"Frustration, although quite painful at times, is a very positive and essential part of success." - Bo Bennett
At long last the new Cobbler's kits have arrived in the shop. Three league games into the new season and the adoring Cobbler's faithful are given the opportunity to acquire the "Uniform." (Well, actually that's not quite correct, as there's already been one delivery before the start of the season but by the time enough had been put aside for the team to wear, I think they were left with about fifteen away shirts!).
I'm at Sixfields for my first home league game of the season against Cheltenham Town, (I missed the first one due to other engagement), and it is with expectation in my heart that I look forward to today's foray into league two action.
The mighty Cobblers have had a few games already this season. We kicked off with an appetising opener at home against Accrington Stanley. (I looked up Accrington to see what it's famous and in no particular order this is what is listed: Accrington Bricks, The big mouth bird out of Corrie, Bumble, Ewbank Cleaners, Cobbled Streets, Back To Back houses, The Warriors (Pop group from the 60's), Smog, Holland's Pies and Stanley!!), (There's a list of others but it's not the Accrington Tourist board blog), oh and it's near Blackburn if anyone wants to go there.
As it happens we ended up with a 0-0 draw, not a great start to the season but at least we didn't lose.
The Cobblers' love affair with the Carling Cup last year was well documented and this year we kicked off with a visit to Portman Road, home of championship team Ipswich Town. Not a lot expected of the Cobblers as Ipswich had kicked off with an impressive away win the previous Saturday and it was with nothing to lose that our intrepid heroes took to the pitch. It didn't start well, with only 11 minutes on the clock, Cobblers were trailing 1-0 to a fluke cross come shot that sailed into the net. However the Cobbler's showed tremendous spirit and with Ben Tozer pulling us level before half-time and Paul Turnbull getting on the end of one inside the six yard box, Northampton Town, after defending resolutely for the last ten minutes ran out worthy 2-1 victors.
Another away league game at Aldershot, saw the Cobblers' score in the first minute and then hold out for the rest of the game to steal a victory at Aldershot Town.
Games come thick and fast at the start of an English football league season and three days later we're away again to take on Bristol Rovers, expected to be a force to be reckoned with this season following their relegation form League 1.
Well, in the words of Gary Johnson, (Cobblers' manager for the uninitiated), for the first forty five minutes we were "Mullered". (That doesn't mean we were covered in yogurt and rice and chilled in the fridge, it means taken literally - (definitions from the Urban dictionary - take your pick!);
1. Broken, smashed or beaten up to the point of being visibly altered, unusable or non-functional.
2. Intoxicated with drink or drugs to the point of non-sensibility.
3. Resoundingly beaten in a competition of some kind.
(I like 2!)
We improved slightly in the second half but came away with a 2-1 defeat. Played 3, won 1, drew 1, lost 1.
What else has been happening whilst this football season has been warming up, well I have been participating in Beata testing a new website for football fans called Bantr.tv a site for football fans across the world to enjoy some Banter during live football matches. It's easy to get into and can liven up the watching of a TV game, especially the 0-0 draws. It comes alive when you are a neutral fan watching a big game as there are more people to interact with and some of the throw away quips are highly amusing. (Call me an ageing saddo if you like, but each to their own and this site will grow in popularity as more features are added), I've enjoyed it and will continue to support during the season.
Well back to the Cobblers, and today in particular. I ventured into the club shop to purchase my shirt, (home version, Claret and White, away version Yellow and Claret. I don't look great in claret and white and I certainly don't look good in yellow), so home it is. I can report that male vanity is alive and well in Northampton. I stood behind a group of middle aged males carefully selecting new shirts, amused by the way that we males obviously see ourselves as our six packs expand to full blow Party Seven's! "I like it loose but not that loose" says one referring to a 3XL, "I'm more of a medium than a large, but if it's to tight it shows my shape off to much" (much laughter in shop). I think they opted for a Large. They're in for a shock when they try it on as they were all more rotund than myself - a comforting and manageable 3XL - which I find fit's perfectly, (a-hem, cough), and can accommodate the winter requirement of vest, t-shirt and fleece, (Michelin man!)
Nice to see that one of the TV's in bar was broadcasting in 80's indoor-aerial-facing-the-wrong-way-mode! (Sky's 3D, HD technology has a lot of catching up to do). The snowy screen brought us the premier league action between Arsenal and Liverpool but I couldn't tell what was happening as it was snowing in North London!!!
So the game itself. Well it's easy to blame the referee and linesmen for spoiling a game, but we do seem to get more than our fair share of inept officials at our games. A whistle happy ref, a non participating official and a fourth official that took umbrage to our manager standing in his own technical area! Priceless.
Cheltenham took the lead with a penalty. Cobblers drew level before half time with an Arron Davies tap in. Cobblers took the lead with a Bayo power header, (Bayo, Bayo, Bayo!), Cheltenham drew level catching us on the break. Cheltenham took the lead through a Cobblers old boy. Cheltenham won 3-2. A game we should have won, we lost.
Bright spot of the day - Lewis Young, (brother of Ashley), man of the match performance. Boundless energy all afternoon. Exciting pace to get past defenders and was able to cover both ends of the pitch regularly in defending his flank. More please
I personally though Nana had a good game - he continually finds acres of space on the flanks with intelligent running only to be ignored more often than not by his team mates. We're not a one man team, (Michael Jacobs), and need to explore more angles if we are to move forward quickly.
I thought we looked unbalanced with John Johnson reverting to right back and Nana on the left, personally, would have played Corker, (If he's the only specialist left back, get another one, but until then play players in the right position and keep the shape).
I know Arron Davies scored, and I believe he's better than average at this level, but he seems to get lost to easily in the midfield battles. Time will tell.
It's early days yet but we should be performing better then we are. I know it's only football frustration but that don't make it any easier. I'll keep believing that although it may be painful at times, it is a positive and essential part of success - roll on success cause this team at the moment is frustrating the hell out of me and plenty of others!
Come on Cobblers....Come On!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment