As much as I hate to disagree with Reepham’s finest, I take a different viewpoint to Kathy Blake and her article on MFW yesterday, which extolled the positives of our continued presence in the Carabao Cup.
There’s no way of saying this nicely – I couldn’t care less about our relatively early exit from this particular competition.
Well, beyond the fact that we couldn’t defend a match-winning lead for 90 seconds or so and lost the penalty shoot-out of course. That still rankles a bit if I’m honest.
The only “hero of Millwall” to keep his place was, yes you guessed it, Kenny McLean. This naturally gave other lesser-spotted squad members some competitive minutes and in no way is that a bad thing.
All the usual suspects got an outing and it was good to see game time from the get-go for Tony Springett and Jon Tomkinson.
Adam Idah managed a goal on his carefully-managed return and for me, it was particularly pleasing to see young Daniel Barden making an appearance on the first team bench. Well done for coming back from what you’ve been through, Daniel.
As for the game itself I was once more in absentia, so here are the thoughts of posse member Alex A, aka Ed:
“It was not a particularly exciting game and I thought the first half especially was very poor and we created little apart from the goal. Jordan Hugill took it well and then we conceded a couple of minutes before halftime.
“Liam Gibbs replaced Kenny McLean at the break and our play definitely improved, but still we created very little, whereas Angus Gunn made four very important saves to keep us in the game.
“When Teemu Pukki and Idah came on, they really made a difference and it was great to see Idah score having been injured for so long. We then conceded a very simple and avoidable goal that took the game to penalties. I guess our luck with penalties had to run out sooner or later.
“The annoying thing for me is that we should have been able to hold on for the last two minutes!”
Dean Smith revealed afterwards that he calls Springett ‘Jerry’ after the US chat show host. I bet young Tony had to be told who Jerry Springer is!
Still young Tony, it could be worse. Cutty, Bernie Owen and I have a friend who looks exactly like Jerry Springer. Sorry Roops, your secret is out now.
Alex had a quick gander at the Pink Un this morning and noticed that the Mayor didn’t even appear in the ratings section, which may have been their crafty way of telling us something.
While I’m on the subject of the Pink Un, I did feel a little bit sorry for our Connor on Tuesday when he drew the short straw and had to dissect the recent letter to shareholders concerning Mark Attanasio, share issues and possibilities for the future.
Well done for having a go Connor – you did far better than I would have done.
There was a comment on the article from one Victor Bullimore, who said:
“Am I right in thinking that basically if Attanasio buys in for £18 million he will get a seat on the board with voting rights and that he will put in £10 million earning a juicy 7% interest in the form of preference C shares that can probably be redeemed or converted in seven years time.
“Conveniently I guess that is probably around the time when Delia is likely to cash in her shares . Could work out well for all concerned.”
That’s the best – or at least the most plausible – take I’ve heard on it myself anyway but if anybody knows better do not feel afraid to enlighten me – even my own accountant [who admittedly is a Trust Fund and CGT expert rather than dealing with company share issues] said there seem to be too many variables involved for her to offer any guidance.
Anyway, it’s an early start against the Mackems on Saturday morning. Quite how they will fit the Friendship Trophy game in I don’t know but it looks like an 0930 kick-off to me.
And this of course is what began the concept of said Friendship Trophy all those years ago:
Marty, I guess the best thing about the game is our strikers are striking again. Not sure if that’s good terminology in the present economic climate. But it looks as if the woes of last season may now be behind us. Except the defence. However reinforcements are being sort as we speak. The over-bloated squad doesn’t seem to be shrinking and it will be interesting to see who gets farmed out. Bilko will soon have a fellow American on the Board, pity he’s not Col. John T Ford, it really would add to the fun. Hopefully there are fun times ahead, and I’ll tell Roopz we are to call him Jerry in the future.
Hi Cutty
If we are seeking reinforcements at LB I’ve yet to see anything concrete – only the two rumours, one of which has diasappeared and the other dismissed by Dean Smith only yesterday [the Norwegian lad].
A Col. Hall type figure would certainly add to the fun and certainly ensure that even less gets done than happens now!
Cheers
Martin; I don’t think it a huge loss to be out of this cup.
Saturday is far more important.
I’m still not sure that Dean Smith is totally au-fait with NCFC…..
Having not seen any of the minutes live this season, is “AJ” really so much better than our own youngsters?? At least DS knows his (AJ’s) identity, whilst in Tuesday’s post-match interview he really struggled to name 3 or 4 of our other players…..he’s been here almost a year; I would expect better from him.
O T B C
Hi John
Some of us have voiced our concerns before that Dean Smith is showing very few signs of *belonging* as it were.
I hope I’m wrong but this Aaron Ramsey loan smacks of doing Villa a favour at the possible expense of our own youngsters.
Let’s all hope I am indeed wrong as it’s quite unpalatable if I’m right.
Cheers
I want us to win or put up decent show whatever the game. I know that fringe players need game time and this cup offers that opportunity. I feel sort of strange over it. Part disappointed and part not bothered. The disappointment had worn off my time bus pulled into Dereham, listening to the chatter on the top deck, which was full of game attendees, the general consensus was nobody was bothered.
Normally you would hear the chatter about the game the various incidents that had been witnessed, but nothing, not that I could hear. Most of the talk was about Saturday’s game and who should be in the team.
That sort of summed up that particular Cup, which soon becomes the plaything of the elite clubs to use their fringe players and then switch to the full squad.
Despite going out of the cup, there were positives, more minutes for Sara, Idah and Pukki looking really sharp, plus some good experience for Tompkinson & Springett, although I felt Springett got a rough deal playing way out of position when options were there from the start. Byram getting a good 45 mins, for me one of our better defenders in the squad
Cantwell was full of running always wanting the ball was a good sign, yea couple of inches lower on the penalty would have made a great difference. But the evening really belonged to Gunn, who made some terrific top drawer saves, a couple I thought he almost had no right to make. Smith has a problem over keepers, Gunny must be knocking on his door more than ever.
I felt we didn’t press enough stood back and allowed them to have too much, defensively I can see why Burnley didn’t fancy Gibson, too many errors and misjudgements for an experienced man.
Onto the League which the bread and butter and there is always the FA Cup to get knocked out of
Hi Lad
Yes Dean Smith has got a good problem to have with TK and Angus.
For me the League simply has to take priority and as you so quaintly say, there is still the FA Cup to get knocked out of 🙂
As for Springett at LB that was either Smith seeing if he could fill in there or the Mayor pulling rank – don’t ask me which!
Cheers
Hi Martin
The Breaking News is Stoke City have parted Company with Micheal O’Neill and Stoke is a much near commute to DS&SS homes than Norfolk so could we see any movement plus the owners are worth about £8Bill, not sure I am hoping for them to come in for them or not.
Micky Mouse cup has always served a purpose in getting fringe players game time so that has now gone but looking at last night’s draw I just wonder if we got out at the right time.
Loserpool V Derby County
Leicester V Newport
Southampton V Sheff Wed
Brentford V Gillingham
And then most of the other Premiership clubs got drawn together it does seem to good to be true for Loserpool in these draws mostly home to lower league clubs.
Saturday Live on Sky so it should be a good game to watch and I wonder what odds you could get that Toothpaste is the first on the team sheet.
Ah yes., but which ‘toothpaste?’ Gibbs SR or ,…?
I’ll get my coat!! 🤣
Hi Ed
You’ll be telling us next you live in Colgate.
Cheers
The big undroppable McLean
If McLean breaks up the unit that is Gibbs-Nunez-Dowell-Sinani then I and a lot of other supporters will be very disappointed.
Hi Alex
Yes I’m looking forward to Saturday as well – Bali Mumba’s thoughts on this particuar match would be very interesting!
In this day and age the *big six* take it all in every sense so the days of a Wigan winning the thing are long gone I’m afraid.
Cheers
Ahh the Friendship Trophy…. Now how did that come about .?
Hi Kathy
You prompted me to have a quick Google during tea at Old Trafford and I was amazed to see it listed on Wiki.
Although we have won 14 times to Sunderland’s nine, they currently hold the Trophy having triumphed on the last two occasions.
Allegedly TalkSport referred to it as the *world’s most pointless competition* or something derogatory like that.
Cheers
What is it about McLean? he must be one big suck hole, his it seems is the first name on the team sheet!! His major input would be best suited on a busy intersection directing traffic, and as for Gibson what another waste of money, the club should cut it’s loses and off load him and a few others, lower the wage bill off an already bloated player list.
Hi David
The kindest thing to say about McLean is that he puts in a shift, which he undeniably does
I’m not too sure that he and Gibson are worth very much between the though so chances of offloading would appear to be remote, MBoth remain ok squad players imo.
Cheers