We’re top! We’re top on the First Division! It’s incredible! And before we dismiss this as a freak, Bobby Robson reckons that the first three league results are a very reliable indicator of the season’s prospects. It still doesn’t stop the irrepressible pessimist inside me muttering ‘1988/89’. If you need reminding, a ballistic beginning sent our stifled ambitions soaring. However, as autumn turned into winter, so we turned back into customary pumpkin mode. And come spring and we were once again looking anxiously over our shoulders with the Conference spectre far too close for comfort. But that’s loser’s talk. Not only are we much better now, we are much more resilient. For all that, it takes some getting used to. The Rushden result didn’t surprise me as much as perhaps it should, nor did the Scunthorpe reverse last year. Even those Clarets unblemished by pessimism tend to bear their success hesitantly, not really trusting what they’re seeing.
It is commonly quoted that we overachieved last season and that we would do well this time to rise above mid table. However, how many teams were consistently better than us last season? Fulham, for sure. Blackburn? If you force me. Bolton? Yes. But as for the rest, we easily measured up barring the odd setback, as at Nottingham. So, why parade our inferiority complexes? After Bradford, I reckon we have even less cause for inferiority this year. Man. City are no Fulham. Their defensive frailty is still evident. They will have to score stacks to stay in front. Fortunately, they are well equipped to do that. So, with the exception of Man. City, who is better than us?
That is not to say we couldn’t be better. We all know we need a consistent goalscorer to progress. ‘Elvis’ did us proud on Sunday but I cannot see him, Gareth Taylor, or Ian Moore really fitting that bill. Payton seems consigned to the fringes and Papa is untried. I just hope Dimitri doesn’t become a more expensive clone of Alan Lee, bags of potential but failing to deliver. We understand Stan’s problem. Predatory strikers cost a lot. He’s not going to unearth a bargain in the Nationwide. Someone like Bobby Zamora would probably cost around a £1m, without any guarantee that they’d make the grade, and any decent Premiership reserve will cost at least as much. Take David Healy. It’s not as if the striking problem is the only one Stan has to address. Despite Paul Cook’s sterling efforts, we need a younger playmaker, and we need more reserve at the back. As the Rushden result underlined, a number of our reserves are not up to scratch. Sadly, Mullin cannot have many more chances and, once fully fit, Johnrose has much to do also. Nevertheless, providing he stays fit (a big ‘if’ according to a Boro’ friend) and chooses to remain, Alan Moore could prove to be an inspired signing. Likewise, Arthur Gnohere could be one of Stan’s biggest finds. Sure he’s raw, but he has strength, skill and speed. What’s more, he’s young. He could be that centre-back / full back that Stan has been looking for. Let’s hope so. Anyway, enough of our shortcomings, let’s celebrate a simply brilliant beginning.
Tim Quelch
September 2001
