So, after a mouth-watering world cup and the kick-off of the Premier League, the cycle of hopes and dreams for the Spartans new season begins. The new season with the usual recurring questions, expectations and concerns, the same season that’s been played before, but each time somehow different.
Similar players, similar style and similar ambitions all combining to somehow create that familiar scenario that gives a certain sense of deja vous with the unavoidable and frustratingly expected outcome…thrashing a team 8-0 only to scrape a draw on your next encounter, losing twice to a team that finishes below, unable to break the "jinx" of losing to your "rivals" and scoring below 70% of the division yet still being near the top!
Now with scene being set all that remains is the butterfly inducing shrill pitch of the Ref’s whistle to introduce us to our old friends, pain, joy and exasperation. For each individual in the team, it allows them a chance to prove something to the management, the team, the opposition and, of course, themselves. Questions ranging from –
"Will I ever be top scorer in the league…? " (possibly a certain Scottish Striker)…
"Will I ever score…?" (possibly a certain Coventry supporting right-back)…
"Will I ever score again…?" (any number of players but possible a Rick’s Café frequenter and erstwhile team swapper) …
"Will I ever get back to being a player that gets scouted by Exeter, thus proving to the whole team that I am actually worth my reserved slot on the right of midfield for the past 5 seasons…?" (Answers on a postcard!!)…
"Will I be on time and not become bulimic before every game…?" (Possibly an MTR Programmer and Zoolander looky-likey)…
"Will I ever actually leave…?" (Possible lovesick ex-skipper)…
"Will my son wear a beret and striped jersey and have an unnatural fondness for Garlic…?" (Possibly a blonde departee) – will be asked and probably unanswered.
From a personal perspective, I will be looking to prove to myself that I can still kick straight and try to put into practice my self-hyped tactician’s mind and man-management skills. That and the repetitive mantra of losing weight…again!
It’s an odd feeling of taking up a position as one of the management team. We spend our footballing lives attempting to emulate our heroes: Maradona, Cruyff, Dalglish, Baxter, Dowie…those with God-like skills and magic that inspire us to make the vain attempt at mimicry, but we never imagine a position as a Clough, Wenger, Lyall or Van Gaal. Who in their right mind aspires to be a great manager??!!!?? That aside, who in the darkest recesses of madness and outright insanity proclaims a lifelong quest to become a great. "Assistant Manager"!!??
Ah, yes. The great role of assistant manager. How I have yearned for this chance to share the position held by such luminaries as Pat Rice, Peter Taylor, Steve McClaren and the new revelation – Tord Grip. As you can tell, I speak in jest, but far from mocking I have a strange sense of excitement. The new role and function really does give me an opportunity to work in a team of puppet masters planning and scheming and strategizing to reach the Holiest of Grails…title champions. Unlikely, but a man has to dream. Who knows, if I do well this season I may very well take over and then I can aspire to really be someone of great humanity and respect…someone like Alex Ferguson!!! :
So it is with baited breath and child-like anticipation that I await the new season. What will happen? How will we do in the second division? Will we get new shorts? Will anymore people turn-up on Fridays?…
A few new faces in and few old ones departing. Same Spartans but somehow different.
GOOD LUCK! UP THE SPARTANS!!
