michael Tonge pass into the box and side stepped Andersen to poke the ball past two Rovers defenders manning the line. It was Jamaican striker Fuller’s only real contribution to the game and manager Tony Pulis said afterwards that he is “definitely looking to add another striker” to his squad along with three or four other players.
Rovers on the other hand look to have a decent crop of youngsters backing up the first team and when Trollope made the usual friendly game wholesale changes on the hour, kids like Charlie Reece, Ben Swallow and Eliot Richards came on and looked far from overawed by the Premiership opposition – although some of their cheeky flicks and back heels might have seen them get a good old fashioned kick up the arse had it been a more competitive game! Still, it was good fun and showed they are a confident bunch and the Pirate’s future might be brighter than some Gasheads had thought.
Paul Trollope was also pleased with the effort put in by his kids, but said: “I’m more pleased that we came through the game without any problems and can now look forward to the first game on Saturday.”
N.B. The attached clipping was published in The Sun this morning and obviously welll worth freezing my nuts off for :-)
A link to The Sun's football pages can be found here: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/
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