John's Tits & Oddbits 2001
As in all of John's pages, to make it easier for people who are returning, I will add new bits at the top and date them too.
9th October 2001
SO FAR SO GOOD!!
What’s happening? Over a third of the season gone and we are 8 points clear at the top of the Conference! Like many other supporters, I’m sure, I am having some trouble taking all this in and even more trouble thinking about the future implications. How have we arrived at this happy state of affairs when various factors would appear to militate against us? Several of our best players have hardly played with 2 yet to appear at all. A clutch of teams (is it 8?) are full-time and spend money as if there is no tomorrow (actually maybe there isn’t but that’s another story) so desperate are they to win the crown of champions and promotion to that promised land of division 3. My analysis of what we’ve got going for us:
Indomitable spirit – never say die, keep competing to the final whistle, heads up always. Only against Leigh this season was this not the case, we only competed in patches that day.
Strength in depth – a strong starting 11 always and then, whenever a player is out, there always seems to be a replacement just as good and determined. And what excellent signings, in particular Mark Smith adding to the solid defence.
Goalscorers – alas poor Cobby, we knew him well! Mr Stein is proving the man and the partnership with Charlery can only cause more panic (and envy) amongst other teams.
Garry Hill – this piece has been fairly rational so far, I feel, but it now behoves me to say we are in the presence of Dagger Manager God whenever we watch Dagenham and Redbridge. I never cease to be impressed with his tactical acumen and getting respect and response from his players. I am sure Terry Harris plays an enormous role in all this, too –their partnership is at least as important as any other within the club, including the potential Saga Goal Club Duo.
Luck? – a contentious one this but it does seem to me that we’ve had a little these past 2 months (that is, until referees seem intent on dismissing Heff from the pitch after an hour or so). Maybe you make your own luck? Of the 8 games I’ve seen so far, several wins could have been draws. But you ride your luck knowing it could easily change (although how Nasser Hussain keeps calling a toss of a coin incorrectly, I’ll never know!).
Weaker opposition 2001/2? – another contentious one but there is no Rushden (or Colchester or Wycombe from seasons gone by). Teams do seem quite similar this season although I felt Barnet looked a cut above others, especially for the first half of the 1-1 draw. But you still have to beat what’s in front of you and getting results when generally you are not even playing as well as you can is a mark of a good team as others have commented elsewhere.
Conclusion? When we signed Our Ken last week I thought that this means we really do mean business. Clearly we can win this league. Some of the stronger clubs are going to come good in the second half of the season (I fully expect Doncaster, Barnet, Stevenage and Yeovil to be up there at the end) but I see no reason why we shouldn’t remain strong throughout. Do we want Division 3? As a supporter of non-league football for 35+ years I am reluctant to say it but………yes we do. Most definitely! And let’s do it part-time to show the ostrich-like football world there is another way to do this. Do we want 2 long cup runs? Yes (I’m greedy) but we’ll need our large squad and a trifle more self-discipline on the pitch, dare I say it!
So..in the immortal words last night of the less than immortal George Bush "we are going to keep on going." Not particularly profound but hey! I am enjoying every minute of this, right down to staring at the league table lovingly whenever it appears in a paper and seeking out page 326 on CEEFAX to confirm the good news. Here’s to an equally successful remainder of the season!! And hats off to Garry et al for what’s been achieved so far.