SW19's ARMY - politically unsound since 1999

NEWS

27 February 2008

Manchester, Manchester United. A bunch of bouncing Busby Babes, they deserve to be....... erm. Don't worry, I haven't renamed this site Red Army, and I'm not spitting blood over their 2-0 loss to the Scousers in a reserve game yesterday (they had over 10,000 for that game believe it or not). But we certainly took a leaf out of the Old Trafford textbook when it came to last minute winners.

Yes, we all went mental, yes it was a good game for a neutral, and yes it did keep our increasingly slim hopes of catching Chelmsford alive. But without reading the full report below (courtesy of the SW19 bureau) I should be happier than I actually am. Personally, I think we got ourselves out of jail last night. There were large parts of the game where I thought that if we were that leaden-footed in defence in the playoffs, we'd be out at the first hurdle. Let's face it, if Margate had their shooting boots on, we'd be at least 2-0 down after 10 minutes. It was as though we had a hangover from Saturday.

When we went 1-0 up we should have learnt to kill the game off and not panic like fuck. It's certainly a big priority to get in a new CB and pronto, because I just don't think JG and MG work. Is Frankie Howard injured? If not, forget that he's buggering off to the US and play him anyway. It's pointless planning for the playoffs in a couple of months time if we're going to fuck it up in February/March. While we should extend our season quite comfortably, we're not there yet.

Did we deserve to win last night? If I'm being honest, I dunno. Certainly if I was Margate I'd be feeling a little bit pissed off right now, although they didn't exactly help themselves by timewasting at 1-1. Karma? Their captain certainly was pissed off, especially with Luke Garrard. Did he shag his dog or something? Don't get me wrong, I always appreciate a win, but I can't help think we should be doing better - being more controlled, a bit more of a unit, that sort of thing.

Because of this, I remain unconvinced we'll win in the playoffs (and I still don't believe getting two home ties is the advantage it's supposed to be). Reason I say that is because we're still doing too many performances like Saturday and last night. If we put in a Horsham/Leyton/Wealdstone type matchup then fine. I would hope we'd raise our game for those two matches and have a more-or-less full strength squad. But last night we used up a bit of luck we possibly didn't need to.

"Oh come on", you're now saying, "Stop being so bloody miserable. We won, didn't we?". Yes we did. And last minute goals are always fun. I suppose really we're merely starting to show a bit of fatigue from the fixture backlog we've just come through. Six wins out of seven is a damn good run of form, although you'd have to be seriously happy-clappy if you can't spot the cracks. As somebody last night said though, we probably just need to collectively clear our heads and just do another lot of refocusing.

Before I let the SW19 bureau loose, a quick glance at the fixtures shows that with the exception of Easter we now have a game once every seven days instead of the 2 per week. Plenty of time to learn how to take corners, to teach Finn how to pass, JG and MG some suppliments from the local OAP home etc etc. We were doing so well this time last week.........

I cannot remember the last time that I was so pissed off after hearing a result as the one on Saturday against the Swifts. Seems like I wasn’t the only one if the reports of TB’s ‘disappointment’ was reported accurately. So I volunteered to do this as a form of therapy ;-)

Even the darkness of last year’s playoff defeat seems less antagonistic. I mean how does a team with a 5-0, 6-1 record go away to a team who’s last two fixtures were a 2-2 and a 0-6 loss, just 5 places off the bottom, and lose after going a goal up after 4 mins?

Chelmsford of course going up 1-0 on Monday against Carlshiton after 5 mins and then motoring on to a simple 3-0 only exacerbated the feeling we had been bloody unprofessional against the Swifts. And perhaps – like the press comments of us “Oh we’d walk the Conference South’/ we’re too good for this league “ – we as fans, and commentators had been partly to blame giving praise. It seems to only demotivate this team in its next performance (though I doubt many players read here).

[SW19 note: I've no idea whether the players read here myself - believe one might but can't be sure. It shouldn't matter if they do or they don't anyway - they're supposed to be focused enough to ignore what we say]

Ok, I wasn’t there Saturday so I can’t report on the game itself but from those that were the first 10 mins of Lucky Caaaaaants* 2 Unlucky Caaaaaants 1 saw our defence continue where they left off, defending in blind panic. How Margate were not at least 3 up in that period only they know – oh, and a double save by Pullen worthy of any league in the world that – perhaps rightly – is earning him MotM plaudits outside of the dodgy decision-making confines of the Presidents Lounge.

Defensive confidence comes from the centre pairing and it was immediately proved my reservations expressed in the Wealdstone game about the pensioners was correct as they were repeatedly undone by Margate’s attack. Slow to react, dithering, both Goodlife and Gayle played their younger accomplishes into tight situations where they got caught in possession - no wonder their confidence suffered. If the established, experienced players make simple basic errors then what chance does the team stand. They are meant to be there as rocks of experience, but started as novices!

Whilst we can now smirk in delight at Margate’s profligacy in front of goal, we also need to look closer to home too. For, by the end of the first half we may had out shot them but also had nil against our name – the closest effort being Finn’s thunderbolt drive which hit the bar (for the stats people we had 4 shots on, 10 off target; Margate 5 on and 4 off)

But again too often the final pass was just that two-foot wide of the mark or delivered that second too late. So whilst we got deflated by our defence, we got promised by our attacking play, to be ultimately disappointed with the finish. Notice a pattern here?

The good thing that could be said about the game was how open it was. I don’t subscribe to the view Margate came for a point. Their attacking play at times was as incisive as any side that has played us at KM and, as a result for the non-partisan fan it must have been an excellent entertaining game. But for us fans….. a knuckle-ride.

Probably the team highlight of the night for us was the Cumbers & Rose partnership. Not quite gelled but even as learning individuals they were a real handful for the Margate defence and, once Rose got that ball through and away from the defence you were just certain he was going to score. The feeling you get with Jon Main. How we need to try and retain those two until the end of the season.

But then it was back to good old Wimbledon: you’ve scored; now let’s just give up the momentum we’ve created and give it back to the opposition. Pull out of all the tackles; defend on your 18-yard line; don’t play the percentage balls and hit the channels deep. No. Fanny around with it and give needless corners away because of blind panic. Did JG really need to give the corner away that lead to their goal (actually the one before on the other side was a freebie too)? And so a bundled equaliser ensured. Again, been there, done that, seen the fucking t-shirt!

And so at this point exit stage right, left and centre some of the crowd. You could understand why. Can’t recall this side having snuck in at the death at KM to win a game or save one so you were on pretty safe ground. Anyway, bet they are wishing they’d stayed now. Free kick to us (can’t remember who got fouled) but up stepped Mr Hussey. Now, come on Chris. Good delivery, just into the box, dropping on the 6 yard line, yes, oh, Jason? No never going to get that the keepers there. In the net. Goal. Look at the ref. Look at the lino. No flag. Arm raised towards the centre circle. Cue pandemonium, delirious crowd and JG being bundled by his teamates.

The moment took me back to the Steve Butler equaliser against Braintree at home in front of the Tempest. But our erstwhile SW19 Editor probably had a better, more relevant comparison – Frankie’s goal against ETU, which helped confirm our participation in the subsequent playoffs in our first RPL season.

Because by the end of the evening the significance of this win was there to see in the table:

Chelmsford Played 32 Points 69
AFCW Played 32 Points 59
Staines Played 29 Points 49

It meant we are still in touching distance of the leaders and clear now of the pack for 2nd place.

We won't know the significance of this result until the end of the season but again we are back on track. Let’s just hope we don’t go down the siding again against Hastings.

Plus Points: The win. Cumbers & Rose. Horsham losing. Margate’s shit shooting. The handbags ruck between Gayle and Goodliffe – it galvanised JG to push the defence further upfield, which helped bring about the first goal. JG’s goal of course (particularly after the slightly easier one he missed a few minutes earlier)

Minus Points: The Pensioner’s party in the middle of our defence. The midfield (what midfield? I hear you ask). Cumbers getting injured? The handbags ruck between Gayle and Goodliffe – not good PR

[SW19 note: I don't remember the MG/JG "discussion". However, you can look at it one of two ways - either it's the sign of a central partnership at the end of its tether or a central partnership frustrated with its performance and just letting off steam. Worth remembering it wasn't too bad before Heybridge]

The referee’s a ….: Pretty good again, by the standards of most Ryman refs, at least he tried to play advantage and if it didn’t materialise he blew up and told the players why. Perhaps a little reluctant to get his book out when they started to get a bit physical and I thought their No. 5 could have walked for the blatant professional foul on Cumbers which ultimately lead to him having to leave the game. Also would have stopped the fecker scoring.

Them: Not bad, a good all round Ryman outfit, but probably not as strong and big as in the past. Played it around quite well but that’s relatively easy when you have no midfield to play against. Got frustrated though with the speed and mobility of Cumbers & Rose so started the physical stuff. Their shooting though was woeful and explains why they are in 9th rather than higher. Obviously Hockton carried them through for the years he was there.

Truth is stranger than fiction: (1) Finn being named Man of the Match. No comment. (2) Why do we panic on the ball? (3) Why cannot our players pass the ball to each other, particularly when we are in the opposition’s penalty area? (4) Why do we defend so deep? (5) When we see a decent AFCW midfield? (6) When will we shoot straight? Final tally on shots – AFCW 9 on, 16 off; Margate 9 on, 7 off. (7) And what the fuck has changed so much that at times this team was unrecognisable as the team that despatched Leyton and Wealdstone? (8) Still feeling totally mentally and physically tired after the game – and I wasn’t even on the pitch!!

Play off victim’s watch: The other tie of interest tonight was Horsham 1 Heybridge 2. Perhaps Saturday’s result wasn’t such the upset we thought it was. Of course, Horsham will claim after effects from the draw with Chelmsford on Saturday. Still means even taking games in hand for Staines and Horsham we are now clear of them totally in second place.

So was it worth it? Depends if you think grey hair suits you.

In a nutshell: As the late lamented Roy Cappell would have said “ You lucky caaaaaaaaaaaaants. Where’s me gin and tonic.”

23 February 2008

Well done AFCW, congratulations are in order. No, I insist. Rounds of applause all round after today. Come on everyone, put your hands together for Reggie Savage 2 Randy Savage 1. This wins the award for the most fantastic bullet-to-the-foot moment in the entire season. And to think I recovered sufficiently enough (see last report) to go today.

And I would almost be laughing, if it wasn't for the fact that we should be two points nearer to Chelmsford but are instead one point further adrift right now. That fucking hurts me to write that, and I hope everyone involved at AFCW is hurting the same if not more

Honestly, I can't remember our support being so stunned and then so outright fucked off afterwards (reportedly TB had a little "word" with a supporter about Danny Webb's substitution afterwards). You get results like Torquay where you're not expected to win. You can and do get games like Folkestone and Billy Ricky where it doesn't happen, and you just shrug your shoulders. But today is inexcusable.

For those blissfully unaware, we scored first through the Cue. For some reason we sat back and let them come at us, a bit like the first 15 minutes of the Wealdstone game. But they weren't that good at all and we were good enough to net another - it was that sort of performance where a second goal would have killed it off.

And guess what happened in the second half? We fucked up. And I mean, absolutely fucked up. Reggie Savage netting twice, no less. Remember him? You do now - shame he wasn't that effective when he was with us, but these things happen. If we were due a bad performance, I can live with it. And we've had some games when we haven't quite been there. But I do not recall walking out in a worse mood today than I have all season.

Today was 100% our fault. When we went 1-0 up we were good enough to kill the game off and ride out any further pressure. But we didn't. Swifts weren't all that, but right now they've taken three fucking points off us. Or more accurately, we let them have three points. Be our guests, we don't want automatic promotion anyway - far better to have two games at KM to have extra bar revenue. I won't make any excuses because there are none to be made. We have played very well the last few games, we have been doing what I expect as standard. We cannot claim a loss of form for today because that's absolute bullshit.

Why did today happen? Because we got over-confident. Actually, that's too mild an expression. We were too cocky. We were too big-headed. We thought (and not for the first time this season) that we were home and dry, and we just need to turn up and get the three points. AFC Wimbledon, meet Planet Fucking Earth, don't think we're aquainted that much.

It always happens doesn't it? A couple of good wins, and the talk of "we need to get out of this division" and the inevitable talk of life in the Conference South pops up again. Every single time. I'm sick of it, but I'm not sure if I should expend my energy over saying it. I know damn well nobody at AFCW will listen. I know damn well that at least once more this season I will be thinking the exact same thoughts as I was at 4.50pm (and a great deal of other people as well). I know damn well we'll go on another good couple of games undefeated and then we'll slip up again through our usual over-confidence.

Yeah yeah, we all think we're higher than what we should be. Yeah yeah, even after today Chelmsford are still catchable. We won't of course, because once again our collective hugely inflated ego will again get the better of us and our attitude will go to shit. Are we good enough? Yes and no. Yes, because when we play as we can, with our attitude right, we can beat anyone in this division. And I genuinely mean it.

But no, because we haven't got the mental capability to have that misplaced arrogance and still go out and win. Manchester United can be cocky SOBs but they also have the best work ethic. AFCW can be as cocky as that but don't have the ability to focus. It doesn't have the ability to get down and play, overcome some tricky spells and muller teams after their resistance breaks. It has a rather impressive ability to believe its own hype though, as we saw today. One point further adrift tonight, isn't it? Just thought I'd remind everyone.

And you know what else? No doubt this Thursday we'll be in front of Nuts TV spanking our cocks over how we're getting a half-hour on national telly each week. Be honest, it's really adding to our inflated sense of worth isn't it? As if our big head isn't big enough. Look at us, look at us, we're on telly. Yeah, and we know what happens next. Torquay all over again, isn't it? Look, there's whatshisface and thingymugic. Don't we look lovely in those crowd shots? Why aren't we in the Conference then?

Quite simply, we're not in the Conference because of days like today. And we're going to remain in the Ryman Premier all the while AFCW collectively continues to disappear up its own ultra-self-important arse. I don't mind if we're crap and we don't win (well, actually I do but that's beside the point). What I object to is being the team with far more ability to win throw it away due to acting all casual and Billy Big Bollocks. Today should really have been a banker - no disrespect to Heybridge, but they're down the bottom for a reason.

I've always maintained it'll be our attitude that will make or break our season. Unfortunately I got my answer today, and if I'm being honest it'll be the same answer that will be given at least once more this season. I'm hoping it won't be in the two playoff games that we should be involved in. But unlike Barack Obama, I don't believe in hope...

Plus points: At least we can get it out of our system on Tuesday.

Minus points: I'm not writing out everything I've just said above again.

The referee's a.....: Not going to blame him for anything, even if he did something wrong. Yup, my mood is that bad.

Them: Fair play to them, they did to us what WFC did to so many cocky teams in the good old days. You could have put money on Reggie Savage netting at least once though. Surprised they didn't mention they had the Plough Lane turnstiles this time (probably thought we'd nick them). Rumours still abound they might be moving to Maldon (a better ground) and maybe even merging with them. Oh, and whatever happened to the Swift Chicks? Remember them? The four female dance/cheerleading troupe last season that made plenty of men happy (and others downright uncomfortable)? Presumably for family entertainment reasons they have to employ virgins, and last season they were down to the last four u-15 girls in the area who were in that category.

Point to ponder: Who wants to go up automatically anyway? Seriously, the more I try to analyse this result the more pissed off I feel. Got a feeling TB's patience has snapped though - his little "discussion" with an irate fan afterwards said that Webb missed two open goals (whether he did or not I don't know, I think Swifts' defence might have had a say) was the first I've been aware he's done that sort of thing. Normally he's mild mannered enough whenever he's in public. In addition, read his comments on the OS tonight:

"In midfield we didn’t look lively or bright enough, and this has happened too many times. Every time we start a good run we trip up and land on our faces. One or two of my players need to learn some lessons quickly.

“If I can make some changes for the game against Margate on Tuesday I will do. If I look at good performances today I can really only limit those to Luke Garrard and Chris Hussey, and no-one else comes to mind”.

Pretty strong stuff, eh? For the record, I hadn't read his comments before I launched into my diatribe(s) above, but I'm glad he agrees with me over our consistency (lack thereof)

Truth is stranger than fiction: (1) The bookie in the Heybridge bar before the game. Presume he was a local bookie who was making a few extra quid while having a nice pint or two. Shame he wasn't offering odds on AFCW losing..... (2) Speaking of the Heybridge bar, it does say something about the level we're at when a sizeable amount of the home support were actively watching the Brum v Arse game. And I mean, actively watching. You do realise that for many if not most clubs at this level (and if truth be told, CS as well) real support is actually quite small and it's the surrogate Arse/West Aaam etc fanbases that keep them ticking over. Which, with all due respect, makes results like this doubly hard to stomach.

Anything else? Yeah. Highlight of the day was the creation of a brand new music festival, SwiftFest. Basically, it involves about 5 or 6 blokes in the car park after the game waiting for the traffic to die down, but with one car sound system blasting out heavy metal from the likes of Drowning Pool and Veruca Salt. Did lead to one rather nervous looking honorary club president and one AFCW PA guru saying "if there's swearing I can't play this on the tannoy". Beats coppers trying to shut down the sound system anyway. Ambience was right for such a music fest though (middle of a field in rural Essex, trees for a bog and the light starting to dim), and you'll be glad to know nobody tried a moshpit. We're too old....

So, was it worth it? Do not even begin to ask that question.

In a nutshell: Cock

20 February 2008

I hate being ill. Especially as I'm currently in that rather strange "nah-I-feel-all-right-really-in-fact-I-think-I-will-go-and-THWACK-zzzz" mode right now. Judging by Wealdstone's defending though, I think they had it worse than I did.

Couple of things while the tablets are still doing their stuff. I did make it in the end - I watched the game from my first ever foray into the Main Stand and I think it does have the best view of the four sides. It does put into perspective just what will need to be done to the JS/WB ends sooner or later.

I was impressed at how we had a sticky first half in places but were able to just go up that gear when needed. OK, conceding late on was pretty dumb but I suppose Wealdstone deserved it out of sheer pity alone. I still think we have far, far too much ground to catch up on Chelmsford even after games like this. But I guess this was one of the most ruthless and efficient performances in the AFCW era.

What it does prove to everyone now (including hopefully our own players) is that our biggest opponents this season are ourselves. Get the attitude right, get our own house in order, and who knows what will fall into place.

Anyway, the SW19 Bureau has come up trumps again. Just hope Saturday ain't a big fuck up now.....

Well! That was a pleasant surprise for a cold Tuesday night. Bet the odd 300 who didn’t bother to come tonight after Saturday feel suitably pissed off with themselves!

Don’t think anyone expected Belt 6 Wealds 1 at the beginning, or at half time. As erstwhile WUP guest bookers Surrey Bob and Barnsley Dave agreed it was a good competitive game, the sort that decides whether you are champions; playoff hopefuls; or also-rans. As I went back to my seat after half time I wondered – “Another Leyton (though I didn’t expect six goals) or Tonbridge Angels?” None of us knew, but boy was the question answered.

Undoubtedly something has changed with the team since the Trophy exit. Whereas that was the escape from the pressure of the league now it seems losing in it has removed the pressure which was building up for us to go all the way to Wembley (perhaps in hindsight too high an expectation given our patchy form at times). Maybe they are happy with the appearance there on April 13 now.

And with Saturday, though slightly unreal as REPD said, we were expected to win but still had nagging doubts we might fuck up and not put them to the sword. And again, tonight – for 15 minutes – it looked like we really didn’t want to be out there in the cold but then, perhaps fortunately we scored. After that did we seriously get put under any concerted defensive pressure, i.e. did Pullen have to make a save of note? I think not.

At any level, confidence is the key to a performance. As you keep winning your mind doesn’t consciously consider the alternative. After our sticky patch we seemed to have again found our feet, our passion, our belief we really can play football.

As someone said, Horsham away was the best football we have played this season – hell, I missed it, but if it surpassed Chelmo at home in the Trophy it must have been good. Tonight perhaps confirmed that you can play football to get out of this league. You just have to win the first half battles to earn that right. It just needs the correct mindset and encouragement from the management team to succeed (© Surrey Bob).

And now is the time we need to perform. In this game and the last I think we have shown a cold professionalism that needs praising. At 4-0 up, ten minutes into the second half, we could have easily shut up shop and conserved. But we didn’t. We went on looking for more, reducing the goal difference margin between Chelmsford and us (which is now down to 11 from about 26 in 3 games) but perhaps, more importantly, increasing it over our playoff rivals. For though we are doing what we should keep doing – winning to keep the pressure on the leaders – there doesn’t seem to be that pressure on us at the moment to chase that prospect.

Some how we need to keep that slightly laid-back, relaxed feel to the club at the moment.

Its now 9 pts behind with 12 games to go -we’ve used up the games in hand and it’s a level playing field. And with us, them and the other playoff hopefuls all having tricky ties still to play, both home and away, anything could still happen in the next two and bit months. I think it’s gonna be fun ;-)

Plus points: The win. Professionalism of the team. Finn getting a bit of form back after Saturday (I was keeping a special eye on him on the night). The goals coming from 6 different players – shows we can score from anywhere. Both Cumbers and De Bolla realising the value in assuming the defender going for the ball will fuck it up and give them a chance. Played football not hoofball (though that can work down the channels for Fergie and Finn to run on too). The young blood like Hussey - awesome consistency for a first season debutant. Hatton playing 1-2s with Cumbers trying to break through - didn’t work this time but cannot remember the last time an AFCW shirt tried that.

Minus points: Their goal – hope it doesn’t matter at the end of the season. Feeling the team is still in the dressing room for the first 10 minutes of each and every half. Not sure about the pensioners’ party in the middle of our defence tonight ;-) Bloody cold again.

The referee’s a ….: Pretty good by the standards of most Ryman refs (isn’t that really an insult?) Allowed a good advantage in the first half, which lead to Cumbers almost adding a 3rd but then, calling back play when Garrard was crudely taken out by their 14 (I didn’t see it by the way) as we were through on goal, only not to send the 14 off (others around me reckoned it was a red). Still, tried to let the game flow and that suited us on the night.

Them: Well, for about 15 minutes at the beginning they looked very strong, big and organised. Were giving Goodwife and Gayle quite a physical battering and were coming up trumps. But then we had the Webb dummy. Think it was Hussey played the ball to him. Instead of holding the ball he dummied it so it passed him and the two Wealdstone players near by. As it ran on towards the keeper another Wealdstone player aimed to shepherd it back, but confusion between him and the keeper allowed Cumbers to steal in for a tap in. And so the tone was set for the night for their keeper.

Some were suggesting he was worse than some CCL goalkeepers. I’ll let you try to name anyone worse on the night. Poor guy’s confidence must have been totally shot after errors on Saturday and tonight. Mind you, as MikeyT said in his Radio Jackie match report slot, he didn’t have much chance with the last 3 goals.

So as shots rained on in on him, his handling became more and more erratic and slowly the confidence in the Stones defence evaporated. By the end, frustration was leading to one or two ‘overzealous’ tackles.

Truth is stranger than fiction: (1) The hand of god – their No 10 protesting his innocence of doing a Maradonna impersonation. I know the cheat was over recently slumming up the publicity with Chelski but……(2) How come considering how crap their goalie was at dealing with shots, he seemed generally ok on crosses when near to him? Couldn’t understand that. Thankfully though our corners seem to have improved (3) A ‘brainless’ WUP was on sale last night though I think you might have missed it. Guess who asked a seller if it had been offered to a particular Club director, just as he walked past? How do these coincidences always happen? It must be the Gods playing chess or something (4) Cumbers is shit – he’s no good. No, not my comment but one’s circulating the guest book. Those in the know believe it will prevent an inform Cumbers being recalled to Gillingham, them thinking the management there read our guest book. Oh the swollen heads at times. Of course this causes great consternation with Maidstone fans or any independent voices not in the ‘know’ (5) Wondered where the Rose was tonight, not being on the bench. Apparently played for QPR youth on Monday night and got them through into a semi-final or something with a goal…. and got injured. Thought taking players on loan and getting them injured was AFCW’s job. Perhaps our luck is turning.

Franchise watch (lest we forget): A touch of disappointment here - apparently if one of the Division 4 games had gone ahead tonight, and the result went the right way, they would have been off the top of the table. Damn the frosts ;-(

Play off victim’s watch: The other tie of interest tonight was AFC Coldseal v Horsham Cloggers. Horsham seem to have held on for the 2-1 win. Puts them 4th just behind Staines (who’s game last night was postponed) with, technically enough games in hand to go above us if they win them all, by 1 pt. But they have Chelmsford away Saturday.

So was it worth it? Are you kidding? Bit of a beating if you ask me ….

In a nutshell: This club – like Wimbledon FC – NEVER ceases to amaze me and trip me up when I think I know what is going to happen. Ain’t that fun?

16 February 2008

If there's a footballing equivalent to having a day off from work, I guess Men 5 Boys 0 would come pretty close. Today was the sort of contest you used to get in the CCL. Difference back then was that the opposition tried their bollocks off for a good 20 minutes, realising they'd gone out of puff and we took over. Poor Leyton didn't even get that far.

When Hatton fiercely struck from about 2mm out, you could have ended the game there and then. Seriously - for most of our Ryman Prem life we've scored first and for the most part the opposition are capable of coming back at us. Today, we saw none of that. It wasn't so much the type of performance we've desired for all this time, more likely the sort of performance we expect. As opposed to come to expect, IYSWIM......

First, the match. Hatton scored twice. Webb did a nice loop for his goal. One of our yoof teamers (Luke Pidgen) netted as well as the Cue. We could have had a couple more but didn't. They had one free kick in the second half that went nearer Surbiton than our goal and, er, that was really that.

So why was today muted? Probably because it really was a foregone conclusion. Christ, I'm not exactly foaming at the mouth to put my fingers to keyboard (no more than usual anyway). Maybe it was knowing that Chelmsford won? Understandable, although I think more people are concentrating on second place now. Maybe it was the news about Frankie? See below for details. Or maybe it was just one of those strange days you get once in a while? After all, we won 5-0 without breaking much sweat, t'Barnsley beat the Scousers and Arsenil got well and truly buttfucked at Old Trafford.

Or maybe it's something else entirely?

Whatever, at least our run is continuing. Our most important game is the next one, because we really do need to keep winning. Yes, I know that's stating the bleeding obvious, and then some, but we've now got to the stage when even scraping by week in, week out isn't good enough. No, the points gap is still the same but we kept our side of the bargain today. Continue to do that and who knows what might happen, even now?

Anyway, onto more pressing matters. It's a real shame that Frankie "Anthony" Howard is departing us around Easter. Doubly ironic as only today me and an SW19 reader were discussing how he's been the longest serving player at the club.I don't quite know who he'll be working for out in NY (Red Bull NY in the MLS? An NCAA program?) but right now it's the feel of a chapter closing. Is he really the one remaining on-field link between AFCW and the Ryman One days?

More importantly, it does create a problem in defence. We really need to act quickly to replace him now, simply to settle the new guy in so he's not totally drowing when we need a strong player the most. MG and JG have a collective age of about 70, and while their experience is invaluable, they are both rather old. I don't want to dip out a third year in succession simply because we failed to replace the right player at a vital time of the season. TB's recent signings have been pretty decent, but he'll need to surpass those efforts right now...

Finally, I don't blame Frankie one bit for going. He's young, it's a good living over there and he would have been an idiot to turn it down. Who knows, maybe we can wrangle a pre-season tour there.............. ;)

Enough of that, here's......

Plus points: A win. A comfortable win. Third clean sheet in a row. Not needing to get out of second gear. Danny Webb scoring and looking confident. Being able to rest players/take them off without it making much difference.

Minus points: Strangely muted.

The referee's a..........: Wasn't bad at all, this one. Not that he really had much to do though.

Them: I don't half feel sorry for Leyton. They get CCL-level turnouts at the best of times, most of their squad fucked off one day leaving the ones we saw today to pick up the proverbial pieces. At times you could see why they lost 11-1 to Hendon, although the champions-elect and Staines both stuggled against them recently. You do wonder how they keep going at times - obviously that bar/nightclub of theirs funds the outfit but surely an inner-London outfit could manage something? Oh, and I think they had a CCL away turnout as well.

Point to ponder: Are we about to enter a very unusual run-in? I'll explain. Chelmsford are (let's be honest) too far ahead for us to catch them. And yet as of right now, there's a nice little gap between us and third building up. How do we approach the next couple of months? Personally, I think we should just keep trying to win every single game. Not only do we need to have a good run-in for the playoffs (and if we blow them now we don't deserve anything) but consider this : both Staines and Chelmsford have to keep winning as well. For once the pressure isn't so much on us - Chelmsford have everything to lose still, and Staines are now playing catchup. Somebody will slip up, and if we're in CCL mode right now it won't be us. Watch Wealdstone win on Tuesday now I've said that.

Truth is stranger than fiction: (1) How fucking cold? Funny that last week some people were wishing they'd worn short-sleeve shirts. Not me, honest. (2) The amount of kids there today, especially following the mascot. Quick word of advice to any of them, or their parent/guardian reading this : it's not like this every week. Once you've supported this club for 20+ years (as your editor has, and christ I feel old) you'll work out why our fans drink a lot. (3) Speaking of alcoholic consumption, I was speaking to one of the Nuts TV stars in the back bar today. Good to see fame hasn't gone to his head ;)

Anything else? Yes. WUP was on sale and, er, then it wasn't, despite best laid plans and all that. I won't go into details here, anyone wanting to know can find it out for themselves reasonably easily. I haven't read the offending piece of text properly myself, so can't really offer my thoughts on here (I do have some general thoughts, and for now they'll be kept to myself). I hope the publication continues, although if WUP decided to shut up shop I wouldn't be entirely surprised. Ironic as what I saw of this issue did look pretty tasty. One thing I will point out though : AFCW's coffers are a good couple of hundred quid lighter this evening....

So, was it worth it? Yeah, can't really argue with that today.

In a nutshell: Why can't it be like this every week?

10 February 2008

Now that's a bit more like it. It's a shame that we're getting results and performances like Harrow 0 Ricards Lodge 2 after the Torquay game, but I guess even we can suffer from Cup Final Syndrome ourselves.

After the last few weeks, this was an AFCW performance with something we haven't seen too much of recently : focus. We now know there are no other distractions to, er, distract us now. Every game literally counts from now on, and yesterday we gave the impression we knew that.

Whether it was the return of Luke Garrard, whether it was the impressive debut of Luis Cumbers (and a bit more on him in a little bit) or something else I dunno. But I've got no real complaints from yesterday (well, I have one but it's the same one as everyone else). Put it this way - repeat this for Horsham on Tuesday and against Leyton next Saturday, and even I might start believing a bit more that maybe we can reach the playoffs and do well in it this time.

When Frankie scored (after a fantastic dummy where he went to swing to hit the ball and totally missed, then connected at the second attempt), we'd been showing more composure in that 10-15 minutes than we have done since our run ended. True, we let them attack us more after that but for once I didn't sense any panic on the pitch. I know it's only one game, but that assurance just seemed so totally marked compared to the shit we've had recently.

No, I've no idea why either. Mind you, TB mentioned this week that the players were relaxed and I think it showed. Despite Chelmsford having their arse torn apart against AFC Coldseal I still think the automatic promotion spot is out of reach now. Not that I'd object to a few more results like that until May. But second place, and the supposed advantage of home ties in hopefully two playoff games is certainly within our reach. And yesterday, the all round performance had that air about it. For once we didn't look a team under immense pressure. QED?

OK, HB did put the screws on us a bit until we got our penalty, but we seemed to handle it quite well. Our keeper looked pretty competent and the defence reacted because of it. I believe the SLP reckoned Butcher was on his way because of the money, although I did hear from a couple of well placed individuals that the defence were getting pissed off with him flapping all the time. How true any of it is I dunno, but our back line certainly looked more of a unit.

Not that I minded us getting our penalty of course, and it came at a passage of play when we'd weathered the proverbial storm and gone up a gear again. OK, we more or less bossed it in the second half, but I'm still disappointed that we can't seem to get that killer third goal. Perhaps we've been storing all that up for the business end of the season when we need to do that the most? Unless of course we really are that shit at goalscoring...

I've just mentioned Luis Cumbers, and for once we've got somebody on loan from a League club who does actually look like somebody who's played pro football. Could you have said the same about people like Ryan Peters and Grazioli? True, it was his first game, and he could turn out to be extremely shit from now on, but when he played he didn't look out of place at all. You certainly can't say that about Jolly, and dare I incur the wrath of many a follower by suggesting that even Main looked a bit more out of place compared to the Cue? OK I'm being unfair about Main, he was settling in before he got stamped upon, but no wonder Maidstone fans raved about him. Cumbers, that is.

And this does tie in with a theory about TB's signings I've been banging on about recently. We've signed Main, the Cue, James Pullen and we've tried to sign Olly Schultz from Ramsgutter. All have something in common - they've performed in the RP. Not just in the Conference, or CS, or in League Two or whatever, but in this poxy, nasty, tricky clumpfest of a division we've needed players who know just what it's about. TB is clearly learning that, and it was something I'm not too sure DA ever fully did.

See, that's what's going to get you promoted. We've seen how CS sides play and it is different to life in the RP. There has been more than the odd occasion when a player comes in from higher up and clearly can't cope with the vast difference. It's a fact of life that player turnover is far too high generally, and until we can put in more youngsters/reserves it'll continue, but we seem to be signing the right players for this division now.

It's not exactly a new thing. When he signed Andy Cole, Alex Ferguson made the comment that he was bought in to win the league for United that season. When questioned about what happened if they didn't, Ferguson replied "well, he's good enough to win it next season". Time will tell whether this sort of approach will apply to us, but I'll be happy to see more Cues and less Graziolis.

Of course, none of this new-found optimism will mean jack shit unless we do reproduce this at Horsham etc. It's those sort of teams we'll have to beat in the playoffs after all. Our current major priority from now until May is to build up the winning momentum and a head of steam for the playoffs. I'd like to see somebody research this properly, but teams who scrape into the playoffs don't really become galvanised all of a sudden and win through. We should know more than anyone.

As much as I enjoyed hearing the champions-elect's coronation getting delayed for another week they're going to get automatic promotion. Not that I won't enjoy it if they did slip up (and I reckon if they did finish in the playoffs they won't go up). But that's too much wishful thinking at this stage.

Then again, I never thought I'd see us keep a clean sheet away from KM this season.

Plus points: A win. Away from home. Clean sheet. Defence looked better. The Cue. James Pullen looking a bit more competent than other keepers recently. Sharper up front. More of a cohesive unit generally than recently.

Minus points: Sam Hatton getting red carded.

The referee's a.........: And I was under the impression this referee was one of the better ones. OK, he missed some handballs, but when he sent Hatton off, well....... Put it this way, it even pissed off TB, and he's not known for his ref-baiting. For those wondering why another ref is getting both barrels, he got sent off for being pushed. No, really. Second booking and all that, but the fact the club aren't going to punish him says a lot. The worst thing is, Hatton did handball it earlier on, and had he gone off nobody would really have complained....

If truth be told, I'm seriously considering removing this particular section in future as I'm just getting fed up with writing the same stuff about them week in, week out. I know some will say that that it's just AFCW fans moaning again, but it goes beyond that (it's not just us thinking it BTW). When somebody like Steven Cook (remember him?) can go from reffing CCL games to League Two in the space of four years, you know just how awful the standard of refereeing is. No, I don't have any answers on how to improve it either, unless you can get a few failed pro-footballers involved..

Them: Considering they had four straight league wins, I really didn't think much of them at all. Whether it was their manager suffering from Manager of the Month syndrome, I don't know. Not that I care either. Their pitch was shit, but not as shit as their goalie's kicking. And I thought Lee Butcher was bad. Programme apparently a major rip off, £2.50 for a collection of adverts in black and white (and it's what they charge normally anyway). While I think that sort of money is bad enough for us, at least ours is in colour and has a fair amount of reading material.

Point to ponder: Not that it made any difference, but can anyone figure out why Robin Shroot wasn't available? Mark DeBolla was "ill" apparently, although it doesn't bode well for him if people are thinking he's pulling a fast one - the rumour yesterday, since disproven, was that he instead turned out for Basingstoke yesterday. As with so many other things right now, we'll see what happens, but didn't he leave Gravesend and Ebbsfleet after falling out with their manager?

Truth is stranger than fiction: (1) Our first clean sheet away from KM this season. This will go some way to explaining why we're not 15 points ahead right now. (2) Seeing Mark Beard walking past me at the bus stop after the game. Glamourous life of the footballer, eh? (3) Taking me two fucking hours to get there yesterday, because Hammersmith to Acton Town was closed. HB is like Leyton - in theory it should be easier than the Kent/Essex sides to get to, but if anything they're harder. I got there at 3.01pm by the way, and I wasn't the only one...

Anything else? We all have our opinions on the Premiershit's plans to further bugger up football with these foreign games. This morning, Richard Scudamore is now claiming that if they don't, the big clubs will break away and form their own league. Personally, I hope they do, because it will mean that weasely little cunts like Scudamore lose their jobs. And cockmunchers like David Gold at Brum will have their entire business plan ruined at a stroke, and I just want to see them running around in a state of panic when the shit hits the fan.

Having experienced exactly this attitude at WFC, I can safely say that any Prem club who is just happy to survive, who puts out weakened FAC sides just to keep in the Prem, and who have no interest whatsoever in bridging that gap between themselves and the big four (well, big three plus Chelski) deserve to go out of business. If somehow a representative of Arse, Chelski, Yernited or the Bindippers are reading this - go for it. Go for the breakaway. Football is fucked permanently now, you might as well not delay the inevitable any longer.

Anyway, I digress. I believe that what happens in the Prem first eventually reaches down to us low-lifes. We've seen it with the £5m fee for Jon Main, the Ryman TV (non) deal. And you can bet in 2012 we will be playing our fixtures outside the country. Just think, after another round of restructuring we'll still be in the clutches of the Ryman (the Isthmian Conference. Lovely). You can imagine Turdey quivering with delight as he announces that the Ryman League is gaining new audiences all the time, and a sell-out crowd is expected for ETU vs AFCW at its new venue in Vladivostok....

So, was it worth it? If this is the start of a new roll, then yes.

In a nutshell: Bit more of the same please..

2 February 2008

What's the song we used to sing to other teams? "2-0 in your cup final" wasn't it? After Parakeets 0 Gulls 2 it doesn't quite sound so good does it?

Actually, while the previous draws/losses pissed me off immensely (not that anyone noticed), today was more of a mock exam where you realise you don't know quite as much as you think. No doubt a lot of the post-mortems will wonder why TB didn't put out a more attacking formation (probably because we would have lost even more heavily) but also plenty of phrases like "learning curves" and "lessons" will get bandied about.

Was it disappointing? Yes, there was more chance of Hillary Clinton giving Barack Obama a blowjob than we were going to score today. Was it men against boys? Yes. Be honest, how many of our players would have got into that Torquay side? As somebody said today, our ex-Conference players proved why they're not currently playing in the Conference.

Were we unlucky? Had their first penalty not been given then maybe things would have been different. Remember, for the first 59 seconds of the second half we really did come out all guns blazing, so to speak. But they got their penalty, RDS netted and the rest is now history.

Did we disgrace ourselves? No we didn't. I think considering the obvious gulf in class we did put a decent enough showing for ourselves. What it did show was our limitations up big time, although that's nothing to be ashamed of. When we're generally low on confidence, when we don't have the momentum and when things don't entirely go our way, we still revert back to last year's tactic. You know what that is, I won't bother spelling it out.

Little things like had we remained focused on our last four league games whether we'd be talking about a big upset in the FAT, or indeed how we'd be getting down to Devon on a Tuesday night. But it's often easy to forget that we're still learning as a club generally. Forget about the lineage of Wimbledon for a moment and concentrate on this particular incarnation called AFCW. This incarnation has grown from literally nothing in the space of five years, when it was just an idea somebody had in a sweltering meeting room in Wimbledon town centre.

And it's not like we had a ready made team to produce, nor a set of people who immediately came away from running a football club. Everyone literally had to learn on the job, both on and off the field. Remember, on this particular weekend in 2002, we beat Manchester City at Shitehurst live on Sky. Since that day so much has happened it's worth a book on its own.

All this in five short years, and on the 2 February 2008 we're unhappy because we didn't attack better against a professional outfit. And one that is full time and playing its first non-league season in 80 odd years. If you take that cold line of logic, it's fucking gobsmacking that we're even on the same field as Torquay really, let alone thinking we could beat them if it wasn't for AL and Luke Gerrard missing, or Webb and Jolly not clicking so much.

Yes, we've got a lot to learn. But christ we've come a long way in five years.

But then, that's our modus operandi. We're quick learners, and that's how we've gotten so far so fast. We don't really think about things like how far we've got in such a short space of time. That's probably why we've gotten to this stage already, and right now we're sitting back, hopefully taking everything we've learnt today and use it to our advantage. Without being BBB, most other clubs in the RP would look at today and see it as a cup final and that's it. We obviously treated it as a big game, a cup final almost, but we also treated it as a taster of what we want to do in the future - and on a more regular basis as well.

Today, footballing wise, was a bit like the Thurrock FAC game a few years ago. Back then there was an obvious gap in class, as Thurrock had a bit more nous, a bit more professionalism, a bit more ability to work opponents and referees, IYSWIM. We learnt from it, and many people would probably make us favourites against Thurrock these days. Torquay had it today as well, and for the first time in ages, we really did look second best.

As for the game, it was a pretty scrappy first half (what I could see of it - and no, I didn't get in the ground late) and once they got their penalty that was really about it I guess. I am getting quite concerned with our form now, although our first team does get a breather from all the intensity this week at least. Granted, we might be able to do without the LSC on Tuesday, but it should be a good time to let the youngsters show what they can do. After all, look at Chris Hussey.

The goalkeeping situation really is Spinal Tap drummer territory. Our new goalkeeper was cup tied so couldn't play today. So Butch stepped in again, and it's clear that our defenders can't wait to see him return to Norf Lundun. Talk about flapping - just look at how the under-employed Torquay keeper collected what rare crosses into the box almost effortlessly.

Of course, I could be a bit harsh here, a neutral was a bit more impressed.

More on the rammifications of today later. Here's....

Plus points: Didn't get whalloped. Came out with heads held high

Minus points: We lost. Maybe didn't do ourselves 100% justice.

The referee's a.......: And bang goes the theory that refs in the FAT are better. In fact, the way that the ref kept smiling with the Torquay players and not with us, so it's obvious that....... no, daren't say it. But really, you sometimes think that refs are harshly treated and then you see the way ones like today's carry on. OK, not that we would have won with him being onside, but sometimes you do wonder...

Them: Let's be honest here, they were clearly a class above us today. You can really tell the difference between a part-time RP side and a full time Conf outfit that was in the pro leagues last year. They looked sharper, more focused, didn't panic, knew how to work the game etc etc. At least RDS made good on his promise not to large it up when he scored. Just proves how much further AFCW needs to go to even think of being on their level. As for their fans, they took probably the most of anyone, though were strangely quite muted. Is it true that Helen Chamberlain got the absolute arse with WUP? Although probably not as much as WUP will get the arse with me after the current front page ;)

Point to ponder: Thinking more of on-field rammifications of today. Does anyone else have that horrible feeling that this game won't galvanise us for the rest of the season? In hindsight we could have certainly done without BW on Tuesday, and just as winning becomes a habit so does not winning. We certainly need Haswell and Garrard fit again, and I'm getting concerned that we're relying on JG too much. There is still a way to go, and we don't have the FAT distracting us now, but having meekly surrendered the title this past fortnight, I'm not in the mood to see second place slip away...

Truth is stranger than fiction: (1) Me realising just how tricky it is to hold in a much-needed piss for 120 minutes. And no empty bottle of Evian to rescue me. (2) On the way to the game today I saw a bunch of shaven head individuals coming out of the Wetherspoons in Raynes Park looking a little bit, ahem, moody. Was it Torquay's firm? (3) For those having a go at Fergie, lest we forget his old man died this week. (4) The return of the lesser spotted Viking man from PL days, thankfully standing at the back. No truth to the rumour that planes have to divert around him. Still has his original issue WFC woolen hat from the 80s. Still has the haircut from back then as well, come to think of it

Point to ponder, part zwei: For those with long memories - didn't this game today have the air of the first time we played Liverpool at PL? Big anticipation, almost like stepping into the unknown and realising that while we could compete up to a point you could see why the opposition are where they are. And we lost that game by two goals as well (and I couldn't park in my usual place today, just like Liverpool 22 years ago). People may try to compare today with the first ever CCL game at KM, and I did make an on-field link to Thurrock in the FAC, but today was the closest I've felt to a League game since 28/5/02.

Anything else? Here's the other major rammification about today. We got a whopping 4085 in there today, and had it not been for the segregation it would have been capacity. Shows that for big events, our fans do come out. What it does prove though is that KM in its present form is not suitable for anything higher than Conference South football. Forget the seating capacity rules and extra turnstiles here - the amount of people who just could not see in the John Smith side (and presumably the West Bank as well) proves that we are going to have to re-step both terraces and make them bigger. Whether we eventually move out of KM or not is irrelevant right now.

Yes, it's safe at KM but comfortable? Trust me, it's no fun having to move around virtually every second to see what's going on, and if I was of the more casual persuasion I would be less than enthusiastic to pay £9 to see the back of somebody's head again. So while I stand by everything I wrote in the BW writeup about us expecting the earth too much, the club must really start looking into sorting out the stadium.

We've had five good years without having to do much to KM (hAE/TE roof and bog repairs notwithstanding), but it's starting to creak just a little bit. And to be fair the club themselves know it, hence the raffle today. As a club, AFCW is about to embark on a pretty challenging time financially - not only maintaining a strong side that might actually be capable of getting promotion but to build up a stadium to match our ambitions. And once again the question of external investment will rear its head again. A new round of sponsorship for various parts of the stadium? How much do Scottish and Newcastle pay us for the John Smith stand sponsorship? If peanuts, time to (re)negotiate methinks.

Failing that, we could always do a share issue again. I don't think people feel quite so broke these days....

So, was it worth it? If we win the FAT and Conference in 2013 because of what we've learnt today, then we can look back on today and say it certainly was.

In a nutshell: Now we can concentrate on the league.

30 January 2008 [10pm Edition]

For those who miss a "proper" report from the Borehamwood loss, I give you one from the SW19 Bureau staff below (thanx JP). If people want to submit writeups for midweek games, feel free. Saves me having to do them.

To a writer, a blank piece of paper is a nightmare. That there are words here shows I’ve exorcised my demons, but on that performance – Reserves 0 First Team 1, TB and SC’s demons are well and truly still around. And they ain’t as pretty as Linda Blair.

Where to start? Well, injuries first. Presuming absenteeism meant injury we added Goodlife and Beard to the list. So none of the first choice back-four available now. And Butcher – replaced by on-loan Eastleigh Pullen (late of the Fisher v AFCW playoff game in 2006) – was presumably being protected in case of injury with Torquay on the horizon. So, on paper defence looked to be in for a bit of a struggle. How wrong were we to think that.

Now midfield and upfront have suffered the injury curse but not nearly so badly as the defence. The natural substitute for Main – Jolly- duly took his place and Webb, after his ban, returned. Finn and Ferguson were both natural obvious selections. So to midfield where we have Hatton, De Bolla and thankfully, perhaps Leberel staying off the treatment table. So on paper capable. Yet that is where they remained predominately on paper.

Now whilst injuries are not something the management team have direct control over, the style and execution of play is. And at time it was woefully inadequate tonight. Basic movement, passing and just a little bit of thought, plus the ability to tackle was all missing and the only people who can be blamed for these limitations is the players. At least some of them.

We looked like a team of individuals yet at times throughout this season the front 6 (midfield and up front) HAVE played together. De Bolla apparently went off home in a huff after being substituted at half-time. I wish at times I had that luxury. Mark – you did nothing first half and were constantly chasing the ball. Sorry we needed to change things around and you were the – straw poll of 2 taken – the confirmed candidate. Not that he was alone in terms of under performing senior players.

In fact if any thing was intriguing it was the commitment of the young guns. The likes of Hussey, Salmon and (better than Saturday) Hatton shone out amongst the dross. They didn’t play fantastic but caught the eye more than the established players.

So what does this mean for now on? Well, thank god for Saturday. A welcome diversion I would hope from the league pressure. Will we win? Doubt it. Partly I don’t want to if it compromises the league position but as someone pointed out a ‘real’ trip to Wembley wouldn’t do this club any harm and if it could be financially ‘milked’ not going up this year might not be the millstone we feel it is.

Back in the league both Horsham and Staines failed to take major advantage of our slip up – both drew so we still remain in 3rd, points in hand on Hendon still. And they have to win those extra points to overtake us and as we have seen, two games a week at this level can be killing to the players. With smaller squads perhaps they might run out of steam

For us, its either get people fit, or look for replacements. The former appeals more. It also means using what we have available – even if it is a stroppy De Bolla or dare I mention, Shroot? At least the kid has been committed to our cause in the past, but I wonder now?

So a touch of optimism is still alive and well ….

Plus points: Horsham and Staines results. The efforts of Hussey and Salmon (no disrespect but if Hussey can be MotM for two games running then….) Ending Howard’s suspension?

Minus points: We lost. Poor performance again by midfield and up front though Jolly can’t score for love or money – he’d even miss in a whorehouse at the moment.

The referee's a….: well, he might have looked a bit like Collina but he sure as hell didn’t act like him. Yes, got the throw-ins, corners etc right but missed all the crucial decisions of the night. Yet again though you wonder what linesmen (referee assistants? Your having a laugh) actually do during a game. They seem to serve no purpose whatsoever. Never take the lead; they are like that puppy that begs your attention once in a while. Ref was totally gullible for all BW’s tactics from blatant time wasting to blocks on players you would have been proud of in ice hockey. When Dave Webb (Daniel’s Dad) sits there shaking his head about decisions you know something is awry.

Them: As you’d expect for potential relegation fodder they were, ummmmm… robust? No pretty dirty without having to be seen to be. But then when the ref and lino miss Webb being punched and pushed to the floor off the ball on a free kick can you expect them to change? They came to do a job and unfortunately we helped them do it. BTW, that’s the double they have done over us this season.

Truth is stranger than fiction: 1) When their No 10 took out the lino into the hordings it was the player slower to his feat. Mind you, perhaps the lino had a bump of his head because he didn’t exhibit many brain cells afterwards. 2) Our goalie managing to clear the halfway line with his goal kicks – please coach Mr Butcher. 3) Staying with goalies, apparently, Pullen was the EIGHTH we have used this season! 4) A comment behind me, second half: “Ferguson’s heart not in this. He doesn’t want to play with the reserves" (just before being substituted) Ouch. But looking at his body language …

[SW19 NOTE] 24 hours after this was published, Fergie's dad up in Scotland died.

Anything else? Well, yes an old hobbyhorse but – why does the defence play so deep? I mean BW were not THAT fast up front yet on the first goal kick they had our defence was no more than 5 yards outside of our penalty box. Time and again this happened. What did it do? Allowed BW to defend so high up that once they were on the halfway line when one of our players got caught offside. Why can’t we do that? I mean if opposition defences are happy to play like that with Main and his speed in our side, why cant we? We start to attack when we get the ball about 10-15 yards back down the pitch than we should be and that makes our attacks that bit longer in time to execute.

Oh and why when either Salmon or Hussey got the ball and have the opportunity to run into this large space between the defences do Finn and Fergie drop back into that space instead of pushing on up and wide to force the defender back so the full backs could run into the space? So many times they neither offered a route for a pass for Salmon/Hussey or gave them too much to do on the overlap (if they felt confident to take it given the poor passes they both offered).

So, was it worth it? Well, helped sell some more golden goal tickets to reduce the debt.

In a nutshell: Waiting for the gulls to crap on us on Saturday.