Seconds Out: Round Three {F.A. Cup: Brentford Away)

Last week we were walking from the car to the ground when my mobile phone went. It was tucked away under several layers of clothes, but I managed to dig it out and answer before it rang out. Cully was in the queue to get tickets for the F.A. Cup game at Brentford. Would I like one? Not half!

But, even before we had finished a short conversation the card had gone up: all allocation sold, no tickets left.

So we satisfied ourselves by getting tickets for the Tuesday game at Coventry.

But that is truly amazing: we will be taking about sixteen hundred fans down to Griffin Park! To this “showdown” against the team now managed by our former manager Dean Smith (one time “Ginger Mourinho”)

Between then and now Ben Stokes, England cricketer has absolutely smashed some records in a test match against top class opposition: South Africa in Capetown. Some of the records that, amazingly, fell:

Fastest Test double century by an England batsman

• Highest score by an England batsman at Newlands, beating Jack Hobbs’ 187 in 1910

• Most sixes by an England batsman (11), surpassing Wally Hammond in 1933

• Most runs scored in a day of Test cricket in South Africa (453), beating the 450 made by Australia in Johannesburg in 1921.

While I find it hard to become too involved in cricket (perhaps because I was never very good at it at school) this is a wonderful story and speaks volumes for an obviously talented player. Worth a mention, too is his partner at the stumps: Yorkshire’s Bairstow who would almost certainly have made his own headlines on any other day, displaying impressively powerful hitting of his own. The 26-year-old Yorkshire wicketkeeper hit five fours and a six in the space of nine balls and now averages 104 in three matches against South Africa.

 

Back to football and, at work we were discussing this weekend’s F.A. Cup games. This is the third round: the one where Premier League teams join the draw. So, after the early stages we now have all the teams in action. The time for historic giant killings? But over the past few years some upper echelon teams have played weakened teams and been knocked out, because, essentially the F.A. Cup has lost its prestige.

So my oppo, the Blues supporter reckons that in the Blues vs Bournemouth game both teams will play “lesser” teams. We cannot decide whether this means there will be more goals or less – and how about the quality of the game?

Will we see weakened teams in the Bees v Saddlers game? Both managers are in the media saying that, in each case the next games in the leagues (Championship for Birmingham, League One for us) are more important. But is it bluff or true? Psychological rambling?

The BBC, meanwhile is all over the F.A. Cup; one of the few major events it now televises. So there was a game on – and live on TV on Friday night. League Two Exeter playing Premier League Liverpool.

 

Exeter manager Paul Tisdale was one of the people allegedly considered for the Walsall job a month or so ago. the game is played on a very soggy pitch it is an intriguing game. Either out of faith in his younger players, desperation because of injuries or disrespect for the team from the lower league Liverpool governor Jurgen Klopp plays a team with few, if any recognisable names in it. Exeter go ahead; early on. Liverpool equalise. Exeter go ahead again with a sweet goal scored direct from a corner (unbelievable!) and Liverpool scrape another equaliser. Credit to Exeter, of course. Also to the young Liverpool players for their grit and determination.

 

So now the big question: it is, of course, super for Exeter to have the replay at Anfield financially, but will Klopp play a similar side at Anfield? Will he dare to … in front of the home fans?

 

What if we introduce a new rule: Premiership teams that only draw with teams from leagues one or Two forfeit the game. Should do away with the need for bothersome replays, and add spice to the F.A. Cup ties. Which do not get the respect they deserve from some clubs. Speaking of which Aston Villa manage to score in a one all draw at Wycombe ( a League two team). And I have a secret fear that, while hoping we play brilliantly and win, it will be an opportunity for Brentford staff to cast an eye over our players. And I don’t like that! (Our manager Sean O’Driscoll is quoted as denying the rumour about an offer from an un-named (perhaps Brentford?) Championship team already for Tom Bradshaw.

So, tinkering about at home pre-Walsall game, I discover that I can actually either watch BBC WM live (interesting) or get a full match commentary on the game. It is not a question: I go for the commentary: Rob Gurney and former Walsall player James Chambers. Fair team out for Walsall and seems we are playing two up front: Bradshaw and Lalkovic. Kinsella is in for right back and Rico Henry is back in to play down the left wing. According to the commentary (with the down to earth comments from Chambers) it seems we are not disgracing ourselves, then getting on top …

Then, with Downing moving forwards into the Brentford half Sam Mantom gets off a shot that fizzes into the Brentford net after thirty five minutes. I am impressed; Dean Smith perhaps less so.

 

In the second half Brentford boss the game, but we are stubborn and they cannot get past. It is raining heavily. Some substitutions made by both teams and, near the end there’s a tremendously powerful header from O’Connor (so we’re clearly not backs-to-the-wall defending) that comes back off the Brentford post

… and we are into the next round.

A couple of clearly delighted Walsall fans are on air, and asked about Dean Smith they say his departure from Bescot felt like “if your girlfriend leaves you for a midget …” An interesting analogy even if I am sure it is not how most of us see the switch.  Sean O’Driscoll was far more generous, giving Smith and O’Kelly praise for putting together a squad with such a fine spirit. Now our former manager can get on and concentrate on trying to get into the Premiership. I wish him well with that.

Meanwhile I am guessing/hoping we have all got Dean Smith out of our systems and the team we support is now well and truly Sean O’Driscoll’s.

Round Four: now, who do we fancy?

Be good to get a home game!

Post Script: Blues end up losing to Bournemouth; Wolves also go out.

 

•  

Shock! Horror! a.k.a. The dawn of the Inevitable

So, while we were getting worked up about the time wasting antics of Bradford on Saturday, the behind-the scenes dealerings, the offer and counter offer, conditions, values and paperwork were being worked on, scrapped, re-done and finalised.

And, driving home today in weather conditions best described, I believe as squally I hear that dean Smith and Richard O’Kelly have taken on the management jobs at Championship Brentford.

I genuinely wish them luck. I hope that they can keep their jobs and retain the style of football there that we have been gifted with this season. I particularly wish to thank dean Smith for having the stamina and perseverance to get my football club into a reasonable position and win some credit for doing things the proper, if old-fashioned way. Money was tight: ever so tight!

It always has been at Walsall … and will be, until some tycoon or far away corporation decide we are a fancy enough toy to mess about with for a while. Until we lose our sparkle, I guess.

So we are – immediately – without a manager. Jon Ward, youth team coach (where Dean Smith was some years ago when the directors came knocking), Neil Cutler and fitness guru John Witney are in charge of team matters while the next steps are sorted out.

But the repercussions will, I suspect echo for some time to come.

For example, maybe the Bees will be looking to place bids for our current crop of stars; those who have been brought on so well by Dean Smith and Richard O’Kelly. If they have the money to back up their ambition they will be looking for players – and of course Smith knows these players so well.

But, while I wish Smith and O’Kelly all the best (unless they play the Saddlers of course), I cannot help but feel disappointed.

Why did they go?

Money and prospects, isn’t it obvious?

Brentford are known to be ambitious: Bournemouth set a big precedent last season, creeping into the Premiership – and currently third from bottom, so not shaming themselves too highly. Brentford could be the next team to take this mighty step up.

But they are also ruthless! They let the manager go who had them promoted from League One, saying he simply wasn’t Championship manager material and, until today had player Lee Carsley as caretaker manager. They have been leaking goals but stand just outside the play off places. I would expect that the former Walsall duo will have just over a year (but it may be less) to shake things about – an, although Smith now has experience and credibility it took him a good three years to establish his bona fides at the Banks’s.

He was the fourth longest serving manager in the top four leagues.

So, who’s up for the task now?

Honestly, as I type this – and I have just taken a ‘phone call from my mother asking if the news is correct – I have no idea.

Certainly they will take over a fine bunch of players. We are hard to beat and determined to do well.

How much that was inspired by the two who have departed  only time will tell.

But let’s clear the decks and run out the guns: we go to Shrewsbury tomorrow and have to get our heads down and do some business with the ball!

The king is dead; long live the king!

What Could Go Wrong ? Bury at Home

6th August, 2015

Home

Interesting things can happen when your wife empties a bucket of cooking apples into the back of your car.

Explanation? Make yourself comfortable and read on. Please.

Some generous soul had put some cooking apples on their main road front doorstep. I picked three and took them back to Saddlers Widow. Only to be surprised when she came back with:

“We need more than that …” Not least because when I left neither of us had even known I would be returning with such booty (believe me, getting away without a library fine would have been just dandy).

So returning later in the car I noticed the self-same bucket, self-same handwritten note and invited said wife to “help yourself”. Again to be surprised when she scooped up the whole bucket (what a cheek I thought) and headed to the rear of my car. She simply lifted the boot lid and emptied the contents onto my old “allotment shirt”. About twenty near-perfect Bramleys and a couple of inches of water – I did mention the rain didn’t I?

No problems she thought, just wash the shirt after carrying the swaggage into the house.

Hold that thought; for in the pocket was my mobile ‘phone. And it refused to charge, light up, or sing it’s little-robot song when I called it from our landline ‘phone.

Decided to take it to the ‘phone shop as we couldn’t get the back off it. Of course at the shop the guy – very friendly service – popped the thing open and found a soupcon of water.

Result: kaput: new ‘phone required.

Well, I had been talking about getting a new one for my birthday in four weeks or so …

Got a reasonable deal, but to keep my same number I need to wait a couple of days. Not a problem. This new one is the kind of ‘phone that’s regularly advertised on TV; bright, all singing, dancing; all manner of new bells and whistles that I never knew I needed. But, even so … couldn’t transfer the contact numbers and that included the friends whose season tickets I used to get the Chelsea tickets.

Used the internet to search engine the company and rang the number … getting through to his “number one son” who was very polite and gave me the number I needed.

To arrange to get to the Bury match today.

Disappointed by the crowd. This is an international break weekend, so no games in the Premier League or the Championship, so maybe we could pick up some match-hungry extras. But no, quite the opposite in fact. The “singing hoards” were, in truth absent and the travelling Bury fans have my respect. Promoted from League Two last year they are bottom of the table at start of play.

We wonder why as they rip into us from the whistle. We seem unprepared for it – note to team: if we’re gonna do anything this year we have to be up and ready from the get-go.

Worse still, after only five minutes with players caught out of position and off the pace we go a goal down. It is a good goal too, well worked and puts us on the back foot for a long, long spell. We’re like a boxer having taken a big it, wondering what the … and trying to stay on feet that won’t work.

All of the confidence disappears, passes go wrong, we are bullied off the ball and clattered a couple of times. Echoes of last season?

At half time we are still looking groggy, though Rico Henry is busy and everywhere, some amazing ball skills and tackling back. Flanagan too is putting in the effort, but we are short of two internationals: Neil Etheridge (Philippines) and Demetriou (Cyprus – who lost their Euro qualifying game to wales by a goal to nil) and Bradshaw is isolated up front.

 

Second half we play better, digging in and Sawyers improves, evens wins a couple tackling back balls. We are attacking, Bradshaw still lone man up front, we throw players forwards but there are no spaces, no gaps in the midfield any more. Sam Mantom is trying to exploit his tremendous energy and levels of fitness. Bury are flooding the middle of the field, their two central defenders playing hard and covering each other – they are one nil up and enjoying the day. Unusually our substitutions are the ones I predicted, but my – somewhat flippant – score line of an eight one win is, not surprisingly, wrong.

We lose one nil. Bury worth the win as the y set out early on, kept counter attacking after that early goal and kept some discipline.

Smith is on the radio afterwards – pretty much saying that we have only one right back (I am thinking that young Liam Kinsella did a superb job in just that position last season when called upon – and today he was sat upon the sub’s bench) … and er, if you know we need a full back as a priority why haven’t we got one and also er why so much talk about only needing a central defender and striker just before the transfer deadline. News we had this week was that we have signed Isaiah Osborn and that Dean Smith has been named league One manager of the Month.

Back at home I watch England demolish lowly San Marino six nil. Wayne Rooney getting the goal which puts him as England’s all-time leading scorer with Bobby Charlton on forty nine goals.

After the prestigious cycling races in France (Tour de), Italy, (Guiro) and, currently on TV Spain (la Vuelta) tomorrow the Tour of Britain sets out from Anglesey to Wrexham). Could be that over the years this too will become a classic. That would be fantastic!

Parades and Local Radio: Southend Away

Saturday 15^th August

Home.

Coincidence eh? Serendipity?

Today we are celebrating the seventieth anniversary of VJ day. In London – and I have been absorbed in watching marvellous BBC TV coverage there is a flypast (Dakota transport plane, followed by a lump-in-the-throat Hawker Hurricane followed amazingly slowly by a Typhoon Eurofighter (magical contrasting silhouettes)).

A drum head service on Horse Guards parade and a final informal celebration to be held in Dean’s Yard (where I was last weekend – and which I mistakenly named Dean’s Court – apologies to all offended). I recognised so many points of interest as the cameras followed form the rigorous ceremonial to the wonderfully friendly march/ walk out of Horse Guards, down Whitehall, past the Cenotaph, Parliament Square, the frontage of the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Fitting too that so much is being made of Empire and Commonwealth troops and the magnificent part they played in the conflict and how much they too suffered in captivity: different cultures, different religions.

  

As British we are good at pomp and pageantry: it feels understated and ingrained and is the better for it; we have so much history after all – and should be proud of it.

But, while away that weekend I found a book I had been looking for (actually dropping big hints that it might make a good Christmas/birthday present – nothing doing): Unbroken, the story of U.S. airman Louie Zamperini who was imprisoned in Japanese POW camps. And, this weekend, the very day I finish reading it is VJ Day.

So, I missed the kick-off of the Saddlers game at faraway Southend, but checking with the radio (sometimes trite but usually good value BBC WM) at half time I find that Tom Bradshaw put us one nil up after seven minutes – and the goal horn has just sounded and Sam Mantom has got us a second.

It is quite thrilling: the new season after what seems like a long (very productive and relaxing) summer/close season. And the fact that Bradshaw is still popping the goals in. But also that we seem – as, to be fair had been promised by Ginger Mourinho (a.k.a. manager Dean Smith) – to be going forward even after going into a lead. This didn’t happen often last season. I like this attitude – a lot. It must make the games more exciting – and puts goals into the statistics in case needed for the end of the season. This is a good start!

I am still considering the service provided by this Saturday commentary/up-date tradition. It helps fans follow a team say, if money is tight, if attendance is impossible, if you are driving. Well worth it. We are not featured as the commentary game as often as I would like and I would like to know how the decisions are made as to which games/teams to prioritise.

League One this season consists of mainly Midlands teams: Walsall fans it appears have the fewest miles to drive to see every league game of the season. This is also interesting: money allowing of course.

Southend, promoted from League two at the end of last season cannot match – on the day – our efforts and we win two nil; this puts us fifth in the league (although there are – TV schedules demanding – teams with games in hand. But Bradshaw with four goals is substituted (hopefully not crocked) and Sawyers has already got two goals.

Meanwhile the sport with a different shaped ball (rugby union) is in the news: the World Cup finals will be played in England and Wales, kicking off in mid-September. The Webb-Ellis trophy meanwhile (he who introduced the whole rugby concept by – effectively – cheating during a football game) has been on public display around our nations. It is currently in Rugby where the whole thing started, allegedly back in 1832.

 

Red Noses and Rants.

So, following the debacle that was the last home game against Leyton Orient, Dean Smith – perhaps in some kind of “red mist” moment he will, hopefully reconsider at a later point decided to apportion blame for the poor performance to a few fans making sarcastic comments?

So far – by and large – I have been struck by this manager’s down-to-earth attitude, impressed by his ability to attract decent players (often on loan), to inspire the players in the existing squad, to manage on what is undoubtedly a shoestring budget and by  his loyalty to the players. However  I was, frankly surprised by the outburst that appeared in the Express and Star: Smith is out of order; the game was poor because the team did not perform well enough … and maybe hasn’t for some weeks now. It is clear to those impartials who only look at the results; it is blatantly obvious to those of us who watch the games week in and week out and like to think we have an affinity for the club.

Imagine then, that I was not looking forward to the next two away games. The first at fairly distant Yeovil: I quickly strangled he thought of going such a distance to a mid-week game (work commitments). And we duly won, wouldn’t you know it? Tom Bradshaw missed a penalty kick and a few moments later Jordy Hiwula put us one nil up. A second half penalty for Yeovil was saved by O’Donnell and we took the three points.

The Saturday game against Barnsley, however we lost three nil. “The less said, the better the beer,” as my grandfather was known to say (quietly).

Friday this week, while my car was being serviced was Red Nose Day (A.K.A. Comic Relief) a massive “telethon” fund raising event to raise money to spend on projects particularly in the U.K and Africa. The very first one in 1988 followed Bob Geldof’s (later Sir Bob) seminal Live Aid (in which musicians raised money for Ethiopian famine victims) when comedians decided to try something along similar lines. This year’s epic raised more than £78 million pounds and included an appearance by astrophysicist Stephen Hawking (also the subject of a moving and multi-award winning film starring Eddie Redmayne).

In less savoury news megalomaniac host of BBC TVs Top gear has been suspended after a “fracas” with a producer. Unsurprisingly perhaps this has provoked greater reactions on social media than more serious political issues (such as bed blocking and National health Service funding). The man has made a living and a reputation out of being uncharmingly loutish and almost certainly deserves at least this suspension pending an enquiry. Whatever the outcome, however it seems he will be set to make money. He is a self-promoting brand, firmly of the establishment but pretending to take carefully considered pokes at easy targets which are also part of the establishment. He will be gobbled up by other organisations if the BBC decides to end his contract … and the BBC makes a lot of money on the success of his TV programme and, let’s face it, style.

Sad news of the week is that Sir Terry Pratchett (author and creator of the marvellous “Discworld empire”) whose humour and plots have lit up my reading for so many years (and that of our children too) has passed away. He was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and his end came with dignity (if such is possible) and a characteristic self-deprecation. A real genius is missing from the world.

And today MK Dons at home) I was unable to contact my brother, but got a lift to the game from Cully (cheers mate). We talked over the Wembley trip, excitement, being a bit nostalgic about floodlit matches at Fellows park (our former ground). Efficiently parked on the official car park and swept up into the savoy Lounge.

There was some guy on an exercise bike outside (promoting men’s health, particularly prostate cancer I think). Quite crowded inside but a quick beer and looking out over the sun- soaked pitch. It was going to be cold out there, but from inside at this time of year there is the illusion of warmth. A young teenager and – I am guessing here – his dad (trying to look cool, hands in his pockets) passing the ball back and forth on the pitch. Mascot for the day perhaps? Then Swifty joined in and things got a bit more animated.

Someone leaving their inside seats to go outside left a car flag

“We’re With Walsall

22^nd March” beneath the table.

I scooped it up, but would find the guy and return it at half time.

Almost unbelievably long-time absentee Sam Mantom, last year’s Player of the Season is on for his first start. Surely he won’t stay on for the whole game. But he starts well. In fact the team does. Pushing up, pressing the ball and space, forcing MK Dons back into their own half. This is, at least unusual; far more aggressive, assertive than we are used to seeing. Hiwula is out wide, Sawyers backing up Bradshaw. Bradshaw looks a little less energetic than he has done, but is still keen. In fact it is Bradshaw who scores the first goal: a splendid cross from Andy Taylor and a neat header past a stranded abandoned-by-his-defence keeper and things look good.

As they always do when we start on the front foot. But, as so often something happens … we relax, give up ground and possession and/or the Dons step up their game … so that after thirty two minutes Will Grigg – a former striker here puts in the equaliser. We lost key players when Grigg left: he was offered a new contract but, unsurprisingly signed for Brentford – where presumably he was offered better terms. Sadly he gets boo-ed by the Walsall fans who show their disapproval with a

“Only in it for the money” chant … unlike the rest of us who work for a living I think (at the same time considering how strangely we behave when we support a team).

Half time and its inside for a coffee. There is Wembley merchandise on sale and some freebies (the car flags for example and some windscreen stickers) on offer.  Both promote Walsall Council and HomeServe (stand sponsors).

I have challenged a tradition and actually bought a Walsall T-shirt from an autism charity. It has the slogan

“Walsall Football Club is for life,

Not just for Wembley”

It is black because we will be playing in a one-off black kit for the final and is a dig, possibly  at all of the people who do not turn up regularly for games but are on the Wembley bandwagon. Don’t get me wrong; I have no problem with these people (and certainly not the atmosphere they will create) or the money they will contribute) but it would be great if they were also committed for the bread and butter games too. Sometimes the rather patronising label of being everybody else’s “second favourite team” is a pain. We have sold over twenty five thousand tickets it seems: that’s an enormous amount of support for such a small club. It should make the journey and the event so much more exciting.

Back out for the second half and former Coventry City manager, Steve Pressley is sitting in our seats. Politely we ask him to move over and spend the second half talking about football management and, in his belief, the great job that Dean Smith is doing on such a limited budget. He is down to earth and happy to chat, but defensive when we make our “terrace criticisms”.

We are a great little club, punching above our weight (usually) but I cannot remember when this has not been the case. We have still had some great times, watched superb players and been led by fine managers (Ray Graydon and Alan Buckley spring obviously to mind).

The score board is on 81 minutes before we realise we are so far into the game. Mantom is getting involved in some meaty challenges, still looking reasonably fit … is there a chance he will play at Wembley?

Final score is a one-one draw, meaning realistically that chances of getting into the play offs, mathematically possible have shrunk to we-need-a-miracle dimensions and, as in the best of the old days I can relax and take each game on an as-it-comes basis. And  …

… hang on, there is still the home game against Sheffield Utd on Tuesday to go I remind myself as we slide back down the M6, before the trip to Wembley.

 

A Bit of A Slump? Leyton Orient (home)

I am now somewhat recovered. I posted my last one here a little reluctantly. I am in danger perhaps of repeating myself, of the format becoming stale. I have enjoyed the challenge of finding something different to write about; this is not meant to be your standard journalistic report of a sporting event, but to convey contexts, trends, moods and changes; that last post had me wondering.

Maybe it is the effect of the virus infection; certainly I felt robbed of energy. Maybe that mid-season (give or take a game or so) dip or the anti-climax of – finally – getting to play at Wembley. Who knows?

But it has been a kind winter: higher than ever average temperatures, less hours of frost and more than usual days with clear skies … and spring is making its presence felt: hazel catkins, crocus flowers, birds nest building going on in earnest.

So, with that in mind I climbed into my brothers car to travel to the Banks’s Stadium for the visit of Leyton Orient.  Some bloke neither of us has ever seen before sidles between us at speed, then turns and engages us in a couple of minutes diatribe of the “where-have-all-these fans-come-from?” nature … “Where were they before we got to Wembley eh?”

He goes right at the place we turn right – and we look at each other, shrug – and smile. One of those

“Who-the-hell-was-that?” kind of smiles.

OK, so it wasn’t so easy to find a parking space today (although we parked behind a familiar red Italian car) and a bit further to walk to the ground. But I’ll take the extra fans – and the money they bring – while they’re bringing it. It’ll help the cause – and the way results are falling out at the moment the cause needs all the help it can muster… and who knows, if we can use the enthusiasm, the drive it might kick us on and we achieve a little bit more, get a few new converts and bums on seats every week.

That is some kind of speechifying right there, because what happens next – the grim reality – is, at best, less than pretty.

There is a fine complete quiet well observed minute’s silence for Geoff Morris, former Walsall player (between 1965 when he became the youngest player – at 16 years old to play for Walsall and 1972) who died earlier this week. I like the way this happens at football clubs these days – and respect the way the Orient fans joined in.

But then we started to go to pieces. Orient players closed down, played with intent and purpose and we did not. I am fiercely proud of my club but the performance today was lacking in so many areas. Passes going astray, no challenges being made, our goalkeeper left so exposed so many times. We need to find a different way to play and the players need to take some responsibility when things are not going so well to react, to play different shapes. Rather than keep on doing the same old, same old. The formation looked like four three three, but the passes made it look like that old dependence on Tom Bradshaw (back from injury) with Jordy Hiwula looking less involved and so less effective out on the wing. When we are so predictable we become vulnerable – and then we fall behind.

We endured (a perfect word here) most of the first half before we started to put some pressure on, finishing quite strongly. We were looking for this to carry on from the second half kick off. It really didn’t. Orient players still full of energy and poor passing from us. Leyton Orient going one up after 56 minutes had an inevitability about it. To add salt to the wound Chris Dagnall who played a key role until his eventual substitution scored a second. 

We wondered who would be awarded man of the match: everybody seeming out of sorts; Sawyers our most creative player. It’s given to Hiwula.

The pitch is too smooth, Dean Smith will say in a post-match interview – and this is true, but Leyton Orient mastered it and we failed. Again, at the expense of repeating myself: none of the Walsall players at the moment look as if they are playing for places in the team that’ll run out at Wembley. In which case I am not sure what it’ll take to get them motivated. Of course I take the point that it is oh so easy to be an armchair manager, to be critical without the day on day involvement and need to establish credibility and routines within sound working relationships. But it is oh so frustrating to be watching what I watched out there today; our home form has been propped up by our away form this season and it is really difficult to fathom that one as our chances of building on a sometimes exciting foundation slip quietly away for another season.

… and there was absolutely nothing there for the first time fans – or those returning after straying – nothing to put a pride in them and get them wanting to come back next time …

Sadly this week saw the death of Dave Mackay. Mackay first came to fame when bought in to Bill Nicholson’s stylish Tottenham Hotspur team in 1959. Amongst other skills, he bought that portion of uncompromising ball winning talent that is always needed in even the most elegant of teams, helping Spurs do the first “modern double” and was sold to Derby County in 1968. He went on to further successes and managed Walsall for a short while in 1977. He was a genuine icon during the times when soccer was still very much a working man’s game; when challenges and tackles were far more full-blooded than could possibly be imagined these days. He stood for honesty and hard work and never shirked responsibility. I have the memory of the photo of his remonstration with the fiery and thuggish Billy Bremner (Leeds United) which MacKay felt made him look like a bully when he was responding to a potentially career ending challenge  of the Leeds player in his first game back after recovering from a badly broken leg. I have no doubt that the Bremner challenge was meant to intimidate Mackay, but actually had quite the opposite effect.

 

I never understood the popularity of the original Star Trek TV shows for quite a long while. I could never see it as genuine science fiction. Over the years, however my resistance crumbled and I came to like the vision of so many nations – and indeed species – working together to “boldly go” to the frontiers of space and entertainment. Sad news from a different zone of entertainment then that Leonard Nimoy, the iconic Mr Spock also passed away this week. The Vulcan salute and phrase “Live long and prosper” are now part of cinematic culture.

Back, briefly to football news: Chelsea winning the Capital One cup final against Spurs. The first of the season’s trophies.

Meanwhile, I suppose meteorological spring starts tomorrow. Something I caught in passing on TV reminded me that, though I am not keen on the overly-formulaic format Grand Prix racing will soon be kicking its calendar open. Big money, big spectacle races coming up then. Days a  “getting longer” and, although winter always has something left to surprise us it is getting warmer. For dyed in the wool fans there are still games to look forward to: I am happy to get that one – the poorest of the season for me firmly filed in the N for Nightmare file.

Onwards if not upwards from sixteenth position: seven points from the play off places, six

Tensions and Intentions: Rochdale at Home.

There are so many international tensions at the moment: one of them is the escalating unrest created by Islamic State. The following is a short definition taken from the official BBC website and I am posting it here to give a reasonably unbiased context (of course any definition will be slanted by the political background of those defining it)

“Islamic State (IS) is a radical Islamist group that has seized large swathes of territory in eastern Syria and across northern and western Iraq.

Its brutal tactics – including mass killings and abductions of members of religious and ethnic minorities, as well as the beheadings of soldiers and journalists – have sparked fear and outrage across the world… The group aims to establish a “caliphate”, a state ruled by a single political and religious leader according to Islamic law, or Sharia.

Although currently limited to Iraq and Syria, IS has promised to “break the borders” of Jordan and Lebanon and to “free Palestine”. “

I mention Islamic State here because the Kingdom of Jordan, recently in negotiations to save one of their pilots held hostage by IS reacted to news of his savage murder by mounting air strikes against IS targets. This is a strong statement to be making, but only follows reported attempts by the kingdom to conduct fair discussions and meet the demands made by IS. I am sorry but I find it hard to imagine that here can be a place in the modern world for a non-secular state such as the one apparently proposed by Islamic State.

Meanwhile in Europe, the situation in the Ukraine continues, defying the confidence I had back in March last year that it would all be sorted in gentlemanly fashion. A group termed by media here as “Russian separatists”, though not officially overtly supplied by Russia has taken over a fair stretch of territory and is actively fighting against the “Ukrainian national army”. This week there have been negotiations and discussions involving Germany, France, Ukraine and the USA. Russia will soon be involved in the ongoing talks.

 

On a more local, definitely less dramatic and newsworthy level, I think I got a bit of a chill in the couple of hours I was queuing up for the Wembley tickets (but so glad that I did) . The emphasis now moves on the actually getting there. I have searched train prices, hotel overnight stays, just entered Walsall F.C. Wembley tickets into the search engines … so many options – but the train is E X P E N S I V E.

And er …

Will the connections be there? On time? Will there be cancellations? Work on the line? And how to get from London Euston – for example to Wembley stadium? Not impossible of course, but stressful?

So, at the moment I am thinking coach. Give that stress to somebody else; parking near to the stadium, chance for a spot or two of beer, leaving times sorted according to the game (extra time, penalties). But waiting to hear from my brother (hurry up mate!).

Waiting for my brother and taking LemSip (other cold cures are available). I wrap up warm; big coat, scarf, gloves and two pairs of socks and set out for the home game against Rochdale. Home game number sixteen? Really? Sit alone in a draughty seat in the Savoy Lounge – now I know why nobody else was sitting there, every time someone comes in or goes out there is a cold draught up your back!

Cully and Andy arrive. Talk about Wembley, why we are paying to have the wind-power turbines turned off, whether you need felt under the tiles on your roof and straw bale houses (prompted by Eddy Winko and his blog at https://winkos.wordpress.com/ ).

Then out to the colder air. And what a different team we looked! Dean Smith had been quoted in the Express and Star as saying he wanted the team to make a “faster start” – and they did. Playing to a strategy I haven’t seen at Walsall for a long time now. Based on attack and pushing forward. On loan Jordy Hiwula playing up front (Ashley Grimes on the bench) and very enthusiastic, chasing every ball. Sawyers playing – almost alongside him, but also weighing in with some incredible runs, control, switches of play and accurate passing. Forde and Cook also very aggressive and Purkiss pushing forward up the right wing. Within twenty two minutes we are three (count ‘em!) nil up.

 

 

Brave diving header bulleted in from O’Connor stooping to meet a driven corner; via a few deflections. The second a majestic long sweeping cross field diagonal ball from Sawyers, finding Ford tracking in on goal and a clinical slotting in at the near post. Rochdale looking bewildered. Similar pass to Purkiss, pushed inside, possible poor control from Chambers but the ball picked up by Hiwula who scored. Two games, two goals. Good start, even though he occasionally looks stranded; he puts in the work. O’Donnell has also made a couple of good saves.

Ford is substituted at half time: Baxendale comes on and, for this or some other reason we look vulnerable. Sawyers looks tired and is less bullish in the challenges. He rarely gets in to challenges where it might hurt – and had a cracking first half. Cook is edgy, looking annoyed and tetchy; I get a little bit worried that he’ll get sent off. He is much improved but still has that underlying streak that makes him a bit of a “red mist” player at times. Rochdale have obviously had a bit of a talking to and they are all over us,. Getting two goals back and pressing hard, just failing to get the equaliser before the end.

After a half time discussing whether or not to buy “Early Bird” season tickets – now on sale with a chance to win Wembley prizes the second half is fraught. Thank goodness we got three in the first half!

Credit to the Rochdale fans – supporting their team even when behind and respectful during the pre-match silence for former Walsall captain, Albert Macpherson.

 

Port Vale at home on Saturday: season’ warming up!

Blades Out! JPT:Sheff. Utd. (home)

A little digression before we begin. The weekend passed while I was in Tallinn. Walsall crept a replay against Shrewsbury and Walsall Football Club paid a fitting tribute to Stewart Staples, long-time fan of the club – and a good friend to my family and I.

It was also Remembrance Sunday weekend. A hundred years since the beginning of a war which surprised everyone by its duration and the damage, loss of life and injury caused. Alrewas, just up the A38 from me is the proud home of the Memorial Arboretum. Funded by voluntary contributions the site has risen from quarried land to become a fine establishment and, this year one of the key sites for remembrance. Ironically during the war years Alrewas had a fine women’s football team, but at the end of hostilities the F.A. banned women from playing in public apparently. Imagine how the world might have been different if this decision had not been made.

 

Sheffield United suddenly became newsworthy at the start of the week. A former player, Ched Evans (a Welsh international) has been released from prison following serving a sentence for rape. His contract with the Blades ran out while he was inside.

Upon leaving prison he wanted a chance to “go back to work” (play professional football and his case was, it seems taken up by the Professional Footballer’s Association. He has been allowed to train at Sheffield United (managed by Nigel Clough). There has been a tremendous uproar from all quarters. From those connected with the club, from the shirt sponsors, from Jessica Ennis-Hill (Olympic athlete) who has a stand at Bramall Lane named for her, from TV presenter “Charlie” Webster (A club patron apparently) to name but a few.

 

 

While I confess to being mildly surprised I can, of course, understand the furore. However, given that the courts found him guilty he has served his time and deserves a chance to return to life. He will never be able to do it without stigma – inevitably – and, should he ever play professionally again, he will find that football fans have a unique way of dragging players’ histories up, again and again. But courts do not dispense justice: they dispense decisions according to the law. Evans is still claiming that he did nothing wrong is upsetting his detractors who feel, rightly that as a potential “role model” he should take responsibility for his actions. So … Sheffield United were due to play is in the regional quarter final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Wednesday night. But it is entirely possible that their minds were on other matters, not least a realistic promotion challenge this season.

On my own at the kick off, part of a disappointing two thousand plus crowd I find that a TV camera station has been set up blocking the view from my season ticket seat. The match, evidenced by the plethora of grey-not-quite-silver vans on the car park is being broadcast on Sky TV. I move along a couple of seats, dodge about as genuine seat owners claim their rightful places – and settle up between a trio of professional scouts and another regular. We were soon talking and a man, sort of familiar, tried to walk the narrow space between the back of our chairs and the windows of the windows of the lounge. I helped him past as he stumbled and looked like falling. Kenny Jackett (Wolves manager).

Good support from a couple of coach loads from up north.

Kick off and a bright start. To and fro football; Saddlers probably just edging it. Bradshaw, brave as always up front. Sawyers, Cain and Forde in midfield attacking roles. Ben Purkiss having another excellent game. So are the Chambers twins. Some fairly innocuous challenges seeing players yellow carded and a severe one which took Bradshaw down not even getting a free kick. Consistency please?

Good saves by O’Donnell – left exposed a couple of times.

 

Second half started without Bradshaw, replaced by Manset. I find out later he has “stretched a hamstring”. Quick forward work and we win a corner. Purkiss would say later in a radio interview that the set piece was “one of ten or so we rotate …” but Sawyers ran to the ball, got a neat flicked header which the defender at the far post, under pressure from Jordan Cook helped into the net. I am not a statistician by any means but cannot remember the last time we scored from a corner.

  

 

We were then on top for a long spell. Nigel Clough had many a number of changes, while Dean Smith is keeping to his word and playing his “strongest team”. Whatever, despite a late flurry from Blades, and after five minutes added time we are into the regional semi-final.

A lot has been made by local media about the fact we have never played at Wembley in our entire history. This evening we are a step closer, in this competition than Sheffield United are going to be.

It was a good result. TV audiences would have switched sides long before the end I think: not enough action or drama! But sometimes a result is the only thing that counts. We are hearing the buzz word “momentum” around our club now. If that means the motivation/inspiration you get from putting a run together I’ll take it.

Driving home I notice how dark the skies are.

Somewhere out there, around three hundred million miles away the European Space Agency has landed an unmanned probe on a comet. How amazing is that? The rocket carrying it was launched ten years ago in a planned rendezvous. Called Rosetta the mission has the lander on the surface returning signals and data back to Darmstadt, Germany. It’s where science gets exciting.

 

In a script a little like The Martian, things are not quite as planned and the batteries of the lander may not be able to re-charge. But we’ll learn a little more from the information we get back.

A little closer to home David Moyes has taken up the manager’s job at Real Sociedad. Good luck to him.

Dan Dare (Oldham Away)

Ever since I first watched Mathieu Manset playing as a “guest” in the friendly against Leicester City I have been impressed: by his mobility, by his strength, by his speed and close control ability – especially being such a big man, able to deal with the inevitable physicality of league One challenges.

He played against Rochdale on Tuesday night, scored his first goal indeed. Ben Purkiss back after a long lay-off from injury also played well. But both were absent from the starting line up at Oldham. Mystifying.

Andy Taylor, in my opinions one of our key players, was also missing, possibly injured.

I am left wondering about the team choices made by Dean Smith and Richard O’Kelly.

Back-to-fitness Jordan Cook took on the lone striker role and, in one of our few attacks of the whole game ran onto a well-judged through ball and netted. Fifteen minutes gone –and in the crowded corner of the ground where the Walsall faithful were sitting, or standing cheering, we could see a marvellous game unfolding.

 

 

This was almost a last-minute trip, but on the journey we were talking about weddings, UKIP getting their first member of parliament in the Clacton on Sea by-election (and any effect it might have on the policies and sound-bites of Conservative and Labour politicians), who might play Dan Dare in a hoped-for film and why we came off the M6 a junction early to get to Oldham. The sun was shining on the second-highest English League ground (West Brom’s is apparently the highest) and the pint and the meat and potato pie served up were fine (although eating and drinking in the rough area allocated was poor; no seats, no tables) and a poster in the entry to the gents toilets reading:

Pyro Facts 05

WE CAN’T SEE YOU SNEAKING OUT

Smoke billowing across the pitch can affect the play – or even cause the game to be delayed

had us puzzled. What?

Back to the game then. After the goal we were, simply poor: poor passing, poor defending, unable to stop the ball coming back and back and back and back into our penalty area.

It could only be a matter of time – it was. Thirty one minutes and our hard-ridden luck ran out. The equaliser going to Connor Wilkinson. Baxendale was ineffective, trying challenges that a player his size is always going to lose. Clifford? Was he playing? Grimes, already clocking up yellow cards again at fault. Chasing back is one thing, but battering somebody because they got to the ball first is unacceptable. Get there first next time1!Let the ball do the talking!

 

A poor pass from Mal Benning, no longer a natural left back, had Andy Butler down, injured and staying down, The Oldham number nine making a nuisance of himself, perhaps by leaving a boot in. Almost immediately Poleon (the number 9, doing the kind of work we need someone to do for us) was in a follow up with Butler. Other players got involved – so unnecessary. Butler booked – apparently for allowing himself to get fouled – and Poleon? Well after a little play the referee – poor game from him – had a word. Should have been booked along with Butler. And, er what exactly was the ref saying to him – and, er why ?

 

Manset on after the start of the second half, Butler put up forwards. Hmm, so a little bit of target man stuff then?

Not a bit of it!

That same old pass across the pitch, short, back, back to the ‘keeper business. Passes going hopelessly wrong and Oldham pouring forwards. Eventually going 2 – 1 up (a Jones goal).

We had a couple of chances but fluffed ‘em.

Crewe at home next week. They are in dire straits, but we ain’t so pretty either.

England beat san Marino 5 – 0 at Wembley and the Under21s playing at Molineux, won 2-1 against Croatia.

Jules Bianchi was involved in a terrible crash at the Japanese Grand Prix last week. A car had crashed out and was being removed by a heavy tractor-crane. The pace car was on, with heavy rain falling. Bianchi’s car left the track and – what are the odds? – crashed into the tractor lifting the first crashed car. He is still in a “stable but critical condition” reports say.

A seventeen year old student, Malala Yousafzai, from a school in Birmingham is joint winner of this year’s Nobel Peace prize. Until shot in the head by the Taliban (in 2012) she lived in Pakistan, but came to Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brum for surgery. Now she attends a local school. The Taliban do not want girls to receive an education and Malala stood up against this inequality despite threats and intimidation.

The other winner, Indian campaigner Mr Satyarthi has maintained the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi and headed various forms of peaceful protests, “focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain,” the committee said at the Nobel Institute in Oslo.

Kind of Backwards (Crystal Palace: home: Capital One Cup)

Seems I may have to write this one – kind of – backwards.

No standard build-up, start at the end and work to the beginning.

Crystal Palace overwhelmed us. We had too many players off their game and, having given away a cheap early goal through lack of concentration we never looked like bossing it.

Palace were the better team. They are in the Premier League, should be enough said. But it’s the cup and the old eleven versus eleven clichés kick in. Local paper talk – rare in usual circumstances almost had me believing we could pull off some kind of magic, getting through to the next round of the Capital One (Still, to many a fan, the League) Cup.

We gave away a free kick after six minutes or so; players decided to argue the decision. Palace, ruthlessly (and quite properly) took the kick; man in space, fierce shot (Marcus Gayle) and we were chasing a faster game. Gayle gave a master class in striking, notching up a deserved hat trick to the delight of the Palace supporters. Again I give credit to travelling supporters. We are situated on a motorway at the centre of England; few grounds are easier to get to – but still the commitment must be made. No doubt: the Palace players are fitter, more skilful and using keener “football brains” than our team … as you would expect. But even so …

Bradshaw once again – apparently alone up front – gave a good manful account, Grimes, again largely absent when and where he was needed, managed a shot which came back off the inside of the post, hid the Eagles ‘keeper on the back of the head and … went out.

“When your luck’s not in …” the guy next to me said. True enough, but hey, we haven’t won at home since January. Can it be possible? How long can your luck be missing?

And, er, dare I ask it: what if we are actually in a streak of good luck; because things could be worse. Sometimes, as one of the characters in long running TV series Holby City said “haven’t you got it yet: it’s the hope that kills!”

Some excellent displays from our two full backs, both always making themselves available for the pass, running long and hard down both wings as well as defending reasonably well (bearing in mind that we were thumped 3 – o). Andy Taylor (selected as man of the match, a minute before he failed once again to get a free kick on target. And Liam Kinsella, playing against players far larger than him, refusing to be intimidated and very mature in his approach and attitude.

Seemed like a good crowd, packed car park, but at nearly four thousand I really believe it could have been better. The middle and upper tiers of the Walsall end were closed.

Talk between us was of the trip to Tallinn, tram railways, history of Walsall, work, and whether we should go to Scunthorpe on Saturday.

On the same night, however, giant killing was being done. M.K. Dons put paid to Manchester United (who broke the British transfer record with the £59.7 million pounds purchase of Angel di Maria). Four goals to nil! That’s just amazing! Louis van Gaal, the new United manager, still with a lot to prove then (watch this space!). But a couple of the goals were scored by former Walsall striker Will Grigg.

A day later Burton Albion, just down the road and a division lower dumped QPR.

Footnote is that Dean Smith has managed to sign reluctant French striker Mathieu Manset who impressed during his loan spell here and his appearance against Leicester City in a friendly. https://saddlersfan.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/its-a-friendly-right/

Now , just maybe, we have a target man and enough people returning from injury to mount a realistic and proper start to the season. Manset up front with Bradshaw feeding off him ought to be a good combination; and we’ve got one less trophy to worry about now.