So this is it. Less than 24 hours from yet another season, getting the buzz?
This is the last of TLG's pre-game week little chats. After this, bar a short summary of the game before TB's full report sometime on Sunday, we will be offline and in the pub before taking that short walk to the home of football. (Personally, for the 42nd season, bugger!)
This is the last of TLG's pre-game week little chats. After this, bar a short summary of the game before TB's full report sometime on Sunday, we will be offline and in the pub before taking that short walk to the home of football. (Personally, for the 42nd season, bugger!)
We looked at the forwards the other day but how about the players that will back them up. The Blues have let in far too many goals over the last two seasons, time to stop.
(A quick mention of the other new boy Betsy who I hope plays. Always exciting to see a new winger in action and I think good business has been acheived here. Unless he's lost something in a season where he played more reserve games than seeing first team action a class act at Leagur One level and could set Roots Hall alight. An in form Scannell and Betsy swapping wings at will while leaving full backs in their wake could make for some impressive action.)
The New No. 1: Steve Mildenhall. So the giant keeper will make his home debut against The Posh and we wish him the best of luck. Tilly had to do something about the height thing at the back so Little Darryl was sacrificed while Captain Adam and Clarkey live on and the vocally impressive shot stopper was brought in from Yeovil. He'll have to win over the majority of the crowd fairly swiftly, the first corner will be fun, but when he makes a mistake, sometime in 2009 we hope, let's not have any mindless chants for Darryl.
(On the Bench - Ian Joyce. Unless there's a real change of heart that is. There have been mixed reports about the Boy Yank, when he does appear between the sticks for the Blues he will have TLG's full support.)
The Defence: Steve Francis. Got some stick from me at times last season as his defensive duties went walkabout. Tilly agreed as Lewis Hunt kept him out for a while, however an injury to Lewis let Steve back and was never dropped again. Important part of our long unbeaten run that took us to the play-offs. Good to see him sign until 2011.
Peter Clarke. Not everybody's favourite, mentioned in Ron's despatches who seems to be ready to write off 300k as he refuses to sign a new contract and could walk away from the club on a free next May. Certainly wins plenty of battles on the ground but it's in the air that opposing strikers can take advantage off. Does seem to have ironed out the error a match syndrome and looks far more confident at this level.
Adam Barrett. Everybody's favourite but can have similar games as Clarkey, which is part of the problem. While never giving less than 100% can allow his concentration to lapse, especially at set pieces. However, a real leader as the new skipper, equally determined in the tackle, whose forward runs bring excitement to the crowd while coldsweats break out in the guys he leaves behind! Pitches in with the odd goal.
Dan Harding. We await to see what we are going to get, some unfair Shrimperzoners have resurrected a thread where he was taken the piss out off due to a less than brilliant game in the Championship match a couple of years ago that we won 2-0. In T&B we trust, and they seem to have a good nose for decent left backs.
(On the Bench - Guessing Sonkofa, who can play at right back or central defender, perfect to be called on if an injury occurs in the back four.)
Central Midfield: Alan McCormack. The teams rotweiller with a temper to match, though he did seem to have calmed down a touch last season. Possibily out until October he will be missed so the replacements will have to match his winning attitude.
Nick Bailey. We offered double his money and he wanted more, says Ron. He's really pissed off at not being allowed to go to Charlton, says an Addicks mate of a Shrimperzoner. He sulked at Barnet when they didn't let him go, says another on the forums. All I know, along with the majority of the Roots Hall faithfull, is that he was far and away our oustanding player of the year. Never stops running, can be as tough as Macca in the tackle and threw in 12 goals for an encore. No wonder Charlton want him. So do we. I have to be confident that the talk is just that and his minds on the job.
(No 'On the Bench' here as it's probably one out of two for Maccas place and while my heart says pick the Moooose, my head says Anthony 'The Judge' Grant, so you choose.)
Franck Moussa. The SUFC Exiles sponsored player for home games has improved with every outing he's had for the club, we'll forget Donny away as we will for a few of that team, can be as tough and skilful on the ball as any in the team and will only gain consistancy if he plays more.
Anthony Grant. Brought on in his 10 subs appearances last season to close the game down and did a decent job. Certainly showed some of his harder side in the friendly games he played in, some of his fouls would have had Macca purring, will be interesting to see if he can do a full 90 minute job in the heat of League One action. We might find out at the weekend.
That's it folks, just after midnight again, and it's a long day tomorrow.
Have a great day if your going, but for all Shrimpers reading this whever you are, let's hope we get the right result!
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!