Owls That
Wednesday, 14th Nov 2007 13:53

Chris reflects on Hillsborough

If Saints are not at home of a weekend then you'll normally find me if not having a very occasional away day treat ... if you can call it a "Treat" - the ones with the peanuts inside were a lot more satisfying than watching SFC these days .... officiating (no I'm not a ref ..you gotta be kidding) at local football, in my role as a Local Council attendant (leisure assistant etc.).

Therefore my heart goes out to all of you that had to suffer "Humiliation Hillsborough " last Sat.

No. "Warsash Wasps" (are wasps really green & black - mmmm perhaps I'm thinking of the wrong team) and "Sholing" summat or other, were more the order of the day for me at dear old Mayfield Park. Complete with its landmark back drop of an obelisk, woods and a church. After pinning the nets, placing the corner flags, apologising to a player cos the "dog shite shovel" had gone missing (probably walked off on its own) ... I retreated to the groundsman's office - as we still call it - faffed around with some paperwork and eventually turned on the radio to see how Saints were getting along.

"What this game needs is a goal" said the excellent Dave Merrington - nothing much happening - poor game so far etc was the distinct impression he was giving out. When, whoops a daisy, Saints go again with that late in a half thing I mentioned in part one of my contribution. This time though conceding a pen. In turn, "Wednesday" duly dispatched.

It crossed my mind :- "Ah well ,long way to go yet - not quite as yet half time" ... thinking my coffee flask half full, rather than half empty. Now Mayfield isn't normally my venue - so off I go for a look around to see what, if anything, needs doing - after which I grab the litter picker and grab some bits and pieces from the bushes outside. I continue to take the air, then nip back inside and ring a colleague whose doing some painting at Green Park, Millbrook. Before I realise it, the three matches where I myself am on duty are over. I then take to the pitch once more - risking life and limb as I go - negotiating a wheelbarrow across Weston Lane. I then fetch the gear back and clear up.

I'm interrupted before I finish - by my other half - arriving to take me back home "I thought I'd find you in a bad mood" she says still maybe not quite used to the fact that I've become somewhat numb to SFC's misadventures. I said "oh no, not Saints losing again did they pet"?

"One down when I last checked", I added.

Linda's face told me everything I needed to know.

"Not three or four down the tube surely", I tentatively offered.

"Er five actually", she says.

Perhaps this is the consistency the team think we are asking for. You know, having shipped five at Preston as well.

Right then, I'm not going to even bother to research or discuss the game itself any further or what went wrong this time.What I am going to discuss short and sweet is - that I would hope that George won't actually offer an excuse on this occasion but will soon go quietly. However I will say at this point it took bottle to come on to Radio Solent later on and be interviewed. He also in fairness apologised to the fans - and I hadn't heard him do that one before.

Some fans will say what's the point in changing bosses again and that we need stability. However if what George is currently offering us is called stability - then we need it like a hole in the head.

In the short term, I would like to actually see Dave Merrington be offered some kind of role within the club - coaching and advisory. Even only if this was for a fixed term to help get an ailing patient (SFC) back on it's feet. Backsides need kicking - but constructively from someone like him who is not only passionate but Saints thru & thru.

Also Lawrie Macs huge experience is called for at this moment in time. Yes I know he's much older now (therefore surely wiser) and his remit at the club - hospitality, welcoming back old stars etc on match days and his standing as a local figure/celeb and diligent charity worker is what occupies a lot of his time. But if only him and Dave Merrington were brought together to pool some ideas and try and breathe some life back into our once proud club - it would be no bad thing.

As for a replacement for Burley should he go? Well, Neil Warnock has been snapped up at Selhurst so it can no longer be him. Some Saints fans wouldn't have wanted him anyway - but you will never please 'em all. I think he might just have been a big enough personality to get the best out of the present side. Looking at the present squad, the job may well have suited him.

How about the "H" bomb then? Okay I'm not going to argue with you guys n' gals about the rights and wrongs of Glen Hoddle and his somewhat seemingly undignified departure from Saints. But I will come straight to what's really important. The defence would be sorted at last - if Glen were to actually retake the reins. The training ground would also become a place where I'm sure most of the players actually WANTED to be again. Furthermore the team would be professional enough to close games down, having if done so, gotten their noses in front I used to like Hoddle's counter attacking style .... e.g. using the outlet of Pahars pace in this way. We now have Dyer, Wright-Phillips, Saganowski, Viafara, Surman, all of which I think would be suited to that way of playing. Also some good midfield use of the ball from Safri and Idiakez (when fit) to get things moving. We'd maybe get back to nicking important points in that smash and grab style which can be very effective. Its just a thought U.I. ... ers.

However, some of you will still let personal feelings get in the way of such an appointment - which is sad - but there we are.

I could condemn you for it - but I won't. Apart from the fact that you are perfectly entitled to your opinion, I've got personal feelings on a certain matter as well - and it's this.

If Lowe comes back in any high profile capacity - particularly as the Chairman/Dictator as he was before - then I shan't bother to see another season. Believe me, to say that after a period of 47 years of support is ....well I think you can surely relate to what I'm saying. If not, then you aint a "traditional style" footy fan such as myself and also many of you that I know - or have go to know down thru the years. You won't find me apologising for being old school either.

In fact if you actually like the current game the way it is - then you can have it. However up to now the red & white striped blood that courses through my veins keeps me hanging in there - but these days it hangs by a thread. There is also the brilliant social crack I have with some fellow "Chapel Enders" on a match day. You just can't overstate the importance of that type of priceless camaraderie.

Last candidate for Burley's hotseat if becoming vacant? Stuart Pearce possibly? I think Stuart is still as yet unproven as a club manager - but again he's got the passion and commitment. It would also throw up one interesting stat. We already had one famous player nicknamed "Psycho" on the books at one time - he too was a left back. Saints best ever left back in fact .. Mark Dennis.

If Stuart was to come here it would be a case of also either having the original Psycho .. "Psycho II" or Psycho too. Please yourselves which.

Finally, by all means also discuss amongst yourself - for you surely will - whether you would like George Burley to stay - or go -or who you might like to see come in. You know, add some names to the list. Get the debate going. Always a healthy thing -debate.

Until the next time "Ugly Insiders": All my very best wishes to you all. CHRIS NEWMAN.