16/08/07 - Slatings, Silliness, and Setanta

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the trust.

Well, well, the season is only 6 days old but still plenty to talk about so let's start at the beginning.

Saturday morning started with the rather ridiculous news that Timmy Mallett will be podcasting for the Oxford Mail. I presume this move was mainly pushed by Jon Murray in an attempt to make himself look better at staff parties and the like. The main problem with Mallett is not those pink objects he hits kids with but it is the fact that he is the worst type of celebrity fan going. He only seems to appear when there is a TV camera around and then when asked for an opinion on something, the most intelligent thing he can think to say is 'bleurgh'. Maybe I'm getting old but do people really still think he's funny? Maybe we could palm him off to Leeds United - they could have a double act of Chris Moyles and Timmy Mallett. Or would that just be really rubbing salt into their wounds?!

Despite my fear of the possibility of bumping into tinpot celebrities I still attended Saturday's game against FGR. The 1-0 result was probably just about fair but I can not help feeling that this season is going to go pretty much the same way as last. We will not concede many goals but we are unlikely to break any scoring records either so another winless streak is quite possibly on the cards at some point. I'm hoping I'm wrong and that our play will start to develop more fluidity and creativity but it's hard to see where that might come from. Of course, this is only an analysis after one game and the proper dissecting should only really begin once we hit September.

The biggest disappointment from Saturday was the confusing non-appearance of Bailey's food van. I was not a fan of the food supplied by the alternative van and my disillusionment with this only became worse as rumours circulated on forums about the circumstances of the change. I only hope that applying some pressure to the Stadium Company can turn this situation around for Bailey. A brief chat and a quality burger has often been the only highlight of coming to see OUFC in the Minchery Farm era.

Monday was a good day for revelations as Mr Burgess used his column in the Daily Mirror to publicly slate Jim Smith. Whether or not Andy truly believes what he has written is totally irrelevant as everyone will merely see it as sour grapes particularly due to his comments on the official site a few short days before his release. Well, Mr Burgess, it is not just you who can use columns to have a dig so I'm going to tell you now that you are work-shy and you have rubbish hair. See how easy it is to have a go from behind a keyboard?!

From a player going out to a player coming in, or to be technically correct, back in. Danny Rose has realised that no one else wants him so has made the easy decision to get some football under his belt. I was a bit alarmed by his comments that he went on holiday with a few of the other players - the mind boggles! Was this one of those sordid Ibiza rampages where Matt Day was lucky not be photographed with a pair of fake breasts on or was it more of a family orientated event with Gilly?! Seriously though, his addition means that the club's strength in depth is at a healthier level than last year in that we can now have a bench full of players who can come on and make a difference. It remains to be seen how the management will keep all these players happy particularly as a few of them cannot be on the money they probably think they deserve.

I shall always remember Tuesday 14 August 2007 - the day I sold my soul. Having realised that was definitely no way of getting out of work for the Cambridge game, I struggled with my conscience - Jerome or Setanta? Friendly local radio bod or big evil TV company that has been playing merry hell with the fixtures? Come 9pm I was sat at my computer looking at Setanta online. I could register without even using the phone, which I know from my old man's experience, is a pain in the backside. I filled in my details and by 10pm I had nine new sports channels to enjoy. I feel dirty but I get to see the Yellows tonight which, for me, is the most important thing. Perhaps I would feel better if Setanta would actually reveal how much of my cash each club will get per appearance on the TV but these are being kept secret which can only mean one of two things - the figures are ridiculously high or ridiculously low. I'll let you make up your own minds. Perhaps this is something for supporters' trusts to investigate……………….

I told you a lot could happen in 6 days.

COME ON YOU YELLOWS.