2022 a damp squib?
By Graham Dagnall
December 28 2022
The year is coming to an end. 12 months ago things looked rosey. 12 months on they just look tedious. We beat Doncaster on Boxing Day, our first win in 11 games, but there has been nothing to get excited about. It's been a year of turgid football, whilst off the pitch there is a sense that things aren't what they should be.
The relief at the win on Boxing Day was palpable. After a less than scintillating first half Tranmere took the match by the scruff of the neck and ran out 3 goal winners. It was notable that whilst the official gate was 7K+ there were lots of gaps in the ground. The club count season ticket holders as attending. Quite a few voted with their feet and simply stayed away. This is a reflection on the poor performances generally, but is a pity as there was a genuine energy to the football. Mumbongo made a difference. It would be interesting to see how him and Nevitt could work together in partnership. I suspect both would cause defences headaches as they have high levels of energy that compensate for their inexperience.
The performance on Boxing Day was strong across the pitch. All the midfield had a good game, and we were solid at the back too. Doncaster didn't really ask any serious questions of us until we were 3 up. The fact that we kept a clean sheet was pleasing. It remains to be seen if we can do as well against Barrow in our next away game.
Before Christmas season ticket holders also got a Christmas message from our Chairman. This acknowledged that the squad was unbalanced but didn't really offer an explanation as to why. Was it an act of God? Or was it that the players we recruited all had a track record of poor fitness? Whatever, we are now left playing catch up. Some have suggested relegation is possible and whilst I don't see that it also seems unlikely that we will do anything other than struggle to reach the play offs.
Palios also spoke of the ground move. Apparently it seems that this is now on a back burner. The majority view amongst supporters seems to have been that there might be merit in moving grounds. Just not to Bidston dock, which lacks infrastructure. Yet there are now questions about the longer term viability of the club financially. The cash released from the sale of the ground was meant to be the catalyst for our renaissance. Where does the funding now come from if this project is on the back burner?
In the short term, by the end of May, some questions will be answered. Foremost is the question of Mellon's future. Micky is very likeable but his second tenure at Prenton Park has yet to reach the heights of our climb from conference to Leage One. Fans have been patient but there is a sense that the magic touch may have gone. Either way let's hope 2023 offers more than 2022 delivered, it would be great to talk with passion about our football again.
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So if damp, it fails to ignite or get going
Whilst I acknowledge there has been bad spells with a few depressing performances this year, it isn’t as bad as made out and exaggerated by some. All teams in this league have these games. I am certainly not a happy clapper but accept our style, it is the same pragmatic style as the back 2 back promotion seasons, it’s just that we had a goalscorer then. Let’s hope we can recruit one or someone to get the best out of what we already have. There is still good talent in that team, even Hemmings.
You also have to ask yourself did we need Vaughan?
He came in at the end of Jan and influenced/signed the players. I don’t think these were Mickeys players. We were top 3 when he came in and had two successful promotions without the influence of a sporting director or whatever he was. I think there’s been a little resentment from Mickey in his interviews which I think is directly attributed to Vaughans influence, without directly saying these are not my signings and I didn’t want to change my style. That’s why the signings in Jan will be interesting, I think they will be players to fit into how he wants to play.
I have maintained all season that Mickey gets until the end of the season and that has not changed, let’s see where we are come May. If promoted the narrative will change.
What should have been said was something along the lines of, we are going to recruit young players and try to develop an attacking style of play over the next couple of years. This may take time and be at the expense of a promotion challenge but we will hopefully be better for it in the long run. If the fans heard that and could see a style of play developing than I think most would accept this, I would.
The fact is, we recruited poorly for a 352 formation then reverted back to what Mickeys knows best because it wasn’t working. This is why I think Mickey didn’t sign these players, I also don’t think he was the right man to implement a new attacking style with a young group of players, it’s simply not his style. He is now trying to use a lot of inexperienced to play his gritty pragmatic style and I think that’s why we have had inconsistent results. Since the summer, in a lot of Mickeys interviews starting with that warning in pre season that he was being told to change it, that’s why we’ve had a lot of negativity from him. I’m hoping with Vaughan gone, we see Mickey signings.
If we want an attacking style then we need a new manager imo. We won’t get that from Mickey. But I still think we can be successful with Mickeys style, I expect a couple of experienced players to come in, whether that’s 30+ year olds or lads with at least a couple hundred appearance under their belt to suit Mickeys style but more importantly what’s required to implement it.
Quote:Toffeehater
A squib is an explosive/firework.
So if damp, it fails to ignite or get going
Hence my comment why do people say Damp Squid not squib
God, I love being a pedant.
Any other contributions?
Fewer, FFS!
Quote:Brenk
To damp squid, which I’ve never heard used, you could add “to all intensive purposes “ , which I have heard. It should , of course, be to all intents and purposes .
God, I love being a pedant.
Any other contributions?
I think you mean ‘I love being pedantic’ 😁
Quote:Brenk
To damp squid, which I’ve never heard used, you could add “to all intensive purposes “ , which I have heard. It should , of course, be to all intents and purposes .
God, I love being a pedant.
Any other contributions?
My favourite is just one word...skelington....
Quote:Brenk
To damp squid, which I’ve never heard used, you could add “to all intensive purposes “ , which I have heard. It should , of course, be to all intents and purposes .
God, I love being a pedant.
Any other contributions?
Moo point , another frequently used, although Joey may be largely responsible for this 🤣
Quote:ZintQuote:Brenk
To damp squid, which I’ve never heard used, you could add “to all intensive purposes “ , which I have heard. It should , of course, be to all intents and purposes .
God, I love being a pedant.
Any other contributions?
I think you mean ‘I love being pedantic’ 😁
Er ..No. pedantic is an adjective, pedant is a noun. However, I could have used either, so don’t feel too bad😊👍
Quote:😂ALOTBSOLQuote:Brenk
To damp squid, which I’ve never heard used, you could add “to all intensive purposes “ , which I have heard. It should , of course, be to all intents and purposes .
God, I love being a pedant.
Any other contributions?
My favourite is just one word...skelington....
Quote:dave-p
Top pedan tree
Top pedan tree budget!