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Thread | Dull season
at 19:11 30 May 2015
So as one of the most one-sided Cup Finals ever seen brings down the curtain on the domestic season, I think it's fair to say that this has been one of the most uninspiring campaigns in living memory.
The Premier League was won with over a month to spare, with only the third relegation place to be decided on the last day and even that was never really in doubt.
Championship play-off places were still up for grabs, but automatic promotion and, of course, relegation issues were resolved long before the curtain came down.
Can't even remember who won the League, Milk, or Carling Cup, nor bring to mind who was relegated from the Football League with Tranmere!!!
UK failure in the Champions and Europa Leagues well before they became interesting made a mockery of the supposed strongest league in the world.
I suppose Cowdenbeath losing to a Chopra-inspired Alloa, coupled with a Livingston win to send the Blue Brazil down on the final day was about as exciting as it got.
The gulf between the haves and have-nots is widening, we've reached saturation point as far as televised football is concerned and opportunities for home-grown talent to develop and make an impact are further away than ever.
So much for investing in grass roots!!
We can't even have a go at our neighbours for their previously dire play-off record; they have finally visited the now not-so-new Wembley and will likely be laughing at our expense for years to come.
The only saving grace might be that the sport has become so dull, corrupt and devoid of characters that it will be easier to walk away
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Thread | All things must pass
at 12:09 24 Apr 2015
Seems poignant that our final away fixture in the Championship will be at the home of the team against whom we said goodbye to the second tier the last time we departed this division.
Was it worth it?
Have we made "Progress" as befits our motto?
What must happen before we return?
Will there be another "trip"?
Is there anybody out there, or on here, who really cares?
Have we gone too far for this disastrous situation to be resolved without casualties?
I applaud those who make the long, futile journey tomorrow.
I also understand the sentiments of those in the NAPM brigade; we have a choice, after all.
Whilst we as fans are the real victims in all of this, we should unite in support of our club, whether at the ground or from afar.
I empathise with the pain, suffering, frustration and anger at how we've been treated and the manner in which Blackpool Football has been allowed to fall from grace in such a relatively short period of time, but we are becoming divided and fighting amongst ourselves will only serve to undermine our cause.
I await the outcome of mediation, Season Ticket announcement, litigation, investigation, Chairman's assessment of his performance in response to the May judgement he requested (assuming the self-imposed media ban is removed) and revelation of plans for rebuilding on and off the field, before committing myself to another year.
Getting too old to enjoy the masochism of braving the Fylde elements to watch my club die, so its likely Huddersfield will be my last visit.
I cannot see the aforementioned assurances being given, nor, indeed, realised.
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Thread | Reality check
at 21:20 22 Apr 2015
I was invited to the Bury v Southend game last night by a friend on the Shakers' coaching staff.
The Bury Chairman had granted free admission for ALL, following the abandonment of the earlier fixture, owing to a waterlogged pitch.
The gesture effectively doubled the typical midweek attendance and I'm sure franchises inside the ground benefited accordingly.
I was impressed by the respect and patience displayed to all present by stewards, security staff, locals and club officials welcomed "day trippers" and guests.
I was able, as a neutral, to enjoy the game, observe the reaction of fans and assess the standard of football at the top end of League 2.
We should be afraid, very afraid.
Both teams looked fitter than us, better-drilled and more committed to their respective cause.
They kept their shape, played to their strengths, did the simple things effectively (supporting the man with the ball, tracking back when possession was lost) and I was impressed with the manner in which players read the game, appeared to have an assured first touch and were confident on the ball.
All in all I enjoyed the evening's entertainment, could empathise with the majority of home supporters as the game wore on, but left with a nagging worry that, were we to find ourselves in League 1 next season facing such opposition, or, worse still, in League 2, playing teams suitably backed by a Board, ambitious in football-related matters, we could not hope to compete and are most likely destined for several years of further misery.
So much for "PROGRESS", eh?
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Thread | For the first time
at 08:49 17 Mar 2015
all season, I've decided not to suffer the embarrassment of another frustrating couple of hours at Bloomfield Road.
Once upon a time I could hardly contain the excitement and anticipation of a Tuesday night home fixture, even when we were battling against dropping out of the Football League.
After the way we have been treated with disdain by the hierarchy over the past 12 months, after witnessing the manner in which the squad has been dissembled, after watching the pitch turn into a cabbage-patch, after a succession of humiliating performances, after our manager now appears to shift any accountability by suggesting the remaining players are fighting for their footballing livelihoods, after our Chairman's, in my opinion, cowardly, self-imposed media ban, I don't believe the club deserves my support tonight.
The ironies are that I actually believe Blackpool might win this evening and I have no other activity planned.
Sad times indeed, but my presence tonight will have absolutely no positive effect on the "progress" of this club |
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Thread | Albert Einstein
at 08:21 14 Mar 2015
Happy Birthday.
Physics was one of my least favourite subjects at school, but even a dummy like me can understand (vaguely) the contribution Albert Einstein made in his particular field.
Wary of bandying the term "genius" around, but he has been recognised as one worthy of such an accolade.
However, I bet, were he around today, even Bert couldn't explain the goings-on at Blackpool over the past two years |
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Thread | Can't let go
at 13:29 15 Feb 2015
Granddad Harry first took me to Bloomfield Road in 1964.
Got there early yesterday, seriously considering it might be the last time I attend.
Walked round the town, from prom to park, from Saddle to Excelsior, in something of a daze.
Memories kept filling my head as I thought about how Saturday morning trips to watch my team used to make me feel it was Christmas every week!! The anticipation and excitement were overwhelming.
Passers-by must have been puzzled, mothers ushering toddlers behind them as I ambled by with a wistful look on my face.
Blackpool is unique. Whichever way you're heading, an icy wind pummels your face, but armed with a portion of chips, the salt stinging my ever-numbing lips, I was almost at peace.
On my meandering way, I kept returning to the Ground.
Used to get butterflies arriving at Bloomfield; the swell of the crowd, the announcement of the players, the hope of another solid home performance being tempered by the noise from the left side of the kop where visiting fans, often in large numbers and separated from home fans only by flimsy barriers, competed to make themselves heard; there was no feeling like it.
I mused, as I passed the flash cars behind the statue of Gentleman Jim, how Harry Johnston, and Sir Stan would have arrived at Bloomfield Road on match days and what really motivates today's professional footballers.
I was satisfied, as I approached, then mingled with, the protesters,for a good half hour, that I'd done my bit over the years, invested thousands of pounds and spent as many hours travelling to and from fixtures, to warrant being called a genuine supporter of an organisation which now treats me with disdain and, it can be argued, is little more than an expedient, carrying barely any corporate social responsibility.
Spoke to a couple of Forest fans who sympathised with our plight, but reminded me that we'd caused them enough pain over the years, so they expected to enjoy winning handsomely.
Felt even sadder at what we've become.
Wrestled with my conscience.
Should I watch the 'Pool, stay outside amongst those want to express their concern at the manner in which we've been betrayed or just return home?
Mind made up, I went in.
See you next Saturday |
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Thread | Steel yourselves
at 10:03 11 Feb 2015
Son-in-law's a Bradford City supporter and has seen a lot of League 1 football this season.
Whilst there is a different approach required to not only survive, but get ahead in the third flight, there are also teams who build a squad which can not only slug it out, but work on the basic principles of the game; creating space for and supporting those on the ball, working hard to track back and defend without it; simple pass and move phases, letting the ball do the majority of the work; no-nonsense defending, row Z rather than dithering; route 1 stuff with big, strong strikers who are prepared to shoot on sight.
They also have chairmen and owners who are prepared to invest in the future of the teams for whom they have a genuine passion.
I sincerely hope Lee Clark isn't pinning his hopes on the youngsters and cast-offs he's acquired at Blackpool to, not only mount a challenge to bounce straight back, but merely survive in League 1, as I fear we will be in for yet another heart breaking campaign.
A bad pitch will not help us in League2, either |
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Thread | Team??
at 16:43 30 Jan 2015
Sorry for returning to matters on the field for a moment, but could anyone even come close to predicting tomorrow's starting eleven, let alone those on the bench, correctly? |
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Thread | What happens in January......
at 23:23 30 Dec 2014
...will surely reveal the owners' long-term plans for the Club.
We won't have to wait until the end of the season to judge those who claim, persistently, that they will make Blackpool competitive.
We are cast adrift at the foot of the table and need to bring in, I would suggest, up to nine players of a high-enough standard to give us any chance of survival.
If those who hold the purse strings really have the best interests of Blackpool Football Club at heart, investment in our squad will be made sooner rather than later (we cannot afford to wait until the last week of the month, as we have in recent years).
I hope, before any New Year holidays are taken, that players have been identified and deals agreed to give us a fighting chance and restore the fans' confidence in our organisation.
Please forget the insults, prevarication, accusations, in-fighting, threats and negativity and let us attract the attention of the media for all the right reasons in 2015.
We were told the money would be put away "for a rainy day".
Take a look outside; It's been monsoon season at the seaside for over a year!!!!!!
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Thread | Selection
at 21:55 26 Dec 2014
Setting aside our collective frustration and pessimism.
Forgetting our off-the-field woes and the negative media attention
Ignoring the politics, the financial questions, the moral issues for one minute.
What would be your team for Sunday?
I'm more concerned about the defensive situation, than who would, or could, play up front.
Daniels and Nosworthy possibly injured, Clarke probably suspended and who knows about Rentmeister? |
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Thread | Christmas post
at 07:47 25 Dec 2014
My letter obviously didn't reach the North Pole, because yet more media attention for the wrong reasons makes my club look even more of a shambolic organisation.
There have been bleaker periods in our history on-the-field, but never have we appeared more dysfunctional off it.
Not one for making resolutions and will continue to watch my team through thick and thin (don't know if this is a thick or thin time, to be honest), but did make a Christmas Wish when I bit into the first mince pie of the year.
Let's wait and see.
In the meantime, may I be the first to wish ALL Blackpool supporters a Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years?
COYP. |
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Thread | TV Detectives
at 18:53 7 Dec 2014
Family discussion this afternoon about who is, or was, the best fictional detective on our screens.
Any suggestions? |
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Thread | Take a moment.........
at 10:50 22 Nov 2014
this afternoon, to remember the awful events of 40 years ago during this fixture.
Don't want to resurrect any animosity and hope the only thing hurt today is the Trotters' pride, but Kevin Olsson would have been there today, I'm sure, amongst us fifty-somethings, sharing a pint and reminiscing, hopefully a little more positively than in recent weeks
Forever in our thoughts.
COYP!!! |
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Thread | Media rumours
at 20:14 9 Nov 2014
Could someone please clarify whether we've got Joe Lewis for the season, or only until the New Year?
Apparently. some clubs are lining up a bid for him in January.
I would hope that Lee Clark will be working hard to extend Joe's loan (and that of Donervon Daniels), should he be scheduled to return to Cardiff after Christmas.
Also interested to see Jose Riga is keen to revitalise his managerial career in this country.
Wonder who'll be tempted and how his CV will be structured?
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Thread | confused.....advice please.
at 19:38 30 Oct 2014
Have read all forums, listened to various radio stations, watched several TV channels, browsed the back pages of countless newspapers, discussed the matter with like-minded Blackpool supporters and still don't know what the heck is expected of me on Saturday.
Do I boycott, should I wear something black, or maroon if I go?
Are we blowing up balloons, throwing tennis balls, singing pro-Belekon, or anti-Oyston anthems?
Are we applauding Lee Clark , or chanting "Jose Riga's Tangerine Army"?
Is there a BST/BSA meeting before the game?
Do we sit down, stand up, walk out or not go in?
Do we burn the Gazette, or brandish the Telegraph, as we walk through, or to, the turnstiles?
Do we tune into Radio Lancashire after the game, or choose our new allies on Talk Sport (Stan and Danny Kelly, not Saggers, that is)?
Been watching this shower since 1965, have experienced good and bad, but, as my dad told me and I duly relayed to my lad, "Follow your team and heart, son. Leave politics and religion to those who practise their speeches in front of the mirror and have no concept of what we feel at the sharp end."
I'll be there on Saturday, supporting the lads in tangerine. If we lose, I'll bark at anyone in hearing distance, if we win, all will be right with the world.
Enough said.
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Thread | 51 weeks ago and a plea for unity.
at 00:25 28 Oct 2014
Blackpool riding high, some fans advocating the distribution of Ince masks following his stadium ban, our feathers had been slightly ruffled on the road, but Ipswich at Bloomfield would surely see a repeat of our 6-0 thrashing of them on a previous visit, as we cemented our place at the top of the Championship.
We've subsequently witnessed a disastrous sequence of failures and embarrassing incidents on and off the field, to the extent we are now something of a laughing stock.
No team has a divine right to be top of the tree and, I don't think many of us expected such a bright start last year, but we had a flicker of hope until, as the tide began to turn, we vented our growing fury on the players for their lack of ability, together with the manager and his coaching staff for their apparently negative tactics, then celebrated their departure, before bemoaning the dilatory actions of the Chairman in appointing a successor.
Opinions were then divided as to whether the player-manager who took the reins was ready, or should have concentrated on playing, as the squad was considered too weak to survive in the second tier.
His henchmen duly arrived to emulate the manner in which their predecessors had dealt with players and fans alike, so few tears were shed when they all left after we'd escaped relegation by the skin of our teeth.
A succession of lies, broken promises, rumours and an irresponsible approach to squad retention then led to an unacceptable position whereby we couldn't fulfil pre-season obligations, started the season with a threadbare squad and have been playing "catchup" ever since.
Mr. Riga has conducted himself with dignity and attempted to make the proverbial silk purse. He deserves to have been treated better, although the business with Barkhuizen and perhaps McGachey (although I admit to not knowing the full details there), plus some debatable formations and a lack of organisation (Huddersfield away, by his own admission), puzzled me.
So now we're back to where we were before this merry-go-round started.
Questions remain about the lack of investment following our Premiership windfall, amateur-level training facilities, assurances that things would be done differently, we will be competitive and are the envy of the League, to the extent that we're clinging to a position for which we yearned, for many a year, by our fingernails.
I would remind the Chairman that he said funds would "be there for a rainy day" and suggest that the monsoon season has arrived in Blackpool.
Opinions will be divided as to who should carry the can for the current state of affairs and although I initially intended to wrap us this midnight ramble by suggesting that Blackpool fans are blameless, have been treated with disdain and are the victims in all of this mess, notice, unfortunately, that we've even turned on each other of late, occasionally stooping to the level of yobs at games and on respective forums.
It is painful to watch us washing our dirty linen in the media and to have fallen so far from grace, but, through it all, let's remember who we are; loyal, honest, decent fans who care passionately about our great club.
Let's be together.
Through thick and thin, I've always said, although I'm unsure whether "thick" or "thin" times are preferable.
COTP.
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Thread | Objectivity
at 09:51 19 Oct 2014
Having slept on it (poorly), am trying to put things into perspective this morning.
Selection questionable; Mendy straight in, before Mellis, Orlandi or Cwyka; Clarke preferred to Rentmeister, who was effective in the former's absence; Barkhuizen packed off to Morecambe, whilst we persist with the likes of Zenjov (too tired yesterday, apparently) and no Ranger in the squad.
The game itself has already been analysed succinctly on this and other boards, so no need to dwell (thankfully).
Was amazed by the euphoria at half-time; we had been pummelled by a team who outfought, outthought and outmanoeuvred us in every department.
However, apart from a couple of chances in the second period, our "recovery" was easily snuffed out by a team which kept its shape, was fitter and played to its strengths.
We are where we deserve to be and, whilst the criticism levelled at Jose for yesterday's shambles (how can we not be organised after another two weeks off?), is, in my view, justified, our owners must take responsibility for our overall, woeful situation.
Huddersfield has invested in its future by bringing in players able to perform at this level and are looking to "progress". Danny Ward, recently a Blackpool target, appears happier to be a bit-player for the Terriers than come to us.
The facilities in the away end yesterday put us to shame.
Staff who I encountered were pleasant and polite (take note Blackpool stewards and catering staff). I was asked, respectfully, if I would mind a pat-down search and thanked official for doing his job in a courteous, decent manner.
Lies have been told, promises broken and whilst no team has a divine right to success, all the ingredients were there for us never to have been where we now find ourselves.
With Derby and Reading to come, we should begin planning for life in League 1, by looking to recruit players who will perform well at that level.
That does not mean extending the contracts of those currently on the books, as I fear they'd be better equipped to face Accrington and Cheltenham in a couple of years.............maybe.
By the way, anyone notice the media coverage of City's new training facility?
Wait till they see ours!
Sorry to ramble on a Sunday morning, but that was a long, expensive day out and I feel Blackpool fans deserve better.
Now to the ironing!!! |
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Thread | Huddersfield
at 20:41 11 Oct 2014
Listened to Chris Powell on Talk Sport this morning. Before the inevitable "Rooney Rule" related questions were posed, Mr. Powell spoke about his observations once appointed.
He talked about taking time to assess his players and not expecting too much too soon.
He mentioned the fact that they've just had their first win at home and confidence is growing.
Thought Talk Sport missed a trick here as they could have compared the two managers' circumstances, as they appear similar and focused on what could be a pivotal game next weekend.
Probably not the best time to play them, but still optimistic that we will get our first win away from this season.
COTP!!! |
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Thread | Oh no its Saturday
at 07:37 13 Sep 2014
Remember when we could barely sleep on Friday night for the excitement and anticipation about going to the game tomorrow.
Several sherries last night to dull the feeling of anxiety about the Wolves match, but its come around much too quickly.
Actually enjoyed the International Break this time, but, here we are again.
Up since 6 thinking about formations, today's atmosphere, perhaps a new dawn and a promising display, or an off-day on the part of the visitors.
One things for certain, we can be only be critical of the team's performance if we witness it. Despite all that's going on behind the scenes, despite questions being asked, by fans of fans, regarding the way we spend our money, despite the manoeuvring of chairman and manager, despite our image in the media, I will be there at 3, voicing my support for the 11 in Tangerine.
COME ON THE POOL.
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