Easy 10
Brain dead MUG SHEEP
It pains me to say it, but I think there are some home truths that we have all got to accept, and learn to come to terms with over the coming weeks and months.
1. This is an average Division Two team which is simply not equipped for promotion, even in a very poor division. Leon has weighed in with a decent goals tally this season, but without him, we'd already be mid table or below. Too many players in the squad are now way, way past their sell-by, and I'm talking about Jones, Hart, Oatway, Carpenter, Mayo, Watson, Pethick. They're not going to get any better now. The Championship years are behind them, and they are no longer a force at this level. They don't even look up for it most weeks any more. I like the look of Virgo, El Abd and Robinson, but outside of them, the other youngsters are, at best average, and I'm talking about McPhee, Harding, Hammond and Marney. With the best will in the world, they are not just not going to be good enough to take us forward. The County League beckons for them I fear.
2. Expectations are basically too high. We've been spoilt for the last few years. Given the state the club is in, and the joke of a "stadium" we call a football ground, it is nothing short of a frigging miracle that we brought a season of First Division football there. That was achieved through a legendary goalscorer, and a rock solid defence. We had absolutely NO RIGHT to expect First Division football then, and to aspire to be a First Division club right now is simply unrealistic. Micky Adams was able to do a complete overhaul of the squad, which was desperately needed after finishing 91st two seasons running. The drain of playing at Withdean, and the Falmer application, means that McGhee is not in a position to do the same, and frankly, its not as urgent, as we are not in imminent danger of dropping into the Conference. People have got to be realistic and lower their expectations at the moment. Pointless moaning at McGhee, cos there's feck-all he can do about inheriting a sub-standard squad of players.
3. We are victims of our own success, and we've flattered to decieve. Frustration with the team and McGhee is building because we've had Division One football last season, and we managed to hit the top of the table early this season, but we're now witnessing it slowly slide away. Be honest. Can you recall even half a dozen really good performances this season ? Cos I can't. We've been good in fits and starts, maybe a half here and there. But I can barely recall a sustained performance where we've really played bloody well for 90 minutes. The odd game here and there where we've racked up a score (Wycombe, Blackpool, Grimsby), but the vast majority, and I'm talking 80% of the games this season, I'd say we've been pretty much piss poor. Thats because, basically, its not a very good team any more, and we have to accept that. Its only cos this division is so rubbish that we somehow find ourselves in 6th place.
As I said, I don't like saying it, but I think its been plain to see for a while now. I've accepted that right now, we are at the very best, an average Division Two club. We cannot expect any more than that unless, or until, we get Falmer. Anyone expecting anything better than that in the meantime is just deluding themselves. Like it or not, you'd better get used to rubbing shoulders with the likes of Brentford, Oldham Peterborough and Hartlepool, cos it AIN'T gonna get any better than that for a few years yet...if at all.
Learn to live with it - cos thats the reality my friends. If anyone can argue the toss on any of that and tell me I'm talking out of my arse, then step right up. But sadly, I think I am right on this one.
1. This is an average Division Two team which is simply not equipped for promotion, even in a very poor division. Leon has weighed in with a decent goals tally this season, but without him, we'd already be mid table or below. Too many players in the squad are now way, way past their sell-by, and I'm talking about Jones, Hart, Oatway, Carpenter, Mayo, Watson, Pethick. They're not going to get any better now. The Championship years are behind them, and they are no longer a force at this level. They don't even look up for it most weeks any more. I like the look of Virgo, El Abd and Robinson, but outside of them, the other youngsters are, at best average, and I'm talking about McPhee, Harding, Hammond and Marney. With the best will in the world, they are not just not going to be good enough to take us forward. The County League beckons for them I fear.
2. Expectations are basically too high. We've been spoilt for the last few years. Given the state the club is in, and the joke of a "stadium" we call a football ground, it is nothing short of a frigging miracle that we brought a season of First Division football there. That was achieved through a legendary goalscorer, and a rock solid defence. We had absolutely NO RIGHT to expect First Division football then, and to aspire to be a First Division club right now is simply unrealistic. Micky Adams was able to do a complete overhaul of the squad, which was desperately needed after finishing 91st two seasons running. The drain of playing at Withdean, and the Falmer application, means that McGhee is not in a position to do the same, and frankly, its not as urgent, as we are not in imminent danger of dropping into the Conference. People have got to be realistic and lower their expectations at the moment. Pointless moaning at McGhee, cos there's feck-all he can do about inheriting a sub-standard squad of players.
3. We are victims of our own success, and we've flattered to decieve. Frustration with the team and McGhee is building because we've had Division One football last season, and we managed to hit the top of the table early this season, but we're now witnessing it slowly slide away. Be honest. Can you recall even half a dozen really good performances this season ? Cos I can't. We've been good in fits and starts, maybe a half here and there. But I can barely recall a sustained performance where we've really played bloody well for 90 minutes. The odd game here and there where we've racked up a score (Wycombe, Blackpool, Grimsby), but the vast majority, and I'm talking 80% of the games this season, I'd say we've been pretty much piss poor. Thats because, basically, its not a very good team any more, and we have to accept that. Its only cos this division is so rubbish that we somehow find ourselves in 6th place.
As I said, I don't like saying it, but I think its been plain to see for a while now. I've accepted that right now, we are at the very best, an average Division Two club. We cannot expect any more than that unless, or until, we get Falmer. Anyone expecting anything better than that in the meantime is just deluding themselves. Like it or not, you'd better get used to rubbing shoulders with the likes of Brentford, Oldham Peterborough and Hartlepool, cos it AIN'T gonna get any better than that for a few years yet...if at all.
Learn to live with it - cos thats the reality my friends. If anyone can argue the toss on any of that and tell me I'm talking out of my arse, then step right up. But sadly, I think I am right on this one.
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