It feels like the end of the season cannot come quick enough for us as it has been the polar opposite to what we were experiencing this time last season. But you will get seasons like this one where things don’t go to plan, and you’re left scratching your head for explanations. This is what being a football fan is all about.
STUNG BY THE HORNETS
The Lads succumbed to yet another loss yesterday (Saturday) in Hertfordshire against a Watford side that equally had nothing to play as much as we did. For both sides, it was all about playing with a bit of pride and honour and ensuring that those hardy souls that follow the team week in, week out, are rewarded with something in a season which just has to be written off as one to forget about. Dodds shuffled the pack again, persisting with the false nine when he had Hemir on the bench. This what really gets me to be honest, playing someone who is not a striker as a striker when there is one available to select. In a game like Saturday, it could have been a window of opportunity for the young Portuguese lad to have a decent run out and give people something to think about. But as is probably the story of the season, we had chances to put our opponent to the proverbial sword but didn’t take them again. How many times this season has this been the case in point? Endless. Then all it takes is something simple and we get our pockets picked and the ball is in our net. All often this season that has happened. Whilst we don’t get humped by convincing scorelines, we just don’t finish off teams when we’re in the ascendancy and that for me is a concern. There have been so many occasions of this happening, and it’s what has cost us so many points that’s becoming nothing more than a broken record. If we want to take the next step, then this is what we have to do. We have players that sometimes look disinterested when things aren’t going to plan, the ones that are thinking of their summer holidays to Aiya Napa or such like when it becomes relevant to them that the team isn’t going to have anything to play for. You have to keep going until the bitter end, from first whistle to last.
FAREWELL TO THE KING
This week also marked the passing of SAFC’s greatest ever player, and a personal favourite of my Mam, “King” Charlie Hurley. I, like many fans, was weaned on tales on how good he was as he’d retired as a player before I was born. He had that kind of aura about him and I can imagine meeting him would probably render me speechless (which is a novelty in itself) such was his standing within our beloved club. You can picture him commanding the back line with such authority that nobody would be allowed to have an off day. He wouldn’t let you dawdle through a game when things aren’t going to plan. It’s been suggested by some, and rightly so, that the Club should do something to remember him permanently by. Granted we have the gates named in his honour but for the Lads’ greatest ever player then we need to go that bit further. Ideas which have been floated include either a statue similar to that of Bob Stokoe or re-naming one of the stands at the SoL in his name. Either would be fine by me, just make sure it’s done. There will never be a man comparable to “The King” for as long as SAFC exists. CLICK HERE FOR ALS HURLEY PODCAST
THE MISSING INGREDIENT
We are far from being labelled as a bad side, but what this side lacks is a missing ingredient and it’s something that all good sides have. That is experience in key positions, and whilst some players have manfully filled those voids then there’s no substitute here for the “E” word. As much as we all love L09 for his enthusiastic way of playing for the Lads, the central defence lacks a leader in the shape of a Danny Batth to superglue it tight when under pressure. How many times did we see him, Batth, head the ball away from danger when we were under the pump? Countless. Likewise, if we are to play two defensive midfielders then either Dan Neil or Pierre Ekwah needs that experienced head alongside them. Sometimes this is where a number of things have gone wrong, and all we seem to do is to reach for the first aid box and pull out a sticking plaster or two and hope it will hold. The harsh reality is, the sticking plaster will fall off and the cracks will be exposed for all and sundry to see. Unless the coffee is started to smell correctly and we realise that the recruitment for 23-24 was a failure then we will continue to swim through treacle and endure mediocrity. Granted the Championship is a tough division, but if we have a set plan then it’s about time we start to have the squad capable of moving forwards. Speakman’s model needs a tweak but does he have it in him and listen as well as to see what’s working well and what isn’t?
AND FINALLY....
More and more rumours abound. Patto has been linked with a move to the SPL as Joe Hart’s replacement at Celtic for one as the former England goalkeeper plans to retire at the season’s end. Whilst it would be a good move for the lad, we have to be realistic and realise that Anthony is not the finished article so another season or two in the Lads side would do him no harm whatsoever. It’s all about what he wants, the player and not what everyone else speculates he wants. Until a rumour becomes reality then I will treat it with the same disdain as I have always done. It’s not called “silly season” for nothing. Whoever stays, whoever goes then it has all the makings of a typical SAFC summer. Just please learn from the mistakes that have blighted this campaign, or is that too much to ask for?
