|
 |
MIDDLESBROUGH: IT'S TIME FOR PATIENCE 23-8-07
Peter Holmes
The first few hectic weeks of an unfolding new season are an intriguing time when dreams of glory and feelings of much anticipated promise can rapidly evaporate overnight. On the flip side, guarded optimism can be catapulted into stratospheric expectation by simply believing the table, in the elevated position your team sits on the ladder after a couple to three games of this gruelling nine month marathon.
Imagine the lot of those goal starved Manchester City fans at the moment, smiles so wide they look like a nation of Riddler clones with two dicks, and can you blame them? Sitting pretty all on their lonesome at the top of the table, unbeaten, with maximum points and yet to ship a goal plus, the bonus prized scalp of cross-town rivals Moneybags United already hanging from the dressing room wall. Old Sven Rubberballs must be pinching himself and rubbing his Swedish rabbit's foot like a bloke with a mosquito bite on his left testicle.
The planet's most highly remunerated job hunter is finally back in gainful employment in club football, after many months of cashing his dole cheque down at FA-wlty Towers. Not so long ago he was Engurland's favourite whipping boy and a subject of much derision in the corridors of Fleet Street, now he's the pin up boy for the club bone fide Mancunians support.
Amazingly, he has made the perfect start but, I can't help wondering how long it will all last as he still has a lot to prove to his legion of detractors. Admittedly it will not stop starry-eyed sky blues dreaming and raising their expectations beyond mid-table 'success'.
That defeat to their oldest enemy plonks United in the bottom five with two points after three games, two inauspicious draws to add to the loss at City. In fact, the only thing the reigning Champions have won this season is the Gabriel Heinze instituted arbitration hearing which stops the fifty seven variety man going to their most hated foes, Liverpool.
The Theatre of Drongos four leaf clover has withered as Rooney's buggered after former Leeds knuckle dragger Dubbery squashed his metatarsal against Reading and sub-mariner of the year, Ronaldo, is out for a three stretch after attempting to stick the tongue in during a snog with Dickie Hughes in the draw bore against Pompey, thus confusing the ref into thinking it was a head-butt.
The World is so against poor Scumchester United (altogether now AW') in mass conspiracy right now, so much so that Old Chewy Rednose is whinging about his team's title defence being derailed already.
Yeah! Right!
The rest of us can just revel in the fact that we are above United in the league for once and City fans can gloat they are seven points ahead of their cross town rivals and who would have foreseen that this side of a séance with genial Joe Mercer?
One thing Fergie doesn't need to worry about is the creepy sensation of the axing hot breath of his Chairman on his neck. The same applies to Sven, as at least his job is presently safe which cannot be said for a half-a-dozen or so other incumbents who are reportedly attracting money by the wallet load at the local branch of William Hill.
I still find it amazing how after between 180 and 270 minutes of football there are already certain managers under immense pressure to either resign or disappear into the devilish ether of the Bermuda triangle. Bit short sighted and stupid really, especially considering the nature of the modern game and how it takes time to acquaint new players with their surroundings.
Time is required to mould their fellow players into the framework of a squad and with the majority of Premiership new boys being overseas imports they have to adjust to the totally different culture of English football and English life. In the money fuelled pressure cooker atmosphere of the big league, time just isn't on the agenda of most Chairmen; just sharpen that axe and start the countdown with the classic vote of confidence from the board.
Mind you, it's not just share-market driven boardrooms sending out threatening overtones to the boot room. When it comes to grumbling about the manager, fickle and fans is one of the best pairings since pork pie and HP sauce.
"Bloody useless - we should've played Sanli in the hole!" cry pimply Yoofs suddenly becoming junior Sir Alex Rednoses and fountains of tactical knowledge after playing sixteen hours straight on Premier Manager 08 and consuming too much Red Bull. Then they opine about why the Gate should be sacked after the loss at Wigan if we turn over and let Fulham tickle our tums.
Time, you've either got it on your hands or can't find enough to let your hands rest. It is the one thing a manager of a football club is constantly battling and trying to make the most of. The quote atributed to author/publisher Malcolm Forbes just about sums up a manager's lot; "There is never enough time unless you are serving it!"
I suggest we all find a little bit of time for patience over the coming weeks and even months to allow the new players to develop with the team. We have quality players returning from injury and have added Mido to a developing squad with rumours of further comings and goings.
So make some allowances for the new boys and for Southgate and Cooper. Let time take it's course and enjoy the journey.
After all, a week is a long time in football. Ask Sven.
Enough Said,
ErimusRed.
RETURN TO LETTER FROM AUSTRALIA INDEX HERE
|
|
|
|
