The Countdown Begins......10, 9, 8.............

This time last year both Francis and Hammell were out injured, so no left back then! Bailey was, "one for the future!" Up front, Freddie had gone and we were wondering who would get the goals with Foran the favourite, but he was out suspended for handbags at Crawley!

We've lost Little Darryl but have the giant Mildenhall. Francis is fit this time around but who plays on the left we shall have to see, will Captain Adam be placed there in the short term, anybody as long as its not Francis. It looks odds on Clarkey and Adam will start as the central pairing once again for all the criticism. We must stop the leaking of goals that we've seen over the last two seasons and it must help the pair of them with a keeper over 6 foot.

In midfield we will have to await the Bailey-Macca partnership, still one of the best in the division, with the Mooose given a great chance to show he's got what it takes in this division. Grant would be a good signing, playing behind those two, he has a touch of Macca about him and it would allow Nicky the freedom to go forward. However, I would not start with him, though the continued talk of diamonds seems to hint he might, Wycombe will reveal more.

Who replaces MarkyG? That's the real toughie. Personally, I would play Walker wide on the right and start, if fit, with Revell and Barnard in the middle and Scannel wide left. Mark was right footed and did well enough cutting in, James and Damien could switch along with Alex. (TB will not forgive me but I still think he could turn out OK, quote me again in December if he's been injured and scored none.) The good Lord should just try and do what he does best, hang around the box and knock them in.

So that's; Mildenhall, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Sankofa (?), Walker, Bailey, The Moose, Revell, Barnard, Scannell. Subs; Joyce, Furlong, Herd, O'Keefe (or Grant if signed), Foran (or Harrold, depends whose further down Tilly's Christmas card list).

Yes, it's too small, I will keep trust in T&B to do what they know they must do whatever the financial position at the club. If it means players on loan from whatever level so be it. I do have faith in the management duo to find players with talent, Mulgrew was no mug, as long as they do it in August and not January.

I'm not sure of how long clubs are allowed to keep signing players on loan but I'm more concerned with the number of games, we will be in our fifth league match in September, and all it needs is another serious injury or an unlucky red card from a dodgy ref and we will be in trouble.

The Formation

Let's hope there are no more injuries in the next week, especially at the back, and Barney and Damien are fully fit. If not, waiting till the end of August could be decidedly dodgy, as for the Diamond thing, I hope Bushy is playing a wild card but I'm concerned they are not.

Sport is rarely rocket science; work hard, keep things simple and if you've got the talent it will turn your way. In the five years Tilly has been in charge it's been his sides passing and movement, on and off the ball, finding the wide men, who have cut inside to cause damage or if it's the full backs some dangerous crosses or a killer pass inside to a midfield runner to finish off. Or just give the ball to Freddie and let him get on with it. Sadly, Freddie is now doing that for the Coventry so we have to stick to Plan A.

But maybe there's a Plan C, as we have lost Gower and not replaced him, or the management do not want to play Walker wide or have less faith in Scannell than we do, diamonds are back in fashion at the Hall.

Please no, Grant signing on or not. A Tilly side has to remain positive, they've made a decision on the height problem at the back by letting Darryl leave the club, don't sacrifice all your principles just to try and fit the players we have left in the squad. Make them play in the system that has brought the club great success.

Anyway, we can be flexible on 4-4-2, Nicky can play as a defensive midfielder when we need it, he has the lungs, and the forwards can swap positions at will to confuse the opposition. No need for diamonds, the players we do have left are good enough to play the way Tilly likes, playing positive, it's at the back we have to keep concentration far more than we have done recently.

How much share money was raked in, do I now own a seat at Fossetts Farm. Let's be honest with ourselves, the old builder has done a three card trick on us. If I get another phone call from the club asking for more money I might not be so civil. The new stadium is important to the future of the club and no one wants Ron to give in to every agents demand but this is running a football club 2008, there has to be some give and take. We will not fill up the ground in League Two.

T&B have done wonders on a small budget, with the odd error, but they can't keep producing Baileys out of a hat. They are all holding the company line at the moment but there must be some concern about the state of the squad, Tilly will not accept mediocrity. We have two of the best coaches in the country, Ron has to give them something now, not next year, or we may lose one of them.

We are all happy that Nicky looks as if he is staying but we will have to sell him this time next year if we want some decent dosh especially if he repeats the form of last season. We can give him the wages he and his agent will be looking for come May to sign up for another two years but that may depend on what league we are in.

We must aim at the top six again. No team can say win a few, lose a few. Every game is there to be won and let's see where we are Boxing Day. I am more concerned than I was this time last year and I believe it's a tougher division than it was but we must go for it.

If we finish mid-table, do a sort of Walsall or Tranmere of last year, fair enough, but for now, promotion has to be the ambition, there's not much a really decent signing, (yes, even a freebie), could do to put a positive belief in most supporters. However, for now, bring on Peterborough and the Little Fergie.

Come On You Blues!!!!!!

EEB