Bristol City are firmly back on track, following a run of three defeats in a row by going five games unbeaten. A win away at Watford, and a draw away at neighbours Plymouth in a game we should have won, has restored confidence, although the huge police operation I had to encounter to watch the game hindered my enjoyment of it.
At the weekend I witnessed a typical derby against Cardiff City - full of passion and determination, but lacking in real quality. The atmosphere throughout the encounter was electric with the Cardiff fans booing ex-Swansea player Lee Trundle at every opportunity. He had the last laugh with a lucky touch on his left shoulder sending Marvin Elliot’s header in to the net just after the half time break. We had chances to extend our lead with David Noble and Ivan Sproule going close with close range efforts, but 1-0 was enough.
Cardiff had made things tricky for themselves when Steven Thompson was sent off for a disgraceful tackle on goalkeeper Adriano Basso after just 15 minutes. As is usually the case, it was not easy playing against ten men as they packed their defence. Fortunately an in-swinging corner by Lee Johnson to Elliot helped give us all three points.
We are nearly at the half way stage in the season and we are sitting comfortably in third place. Before the season began, I would have laughed at the suggestion that after 22 games we would be chasing the leaders. Many predicted that we would struggle while others would have settled for a mid table position at this point. It just shows the belief this team has. We are still keen to catch West Brom and could find ourselves top if we win next Saturday against Barnsley.
Credit has to go Gary Johnson who in just over two years has created a winning team and I am sure we will be challenging for the play-offs in May. With the announcement recently of new training ground ready for next season, and plans for a new 30,000 all-seater stadium to be built by 2011, these are exciting times for City.
We are close to the top of the table and with the transfer window fast approaching, if we make a couple a good signings we could really mount a challenge this season. I am probably getting carried away of dreaming of the promise land but I think that’s allowed after years of disappointment. But first and foremost we need to get to the 50 point mark to ensure survival and then kick on. The future’s bright, the future’s red!
ANDY DAVIES
Tuesday 18 December 2007
Wednesday 12 December 2007
Honours even in derby battle
It’s fair to say that the atmosphere at Home Park for Plymouth Argyle home matches has slowly disintegrated over the last few seasons. When the Greens stormed through the lower divisions from 2001-2004, blitzing all-comers on the way to two championships in three years, there were countless days when the Devonport End roof virtually struggled to withstand the force of noise from underneath. And, for the biggest games, the Zoo Corner of the Lyndhurst began to develop in a similar way, with hundreds on their feet, united in song, for long periods.
This is something which has slowly fallen away, and there are several reasons for this, aside from the obvious – Argyle, of course, haven’t experienced a promotion season in the intervening period. Success will always get the fans singing, and there were so many massively important ties at the time, with so much riding on them – who can forget Mansfield and Exeter at home in 2002, or Swindon and QPR in 2004? The nervous tension of these games and the large, fervent support was conducive to a raucous, intimidating atmosphere.
That was replicated a couple of times when Argyle first went up to the Championship – Leeds at home in particular – but the disappointments and defeats of a long, hard season, where Argyle struggled with the step up to the second tier, wore down the supporters. An average of 16,420 saw league matches at Home Park in 2004-05, the highest number since 1960-61. This should have been the springboard for a widening of the fanbase and increased success, but the incompetence of Bobby Williamson and conservative tactics of his successor Tony Pulis drove the crowds away.
Bristol City are currently in a similar position to where Argyle were three years ago. Flushed with the feel-good factor from promotion, the crowds are still high and roaring on their team. However, with the Robins having managed to hang on to their messiah, manager Gary Johnson, while the Pilgrims lost ours, Paul Sturrock, to Southampton. City have started their assault on the Championship impressively well, the winning momentum yet to catch up with them.
Saturday, of course, was where the two sides met, and as well as providing an opportunity to decide the strongest side in the Westcountry, it allowed an intriguing insight into the state of two broadly progressive clubs who, sooner or later, should be making real challenges for places in the Premiership.
This was the first Argyle game which came anything close to a derby since promotion to the Championship, and, with City having sold out the Barn Park End, they were obviously up for it too, despite their claims that this week’s home tie with Cardiff means more.
The police, at any rate, were not taking chances. Travelling down on the train with my Turnip companion Andy Davies, and clad in a green shirt and scarf, I was surrounded by a see of Bristolians from Temple Meads onwards. There was certainly a degree of comfort in having the boys in yellow blazers only a couple of yards away.
At Plymouth station the security was stepped up with City fans diverted away from everyone else. I very nearly got dragged with them, but thankfully several determined jabs at my scarf amid the din conveyed to the coppers that this might be unwise. On the way back, I was not able to find Andy until we had passed Bristol, with the City fans having been kept inside the ground for more than 20 minutes after the match, and the train coaches segregated to avoid conflicts.
The Britannia Inn, on the corner of the ground, held a calmer ambience, with red and green mixing happily, but this was obviously not the case inside Home Park. A small segregation area, and the apparent willingness of the stewards to allow the massed opposing ranks in the Zoo corner and away end to stand for the entire game, was conducive to a crackling atmosphere. Even Andy admitted, at the time, that Argyle outsang Bristol. And we had something approaching those days I was referring to; the first time since the Watford FA Cup quarter-final, last season, that Home Park had felt like a real football ground.
And there was the return of personalised songs. An Argyle team entering the field of play in 2003 would have been greeted by an individual chant for almost every player – from ‘Marino, woah-oah!’ (Marino Keith) to the famous Jason Bent Song (he ‘came from Canada to play for Ar-gy-le’, to the tune of ‘John Brown’s Body’, and was compared favourably to the also-dreadlocked Edgar Davids) – but as the folk heroes have been found out at higher levels, and the club have got bigger, the relationship between players and fans has become weaker and these songs have dwindled.
Also, these songs, often started as a joke by small groups of fans, are much harder to spread in the bigger crowds and designated seating of today.
But when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was tugged down in the box by Louis Carey on 23 minutes and got up to smash home the resulting penalty, the former Manchester United trainee’s enthusiastic celebrations were greeted by the Lyndhurst roaring his name to the cheesy tune of KC & The Sunshine Band’s ‘Give It Up’. Sylvan’s further exploits provoked repeat readings, and a classic was born.
Kristian Timar didn’t have the best of afternoons, slicing the ball horrifically over Romain Larrieu’s head for City’s second-half own-goal equaliser, but beforehand he had been treated to several hearty bellowings of his surname. And for Argyle’s man-of-the-match goalkeeper, ‘He’s French, he’s great, he’s David Friio’s mate’ made a welcome return.
I didn’t sit down all afternoon. And though the 1-1 result, while probably a fair reflection of the game, was mildly disappointing given Argyle’s winning position, the atmosphere was how it should be every week.
The problem of making this happen is a complex one which must be examined separately, but certainly the decision to reduce prices for the Hull City FA Cup game on January 5 is a step in the right direction.
As for the best team in the Westcountry…the league table suggests the Robins are on top, but this game was as tight as they come, and for 70 minutes the Pilgrims looked the likely winners. Four months til the rematch. I’m excited already.
RICH PARTINGTON
This is something which has slowly fallen away, and there are several reasons for this, aside from the obvious – Argyle, of course, haven’t experienced a promotion season in the intervening period. Success will always get the fans singing, and there were so many massively important ties at the time, with so much riding on them – who can forget Mansfield and Exeter at home in 2002, or Swindon and QPR in 2004? The nervous tension of these games and the large, fervent support was conducive to a raucous, intimidating atmosphere.
That was replicated a couple of times when Argyle first went up to the Championship – Leeds at home in particular – but the disappointments and defeats of a long, hard season, where Argyle struggled with the step up to the second tier, wore down the supporters. An average of 16,420 saw league matches at Home Park in 2004-05, the highest number since 1960-61. This should have been the springboard for a widening of the fanbase and increased success, but the incompetence of Bobby Williamson and conservative tactics of his successor Tony Pulis drove the crowds away.
Bristol City are currently in a similar position to where Argyle were three years ago. Flushed with the feel-good factor from promotion, the crowds are still high and roaring on their team. However, with the Robins having managed to hang on to their messiah, manager Gary Johnson, while the Pilgrims lost ours, Paul Sturrock, to Southampton. City have started their assault on the Championship impressively well, the winning momentum yet to catch up with them.
Saturday, of course, was where the two sides met, and as well as providing an opportunity to decide the strongest side in the Westcountry, it allowed an intriguing insight into the state of two broadly progressive clubs who, sooner or later, should be making real challenges for places in the Premiership.
This was the first Argyle game which came anything close to a derby since promotion to the Championship, and, with City having sold out the Barn Park End, they were obviously up for it too, despite their claims that this week’s home tie with Cardiff means more.
The police, at any rate, were not taking chances. Travelling down on the train with my Turnip companion Andy Davies, and clad in a green shirt and scarf, I was surrounded by a see of Bristolians from Temple Meads onwards. There was certainly a degree of comfort in having the boys in yellow blazers only a couple of yards away.
At Plymouth station the security was stepped up with City fans diverted away from everyone else. I very nearly got dragged with them, but thankfully several determined jabs at my scarf amid the din conveyed to the coppers that this might be unwise. On the way back, I was not able to find Andy until we had passed Bristol, with the City fans having been kept inside the ground for more than 20 minutes after the match, and the train coaches segregated to avoid conflicts.
The Britannia Inn, on the corner of the ground, held a calmer ambience, with red and green mixing happily, but this was obviously not the case inside Home Park. A small segregation area, and the apparent willingness of the stewards to allow the massed opposing ranks in the Zoo corner and away end to stand for the entire game, was conducive to a crackling atmosphere. Even Andy admitted, at the time, that Argyle outsang Bristol. And we had something approaching those days I was referring to; the first time since the Watford FA Cup quarter-final, last season, that Home Park had felt like a real football ground.
And there was the return of personalised songs. An Argyle team entering the field of play in 2003 would have been greeted by an individual chant for almost every player – from ‘Marino, woah-oah!’ (Marino Keith) to the famous Jason Bent Song (he ‘came from Canada to play for Ar-gy-le’, to the tune of ‘John Brown’s Body’, and was compared favourably to the also-dreadlocked Edgar Davids) – but as the folk heroes have been found out at higher levels, and the club have got bigger, the relationship between players and fans has become weaker and these songs have dwindled.
Also, these songs, often started as a joke by small groups of fans, are much harder to spread in the bigger crowds and designated seating of today.
But when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was tugged down in the box by Louis Carey on 23 minutes and got up to smash home the resulting penalty, the former Manchester United trainee’s enthusiastic celebrations were greeted by the Lyndhurst roaring his name to the cheesy tune of KC & The Sunshine Band’s ‘Give It Up’. Sylvan’s further exploits provoked repeat readings, and a classic was born.
Kristian Timar didn’t have the best of afternoons, slicing the ball horrifically over Romain Larrieu’s head for City’s second-half own-goal equaliser, but beforehand he had been treated to several hearty bellowings of his surname. And for Argyle’s man-of-the-match goalkeeper, ‘He’s French, he’s great, he’s David Friio’s mate’ made a welcome return.
I didn’t sit down all afternoon. And though the 1-1 result, while probably a fair reflection of the game, was mildly disappointing given Argyle’s winning position, the atmosphere was how it should be every week.
The problem of making this happen is a complex one which must be examined separately, but certainly the decision to reduce prices for the Hull City FA Cup game on January 5 is a step in the right direction.
As for the best team in the Westcountry…the league table suggests the Robins are on top, but this game was as tight as they come, and for 70 minutes the Pilgrims looked the likely winners. Four months til the rematch. I’m excited already.
RICH PARTINGTON
Thursday 6 December 2007
Halmosi and co could make Sturrock king again
Plymouth Argyle's 2-1 defeat against Championship strugglers Norwich City on Tuesday night may have continued an unspectacular start for returning manager Paul Sturrock, but the ingredients seem to be in place to suggest significant success is within reach.
Losing at home to an excellent West Brom outfit in Luggy’s first game back at Home Park was disappointing, but certainly no disgrace. And goals from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Krisztian Timar, and Nadjim Abdou chalked up the first points of the new regime in Saturday’s 3-0 home win over Scunthorpe.
Norwich seem somewhat revitalised under Glen Roeder, whose knack for making a notable initial impact at a new club continues. He did the same as Newcastle United caretaker in the latter part of the 2005-6 season, and was given the job full-time, eventually discovering St. James’s Park to be as much of a managerial graveyard as most of his predecessors.
Reduced-price ticket schemes for Tuesday’s match (shows what a big draw Plymouth are!) dragged more than 25,000 into Carrow Road, and the big crowd seemed to intimidate referee Paul Taylor, whose decision to award an 87th minute penalty for Paul Connolly’s clearly ball-winning challenge on Darren Huckerby was quite frankly shocking.
But, looking at the bigger picture, the playing staff currently present at Home Park look well-equipped for a Sturrock team.
A few are still there from his last reign, of course. Romain Larrieu and Luke McCormick continue to dispute the goalkeeping jersey, with the former deservedly holding sway at present.
Paul Connolly broke through from the youth ranks in Luggy’s last season and, after looking out of his depth in the second tier for the last few years, appears somewhat rejuvenated at right-back, his performance in the 1-0 win at Sheffield United on November 24 a particular highlight.
Lee Hodges has defied all predictions, and his own advancing years, to adapt admirably to a higher level, although again it has taken time, and those wearying legs have necessitated a move backwards from midfield.
David Norris, a Sturrock find, continues to work his arse off in midfield, and the old tendency to sprint down blind alleys appears to be waning. Paul Wotton, Mr. Plymouth Argyle and the club captain, remains also, and is approaching recovery from knee ligament damage sustained more than a year ago.
But whether he’ll break back into the side must be a moot point. For there is an abundance of talent elsewhere in the squad.
It has often been said of Sturrock that his talents are in the lower leagues; and promotions with Sheffield Wednesday, Swindon Town, and of course Plymouth (esentially twice) seem to support this. He is yet to achieve anything massive above the lower levels, unfairly sacked at Wednesday (they’ve not got any better since) and Southampton (they’ve got a lot worse).
At St. Mary’s Luggy bought Peter Crouch, who scored a hatful of goals and was sold on at a massive profit. Given only thirteen games, Sturrock won a respectable five, but was hounded out by negative media coverage, and, allegedly, a dressing room revolt involving the likes of Kevin Phillips and James Beattie, ‘star’ names who apparently objected to their managers fashion sense and strict changing regimes. Both have long since left the Saints, who have plummeted out of the Premier League and towards financial meltdown.
Sturrock, it seems, does not suffer fools, or big egos gladly. He’ll have been pleased to find a refreshing absence of those at Plymouth. Despite three nightclub-related arrests of Argyle players in the last eighteen months – Marcel Seip (twice) and Ebanks-Blake the culprits – these are a hard-working bunch with a similar team ethic to that instilled in the rampant 2001-2004 sides.
Seip is a rock at the back, magnificently consistent and an excellent reader of the game. Timar, who nicked his second goal in as many games at Norwich, in so doing recalled one Graham Coughlan – a monstrous figure arriving late in the box, splitting the defence, and delivering a powerful header.
The Gallic pairing of Abdou and the veteran Lilian Nalis reflect many of the qualities the David Friio-Steve Adams partnership brought in the centre of the Argyle midfield. Nalis is a vastly improved version of Adams, winning the ball constantly, and subtly orchestrating the midfield, albeit with the technical ability, shooting boots, and attacking thrust the Plymothian lacked. ‘Jimmy’, meanwhile, has some way to go to match Friio’s legendary status, but arriving late in the box and slotting home like he did on Saturday is a good way to go about it.
In attack Ebanks-Blake, Jermaine Easter, Barry Hayles, and Rory Fallon provide Sturrock with a far more competent stable of strikers than during his initial tenure, but the real gem is on the left hand side of midfield.
Hungarian international Peter Halmosi was Argyle’s record signing when joining from Debrecen for £400,000 in the summer, making permanent and impressive loan spell. His displays this season have raised the bar for every player at the club, a constant source of creation and invention. All three strikes against Scunthorpe were products of his assists, and Luggy is clearly a fan.
Halmosi’s humble yet fiercely determined nature – he has made it clear he wants to play in the Premiership – mark him out at the archetypal Paul Sturrock player. He’ll surely be in the top league next season, with or without Argyle.
RICH PARTINGTON
Losing at home to an excellent West Brom outfit in Luggy’s first game back at Home Park was disappointing, but certainly no disgrace. And goals from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Krisztian Timar, and Nadjim Abdou chalked up the first points of the new regime in Saturday’s 3-0 home win over Scunthorpe.
Norwich seem somewhat revitalised under Glen Roeder, whose knack for making a notable initial impact at a new club continues. He did the same as Newcastle United caretaker in the latter part of the 2005-6 season, and was given the job full-time, eventually discovering St. James’s Park to be as much of a managerial graveyard as most of his predecessors.
Reduced-price ticket schemes for Tuesday’s match (shows what a big draw Plymouth are!) dragged more than 25,000 into Carrow Road, and the big crowd seemed to intimidate referee Paul Taylor, whose decision to award an 87th minute penalty for Paul Connolly’s clearly ball-winning challenge on Darren Huckerby was quite frankly shocking.
But, looking at the bigger picture, the playing staff currently present at Home Park look well-equipped for a Sturrock team.
A few are still there from his last reign, of course. Romain Larrieu and Luke McCormick continue to dispute the goalkeeping jersey, with the former deservedly holding sway at present.
Paul Connolly broke through from the youth ranks in Luggy’s last season and, after looking out of his depth in the second tier for the last few years, appears somewhat rejuvenated at right-back, his performance in the 1-0 win at Sheffield United on November 24 a particular highlight.
Lee Hodges has defied all predictions, and his own advancing years, to adapt admirably to a higher level, although again it has taken time, and those wearying legs have necessitated a move backwards from midfield.
David Norris, a Sturrock find, continues to work his arse off in midfield, and the old tendency to sprint down blind alleys appears to be waning. Paul Wotton, Mr. Plymouth Argyle and the club captain, remains also, and is approaching recovery from knee ligament damage sustained more than a year ago.
But whether he’ll break back into the side must be a moot point. For there is an abundance of talent elsewhere in the squad.
It has often been said of Sturrock that his talents are in the lower leagues; and promotions with Sheffield Wednesday, Swindon Town, and of course Plymouth (esentially twice) seem to support this. He is yet to achieve anything massive above the lower levels, unfairly sacked at Wednesday (they’ve not got any better since) and Southampton (they’ve got a lot worse).
At St. Mary’s Luggy bought Peter Crouch, who scored a hatful of goals and was sold on at a massive profit. Given only thirteen games, Sturrock won a respectable five, but was hounded out by negative media coverage, and, allegedly, a dressing room revolt involving the likes of Kevin Phillips and James Beattie, ‘star’ names who apparently objected to their managers fashion sense and strict changing regimes. Both have long since left the Saints, who have plummeted out of the Premier League and towards financial meltdown.
Sturrock, it seems, does not suffer fools, or big egos gladly. He’ll have been pleased to find a refreshing absence of those at Plymouth. Despite three nightclub-related arrests of Argyle players in the last eighteen months – Marcel Seip (twice) and Ebanks-Blake the culprits – these are a hard-working bunch with a similar team ethic to that instilled in the rampant 2001-2004 sides.
Seip is a rock at the back, magnificently consistent and an excellent reader of the game. Timar, who nicked his second goal in as many games at Norwich, in so doing recalled one Graham Coughlan – a monstrous figure arriving late in the box, splitting the defence, and delivering a powerful header.
The Gallic pairing of Abdou and the veteran Lilian Nalis reflect many of the qualities the David Friio-Steve Adams partnership brought in the centre of the Argyle midfield. Nalis is a vastly improved version of Adams, winning the ball constantly, and subtly orchestrating the midfield, albeit with the technical ability, shooting boots, and attacking thrust the Plymothian lacked. ‘Jimmy’, meanwhile, has some way to go to match Friio’s legendary status, but arriving late in the box and slotting home like he did on Saturday is a good way to go about it.
In attack Ebanks-Blake, Jermaine Easter, Barry Hayles, and Rory Fallon provide Sturrock with a far more competent stable of strikers than during his initial tenure, but the real gem is on the left hand side of midfield.
Hungarian international Peter Halmosi was Argyle’s record signing when joining from Debrecen for £400,000 in the summer, making permanent and impressive loan spell. His displays this season have raised the bar for every player at the club, a constant source of creation and invention. All three strikes against Scunthorpe were products of his assists, and Luggy is clearly a fan.
Halmosi’s humble yet fiercely determined nature – he has made it clear he wants to play in the Premiership – mark him out at the archetypal Paul Sturrock player. He’ll surely be in the top league next season, with or without Argyle.
RICH PARTINGTON
Saturday 1 December 2007
FGR do Gloucestershire proud
Gloucestershire ‘village’ side Forest Green Rovers may not have won at the County Ground on Saturday afternoon. They may not have even won a place in Sunday’s FA Cup Third Round draw, but what they did win was the respect of the Swindon Town fans.
The weather for the game was typical cup tie weather. Drizzle soon turned into showers as I queued for a bus to the train station…only to find that the 12:46 train to Swindon had been cancelled for some reason. Fortunately there was a free bus to Swindon from Cheltenham, that took from 1:10pm to 2:50pm.
So I was already a bit late getting there. On my way to the stand I noticed a few hundred bank notes (presumably fake or I would probably have picked them up myself!) scattered over the floor saying "take your payoff and go". Unfortunately I couldn’t dwell on it too much as I had a game to get to.
Now anyone who has had the pleasure of being an away supporter at Swindon, will know that they are seated in the Stratton Bank, which is an uncovered area behind the goal….and although I had a coat, and a jumper on, I had no hood, so I was hardly shielded from the elements. I envied all the Forest Green fans wrapped up warm in their hats and scarves.
At half time, Swindon led 1-0, JP McGovern scoring direct from a corner. The first half wasn’t particularly noteworthy; despite the rain the sun was shining in the away fans faces, and it was difficult to see where exactly the ball was without getting a blinding headache.
What FGR boss Jim Harvey said to the non-leaguers at half time must have worked though. About ten minutes in, Stuart Fleetwood scored, followed by a crazy celebration in which half the team did Klinsmann dives one after the other. A word on Fleetwood before I go on by the way….that was his 24th goal this season. Compare that to the entire Derby County team who have scored a total of…five.
Most strikers would be proud to have scored two dozen goals in all competitions in May never mind early December. Just as Forest Green fans thought it couldn’t get any better, it did, Mark Beesley heading in a cross, and the away fans went wild. Only 24 minutes to hold on!
Ok…so they tried to hold on for the win, and it failed. Former Plymouth player Hasney Aljofree headed in a cross from the left, and the Rovers looked as though Rovers would have to make do with a replay.
Except they didn’t even manage that, because with minutes to go, substitute and general daddy’s boy Blair Sturrock scored a rebound from Billy Paynter’s saved shot, to send Swindon into the hat.
Despite coming so close, and missing out, the population of Nailsworth will have their heads held high tonight, after pushing the former Premiership side all the way, and almost pulling off another upset. I must confess I was already planning a trip to the New Lawn for the replay but alas it wasn’t to be and thoughts can carry on to the League, and the FA Trophy.
JAMES LEWIS
The weather for the game was typical cup tie weather. Drizzle soon turned into showers as I queued for a bus to the train station…only to find that the 12:46 train to Swindon had been cancelled for some reason. Fortunately there was a free bus to Swindon from Cheltenham, that took from 1:10pm to 2:50pm.
So I was already a bit late getting there. On my way to the stand I noticed a few hundred bank notes (presumably fake or I would probably have picked them up myself!) scattered over the floor saying "take your payoff and go". Unfortunately I couldn’t dwell on it too much as I had a game to get to.
Now anyone who has had the pleasure of being an away supporter at Swindon, will know that they are seated in the Stratton Bank, which is an uncovered area behind the goal….and although I had a coat, and a jumper on, I had no hood, so I was hardly shielded from the elements. I envied all the Forest Green fans wrapped up warm in their hats and scarves.
At half time, Swindon led 1-0, JP McGovern scoring direct from a corner. The first half wasn’t particularly noteworthy; despite the rain the sun was shining in the away fans faces, and it was difficult to see where exactly the ball was without getting a blinding headache.
What FGR boss Jim Harvey said to the non-leaguers at half time must have worked though. About ten minutes in, Stuart Fleetwood scored, followed by a crazy celebration in which half the team did Klinsmann dives one after the other. A word on Fleetwood before I go on by the way….that was his 24th goal this season. Compare that to the entire Derby County team who have scored a total of…five.
Most strikers would be proud to have scored two dozen goals in all competitions in May never mind early December. Just as Forest Green fans thought it couldn’t get any better, it did, Mark Beesley heading in a cross, and the away fans went wild. Only 24 minutes to hold on!
Ok…so they tried to hold on for the win, and it failed. Former Plymouth player Hasney Aljofree headed in a cross from the left, and the Rovers looked as though Rovers would have to make do with a replay.
Except they didn’t even manage that, because with minutes to go, substitute and general daddy’s boy Blair Sturrock scored a rebound from Billy Paynter’s saved shot, to send Swindon into the hat.
Despite coming so close, and missing out, the population of Nailsworth will have their heads held high tonight, after pushing the former Premiership side all the way, and almost pulling off another upset. I must confess I was already planning a trip to the New Lawn for the replay but alas it wasn’t to be and thoughts can carry on to the League, and the FA Trophy.
JAMES LEWIS
Friday 30 November 2007
Horgan knows best
Midfielder Gary Horgan has returned to Southern League Premier side Swindon Supermarine over ten years after he began his senior footballing career with the club.
Horgan, who made a midweek switch from league rivals Mangotsfield United, played for the Wiltshire outfit in the Hellenic league, and after years of playing football at higher levels, the club have finally caught back up with him.
Horgan will make his debut this Saturday at home to Banbury United in a game that sees boss Mark Collier without SIX key players.
The ill-disciplined encounter with Chippenham two weeks ago will result in captain Leigh Henry and forward Nathan Lightbody missing the first of three games, whilst striker Jason Welsh and Henry’s defensive partner, Cedric Abraham, will sit just this one out.
To add to the availability crisis, midfielder JP Mills is out of the country for two weeks whilst striker Richard Kear, who has been hitting the goal trail in recent weeks, is laid low by flu.
With his options limited Collier is expecting his squad to be stretched to its limits.
“We have always said to compete in this league we need a big squad and this is a real test of that.
“The lads that come in will be showing us that they deserve a starting position so we expect big performances.”
Henry and Abraham have just begun to forge a settled defensive partnership with both players catching the eye of higher league clubs, so to have both out is a massive blow for Collier.
“They have been playing really well together, to replace one is always going to be hard, to replace both is an absolute nightmare.”
Stuart Pearson, Chris Thompson and Chris Copp are all possibilities to cover the unfamiliar positions at centre half, while last week’s star man Ashley Edenborough will be set to line up by himself if Kear is unfit.
Banbury are languishing in mid table alongside Marine but come in to this game on the back of a seven match unbeaten run. With both sides setting their sights on a top half finish this game promises to be an entertaining encounter.
LEIGH MOORE
Horgan, who made a midweek switch from league rivals Mangotsfield United, played for the Wiltshire outfit in the Hellenic league, and after years of playing football at higher levels, the club have finally caught back up with him.
Horgan will make his debut this Saturday at home to Banbury United in a game that sees boss Mark Collier without SIX key players.
The ill-disciplined encounter with Chippenham two weeks ago will result in captain Leigh Henry and forward Nathan Lightbody missing the first of three games, whilst striker Jason Welsh and Henry’s defensive partner, Cedric Abraham, will sit just this one out.
To add to the availability crisis, midfielder JP Mills is out of the country for two weeks whilst striker Richard Kear, who has been hitting the goal trail in recent weeks, is laid low by flu.
With his options limited Collier is expecting his squad to be stretched to its limits.
“We have always said to compete in this league we need a big squad and this is a real test of that.
“The lads that come in will be showing us that they deserve a starting position so we expect big performances.”
Henry and Abraham have just begun to forge a settled defensive partnership with both players catching the eye of higher league clubs, so to have both out is a massive blow for Collier.
“They have been playing really well together, to replace one is always going to be hard, to replace both is an absolute nightmare.”
Stuart Pearson, Chris Thompson and Chris Copp are all possibilities to cover the unfamiliar positions at centre half, while last week’s star man Ashley Edenborough will be set to line up by himself if Kear is unfit.
Banbury are languishing in mid table alongside Marine but come in to this game on the back of a seven match unbeaten run. With both sides setting their sights on a top half finish this game promises to be an entertaining encounter.
LEIGH MOORE
Luggy heads home leaving Town in tatters!
As Paul Sturrock addressed the media gathered at Home Park on Tuesday you could see a man who was jovial, confident and relaxed, a far cry from the catastrophe he had left behind just 24 hours previously.
Very few can really blame Mr Sturrock for getting in his car and heading back down the M4/M5 to his “Spiritual home” with the future of Swindon Town looking less than bright, and after four months without pay!
With Sturrock’s departure came rumblings of discontent not just from the fans but, more worryingly, from Andrew Fitton, the man who had been poised to complete a takeover at the Country Ground.
Rumours in the local press suggest Sturrock’s departure has left Mr Fitton carefully considering his next move, which leaves you wondering just what happens now.
If “Mr Betfair” decides Town are one horse not worth backing then the possibility remains that Towns FA Cup encounter with Forest Green on Saturday could be one of their last.
Creditors are quickly running out of patience with the Wiltshire club, who have already seen the proposed takeover consortium Best Holdings pull out at the eleventh hour, and if Mr Fitton and Co go the same way as their Portuguese predecessors then the future of Town looks bleak.
With such a thunderous cloud hanging over the County Ground fans are scratching their heads as to just who is going to jump into the hot seat?
What manager currently in a job would leave for such a volatile post, and which out-of-work, proven candidate would risk their reputation on what seems to be a poisoned chalice?
One person to throw his hat into the ring is Martin Allen, the former Brentford and Leicester manager who was nicknamed Mad Dog for his unusual pre-match antics.
With very few others touting for the job Allen could possibly be the best man, because quite frankly to go within five miles of the Country Ground amidst this current crisis…. you’d have to be mad!
LEIGH MOORE
Very few can really blame Mr Sturrock for getting in his car and heading back down the M4/M5 to his “Spiritual home” with the future of Swindon Town looking less than bright, and after four months without pay!
With Sturrock’s departure came rumblings of discontent not just from the fans but, more worryingly, from Andrew Fitton, the man who had been poised to complete a takeover at the Country Ground.
Rumours in the local press suggest Sturrock’s departure has left Mr Fitton carefully considering his next move, which leaves you wondering just what happens now.
If “Mr Betfair” decides Town are one horse not worth backing then the possibility remains that Towns FA Cup encounter with Forest Green on Saturday could be one of their last.
Creditors are quickly running out of patience with the Wiltshire club, who have already seen the proposed takeover consortium Best Holdings pull out at the eleventh hour, and if Mr Fitton and Co go the same way as their Portuguese predecessors then the future of Town looks bleak.
With such a thunderous cloud hanging over the County Ground fans are scratching their heads as to just who is going to jump into the hot seat?
What manager currently in a job would leave for such a volatile post, and which out-of-work, proven candidate would risk their reputation on what seems to be a poisoned chalice?
One person to throw his hat into the ring is Martin Allen, the former Brentford and Leicester manager who was nicknamed Mad Dog for his unusual pre-match antics.
With very few others touting for the job Allen could possibly be the best man, because quite frankly to go within five miles of the Country Ground amidst this current crisis…. you’d have to be mad!
LEIGH MOORE
Wednesday 28 November 2007
"Plymouth is my spiritual home"
Adding to Swindon Town fans' further dismay in an unforgiving season, the club's most prized asset, Manager Paul Sturrock, has bounced back to his former roots at Plymouth Argyle.
Sturrock first managed Plymouth from 2000 to 2004 and has swiftly returned to fill the void left by Ian Holloway, who resigned last week to join rival Leicester.
Since being appointed in Summer 2006, the former QPR boss had led the Pilgrims up the League Championship table. Last week, Plymouth fans felt betrayed by his shock decision to walk out of their club having been refused talks with Leicester.
Speculation was rife over the weekend as to whether or not Plymouth had, or were going to, approach Swindon. Even Paul Sturrock dismissed the many rumours circulating online and in the newspapers.
But it was evident that his previous successful spell at Plymouth was still raw in the minds of the Argyle Board and fans, painfully but respectably recognised simultaneously by Swindon fans.
After his first stint at Plymouth, Sturrock coached at Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon. He played his entire career at Dundee United as a striker and also played for Scotland. His son, Blair Sturrock, still plays for Swindon.
It must be said, that Swindon fans have endured so much these past recent months. The reaction by fans to Sturrock's departure has not been of anger, but of reasonable presumption.
Sadly and inevitably, it was coming. It was just a question of when. Denial was a way of acclimatising to the idea of losing a great manager that helped us win 50% of our games under him, losing just 11 of 52, and return to League One.
It certainly wouldn't take much to aggravate the Swindon fans at the moment, given the financial fiasco that has blighted this season. It is going to be a rocky and frustrating ride, now that we're looking for our sixth manager in two years.
I am sure the fans share my pride in the way Sturrock stepped down with such grace and how they have all fought a united front for the club's survival.
Sturrock's farewell message to Swindon read:
"In footballing terms and in my heart, Plymouth is my spiritual home and I never thought the opportunity would arise again. It is an opportunity that I couldn't turn down.
"My children will be able to fit into schools very quickly down there and my wife will be able to adapt to life there very quickly as we have a lot of friends down there still.
"It was a wrench because I have brought a lot of players to this football club and I have enjoyed my time at The County Ground.
"I hope people will appreciate that myself and the coaching staff have left Swindon in a better state than when we arrived and that is the aim of any manager.
"The last three months have probably been the most difficult of my football career but the lure of returning to Plymouth Argyle was just too strong to turn down.
"Hopefully there will be a change in ownership that enables thefootball club to bring the success that everyone who works for thisclub merits".
Sturrock left on good terms and for him to wish the club better luck struck the right chord for fans, I feel. He has been given a golden opportunity to return to a club he knows inside out, without the burden of a takeover crisis obstructing his managerial decisions. Who can criticise him?
Swindon Town fans will want to forget the year 2007, a year that sawtheir club's future clinging to a fine thread. A year ofstalled takeover plans, protests and the departure of Paul Sturrock. Hopefully in 2008 the club will be in a healthier state, led by amanager with similar dedication.
Comments by Argyle fans online have been fully sympathetic and welcoming to Swindon's cause. That has provided an amicable and comforting remedy to the misfortunes that have shaken the club. We thank you. And wish Sturrock the very best with his return to Home Park.
He's our hero of the South West too!
NEIL ROBINSON
Sturrock first managed Plymouth from 2000 to 2004 and has swiftly returned to fill the void left by Ian Holloway, who resigned last week to join rival Leicester.
Since being appointed in Summer 2006, the former QPR boss had led the Pilgrims up the League Championship table. Last week, Plymouth fans felt betrayed by his shock decision to walk out of their club having been refused talks with Leicester.
Speculation was rife over the weekend as to whether or not Plymouth had, or were going to, approach Swindon. Even Paul Sturrock dismissed the many rumours circulating online and in the newspapers.
But it was evident that his previous successful spell at Plymouth was still raw in the minds of the Argyle Board and fans, painfully but respectably recognised simultaneously by Swindon fans.
After his first stint at Plymouth, Sturrock coached at Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon. He played his entire career at Dundee United as a striker and also played for Scotland. His son, Blair Sturrock, still plays for Swindon.
It must be said, that Swindon fans have endured so much these past recent months. The reaction by fans to Sturrock's departure has not been of anger, but of reasonable presumption.
Sadly and inevitably, it was coming. It was just a question of when. Denial was a way of acclimatising to the idea of losing a great manager that helped us win 50% of our games under him, losing just 11 of 52, and return to League One.
It certainly wouldn't take much to aggravate the Swindon fans at the moment, given the financial fiasco that has blighted this season. It is going to be a rocky and frustrating ride, now that we're looking for our sixth manager in two years.
I am sure the fans share my pride in the way Sturrock stepped down with such grace and how they have all fought a united front for the club's survival.
Sturrock's farewell message to Swindon read:
"In footballing terms and in my heart, Plymouth is my spiritual home and I never thought the opportunity would arise again. It is an opportunity that I couldn't turn down.
"My children will be able to fit into schools very quickly down there and my wife will be able to adapt to life there very quickly as we have a lot of friends down there still.
"It was a wrench because I have brought a lot of players to this football club and I have enjoyed my time at The County Ground.
"I hope people will appreciate that myself and the coaching staff have left Swindon in a better state than when we arrived and that is the aim of any manager.
"The last three months have probably been the most difficult of my football career but the lure of returning to Plymouth Argyle was just too strong to turn down.
"Hopefully there will be a change in ownership that enables thefootball club to bring the success that everyone who works for thisclub merits".
Sturrock left on good terms and for him to wish the club better luck struck the right chord for fans, I feel. He has been given a golden opportunity to return to a club he knows inside out, without the burden of a takeover crisis obstructing his managerial decisions. Who can criticise him?
Swindon Town fans will want to forget the year 2007, a year that sawtheir club's future clinging to a fine thread. A year ofstalled takeover plans, protests and the departure of Paul Sturrock. Hopefully in 2008 the club will be in a healthier state, led by amanager with similar dedication.
Comments by Argyle fans online have been fully sympathetic and welcoming to Swindon's cause. That has provided an amicable and comforting remedy to the misfortunes that have shaken the club. We thank you. And wish Sturrock the very best with his return to Home Park.
He's our hero of the South West too!
NEIL ROBINSON
Tuesday 27 November 2007
Honeymoon over at City
The Championship honeymoon is well and truly over for Gary Johnson's Bristol City, with three straight defeats causing a slump in confidence around the club which will need to be put right soon, or we will find ourselves slipping down the league table.
City began so strongly, collecting points on the road against the likes of Coventry, who were top of the league at the time, and Sheffield Wednesday. A minor blip against Barnsley was soon followed by one of the best team performances I have ever seen at Ashton Gate.
Beating newly relegated Sheffield United 2-0 in front of live television cameras was fantastic, myself and many other supporters then began to think that perhaps we could do more this season than just survive. Media attention likened our start to that of Colchester, who were the surprise package of the division last year.
This was followed by another strong performance against the bookies favourites this season, West Brom. A hard fought point through a late Bradley Orr goal raised expectations further. But our good form has come to a shuddering halt, with first a late winner from Chris Iwelumo securing a narrow win for Charlton in a game that neither side deserved to win or lose. Then a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Ipswich wiped away any confidence the players had.
The team hasn’t become a bad side over night, the lads just lack that all important thing in football which is confidence. Ask any player, without confidence you will struggle to hit top form. This was demonstrated on Saturday. City were at home to Leicester. The hype about the new manager, a certain Ian Holloway, familiar to this part of the region, added an extra to spice to this fixture certainly for the fans, yet the players failed to deliver.
A promising opening 20 minutes, with Lee Trundle seeing a shot just go over the bar, was ruined when a simple cross in the box led to the first goal.
In past matches the fans have rallied round the team when we concede, and you sense the players are up for a fight. Unfortunately on this occasion the crowd remained silent, and got the feeling the team weren’t offering much and the fans in return would do likewise. Holloway managed to contain his delight when his new team scored and many City fans decided to clap the arch enemy.
Gary Johnson later remarked: "I think as a club we have forgotten we’re in the Championship. Every bit of support is going to help and I just think it went a little dead today".
There seemed to be no urgency in our play and we lacked ideas, which after a bright start to the season of free flowing football is disappointing.
At the time of writing City have just played Hull City, who, in contrast to us, have won three on the bounce and were looking to extend that winning run. My thoughts going into the game was that if we could stop the run with a point, then that would be fantastic as the KC Stadium is not an easy place to go to and get a result.
Listening to the coverage on the internet while watching Man United in the Champions League, I was hoping for two teams to score – City and Sporting Lisbon. The latter did but I would have rather it had been City of course. On the bright side it seemed the re-introduction of Jamie McAllister and Bradley Orr, who had served one match suspensions, had helped restore a bit of fluency to our play.
We seemed to be on top, creating chances and winning six corners early on. I got the feeling the team’s confidence was being slowly restored and our defence managed to keep 38 year old veteran Dean Windass quiet.
We came closest to scoring when McAllister had a shot bound for the top corner tipped away by former City loanee and Hull keeper Boaz Myhill. Then on the stroke of half-time all my confidence seeped away when McAllister was sent off for a second bookable offence. Judging by what the commentator said the referee was quite harsh as the player had only made two challenges in the entire half and both were deemed to warrant a yellow card.
Johnson at half-time was forced to substitute attacking midfielder David Noble for a defender to tighten the defence, and now the main objective was to leave Hull with a point. Thankfully the lads worked hard and held on for the draw, but we could have won it when Darren Byfield was brought down in the penalty area, although the referee waved away any appeals.
I would have taken a draw at the beginning of the evening and to play for 45 minutes with 10 men and keep a clean sheet is a step in the right direction. Next up is a tricky away game at leaders Watford. The game is live on Sky so this will give the boys a chance to show any doubters out there that we can cut it with the best in this league.
ANDY DAVIES
City began so strongly, collecting points on the road against the likes of Coventry, who were top of the league at the time, and Sheffield Wednesday. A minor blip against Barnsley was soon followed by one of the best team performances I have ever seen at Ashton Gate.
Beating newly relegated Sheffield United 2-0 in front of live television cameras was fantastic, myself and many other supporters then began to think that perhaps we could do more this season than just survive. Media attention likened our start to that of Colchester, who were the surprise package of the division last year.
This was followed by another strong performance against the bookies favourites this season, West Brom. A hard fought point through a late Bradley Orr goal raised expectations further. But our good form has come to a shuddering halt, with first a late winner from Chris Iwelumo securing a narrow win for Charlton in a game that neither side deserved to win or lose. Then a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Ipswich wiped away any confidence the players had.
The team hasn’t become a bad side over night, the lads just lack that all important thing in football which is confidence. Ask any player, without confidence you will struggle to hit top form. This was demonstrated on Saturday. City were at home to Leicester. The hype about the new manager, a certain Ian Holloway, familiar to this part of the region, added an extra to spice to this fixture certainly for the fans, yet the players failed to deliver.
A promising opening 20 minutes, with Lee Trundle seeing a shot just go over the bar, was ruined when a simple cross in the box led to the first goal.
In past matches the fans have rallied round the team when we concede, and you sense the players are up for a fight. Unfortunately on this occasion the crowd remained silent, and got the feeling the team weren’t offering much and the fans in return would do likewise. Holloway managed to contain his delight when his new team scored and many City fans decided to clap the arch enemy.
Gary Johnson later remarked: "I think as a club we have forgotten we’re in the Championship. Every bit of support is going to help and I just think it went a little dead today".
There seemed to be no urgency in our play and we lacked ideas, which after a bright start to the season of free flowing football is disappointing.
At the time of writing City have just played Hull City, who, in contrast to us, have won three on the bounce and were looking to extend that winning run. My thoughts going into the game was that if we could stop the run with a point, then that would be fantastic as the KC Stadium is not an easy place to go to and get a result.
Listening to the coverage on the internet while watching Man United in the Champions League, I was hoping for two teams to score – City and Sporting Lisbon. The latter did but I would have rather it had been City of course. On the bright side it seemed the re-introduction of Jamie McAllister and Bradley Orr, who had served one match suspensions, had helped restore a bit of fluency to our play.
We seemed to be on top, creating chances and winning six corners early on. I got the feeling the team’s confidence was being slowly restored and our defence managed to keep 38 year old veteran Dean Windass quiet.
We came closest to scoring when McAllister had a shot bound for the top corner tipped away by former City loanee and Hull keeper Boaz Myhill. Then on the stroke of half-time all my confidence seeped away when McAllister was sent off for a second bookable offence. Judging by what the commentator said the referee was quite harsh as the player had only made two challenges in the entire half and both were deemed to warrant a yellow card.
Johnson at half-time was forced to substitute attacking midfielder David Noble for a defender to tighten the defence, and now the main objective was to leave Hull with a point. Thankfully the lads worked hard and held on for the draw, but we could have won it when Darren Byfield was brought down in the penalty area, although the referee waved away any appeals.
I would have taken a draw at the beginning of the evening and to play for 45 minutes with 10 men and keep a clean sheet is a step in the right direction. Next up is a tricky away game at leaders Watford. The game is live on Sky so this will give the boys a chance to show any doubters out there that we can cut it with the best in this league.
ANDY DAVIES
Cheltenham's greatest ever result?
As the Mastercard advert goes: Ticket-£13, programme-£2.50…watching Gillespie score with five minutes to go in front of the C&G Stand – priceless!
This was one of the biggest, if not the biggest game in Cheltenham’s history. Certainly the biggest I’d ever attended. The game was moved to Sunday, I heard, not due to being on television, or international reasons, the real reason was…..it clashed with the turning on with the Christmas lights. Cheltenham versus Leeds or Richard Fleeshman- I certainly know which one I’d choose!
Tickets sold out almost instantly, meaning Whaddon Road had the second biggest crowd in its Football League history, second only to the 2002 play off semi-final against Hartlepool. It was such that the club urged fans not to turn up after 1:30pm to this 2pm kick off.
Leeds, meanwhile, were confident. Dennis Wise had pointed out that Cheltenham were in dire straits, and Eddie Gray concluded that the Robins were probably the worst team he’d ever seen play, and the game should be one of the easier ones in Leeds’ League 1 season. How wrong he’d turn out to be…..
Before kick off, the general view around the ground was not whether Leeds would win, but how many they’d win by. As fans piled into the ground, and Leeds fans attempted to disguise themselves as Cheltenham fans, apprehension grew, and I counted a couple of famous and semi-famous faces, such as Flo, Prutton, Kandol and Beckford.
The Robins meanwhile had debutants on the bench. Guy Madjo, the loan signing from Crawley, and somebody called Michael D’Agostino. Despite having D’Agostino, a winger available, Keith Downing still decided to continue with the very frustrating Damien Spencer on the left side.
From the off, Leeds attacked. And continued to attack throughout the first half. At this stage I was trying to remember how long it took us to concede in the recent game against Nottingham Forest. It was, I remembered, about 10 minutes. When 15 minutes passed with no goals, I began to grow slightly optimistic.
I was reminded of cup games against superior opposition on Football Manager where I’d count down the minutes in order to hold onto the 0-0. As it got to half time, I began to feel that it could be one of those games where Leeds dominate but somehow fail to score.
It certainly helped that the Cheltenham players were defending as if their lives depended on it. It made me wonder why they couldn’t defend like this against teams like Walsall and Port Vale, who have a much less talented strikeforce than Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol, with Tore Andre Flo as backup.
However our defending led Dennis Wise to panic, and Leeds launched a full on assault on the Cheltenham goal, playing a 3-3-4 formation, with De Vries and Flo coming on for Prutton and Parker, and Westlake coming onto Kandol. With quarter of an hour left. Leeds won a free kick in a dangerous position. Captain Jonathan Douglas placed the ball. Cheltenham set up what looked suspiciously like two separate walls, Douglas shot, Shane Higgs palmed it away, and Beckford smashed it into the net.
The Leeds fans went wild, and the Cheltenham fans accepted the inevitable. Just then I heard cheering behind me. "Oh must be a Leeds fan in our end" I thought. But I looked behind me and recognised him as someone who I’d seen cheering on Cheltenham a few minutes ago. So why was he cheering what looked like a Leeds winner? Then suddenly it dawned on me. It was offside! There was a moment of great amusement as the Leeds fans continued to celebrate as though they’d just won the Champions League, until the fact they hadn’t scored suddenly dawned on them.
With about ten minutes to go, a pivotal moment in the game took place. Madjo, who had just replaced Connolly, raced to beat David Lucas for the ball, resulting in a rather nasty collision. Leeds players rushed to the injured keeper, and it didn’t look good. Leeds had at this point made all three substitutions, and Lucas was their third choice keeper.
I admit I felt rather worried for him, as the urgency in which the Leeds players summoned the referee suggested this was no ordinary injury. Fortunately, he got up, though he definitely wasn’t 100% fit. And so it was that a mistake by the injured Lucas led to the only goal of the game.
A rare attack from the Robins resulted in a long ball. Lucas decided to header it, not out for a throw, but straight in front of him. A gleeful Steven Gillespie saw the open goal, chipped the ball, and…Surely it couldn’t go in? Surely Cheltenham couldn’t be taking the lead against Leeds United? It can’t be allowed! Surely the ball would bounce harmlessly over. But no…the ball was in the net! Cheltenham fans jumped for joy, and began the countdown to full time.
After four agonising additional minutes, the referee blew the whistle, and Cheltenham celebrated one of their greatest ever results. How apt that it was a scouser who robbed the points from the league leaders. To put the brilliance of the result into perspective…this was only Leeds’ second defeat of the season, the first of which came against high-flying Carlisle. We were also the first team in the league to keep a clean sheet against Leeds, not counting Hereford in the F.A Cup. Meanwhile we had only won twice before this game, at home to Gillingham and away to Huddersfield.
Next up for Cheltenham is the short trip to the Memorial Stadium to play Bristol Rovers in this weekend’s big westcountry derby. Rovers have a number of players out injured, and their home form has been rather woeful. A jubilant Robins should be confident of getting a result.
JAMES LEWIS
This was one of the biggest, if not the biggest game in Cheltenham’s history. Certainly the biggest I’d ever attended. The game was moved to Sunday, I heard, not due to being on television, or international reasons, the real reason was…..it clashed with the turning on with the Christmas lights. Cheltenham versus Leeds or Richard Fleeshman- I certainly know which one I’d choose!
Tickets sold out almost instantly, meaning Whaddon Road had the second biggest crowd in its Football League history, second only to the 2002 play off semi-final against Hartlepool. It was such that the club urged fans not to turn up after 1:30pm to this 2pm kick off.
Leeds, meanwhile, were confident. Dennis Wise had pointed out that Cheltenham were in dire straits, and Eddie Gray concluded that the Robins were probably the worst team he’d ever seen play, and the game should be one of the easier ones in Leeds’ League 1 season. How wrong he’d turn out to be…..
Before kick off, the general view around the ground was not whether Leeds would win, but how many they’d win by. As fans piled into the ground, and Leeds fans attempted to disguise themselves as Cheltenham fans, apprehension grew, and I counted a couple of famous and semi-famous faces, such as Flo, Prutton, Kandol and Beckford.
The Robins meanwhile had debutants on the bench. Guy Madjo, the loan signing from Crawley, and somebody called Michael D’Agostino. Despite having D’Agostino, a winger available, Keith Downing still decided to continue with the very frustrating Damien Spencer on the left side.
From the off, Leeds attacked. And continued to attack throughout the first half. At this stage I was trying to remember how long it took us to concede in the recent game against Nottingham Forest. It was, I remembered, about 10 minutes. When 15 minutes passed with no goals, I began to grow slightly optimistic.
I was reminded of cup games against superior opposition on Football Manager where I’d count down the minutes in order to hold onto the 0-0. As it got to half time, I began to feel that it could be one of those games where Leeds dominate but somehow fail to score.
It certainly helped that the Cheltenham players were defending as if their lives depended on it. It made me wonder why they couldn’t defend like this against teams like Walsall and Port Vale, who have a much less talented strikeforce than Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol, with Tore Andre Flo as backup.
However our defending led Dennis Wise to panic, and Leeds launched a full on assault on the Cheltenham goal, playing a 3-3-4 formation, with De Vries and Flo coming on for Prutton and Parker, and Westlake coming onto Kandol. With quarter of an hour left. Leeds won a free kick in a dangerous position. Captain Jonathan Douglas placed the ball. Cheltenham set up what looked suspiciously like two separate walls, Douglas shot, Shane Higgs palmed it away, and Beckford smashed it into the net.
The Leeds fans went wild, and the Cheltenham fans accepted the inevitable. Just then I heard cheering behind me. "Oh must be a Leeds fan in our end" I thought. But I looked behind me and recognised him as someone who I’d seen cheering on Cheltenham a few minutes ago. So why was he cheering what looked like a Leeds winner? Then suddenly it dawned on me. It was offside! There was a moment of great amusement as the Leeds fans continued to celebrate as though they’d just won the Champions League, until the fact they hadn’t scored suddenly dawned on them.
With about ten minutes to go, a pivotal moment in the game took place. Madjo, who had just replaced Connolly, raced to beat David Lucas for the ball, resulting in a rather nasty collision. Leeds players rushed to the injured keeper, and it didn’t look good. Leeds had at this point made all three substitutions, and Lucas was their third choice keeper.
I admit I felt rather worried for him, as the urgency in which the Leeds players summoned the referee suggested this was no ordinary injury. Fortunately, he got up, though he definitely wasn’t 100% fit. And so it was that a mistake by the injured Lucas led to the only goal of the game.
A rare attack from the Robins resulted in a long ball. Lucas decided to header it, not out for a throw, but straight in front of him. A gleeful Steven Gillespie saw the open goal, chipped the ball, and…Surely it couldn’t go in? Surely Cheltenham couldn’t be taking the lead against Leeds United? It can’t be allowed! Surely the ball would bounce harmlessly over. But no…the ball was in the net! Cheltenham fans jumped for joy, and began the countdown to full time.
After four agonising additional minutes, the referee blew the whistle, and Cheltenham celebrated one of their greatest ever results. How apt that it was a scouser who robbed the points from the league leaders. To put the brilliance of the result into perspective…this was only Leeds’ second defeat of the season, the first of which came against high-flying Carlisle. We were also the first team in the league to keep a clean sheet against Leeds, not counting Hereford in the F.A Cup. Meanwhile we had only won twice before this game, at home to Gillingham and away to Huddersfield.
Next up for Cheltenham is the short trip to the Memorial Stadium to play Bristol Rovers in this weekend’s big westcountry derby. Rovers have a number of players out injured, and their home form has been rather woeful. A jubilant Robins should be confident of getting a result.
JAMES LEWIS
Laughter with Luggy
Ian Holloway may have left Plymouth Argyle in somewhat acrimonious circumstances last week, but he hasn’t stolen the club’s sense of humour.
Chairman Paul Stapleton introduced returning hero Paul ‘Luggy’ Sturrock – replacing Holloway as manager just under four years after leaving the Pilgrims for then-Premiership side Southampton – at today’s press conference, with a description of how the club’s board selected the new boss:
"When we drew up our list of who we would like as a manager, it said ‘grey haired and overweight’…sorry that’s the chairman’s list."
This last comment was, whichever way you wished to slice it, particularly self-deprecating. While Stapleton’s physical frame bares few similarities with chubby Luggy, a small minority of Argyle fans and Devon pressmen have questioned the motives behind bringing Sturrock back to the club from League One Swindon Town.
It has been well documented that he and Stapleton are close personal friends, and rumours were flying around over the weekend, suggesting the chairman was a loan figure in the boardroom, in his bid to bring the 51-year-old Scot back to Home Park. But Stapleton, the moustachioed accountant who has led the board since 2001, was quick to quell such whispers.
"We needed a captain on the ship, and the fact it was someone we had a lot of respect for, even the other board members who didn’t know him from before were unanimous in their choice.
"He’s got the job on merit, not anything else."
Whatever really happened behind the scenes, the installation of Sturrock in the position vacated by Leicester-bound Holloway – seemingly dazzled by the lure of Foxes owner Milan Mandaric’s millions – has sent shivers down the spines of the Green Army.
Luggy had inherited a club in turmoil in October 2000. Argyle’s record appearance holder Kevin Hodges had managed the worst side in Home Park history, arguably not helped by latterly parlous backing from ex-chairman Dan McCauley, and Plymouth were languishing at the wrong end of the old Division Three.
Stapleton, then on McCauley’s board, brought Sturrock to the club, lobbying for his appointment. The rest is history, with the former St. Johnstone and Dundee United boss revitalising Argyle from top to bottom – storming to the 2001-2 title with a record points total of 102, and leaving Plymouth on top of Division Two after 30 games, which they would eventually go on to win.
Along the way he vastly improved the performances and longevity of Lee Hodges, Mickey Evans, and captain Paul Wotton; brought through youth starlets such as Luke McCormick and Paul Connolly; and secured the signings of several unknowns who would go on to be legends in Jannerland – David Norris, Graham Coughlan, David Friio, and Romain Larrieu among them.
And for all Holloway’s countrywide fame – secured largely through sometimes amusing, but often plain idiotic, public pronouncements – Sturrock’s wit is more subtle and developed.
Asked who would oversee tommorrow’s mouth-watering home clash against second-placed West Bromwich Albion – with coaches Tim Breacker and Des Bulpin, who led Plymouth to a fantastic 1-0 win at Sheffield United on Saturday, likely to be joining Holloway at Leicester – Luggy was leaving it to his goalkeeping coach.
"Well Crudgie [Geoff Crudgington] has got problems!" he smirked, to general hilarity.
"I’m sitting with the chairman, I’ll have nothing to do with this one!"
And the jokes kept coming. Did it help that some players were still at Argyle from Sturrock’s last tenure, one hack asked?
"Hodgie looks much slimmer, so what he’s been doing for the last few years has definitely worked, I’m gonna take some advice from him."
Not to be outdone, Stapleton was happy to admit that the worldwind process of management change had left some creases unironed. How long would Luggy’s contract be?
"We haven’t really decided, we’re gonna have a quiet chat about that this evening I think…see how we get on tommorrow night!"
Sturrock will find with Argyle in rude health, sitting fourth in the Championship and with the feel-good factor coursing through Pilgrim veins. Whether he can repeat the heroics of his previous reign remains to be seen, but, for now, all is well in PL2.
RICH PARTINGTON
Chairman Paul Stapleton introduced returning hero Paul ‘Luggy’ Sturrock – replacing Holloway as manager just under four years after leaving the Pilgrims for then-Premiership side Southampton – at today’s press conference, with a description of how the club’s board selected the new boss:
"When we drew up our list of who we would like as a manager, it said ‘grey haired and overweight’…sorry that’s the chairman’s list."
This last comment was, whichever way you wished to slice it, particularly self-deprecating. While Stapleton’s physical frame bares few similarities with chubby Luggy, a small minority of Argyle fans and Devon pressmen have questioned the motives behind bringing Sturrock back to the club from League One Swindon Town.
It has been well documented that he and Stapleton are close personal friends, and rumours were flying around over the weekend, suggesting the chairman was a loan figure in the boardroom, in his bid to bring the 51-year-old Scot back to Home Park. But Stapleton, the moustachioed accountant who has led the board since 2001, was quick to quell such whispers.
"We needed a captain on the ship, and the fact it was someone we had a lot of respect for, even the other board members who didn’t know him from before were unanimous in their choice.
"He’s got the job on merit, not anything else."
Whatever really happened behind the scenes, the installation of Sturrock in the position vacated by Leicester-bound Holloway – seemingly dazzled by the lure of Foxes owner Milan Mandaric’s millions – has sent shivers down the spines of the Green Army.
Luggy had inherited a club in turmoil in October 2000. Argyle’s record appearance holder Kevin Hodges had managed the worst side in Home Park history, arguably not helped by latterly parlous backing from ex-chairman Dan McCauley, and Plymouth were languishing at the wrong end of the old Division Three.
Stapleton, then on McCauley’s board, brought Sturrock to the club, lobbying for his appointment. The rest is history, with the former St. Johnstone and Dundee United boss revitalising Argyle from top to bottom – storming to the 2001-2 title with a record points total of 102, and leaving Plymouth on top of Division Two after 30 games, which they would eventually go on to win.
Along the way he vastly improved the performances and longevity of Lee Hodges, Mickey Evans, and captain Paul Wotton; brought through youth starlets such as Luke McCormick and Paul Connolly; and secured the signings of several unknowns who would go on to be legends in Jannerland – David Norris, Graham Coughlan, David Friio, and Romain Larrieu among them.
And for all Holloway’s countrywide fame – secured largely through sometimes amusing, but often plain idiotic, public pronouncements – Sturrock’s wit is more subtle and developed.
Asked who would oversee tommorrow’s mouth-watering home clash against second-placed West Bromwich Albion – with coaches Tim Breacker and Des Bulpin, who led Plymouth to a fantastic 1-0 win at Sheffield United on Saturday, likely to be joining Holloway at Leicester – Luggy was leaving it to his goalkeeping coach.
"Well Crudgie [Geoff Crudgington] has got problems!" he smirked, to general hilarity.
"I’m sitting with the chairman, I’ll have nothing to do with this one!"
And the jokes kept coming. Did it help that some players were still at Argyle from Sturrock’s last tenure, one hack asked?
"Hodgie looks much slimmer, so what he’s been doing for the last few years has definitely worked, I’m gonna take some advice from him."
Not to be outdone, Stapleton was happy to admit that the worldwind process of management change had left some creases unironed. How long would Luggy’s contract be?
"We haven’t really decided, we’re gonna have a quiet chat about that this evening I think…see how we get on tommorrow night!"
Sturrock will find with Argyle in rude health, sitting fourth in the Championship and with the feel-good factor coursing through Pilgrim veins. Whether he can repeat the heroics of his previous reign remains to be seen, but, for now, all is well in PL2.
RICH PARTINGTON
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