Kenny
Thailand Shrimper
Borrowed this from the yahoo list (with the original authors permission). This guy used to contribute to the SUFC fanzines in the 90's.
ps: Didn't realise the Railway was showing the West Ham game on Saturday!!!!
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This was probably my sixth/seventh relegation so, as well as being hardened
to it somewhat, I was resigned to it on Saturday and was therefore able to
stomach my traditional Fish House fare on the way home. However, on hearing 'Bubbles' echoing out of the Railway, packed to the rafters with local Irons watching their illegally screened match at the JJB, it was time to search
for the nearest bin - during our moment of pain ? - nice.
Where did it all go wrong ? Firstly we were punching above our weight -
please let's not forget, especially the spoilt supporters out there, that we
were not far from disappearing into the Conference 2/3 years ago. I was
disappointed in the standard of the Championship overall, most teams were
big and basic, with a good goalscorer up front (hence Colchester's
impressive adjustment). We are a small side who struggled pitifully against
set-pieces (especially at the start and the end of the season) and were also
lacking in numbers, probably why the club focused so much on our youth
policy in Saturday's programme. I will come onto our goalscorer later.I
admired the way we kept the ball on the deck this season but as Sky's Tony
Gale observed (a good footballing centre half himself) we play so many
passes just to make ten yards progress, hints of over-elaboration. I also
feel that the players eased of the pedal somewhat after the win at Ipswich,
all that talk of how they were going to celebrate staying up worried me.
Our campaign saw some good performances (with everyone fit and focused) -
and let's face it in ten years time everyone will be remembering 2006-07 as
the season we beat United, rather than the season we went down - but it was unfortunately out-weighed by nervy,soulless displays (lacking 'leaders' on
the pitch) and featured Keystone Kops defending.
Tilly displayed some signs of sensitivity as the drop loomed, he will soon
have to learn that criticism is part of the job, nature of the beast, there
are always more bad times than good etc etc. My main criticism/question
would be, how did he prepare/nurture the troops during those infuriating
international breaks (which usually arrived just as we were building up a
bit of steam). IIRC we lost all six games following the three main breaks.
That said, another plus point this season, was the way the board backed him
mid-way through the season and awarded him a new contract. Another was the fact that we averaged over 10,000 fans per game for the first time since
1972 - let's hope that most of them come back next season.
Now finally Freddy, I think Paul cited the 'one-man team' claim made by a
few people this season, well I have been claiming that for three.
Unfortunately, while most players 'dine out' on occasional famous goal
Freddy nearly gorged himself to death after his winner against United. Tilly
claimed last week that 'people do not know what happens behind the scenes'
so now it's time to tell us what does. I was alarmed by the amount of
stories that I have heard about Mr Eastwood from usually reliable sources.
So would anybody care to deny that he :
- Has allegedly been spotted in Basildon and other Essex boozers/clubs out of
his head far too often ?
- Allegedly had a fight with Maher after the Birmingham game, which led to
most of the players blanking him.
- Allegedly turned up drunk for the Norwich game and was not allowed to board the coach.
- His current plaster cast was allegedly sustained after a fight with a
bouncer in the Bakers Bar ?
If any of the above a true, then not only may the likes of Derby and Man
City think twice about signing him but he would have also lost a long-term
admirer (plus a three year old who worships the ground he walks on).
See you in August.
--------------
ps: Didn't realise the Railway was showing the West Ham game on Saturday!!!!
------------
This was probably my sixth/seventh relegation so, as well as being hardened
to it somewhat, I was resigned to it on Saturday and was therefore able to
stomach my traditional Fish House fare on the way home. However, on hearing 'Bubbles' echoing out of the Railway, packed to the rafters with local Irons watching their illegally screened match at the JJB, it was time to search
for the nearest bin - during our moment of pain ? - nice.
Where did it all go wrong ? Firstly we were punching above our weight -
please let's not forget, especially the spoilt supporters out there, that we
were not far from disappearing into the Conference 2/3 years ago. I was
disappointed in the standard of the Championship overall, most teams were
big and basic, with a good goalscorer up front (hence Colchester's
impressive adjustment). We are a small side who struggled pitifully against
set-pieces (especially at the start and the end of the season) and were also
lacking in numbers, probably why the club focused so much on our youth
policy in Saturday's programme. I will come onto our goalscorer later.I
admired the way we kept the ball on the deck this season but as Sky's Tony
Gale observed (a good footballing centre half himself) we play so many
passes just to make ten yards progress, hints of over-elaboration. I also
feel that the players eased of the pedal somewhat after the win at Ipswich,
all that talk of how they were going to celebrate staying up worried me.
Our campaign saw some good performances (with everyone fit and focused) -
and let's face it in ten years time everyone will be remembering 2006-07 as
the season we beat United, rather than the season we went down - but it was unfortunately out-weighed by nervy,soulless displays (lacking 'leaders' on
the pitch) and featured Keystone Kops defending.
Tilly displayed some signs of sensitivity as the drop loomed, he will soon
have to learn that criticism is part of the job, nature of the beast, there
are always more bad times than good etc etc. My main criticism/question
would be, how did he prepare/nurture the troops during those infuriating
international breaks (which usually arrived just as we were building up a
bit of steam). IIRC we lost all six games following the three main breaks.
That said, another plus point this season, was the way the board backed him
mid-way through the season and awarded him a new contract. Another was the fact that we averaged over 10,000 fans per game for the first time since
1972 - let's hope that most of them come back next season.
Now finally Freddy, I think Paul cited the 'one-man team' claim made by a
few people this season, well I have been claiming that for three.
Unfortunately, while most players 'dine out' on occasional famous goal
Freddy nearly gorged himself to death after his winner against United. Tilly
claimed last week that 'people do not know what happens behind the scenes'
so now it's time to tell us what does. I was alarmed by the amount of
stories that I have heard about Mr Eastwood from usually reliable sources.
So would anybody care to deny that he :
- Has allegedly been spotted in Basildon and other Essex boozers/clubs out of
his head far too often ?
- Allegedly had a fight with Maher after the Birmingham game, which led to
most of the players blanking him.
- Allegedly turned up drunk for the Norwich game and was not allowed to board the coach.
- His current plaster cast was allegedly sustained after a fight with a
bouncer in the Bakers Bar ?
If any of the above a true, then not only may the likes of Derby and Man
City think twice about signing him but he would have also lost a long-term
admirer (plus a three year old who worships the ground he walks on).
See you in August.
--------------
