August 2008 Archives

OUR draw on Saturday against Welshpool provided with a lesson in what it takes to get results in this league.
A combination of being tight at the back and taking our chances was lacking first half which in the end saw us go in undeservedly 2-0 down at half time. The second half however, showed we can be quick learners with our performance in taking our chances in front of goal and not allowing the opposition opportunities to score themselves.
The football we played even in the first half was a lot better than when we had beaten Airbus the previous week and after the game it was a good sign of our confidence that we saw it as two points dropped rather than a point gained. Despite feeling this way, I believe as the new team in this league we need to view every point we get as a point earned and not two points dropped and keep our points tally rising.
This Friday night offers a different proposition when we visit TNS. Our first away game of the season and one I think everyone at the club is looking forward to. People may not expect us to go there and get anything but we will go there without pressure and hopefully give TNS a good game.
The key to getting a result will be learning from what happened last Saturday in the first half and if we can do that and keep our discipline in terms of our shape, then we have a chance.

With a new league comes new and unseen ground for not just players but the club as a whole. The issue of admission prices has been debated on our forum and I found it a good sign that members of the committee had listened to the suggestions of supporters and have looked into the admission prices for children. Its important that as a club we (players, committee, supporters) are all for the same cause which is seeing Prestatyn Town successful. There may be creases to ironed out but the fact that the club are making an effort to communicate with supporters bodes well for the future.

At the moment at least, its pleasing to see us making strides forward both on and off the pitch.

What have we learnt in a year?
That you can't cope with only two strikers in the Premier League?
That John O'Shea is as useless in midfield as he is left back?

It would appear that on the evidence of United's draw against Newcastle it appears little has been learnt from when United failed to beat Reading in the opening fixture of last season.
Injuries, suspension and the Olympics may have depleted the numbers in United's squad but surely Sir Alex Ferguson would have looked at the 1-0 win against Espanyol followed by consecutive 0-0 draws against Juventus and Portsmouth and thought: "Could do with a striker methinks."
Instead we have Rooney, Tevez and young Campbell. Louis Saha doesn't count. Whilst others have gone and strengthened their squads, we have kept with our successful squad from last season.
Not that I have a massive problem with those players, but how much of a lift did it give the club and the supporters when after winning the league in 2007 we went and signed four players?
Slightly worryingly now looking away from the strikers, we have now sold Heinze, Pique and Silvestre and brought back Johnny Evans from Sunderland. That leaves United's defensive cover as Wes Brown (presuming Neville reclaims the right back slot) and John O'Shea...these Brazilians better be good!!!
In the aftermath of the 1-1 draw the talk has been of Berbatov and the lack of fire power at Old Trafford. Those who have doubted whether Berbatov would fit in have now called for him to sign as the need to add any striker to the ranks intensifies.
Even with three strikers the numbers may not be perfect but there certainly better than Rooney on his own supported by two full backs which is what we saw towards the end of the game on Sunday.
United started poorly last season but were able to recover by scraping together results at home, this season however, the job is more difficult bearing in mind the trips the Champions face at Liverpool and Chelsea.

And so to Chelsea, Mr Chelsea rather, who reclaimed the England captaincy this week. That Capello must know what he's doing- the choice of whether to pick a defender who took his team to double success in a consistently classy season or a player who bawled like a child into his thigh socks when he bottled the biggest moment of his career seemed easy enough.
Looks like the habit of slipping up has been passed on to a manager looks more and more clueless every time Emile Heskey wins another cap.

IT was a fantastic night for everyone involved on Friday night whether they were on the pitch, in the stands or behind the scenes.
Our first game in the WPL was certainly one to remember with a gutsy display from us filled with character and probably the best team performance since I've been with the club.
It was a togetherness and willingness to help out one another that saw us through on Friday but the night should not just be remembered for what happened on the pitch.
Our performance was a thankyou to all those who had worked tirelessly to have our ground ready in time giving up so much of their time so we could walk out in front of a fantastic crowd on the opening game of the season in a league we had earned the right to be in.
The terrific crowd provided an atmosphere which certainly helped the players and the ovation we received at the end of the game is something that will live long in the memory.

But now the focus turns to Welshpool where we will have to show exactly the same desire and commitment in order to gain a result. Now the first win is out the way I hope we can now start to improve further. The nervousness should begin to disappear and the pace of the game at this level should become more familiar as the games come thick and fast.
Despite the result and the tributes that have been paid to us we shouldn't allow ourselves to get carried away. I know we can play better football and improve further and that is what we now need to do as a squad of players.
We have set the standard now and whilst we've enjoyed the fantastic response from supporters, I hope that we can keep them coming to watch and get behind the team and contribute to hopefully more memorable moments at Bastion Road this season.

COMING on as a substitute was something Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had perfected. That ability to study a game from the sidelines seeking out weaknesses in opposing defences is what made Solskjaer so special. It was a never an accident when he came on and scored, in a similar way it wasn't an accident how many goals were scored though defenders/goalkeepers legs.
Fitting maybe that in his testimonial with the score at 0-0, his introduction saw a change in Manchester United and through Frazier Campbell's goal- a 1-0 victory. In his short time on the pitch he managed two efforts on goal, one producing a fabulous save from the Espanyol 'keeper. But that's Solskjaer, always hitting the target, always working the 'keeper.
But away from the goals on the pitch his professionalism has never been questioned and never has there been reason to. When on the bench after scoring the week before, he'd sit patiently again and wait his turn. He would always make time for supporters which inevitably after the events of 1999 there would always be a special bond. When Solskjaer began to break down after his knee troubles, supporters hearts went out to him knowing how much he wanted to be on his home ground in front of his home fans. The same you wish could be said of a current United forward.
One thing I learnt from watching Solskjaer over his time at Old Trafford was his decision making. Knowing when to shoot, when to pass and perhaps the most crucial decision of all- knowing how wrong it would be to leave. His goals were rarely scrappy tap-ins but crisp finishes from either right or left foot, headers, volleys, Solskjaer could score all sorts of goals at any one moment during a game.
But what made him a favourite with supporters was the way he always put the interest of the team and the club ahead of himself. I was there when United played Newcastle in 1998 when Solskjaer was sent off sprinting 70 yards to foul an attacker who had he scored would have all but ended United's thoughts of another title. Making the long walk off the pitch following his dismissal, Solskjaer received a standing ovation but unlike many players who have applauded the crowd in similar situations, Solskjaer kept his head down. A sending off was nothing to be proud of no matter what the circumstances.
The 'baby-faced assassin' nickname only seem to be coined by newspapers, those who watched Solskjaer knew his desire and determination were worthy of more than that title. His battling qualities were evident not only in battling defenders but battling long term injuries. In his final season many may have expected his appearances to be more of a cameo, not scoring winners against Celtic in the Champions League or Aston Villa in the FA Cup (both incidentally after coming on as sub).
And so to Barcelona...
Where he wrote Manchester United into the history books with his last gasp treble winning goal. A goal I was fortunate enough to witness there in the upper tier of the Nou Camp. A goal which came from a corner he won after chasing a long cause and earning a deflection of a German defender allowing the team a chance for glory.
When I visited the Nou Camp this year the memories cam flooding back of that night on the 26 May when Solskjaer scored to win the European Cup. Looking back now over his career the 'super-sub' theme keeps re-appearing but the truth is he was more than that. He was as good from the start as he was from the bench and where perhaps other strikers came and went who were considered better, Solskjaer outstayed the likes of Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole and Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Why? Because he was that good a player. A player who could change a game in an instant or sacrifice himself for the good of the team. A reminder that loyalty to a club can be worth more than money. In his testimonial, Solskjaer thanked United supporters.
For '99 and so many other memories, I'd like to thank you Ole.

The speculation surrounding the future of striker Steve Bowes was dismissed when the prolific marksmen recently signed on for Prestatyn Town for the forthcoming season.
Rumours were rife that Bowes was set to leave the club with a number of clubs chasing his signature and Extra Time caught up with the player to discuss the speculation surrounding his future, his views on Prestatyn's debut season in the Welsh Premier and his message to those who doubt his ability to score goals at that level.
So was Bowes close to leaving Prestatyn this summer?
"Not really no, I've been with Town since the Welsh Alliance and its great to be part of a team that has come so far so fast. Myself and Neil knew the reasons behind me not signing straight away but we were certain that I was going to be starting the season with PTFC."
Numerous rumours circulated website forums and message boards in the weeks leading to Bowes putting pen to paper at Prestatyn which has come as a relief to Bowes.
"Yes I'm very relieved to put an end to it, although I was enjoying it for a while (jokingly). At the end of the day I knew exactly what my plans for the season were so I didn't really pay attention to what was being said elsewhere."
Looking forward to the season ahead, I asked the clubs top scorer last season with 27 goals following his stunning 53 goals in 06/07 how he thought the team would do this term.
"I don't think the team will have any problems adjusting to the WPL, we will shock quite a few people this year, we play great football at times and can pass any team off the park when we are in top gear. Neath showed last year that you can do very well in your first season in this league and I feel we are capable of doing just as well as Neath did, if not better."
"As for myself, hopefully I'll be able to adapt to the different style of play its going to be in the WPL. I'll still be at the top of that scoring chart no matter what league I play in!" said Bowes with smile.
Its hard to believe that despite such a huge amount of goals, the striker is still occasionally criticised, ammunition you feel for the player to go out and prove his doubters wrong who claim the forward may struggle this season.
"My critics, they will ALL be eating their words come the end of the season. I tend not to listen to them anyway. Whether or not I net as many as the last few seasons doesn't make any difference to me, as long as the team do well is all I'm concerned about."
The words of someone who is clearly raring to go and eagerly awaiting Prestatyn's Welsh Premier League opener against Airbus on August 15 and Bowes added:
"I hope we can consolidate ourselves in the WPL and show we are not just here to make up the numbers. Doing the double over our neighbours wouldn't go a miss either!"

Last Wednesday we produced an exceptional performance to defeat a young Tranmere Rovers side full of energy and packed with technically good players.
In our first game under our new floodlights it was a terrific game of high quality football which saw us win 3-1 having been three goals to the good by half time.
There were so many positives to take from the game- the tempo of our passing and our workrate when we didn't have the ball and also how we defended at times during the second half when we were under pressure would have no doubt pleased the manager.
With our strikers having dominated the scoring so far this pre-season it was surprising that both Russ Jones and even myself managed to get on the scoresheet. My own effort was perhaps the biggest surprise after having only managed to find the net once last term and I was delighted this goal was equally high in quality.
Then to Saturday...
We were well beaten by a strong Vauxhall Motors side and was a good lesson for us in terms of the type of side we'll be facing on a regular basis this season and although I felt the 5-0 scoreline was harsh it serves a timely reminder that we need to be able to perform at a high level consistently if we're to do well this season.
The scenes both towards the end of the game and at the final whistle were regretful and borne out of a frustrating performance. As a squad we just need to move on and learn from it and look ahead to the visit of Skelmersdale to Bastion Road this Saturday.