nickbennett_blog

Tag: man

  • We’re all in the Gutter

    I’ve just read my prediction post for last season. ‘This season’s goal will be the same as last year…survival. Plain and simple. Survival is not just in footballing terms but also in financial terms’. Well, 1 out of 2 ain’t bad as Mr Meatloaf might say. So my hopes for this season are exactly the same. Boring eh, for the third season on the trot.

    These recent months have been the hardest months to endure as a football fan. I’ll take the Pepsi test with any other football fan that reckons they’ve had it worse. Man City got relegated years ago yet still gloat to this day at how hardcore they were when they were in the second tier of English football…yawn! Portsmouth is looking at administration in the face…at least you got something for your money. And finally, Chester City who went completely out of business… erm alright bad example. So to demonstrate the past few months in as brief a way as possible…

    Southend was relegated to league 2
    Me : ‘Still, at least it can’t get any worse’
    Southend release 90% of playing staff
    Me : ‘Erm now it can’t get any worse’
    Southend sack long serving manager Steve Tilson
    Me : ‘Ok, this is it now the lowest of the low’
    HMRC take Southend to High Court for administration hearing
    Me: ‘Right, baring a Tsunami this truly cannot get any worse’
    Southend Chairman questioned on sexual assault charges
    Me : ‘Fine, I give up’

    This week though something amazing happened. I actually received some good news. The HMRC dropped its case against us after it was proven that (with the help of Sainsbury’s) we were a viable business that could meet all future tax bills. Hooray! I don’t know how we did it! We don’t (as far as I can see) have any viable assets. Apparently, even the programs have been sold off to another company.

    Things may be bad at the moment but we’re still alive…just. Our team is made up of all new faces and there is a tried and tested manager at the helm in Paul Sturrock. So I’m making 2 predictions, my head prediction says relegation and administration while my heart says playoffs and a lovely new stadium for next year. So we may currently be in the gutter let’s just hope we’re looking up at the stars!

  • Gumshields, Gumshields!!!

    I’m all up for sport evolution but it needs to be in the right areas. I’m fed up with FIFA making excuses as to why we shouldn’t introduce technology into Football. Every other sport is moving quicker than Football. There have been enough comments made about the need for technology so I’m not going to waste my time. Just be very assured that I, Nick Bennett believe technology needs to be introduced into the game of Football. There…done and dusted.

    But Nick you said the game is evolving in the wrong areas? Which areas could you possibly mean? OK, Football in its grassroots used to be a working-class sport where it wasn’t uncommon to find someone had urinated in your pocket while you stood watching your favourite team. I can only imagine the relief some of our Northern brothers would have felt knowing that there was a source of warmth waiting for their hands. The players were hard back then too. You could go into a neck-high challenge and no one would bat an eyelid. I’ve seen footage of Goalies being bundled across the line, and the goal is given.

    I’m not a barbarian, so I understand it had to be ‘toned’ down a tad. If you want to watch that sort of behaviour you can go and watch the ‘gentleman’ play rugby. What I have a problem with (and it’s been escalating for a while) are player’s protective accessories. There’s an infamous rumour that Steven Gerrard’s Father (after traveling a distance to see his son play) got in the car and went home after spotting Stevie G wearing gloves. I like this rumour and hope it’s true. The latest fad in player pampering is gum shields! The only exception I will allow is Heurelho Gomes as his Mum has provided a note after he was bullied for his first 3 months in the Country. Mr Gallas, there is no excuse! I’m not going to make some stereotypical comment about the French introducing these footballing must haves but if I had any stats I’m sure they’d be compelling.

    What does the future hold then? I can see the footballers of tomorrow wearing the same protective garments as seen in Police Dog training centers. Yet, ironically, being more flimsy under a challenge and more accomplished at diving than Tom Daley. How can they get away with this in the future? Because we will be relying on the short-sighted man in black to make all of the decisions silly!

    p.s. Southend have lost their last 3 games so I’m sulking