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My Problem? I Don't Know Who To Be Angry At Any More.
As we left the ground yesterday after an annoying, perplexing and humiliating second-half display I became further vexed by the notes of misplaced triumph in the announcer’s voice as he announced the Chelsea v AVFC result. And my question was along the lines of “What exactly is it you’re feeling so happy about? Am I seriously expected, after a display like yesterday’s, feel good about our local Premier League rivals playing a brilliant team, hotly tipped to win the league and to make good progress in Europe. Is there an assumption that there’s always something amusing happening on the other side of the A38 that’s amusing and that as long as they’re about we can be chipper and perky?” Chipper and perky about a well run-club that’s made mistakes, flirted with and avoided relegation, had a good start to this season and commands healthy gates?
Am I expected to sneer at their transition from Ellis to Learner and somehow revel in their current lack of clarity regarding the possible sale of the club and to do this with no sense of irony as we witness a collective atrophy consume the fabric of the club.
And I don’t know who to be angry at. Sullivan and Gold for selling the club, BIHL for buying it, McLeish for leaving it meaning at the point of his inevitable dismissal from AVFC, they would in turn appoint Lambert and in so doing give Houghton an opportunity to manage a Premier League team? Should I focus my anger on our current owners and their seemingly limitless ineptitude-a case study in how to over-promise, under-deliver and demolish in months that which had taken years to achieve? Need I remind myself of their inability to deliver the accounts on time, produce end of year financial statements or anything else even moderately consistent with good business practice?
Do I focus my disquiet on the fans that stay away or rather do I (and I include myself here) point the finger at the remnants of our support that still attend to witness embarrassment heaped upon humiliation. The cauldron of support that prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to comment, now has all the intensity of spluttering flame that begs to be extinguished.
Should I join the “Clark out” group-think when I believe that Lee Clark is a manifestation of what is wrong with the club rather than the cause of it? Should I add my voice to the torrent of abuse he faces or I should I reflect on who could do better/different and-honestly-who of any ambition or quality would want to be part of an organisation that is merely a passport for its owners’ intentions to stay visible on the Hong-Kong stock exchange? I could point my finger at those who thought they might like to buy us and have seemingly withdrawn but do you know what, the prospect of maximum liability in a high risk situation with less than 25% asset control would probably make me raise an eyebrow and walk away.
I think I'm angry and sad because there’s nothing to be done except wait, listening for the faintest of sounds in a communication vacuum that seems to suit only those who own our club and seem indifferent to its impotent Carver Doone-like attempts to escape from the mire in which it will be consumed.
At 17:35 yesterday I was past the airport and well on my way to Coventry. It’s not that long ago that I was still on the car-park at 17:35: that’s a very much unwanted silver lining on a vast, dark cloud.
Am I expected to sneer at their transition from Ellis to Learner and somehow revel in their current lack of clarity regarding the possible sale of the club and to do this with no sense of irony as we witness a collective atrophy consume the fabric of the club.
And I don’t know who to be angry at. Sullivan and Gold for selling the club, BIHL for buying it, McLeish for leaving it meaning at the point of his inevitable dismissal from AVFC, they would in turn appoint Lambert and in so doing give Houghton an opportunity to manage a Premier League team? Should I focus my anger on our current owners and their seemingly limitless ineptitude-a case study in how to over-promise, under-deliver and demolish in months that which had taken years to achieve? Need I remind myself of their inability to deliver the accounts on time, produce end of year financial statements or anything else even moderately consistent with good business practice?
Do I focus my disquiet on the fans that stay away or rather do I (and I include myself here) point the finger at the remnants of our support that still attend to witness embarrassment heaped upon humiliation. The cauldron of support that prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to comment, now has all the intensity of spluttering flame that begs to be extinguished.
Should I join the “Clark out” group-think when I believe that Lee Clark is a manifestation of what is wrong with the club rather than the cause of it? Should I add my voice to the torrent of abuse he faces or I should I reflect on who could do better/different and-honestly-who of any ambition or quality would want to be part of an organisation that is merely a passport for its owners’ intentions to stay visible on the Hong-Kong stock exchange? I could point my finger at those who thought they might like to buy us and have seemingly withdrawn but do you know what, the prospect of maximum liability in a high risk situation with less than 25% asset control would probably make me raise an eyebrow and walk away.
I think I'm angry and sad because there’s nothing to be done except wait, listening for the faintest of sounds in a communication vacuum that seems to suit only those who own our club and seem indifferent to its impotent Carver Doone-like attempts to escape from the mire in which it will be consumed.
At 17:35 yesterday I was past the airport and well on my way to Coventry. It’s not that long ago that I was still on the car-park at 17:35: that’s a very much unwanted silver lining on a vast, dark cloud.
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