MUSINGS OF AN ORDINARY FAN. No.2

[landford.saint]

Following my musings earlier in the season I thought now that some time has elapsed and the dust has settled over the ML purchase (thank you Mr Liebherr), and we can see how things are starting to pan out, I would muse again over our beloved club.

 

Personally I was incredulous over a Billionaire buying our Club, and that after I was greatly fearing our club would no longer exist. We all dreamed ML would splash the cash liberally, and hoped SFC wouldn't be some plaything, like Mike Ashley at Newcastle massaging his own ego. But IMO it has fared better than I could have hoped. ML has been conspicious by his keeping to the background, and not seeking the limelight. He has appointed a very competent man to run the club in NC (who also keeps to the background), and in AP what appears a competent manager.

 

I have heard people moan that he hasn't changed the catering or the beer contract etc. but to be fair the club was purchased, deep in the doo-doo, with about 10 mins to go before the start of the season. To be honest there were more important things on their agenda than Steak Pies and weak beer. All they could really do was to keep the status quo on non-essential aspects of the club and concentrate on the important things.

 

Which brings me to what any Football club is about:- Football.

As have stated in my previous missive, I know no-one at the club in any ITK position, so all I have to go on our what I see, and what I hear from you lot out there (which since the takeover has been slim pickings). On the pitch I see a wealth of talent, Old and NewWith hardly a duffer amongst them. ML has obviously opened his wallet, but someone has made some very astute observations and enquiries. David Connolly. Why did noone else see him floating about needing a new club to rebuild his carreer? Someone at SFC did.

 

And as for the purchase of Lambert. Lambert is one of those strikers who is neither fast nor agile, but seems to be in the right place at the right time, and who knows where the goal (and his teammates) are.

At the end of last season Lallana took some stick from a number of people, and its true he wasn't fulfilling his potential. But last season he was playing in a team that appeared to have lost its motivation, got into a losing habit, and started on a downward spiral. The same could be said of LLyod James and the other young members of that team. This year however wih the right coaching and encouragement, with good supporting players round them Lallana and James are showing what they can do. James, poor lad, has had too often to cover at Rt Back, not his natural position, but when he gets the oppertunity to play in midfield he too like Lallana can begin to shine.

 

Papa Waigo, IMO has good some potential. He is lightening quick, and has quick feet, and he is alays willing to get back and defend. True he has a problem with offside, and even allowing for linesmen error, he is still offside too often. But, he only needs to beat that trap once in a match to turn the game around, look at Wycombe, where his running and layoff to Lambert set up the only goal. I do get the feeling however this constant 'offside' saga is starting to get to him, and the singing about it by the fans is not helping.

 

Antonio.... A young lad with massive potential that until fairly recently had all his experience in non-league. I think he needs nurturing and coaching, especially considering the meteoric step up in levels he has obtained.

 

All in all, I think you'll all agree, so far has been not a bad start to ML/NC era.

 

To be honest before the first game of this season and a minus 10 point start, i would have been happy with a mid table finish. The fact that by Jan 1st we have oppertunity to be in top half says so much for the season so far.

Edited 14 December, 2009 by landford.saint

[Matthew Le God]

Musings without paragraphs are hard to read and hurt my eyes

[Block 5]

It goes to show how important it is to have the right kind of people running the right areas of a football club.

Improvements off the pitch can be attributed to Nicola Cortese, and his appointments of AP, DW and WD have reaped rewards after only a couple of months.

Business people doing the business. Football people doing the football business.

[landford.saint]

Musings without paragraphs are hard to read and hurt my eyes

 

I didn't say I was educated just that I was musing. :-)

[pele]

In my opinion the new broom has acted in a totally professional and competant manner. in everything they have done to date It just shows what a lot of rubbish we have been fed over the last few years by the past incumbants. I am REALLY enjoying this season and if we get to the play offs or Wembley in any other way it will be a FANTASTIC season!

[Secret Site Agent]

I must share this little musing about Lambert from AP in an interview on Saturday on Solent.

 

He was told that spending £1MILLION on Lambert most people thought was good business, and didn't he agree.

 

He said that'.. No, spending £1million on a player that was over weight and slow wasn't good business. But by working with him and getting him fitter it has come good.'

 

I thought it was quite an insight, that he didn't buy the finished article but was willing to invest in Lambert.

[John B]

It goes to show how important it is to have the right kind of people running the right areas of a football club.

Improvements off the pitch can be attributed to Nicola Cortese, and his appointments of AP, DW and WD have reaped rewards after only a couple of months.

Business people doing the business. Football people doing the football business.

 

Having no debt and being a big club in League 1 helps a bit

[Block 5]

Having no debt and being a big club in League 1 helps a bit

 

Agreed.

We have an interesting few years ahead of us.

[John B]

Agreed.

We have an interesting few years ahead of us.

 

With no debt I feel the future is bright

[red&white56]

I'm with you - at the beginning of the season (especially after the first 3 games) I would have taken a mid-table finish quite happily, but I've been converted to the view that the play-offs are possible.