Christmas Morning Ponderings

[Deleted]

Sitting down Christmas morning pondering my thoughts I thought "well, why not?" so I've come up with the following:

Let's hope the weather stays like it is now for Saturday's game at Fleet. It should be quite a match.

I just hope that Mark Anderson doesn't play too well against us. I've seen him 3 times this season and he's playing well. I could never understand the Manager's decision to discard him last season, especially if I think back - wasn't he the leading goalscorer at the time?

I see that steady journeyman Yousef is now at AFC Hayes, let's hope he's enjoying his football there. Have we really had anybody that's been consistently better in his position? Agreed the current defensive occupant is quite useful; but what happens when he returns to his parent club?

What's happened to Richard Brightwell? Has he been discarded?

How long before Shaun Lydon is told he can go back to Ash?

Good luck to Webby wherever he has gone. Have we seen the last of Liam Pestle?

What's happened to Azeem the lad from Guildford City that the manager raved over and was signed earlier? We had the brief appearance as a sub and that was it.

I wonder what new mercenaries we'll have in the side this week!

Perhaps I have got it wrong. It is nice to see a winning side but you don't want mercenaries in from here, there and everywhere at this level of football. Surely being able to associate with the players in the side would maybe encourage a bit more local support.

Season's Greetings to All.

[Deleted]

Hi Shottermiller - agreed, the match tomorrow should be interesting. I have tried to answer some of your queries below.

I just hope that Mark Anderson doesn't play too well against us. I've seen him 3 times this season and he's playing well. I could never understand the Manager's decision to discard him last season, especially if I think back - wasn't he the leading goalscorer at the time?

I am pretty sure (but not certain) that this was to do with money. I do not think that the new management were prepared to match the generous wages that Mark was on at the time. I think he was offered reduced terms but nothing was agreed and he left by mutual consent. I think he spent most of the rest of the season on the bench for Fleet. Mark was a really nice bloke and a real goal poacher!

What's happened to Richard Brightwell? Has he been discarded?

I heard that Richard has Uni commitments.

Have we seen the last of Liam Pestle?

I think he has a niggling injury.

What's happened to Azeem the lad from Guildford City that the manager raved over and was signed earlier? We had the brief appearance as a sub and that was it.

Grapevine tells me that Azeem was not able to commit to training sessions. So was released back to City.

I wonder what new mercenaries we'll have in the side this week!

Perhaps I have got it wrong. It is nice to see a winning side but you don't want mercenaries in from here, there and everywhere at this level of football. Surely being able to associate with the players in the side would maybe encourage a bit more local support.

Personally, I want a winning team playing entertaining football. I think it is great to see some really skilful players on loan from bigger clubs complimenting the nucleus of settled players we have. Keeps competition for places high and seems to be working on the pitch. We are having a pretty good season after all. A squad of purely local players would be fantastic but I personally feel it would be unrealistic at the level we currently play at. The more local players the better but it must be on merit. Shaun and Mazza are now the 2nd and 3rd most capped Town players ever - they are great assets to the club.

Here's hoping for a successful 2009! See you at Fleet.

[Deleted]

Where has Webb gone?
And what happened to Kenny Ojukwu?
Whilst keeping up with the new faces is hard, you have to look at the facts. The regular, local, Roger Steer team of 06/07 came rock bottom of the Ryman. Look at this new team, chasing for the playoffs and certainly a better side. And the likes of Shaun Elliot, James Mariner and Glenn Stanley are still regularly playing, having come from the youth academy.

[Deleted]

I believe (not 100% though) both Webby and Kenny have left the club but I don't know where they are now. They definetely aren't playing for Ryman League clubs as we still hold their registrations!

Meanwhile Phil Williams has returned to Kingstonian after his months loan. Shame, as I thought he was a really good player.