I have to change at Manchester and so yesterday I got on the 12:22 from Piccadilly to Southport which stops at Wallgate. On the train were a couple of AFC Wimbledon supporters who were on their way to Southport to support the real Dons in their first Conference game of the season. Despite all the dodgy deals that went on to re-locate Wimbledon to Milton Keynes the club still survives and prospers, now playing at Kingston which is only a couple of miles down the A3 from Wimbledon. Last season they finished 8th in their first Conference season and are optimistic of regaining their place in the football league.
I then arrived at the DW stadium to witness a mainly Championship team take on an overpaid collection of footballing mercenaries, the Championship team supported by a sell-out section of away supporters determined to enjoy their first day in the Premiership.
When I arrived home last night I did not feel angry, embarrassed or any of the other adjectives that have been over-used on this forum. Instead I felt that, after the debacle of the World cup and what I had witnessed today, my faith in the game of football had been restored and I started to remember all the reasons why I love the game and how I felt when I started supporting Latics all those years ago. I felt that footballing justice had been done yesterday, AFC Wimbledon had beaten Southport and the mercenaries had their arses kicked.
Yes, one thing that really hit home with me yesterday is how much I miss the players we had from the Championship days. Players like Bullard that we brought from League 2 into the Championship and he became an established Premier League player during his time with us, and his injury-hit time at Fulham. Players like McCulloch who stayed with us for 6 years and always gave us everything he had.
At the moment, and probably for as long as we stay in the top division our club will just be a stepping stone where we bring in foreign players to add “flair” and we do all the hard work with them so that the big clubs can just take them away when they’re ready (and believe me, the players want to leave).
The same goes for some other clubs. Portsmouth, for example. And Hull. And Man City are the biggest culprits of this, they’ve already spent £106m THIS season and I’m still not convinced that they will win ANYTHING. Bolton bring in their fair share but the core of the squad is made of players that WANT to be there.
Oh please, come on! These signings weren’t mercenaries until yesterday at around 5pm!
How many people were complaining when Alcaraz (best defender in the world cup), Boselli, McArthur were brought in?
It’s one game and I’d be surprised if they play even as close to that badly again this season.
It’s one game and I’d be surprised if they play even as close to that badly again this season.
On yesterdays viewing, we aren’t a very good side. If we play “as well” as we played yesterday against Chelsea, Spurs et al then we will get battered.That was truly shocking. And trust me, I know shocking…..I watch the A-League…….
It’s one game and I’d be surprised if they play even as close to that badly again this season.
On yesterdays viewing, we aren’t a very good side. If we play “as well” as we played yesterday against Chelsea, Spurs et al then we will get battered.That was truly shocking. And trust me, I know shocking…..I watch the A-League…….[/quote]
Didn’t Robbie Fowler sign for Perth?
Got family out there who go to Western Reds RL and Port Adelaide AFL.
If we play like we did against Dundee United every week, we’re safe for sure.
Dundee United, are you taking the urine????? Since when has beating them in a pre season friendly been the bench mark for a successful Premier League season :roll: :roll: :roll:
Need some flight in mid-field if we are going to collect any points this season. Watson is too light weight, and seems to think is role is to play on the centre backs toes, ask for the ball and them belt back an uncontollable pass to them which puts them under presure, or goes back to Kirkland to launch for a 50:50
We were so poor… this was a chance to get 3 points in the bag before Chelsea and Spurs. We’re going be under so much presure now against flat face when Sunderland come to the DW
I don’t know about anybody else but I have never been confident with Kirkland’s kicking. Whenever there’s a back pass I always expect him to bang a tasty air shot and watch it peeroll into the net! :oops:
It’s one game and I’d be surprised if they play even as close to that badly again this season.
On yesterdays viewing, we aren’t a very good side. If we play “as well” as we played yesterday against Chelsea, Spurs et al then we will get battered.That was truly shocking. And trust me, I know shocking…..I watch the A-League…….[/quote]
Didn’t Robbie Fowler sign for Perth?
Got family out there who go to Western Reds RL and Port Adelaide AFL.[/quote]
He did and he is very popular, particularly amongst the scouse fraternity over here.
Western Reds and Port Adelaide? That’s one hell of a trip to watch the respective home games ! (Western Australia is the size of Europe and Adelaide is in South Australia !)
Western Reds and Port Adelaide? That’s one hell of a trip to watch the respective home games ! (Western Australia is the size of Europe and Adelaide is in South Australia !)
Clearly my mistake :oops:
My dad says it’s the Western Reds and the Eagles, but can’t remember the full name.