Lapsed – and Lapsing

21st July.

Great Wyrley (home)

While we have been on holiday and entertaining my football club has been playing some behind-closed games; beating a Nike squad (never actually heard of them, sorry) at St George’s Park, losing to Wolves and, this very evening losing 1 – 0 at Telford. I have seen none of the games and, so probably do not deserve a comment. However we are not distinguishing ourselves in these games so I hope the manager is learning something about the squad, tactics, and strategies: the reason for friendly games could be said to get match practice and gauge next steps.

And I do feel bad that I have not been – and probably will not be able to – get to these friendly games. They can be interesting pointers and – at the very least give a chance for the new names to get burned into the brain (though, honestly the new names are few and far between at the moment).

Speaking of which, while we were in Devon Walsall signed up Milan Lalkovic. He was previously with us, on loan from Chelsea and I like his attitude and skills. I am glad that he is back with us and look forward to seeing him in action.

This, alongside contradictory messages in the press and on the official web-site:

“We are going to be more attacking, more attack-minded” and

“There is nothing wrong with the way we played last season, but we need to score more goals”

These do not compute, but put alongside the lack of a – sorry Milan – recognised out-and-out striker at this point may be the best we can manage. O.K. Jordan Cook was out of action at the beginning of last season with a serious injury during a friendly and Tom – “Super-Tom” Bradshaw came out of the shadows and excelled himself. But Dean Smith’s somewhat complacent attitude that we can do business – and better business – later in the transfer window – is almost a statement of intent.

Will Grigg, former striker who came good at Walsall has been transferred to Wigan Athletic (who also snapped up last season’s brilliant goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell from us) and there will be some money heading our way, but apparently not quickly and maybe only in small amounts.

I am keen to see Walsall do well this year, building on what was, looking back a frustrating season with some highpoints and drama. I wish the whole squad well – of course I do.

And the first of the home friendlies – against Aston Villa is on Saturday.

Not About the Money? Really?

 

Tuesday 9^th June, 2015

St Johann im Wimberg, Upper Austria

I am siting (very comfortably, thank you) in the sunny back garden of a house in the beautiful, friendly Muhlviertel region of Upper Austria. In the shade cast by fruit trees, stretched across two chairs. The rocking recliner I had been offered didn’t suit: I could be comfortable … or write. Like this I might look awkward but my position ticks both boxes.

A large cup of tea ago I was listening to a good friend earnestly describing a visit to Ghana. Her English is excellent, she uses it confidently to describe a school-building charity initiative, a weeding and a “football field” She shares so many pictures with me on an i-pad. It is both the modern curse and the its very opposite that we can capture, store and share so easily so many images and impressions from our travels.

“It slopes so much,” she says, “at least half of the area has no grass … but they’re happy to be playing their games there.”

The universal game. The simple game. The eminently beautiful game.

And then my mind comes round – I guess it always must – to my own football club: Walsall F.C.

… and I want to be annoyed with Richard O’Donnell. Our sometimes-hero goalkeeper of last season. Often the reason we drew games instead of losing them, or won because of his always-improving performances. I reason that, even ten years ago I would have seen his refusal to sign a new contract as a craven act of disloyalty. Didn’t we (that’s “we” as in Walsall Football Club, rather than any group I play a practical hands-on role in) offer him a deal, develop his form, reputation and crack out his areas of weakness – bit by bit? Build his body, his confidence ?

But then in my mind I see that photo of him, with his child on the pitch at Bescot … and I cannot be truly angry.

 

The man has a family. He has to take care of them. And loyalty is a two way street after all. He is doing what he believes is the right thing to do. Making money while he can – footballer’s careers are famously erratic. He has signed for Wigan Athletic, who were relegated from the Championship to our League One at the end of last season. It will be less far for him to travel a she lives somewhere in that general area. Les travel, perhaps more efficient use of time. Better money? Perhaps. Walsall are run, I like to believe sensibly on a shoestring budget. We cannot afford the big salaries (well it seems we certainly don’t pay the big salaries at any rate).

We will, perhaps,  be weaker because of his absence; but who knows by the time I am stepping off a Lufthansa plane again at Birmingham Airport we may have found the next best thing.

 

Carried Away? (Crewe Away)

A wonderfully stretched out couple of days in Suffolk, with a stop off on the way: Aldeburgh, Dunwich Heath, Minsmere, an evening river cruise and meal on board the Lady Florence (out of Orford Quay) and Framlingham Castle. Beautifully warm weather, even on the North Sea coast.

Long delays and an ad-libbed sat-nav free detour on the way back, avoiding rush hour traffic on the M6 (phew, had been dreading that!)

A good night’s sleep and a stroll to the butchers, then home and en route to Crewe in a BMW. Quiet, scenic roads through some fine agricultural landscapes. Looking for a pub to have lunch. The state-of-the-art sat-nav just went round in boggling circles: yes there was  a menu listing for “pubs”, but press it and – er, what – no pubs! No matter how many times we tried

Back to the Mark One Eyeball and, at just the right place was the Cheshire Cheese. Trainee barmaid challenged by the pouring of draught Spanish lager, but managed to get it right (“wrist action and angle my dear”). A brief exchange of phone and text messages with the Crewe supporting author of One Hundred and One Grounds for Divorce. He is also going to the game.

Sure enough the ground was less than a country mile beyond, past the railway bridge and piles of soil that suggest new building development coming soon. Parked easily enough on the car park adjacent to the ground; one of the few still surrounded closely by housing and a “Horticultural Engineer’s” shop, with windows of lawn cutting equipment. It feels traditional but also old-fashioned and cramped because the houses have only small – or no – front gardens. There is a tall, imposing modern stand (steeply tiered as I recall from a previous visit) … and the rather quaint, cramped away end. Where we will be – of course!

There is a friendly message at the side of the ticket office window thanking Walsall fans “for travelling the 48 miles to see the game …” and wishing us a safe journey home afterwards. The young men in front of us try a bit of banter and to get away with paying student rates (discounted)

“Come on,” he wheedles, “I’ m at university … doin’ a masters,”

His mates laugh, the ticket seller asks, with a smile what he is studying. He is quick with a reply:

“Economics,” but he knows he’s failed and pays the full price (£22) with a big grin.

It is typical of confident fans, after a few beers and enjoying the sunshine. And of course we all have high hopes after Tuesday’s magical performance.

Crewe are in a tight spot: with Yeovil already definitely relegated Crewe need wins and goals.

Richard O’Donnell has been key in our games this season – after a few shaky games at the beginning of the season, playing behind a defence that has kept clean sheets despite heavy pressure and lack of goals at the other end. He hasn’t signed a new contract yet – and the “choir” encourage him to stay. He avoids looking in our direction I notice. In the end, all talk of loyalty is transitory; these players are living short term lives, the money that they can make at football clubs will have, inevitably a significant impact on their lives – and loyalty is a two way thing; there are  no guarantees from the clubs to players. I hope that we can offer him enough (clean sheet bonuses, appearance fees … whatever) as he has become a mainstay of our team. But he will be being advised by his “agent” and I wish him luck.

Until Tuesday evening we were overly dependent on our defence to get us safely through games while at the other end, the important and exciting end of the field simply not scoring. We are close to the end of the season now and, hopefully Dean Smith – or whoever is managing the team will be able to use money from our Wembley adventures to boost the strike force. Smith has aid in the papers that budget is set by the amount of “early bird” season tickets sold. Really? What about that money from the JPT run?

Tuesday night, I am hoping as we clamber into seats beneath the corrugated roof, was a turning point. The way that we played seemed more free, more open and, yes more attack-minded. Please let it continue …

We are wearing our “Wembley colours”, not necessarily a good omen. The game has barely started and Crewe are manic, fast and pushing up, crowding the Walsall players. In so doing one of their team slides through Rom Sawyers, but is injured in the process: a long hold up. Crewe keep up the pressure, three strikers giving chase to everything that’s lumped up the field. In one attack they get a break (no offside flag) and score: Haber with a powerful header. We manage to limp through to half time with our players looking short of ideas under such harassment. Tom Bradshaw is having to drop further back to get the ball and there are a lot of poor passes which get picked up by the energetic Crewe team. In their fight to avoid relegation they are determined and running the ball down, which is the right way to set about it.

Generally poor support from the home fans, but we are stuck right next to the noisy elements of Saddlers folk. It is humorous and loud – if not tuneful, with every player getting at least one name check.

Second half Crewe continue to apply pressure, energy levels still high. But we show some mettle and make a number of raids, pressing further up field. Hiwula gets the range, but it is Bradshaw, working his heart out as, always, that gets the break.  A loose ball ends up at Bradshaw’s feet. After the ball is in the net we look at each other: how did he manage that?

We step up at this point, so close to the end and dominate. But too late to win the game and get the full three points  that would see us safe for another season.

A one all draw; better for us than for Crewe, but neither of us is mathematically safe – yet.

The general election, unsurprisingly is the  main talk of news and media at the moment. Trouble is none of the parties is looking like an outright winner. Each of them concentrating on destroying the latest policies or speeches from their opponents and putting forward their own which lack any details of where the money to pay for these schemes will come from. Great idea to spend more money on the National health Service for example, but where will it come from. Maybe we have actually got to the stage where a coalition government is the best option for democracy. With the rise in status of both the Plaid Cymru and the Scottish Nationalist Party bound to change the shades of political decisions in the near and further future maybe we should have issues decided on an issue by issue basis. Maybe then Members of Parliament would consider the needs of their own constituencies rather than the party line.

This weekend – on a sadder note – a remembrance service ahs been held to commemorate all who lost their lives – and the families affected – in the Germanwings plane crash.

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!

Guest of the Sponsors; Barnsley at Home.

Been working in Burton. Usually it’s a half hour drive, but Friday evening there’s a lot of traffic. A mild spell of weather, but going dark – the way it will in central England heading towards the year’s shortest day (21^st December). Surely too early for the Christmas exodus: to airports and warmer climes, to relatives, to the coast. So I am not too fussed. But my headlights aren’t too grand. Maybe covered by all the muck lifted off the road by other traffic?

Then my local radio station informs me the east bound side of the A5 is closed. Road traffic accident. I am puzzled … I am going west, and if the other side is closed my side should have  a far easier ride of it.

Fifteen minutes later I’m still puzzled and in heavy traffic, but feel blessed as I hear news that Air traffic in southern England was thrown into complete chaos this morning when the air-traffic control computer centre in Swanwick went somehow off-line. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton airports! No flights leaving, few landing, diversions to other airports. The knock on effects of planes and crews being in the wrong places was still going on as I sat there.

 

Up reasonably early on Saturday. Got to Bescot at around midday. Met the head of I.C.A.D., the building company sponsoring the game and the other guests and went into the Bonser Suite. I.C.A.D. have a wonderful history of both building well and satisfying customers and sponsoring a Christmas-nearly home game. My thanks to them for the invitation.

Mick Kearns, former Walsall, Wolves and Eire international goalie is soon there to see if we are settled in, who wants to go on a tour and what needs to be said in the introduction to the public he will give shortly.He is very personable, speaks directly and honestly (even when on radio his comments may be aimed at Walsall and the players) – and that is to his credit. He leads the tour. We start pitch-side, go down the tunnel, turn right into the home team dressing room. Shirts are hung out and Michael Cain is there. I shake his hand. It is explained that all professional players are contracted to report to the club, by 1.20 at the latest every Saturday – playing or not. I had thought the turning up on Saturdays was a voluntary thing – but of course not. The logic had escaped me.

 

The warm-up routines of players is explained but along with the comment that players “back in the day” when Mick was playing ( 1973 – 79 for Walsall and Eire) suffered no more injuries than players today, and we sweep on into the manager’s office where we learn the team hasn’t actually been notified who is playing yet. A few pose for photos with Dean Smith who appears relaxed and friendly, Richard O’Donnell and Jon Witney (physio). We end up singing a rather ragged version of “We wish you a Merry Christmas” and move on to the weights room.

I am surprised by the unexpectedly small scale of the rooms, especially the home dressing room. I am trying to think why they didn’t design the ground with a bigger space. The ground was built from scratch after all: why not give yourselves a bit of luxury?

Back in the Bonser Suite the banter is good and the food better. I had visions of a beer or two, but am driving to the Status Quo concert in the evening so stick with one Coca Cola.

 

Then out for the game. The whole experience is so much different – neither better nor worse, just  different – when you have had  sit-down meal before hand.

Barnsley. Similar position in the middle table as Walsall. Ross Turnbull (wasn’t he Chelsea goalie a while ago?) in goals is a name that leaps out.

Business begins. But they score first. Against the run of play perhaps, but a good goal when the centre half escapes his marker at a corner and heads in.

Walsall stream into the attack. Convincingly, dare I say it – for a change.  We win a corner. It seems to have been wasted, but Jordan Cook is quick. Running away from goal he pivots and smashes a tremendous volley into the back of the net. It is a superb goal!

 

A commentator on TV will later say “I wonder why he decided to make scoring from a corner even more difficult …” smiling as he said it.

There is actually a better view from the allocated “corporate seats” – no girders blocking the view – and the football is much improved too.  A few minutes later Cook turned provider, jinking a tasty ball forwards for Tom Bradshaw, back from his “ballerina injury” to clinically lift the ball into the net. Rico Henry a young left back plays well all game. In the second half – after complementary coffee and cakes – we rule the pitch, although O’Donnell still has to make some smart saves. This will make him our choice for man of the Match.

Late on a good interchange of play sees Manset (on as sub.) carefully and methodically set up Cook for the third and final goal of the day. It rounds off a splendid team performance. But I cannot stop for the man of the Match presentations. I am on the road, picking up and dashing – once again – to the Barclaycard Arena. Almost remembered the way there from last week, but traffic was not heavy and parking in the South Car park easy enough. Box office to wait for tickets to be printed, then in through the hospitality zones and into the darkened arena Chas an’ Dave on stage. Ham-cockneys to the hilt and rather good at it with hundred per cent enthusiasm.

Seats at the end of a row and next to our seats the hall curtained off. Plenty of room.

Quo on – “Caroline” as per usual to start the show, then professional music to the strains of Bye Bye Johnny. None of the sometime-pantomime engaging chatter between songs from Rossi – who took something of a back seat to re-formed, reconstituted Parfitt this evening. But an excellent show.

Status Quo? It must be nearly Christmas!

Oh – and the headlights ? A bulb had gone – all good now it has been replaced (thanks Halfords!).

Poppies and Chesterfield.

 Began the day attacking the Leylandii hedge at the front of the house. It’s really difficult to imagine that the four trees we’re taking down were scrounged from a garden centre skip. But it seems their time has come – and the trimmings are headed for the family bonfire. The rain stays away and it’s windy but not cold. The drive to Bescot takes me along roads that are edged with autumn leaves swept from the trees by the very strong winds of the week. Golds, ochres, yellows, browns and reds.

There are a lot of fans from Chesterfield. They are having a good run having been promoted from League Two last season and riding the mid-table positions well (tenth at start of play today). They fill a fair section of the away end – and they create some noise!

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal was launched last week and the display at the Tower of London is looking amazing: one poppy for every British serviceman killed during the First World War I think. Its memorable and spectacular. Funds from the sale of poppies goes to help wounded soldiers and their families. Collectors were outside the ground today – I salute them.

This home game was also chosen as the “Kick It Out” match for Saddlers. This raises awareness of racial discrimination at football grounds. It should go without saying – of course – and such events should not be necessary – but the world, unfortunately is what it is and people need reminding. Good that football is playing a part in the campaign.

We have some good news: Tom Bradbury, whose endeavour and energy have impressed me, is back from a hamstring injury –and last year’s Player of the Season, Sam Mantom is fit to return.

Bradbury is our only player to look and act like a striker so far this year. He has a turn of speed, a physical presence and a good eye for goal (five gaols to his name at the kick off). Will there be some kind of up-front partnership with Jordan Cook (who should be match fit after a couple of games in the first team?

No! We are playing four at the back (Richard O’Donnell in goals was formerly at Chesterfield), Chambers as holding midfielder , then Sawyers, Cain, Baxendale and Cook behind Bradbury.

Chesterfield are fast out of the blocks. They confidently and quickly press up the pitch. Our defenders deal well with the pressure when exposed. Purkiss is looking smooth at right back, especially with Andy Taylor opposite him on the left. (Programme notes talk about the wonderful partnership between Mick Evans and Frank Gregg back in the day.

O’Donnell needs to be quick to make saves, but we begin to create chances as play see-saws up and down the pitch. Downing makes a few careless mistakes, giving the ball away needlessly. But is covered effectively.  

Purkiss and Taylor raid effectively down the wings, Sawyers is good at close control but must move towards the ball more often: he’s losing the ball when faster players read the game and nip in first… and Chesterfield are good at this. Bradbury covers all of the forward line, keeping all four defenders busy. But, in doing this he inevitably runs into dead ends and we are short of somebody nipping into the hole in the middle. Sawyers? Manset (on the bench)? Cook?

At half time some servicemen veterans are welcomed onto the field as part of the Poppy Appeal launch. A good community thing to do. Well done my team!

We are not down-hearted at half time. Inside for a quick coffee, we talked about the visit to Tallinn, families, work and a possible trip to Notts County next week. Then back out again for a better second half. Baxendale replaced by Forde after fifty eight minutes and it made the difference. He is quick, confident and his runs effective, taking the initiative and defenders out of the game. A quick bout of inter-passing involving him, Cain, sawyers and Bradbury ended with a beautiful ball laid into Bradbury’s feet – and he made no mistake.  Goal – and a well-worked one too. The Walsall crowd were delighted. So was Bradbury, mobbed by players on the goal line he was booked. I am surprised. Why was he booked? He didn’t leave the pitch. Didn’t jump into the crowd.

We wondered whether he had made some sarcastic remark to the referee who had failed to give Bradbury any of the free-kicks when fouled, tripped, pushed or knocked off the ball by defenders.

Sawyers later got a free kick with a super piece of skill; the ball long gone from the back of his heel before a surprised defender took both of his feet away. Sam Mantom comes on. he looks a little off the pace – no surprises there but is influential in keeping things calm. Would have been a shock if, after all the waiting and build up our talismanic midfielder brought us no good.

Chesterfield players seemed to lose a bit of heart, began arguing with one another (two of their forwards did this in the first half when one fluffed a good chance – and seemed to want the other, running off the ball for him, to take the blame). But, never a team to make it easy on the fans some slack defending gives Chesterfield a couple of great chances. They miss.

A couple of people sitting to my right were taking copious notes: one I seem to think is a journalist. He upped and left with ten minutes to go, but was soon back with a steward; he couldn’t find his car keys. They were not anywhere near where he had been sitting.

Then the whistle was going and I was on my happy way to the car. To be met with the almost incredible sporting news that Birmingham City – who sacked manager Lee Clark this week – lost at home to Bournemouth 8 – 0. Eight, count ‘em, nil!

At home I find an amusing Tweet from a Saddlers fan which goes something like

“Saw a Birmingham City fan nail his season ticket to a tree and walk away. Took it: you can never have too many nails!”

The first round of the F.A. Cup is drawn on Monday. All being well I will be in Tallinn, but it’ll be interesting to see who we get.

What a difference a win makes … and I expect Dean Smith is feeling a little more relaxed too… and the clocks “fall” back overnight.

Images: Tower of London: Stoke Sentinel

Sawyers/Bradbury: http://www.fiveyearplanfanzine.co.uk

Match action: Walsall Advertiser