Defeat is part of football. We all accept it, even though
none of us like it. One thing I can neither accept nor like is when we are embarrassed or
humiliated, as we undoubtedly were against Rotherham. I think that most of us know what
our problems and inadequacies are, but what happened on that black Tuesday night was
simply embarrassing as not only were we, the loyal supporters, subjected to yet another
pathetic performance, but our shortcomings were laid bare for all to see on national
television. The Rotherham fixture was abysmal. We came up against an average Third
Division side on our home patch and fell to pieces.
Waddle yet again paired the inept Michael Williams with the
40 year old Cowans. Cowans hasn't done a bad job - he hasn't done a good one either, but
he should have been strictly short-term - a stop gap measure until we were clear of
suspension and injury, yet Waddle has insisted on playing him ahead of Ford, Harrison and
the disgracefully forgotten Damien Matthew. Michael Williams, on the other hand, is simply
not up to it. Presently he would probably struggle to get a game for whichever miner's
team Wednesday originally signed him from. He can't tackle and he can't pass: an excellent
CV for a midfield player. Glen Roeder stated that he "was amazed Mike Williams was on
a free" when CISA interviewed him earlier in the season. Is it any wonder Roeder
hasn't exactly set the management world alight in the past? Waddle needs to be man enough
to admit he has made a bad mistake in signing Williams and get shot quickly.
Waddle says that, "if you're playing well you'll keep
the shirt" - that apparently is his management policy. If so, why does he blatantly
disregard it after each match? After Ford was suspended Williams got his chance; he was
poor but he kept his shirt whilst the criminally ignored Damian Matthew kicked his heels
in the reserves and slapped in a transfer request - well wouldn't you?
Since Ford's suspension and until he was eventually recalled
against Northampton we have basically been playing without a midfield and when you add
that to a poor defence and erratic goalkeeper it spells disaster.
At Blackpool, we scored first but simply could not get any
sort of grip on the game in order to consolidate and ultimately we paid the price. Did
Waddle change? No way! He stuck with the same bunch of no-hopers. We went to Rotherham,
notched a draw, and then proceeded to be outplayed by Millwall. Any change? Only those
caused by injury. We were stuffed at Grimsby and humiliated by Rotherham in the replay at
home, where we played three centre backs. Eventually the message got through and he played
Ford and Harrison in the middle, put Weller back into his best position and just when you
thought things were improving, dropped Cooke to play Howey up front. Get real Waddle! He's
already got rid of Gentile without giving him a chance and put Harrison on the list
because he says they disagree on his best position. I'd take Gerry's word for if after
some of your selections Chris!
But is this the full story or is there more to it - Glen?
Swan was sold for £50K, Blatherwick bought for £200K and Howey for another £200K. Both
have played in the premier league, which in my view makes Swan a world beater. Basically,
we've forked out £400K on two defenders who are certainly no better than Swan.
Thankfully, we didn't pay for Neil Moore, otherwise the expenditure would have been
ridiculous.
If I was Cooke I'd want out as things just aren't working out
this season and Waddle looks to have made him the scapegoat. You've got to feel sorry got
Cooke and Barnes because they are doing nothing different from last season, but there is
no-one to supply the ball. Waddle continues to pick himself, although his form has dipped
badly recently, and the icing on the cake is his attack on the supporters on Radio
Lancashire.
Something at Turf Moor is drastically wrong. The chairman
threatens legal action over an innocuous article - much worse has been written previously
with no action. The manager has publicly had a go at the supporters - what is going on?
Grow up Waddle; you're not a hero anymore, you're a struggling lower division manager -
the fans have their view and they're entitled to it as you are to yours. You've avoided
criticism for the most part of the season, but now the honeymoon is over. Prove yourself;
sort it out; be brave and make decisions that have to be made, but most of all, "grow
up and make yourself a hero again!"
