I’m confused boys (I know insert old age gag here). How can we go from beating a full strength side 3-0 the week before, playing superbly as we did, to a 0-3 reverse a week later? For 20 minutes we rode our luck, and defended stoically against wave after wave of attack. The ball just didn’t stick in the midfield or anywhere forward of that. I spoke about protecting fullbacks before the game. It never happened. Goal 1: An overload down our left. Goal 2: I came into the midfield to win a 50-50 and my booted clearance came off the guys face and ran through to where I should have been covering. Goal 3: The best pass of the game (just not to one of out players) At 3-0 down, I reacted to change the shape and made a sub to go 3-5-2. It was a tactical decision no more no less. I don’t need grief for it. Stop it by not being 3-0 down! At half time Nolan very nearly had a haemorrhage. I look around and see people thinking, “sill old bastard.” But who is there to carry you every week…….a 50 year old man. I didn’t see anyone prepared to disagree with him at the time? Passion and commitment. Yes he is a silly old bastard, but he’s Potten End’s silly old Bastard & we’d have lost 7-0 were it not for some old git grit and stubbornness. We won’t win every game. We will concede goals. Lets not get battered. Even in defeat there is something to play for: Your pride, your place, the love of the game, your club, your mates. This week: If were getting swamped and it means 11 defenders - why not try that? If you have to do someone else's job - why not try that? If you have to run so hard that you are too tired to cary on - why not try that? If you have to shout until your voice is sore - Give it a try? After the shape alteration, we acquitted ourselves well. I don’t know if it was my decision, the players who came on, or Nolans blocking that made the difference? Whatever, at least we didn’t concede again, and gave ourself a platform to play from. I was physically wrecked on Saturday. 90 solid minutes of non-stop defending. It wasn't going to be another 7 odd goals, if Nolan & I had any breath left. Potten End are hard to beat. Thats who we fucking are. The league is almost certainly gone now chaps, the Dave Cup looms. Do you want an experience like the last one? Will you play your way for it till it hurts or wonder what if? I can only ask the question. Keep it Rotten.
