First things first, this report isn't coming from Stanley himself but rather thanks to his alter-ego Ray. You know Ray? An old mate of Kevin Baldwin?Ray D. O'Listener!
Carries an old Binatone pressed to his ear and occasionally mutters such pearls as , ' ?cor, blas' me! Wroxham are down to four men…' when you're sitting next to them on the bus.
Stan had intended to go to Scunthorpe. All was planned and car places filled, but as is so often the case at this time of year one by one the Christmas shopping casualties mounted. This was compounded by night panics induced by thoughts of the A17 at Christmas setting in.
Also, when money's a bit tight and Mrs Stan has given that look?. you know the one? sometimes, asking Ray to do the report is the better option. The nerdy protestation of 'I've never been to Glanford Park, I must tick it off my list…' was never a goer when all was said and done!
So here they are, musing based on the commentary of the great Chris and Neil. Spot on as their commentary may be, it's just not like the real thing! So whilst admitting Stan has no idea what the Glandford Park bogs are like, whether the pies are good or what the local hostelries serve, at least Stan's Christmas presents are bought and divorce papers aren't filed!
Rather than sampling the pleasures of Sunny Scunny on a December afternoon Stan was pounding the streets of the Fine City with ear-piece attached for the whole of the first half.
It's pretty unsatisfactory, in all honesty, and Stan is convinced someone manning the City Centre CCTV must have picked him up and followed him for most of his shopping trip.
After a suspiciously long linger and a cry of 'Get in Ched?.ooooh?oh b*ll*cks!' whilst stood outside La Senza, it would have been a dereliction of duty if he hadn't been! (Stood outside? Ed)
It was only once safely back in the confines of Fortress Stanley for the second-half that some sort of analysis of the goings on started to take place. Apart form a few changes to personnel and a slightly brighter start Stan couldn't help feeling that he was listening to a re-run of the Colchester game.
It was only once safely back in the confines of Fortress Stanley for the second-half that some sort of analysis of the goings on started to take place. Apart form a few changes to personnel and a slightly brighter start Stan couldn't help feeling that he was listening to a re-run of the Colchester game.
A proper bottom of the table scrap at a tight little ground where fear, as well as conditions, froze the quality from the game. A game that was as likely to end 4-4 as it was 0-0. Any defensive error seemed to be countered by an even more glaring attacking one meaning the score stayed level.
Saint Glenn has shown he's not afraid to have a little tinker here and there. In fact, if you looked at changes to teams during his regime there are probably no fewer than there were under Grant. The difference is in results.
The players obviously 'get' where he's coming from and probably more importantly actually want to.
It's so much easier to bawl out under performing ?ahem?'stars', when winning week after week. People will raise an eyebrow when Roeder drops Hucks or Jamie; under Grant it would have been met with cries of 'You don't know what you're doing…' and the sad truth is that he probably didn't!
Probably the most remarkable feat of Roeder's short reign has been getting Doc and Shack to play 180 minutes of football without dropping a major clanger… Or even a baby one come to think of it!
We all know they, as a pairing, won't be the rock on which Team Glenn is built, but they are doing remarkably well in the circumstances. What the pairing lacks is an ability to bring the ball down and play. Short and simple, into the feet of Fozzy. Taylor could do it until the cows come home; Shacks in particular can't.
Over the course of a season, as has been proved time after time, this is a failing that ultimately undoes teams, as possession is surrendered far too easily. You'll get away with it at Scunthorpe, you won't at WBA.
With two big home games coming up and presents as well as points in the sack Stan can hardly wait for Christmas. 2008 promises to be a beauty… Once we return from Selhurst Park obviously.
Jingle Bells, jingle Bells, jingle all the way… Happy Christmas everyone, love from Stanley… and Ray!
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