Up the creak without a paddle

We can console ourselves. We are not in the bottom two. We have a game in hand, which if we win (a big if) will put us mid-table. Gates are holding up, but Prenton Park is quieter than the library on Borough Road, and there is a sense that most of this feels like where we’ve been before, and not in a good way.

The squad that has been assembled is largely Nigel Adkin’s squad. That includes players who are long past their sell by date, strikers who can’t score, defenders who give the ball away needlessly, midfielders who lack bite or creativity. The one summer signing that has been a success, Omari Patrick, is carrying the team. We don’t know about some of the other summer signings because we have only seen glimpses of what they can offer. Williams and Solomon have looked promising in their cameos, but need more game time. Others have yet to recover from injury (Drysdale) or have sustained injuries (Khan) meaning it’s hard to judge what they will offer. We can only hope these absent players are the gold nuggets that set our season alight. Yet, as we all know, it’s the hope that kills you.

It’s been pointed out that our manager has had two transfer windows to assemble his squad. We are approaching a third one. It seems clear that resources will not be made available if the takeover has not gone through. I would wonder if new owners would also trust the current managers recruitment policy given results to date? It would be a huge act of faith to do so. Yet maybe when the purse strings are cut lose Nigel will go out there and sign the players that transform our season? It's the hope that kills you. 

Meanwhile us supporters look on trying to work out if this is all the result of the transition we are in, the journey to becoming the new Wrexham. Details are emerging that Mark and Nicola Palios will retain a 20% ownership of shares. I suspect that means that Rover the dog can breathe a sigh of relief in the short term, but if rumours are true he will be replaced by ‘Dog Rover Mofo Beat’ a more aggressive incarnation that will carry a fire arm and slap those who dare to criticise the manager.

It’s worth remembering too that the next home game against National League opponents is ‘not a banana skin’. Apparently Oldham have more cash than us and probably have a better squad. I would imagine this motivates the team to put in the same low energy performance we have seen all seen. 10 minutes of reasonable football followed by the inevitable defeat. Micky Mellon, on his return to Prenton Park, will possibly be the happier manager at the final whistle. 

At the moment we are directionless, lack creativity, demotivated and pedestrian. How long it will take for the sun to rise on a brave new future is anyone’s guess. The status quo though can’t continue. The doubts about the future are killing the season and leaving the club drifting. Key decisions are required about building for the future, not the current short termisim. That leads to sticking plasters. A sticking plasters is what we have now, just enough to possibly survive but nowhere near enough to satisfy supporters.