Novarover

It amuses me that fans seem to be unaware of how important they are to the team's performance. They're the first to accuse the players of not putting in the effort and not contributing to the game and yet don't seem to recognise the sea-change in behaviour when the team is pressing with the fans in full voice. As Scary says it'll probably be zero backing today.

Drumming is the last thing we need. The racket from the tannoy before the game prevents the crowd from creating any sort of atmosphere. The days of hurling insults and singing provocative songs before the game are now over. Hilarious insults and obscene rants have disappeared. Chatting to your mates becomes impossible and drumming is as effective at encouraging the players as sending half a dozen jet fighters over the stadium. Watching a seagull on the pitch has been the only stimulant to crowd reaction I've seen recently.

I remember John McGlynn making the point that a good kit man made a big difference to the match day process. Everyone's kit, whether used or not, prepared and available for training sessions as well as on match day. Part of a professional set-up. Plus Brian Marr was part of the match day experience.

My choice of 7 words: The gaffer will write his own epitaph.

The Beveridge Park Hotel is only a couple of minutes from the station and serves lunch. Exit the station through the underpass and turn left. It's also on the route to the ground from the station.

I agree with this regarding the Board but I'm aware that Turnbull feels he has a responsibility to back the Board and Management team in public. He is known to speak his mind forcibly privately. My main criticism of the Board is that it has a "fan's rep" who has totally failed to win over the South Stand support hence a feeling that the Board is remote. I have little faith in Murray's ability to reconstruct the team by removing the weaker links and building on it's strengths. He has shown no talent in that regard with team formations or substitutions. Ellis and Smith haven't contributed much to that either. Given the liberal use of yellow and red cards by referees, we certainly need a more sophisticated approach to defending or a bigger defensive pool. We will also need a more predatory strike force and Elliot must go.

Willie was Didier Agathe's agent. Probably part of that deal