The New York Addick will be at the Valley tomorrow and his proposed team is Weaver, Moutouakil, Thatcher, Bougherra, McCarthy, Reid, Semedo, Ambrose, Faye, Todorov, McLeod. Subs: Randolph, Fortune, Powell, Sinclair, Iwelumo.
Whether you agree with the team or not, what is striking though is the number of players who will be making their home debuts or have played probably less than ten games at the Valley. Of the 16, I would have thought, without checking the stats that only Ambrose, Chris Powell and Fortune fit the bill. For most of them it will almost be like an away game. Only Todorov and Weaver, of the " valley virgins" will have ever experienced the Valley atmosphere - I am sure that weaver will be pleased to be on the home side on this occasion. So for them it will be a nerve wracking experience, collectively and we need to be aware that there maybe early mistakes, an early goal would be nice to settle things down.
For the fans, the majority of whom will not have seen the players, it will equally be a strange experience, when was the last time we saw an almost new team take the field at the beginning of a season - the promotion season, and I mean Lennie Lawrence's, in the mid 80's. What do we chant? Who are our heroes? If Bent does not play, then who is the whipping boy? The covered ends creativity is really going to be tested tomorrow and for the rest of the season. If Todorov misses a sitter then do we sing "Sod off Todorov?" (Now you know why am not in the Covered end Choir).
Although we have had a good set of friendly results, it is different in competitive football and we, the fans may need to give the team time to gel. The Valley faithful, always used to be a patient lot, but the last few years has seen impatience. We cannot afford to be impatient, this is a young team and if we start getting on the players backs from the off then there is a good chance that confidence will dip and in this division confidence can be the deciding ingredient.
We need to get behind the team, put pressure on the ref and enjoy ourselves, not just tomorrow but for the rest of the season.
BRING IT ON!
3 comments:
You wrote:
"We cannot afford to be impatient, this is a young team and if we start getting on the players backs from the off then there is a good chance that confidence will dip and in this division confidence can be the deciding ingredient."
Bang on - whatever the result or performance you're so right - this is a new young team and us supporters can build them up or destroy them.
Let's get right behind them!
Good call Kappacino
Come on you Reds
Nice piece Kapp.
Post a Comment