December is usually the time of year when London Branch members battle with over-crowded trains, over-crowded roads, and even in some cases over-crowded planes to get back to their homeland to see the Blues. It turned out to be a bleak and gameless Christmas for United fans as first Darlo and then Turkey (sorry, Torquay) was off the menu. Who programs that Football League computer? Why is it that we are always due to play Torquay or Plymouth over New Year, do they have no regard for fans? We did have the dubious pleasure of seeing United in action at freezing Rushden when a bizarre sending off saw the game effectively lost after just 15 minutes. Unfortunately, following Carlisle to away games has been a literally pointless exercise for London Branch fans this season, but still we travel in hope. The only bright spot of the game was that if you were there you may have been able to get hold of a copy of the bumper Christmas Edition of Hit the Bar (so big that it broke the printer's stapler). This was after a hopeful start to the month when we managed two wins in a row against Barnet and then Scunthorpe. This ensured that the London Branch Christmas Dinner held on 7th December was a well-attended and upbeat affair as we partook of that traditional seasonal food - Thai Green Curry - in the Rising Sun in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral. The gathering reflected the widespread nature of the London Branch as members came in from as far away as Reading, St Albans, and Hemel Hempstead to meet up with those who live and work closer to the centre. January will be a busy month for the London Branch with trips being organised to the all-ticket Luton match on 19th and then down to Bristol Rovers on the following Saturday, weather permitting. So why is our away form so poor this season? Some blame must be placed at the door of the manager who has dismantled what was looking a very reliable defence - Birch, Morley, Whitehead and Maddison and has introduced the smaller and slower Rogers and the even slower Winstanley, out of position on the left. In midfield we are over-run with the eager but inexperienced Jack and Murphy tending to fade and support neither defence nor attack when it matters most. Collins has criticised Atkins's signings but these are the only players that any other club seems to want. It doesn't seem to be all of Atkins's signings that come in for criticism either - just those on higher wages. Birch and Winstanley seem to get into the team every week when not injured or suspended. It would also help if we could keep a full side on the pitch for ninety minutes - the stupidity and lack of experience shown by some of our players this season has been embarrassing. This is meant to be a professional football club, but there seem to be too many unprofessional players on our books at the moment. It's a New Year, let's hope we start with a new attitude and some new players and begin to get some points on the board….. Malcolm Fawcett |
