Empty May
Pen to paper
By Arthur Raison
May 12 2024
The play offs are nearly over, but it seems that football in May is an activity reserved for the few clubs who finish in contention. I'm sure it wasn't always like this.
For the major part football in May was only usually about the first week. Those of us around in the 90s were spoilt. We had regular play off campaigns and trips to Wembley. May became the month when the serious business was done. Not anymore. May is now the month when we scour the players released news trying to anticipate if we will pick up an injury prone striker form club X or the return of a former hero released by club y. Yet it's still eons until the fixture list comes out. I also suspect most Agents, they who control transfers, are too busy calculating how much they can make from their protégés involved in the play-offs, a new contract for a player who did well, a new club for a player who caught the eye. Business with Tranmere can wait.
My favourite Rovers game ever however occurred in June. Specifically June 1st 1991 when Chris Malkin scored that all important goal against Bolton to take us to the promised land. Some might argue that the win over Borehamwood, which saw us return to the Football League, in May 2018 was more important. I think both were hugely important, but for me the Bolton one has the edge. In any case the moments of joy and release of pent up passion were the same. Winning at Wembley always feels so good.
Yet here we are without a game to focus on. Instead we just have memories. The club needs to rediscover the tradition of going up via the end of season process. To do that we need a better squad than we have had previously and better management. Nigel Adkins provides the latter, but it's the players on the pitch that have to perform. Nige has done it at Scunthorpe, albeit a fair while ago, we can only hope that the clubs scouting network delivers a new crop of players that will power us out of the 4th tier and on to a second moon mission.
If we're honest though, all we're doing is filling the time. It's almost three months until the new season starts. I can't wait for the tedium to end.
Empty May
Posted by: Total Tranmere (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2024 09:47
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Re: Empty May
Posted by: coltran (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2024 15:28
I agree that it's good to have the extra games and the excitement of the play-offs at the season end.
However, the play-offs are a last gasp attempt at gaining promotion and only offer a 25% chance of success. A club aiming for promotion should be targeting a top three finish to avoid the lottery of the play-offs. However, we need to be realistic about our prospects for next season. If we operate with a mid-table budget, that in itself is not a recipe for success. So we need to hope that NA who is one of the top managers in the EFL can build a team that can play above it's station, by hopefully enticing some new players to the club who would not have otherwise signed for us.
I also hope that are fans will be patient and accept (as Keith Hill once said) that we are not Manchester City and can't be expected to win every week. Even Stockport and Mansfield fans rounded on the managers at times last season and look where those clubs are now.
However, I am optimistic for next season because I believe a manager like Nigel can bring success even on a modest budget. Accrington where a prime example of how it can be done.
However, the play-offs are a last gasp attempt at gaining promotion and only offer a 25% chance of success. A club aiming for promotion should be targeting a top three finish to avoid the lottery of the play-offs. However, we need to be realistic about our prospects for next season. If we operate with a mid-table budget, that in itself is not a recipe for success. So we need to hope that NA who is one of the top managers in the EFL can build a team that can play above it's station, by hopefully enticing some new players to the club who would not have otherwise signed for us.
I also hope that are fans will be patient and accept (as Keith Hill once said) that we are not Manchester City and can't be expected to win every week. Even Stockport and Mansfield fans rounded on the managers at times last season and look where those clubs are now.
However, I am optimistic for next season because I believe a manager like Nigel can bring success even on a modest budget. Accrington where a prime example of how it can be done.
Re: Empty May
Posted by: the kav (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2024 16:02
I like my break from football. Whets my appetite for next year.
Re: Empty May
Posted by: DevonExile (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2024 18:25
Euros do not raise the passion of a Rovers game. An off season side show
Re: Empty May
Posted by: Wozza (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2024 18:45
Rugby fills the gap for me as the years roll by my enthusiasm for sport is dwindling rather go on extra holiday or 2 but I’ll still be there next season the games I don’t attend my nephew uses my season ticket
Re: Empty May
Posted by: Wozza (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2024 18:49
Quote:what a day what a rollercoaster of a game norburn taking mm out celebrating 👌👌
Re: Empty May
Posted by: the kav (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2024 21:52
Quote:Wozza
Rugby fills the gap for me as the years roll by my enthusiasm for sport is dwindling rather go on extra holiday or 2 but I’ll still be there next season the games I don’t attend my nephew uses my season ticket
Spot on wozza. And despite benkenstein ruining lancy , I love my summer cricket too
Re: Empty May
Posted by: Wozza (IP Logged)
Date: 12/05/2024 22:32
Quote:love the cricket myself still trying to convince my wife to the Caribbean to watch a test match out there but she’s not moving I rekon if the stars were to aline and there was racing on at garrison savanna at the same time she would give me one daythe kavQuote:Wozza
Rugby fills the gap for me as the years roll by my enthusiasm for sport is dwindling rather go on extra holiday or 2 but I’ll still be there next season the games I don’t attend my nephew uses my season ticket
Spot on wozza. And despite benkenstein ruining lancy , I love my summer cricket too
Re: Empty May
Posted by: hong kong rover (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2024 21:37
Watching the Europa final from Dublin...Atalanta are 3 up, Lookman hat trick, he has been SUPERB..Leverkusen getting well n truly done here..Atalanta have bossed this from minute one.
Re: Empty May
Posted by: the kav (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2024 07:35
Quote:hong kong rover
Watching the Europa final from Dublin...Atalanta are 3 up, Lookman hat trick, he has been SUPERB..Leverkusen getting well n truly done here..Atalanta have bossed this from minute one.
Everyone forgets he played for Everton, if it's the same lookman? I've not got BT so didn't watch
Re: Empty May
Posted by: ALOTBSOL (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2024 10:40
del
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:25:09:58:35 by ALOTBSOL .
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:25:09:58:35 by ALOTBSOL .
Re: Empty May
Posted by: DevonExile (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2024 21:16
I get to most Somerset matches but most enjoy the 4 day county games.Sadly, it is a competition steadily being down graded by the superficial excitement of T20 and even worse the meaningless hundreds. Always thought that one day cricket was a good format but it is now almost a second X1 competition.
All of which means that I am now quite happy that by early August football is back
All of which means that I am now quite happy that by early August football is back
Re: Empty May
Posted by: hong kong rover (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2024 22:08
Luke Littler, in his very first premier league darts campaign, goes and wins it tonight,,he beat Humphries in the final...Littler hit a 9 darter too tonight, Sensational!..The kid is special..17 years old and he pockets over 300 grand tonight,,the 9 darter was real class, the roof of the O2 arena nearly blew off, lol...great to watch.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:23:22:09:58 by hong kong rover.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:23:22:09:58 by hong kong rover.
Re: Empty May
Posted by: the kav (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2024 07:39
Quote:DevonExile
I get to most Somerset matches but most enjoy the 4 day county games.Sadly, it is a competition steadily being down graded by the superficial excitement of T20 and even worse the meaningless hundreds. Always thought that one day cricket was a good format but it is now almost a second X1 competition.
All of which means that I am now quite happy that by early August football is back
Morning Devon, I really rate James rew , I think he's a better keeper than buttler and bairstow, and a decent batsman. It's him or foakes behind the stumps for England this summer, for me.
What are your thoughts? Is he too young or worth a go ? You see him more than me
Re: Empty May
Posted by: hong kong rover (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2024 08:40
Reckon Plymouth Argyle fans will be bricking themselves this morning and hoping that talks don't get to that advanced stage, lol.
Re: Empty May
Posted by: DevonExile (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2024 13:20
Quote:Hi HKKthe kavQuote:DevonExile
I get to most Somerset matches but most enjoy the 4 day county games.Sadly, it is a competition steadily being down graded by the superficial excitement of T20 and even worse the meaningless hundreds. Always thought that one day cricket was a good format but it is now almost a second X1 competition.
All of which means that I am now quite happy that by early August football is back
Morning Devon, I really rate James rew , I think he's a better keeper than buttler and bairstow, and a decent batsman. It's him or foakes behind the stumps for England this summer, for me.
What are your thoughts? Is he too young or worth a go ? You see him more than me
He is already a very competent wicketkeeper and he has massive potential as a batsman. He mae hesitant start to this season. but now looking to get back to the consistency of last year. Above all he has the technique of a specialist red ball player combined with a great temperament. Australia or India would be playing him now ang giving him time to settle in. I am not sure that English selectors will do the same
Re: Empty May
Posted by: CleeHillRoadROAR (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2024 14:23
Quote:hong kong rover
Reckon Plymouth Argyle fans will be bricking themselves this morning and hoping that talks don't get to that advanced stage, lol.
Fails everywhere he goes as a manager, no brains, no common sense, and yet Championship Clubs still want him as their manager. Makes no sense!
Re: Empty May
Posted by: the kav (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2024 15:47
Quote:DevonExileQuote:Hi HKKthe kavQuote:DevonExile
I get to most Somerset matches but most enjoy the 4 day county games.Sadly, it is a competition steadily being down graded by the superficial excitement of T20 and even worse the meaningless hundreds. Always thought that one day cricket was a good format but it is now almost a second X1 competition.
All of which means that I am now quite happy that by early August football is back
Morning Devon, I really rate James rew , I think he's a better keeper than buttler and bairstow, and a decent batsman. It's him or foakes
behind the stumps for England this summer, for me.
What are your thoughts? Is he too young or worth a go ? You see him more than me
He is already a very competent wicketkeeper and he has massive potential as a batsman. He mae hesitant start to this season. but now looking to get back to the consistency of last year. Above all he has the technique of a specialist red ball player combined with a great temperament. Australia or India would be playing him now ang giving him time to settle in. I am not sure that English selectors will do the same
Thanks Devon, may have to pop into the county ground next time I'm at graylake and ham wall
Re: Empty May
Posted by: TRFCooooooo (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2024 09:35
5 years ago today in May at Wembley PP South.
What a day!
On our way back you know.....Two in a row
Singing Tequilla when we win at Wembley
SWA
[x.com]
What a day!
On our way back you know.....Two in a row
Singing Tequilla when we win at Wembley
SWA
[x.com]
Re: Empty May
Posted by: TRFCooooooo (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2024 10:22
With sound, May 25th
Tequila at Wembley PP South
SWA
[x.com]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:25:10:23:29 by TRFCooooooo.
Tequila at Wembley PP South
SWA
[x.com]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:25:10:23:29 by TRFCooooooo.
Re: Empty May
Posted by: hong kong rover (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2024 12:45
i managed to find a stream to watch the Lawrence Okolie fight last night in Poland..One of the biggest mismatches i have ever seen in boxing..it was at this new bridgerweight class, which is the weight between cruiserweight and heavyweight..British fighter Okolie destroyed his Polish opponent Lukasz Rozanski, with the ref stopping the fight in the very first round, Okolie had put him down 3 times before the ref intervened to stop the fight..Okolie i think is a decent fighter when he lets his hands go,. as for his Polish opponent, he was previously unbeaten in his 14 professional fights but has never fought outside of Poland. a complete mismatch if ever there was one!..You only have to look at this Polish chap, with the advertising on his body, to realise that he is NOT a boxer...Okolie became WBC Bridgerweight champion with this complete mismatch last night...NB. take a look at how small the ring is, but all legal though.
Re: Empty May
Posted by: hong kong rover (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2024 13:37
Quote:CleeHillRoadROARQuote:hong kong rover
Reckon Plymouth Argyle fans will be bricking themselves this morning and hoping that talks don't get to that advanced stage, lol.
Fails everywhere he goes as a manager, no brains, no common sense, and yet Championship Clubs still want him as their manager. Makes no sense!
Confirmed, Rooney new boss at Plymouth...Can't see many Argyle fans being over the moon with this.
Re: Empty May
Posted by: hong kong rover (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2024 14:02
Rooney just announced as new boss at Plymouth and he is at Wembley live on BBC at the cup final with Lineker, Shearer, and Micah 'i only have one brain cell' Richards...So much for Rooney getting himself acquainted with his squad at Plymouth and his new surroundings, etc etc...!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:25:14:11:42 by hong kong rover.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:25:14:11:42 by hong kong rover.
Re: Empty May
Posted by: Matt34 (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2024 23:15
Be fair; Micah has more than one brain cell, otherwise he'd be a the descendant of a primitive species of lifeform from millions of years ago that never evolved 
.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
.Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
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