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Give Change a Chance
Over the summer I was inspired by England’s display against Australia in the cricket. A team with heart
and desire all with one aim, an aim to win. I was hoping that some of that spirit would rub onto our team.
Yet it’s easy to remember that England lost the one day internationals and the first Test at Lords. Wanderers
too have started badly, yet seem unable to find any answers.
England succeeded against the very best in the world. They made experienced Australian Test campaigners look
ordinary and kept going when Shane Warne, the best bowler in the world, threatened to ruin their party. Wanderers
on the other hand, have trouble keeping at bay talents such as Wilberforce and North Greenford. Our squad,
reputedly talented, is consistently outplayed by meagre opponents who simply have a greater desire to win.
If any Wanderers players watched any of the Ashes, they might learn from Australia that you have to fight every inch –
even to lose in style. From Freddie and England they can learn even more. Flintoff has not always been a star; he’s
fought back from considerable lows to become a hero.
Optimism is a funny thing, especially in the football world – people who are generally pessimists transform to display
unfounded belief of titanic proportions. Minus points from safety with five games gone? Of course we will stay up! This
is not something that surprises me as its only human that the desire for your team to do well spills over into optimism –
we don't genuinely believe we will win every time we play, sometimes we know we are up against it, but that pride, passion
and unbridled want to achieve will always override any realism lurking in the depths of our minds. What is even more remarkable
is the way moods change, the way small alterations in real life situations dramatically change our outlook on possibility and expectations.
In the ever-changing world of football one thing is for sure….. The same old people with the same old moans about team effort and team
displays. To them the grim reaper is sharpening his scythe ready for yet another visit to the purple haze. But what can we do?
Firstly, we should all start learning to be patient. We have a relatively new squad with very little experience of playing together;
we have the basis of a good squad of players, a monumental effort considering the position we were in 12 months ago. Now, to expect new
players, most of which are already starters in the first team, to produce results from the off is frankly an ask that I doubt even Mr Mourinho
could muster.
The club needed open heart surgery; there was a lot of damage caused in the past. Failing players and rotten apples – replaced by a new regime
with hunger and desire. To simply ask for all this to work straight away is too much, even for the best managers football can offer.
We have a new squad, with a nice blend of experience and youth fit and healthy and ready to play at a moment's notice. Playing for pride and
trying their all, to expect them to get it right at the first attempt is preposterous. Asking the management team to conjure up 3-0 wins every
weekend with champagne football from day one with a squad that is still learning about each other is too much.
On a more down to earth note it is excellent to see the optimism that’s emanating from all areas of the club, the 'team' ethic I was talking about
last season may just be beginning to show its head. The important thing is to make a good showing on Saturday and if the result goes our way then
great but if not there is a chance to put it right the following week.
Have patience. Time is a great healer and time is what everyone needs to get things right. There may well be some trips and falls along the way,
but soon we will be riding high. We have to start fighting now, even if it just to stay in this division. Somebody has to look at Freddie, and score
a great goal, save a penalty or simply give 100%. If we do that, then, even if we lose, we will regain the respect of all. I am sure we will get the
ingredients right sooner rather than later. It's there; we just need to find it.
Vip Mair |
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