Paul Beasley

WILDER – IN or OUT?

The “Wilder Out” sentiments which were very evident until we embarked on our 5 game winning run have now obviously abated somewhat, but I would suggest this abatement is of a very fragile nature. I saw someone in the toilets at Fleetwood shaking their head saying I thought he had sorted it but he’s got to go. There is a very tiny minority who have wanted him out from almost the second he arrived. At the other end of the spectrum a few think it is a mortal sin to throw the merest hint of criticism a manager’s way even when they’ve lost twenty games on the trot. It’s usually the more rational and sane occupying the middle ground who ultimately decide the manager’s fate by voting with their feet –i.e. leaving them at home on match day – or by vocally persuading the chairman to take action. It’s a very fine line.

The Burton game changed nothing.

BURTON

This was a depressing evening out.

The gate was under 5,000, the away following was 65, the rain was swirling, and the pitch was sodden like all non top flight pitches seem to be at present. These pitches suck the life out of a game of football and out of the legs of the likes of Alfie Potter in particular.

Sixty five is utterly pathetic. I could almost, but not quite, understand it if Burton were on a crap run and in a relegation slot. But they’re not. When the final whistle blew they were in the top three. Understanding how the f*** that is possible is beyond me. There must be hope for every team in this League.

Taking the night as a whole, I didn’t think we deserved to win but then on closer inspection and dissection of events I changed my mind. Little proper football was played because it wasn’t possible but in the first half we produced one superb passing move which ended with Damien Batt forcing the keeper to tip his effort over the bar. That was as out of place with most of the rest of the game as a nun at an orgy. In the second half Tommy Craddock hopelessly blasted a great chance over. I still think he’s our best finisher by the way, although Beano may be closing in on him if he continues to find the back of the net as he did for his goal.

The Brewers did very little other than get their equalising goal when the defence, except for Batty, had gone AWOL.

There was no blame whatsoever attached to young Max Crocombe between the sticks.

Welcome Max. (No wait, he’s been here for a while). Given the conditions in which he made his début he can be very satisfied. I thought he looked fairly confident with, for the most part, assured handling. One slight fumble was soon rectified and a wicked first half corner was repelled in unconventional and possibly unconvincing fashion. We’ll learn more about him when the opposition get more than one proper shot on target during a game. (Added later – If he’s picked again)

Crocombe is of course only playing because Ryan Clarke is injured. Michael Duberry went off injured and will be out for a while. Peter Leven went off sick. Already on the sidelines are Lewis Montrose, Liam Davis, Andy Whing, and JPP. Who said we’ve got over the crisis? It goes on and on. Five or six of these would be in our best starting eleven and I think there are some amongst this lot that are vital to any potential success.

SOUTHEND – Pre match thoughts

What another bloody away league game? That’s six out of eight.

We’re bang on target to achieve the standard I’ve decreed necessary to make the top seven – 6 points needed from every 9 available. But we’ve slipped in the last two games and I fear for us at Roots Hall. The Shrimpers looked good in the JPT, and we rarely do well at their place. A real test, this.

SOUTHEND – Déjà vu

A test we ultimately failed through no fault but our own. We missed the chances. More to the point Alfie Potter missed the chances. They were good chances. Finishing is part of his game that very much needs to improve but never seems to.

Add to this one cock up at the back and we’ve lost. Batt had a pretty good game except for hitting his own crossbar and having to take the lion’s share of blame for Southend’s goal. He had what looked like a simple tidying up job to do but instead of getting on with it hopelessly dawdled. Perhaps there was some communication breakdown with our fourth keeper in five games. But if in doubt get the bloody thing out.

On the subject of Luke McCormick it would be possible to write an entire article. I can understand there being an element of unease over his signing but he’s served his time and to state the obvious the clock cannot be put back. What do some people want – that no one should ever employ him again anywhere in any capacity? I cannot help but feel that those who are saying they will now boycott watching OUFC are the types who are constantly looking for any possible way to knock the club, although I’m happy to be corrected.

To be fair to the 600ish travelling yellows (disappointing numbers wise, if this figure is to be believed, particularly as it was badged as an “ultimate away day” but not in vocal support) the vast majority applauded our new addition throughout. The boos were coming almost entirely from the other side of the segregation netting.

As for his goal-keeping skills, he had the assurance of someone who knows his trade well. Again though he never had a proper shot to save; which tells me we were doing a pretty good job defensively.

PESSIMISM RETURNS

I take no comfort whatsoever from the fact that we were probably the better team, albeit only marginally. We’re now back in the position of having lost more games than won. That’s one point from the last nine. Our goal difference has slipped back to the negative.

And to continue the destruction of the warm glowing optimism felt after Bradford, we’ve got another injury to a key player. The latest being Tommy Craddock’s groin and blame is being placed on the Kassam pitch. I’ve no idea whether this is justified or not, but that playing surface has got a lot to answer for. The sand pit in front of the dugouts gets larger by the game.

Another factor that is greatly worrying me is the home gates and finances. The last set of published accounts, to y/e 30/06/11, showed that we were £4.8m in the red. I believe we also made a loss last financial year. Then there’s the current year. I think we had budgeted to make a small loss but this was based on gates much higher than we are now getting. Also the manager was given extra funding to bring loan players in to cover gaps created by the plague of injuries that has befallen us. I wouldn’t be surprised if we are now something like £6m-7m in debt.

So to those who are laughing at Swindon, be careful. And to those who are constantly calling on Ian Lenagan to put his hand in his pocket, please stop and think. This debt is being covered by IL who is not charging interest.

Next up

To get back on track we definitely need to win the next two. Unfortunately we’ve got Bristol Rovers next up. John Ward has turned them around and having won the last three they’re one of the division’s form teams. Their fans will turn up in numbers and get behind their team.

Yes, this will be another severe test and one we cannot afford to fail.