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Pauly's Page |
Paul Nicholas is a bank manager who is best known on this site for his frequent missives to the press - usually pulling them up on one point or another.
Like many Swans fans, Paul caught the fever in the First Division 70's and after a prolonged spell with no symptoms, thought he was cured.
But then along came Molby and the disease resurfaced.
In his own words ... "and now I got it bad again doctor."
A Quick Look Back ............ 19/06/2006 Even though almost a month has passed since boots were hung up for the summer, the post mortem continues. The ‘Jackett out’ brigade (including the staunch and very active representative from Pennsylvania) is out campaigning, actively seeking new members to attach specially designed flags to their car roofs. Maybe it’s time to spend 5 minutes to take a look at a snap-shot or two of a previous life to remind us exactly how far we have moved in the past few years, and get a few things into perspective. Football fans’ expectations run higher than any other life form, but is this always such a good thing? Some psychic posters on the Guest Book recently pre-empted this column by listing a couple of Swans teams from around 2002, but you do not have to go that far back to hit reality. The quality of our current squad along with the performances we see each week, compared to that at the time Kenny arrived at the club, is incomparable. We tend to live and breathe what we have now, but sometimes our expectations just push idealism to its very boundaries. Back in the early years of this millennium, it was very easy to write far from complimentary match reports, and to highlight some dire individual performances week after week. Nevertheless, there was always an amusing side to what was happening. This was down to the fact that the players that we had were simply not talented enough nor were they capable of delivering anything too much better than they were game after game. Our expectations were significantly lower back then than they are now, but even in those days, we expected so much from them. The style of football was invariably airborne, which is not to be confused with the currently much complained about ‘hoofball’. Hoofball takes you forward, even if not in the way everyone would wish. Airborne football takes you nowhere, and just gives fans plenty of time to study the cloud formations. When we have to watch poor games now, there is little amusing content in any subsequent match reports, because we know we should be doing better. That takes us back to expectations. These days I think we have a right to expect more from the squad we have, but occasionally some fans expect far too much. Many have complained at the absence (at different times of the season) of O’Leary, Martinez, McLeod, Trundle etc., when they have not been injured. These are players that many fans would have on their team sheet very early on in the selection process, but the club has been in a position to select others players, performing (at least in Jackett’s mind) to a better standard at that time. What a luxury it would have been to have been in a similar position a few years back and been able to rest Casey, Watkin, Lacey, Evans….I could go on…., and replace them with better players. As little as 2 years ago, no player was that far from the first team, irrespective of form or even fitness. Of course, money affects this, but better quality football draws bigger crowds, and a new stadium doesn’t guarantee a great following (ask the Ospreys). Arguments that any manager could have got us to where we are now with all the lashings of cash that have been made available to him isn’t a particular sound argument to me. Many clubs have tried to buy success thinking that the cash alone would bring the results, and it doesn’t always work that way. How about a few statistics on the number of points we (and other clubs) have earned relative to the amount of cash we have spent? Would that tell us anything about Jackett’s ability? I’m not setting out to criticise statistics, I enjoy analysing figures as much as most do, but in isolation, certain statistics mean little. No manager will have the full backing of all fans, no fan would have bought all the players he has, no fan would have made every team selection identical to his, made the same tactical substitutions, drawn up the same game plan or let the same players go. He’s paid to make those decisions; the rest of us, we’re just TV pundits. So, for those that want, or possibly need, of a memory jolt – read on, and remind yourself of what standards we endured from certain players week after week. Hull City Home Though I surprise myself to say it, what a revelation when Casey came on.....(well maybe that's a bit strong)....but a good corner for Watkins' goal, and showing far more appetite and commitment than in other games he has played in recently. Cometh the haircut cometh the man maybe? Brodie next..?? Willo's lungs reacted badly to the cold night air, and after a few runs down
by the North Bank, it not only affected circulation to his legs but also the
control muscles in the legs of Cusack and Mumford tonight, so it's a bigger
problem than we thought as it is contagious. Barry Town Home The hallucinations we suffered in the first half against Mansfield the other Saturday when Casey looked almost half impressive, had now cleared, and he was exposed for all his lack of involvement in the game throughout. At this stage also, the same linesman was unsure whether the flag went up for offside or onside, so he varied it a few times. The referee was one of the most unfit I have seen, failing to keep pace with the game in a way that only Casey could match. Then on 41 minutes, the linesman spotted a handball in the Barry area, missed by many of the 1,518 crowd, and Watkin duly stepped up to score another excellently taken spot kick. If we could have a game plan whereby we were awarded a couple of penalties in each match, then Watkin may be worth a good contract as he can certainly hit the net from there. Unfortunate that he can’t hit the goal trail from free play in the same way. Player Performance Marks Luton Town Home Freestone Subs – Jones, Romo, Sidibe, Cusack and Smith Today’s efforts on that front were partly limited anyway by the atrocious performance of Casey. The lack of effort, interest and basic skill that he demonstrates in a game is unbelievable, and if a contract is offered to a player like this, in the position we are at present then serious questions will need to be asked. A gentleman sitting behind us was very entertaining in his commentary on Casey’s performance. More to the point, he was very accurate – ‘Bejaysus, what am I supposed to be doing with this ball now? I don’t want it’. Both sides took the opportunity to replace players during the interval, but none so sensible as Casey being replaced by Romo. Ryan Casey - No mark - Did not wish to embarrass him with a mark, which
hopefully says it all. Rushden & Diamonds Away A change in line up for this game saw the following team parade out at the ground, which did resemble a Subbuteo stadium, complete with plastic home crowd. Jones Subs: Freestone, Williams, Romo, Casey, Brodie Sidibe took a knock and was replaced by Brodie although surely had Sidibe not been injured it would have been Coates who would have walked. Casey was then brought on instead of Mumford, and we knew it was time to leave. A quick check on the radio in the car, and a surprise to hear it stayed at 4-0. We all know that Coates will swivel all day until he gets the ball onto his left foot, by which time there are three players on him. He doesn’t seem able to even control the ball with his right. Howard is deteriorating in each game; we have only one game plan from throw ins and corners, aim for the head of the tallest forward. When that is Watkin or Brodie, it’s not much of a plan really is it? Howard - 4 - Another example of how he has gone backwards over the last 2
years. Torquay Home Jones Freestone Romo Draper Williams Todd A bigger than expected crowd was announced at 3,247, although we believe they are still searching for the 1,000 or so supporters who seem to have got in through the turnstiles, but never made it to the seats or terraces. The crowd did seems much nearer to, if not less than the 2,600 who saw the York game, but having said that we’re not sure how many can get into the director’s box, where today there did seem (from our seats in the East Stand at least) to be a serious attempt at a Guinness Book of Records entry. Wasn’t it W C Fields that said never work with children and animals? If he were alive today, living in Swansea and sharing our pastimes, he’d be adding another category to that list. With O’Leary adding a second with a well-taken headed goal on sixteen minutes, some fans were starting to anticipate a repeat to the end of last season when a six-goal bonanza against Brentford brightened up a spring day and a miserable season. For some inexplicable reason we missed that goal feast, and the way this match progressed after we went two up, we started to wish we’d done the same today. Half time arrived, with at least the excitement of one free prize draw and one raffle climax to look forward to. Two F A Cup Final Tickets, and a brand new Kia Rio car from Ken Thorne, all courtesy of the Supporter’s Trust made three people very happy, and probably helped them through the second half much as medication would have for the rest of us. We had chances, but a Coates right foot shot saw its way up towards the TV lounge in the East Stand and a Willo shot, which went in such a direction that we were convinced it would be a corner, actually beat Coates’ effort by 3 rows. Some of the through balls today resembled what you see during a stroll in the park. If you’ve ever watched people throwing balls for dogs to fetch, you’ll know that the dog is never exactly sure which way he needs to start running until the ball is released. You only had to see the movement off the ball, or lack of it, to know that the players had little more idea than the dogs, but unfortunately, a lot less in the way of skills. Howard – 3 – continues on his downward slide. Little contribution to game York Home Freestone Subs: Jones, Casey, Todd, Cusack, Brodie. It was an extremely poor match from start to finish, with an excitement factor unlikely to match any recent Richter scale reading for an earth tremor on Townhill. There was no noise from the crowd, just the occasional groan. It is fine for the players to demonstrate their ability to juggle a football during the half time break, balancing it on their head, foot, neck or wherever. How is it that these same players cannot then control or pass a ball when they get onto the field? What do they spend their training sessions practicing? Crossing a ball into the area? Maybe not, or rather, certainly not, judging by the general inability shown to achieve this magnificent feat. Firstly, Casey was brought on to replace the ever out of touch Coates. Unlike at Rushden earlier in the month, Casey was brought on with too much of the game left for us to leave. The past few match reports have been almost depressing to write, and quite difficult not to be too repetitive. We make no apologies if we have failed on the last point – what else can we say? There have been so few highlights during the games that writing a blow-by-blow account of the action has been pointless – much the same as the results. Rushden & Diamonds Home Wood, partnering Thomas up front ran all game, and it was only Smith of the
newcomers who needs a little more time to impress the crowd. Is it possible he
has been told that he is six inches taller than he really is, which would
account for his abysmal judgement of defensive headers throughout the first
half. Torquay Home Freestone Subs: Marsh, Smith (D), Moss, Wood, Keaveny O'Leary - 5 - 100% improvement on recent displays. Anti panic tablets
obviously starting to work. If we had to select a man-of-the-match, then Jenkins’ performance in the first half, or Thomas’ effort towards the end has he took more control of his own game would be in the frame, but we have to leave it at that I think. This award is getting more difficult by the week. Effort is fine, but I saw little more effort in this game than in earlier season encounters and if the players felt the need to apologise to Cusack for performances to date, then they’d better book a regular weekly slot entitled ‘Dear Mr Flynn’ in the Evening Post, as there is going to be a lot of apologising unless their own standards improve. It happens sometimes doesn’t it? You get a new manager, the team gets that feeling of revitalisation and against all odds, and you get a win for the new boss in his first game in charge. Well it certainly doesn’t happen for us!! Rochdale Home Freestone Subs: Marsh, Moss, Keaveny, D Smith, De Vulgt Let it be said at the outset, we maybe 91st in the League, but on our day we can run out onto the field as well as any other team in any of the divisions, and today we performed well in that department. Macclesfield Home Freestone Subs: Wood – Williams – Mumford – Watkin – De Vulgt Murphy, playing alongside him (Thomas), looked uncomfortable, and off the pace and there were occasions when his timing, in jumping to head a ball, resembled a film where the sound and picture are not quite synchronised. …….after 15 minutes of fairly dire football by both sides, I swear there was a rush for standing order forms to boost the (players) loan fund, although the money could equally well be directed towards the ‘let’s buy them out of their contracts’ appeal. Exeter Away Freestone Subs: Watkin, Reid, Steins, Theobald, Jenkins The journey down to Exeter was broken only by a swift diversion into Burnham-on-Sea for some lunch, to at least curtail a little of the cash flow heading our ex-chief executive’s way from today’s encounter. Watkin - 4 - Never looked like scoring his FIRST of the season. Lincoln Home Freestone Subs: Watkin, Steins, Richards, Jenkins, O’Leary Whereas Lincoln moved fast on the ground, our attacks were being monitored by air traffic control during the first 45 minutes, and this was limiting the chances we had to put pressure their goal with any real threat. Darlington Home Freestone Subs: Watkin, O’Leary, Mumford, Williams, Wood Watkin showed a few nice touches during his spell on the pitch, with the highlight being a great through ball for Jamie Wood only for Woody to lapse into the role of Buzz Lightyear, and blast the ball to infinity and beyond. Cambridge Home Freestone Subs: Thomas, O’Leary, Phillips, Hylton, Steins Half time arrived with the anticipation of watching the Ice Babes reducing the queues at the burger stand. As the men settled down, and Cyril the Swan realised that half time penalty shoot outs could be a lot more fun than he had previously thought, the second half began. Boston Home Cutler Subs: Watkin, Howard, Jenkins, Thomas, Phillips Williams 4- Goes from sublime to ridiculous. Tonight, just ridiculous. Carlisle Home Cutler Subs: Thomas, Williams, Phillips, Mumford, Howard Watkin – 3 – no threat and little commitment. 12 months since last Vetch
goal, could be 12 yrs before his next One shot on goal by John Williams from the edge of the 6 yard box, saw his effort just miss us in the 7th row of the East Stand, proving again that there is just no hiding place from our attackers – except in front of the goal mouth of course. ___________________ Reading some of those reports from days gone by was a bit like watching a Simpsons’ Halloween Special. You know it’s OK to think it’s all a joke, but under it all is a very dark message that may just be true, and that only adults should understand.
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