Apologies to readers for the lack of posts in the last two days, but I have been away in Amsterdam. However, I have now sobered up, checked out of the STD clinic with a clean bill of health and I'm off to Wycombe to watch them play Steve Tilson's Imps this afternoon.
Wycombe are on my 'patch', but it's the first time I will have visited Adams Park this season. The Chairboys started the campaign slowly drawing numerous games before they started to click and now they are living up to their pre-season billing as one of League Two's promotion favourites.
Lincoln have had a torrid time of it, but if anyone can change their fortunes it is Tilson.
Steve is one of football's hottest young managerial prospects and despite taking Southend up to the Championship from League Two, the club over-stretched itself financially off the pitch and Tilson was had a thankless task keeping things afloat on the pitch while the directors fought of the administrators off it.
On one occasion at Swindon I remember talking to Steve by the team bus when two police officers squeezed by us get on board. I gave Steve a quizzical look, but he just grinned and told me that they were a couple of Essex coppers whose car had broken down and so they'd offered to give them a lift home.
"Pretty embarrassing for them really." he said in a loud enough voice for them to hear and I'm sure I saw the backs of their necks go bright red as the scurried on up the coach steps.
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!
Saturday 30 October 2010
Wednesday 27 October 2010
Wilson praises youngsters – Kids are Alright
A two-all draw won’t be something Swindon chief Danny Wilson will end up being pleased with at most home games this season, but following Alan Sheehan’s sending off, his ten man side fought back twice and he said:
“I have to say that if anyone asks any questions about the character of the team and players, that was on show today. They were absolutely fantastic. You can’t ask for any more than that for commitment and to come back like they did on both occasions was a fantastic credit to them.
It was a very young side that was out there. A very young side. But they’ve shown a lot of maturity today.”
On Rose being put on the bench at the start of the game, Wilson admitted:
“I’m sure he will feel aggrieved, but that’s football. That’s life. You make a decision and that’s it. I just felt it was a home game that was possibly set up for Alan, but it wasn’t to be in the end and it turned out to be Michael’s day with a great delivery for the goal (Austin’s) and a fantastic free kick. Terrific. He’s come off the bench and made an impact and that’s what you hope your substitutes will do.
For their second goal (former Swindon loanee Revell) in particular from Alex it’s Sod’s Law isn’t it? From our point of view we could have done better in that situation, but you have to remember that we were getting very stretched then. The lads aren’t on empty tanks as such, but they are starting to stretch it in wide areas and the length of the pitch as well and so it’ difficult to cover the whole ground with a man less as we did. So you can’t be too critical in that respect. They were trying to get to the ball and scampering a bit, but Alex has got into the near post and just beat us to it.
Even then I would have thought the game was over, but fair credit to the boys to come back as they did really.”
Wilson was especially pleased with the two Swindon goals and said:
“There were two bits of quality and the finishes in both cases. Charlie’s header was terrific . Crikey he got the man-of-the-match today and fully deserved it. Without a doubt he’s worked his tail off today on his own up there. He showed terrific appetite for what we needed at that time and showed great responsibility up there on his own. It was never easy against two uncompromising centre backs and he was rewarded for it. It doesn’t always happen.
The second goal was a definite foul, but you’ve still got to execute it. It’s a good position to be in, but you need the exponent of it and Rosey’s come in and planted bang in the top corner and the keeper’s got no chance.”
The Robins’ boss admitted it hadn’t been a great spectacle to start with and said:
“The first half was a poor first half for both teams. There was nothing much to write home about that to be honest. It was a poor game, but it livened up second half. From the way they’ve set themselves up they’ve come to get a decent result. This result might not be what they expected after we went a man down and they’ve been up twice. So really we can take the confidence from that. The fans want to see players run their socks off and they ran themselves to a stand still. No-one’s in a position to say they didn’t do that today.”
Man-of-the match Austin, 21, netted his 6th goal in ten games and was full of praise for Rose. He said: and the work ethic he’s shown today – he’s be
“He’s the sort of player you want on your side. It was a cracking delivery for my goal and then a great free kick. It’s the sort of thing he does all the time in training.”
“I have to say that if anyone asks any questions about the character of the team and players, that was on show today. They were absolutely fantastic. You can’t ask for any more than that for commitment and to come back like they did on both occasions was a fantastic credit to them.
It was a very young side that was out there. A very young side. But they’ve shown a lot of maturity today.”
On Rose being put on the bench at the start of the game, Wilson admitted:
“I’m sure he will feel aggrieved, but that’s football. That’s life. You make a decision and that’s it. I just felt it was a home game that was possibly set up for Alan, but it wasn’t to be in the end and it turned out to be Michael’s day with a great delivery for the goal (Austin’s) and a fantastic free kick. Terrific. He’s come off the bench and made an impact and that’s what you hope your substitutes will do.
For their second goal (former Swindon loanee Revell) in particular from Alex it’s Sod’s Law isn’t it? From our point of view we could have done better in that situation, but you have to remember that we were getting very stretched then. The lads aren’t on empty tanks as such, but they are starting to stretch it in wide areas and the length of the pitch as well and so it’ difficult to cover the whole ground with a man less as we did. So you can’t be too critical in that respect. They were trying to get to the ball and scampering a bit, but Alex has got into the near post and just beat us to it.
Even then I would have thought the game was over, but fair credit to the boys to come back as they did really.”
Wilson was especially pleased with the two Swindon goals and said:
“There were two bits of quality and the finishes in both cases. Charlie’s header was terrific . Crikey he got the man-of-the-match today and fully deserved it. Without a doubt he’s worked his tail off today on his own up there. He showed terrific appetite for what we needed at that time and showed great responsibility up there on his own. It was never easy against two uncompromising centre backs and he was rewarded for it. It doesn’t always happen.
The second goal was a definite foul, but you’ve still got to execute it. It’s a good position to be in, but you need the exponent of it and Rosey’s come in and planted bang in the top corner and the keeper’s got no chance.”
The Robins’ boss admitted it hadn’t been a great spectacle to start with and said:
“The first half was a poor first half for both teams. There was nothing much to write home about that to be honest. It was a poor game, but it livened up second half. From the way they’ve set themselves up they’ve come to get a decent result. This result might not be what they expected after we went a man down and they’ve been up twice. So really we can take the confidence from that. The fans want to see players run their socks off and they ran themselves to a stand still. No-one’s in a position to say they didn’t do that today.”
Man-of-the match Austin, 21, netted his 6th goal in ten games and was full of praise for Rose. He said: and the work ethic he’s shown today – he’s be
“He’s the sort of player you want on your side. It was a cracking delivery for my goal and then a great free kick. It’s the sort of thing he does all the time in training.”
Tuesday 26 October 2010
Sean Morrison - Headache
Young central defender Sean Morrison, 19, put in another solid shift for Swindon at the weekend and is rapidly becoming a headache as far as League One strikers are concerned - but Robins’ fans may not realise he was carrying a major one of his own on Saturday.
I bumped into Sean as he was leaving the County Ground and he was looking quite peaky as he told me:
“I had a migraine all morning. I started to feel a bit better after the game started, but in the second half got a little dizzy. I want nothing more now than just to go home to bed.”
I lost count of the number of times Morrsion put his head to the ball during the game and can’t help but feel that I and most other football fans with a headache – no matter how keen we are – wouldn’t fancy kicking a ball as it came down out of the clouds let alone nutting it. You certainly have to be brave and committed to the cause to do so ... or be completely mad.
Manager Danny Wilson praised the young central defender and said:
“Sean was ill less than three quarters of an hour before the game and he was very, very to start. That was a credit to Sean and he didn’t get any better as the game went on, but he stuck to his task great.”
I bumped into Sean as he was leaving the County Ground and he was looking quite peaky as he told me:
“I had a migraine all morning. I started to feel a bit better after the game started, but in the second half got a little dizzy. I want nothing more now than just to go home to bed.”
I lost count of the number of times Morrsion put his head to the ball during the game and can’t help but feel that I and most other football fans with a headache – no matter how keen we are – wouldn’t fancy kicking a ball as it came down out of the clouds let alone nutting it. You certainly have to be brave and committed to the cause to do so ... or be completely mad.
Manager Danny Wilson praised the young central defender and said:
“Sean was ill less than three quarters of an hour before the game and he was very, very to start. That was a credit to Sean and he didn’t get any better as the game went on, but he stuck to his task great.”
Scott McGleish – Honest Guy
Veteran Orient striker Scott McGleish, 36, is one of those players who is always prepared to stop for a chat after a game – no matter what the result.
On Saturday McGleish was cleaned out by a sliding tackle from Alan Sheehan and referee Trevor Kettle boiled over and showed the Swindon defender a red card.
The incident happened on the other side of the pitch from the press box and so I have to admit I couldn’t say one way or the other how bad the challenge was, but – to his credit – McGleish didn’t make a meal of it and got straight up. Afterwards he told me:
“It was a genuine challenge. He slid into the tackle, but came and apologised for catching me as I walked away. I was telling him there was no problem when I spotted the ref fumbling for his cards and told Alan I thought he was about to get sent off. Frankly, if players are going to get sent off for that, then there’ll be three or four red cards every week.”
At the time Sheehan himself looked stunned at the decision and for one moment I thought he was going to refuse to walk. Either Sheehan’s acting skills are up there with Hollywood’s greatest or he was genuinely perplexed.
Danny Wilson was equally bemused at the decision but said:
“I’m not going to give him (the referee) the satisfaction of getting the FA t get my down to London to spank my backside because I had a go at him, but I have to say that his performance was very, very poor and when I put my marks together it’ll reflect that when I send them off.
We know that it’s difficult to referee a game and we’re not going to sit in judgment and say he’s got this wrong and that wrong and this, that and the other – he got everything wrong in lots of case today. That’s the reason the game turned out like it did. It started being niggly and difficult for him to manage and handle. I think he’s become the victim of his own decision making.”
As far as the red card was concerned Wilson said:
“I could understand a booking. I can’t understand the red card.”
You also had to feel for McGleish who had nodded in the 3rd minute only to see the effort chalked off for offside. He said:
“There was no way that was offside and I couldn’t believe it. If any part of your body is in an offside position then they can give it, but not even my kneecap was off!”
O’s boss Russell Slade was left feeling frustrated by the two free kicks that got Swindon back into the game and groaned:
“First of all, we’ve done more than enough to win a football match. In terms of creating chances I felt we created more than Swindon all afternoon. Today we could’ve scored four or five and on the flip side of that the free kicks, having just looked at them, are not free kicks.
There was nothing we could do about the second one – it was a great finish. I was a bit disappointed with the first one and the marking. I’m disappointed with the point that we got because we so deserved three points today.
I’ve not looked at the sending off. I will look at it. It might have been a bit harsh, I don’t know without video evidence and couldn’t venture an opinion right now.
Matt Spring’s was a great strike that got us in front, deservedly so. And you think then that we can perhaps go on, but Swindon got themselves back in the game at the right time. To be fair we get on the front foot again, We get a second and you think time’s running out for Swindon and we can certainly hang on to the points, but it wasn’t to be.
I thought we were well set up and we looked to be coping and creating chances. I thought it was there today, but it got snatched away from us.
It was nice to look at me bench and think ‘It’s nice and strong today’. But apart from the enforced change I thought we were doing well enough and it’s just two freak decisions if you like that that’s taken and snatched our points away.
On Saturday McGleish was cleaned out by a sliding tackle from Alan Sheehan and referee Trevor Kettle boiled over and showed the Swindon defender a red card.
The incident happened on the other side of the pitch from the press box and so I have to admit I couldn’t say one way or the other how bad the challenge was, but – to his credit – McGleish didn’t make a meal of it and got straight up. Afterwards he told me:
“It was a genuine challenge. He slid into the tackle, but came and apologised for catching me as I walked away. I was telling him there was no problem when I spotted the ref fumbling for his cards and told Alan I thought he was about to get sent off. Frankly, if players are going to get sent off for that, then there’ll be three or four red cards every week.”
At the time Sheehan himself looked stunned at the decision and for one moment I thought he was going to refuse to walk. Either Sheehan’s acting skills are up there with Hollywood’s greatest or he was genuinely perplexed.
Danny Wilson was equally bemused at the decision but said:
“I’m not going to give him (the referee) the satisfaction of getting the FA t get my down to London to spank my backside because I had a go at him, but I have to say that his performance was very, very poor and when I put my marks together it’ll reflect that when I send them off.
We know that it’s difficult to referee a game and we’re not going to sit in judgment and say he’s got this wrong and that wrong and this, that and the other – he got everything wrong in lots of case today. That’s the reason the game turned out like it did. It started being niggly and difficult for him to manage and handle. I think he’s become the victim of his own decision making.”
As far as the red card was concerned Wilson said:
“I could understand a booking. I can’t understand the red card.”
You also had to feel for McGleish who had nodded in the 3rd minute only to see the effort chalked off for offside. He said:
“There was no way that was offside and I couldn’t believe it. If any part of your body is in an offside position then they can give it, but not even my kneecap was off!”
O’s boss Russell Slade was left feeling frustrated by the two free kicks that got Swindon back into the game and groaned:
“First of all, we’ve done more than enough to win a football match. In terms of creating chances I felt we created more than Swindon all afternoon. Today we could’ve scored four or five and on the flip side of that the free kicks, having just looked at them, are not free kicks.
There was nothing we could do about the second one – it was a great finish. I was a bit disappointed with the first one and the marking. I’m disappointed with the point that we got because we so deserved three points today.
I’ve not looked at the sending off. I will look at it. It might have been a bit harsh, I don’t know without video evidence and couldn’t venture an opinion right now.
Matt Spring’s was a great strike that got us in front, deservedly so. And you think then that we can perhaps go on, but Swindon got themselves back in the game at the right time. To be fair we get on the front foot again, We get a second and you think time’s running out for Swindon and we can certainly hang on to the points, but it wasn’t to be.
I thought we were well set up and we looked to be coping and creating chances. I thought it was there today, but it got snatched away from us.
It was nice to look at me bench and think ‘It’s nice and strong today’. But apart from the enforced change I thought we were doing well enough and it’s just two freak decisions if you like that that’s taken and snatched our points away.
Monday 25 October 2010
Swindon v Orient - BBC Footage
Now available to UK users at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9122581.stm
I have to say, looking at this that Scott McGleish looks onside for his disallowed goal in the 3rd minute while he bounced straight up after the challenge from Alan Sheehan that saw the defender given a red card. The referee was a little bit over-eager in my opinion.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9122581.stm
I have to say, looking at this that Scott McGleish looks onside for his disallowed goal in the 3rd minute while he bounced straight up after the challenge from Alan Sheehan that saw the defender given a red card. The referee was a little bit over-eager in my opinion.
Swindon Town 2 Leyton Orient 2 – Copper Kettle
After a first half performance that was void of any entertainment, this game came alive with the somewhat dubious sending off of defender Alan Sheehan in the 53rd minute when he slid into tackle Orient striker Scott McGleish.
McGleish got straight up and walked away without a complaint (read his views in tomorrow’s blog), but referee Trevor Kettle reached for the red card - to Sheehan’s obvious horror.
Before that incident no-one in the ground would have put money on a 2-2 draw and I suspect there were a few betting slips with that result written on them being shredded at half time.
Both sides had played with five man midfields and effectively left their respective strikers – McGleish and Charlie Austin – chasing shadows.
Seven minutes after Sheehan had gone for his shower Orient midfielder Matt Spring – the pick of the bunch for me in the first half – picked up a pass from full back Elliott Omozusi on the right and drilled an 18 yard shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Danny Wilson had sacrificed midfielder David Ball – on loan from Manchester City – in the 58th minute for full back Michael Rose. Presumably this was merely an effort to shore up the defence given Sheehan’s absence, but Rose effectively gave Swindon an attacking edge they had lacked for most of the afternoon.
In the 62nd minute Rose picked out striker Austin who glanced home a leveler from 8 yards for his sixth goal in ten games.
Fourteen minutes later Alex Revell – who spent ten games on loan at Swindon last season – nodded in a cross from left back Charlie Daniels, although the angle was so acute, central defender Scott Cuthbert must still be wondering today how the former Southend man had managed to squeeze the ball past him on the near post.
Six minutes before time a free kick was awarded 20 yards out and after a short debate with team mate Jon-Paul McGovern, Rose got his way and stepped up to blast home from 20 yards for his second of the season.
In the press conference after the game Rose, 28, had seemed strangely downbeat iven the fact that he had made one goal and scored another. He said:
“I was really disappointed to be on the bench as you want to play in every game, but it’s something you have to take in football these days and hope the lads get the win while you can’t help them out.
With the free kick (for Austin’s goal) I was just trying to put the ball in a good area. We’ve got players who will attack the ball like Charlie, Sean (Morrison) and Scotty (Cuthbert) so I just try to get the ball in a good area for them really.
Charlie’s like that in training every day. He’s a great goal scorer and I was glad to put the ball where he wanted it.
For the second one J-P asked me whether I wanted it and I said “yeah”. Matty (Ritchie) was sniffing around it as well and so I told him to go away. Other than that it was me and J-P and I fancied it and luckily it went in.
Whoever fancies it on the day will take it. It depends on where the wall is, where the keeper is and whether you’ve spotted something. Having been on for only 30 minutes I wanted the chance to score and did.
Every free kick is different, but then you just have to make your mind up and decide where you want to put it. It probably went in a little bit better than where I wanted it to go and I don’t think I could have got it closer to the top corner.
It’s one of the hardest things to describe when you’ve scored a goal for your club. You’ve pleased all of the fans got a draw for the club, but unfortunately we didn’t go on to win. If things had been different and we’d carried on with eleven men we might have sneaked it and I wouldn’t have come on.
It was a slow game (in the first half) and wasn’t one of the best for the fans, but you get them and now we’ve got to look forward to next week.
When we went down to ten men we just had to stay solid with two banks of four. Charlie was working his socks off up front which he does every week and we just had to work that extra bit harder just to cover the extra space that the other team have got.
I feel I’ve settled in at the club. I really get on with all of the lads.
Obviously we’d prefer to be up there (in the league), but we’re not too far off at the minute. We just need to get back to winning ways. We’ve been a bit stop-start in the league and hopefully we can string a few wins together.”
Regarding the sending off the former Stockport man said:
“I’m going to have to sit on the fence and say I don’t know. Obviously the referee was closer than I was. He thought Shee’s was late. I didn’t think it was a sending off, possibly a booking at most.”
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
McGleish got straight up and walked away without a complaint (read his views in tomorrow’s blog), but referee Trevor Kettle reached for the red card - to Sheehan’s obvious horror.
Before that incident no-one in the ground would have put money on a 2-2 draw and I suspect there were a few betting slips with that result written on them being shredded at half time.
Both sides had played with five man midfields and effectively left their respective strikers – McGleish and Charlie Austin – chasing shadows.
Seven minutes after Sheehan had gone for his shower Orient midfielder Matt Spring – the pick of the bunch for me in the first half – picked up a pass from full back Elliott Omozusi on the right and drilled an 18 yard shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Danny Wilson had sacrificed midfielder David Ball – on loan from Manchester City – in the 58th minute for full back Michael Rose. Presumably this was merely an effort to shore up the defence given Sheehan’s absence, but Rose effectively gave Swindon an attacking edge they had lacked for most of the afternoon.
In the 62nd minute Rose picked out striker Austin who glanced home a leveler from 8 yards for his sixth goal in ten games.
Fourteen minutes later Alex Revell – who spent ten games on loan at Swindon last season – nodded in a cross from left back Charlie Daniels, although the angle was so acute, central defender Scott Cuthbert must still be wondering today how the former Southend man had managed to squeeze the ball past him on the near post.
Six minutes before time a free kick was awarded 20 yards out and after a short debate with team mate Jon-Paul McGovern, Rose got his way and stepped up to blast home from 20 yards for his second of the season.
In the press conference after the game Rose, 28, had seemed strangely downbeat iven the fact that he had made one goal and scored another. He said:
“I was really disappointed to be on the bench as you want to play in every game, but it’s something you have to take in football these days and hope the lads get the win while you can’t help them out.
With the free kick (for Austin’s goal) I was just trying to put the ball in a good area. We’ve got players who will attack the ball like Charlie, Sean (Morrison) and Scotty (Cuthbert) so I just try to get the ball in a good area for them really.
Charlie’s like that in training every day. He’s a great goal scorer and I was glad to put the ball where he wanted it.
For the second one J-P asked me whether I wanted it and I said “yeah”. Matty (Ritchie) was sniffing around it as well and so I told him to go away. Other than that it was me and J-P and I fancied it and luckily it went in.
Whoever fancies it on the day will take it. It depends on where the wall is, where the keeper is and whether you’ve spotted something. Having been on for only 30 minutes I wanted the chance to score and did.
Every free kick is different, but then you just have to make your mind up and decide where you want to put it. It probably went in a little bit better than where I wanted it to go and I don’t think I could have got it closer to the top corner.
It’s one of the hardest things to describe when you’ve scored a goal for your club. You’ve pleased all of the fans got a draw for the club, but unfortunately we didn’t go on to win. If things had been different and we’d carried on with eleven men we might have sneaked it and I wouldn’t have come on.
It was a slow game (in the first half) and wasn’t one of the best for the fans, but you get them and now we’ve got to look forward to next week.
When we went down to ten men we just had to stay solid with two banks of four. Charlie was working his socks off up front which he does every week and we just had to work that extra bit harder just to cover the extra space that the other team have got.
I feel I’ve settled in at the club. I really get on with all of the lads.
Obviously we’d prefer to be up there (in the league), but we’re not too far off at the minute. We just need to get back to winning ways. We’ve been a bit stop-start in the league and hopefully we can string a few wins together.”
Regarding the sending off the former Stockport man said:
“I’m going to have to sit on the fence and say I don’t know. Obviously the referee was closer than I was. He thought Shee’s was late. I didn’t think it was a sending off, possibly a booking at most.”
Yesterday's match report from the News of the World
Thursday 21 October 2010
Memories from Elm Park - Daddy
Okay, hands up those of you who think the press are the scum of the earth (bear with me while I pull my wife’s arm down).
Right, hands up if you’ve heard the expression “Don’t shoot the messenger”.
Sometimes when you’re reporting on football an opportunity for a story comes up and you have to make a judgment call. Readers of this blog will know that I’ve made no secret of the fact that for the last 17 years my philosophy has been that football is entertainment, is fun and, if possible, my reports should reflect this.
Banter is the lifeblood of every dressing room at every level and if that can be shared with the fans then all well and good. Football supporters have played the game themselves. Maybe not to the same levels of skill and athleticism as the pros, but the dressing room mindset is the same.
By the time the Monday papers hit the streets, most of the descriptive stuff has either been read in the Sunday papers and web pages or even seen on the box and so I try to add a little something by giving the fans an insight into what the main characters are thinking or what they’ve been doing – the goal scorers, the keeper who saved the penalty, the guy who got sent off, etc.
So what happens when I stumble across a story that might possibly cause harm or distress to a player?
Well fortunately that situation doesn’t arise too often and frankly who cares whether a full back for a League One club has played away from home - so to speak?
Personally I feel that if you are prepared to take millions of pounds to promote soft drinks, PC games and/or appear in Hello magazine on the one hand and then you’re caught visiting brothels or doing drugs on the other, you leave yourself open to criticism. If you’re putting out an image of a nice wholesome fella for the money then you need to live up to that image. The alternative is not to take the money for the extras, play football, earn and honest wage and be entitled to a degree of privacy.
Compare the lifestyles of Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes if you will. And there are many more Scholes-type characters in football than ‘Rooneys’.
A few years ago I found myself in a position whereby I had to make a judgment call – on a much lower level it has to be said.
I was covering a Reading game at the old Elm Park ground that ranked up there with the dullest of dull games. Scoreless at full time and as I watched the players leave the field I was left wondering who the main character was. Who could I base the report on?
The press used one of the unsold private boxes at Elm Park and as I looked out through the glass I noticed a Reading player walk over to the opposing fans (a team from the north) and lean into the crowd. He then pulled back and walked away to the tunnel.
Thinking no more of it I spent the next hour talking to players, but gathered nothing of interest from anyone. Eventually I decided to take solace with a pint in the supporters bar. As I waited for my drink the player I had noticed earlier came up to me and I asked him what he had said to the away support.
“Oh, nothing,” he replied, “It was my baby son. His mum had brought him down on the supporters’ bus to see me play for the first time.”
What a nice little human interest story I thought with relief and set my atheism aside to thank God.
“He’s nine months old and that’s the first time I’ve seen him,” he continued.
This was getting better all the time I thought and made a mental note to go to church the following day for the first time in fifteen years.
“Here,” he said suddenly realising who he was talking to. “You won’t put that in The Sun will you Jeff? My missus would kill me if she found out about him.”
Bugger! It was decision time. Did I say tough luck son, I’m desperate and you knew who you were talking to. I could have argued that he’d made his own bed. I could have even have justified it as a warning to the women of Berkshire to keep their knickers on when he was about!
I didn’t and wrote a mundane piece for the paper.
If I had gone with the story it might well have brought forward the inevitable as you can’t keep a secret like that forever. But on the other hand what was the real benefit of me breaking the story? A pat on the back?
The story would be forgotten by most people by Tuesday and so I kept my word.
As a by-product though, Reading players started talking to me openly and – I like to think – trusted me. I suspect that when the lad picked up the paper on Monday he was relieved and told his colleagues I was a decent bloke. As it was I got numerous good stories from them in the following two seasons as they marched up the leagues and made it to the Championship play-off final against Bolton and so maybe by doing the right thing by him, it inadvertently paid dividends.
By the way, the players name is ….
Just joking. A promise is a promise after all – no matter how many years have gone by.
Right, hands up if you’ve heard the expression “Don’t shoot the messenger”.
Sometimes when you’re reporting on football an opportunity for a story comes up and you have to make a judgment call. Readers of this blog will know that I’ve made no secret of the fact that for the last 17 years my philosophy has been that football is entertainment, is fun and, if possible, my reports should reflect this.
Banter is the lifeblood of every dressing room at every level and if that can be shared with the fans then all well and good. Football supporters have played the game themselves. Maybe not to the same levels of skill and athleticism as the pros, but the dressing room mindset is the same.
By the time the Monday papers hit the streets, most of the descriptive stuff has either been read in the Sunday papers and web pages or even seen on the box and so I try to add a little something by giving the fans an insight into what the main characters are thinking or what they’ve been doing – the goal scorers, the keeper who saved the penalty, the guy who got sent off, etc.
So what happens when I stumble across a story that might possibly cause harm or distress to a player?
Well fortunately that situation doesn’t arise too often and frankly who cares whether a full back for a League One club has played away from home - so to speak?
Personally I feel that if you are prepared to take millions of pounds to promote soft drinks, PC games and/or appear in Hello magazine on the one hand and then you’re caught visiting brothels or doing drugs on the other, you leave yourself open to criticism. If you’re putting out an image of a nice wholesome fella for the money then you need to live up to that image. The alternative is not to take the money for the extras, play football, earn and honest wage and be entitled to a degree of privacy.
Compare the lifestyles of Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes if you will. And there are many more Scholes-type characters in football than ‘Rooneys’.
A few years ago I found myself in a position whereby I had to make a judgment call – on a much lower level it has to be said.
I was covering a Reading game at the old Elm Park ground that ranked up there with the dullest of dull games. Scoreless at full time and as I watched the players leave the field I was left wondering who the main character was. Who could I base the report on?
The press used one of the unsold private boxes at Elm Park and as I looked out through the glass I noticed a Reading player walk over to the opposing fans (a team from the north) and lean into the crowd. He then pulled back and walked away to the tunnel.
Thinking no more of it I spent the next hour talking to players, but gathered nothing of interest from anyone. Eventually I decided to take solace with a pint in the supporters bar. As I waited for my drink the player I had noticed earlier came up to me and I asked him what he had said to the away support.
“Oh, nothing,” he replied, “It was my baby son. His mum had brought him down on the supporters’ bus to see me play for the first time.”
What a nice little human interest story I thought with relief and set my atheism aside to thank God.
“He’s nine months old and that’s the first time I’ve seen him,” he continued.
This was getting better all the time I thought and made a mental note to go to church the following day for the first time in fifteen years.
“Here,” he said suddenly realising who he was talking to. “You won’t put that in The Sun will you Jeff? My missus would kill me if she found out about him.”
Bugger! It was decision time. Did I say tough luck son, I’m desperate and you knew who you were talking to. I could have argued that he’d made his own bed. I could have even have justified it as a warning to the women of Berkshire to keep their knickers on when he was about!
I didn’t and wrote a mundane piece for the paper.
If I had gone with the story it might well have brought forward the inevitable as you can’t keep a secret like that forever. But on the other hand what was the real benefit of me breaking the story? A pat on the back?
The story would be forgotten by most people by Tuesday and so I kept my word.
As a by-product though, Reading players started talking to me openly and – I like to think – trusted me. I suspect that when the lad picked up the paper on Monday he was relieved and told his colleagues I was a decent bloke. As it was I got numerous good stories from them in the following two seasons as they marched up the leagues and made it to the Championship play-off final against Bolton and so maybe by doing the right thing by him, it inadvertently paid dividends.
By the way, the players name is ….
Just joking. A promise is a promise after all – no matter how many years have gone by.
Wednesday 20 October 2010
Quotes from Paul Trollope and Chris Lines - One for the team
Following last Saturdays game against Rochdale, Rovers boss Paul Trollope was delighted with the win and said:
“We were pleased to go two up and creating a second goal and it was a cracking finish. We made a few poor decisions at 2-0 going towards injury time. The last ten minutes we stared giving the ball away a little bit cheaply and they launched some swift counter-attacks which we knew they would be dangerous on. Obviously the own goal led to a nervous finish when we should have been playing it out when we should have made a few more better professional decisions like taking the ball to the corner and seeing the game through. But it was a good three points for us.
I was very please with Charlie (winger Reece). He’s making very good progress. He showed glimpses last year in starts and subs appearances, but his strength is coming now and his game management, in terms of his positional play, is good and he provided a link down the right-hand side with Carl Regan and provided energy. He can be pleased with his contribution.
As far as the penalty was concerned, Trollope said:
"It was one from where I was. From my angle Jo (Kuffour) got there first and was taken. I didn’t think there was any question.
He’s a young referee who’s trying to make his way in the game and go up the levels. Considering the others we’ve had this season, I think he performed pretty well."
Of man-of-the-match Will Hoskins and his side in general, Trollope said:
“He lifted us out of a little bit of pressure that was on us in the first half with some good skill and spread the play. His linking and movement are very good and he was unfortunate not to get a goal. He worked hard and we asked a different question of him in recent weeks which served a purpose to a certain extent, but he is an out-and-out striker and his movement behind is probably as good as anyone in his position. He’s got six already and possibly could’ve had a few more.
We’ve got a decent squad and, touch wood, they are fit at the moment. People are waiting in the wings patiently for chances to show what they can do. We’re having a lot of reserve team friendlies to ensure they’re up to speed and ready and we’re pleased at the moment ticking along and in the top half of the table again ahead of some very big clubs. We’re okay, but it is still a work in progress as I’ve said before. The three points was important after not getting what we deserved on Monday (against Swindon).
We said in the week how tight the division was and it’s still tight when you look above us and immediately below us, but we want to look upwards and we want to make progress and it’s good now that we’ve got a clear week. There have been a few mid-week games, but now we can have a good week’s training when we can work on the issues that we need to and make sure we can work on the issue that have been highlighted today and go up to Hartlepool in a positive manner.”
Trollope also defended midfielder Chris Lines who has been receiving criticism from some fans. He said:
“The shape and the personnel we had playing meant we had a lot of attacking players on the pitch – Will Hoskins as a third striker and Jeff Hughes with basically a free role and so you can’t have Chris Lines going forward as well. I’m not going to sit here and justify things, but we’re pleased with players’ levels. There’s more to come from Chris. Everyone’s expectation of him went up dramatically at the start of last season. I thought he played a major part in the second half in us getting back into the game. He scored a cracking goal and he’s a major player for us who’s got all the attributes of a modern player so we’re pleased with his contribution.”
Midfielder Lines, 24, sealed the win for Rovers and said:
“Rochdale were very difficult to play against with the amount of players they packed into midfield especially in the first half and at times it looked as though they had more players than us, but we worked on that in training and limited them to the chances they had. Even though they had the possession, I think it was us who had the best chances in the first half.
We were a bit disappointed with a bit of the play in the first half, but at the end of the day we went in 1-0 up at half time and in the second half we were a different team and pretty much dominated it.
In the second half today that’s the most I’ve been able to get forward in the last few games in the slightly different formation we’ve been playing, but in the second half I was able to get forward and make some of the runs I was doing last year and getting myself goals and I think with that happening I got my first league goal today.
Reecey coming in on the right gave us real width on the right hand side and you can’t really say Will (Hoskins) does that naturally because he’s a striker and he naturally going to come inside and I think Hughesy the same. But today when the game was stretched it let me run into the holes where maybe in the last few games Will’s been running into those holes so I’ve maybe had to go wide or something like that. In the second half I was getting a lot of the ball in areas where I was getting a lot of the ball last year.
I set my standards high last season by having the best season I’ve had for scoring goals and I’m quite happy to try and live up to that. Now I’ve got my first league goal hopefully I can get a run together like I did last year and get up towards ten again.
I guess quite a lot of people have noticed that I’ve played quite a lot deeper at times, but in the last few games – even at Swindon where I won the penalty with the type of run that was getting me goals last season – I’m getting into those areas that you know with those two up front (Hoskins and Kuffour) they’re going to hold it up and link it which gives me the chance to just drive forward. They didn’t seem to want to track back with me today and so that’s obviously why I got the goal.
You’ve just got to be disciplined at times and sit back. That’s what we work on in training and maybe people on the outside don’t quite realize that I can’t keep bombing into the box when Will and Hughesy are doing the same thing. I don’t like doing it, but sometimes you have to work for the team rather than for yourself.
If we can go to Hartlepool and get a win – and we’ve played well up there in the last few seasons – we’re going to be well up in the table.”
“We were pleased to go two up and creating a second goal and it was a cracking finish. We made a few poor decisions at 2-0 going towards injury time. The last ten minutes we stared giving the ball away a little bit cheaply and they launched some swift counter-attacks which we knew they would be dangerous on. Obviously the own goal led to a nervous finish when we should have been playing it out when we should have made a few more better professional decisions like taking the ball to the corner and seeing the game through. But it was a good three points for us.
I was very please with Charlie (winger Reece). He’s making very good progress. He showed glimpses last year in starts and subs appearances, but his strength is coming now and his game management, in terms of his positional play, is good and he provided a link down the right-hand side with Carl Regan and provided energy. He can be pleased with his contribution.
As far as the penalty was concerned, Trollope said:
"It was one from where I was. From my angle Jo (Kuffour) got there first and was taken. I didn’t think there was any question.
He’s a young referee who’s trying to make his way in the game and go up the levels. Considering the others we’ve had this season, I think he performed pretty well."
Of man-of-the-match Will Hoskins and his side in general, Trollope said:
“He lifted us out of a little bit of pressure that was on us in the first half with some good skill and spread the play. His linking and movement are very good and he was unfortunate not to get a goal. He worked hard and we asked a different question of him in recent weeks which served a purpose to a certain extent, but he is an out-and-out striker and his movement behind is probably as good as anyone in his position. He’s got six already and possibly could’ve had a few more.
We’ve got a decent squad and, touch wood, they are fit at the moment. People are waiting in the wings patiently for chances to show what they can do. We’re having a lot of reserve team friendlies to ensure they’re up to speed and ready and we’re pleased at the moment ticking along and in the top half of the table again ahead of some very big clubs. We’re okay, but it is still a work in progress as I’ve said before. The three points was important after not getting what we deserved on Monday (against Swindon).
We said in the week how tight the division was and it’s still tight when you look above us and immediately below us, but we want to look upwards and we want to make progress and it’s good now that we’ve got a clear week. There have been a few mid-week games, but now we can have a good week’s training when we can work on the issues that we need to and make sure we can work on the issue that have been highlighted today and go up to Hartlepool in a positive manner.”
Trollope also defended midfielder Chris Lines who has been receiving criticism from some fans. He said:
“The shape and the personnel we had playing meant we had a lot of attacking players on the pitch – Will Hoskins as a third striker and Jeff Hughes with basically a free role and so you can’t have Chris Lines going forward as well. I’m not going to sit here and justify things, but we’re pleased with players’ levels. There’s more to come from Chris. Everyone’s expectation of him went up dramatically at the start of last season. I thought he played a major part in the second half in us getting back into the game. He scored a cracking goal and he’s a major player for us who’s got all the attributes of a modern player so we’re pleased with his contribution.”
Midfielder Lines, 24, sealed the win for Rovers and said:
“Rochdale were very difficult to play against with the amount of players they packed into midfield especially in the first half and at times it looked as though they had more players than us, but we worked on that in training and limited them to the chances they had. Even though they had the possession, I think it was us who had the best chances in the first half.
We were a bit disappointed with a bit of the play in the first half, but at the end of the day we went in 1-0 up at half time and in the second half we were a different team and pretty much dominated it.
In the second half today that’s the most I’ve been able to get forward in the last few games in the slightly different formation we’ve been playing, but in the second half I was able to get forward and make some of the runs I was doing last year and getting myself goals and I think with that happening I got my first league goal today.
Reecey coming in on the right gave us real width on the right hand side and you can’t really say Will (Hoskins) does that naturally because he’s a striker and he naturally going to come inside and I think Hughesy the same. But today when the game was stretched it let me run into the holes where maybe in the last few games Will’s been running into those holes so I’ve maybe had to go wide or something like that. In the second half I was getting a lot of the ball in areas where I was getting a lot of the ball last year.
I set my standards high last season by having the best season I’ve had for scoring goals and I’m quite happy to try and live up to that. Now I’ve got my first league goal hopefully I can get a run together like I did last year and get up towards ten again.
I guess quite a lot of people have noticed that I’ve played quite a lot deeper at times, but in the last few games – even at Swindon where I won the penalty with the type of run that was getting me goals last season – I’m getting into those areas that you know with those two up front (Hoskins and Kuffour) they’re going to hold it up and link it which gives me the chance to just drive forward. They didn’t seem to want to track back with me today and so that’s obviously why I got the goal.
You’ve just got to be disciplined at times and sit back. That’s what we work on in training and maybe people on the outside don’t quite realize that I can’t keep bombing into the box when Will and Hughesy are doing the same thing. I don’t like doing it, but sometimes you have to work for the team rather than for yourself.
If we can go to Hartlepool and get a win – and we’ve played well up there in the last few seasons – we’re going to be well up in the table.”
Tuesday 19 October 2010
Keith Hill - Not Fair
After watching his team lose against Bristol Rovers on Saturday, Rochdale boss Keith Hill was left fuming about the performance of referee Craig Pawson and, in particular, the young whistler’s decision to award a penalty on the stroke of half time for the home side.
To be fair to Hill, while you could feel his frustration, he never lost the plot nor was he abusive in any way and so personally I think it would be a travesty if he were to end up with a fine. However, I have to say that I personally saw nothing wrong with the decision and couldn’t really find fault with the referee’s display that afternoon.
Rochdale probably deserved more from the game, but then again, Rovers probably deserved more from their game against Swindon the previous Monday evening. Isn’t that just football for you? The full transcript of Hill’s post match reaction follows. He said:
“I don’t think we deserved to lose the game. I think the penalty decision before half-time changed the whole complexion of the game. You know the whole structure in the second half changed because of the penalty award. I thought our game plan was working. We were causing the opposition problems and the penalty decision, or the conversion of the penalty, relived the pressure on the opposition so that decision changed the course of the game from our aspect and from their aspect.
I’m disappointed with that decision. I’m not too sure whether it’s a penalty or not, but I’m relatively disappointed with the referring standards and the referring display today for the official. I just feel as though the FA and the Referee’s Association want you to respect officials, but I can’t respect officials when they produce sub-standard performances.
Their performances will have a bearing on my future not his future and I won’t accept that as a display today as being a polished display. I just felt as though it was sub-standard and rather favoured Bristol Rovers.
The linesman didn’t give the penalty and he was in a favourable position, but the linesman gave a lot in that game in respect of fouls, free kicks, etc., but they fail to award the penalty when the referee sees it as a penalty. It might well have been a penalty, but for me the referee wasn’t in a great position to see it and it changed the whole complexion of the game and the strategy of the opposition in the second half as we saw. We shut the door. They kept it very solid at the back and tried to pinch a goal on the counter-attack which they did and I applaud the opposition for the way they played in the second half, but it was a result of a penalty decision that was really debatable.
I’m not disappointed with my team or my players. I’m disappointed with the result and the refereeing standard, but not disappointed with the way we played and the players. The only disappointment today was the result.
With the referee, I’ll phone David Ellison (I think he meant David Elleray, but there’s a time when and when not to interrupt someone) or he’ll probably call me with respect to my comments about the referee, but it was a sub-standard performance in a professional industry. It’s not bitter or sour grapes, but the lion’s share of decisions that were made favoured Bristol Rovers and the penalty decision favoured Bristol Rovers. If it wasn’t awarded by the linesman who was in a far better position to either award or deny it being a penalty. He didn’t move or make any gesture towards the referee. The referee, who was blind-sided to the incident, made the decision.”
As far as life in League One is concerned, Hill brightened up and was honest in his assessment when he said:
“I’m pleased with the progress that we’re making and the way that we’re playing. I’m pleased with the points we’ve got on the board. I’m obviously not pleased with the sequence of the last three results, but that has been a reality check for me because I’ve been a little too demanding of the players because we’ve had such a good start. So we’ve gone back to our mantra of ‘let’s see’ instead of ‘let’s expect to win’. It’s a balancing act for me. I’ve got ambitions for the players and the football club, but it’s got to be balanced with an education of League One football. We’re relatively inexperienced - myself as a manger in League One and the players are as well. We haven’t recruited too many players that have got League One experience and it can be key. But we’re educating ourselves quite well. We’re not getting drastically beaten week-in, week-out by any opposition. We’re giving ourselves an opportunity to win games and compete in games and that’ll be our strategy for the remainder of the season.
I’m really pleased with the players and there’s got to be patience with these players as they educate themselves to this league and that patience has got to come from me and my demands has got to be slightly lowered on these players that we’ve got.
Hill had special words of praise for striker Chris O’Grady who battled away against Rovers’ central defensive partnership of Byron Anthony and Danny Coles – both of who were excellent themselves - and he said:
“He’s an excellent player and integral to our development and he’s a great target man. When he plays like that he’s a handful for any defender. The first half strategy was working to perfection in my eyes. I’ve got to clear my vision of the result and see the performances of the players and see what progress we’re actually making as a football club.”
More quotes from Paul Trollope and Chris Lines to follow later (or tomorrow if I get bogged down with work!)
To be fair to Hill, while you could feel his frustration, he never lost the plot nor was he abusive in any way and so personally I think it would be a travesty if he were to end up with a fine. However, I have to say that I personally saw nothing wrong with the decision and couldn’t really find fault with the referee’s display that afternoon.
Rochdale probably deserved more from the game, but then again, Rovers probably deserved more from their game against Swindon the previous Monday evening. Isn’t that just football for you? The full transcript of Hill’s post match reaction follows. He said:
“I don’t think we deserved to lose the game. I think the penalty decision before half-time changed the whole complexion of the game. You know the whole structure in the second half changed because of the penalty award. I thought our game plan was working. We were causing the opposition problems and the penalty decision, or the conversion of the penalty, relived the pressure on the opposition so that decision changed the course of the game from our aspect and from their aspect.
I’m disappointed with that decision. I’m not too sure whether it’s a penalty or not, but I’m relatively disappointed with the referring standards and the referring display today for the official. I just feel as though the FA and the Referee’s Association want you to respect officials, but I can’t respect officials when they produce sub-standard performances.
Their performances will have a bearing on my future not his future and I won’t accept that as a display today as being a polished display. I just felt as though it was sub-standard and rather favoured Bristol Rovers.
The linesman didn’t give the penalty and he was in a favourable position, but the linesman gave a lot in that game in respect of fouls, free kicks, etc., but they fail to award the penalty when the referee sees it as a penalty. It might well have been a penalty, but for me the referee wasn’t in a great position to see it and it changed the whole complexion of the game and the strategy of the opposition in the second half as we saw. We shut the door. They kept it very solid at the back and tried to pinch a goal on the counter-attack which they did and I applaud the opposition for the way they played in the second half, but it was a result of a penalty decision that was really debatable.
I’m not disappointed with my team or my players. I’m disappointed with the result and the refereeing standard, but not disappointed with the way we played and the players. The only disappointment today was the result.
With the referee, I’ll phone David Ellison (I think he meant David Elleray, but there’s a time when and when not to interrupt someone) or he’ll probably call me with respect to my comments about the referee, but it was a sub-standard performance in a professional industry. It’s not bitter or sour grapes, but the lion’s share of decisions that were made favoured Bristol Rovers and the penalty decision favoured Bristol Rovers. If it wasn’t awarded by the linesman who was in a far better position to either award or deny it being a penalty. He didn’t move or make any gesture towards the referee. The referee, who was blind-sided to the incident, made the decision.”
As far as life in League One is concerned, Hill brightened up and was honest in his assessment when he said:
“I’m pleased with the progress that we’re making and the way that we’re playing. I’m pleased with the points we’ve got on the board. I’m obviously not pleased with the sequence of the last three results, but that has been a reality check for me because I’ve been a little too demanding of the players because we’ve had such a good start. So we’ve gone back to our mantra of ‘let’s see’ instead of ‘let’s expect to win’. It’s a balancing act for me. I’ve got ambitions for the players and the football club, but it’s got to be balanced with an education of League One football. We’re relatively inexperienced - myself as a manger in League One and the players are as well. We haven’t recruited too many players that have got League One experience and it can be key. But we’re educating ourselves quite well. We’re not getting drastically beaten week-in, week-out by any opposition. We’re giving ourselves an opportunity to win games and compete in games and that’ll be our strategy for the remainder of the season.
I’m really pleased with the players and there’s got to be patience with these players as they educate themselves to this league and that patience has got to come from me and my demands has got to be slightly lowered on these players that we’ve got.
Hill had special words of praise for striker Chris O’Grady who battled away against Rovers’ central defensive partnership of Byron Anthony and Danny Coles – both of who were excellent themselves - and he said:
“He’s an excellent player and integral to our development and he’s a great target man. When he plays like that he’s a handful for any defender. The first half strategy was working to perfection in my eyes. I’ve got to clear my vision of the result and see the performances of the players and see what progress we’re actually making as a football club.”
More quotes from Paul Trollope and Chris Lines to follow later (or tomorrow if I get bogged down with work!)
Monday 18 October 2010
Bristol Rovers 2 Rochdale 1 - Moron
There’s no pleasing some people.
It was a real pleasure watching Chris Lines knock in what turned out to be the winning goal – if only because an few idiot six rows behind me spent the full ninety minute berating the midfielder for no good reason. Thus, this so-called fan ended up looking like the moron he had sounded like all afternoon.
I have never understood why fans think that slagging off the players they have paid to ‘support’ is going to do the player or the team any good, but fortunately for the rest of the Gasheads, Lines is the type of guy who responds in the right way. His first league goal of the season turned out to be the winner.
The Bristol-born midfielder is arguably the best technical player Rovers have and at some point in the next couple of seasons will move to a bigger club. In the meantime, I'd suggest that the fans make the most of his talents and if they hear idiots slagging him off, they should tell them to pipe down.
He's a decent lad who appeared as uncomfortable taking questions from a bunch of middle-aged hacks as he looks comfortable on the ball.
Lines, 24, needed to show the discipline asked of his manager, Paul Trollope, and said:
“People are entitled to their opinion, but to be honest the more they moan, the more likely I am to try and get to the other end and score a goal. that’s pretty much what’s happened today. I’ve just got to aim for double figures again as I did last year and that would be pretty good for a central midfielder.
I set high standards last season and I’m quite happy to try and live up to that. Sometimes I have to be disciplined though because we can’t all bomb forward. I don’t like sitting back, but sometimes you have to do that for the team and perhaps people don’t quite see that.”
I enjoy visiting the Mem – not least because of the passion and loyalty of their supporters – but prats like the ones behind me acting like drunk five year olds must spoil the experience for every other fan who can hear them.
Dale striker Chris O’Grady typified his side’s have-a-go mentality. The northerners could well have taken the step up from the bottom flight in the summer and tried either a kick-an-rush style or even a kick-the-opposition style, but they have continued to try and play football.
Even die-hard Rovers fans couldn’t have begrudged them a point on their first half performance alone. Rochdale hit the woodwork twice in the game and O’Grady said:
“Since we came up from League Two we’ve found that we’re up against a lot more sides who like to play good football and that suits us. If we carry on playing the way we are we’ll win more games than we lose.”
More quotes from the game on tomorrow’s blog from Paul Trollope, Chris Lines and Rochdale boss Keith Hill.
It was a real pleasure watching Chris Lines knock in what turned out to be the winning goal – if only because an few idiot six rows behind me spent the full ninety minute berating the midfielder for no good reason. Thus, this so-called fan ended up looking like the moron he had sounded like all afternoon.
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
I have never understood why fans think that slagging off the players they have paid to ‘support’ is going to do the player or the team any good, but fortunately for the rest of the Gasheads, Lines is the type of guy who responds in the right way. His first league goal of the season turned out to be the winner.
The Bristol-born midfielder is arguably the best technical player Rovers have and at some point in the next couple of seasons will move to a bigger club. In the meantime, I'd suggest that the fans make the most of his talents and if they hear idiots slagging him off, they should tell them to pipe down.
He's a decent lad who appeared as uncomfortable taking questions from a bunch of middle-aged hacks as he looks comfortable on the ball.
Lines, 24, needed to show the discipline asked of his manager, Paul Trollope, and said:
“People are entitled to their opinion, but to be honest the more they moan, the more likely I am to try and get to the other end and score a goal. that’s pretty much what’s happened today. I’ve just got to aim for double figures again as I did last year and that would be pretty good for a central midfielder.
I set high standards last season and I’m quite happy to try and live up to that. Sometimes I have to be disciplined though because we can’t all bomb forward. I don’t like sitting back, but sometimes you have to do that for the team and perhaps people don’t quite see that.”
I enjoy visiting the Mem – not least because of the passion and loyalty of their supporters – but prats like the ones behind me acting like drunk five year olds must spoil the experience for every other fan who can hear them.
Dale striker Chris O’Grady typified his side’s have-a-go mentality. The northerners could well have taken the step up from the bottom flight in the summer and tried either a kick-an-rush style or even a kick-the-opposition style, but they have continued to try and play football.
Even die-hard Rovers fans couldn’t have begrudged them a point on their first half performance alone. Rochdale hit the woodwork twice in the game and O’Grady said:
“Since we came up from League Two we’ve found that we’re up against a lot more sides who like to play good football and that suits us. If we carry on playing the way we are we’ll win more games than we lose.”
More quotes from the game on tomorrow’s blog from Paul Trollope, Chris Lines and Rochdale boss Keith Hill.
Friday 15 October 2010
Bristol Rovers v Rochdale - Dale
Back to the Mem tomorrow to see Bristol Rovers for the first time in a few weeks when they take on Rochdale.
Even if their team isn't doing well, most football fans can point to a few moments in history when things have looked rosier. Dale's supporters don't have that luxury.
The club were promoted from the bottom flight in 1969 before returning in 1974 and until last season's promotion via third place in League Two, er, that was it.
However, manager Keith Hill has built on the feel good factor and the club has started life in League One brightly and they currently sit in 9th place in the table with four wins and four draws in their first eleven games.
Worryingly for Rovers - who have already dropped seven points at home - two of those Rochdale wins came away from the Spotland Stadium as did two of the draws.
The last time I saw Rochdale was early this year at Cheltenham when Chris O'Grady grabbed a hat-trick in a 4-1 away win. O'Grady has been ever-present this season so far, has scored three league goals, but has been ably supported by Gary Jones and Jason Kennedy who have weighed in with four and three respectively.
But all hope isn't lost for the Pirates.
Rochdale only lost one of their first nine games, but have now lost two on the bounce and so the home side may be able to play on fragile confidence.
Indeed, boss Hill said: "Hill said: “We’re making steady progress, but we’re not a League One side just because we got promoted – not in the way that Bristol Rovers are.
They’ve had three seasons at this level and are starting a fourth. We’ve got to establish ourselves in a similar way. The results against Exeter and Yeovil have probably checked us, and given us a reminder as to where we actually are in the food chain.
I went to watch Bristol Rovers at Swindon on Monday night and, looking at those two sides in action, it has given me a reality check. I’ve got to be a bit more balanced with my aspirations and ambitions.
We’re not lowering our sights – we’re just accepting reality. We want to finish as high up the table as we can, and continue to make steady progress off the pitch as well."
Meanwhile frustrated Rovers chief Paul Trollope has said: "Having won four and lost four, you would expect to be in mid-table. but things are very tight and we are aware that a decent run over the next few weeks could leave us quite high in the league.
We need to be realistic because we have been recovering after a poor start, but we are certainly capable of putting a run together and there is a belief in the group that we can win matches."
And Rovers certainly have a first eleven who can match anyone in this division. After seeing them get stuffed by six goals against Oxford in the League Cup, I must admit I feared for them. But very often the mark of a good side is its team spirit and Rovers bounced back from that embarrassment by beating west country rivals Yeovil only four days later.
I think that this one is another game that's going to be tight, but I'll give Rovers the nod by a single goal - cue a five goal mauling by Dale then!
Even if their team isn't doing well, most football fans can point to a few moments in history when things have looked rosier. Dale's supporters don't have that luxury.
The club were promoted from the bottom flight in 1969 before returning in 1974 and until last season's promotion via third place in League Two, er, that was it.
However, manager Keith Hill has built on the feel good factor and the club has started life in League One brightly and they currently sit in 9th place in the table with four wins and four draws in their first eleven games.
Worryingly for Rovers - who have already dropped seven points at home - two of those Rochdale wins came away from the Spotland Stadium as did two of the draws.
The last time I saw Rochdale was early this year at Cheltenham when Chris O'Grady grabbed a hat-trick in a 4-1 away win. O'Grady has been ever-present this season so far, has scored three league goals, but has been ably supported by Gary Jones and Jason Kennedy who have weighed in with four and three respectively.
But all hope isn't lost for the Pirates.
Rochdale only lost one of their first nine games, but have now lost two on the bounce and so the home side may be able to play on fragile confidence.
Indeed, boss Hill said: "Hill said: “We’re making steady progress, but we’re not a League One side just because we got promoted – not in the way that Bristol Rovers are.
They’ve had three seasons at this level and are starting a fourth. We’ve got to establish ourselves in a similar way. The results against Exeter and Yeovil have probably checked us, and given us a reminder as to where we actually are in the food chain.
I went to watch Bristol Rovers at Swindon on Monday night and, looking at those two sides in action, it has given me a reality check. I’ve got to be a bit more balanced with my aspirations and ambitions.
We’re not lowering our sights – we’re just accepting reality. We want to finish as high up the table as we can, and continue to make steady progress off the pitch as well."
Meanwhile frustrated Rovers chief Paul Trollope has said: "Having won four and lost four, you would expect to be in mid-table. but things are very tight and we are aware that a decent run over the next few weeks could leave us quite high in the league.
We need to be realistic because we have been recovering after a poor start, but we are certainly capable of putting a run together and there is a belief in the group that we can win matches."
And Rovers certainly have a first eleven who can match anyone in this division. After seeing them get stuffed by six goals against Oxford in the League Cup, I must admit I feared for them. But very often the mark of a good side is its team spirit and Rovers bounced back from that embarrassment by beating west country rivals Yeovil only four days later.
I think that this one is another game that's going to be tight, but I'll give Rovers the nod by a single goal - cue a five goal mauling by Dale then!
Thursday 14 October 2010
A football writer’s priorities - Food for thought
Many people might see football reporting as quite a glamorous pastime, but believe me it can be tough – sometimes you just never know where the next meal is coming from.
Over the years I have got into the habit of filling my face at strategic places both inside and outside of the local grounds.
Some clubs are so strapped for cash that you wouldn’t even expect them to lay on a spread for Her Majesty’s press corps. At Hereford for example, the boys in the press box provide their own biscuits and coffee, although I always make time to visit the great little burger van in the public car park adjacent to the Edgar Street ground.
Cheltenham is in the same position. The club does lay on the Rich Tea or Digestives, but if you leave the box at half-time before the plate has been passed around – you stand a good chance of losing out. Very often it’s either biscuits or coffee at Whaddon Road – never both!
However, the ladies who run the food outlet in the ground do a sterling job and are even prepared to make you a cuppa before they’ve officially opened. It reminds me of one of the canteens you find in hospitals that are run by cheery volunteers who are aware that you might be suffering a tragedy of some sort. Come to think of it!
The Bristol clubs are like chalk and cheese.
At Rovers a pot of coffee is passed along the row at half time and when you’ve suffered 45 minutes of chilling winds whipping over Bristol and across the stand at the Memorial Ground, it’s a godsend. After the game you make for the press conference held next to the gym in the bowels of the stadium to help yourself to a hot drink from the coffee machine AND a complimentary Kit-Kat.
City has the advantage of being the more affluent club at the moment and so on arrival you’re greeted with a tea or coffee and a selection of hot pies and pasties and a charming gentleman who encourages you to “try another”.
At Oxford they kindly offer to drinks before the game and at the break you’ll get another – and a biscuit if you’re quick enough – but the cheeseburgers offered outside the ground are worth arriving 30 minutes early for.
Wycombe have a lovely little press room where tea, coffee and biscuits are served while you can watch the midday kick-off live on Sky. Classy, but not quite enough to feed a growing lad, and so a pre-match burger is always needed from the outlet in the ground.
At Northampton a KFC is positioned just opposite the stadium. Enough said.
Like Bristol City, Reading have a few more quid in their pockets and so push the boat out a little by providing the usual drinks alongside pre-packaged supermarket sandwiches and a choice of hot savoury pastries.
But of my regular haunts I have to doff my cap to the lady in the Swindon press room who always ensures your tea cup is full and provides a selection of homemade sarnies to set you up for the afternoon ahead.
The best I’ve ever had? No contest. On my only trip to Nottingham Forest I arrived at the City Ground about three hours early over-compensating for the fact that I’d never been there before.
I walked into the press room and nearly turned to go back out as I thought I’d stumbled into the directors’ suite by mistake. There in front of me lay a feast of homemade sandwiches filled to the brim with beef, smoked salmon, prawns. In fact you name it, they had it.
But it didn’t stop there. Three hot cabinets held every pie or pasty you could imagine.
“Help yourself.” Said the press officer and I didn’t need asking twice.
Tucking in, I ate like a Chilean miner who’d been on NASA rations for a couple of months. Just before kick-off I waddled up to the press box having hardly made a dent in the spread, but vowing to take up the challenge again at half-time.
And I duly did.
Cramming the remnants of a chicken balti pie into my mouth I staggered back to the press box after the break just as the crowd chanted: “Who ate all the pies?”.
I think it was aimed at the referee, but I took a bow anyway!
Over the years I have got into the habit of filling my face at strategic places both inside and outside of the local grounds.
Some clubs are so strapped for cash that you wouldn’t even expect them to lay on a spread for Her Majesty’s press corps. At Hereford for example, the boys in the press box provide their own biscuits and coffee, although I always make time to visit the great little burger van in the public car park adjacent to the Edgar Street ground.
Cheltenham is in the same position. The club does lay on the Rich Tea or Digestives, but if you leave the box at half-time before the plate has been passed around – you stand a good chance of losing out. Very often it’s either biscuits or coffee at Whaddon Road – never both!
However, the ladies who run the food outlet in the ground do a sterling job and are even prepared to make you a cuppa before they’ve officially opened. It reminds me of one of the canteens you find in hospitals that are run by cheery volunteers who are aware that you might be suffering a tragedy of some sort. Come to think of it!
The Bristol clubs are like chalk and cheese.
At Rovers a pot of coffee is passed along the row at half time and when you’ve suffered 45 minutes of chilling winds whipping over Bristol and across the stand at the Memorial Ground, it’s a godsend. After the game you make for the press conference held next to the gym in the bowels of the stadium to help yourself to a hot drink from the coffee machine AND a complimentary Kit-Kat.
City has the advantage of being the more affluent club at the moment and so on arrival you’re greeted with a tea or coffee and a selection of hot pies and pasties and a charming gentleman who encourages you to “try another”.
At Oxford they kindly offer to drinks before the game and at the break you’ll get another – and a biscuit if you’re quick enough – but the cheeseburgers offered outside the ground are worth arriving 30 minutes early for.
Wycombe have a lovely little press room where tea, coffee and biscuits are served while you can watch the midday kick-off live on Sky. Classy, but not quite enough to feed a growing lad, and so a pre-match burger is always needed from the outlet in the ground.
At Northampton a KFC is positioned just opposite the stadium. Enough said.
Like Bristol City, Reading have a few more quid in their pockets and so push the boat out a little by providing the usual drinks alongside pre-packaged supermarket sandwiches and a choice of hot savoury pastries.
But of my regular haunts I have to doff my cap to the lady in the Swindon press room who always ensures your tea cup is full and provides a selection of homemade sarnies to set you up for the afternoon ahead.
The best I’ve ever had? No contest. On my only trip to Nottingham Forest I arrived at the City Ground about three hours early over-compensating for the fact that I’d never been there before.
I walked into the press room and nearly turned to go back out as I thought I’d stumbled into the directors’ suite by mistake. There in front of me lay a feast of homemade sandwiches filled to the brim with beef, smoked salmon, prawns. In fact you name it, they had it.
But it didn’t stop there. Three hot cabinets held every pie or pasty you could imagine.
“Help yourself.” Said the press officer and I didn’t need asking twice.
Tucking in, I ate like a Chilean miner who’d been on NASA rations for a couple of months. Just before kick-off I waddled up to the press box having hardly made a dent in the spread, but vowing to take up the challenge again at half-time.
And I duly did.
Cramming the remnants of a chicken balti pie into my mouth I staggered back to the press box after the break just as the crowd chanted: “Who ate all the pies?”.
I think it was aimed at the referee, but I took a bow anyway!
Liverpool sale off! - I fought the law
A Texas court last night granted a temporary restraining order stopping the sale of Liverpool Football Club, owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have claimed. The judge (below) claimed no bias at all when issuing the injunction, but chuckled in a broad Glaswegian accent: "You can always count on those scally scousers to give us a laugh."
Latest update on this farce: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9091246.stm
Wednesday 13 October 2010
Andy Holt - Frustration
Northampton skipper Andy Holt, 32, was left dumb-founded at the weekend over the decision to send off team mate Dean Beckwith for stamping on Shaun Jeffers during the game against Cheltenham. Holt replaced Beckwith in the heart of the defence and said
“I didn’t feel it was a sending off, although I didn’t see it properly I don’t see how the referee could see it properly. I think he kind of went off the reaction of the crowd. He called me over and said ‘I saw him stamp on him’, but I said ‘surely you were watching the ball and he told me he had an assistant linesman to do that.
We went down to ten men, but I still thought we had more than enough chances to get a point from this game. Even before Dean was sent off we had a couple of good chances. When we went one-nil down the heads didn’t drop. I believe that the goal we had that was ruled offside wasn’t offside and things like that just went against us a little bit.
The referee made some strange decisions that didn’t go for us and that’s the bad luck we seem to be having at the moment.”
“I didn’t feel it was a sending off, although I didn’t see it properly I don’t see how the referee could see it properly. I think he kind of went off the reaction of the crowd. He called me over and said ‘I saw him stamp on him’, but I said ‘surely you were watching the ball and he told me he had an assistant linesman to do that.
We went down to ten men, but I still thought we had more than enough chances to get a point from this game. Even before Dean was sent off we had a couple of good chances. When we went one-nil down the heads didn’t drop. I believe that the goal we had that was ruled offside wasn’t offside and things like that just went against us a little bit.
The referee made some strange decisions that didn’t go for us and that’s the bad luck we seem to be having at the moment.”
Tuesday 12 October 2010
Steve Guinan – Like a boss?
There seemed to be quite a bit of speculation on Saturday as to whether former Hereford striker Steve Guinan would be considered for the vacant manager’s job at Edgar Street.
Guinan is warming the bench for Northampton at the moment, but has his coaching badges and even has a degree in Sports Science. When you combine this with the fact that he lives in Worcester and has served the club with distinction as a player on three occasions (including a loan spell), he would seem a logical choice and be an instant hit with the fans.
Guinan, 34, scored 64 goals in just over 150 games for the Bulls, but current boss Ian Sampson told me:
“No one has approached us so far, but I’m not the sort of man who would stand in his way if he wanted to make a move into management.”
In the crazy world of football though, should Steve get the Hereford job he would find himself in the crazy position of having to wait until January before he could call Sampson to ask to sign himself as his player registration can’t be changed until that time!
Still, for what it’s worth, I think Hereford could do far worse than make a move for the striker. He’s bright, articulate, has the club at heart and will probably be more loyal than most.
Guinan is warming the bench for Northampton at the moment, but has his coaching badges and even has a degree in Sports Science. When you combine this with the fact that he lives in Worcester and has served the club with distinction as a player on three occasions (including a loan spell), he would seem a logical choice and be an instant hit with the fans.
Guinan, 34, scored 64 goals in just over 150 games for the Bulls, but current boss Ian Sampson told me:
“No one has approached us so far, but I’m not the sort of man who would stand in his way if he wanted to make a move into management.”
In the crazy world of football though, should Steve get the Hereford job he would find himself in the crazy position of having to wait until January before he could call Sampson to ask to sign himself as his player registration can’t be changed until that time!
Still, for what it’s worth, I think Hereford could do far worse than make a move for the striker. He’s bright, articulate, has the club at heart and will probably be more loyal than most.
Monday 11 October 2010
Cheltenham Town 1 Northampton Town 0 – Save
What a save!
Cheltenham Town keeper Scott Brown produced a stunning low stop down to his left at full stretch to turn away striker Billy McKay’s shot in the 16th minute and effectively won the game for his side.
Nah, not really – a slight exaggeration - but in the car park after the game I promised Scott I’d give the save a mention on this blog and, after all, a promise is a promise.
In all seriousness, it was a decent save and Brown, his boss and his team mates will be delighted with back-to-back clean sheets on top of back-to-back wins.
In fact the save came in a first half when Northampton looked to be the more threatening side – even after Dean Beckwith’s 22nd minute red card for stamping on Shaun Jeffers. The pair seemed to collide and Beckwith appeared to put his foot in after Jeffers had fallen to the floor.
Central defender Beckwith protested his innocence, but Jeffers said:
“It was a definite stamp, but fortunately it just left me winded.”
Cobblers boss Ian Sampson refused to condemn his man, but said:
“I haven’t seen the DVD yet, but if it was an accident we’ll appeal. If it wasn’t an accident, he’ll be in trouble.”
The sending off though seemed to stir Beckwith’s remaining team mates into a greater effort and Cheltenham did their best to help them by giving the ball away far too easily when it would have made more sense to play keep-ball and wear the opposition down.
Northampton have had a rough time of it since their memorable win in the League Cup at Anfield, but they showed they aren’t a team lacking in commitment even if luck has deserted them for the time being. But as someone once said, the harder you work the luckier you get, and the Northampton players are working hard enough for each other to see their luck change sooner rather than later.
Apart from the Gordon Banks type save (yawn) from Brown, Cheltenham’s defence coped well with Northampton in the first half and just needed to pose more questions of their own.
In the second half Yates brought on attack-minded Theo Lewis for skipper Michael Pook and his presence immediately had ten-man Northampton on the back foot. Pook hadn’t played badly, but he and David Bird seemed to be doing similar jobs. With Northampton a man light, it meant only one of them was needed in a predominantly defensive midfield role.
In the 60th minute the Robins showed what they can do when they put their collective minds to it.
Winger Josh Low picked the ball up and drifted infield before feeding striker Jeff Goulding on the edge of the box. Goulding deftly flicked the ball on and split the defence while Brian “Junior” Smikle was alive enough to pounce on the ball and knock it in from about 12 yards for his first goal in league football.
Smikle is a pleasant unassuming lad from Dudley who grew up a Baggie and he was delighted with his debut goal. He said:
“I’m over the moon. I’ve been waiting for it for a long time and I’m just happy it’s come, but getting the win was the biggest result of all. The gaffer moved me into the centre behind the front two and told me to run off Jeff and Shaun and I got lucky even though it was a great ball by Jeff to put me in. Hopefully I can just continue with my goals now I’ve started.
When I arrived I thought I’d get goals once I settled in and adjusted to the pace of League Two. It’s taken me a while, but I’m now off the mark.
I don’t know what my favourite position is at the moment because the gaffer has me palying here there and everywhere. I just happy to do what’s best for the team and wherever the gaffer puts me I’ll put 110% in to it.
It was a very hard game and to be fair to them they came at us even with ten men. They’re a decent team, but I thought we held firm towards the end and deserved our win.”
As the game drew to a close, Cheltenham were intent on clinging on to that one goal lead - which is understandable – but by doing so, ended up inviting the away side on to them again and, in the last few minutes, Northampton pressed for an equaliser with increasing desperation.
The final whistle couldn’t come soon enough for the home support and I think it’s fair to say that there was a touch relief as they drifted out of the ground.
Then again, Cheltenham are now in the play-off places and so none of the Whaddon Road faithful will worry too much about how the game was won … they’ll be merely grateful they were there on the day Scotty Brown made THAT save.
Cheltenham Town keeper Scott Brown produced a stunning low stop down to his left at full stretch to turn away striker Billy McKay’s shot in the 16th minute and effectively won the game for his side.
Nah, not really – a slight exaggeration - but in the car park after the game I promised Scott I’d give the save a mention on this blog and, after all, a promise is a promise.
In all seriousness, it was a decent save and Brown, his boss and his team mates will be delighted with back-to-back clean sheets on top of back-to-back wins.
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
In fact the save came in a first half when Northampton looked to be the more threatening side – even after Dean Beckwith’s 22nd minute red card for stamping on Shaun Jeffers. The pair seemed to collide and Beckwith appeared to put his foot in after Jeffers had fallen to the floor.
Central defender Beckwith protested his innocence, but Jeffers said:
“It was a definite stamp, but fortunately it just left me winded.”
Cobblers boss Ian Sampson refused to condemn his man, but said:
“I haven’t seen the DVD yet, but if it was an accident we’ll appeal. If it wasn’t an accident, he’ll be in trouble.”
The sending off though seemed to stir Beckwith’s remaining team mates into a greater effort and Cheltenham did their best to help them by giving the ball away far too easily when it would have made more sense to play keep-ball and wear the opposition down.
Northampton have had a rough time of it since their memorable win in the League Cup at Anfield, but they showed they aren’t a team lacking in commitment even if luck has deserted them for the time being. But as someone once said, the harder you work the luckier you get, and the Northampton players are working hard enough for each other to see their luck change sooner rather than later.
Apart from the Gordon Banks type save (yawn) from Brown, Cheltenham’s defence coped well with Northampton in the first half and just needed to pose more questions of their own.
In the second half Yates brought on attack-minded Theo Lewis for skipper Michael Pook and his presence immediately had ten-man Northampton on the back foot. Pook hadn’t played badly, but he and David Bird seemed to be doing similar jobs. With Northampton a man light, it meant only one of them was needed in a predominantly defensive midfield role.
In the 60th minute the Robins showed what they can do when they put their collective minds to it.
Winger Josh Low picked the ball up and drifted infield before feeding striker Jeff Goulding on the edge of the box. Goulding deftly flicked the ball on and split the defence while Brian “Junior” Smikle was alive enough to pounce on the ball and knock it in from about 12 yards for his first goal in league football.
Smikle is a pleasant unassuming lad from Dudley who grew up a Baggie and he was delighted with his debut goal. He said:
“I’m over the moon. I’ve been waiting for it for a long time and I’m just happy it’s come, but getting the win was the biggest result of all. The gaffer moved me into the centre behind the front two and told me to run off Jeff and Shaun and I got lucky even though it was a great ball by Jeff to put me in. Hopefully I can just continue with my goals now I’ve started.
When I arrived I thought I’d get goals once I settled in and adjusted to the pace of League Two. It’s taken me a while, but I’m now off the mark.
I don’t know what my favourite position is at the moment because the gaffer has me palying here there and everywhere. I just happy to do what’s best for the team and wherever the gaffer puts me I’ll put 110% in to it.
It was a very hard game and to be fair to them they came at us even with ten men. They’re a decent team, but I thought we held firm towards the end and deserved our win.”
As the game drew to a close, Cheltenham were intent on clinging on to that one goal lead - which is understandable – but by doing so, ended up inviting the away side on to them again and, in the last few minutes, Northampton pressed for an equaliser with increasing desperation.
The final whistle couldn’t come soon enough for the home support and I think it’s fair to say that there was a touch relief as they drifted out of the ground.
Then again, Cheltenham are now in the play-off places and so none of the Whaddon Road faithful will worry too much about how the game was won … they’ll be merely grateful they were there on the day Scotty Brown made THAT save.
Friday 8 October 2010
Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town – The Old Boys
A fixture between two sides that I see quite regularly each season when the Robins play the Cobblers at Whaddon Road tomorrow.
It’s also a case of old boys returning to their former club.
Cheltenham winger Josh Low played 90 leagues games for Northampton in a three year period and enjoyed two play-off campaigns – both unsuccessful – before finally achieving promotion with them in 2006. He also played alongside current Northampton boss Ian Sampson.
Meanwhile, veteran Northampton striker Steve Guinan, 34, played 79 times for the Robins scoring the winner in the League Two play-off final against. Guinan sent over a cross which missed everyone and flew into the bottom corner, sending Cheltenham into League One. Guinan later admitted that his goal was actually a cross and he hadn't meant to score – but hey, they all count and for that reason alone he should expect a warm welcome from the home support.
One other thing that links both these players is that they have both spent time in the classroom away from football. Low has a law degree and Guinan a Sports Science degree and is also an A licensed coach.
The result will probably depend on which Cheltenham side turn up tomorrow. The fast flowing, quick passing team or the self-destruct team. Personally I still think they’ll be the surprise package of the season.
Equally, Northampton have it in them to beat anyone on their day. They may have dumped Liverpool out of the League Cup on penalties, but frankly it would have been an injustice if they hadn’t gone through after the 120 minutes of football played.
My prediction: 2-1 to the home side.
It’s also a case of old boys returning to their former club.
Cheltenham winger Josh Low played 90 leagues games for Northampton in a three year period and enjoyed two play-off campaigns – both unsuccessful – before finally achieving promotion with them in 2006. He also played alongside current Northampton boss Ian Sampson.
Meanwhile, veteran Northampton striker Steve Guinan, 34, played 79 times for the Robins scoring the winner in the League Two play-off final against. Guinan sent over a cross which missed everyone and flew into the bottom corner, sending Cheltenham into League One. Guinan later admitted that his goal was actually a cross and he hadn't meant to score – but hey, they all count and for that reason alone he should expect a warm welcome from the home support.
One other thing that links both these players is that they have both spent time in the classroom away from football. Low has a law degree and Guinan a Sports Science degree and is also an A licensed coach.
The result will probably depend on which Cheltenham side turn up tomorrow. The fast flowing, quick passing team or the self-destruct team. Personally I still think they’ll be the surprise package of the season.
Equally, Northampton have it in them to beat anyone on their day. They may have dumped Liverpool out of the League Cup on penalties, but frankly it would have been an injustice if they hadn’t gone through after the 120 minutes of football played.
My prediction: 2-1 to the home side.
Thursday 7 October 2010
FIFA 11 - Playing Games
It appears that following the release of FIFA 11 from EA Sports (http://www.ea.com/nl/voetbal/fifa) sales in Oxford are booming!
A friend from north Oxford told me that the reason for this is that despite being in different ‘real world’ leagues, the Us fans can now get to arrange fixtures against local rivals Swindon for the first time in about five years.
My friend has now had his edition for the best part of one week and moaned to me:
“Unbelievable. I’ve played Swindon five times and lost each game. If that wasn’t bad enough, Charlie Austin keeps scoring for them and he’s supposed to out injured!”
I haven’t had the pleasure myself, but apparently once you log in and name your favourite team the game automatically sets up your local rivals as a default (i.e., Oxford/Swindon, Newcastle/Sunderland, Spurs/Arsenal, etc). What happens if you’re a Wycombe fan? I asked my friend. He paused briefly and then replied:
“Dunno. It probably defaults through to a porn site so they can play with themselves.” Cruel, but funny.
A friend from north Oxford told me that the reason for this is that despite being in different ‘real world’ leagues, the Us fans can now get to arrange fixtures against local rivals Swindon for the first time in about five years.
My friend has now had his edition for the best part of one week and moaned to me:
“Unbelievable. I’ve played Swindon five times and lost each game. If that wasn’t bad enough, Charlie Austin keeps scoring for them and he’s supposed to out injured!”
I haven’t had the pleasure myself, but apparently once you log in and name your favourite team the game automatically sets up your local rivals as a default (i.e., Oxford/Swindon, Newcastle/Sunderland, Spurs/Arsenal, etc). What happens if you’re a Wycombe fan? I asked my friend. He paused briefly and then replied:
“Dunno. It probably defaults through to a porn site so they can play with themselves.” Cruel, but funny.
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Cometh the hour … - Last minute
Simon Smith showed he’s ready, willing and extremely able during Norwich’s win at Bristol last weekend. The former Rangers defender, 25, said:
“You’re always hoping to pick points up away from home and so three points is a huge result for us especially coming into a two week break.
The tidy full back put in a surprise performance having originally been named as a substitute. But team mate Adam Drury suffered a hamstring injury in the pre-match warm-up and so he started while 19 year old Luke Daley shrugged off his travelling togs to take Smith’s place on the bench.
Smith explained:
“I saw Adam go down in the warm-up and I didn't know if he was playing or not, so I joined in and when we came back in from the warm-up the manager said 'You're playing'. So it was pretty short notice. I knew I had a chance of starting so I got the mental side of my game right before I went out. I was pretty much prepared for it.
“I played 90 minutes for the reserves during the week. I was stiff after that - that's probably the first 90 minutes I'd played in about four or five months - so that probably helped me out. It was just good to get 80 minutes under my belt in a proper match.
“I've waited a few months for it to come so it was something I really enjoyed. The result helps that and the boys helped me. Simon Lappin in front of me did a lot of work to help me out, and the back four kept a clean sheet so it was a real team effort.”
Smith also revealed Lambert’s attitude to away games and said the manager told them to:
“Play the way you do at home. We come to win football matches and that’s what we did today.”
“You’re always hoping to pick points up away from home and so three points is a huge result for us especially coming into a two week break.
The tidy full back put in a surprise performance having originally been named as a substitute. But team mate Adam Drury suffered a hamstring injury in the pre-match warm-up and so he started while 19 year old Luke Daley shrugged off his travelling togs to take Smith’s place on the bench.
Smith explained:
“I saw Adam go down in the warm-up and I didn't know if he was playing or not, so I joined in and when we came back in from the warm-up the manager said 'You're playing'. So it was pretty short notice. I knew I had a chance of starting so I got the mental side of my game right before I went out. I was pretty much prepared for it.
“I played 90 minutes for the reserves during the week. I was stiff after that - that's probably the first 90 minutes I'd played in about four or five months - so that probably helped me out. It was just good to get 80 minutes under my belt in a proper match.
“I've waited a few months for it to come so it was something I really enjoyed. The result helps that and the boys helped me. Simon Lappin in front of me did a lot of work to help me out, and the back four kept a clean sheet so it was a real team effort.”
Smith also revealed Lambert’s attitude to away games and said the manager told them to:
“Play the way you do at home. We come to win football matches and that’s what we did today.”
Tuesday 5 October 2010
Simon Davey – Go Now
Despite Hereford being on my ‘patch’, I can’t really comment too much about Simon Davey’s sacking yesterday or his tenure at Edgar Street … he wasn’t there long enough for me to even meet him!
It’s always sad when someone loses their job, but football is so cut throat Davey will have been expecting it even after only ten games. Five points and bottom of League Two doesn’t inspire confidence from the board or the fans let alone the players.
A friend watched the game against Oxford this season and told me that Hereford just hoofed the ball forward and “couldn’t have strung more than six passes together for the full ninety minutes.” If that’s the case, you’re guaranteed the players won’t have enjoyed playing this way and I guess this has been reflected in the results.
It’ll be interesting to see who they bring in next, and the state of the club now is also a testament to former chairman Graham Turner – a real football man who kept the Bulls punching well above their weight.
It’s always sad when someone loses their job, but football is so cut throat Davey will have been expecting it even after only ten games. Five points and bottom of League Two doesn’t inspire confidence from the board or the fans let alone the players.
A friend watched the game against Oxford this season and told me that Hereford just hoofed the ball forward and “couldn’t have strung more than six passes together for the full ninety minutes.” If that’s the case, you’re guaranteed the players won’t have enjoyed playing this way and I guess this has been reflected in the results.
It’ll be interesting to see who they bring in next, and the state of the club now is also a testament to former chairman Graham Turner – a real football man who kept the Bulls punching well above their weight.
Two managers and a chairman – Ready to fight
Bristol chairman Steve Lansdown has publicly back under-fire manager Keith Millen. He told the media yesterday:
“It's a time to stick together. We haven't become a bad football club overnight. The fans are having a go at Keith and certain players, but if they think there is a lack of commitment they are wrong. We need them to stand by us.
I'm concerned, but I have seen an improvement in the squad recently and there is no doubt we have the players to do better. We now have two weeks to stew on being bottom and we have to use that time to ensure we come back stronger.”
Millen himself was defiant after the game refusing o give up on either the job or his players. He said:
"We're 10 games in now and it's no longer early in the season. We are well into the season and we are down at the bottom for a reason. That reason is that we are conceding too many soft goals and not scoring enough ourselves. It's a battle now.
We have a lot of work to do and we will do it and try to make sure we are in a positive frame of mind by the time we play Cardiff in the next game.
I'm still confident what we are doing is right and we can get ourselves out of trouble. Unfortunately, some of the players are lacking confidence and not operating at their best at a time when we need everyone to be at their best.”
Millen also recognised the frustration shown by some of the fans. He said:
“"I understand their disappointment. The players are trying their hardest but, the way confidence is at the moment, we need to score the first goal. There is a problem with defending, but we also need to be scoring goals. We cannot rely on clean sheets alone."
The problem is that the bet striker on City’s books is Nicky Maynard ho is out with a long term injury and, as one player told me on Saturday evening: “By the time he is fit again to play, it might be too late unless we start finding goals from elsewhere.”
Manager Paul Lambert tried to play down Norwich’s 3-0 win against Bristol City and said: “I thought that the way we played it could have been a bit more.”
Lambert was especially pleased with Canadian striker Simeon Jackson who grabbed a brace in the game. He said:
“Goal scorers are always going to be judged on their goal scoring ratio and that’s three he’s got now. He’s not played much football and he’s had to wait patiently, but he’s been a brilliant professional and not once has he been down when he’s not in the side.
Simeon does what he’s good at getting on to the end of things and being quick. His first goal was top class and his second was a difficult one to come on to.”
Lambert also praised his defence, highlighting keeper John Ruddy’s long punt forward for Jackson’s second goal saying:
“It was brilliant and well spotted. Simeon still had a lot to do, but Ruddy was excellent as were the back four. I thought they were brilliant.”
As for the game overall Lambert gushed:
“We were fantastic as we have been and deserve every bit of praise coming our way, but there are some really tough games ahead. We’re up there on merit the way we’re playing. The players don’t get carried away and so they shouldn’t because there’s a long, long way to go”
“It's a time to stick together. We haven't become a bad football club overnight. The fans are having a go at Keith and certain players, but if they think there is a lack of commitment they are wrong. We need them to stand by us.
I'm concerned, but I have seen an improvement in the squad recently and there is no doubt we have the players to do better. We now have two weeks to stew on being bottom and we have to use that time to ensure we come back stronger.”
Millen himself was defiant after the game refusing o give up on either the job or his players. He said:
"We're 10 games in now and it's no longer early in the season. We are well into the season and we are down at the bottom for a reason. That reason is that we are conceding too many soft goals and not scoring enough ourselves. It's a battle now.
We have a lot of work to do and we will do it and try to make sure we are in a positive frame of mind by the time we play Cardiff in the next game.
I'm still confident what we are doing is right and we can get ourselves out of trouble. Unfortunately, some of the players are lacking confidence and not operating at their best at a time when we need everyone to be at their best.”
Millen also recognised the frustration shown by some of the fans. He said:
“"I understand their disappointment. The players are trying their hardest but, the way confidence is at the moment, we need to score the first goal. There is a problem with defending, but we also need to be scoring goals. We cannot rely on clean sheets alone."
The problem is that the bet striker on City’s books is Nicky Maynard ho is out with a long term injury and, as one player told me on Saturday evening: “By the time he is fit again to play, it might be too late unless we start finding goals from elsewhere.”
Manager Paul Lambert tried to play down Norwich’s 3-0 win against Bristol City and said: “I thought that the way we played it could have been a bit more.”
Lambert was especially pleased with Canadian striker Simeon Jackson who grabbed a brace in the game. He said:
“Goal scorers are always going to be judged on their goal scoring ratio and that’s three he’s got now. He’s not played much football and he’s had to wait patiently, but he’s been a brilliant professional and not once has he been down when he’s not in the side.
Simeon does what he’s good at getting on to the end of things and being quick. His first goal was top class and his second was a difficult one to come on to.”
Lambert also praised his defence, highlighting keeper John Ruddy’s long punt forward for Jackson’s second goal saying:
“It was brilliant and well spotted. Simeon still had a lot to do, but Ruddy was excellent as were the back four. I thought they were brilliant.”
As for the game overall Lambert gushed:
“We were fantastic as we have been and deserve every bit of praise coming our way, but there are some really tough games ahead. We’re up there on merit the way we’re playing. The players don’t get carried away and so they shouldn’t because there’s a long, long way to go”
Monday 4 October 2010
Bristol City 0 Norwich City 3 - Pressure
Paul Lambert was obviously chuffed with his side’s performance at Ashton Gate, but then oddly accused the assembled media of getting the fans excited.
The Norwich boss was understandably trying to dampen expectations given that we are still only ten games into the season, but I would suggest that berating the local press, radio and TV guys isn’t the way to go about it. He’d be better off popping in to the city centre pubs and talking directly to the fans because whether he likes it or not, that’s where the optimism is at its greatest.
Or alternatively, try and sneak a few one-nil wins without some of the exceptional and entertaining football his team played on Saturday.
No Paul, I’m afraid that the media isn’t your problem. Things are going well, you have put together a good side and you and your coaching team are employing the right tactics. I’m afraid that if you want to dampen expectations, you’d be better off asking Bristol City boss Keith Millen to do a job swap!
Millen is an honest guy in a horrible position. His team sit rooted at the foot of the table, he’s inherited a team that hadn’t gelled after former boss Steve Coppell bolted before a ball had barely been kicked and now they are losing confidence as each minute of the game ticks by.
And to top it all off, he’s been a Bristol City man for twelve years and would give his right arm for the opportunity to dampen expectations!
I spoke to one of his players in the car park after the game and as it wasn’t really on the record I won’t mention his name. However, the player in question dispelled any theories that Millen had lost the confidence of the team. He said:
“After Coppell’s resignation Keith was left to pick up the pieces. He inherited new players, Coppell had sold some that Keith knew well and of course we’re without Nicky (Maynard) until December at the earliest and he’s the type of player who can help build the confidence with one of his spectacular goals.
At the moment we’re going one goal down and you can see heads drop. It’s even tougher at home because the level of expectation is so great. What we need to do is get that first goal to help build our confidence. “
Millen himself is determined to see it through, although his position depends on how long the board can hold their nerve. My guess would be two more games and they’re probably weighing up future managerial options anyway. Millen said:
“All I can do as a manager is work hard on the training field, talk to the players and do everything I can to get the results right.
I don’t mind taking the pressure if it means I’m taking it off the players then so be it, because they’re the ones that have to go out and perform.
It is tough, but they’re a good group and I’m close to them. I know there’s some good quality in there and that’s why the frustration’s so hard to take, but they’re working hard and while you’ve got a group who are willing to work hard you’ve got a chance.
I’ve never walked away from a battle and I never will. I’ll keep working as hard as I can and I can’t work any harder than I am. I’ll keep fighting until someone takes that decision away from me.”
Oh, how Millen would love to have to pressure of smiling faces, pats on the back and expectations of Premier League football.
The Norwich boss was understandably trying to dampen expectations given that we are still only ten games into the season, but I would suggest that berating the local press, radio and TV guys isn’t the way to go about it. He’d be better off popping in to the city centre pubs and talking directly to the fans because whether he likes it or not, that’s where the optimism is at its greatest.
Or alternatively, try and sneak a few one-nil wins without some of the exceptional and entertaining football his team played on Saturday.
No Paul, I’m afraid that the media isn’t your problem. Things are going well, you have put together a good side and you and your coaching team are employing the right tactics. I’m afraid that if you want to dampen expectations, you’d be better off asking Bristol City boss Keith Millen to do a job swap!
Millen is an honest guy in a horrible position. His team sit rooted at the foot of the table, he’s inherited a team that hadn’t gelled after former boss Steve Coppell bolted before a ball had barely been kicked and now they are losing confidence as each minute of the game ticks by.
And to top it all off, he’s been a Bristol City man for twelve years and would give his right arm for the opportunity to dampen expectations!
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
I spoke to one of his players in the car park after the game and as it wasn’t really on the record I won’t mention his name. However, the player in question dispelled any theories that Millen had lost the confidence of the team. He said:
“After Coppell’s resignation Keith was left to pick up the pieces. He inherited new players, Coppell had sold some that Keith knew well and of course we’re without Nicky (Maynard) until December at the earliest and he’s the type of player who can help build the confidence with one of his spectacular goals.
At the moment we’re going one goal down and you can see heads drop. It’s even tougher at home because the level of expectation is so great. What we need to do is get that first goal to help build our confidence. “
Millen himself is determined to see it through, although his position depends on how long the board can hold their nerve. My guess would be two more games and they’re probably weighing up future managerial options anyway. Millen said:
“All I can do as a manager is work hard on the training field, talk to the players and do everything I can to get the results right.
I don’t mind taking the pressure if it means I’m taking it off the players then so be it, because they’re the ones that have to go out and perform.
It is tough, but they’re a good group and I’m close to them. I know there’s some good quality in there and that’s why the frustration’s so hard to take, but they’re working hard and while you’ve got a group who are willing to work hard you’ve got a chance.
I’ve never walked away from a battle and I never will. I’ll keep working as hard as I can and I can’t work any harder than I am. I’ll keep fighting until someone takes that decision away from me.”
Oh, how Millen would love to have to pressure of smiling faces, pats on the back and expectations of Premier League football.
Friday 1 October 2010
Paul Lambert - The Apprentice
I talked to Paul Lambert a few times while he was boss of Wycombe and was always wary of him.
Don't get me wrong, he's a very pleasant guy and rolled with defeats while not getting too carried away with victories. And I also know that a lot of Wycombe fans were sorry to see him go.
No, it's not his personality that's a problem, it's his quick and dry wit. Given the law of averages, you are bound to ask the odd daft question as a reporter and Lambert is the sort of character who is sharp enough to make you look even more of a t*t if you do.
I remember that after one Wycombe loss, the local BBC commentator was interviewing Paul while I hovered in the background awaiting my turn. The BBC man was Ian Stringer - appearing on TV sat the time in The Apprentice - and had just been stitched up by the Sunday papers as a love rat.
After asking Lambert whether he felt the side had anyone down, Lambert replied as quick as a flash: "And you're asking me that." Cue nervous BBC laughter.
Don't get me wrong, he's a very pleasant guy and rolled with defeats while not getting too carried away with victories. And I also know that a lot of Wycombe fans were sorry to see him go.
No, it's not his personality that's a problem, it's his quick and dry wit. Given the law of averages, you are bound to ask the odd daft question as a reporter and Lambert is the sort of character who is sharp enough to make you look even more of a t*t if you do.
I remember that after one Wycombe loss, the local BBC commentator was interviewing Paul while I hovered in the background awaiting my turn. The BBC man was Ian Stringer - appearing on TV sat the time in The Apprentice - and had just been stitched up by the Sunday papers as a love rat.
After asking Lambert whether he felt the side had anyone down, Lambert replied as quick as a flash: "And you're asking me that." Cue nervous BBC laughter.
Off to Ashton Gate - All change
A last minute change for this weekend's game.
On Tuesday I was asked to cover the Walsall/Yeovil clash up at the Bescot, but have just been informed that I'm no needed in Bristol to watch City play Norwich.
It will be good to get along to Ashton Gate for the first time this season and I'm looking forward to seeing Paul Lambert's high flying Canaries.
I interviewed Lambert a few times when he was in charge of Wycombe and the guy is a typical dry humoured Scot who had an excellent reputation as a player, turning out in over four hundred games for St. Mirren and Celtic while also serving Borussia Dortmund with distinction.
Lambert was capped by Scotland 40 times and - after cutting his managerial teeth at Livingston and Wycombe - joined Colchester briefly before taking Norwich up as League One champions last season.
It looks as though they haven't lost momentum if the early season results are anything to go by as they are tucked in behind QPR and Cardiff at the right end of the table.
City on the other hand are playing well below their best and don't seem to have recovered from Steve Coppell's shock resignation at the start of the season.
Keith Millen took over and the heat is now on despite being given the manager's job by the board.
One win - away from home at Scunthorpe - in isn't quite the start that the Bristol fans had envisaged when they parted company with Gary Johnson towards the end of last season.
At the time, I remember thinking that maybe everyone was expecting too much, too quickly from Johnson. He had taken them from the foot of League One to a defeat in the Championship Play-Off Final and - in my humble opinion - deserved full backing from the board despite a below par showing last term.
It would indeed be ironic if Johnson were to take Posh - sitting pretty in fifth spot in League One - back up to the Championship at the first attempt while City passed them going in the other direction.
But of course the season is still young and anything can happen. Ask Norwich fans who saw their side thumped 7-1 on the opening day last season by a Colchester side managed by, er, Paul Lambert!
On Tuesday I was asked to cover the Walsall/Yeovil clash up at the Bescot, but have just been informed that I'm no needed in Bristol to watch City play Norwich.
It will be good to get along to Ashton Gate for the first time this season and I'm looking forward to seeing Paul Lambert's high flying Canaries.
I interviewed Lambert a few times when he was in charge of Wycombe and the guy is a typical dry humoured Scot who had an excellent reputation as a player, turning out in over four hundred games for St. Mirren and Celtic while also serving Borussia Dortmund with distinction.
Lambert was capped by Scotland 40 times and - after cutting his managerial teeth at Livingston and Wycombe - joined Colchester briefly before taking Norwich up as League One champions last season.
It looks as though they haven't lost momentum if the early season results are anything to go by as they are tucked in behind QPR and Cardiff at the right end of the table.
City on the other hand are playing well below their best and don't seem to have recovered from Steve Coppell's shock resignation at the start of the season.
Keith Millen took over and the heat is now on despite being given the manager's job by the board.
One win - away from home at Scunthorpe - in isn't quite the start that the Bristol fans had envisaged when they parted company with Gary Johnson towards the end of last season.
At the time, I remember thinking that maybe everyone was expecting too much, too quickly from Johnson. He had taken them from the foot of League One to a defeat in the Championship Play-Off Final and - in my humble opinion - deserved full backing from the board despite a below par showing last term.
It would indeed be ironic if Johnson were to take Posh - sitting pretty in fifth spot in League One - back up to the Championship at the first attempt while City passed them going in the other direction.
But of course the season is still young and anything can happen. Ask Norwich fans who saw their side thumped 7-1 on the opening day last season by a Colchester side managed by, er, Paul Lambert!
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