20/11/07 - Patto Banter

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

It's all change again at OUFC. The majority of us got our wish and Smith has stepped down or up (depending which way you look at it) with dignity and legend status still just about intact. Darren Patterson is the new holder (victim?) of the poisoned chalice that is the managerial torch at OUFC and as yet nothing seems to have changed.

Of course, it's very early days and Patterson is currently enjoying his honeymoon period whereby he can get away with not bringing in loan players immediately and a home draw against an average Ebbsfleet side. I dare to suggest that Smith would not have got away with either. Some fans have suggested that the players are now trying harder. If this is the case then those players have to look long and hard at themselves. There should be no excuse for not putting in 100% effort when you have a job which most of the world's population would kill for. If there was a lack of effort under Smith then this can only indicate an attempt to get him moved on which worked. I am also intrigued by Patterson's comments that he has been to see games with Smith since the change. This would suggest that comments regarding Patterson's dislike for the great man were not as true as some made out.

The positive thing for Patterson is that he now has over a month in which to turn things round, bring in new players, and put his mark on the team with very little potential for further damage to our league position. The increasingly comical Conference fixture list means that we have only two league fixtures between now and Christmas, unless the Weymouth game is rearranged quickly. Hopefully this will give time to work on new tactics (442?) and bring in the players necessary to make these tactics work. Lets hope he can do this and that it is not too late for a rally into the play-offs. Any other alternative is still unthinkable.

COME ON YOU YELLOWS!