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Let The Damning Begin
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A reply to the doubters, perhaps.
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By:
Eric Hitchmo
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22/07/2009
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The annual writing off of our little team has begun already amongst various internet circles, with a set of damning appraisals appearing within hours of eachother on various League Two fansites. It has caused some cages to be rattled on the wonderful official Message Bored, immediately leaping to the defence of their heroes in Black & Amber.
To be fair, to an outsider, what is it about our league performances over the last four seasons that would prompt anything but a writing off? What they can see is an 18th, 14th, 12th and an absolute shocker last year, thankfully turned round before it was too late into a 17th place finish. We‘re not exactly setting the world alight in the Football League are we?
Whilst it‘s fair to say that we have cause for optimism this year, a brief glimpse from the outside taking the above as one in many detrimental factors can only really lead to a poor conclusion. I‘d say that it‘s better that way, let‘s stay off everyone‘s radar and sneak in round the back unnoticed as it were.
Also unsurprising then that those cheeky chappies the bookmakers have gone along a similar tact in their summary of League Two. Barnet are right down there amongst the favourites to go down along with drab, dreary, freezing Accrington and Macclesfield, as well as newly promoted, league newboys or any other media suffix associated with Burton this season. Darlo are also down there with their off the field woes at the forefront of their minds. I would be very confident in saying we will finish quite a way above the relegation zone and would wager that Accrington would fill on of those spaces. It‘s only so long that they can perform miracles at that ground with a miniscule support behind them.
Burton could suffer with ‘promoted syndrome‘ by underestimating how much of a step up the Football League really is, just like we did four seasons ago added to their horrible limp over the finish line having annihilated the Conference until Nigel Clough‘s departure. Their setup is pretty good however, and you can see that they could pull in some half decent crowds, especially with so many clubs likely to take sizeable followings due to Burton‘s proximity to pretty much everywhere in the league.
Dagenham & Redbridge will struggle this year without key players, three of whom went to Brentford in one fell swoop. They have however managed to get rid of Magnus Okunghae (sp?) who, despite somehow swindling his way to the clubs‘ player of the year award (I would know, having seen three Daggers games last year), is still one of the worst footballers I have ever seen in a Football League match at Underhill. What Colchester were thinking is beyond me. Still, without any adequate replacements, they could have a bit of trouble.
We on the other hand continue to make astute signings, and the ones we have already made are looking good in pre-season. We‘ll see a bit more of that tonight at Cambridge no doubt. What we could do with is the signature of Paul Furlong for the year. That would be a massive boost.
Unfortunately we seem to be resigned to losing Albert Adomah sooner rather than later. Championship clubs are sniffing around again and despite not needing the money according to the chairman, an offer is bound to come in at some point which will serve as a lovely little payday. Bidding starts at £1million, shall we say?
So yes, there is still cause for optimism despite what everyone else says. It has been said before mind you, but something feels a bit different this year...
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