At last! Some real news! [No. 159]

[AFF]

While queuing at the newsagents for my copy of 'Advanced HLMT For Experts', I glanced at the back page of the Observer. It was a bumper edition with lots of news for Saintsfans.

 

Steve Castle is upbeat for the new era in non league football in the Nationwide Conference South and is quoted "If you look at the squad, we've got goals up front with Lee Clarke and Gary Crawshaw, pace with Matt 'Matty' Hann and guile through Spencer Knight and Parys Okai. We have a lot of options [one of which, presumably, is whether to play Spencer or Parys - Ed] which makes it difficult but it's a very nice problem to have".

 

No reference to McBreen anywhere in there.

 

Under the headline "Seeby Signs", it is announced that Chris has signed a new contract. Chris Zoricich has signed a one year deal "and he will be joined at the Clarence Park by full backs Scott Cousins and Dean Hooper".

 

The manager has released Corey Campbell and Dave Sargant.

 

Mel Capleton is suspended for Saturday so James Robinson will 'take his place between the sticks'.

 

Under the headline "We have learnt from our mistakes", the Observer talks exclusively to Chairman, John Gibson. The mistakes to which the headline refers appears to be that "last year we had a lot of prima donnas....we...ended up... with ex-pros with chips on their shoulders and the atmosphere in the dressing room was terrible".

 

Gibbo says "Rob Smith will be back in a month and he will be important" [presumably adding to the manager's options as above - Ed].

 

As well as looking to build a winning club 'on the Park', he is hopeful of attracting more supporters to the ground but he is concerned and ponders "Even when we are winning, will we ever get more than 700 down at the Park?".

 

He is looking at a 'top 10 finish' and says that there is some bonus plan in place for the players if we reach the top 5 but admits that 'we'll have to work very hard to get that high'.

 

On the subject of targets, back to the Manager. He is quoted "A lot of teams are negative and look to reach certain safety targets but we've got to be positive".

 

All in all, a jolly good read. Roll on Saturday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Laz]

So all is well then?

[Saint Michael]

Defence looks extremely dodgy and there are plenty of sides in this new league that will rip us to shreds.We shouldn't be trying out new centre backs five minutes before the season starts. I am not at all optimistic.

 

and....Whats happened to Deacon ?

[AFF]

Generally upbeat as you can see, Laz.

 

I don't know anything about football but it's difficult to picture Rob Smith, Parys and Spencer in the same side. Rob hasn't played for 18 months so fair play to the Physio if he is to be back in a month.

 

The manager names names which may, or may not, be significant. Hooper and Cousins at full back, Seeby at centre-back. Zoricich has a new contract. No reference to De Souza. Who's the fourth in the back 4 to be?

 

Crawshaw and Clarke up front.

 

Okai, Knight, Hann and Smith in the midfield? I don't think so.

 

Put it this way, Laz. If the Chairman and the Manager were to enter Rob's Prediction League this season, I suspect that they would be rank outsiders, although I should remind you that I did win the inaugural competition in 2001/02 without ever predicting a loss.

 

 

[AFF]

Hi M&S.

 

Where have you been? Greg is on a two month holiday in Thailand and returns at the end of August. The manager is "hoping to conclude contract negotiations upon his return".

[Saint Michael]

What a relief, maybe he can play at centre half...i just don't understand how you can get to the beginning of the season without any proper central defenders,although i am sure Seeby will continue to improve and he is already a useful player.....maybe it is "total football" for 2004-5, but with everything channelled down the left flank.

[Rob_the_Saint]

It's got to be Parker and Southon in t'middle of t'park, with either Wraight or Sarll standing by.

 

Centre-backs. Arghh! What was wrong with James Ayres? Ben Martin looked good the other night too, though Seeby and either Zoro or De Souza (if available/fit) will be OK.

[Woody]

From what it says in the Observer, Gary Crawshaw is unavailable this Saturday due to a 'previous personal appointment'. A great shame but all need not be lost. Give Bullet his chance, now.

 

IMHO the starting line-up for Sutton should be - Robinson; Hooper, Zorocich, Seeby, Cousins; Hann, Parker, Southon, Okai/Knight; Clarke, Parkinson.

 

Whatever happens, Parker must play in midfield where he needed and not up front.

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Robinson

Hooper Zorocich Seeby Cousins

Hann Parker Southon Okai

Clarke McBreen

 

Is my prediction for the starting XI (7 players making thier debuts)

 

Bench - Saarl, Wraight, De Souza, Parkinson + G/K

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Anyone seen Kitson??