Well what a ride that was. When you look at the last 11 games that is promotion form, but I’m not getting carried away for next season. It’s a weird division. Bottom beats top, a coupon buster every bloody week (I’ve had plenty!).
The Edwards period was hard, I don’t blame him personally as I’m sure he will be a good manager / coach at a club that has the luxury of being able to afford highly technical players. In his previous role he had the cream of crop of England’s youngsters and the facilities available to him. Hopefully he will look at lessons identified and turn them into lessons learnt and that will be defining in his own personal development, sometimes you have to change your style and play to the strengths you have available to you.
The NH interview posted in another thread was defining for me. We are fairly unique, he spoke about the connection between fans and the team, the team and the fans and when it’s good we fly. I’ve had some of the best times when we have that momentum, hairs standing up on the back of my neck just thinking about it.
We don’t often have out and out stars, and when we do, rarely have the ability to hold onto them. Unfortunately that is the business of running a football club. We should be proud when that happens, no different to any business, I personally am immensely proud when people that have worked for me in the past have gone on to bigger and better things as I have been an enabler to their personal development. Rinse repeat.
The Berylson’s have been amazing for our club, without them who knows where we would be now and I’m sure James will continue in that manner and am forever grateful to John (RIP). Pretty amazing how a little south London football club has captivated an American family like it has, but that, as Danny Shittu would say ‘it’s what we do’. Doesn’t stop there either, so many foreign lads now coming over to watch us, we should be proud of that, not shun them as this will see sustainability into the future through gate receipt and merch sales. And hopefully at some point a larger developed ground to accommodate regular bigger crowds. We are in London competing with much larger clubs and fan bases, I don’t subscribe to the it’s not my Millwall, as that’s what NH is saying, it’s about the team crowd connection, just on a larger scale. We can do this, once you have the bug you are a lifer.
Reading to some of the drivel on here I’m not sure what some actually want, or indeed what they think is truly achievable, or they are just trolls. I didn’t see one of them posting in yesterday’s match thread, but they would have been over it like a rash if we had lost. If they are fans, what do they think they are achieving by behaving like that? It will certainly take years off their life carrying all that bitterness.
In regard to the team I think we have some real opportunity. Some of the established players will be here still, I think Lenny, Danny, Saville, Watmore, Billy and Cooper have been immense and would retain them. Have they been world beaters every game, no, they are human beings and they make mistakes. Those calling for Esse and Emaku to start every game, well it would have ruined them. They are not Owen, Rooney, Giggs etc. But they will have developed. Esse looked like areal player in the making v Leicester. Maybe next season will be their opportunity to establish a place in the starting line up. The likes of Longman, Honeyman, Tanganga, Flemming, Sarkic, BNC have all played their part, at times immensely so and would be great to keep some if not all of them. We may struggle to keep hold of Tanganga as he is, albeit some would say otherwise, different class. What people forget is that it has been a disruptive season, unfortunately this will always play out in human behaviour. Next season we have a massive opportunity to start afresh, with a foundation of a team that have achieved great things these last 11 games.
I’d like to see an out and out striker brought in, I know we have Bradshaw and Nisbet, both plagued with injury, and I don’t think we have had a real opportunity to see Nisbet’s capability yet. Obefemi has worked tremendously hard off the ball and with his 2 goals has shown class. People forget he had not played for quite a while, then coming into a new team had to get up to speed. He hasn’t had enough time, but showed glimpses of what he is capable of. Mayor is another unknown and next season will be like getting a new signing. Longman will definitely shine next season, this last 11 games will be a massive confidence booster. Casper has undoubtedly got the footballing brains, we just need to work out how best to utilise it, again will benefit from the backend of this season.
I would let go, Harding, Wallace and Hutchinson, all great servants but not sure how they fit in now.
I’m going to draw stumps now as I have repetitive strain injury!! COYL, let’s get behind the team, let’s welcome every oppo with that famous Den roar, let’s make it a fortress once more.
Special mention for Neil and Livermore… lionhearts, thank you. True legends and hope there is a place for you next season.
