Thing is, it genuinely isn't just us who are pissed off: I have an inbox full of e mails from mates who support other clubs (notably Spurs, Arsenal, Villa and West Ham) saying that they are almost ashamed to support their clubs, aren't renewing their STs etc. It has been a crap PL with the outcome of the Championship being decided in August and crap, route one football being effectively promoted by more relaxed refereeing than we've seen in years. Also, Euro2000 meant that we didn't even have a proper closed season so boredom set in earlier than usual. From our point of view, we had our expectations raised absurdly high by how well we played last season and by the new stadium which promises greatness and glory. Dunno about you lot, but I've gone through every emotion during the past week but I really think that we have some special bairns and in a season or two will have a formidable side. It hurts that this season has been crap but mine eyes have seen the glory!! Wor time will come sooner rather than later.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001

Answers

PS. I still think the club needs a real, erm, brainstorming session.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001

...I just think we need a brain!

Wish I could share your optimism (am I really saying this to wor dougal?) but until the Club get's some real leadership I can't see it happening. However, you are quite right in identifying the bairns as the bright spot on the horizon.

Thing is, without the right overall direction within the Club, even the potential provided by the emergence of several top young players could be frittered away.
While there are several key issues to be managed (eg. Academy, Training Facilities) I'm increasingly thinking that the arrangements BR's succession is now top of the list.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001

For once Mr Clark, I don't think I agree with you! Although it is important to build the next stage of the management dynasty, IMHO the other things like Accedemy, Training facilities etc are more important. Football is a fickle beast. Managers come and managers go. It's true that some managers are groomed (eg O'Dreary), while others are "poached" (eg, O'Neil). But others just become "surplus to requirements" and are just waiting for a job to appear.

If we can get the Accedemy and training facilities on track, then YBR will be pleased to see that and will want to stay around for a while longer.

Of course, there's another school of thought which says the next manager is already waiting in the wings - or is it the operating table?

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001

Screacher - that suggestion chills my blood, just when I'm feeling optimistic. Clarky, I know what you mean and I agree that a major investment of what one of my colleagues at work calls "intellectual horsepower" is needed in order to come up with a plan that will ensure that the bairns develop as they should and that they are harnessed to contribute to our success. Youth policy, training facilities and proposals to ensure future generations of support are the three things that we really need to address urgently IMHO. I do think some of the youngsters are a bit special and may do summat for us.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001

Screacher,

As you well know, I have been banging on for ages about the critical importance of establishing the Academy and Training Facilities - and I can't even hazard a guess as WTF is going on with them. However, if you check out the icN/Ronnie tonight you will find it full of articles with BR slagging off everyone in sight - these are not the actions of a man in control. Something is badly wrong at SJP, and the issue of an orderly succession has gone way up my priority list.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001

The manager issue and the training/academy issues need to be kept separate in our thinking.

If we had the best academy in the world then an average manager would be being fed good footballers without having to try and buy them. The academy needs to be a priority what ever else is happening.

The managerial succession needs to be thought about carefully.

The blasting that Robson has given everyone today is no more than we have all felt all season. Apart from Rik no one has a good word to say about Marcelino, and Rik only likes him cos Elena makes Rik look good looking. Maybe Bobby has been blasting the players in the dressing room the same we he has done more publicly today, and it has had no effect at all. It was embarrassing to see Andy Gray pull apart our defending, particulalry when he highlighted our static right back watching Owen running away from him.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

They deserve slaggin off, whether in public or not.

I'm glad I missed Andy Gray's analysis of our defending, I bet it was laughable! Bobby could do worse than show it to the lads.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

Wahtever we might think, slagging players off in public achieves precisely NOTHING. If BR is unhappy with his players then he should get rid of them - full stop.

Half the team that is presently playing were his acquisitions, the others are players he has chosen to keep, including at least one who would not be selected by more than 1% of the fans.

P*issing & moaning about the players in the media by their Team Manager is utterly counter-productive, and also indicative of someone who has lost the confidence and respect of his players. A very bad sign.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

Andy Gray and Richard Keys had supressed smirks at Warren's lack of positional awareness. Gray tried to make an excuse that Barton could have been distracted by McAllister who was about 20 yards in the other direction but when Owen ran towards goal Barton just stood and watched him go.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

Chatting to a fella at work who is Rushden & Diamonds supporter it is apparent that apart from the capacity of the stadium, they have a significantly better set up than we do. They have their own training facilities, indoor and out.

Their promoted team is packed with players who have come through the ranks to mix it with th expensive buys from neighbours Northampton.

Chuffing embarrassing.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001