On being handed a list of the players at his disposal, an England cricket captain once said “My God, look what they’ve sent me!” Liam McDonald might have felt something similar the other night. Coming to terms with just what a task he has on his hands can’t be easy. A few weeks ago, just after his appointment, the message was: these are all good players - they’re just low on confidence. The updated version is missing the first bit.
So just how did we get ourselves into this mess and how do we get out of it? Let’s begin by acknowledging that the slide began well before this season. Almost exactly a year ago the Lavery team reached its peak before an alarming drop off set in. From Christmas onwards we only fleetingly looked like a team capable of promotion, and ultimately got what we deserved. You can take your pick from the theories why – directorial interference, heavy handed management, key players losing form – but the facts don’t lie: just 9 wins out of 21, mid-table form really.
All of which set us up perfectly for a triumphant march to the title this time, but for a few niggling things, hardly worth mentioning but let’s air them anyway. Lavs stalked off and some good players followed in sympathy / pursuit of more money. Three other clubs in this division now have financial resources we can only dream of. George picked a complete clown as manager. And we went into the season with our most unbalanced, over hyped, papier mache squad since the golden days of Morell at Nene Park.
When Hollyhead was appointed, about the one positive thing from his CV that fans could agree on was that he seemed to know how to keep it tight at the back. An impression he was quick to dispel, by shipping three before the season was 45 minutes old and merrily fielding a back line of players not in their natural position. Meanwhile our only specialist CB, with a proven track record, found himself a bench warmer at best. Navigation may not be Lewis White’s strength, but he soon found his way to a club that was happy to make room for him. Wouldn't you?
Weak at the back, lightweight in midfield and top heavy with strikers who all wanted to play but not necessarily with each other – what could go wrong? Not much! Since Harborough first exposed our powder puff credentials our form has been relegation material – three wins, three draws, eight defeats - and getting worse by the week. We’re in trouble and we know it.
At least Liam, still in his grace period, can truthfully point out that the squad just isn’t good enough. Responsibility for that has to sit with the brains behind recruitment. Probably not Hollyhead, he had other failings. The path to recovery has to begin with an acknowledgement, not necessarily public but it will soon show, that Fabian is simply not a good judge of a player and is stepping back from transfer business.
What that leaves him to do, who knows, but keep him away from the knife drawer please. Hand in hand with that, give Liam full control. He was brought in because of his pedigree at this level, is still spoken highly of by fans of his previous clubs, the guy clearly has passion and tells it as it is – back him to the hilt and that includes all of us.
What’s in store in the next few weeks and months is probably not going to be pretty, as Liam tries to reshape his options and we're forced to muddle through. Overconfidence and naivety has cost us at least one season of progress. The goal now is to just keep it to that, and by the spring have the makings of a more settled team that can be properly competitive next time.
Oh and take that bloody scoreboard down!
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