well all i can say after that game, watching this side is like footballs version of masochism. its like you know something is so bad for you and a potential danger for your health and mental state, you know it hurts and you shouldnt do it but you just cant help it because on the other hand its just so much fun and you love it so much, it gets the blood pumping, the adreniline coursing through your veins and produces those magic moments of sheer joy which make you let out a primal scream and punch the air.
i was a bloody wreck by the end, indeed i thought i was going to be sick a couple of times, i thought what the hell are they trying to do to me, what the hell am i doing to myself.it was worth it though.
what a battling,determined, gritty performance that was. as a spectacle it wasnt the best football match you will ever see but at least 9 players performed really well and gave their all. if they give it that much in the next 2 games we should be fine.
im not too concerned that we conceded 2 goals against barnet because the first was definitely offside and the second im pretty sure would have been chalked off for it most days also.
i havent seen the team as often as usual this season and have read much criticism. i felt last night that there is so much potential there. there were a few times they tried to play football and put some good passes together but there is just something lacking, to be fair the game was pretty much played at 100 miles an hour and it was hard to settle into a pattern. there is definitely something there though, perhaps a bit more width and pace would make the difference.
thought mansell and downes were immense last night and benyon must get a mention for working his nuts off. i think we would see more from bodin if we got the ball down more and played it wide to him, he cant be expected to do much if the ball is just pinged in the air up the middle all the time. maybe play him in a more central striking role next season if needed just to see what he can do.
there was 1 player i felt had a shocker and definitely does not warrant a place in the side, indeed, every time the ball came near his position i feared the worst and indeed i was right. both goals came from his side.i wont name anyone or really point fingers until at least april 28th.
the crowd supported and got behind the team really well, nice to note i didnt hear any negativity or getting on players backs (see it works).not one of the most vintage nights ive had at plainmoor and the crowd were a bit quieter than i expected at times (although they were very good) but still a cracking, enjoyable night.
it will be one of my most memorable games though because as i posted before it was my lads first match, its took me a long time to get him interested to go. as we were approaching the ground and we saw the buzz of supporters around the ground and near the turnstiles my dad turned to him and said wait until you get in there, you'll be hooked. then he went through the turnstile with my dad and i flashed back 26 years, major deja vu, i swear to god i had a tear in my eye.
anyway when he saw and heard the crowds inside, the buzz, the players kicking about, the music, the smells from the food etc, the floodlights and taking in the atmosphere he loved it. he got right into the game and showed an enthusiasm for football that wasnt there before( thankyou god, or the team).mind you he did tell me to calm down/sit down a few times because i was embarrassing him(hee,hee).indeed he is now a fan/supporter and wants to go as much as we can, i did explain to him its not always like last night but he at least wants to go to the rovers game. this could make my life a lot easier on saturday afternoons. so we have a new supporter, chunkygulljunior.
