of sorts... Sorry to AOB and Lew Watts for any offence caused. This blog (me) was a bit out of order, but I mitigate this with frustration that we are all feeling at results on the pitch (now improved) and a lack of communication regarding allegations of indiscipline at the club (still an issue - but not for the management, but the committee)
Two wins on the bounce for the first time since October suggesting things are improving, a bit. The 3-2 win at Ramsgate was by all accounts hard fought and deserved. Ramsgate have only won once in thirteen attempts...
Godalming at home tomorrow night. Let's end the season as we did last year. We can still do this. We can still better last year's performance.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Dr T and the Women... a review
I'm that disheartened with Chatham Town FC at the moment, that today's post is a review of a Richard Gere film, released in 2000.
For those of you not in the know, things seem to be going very awry at the Theatre of Slapstick Comedy. In fact, to paraphrase Malcolm Tucker, I feel like asking OB and Lew if they managed to get the piano into the ground without dropping it, things are so fast becoming like Laurel and Hardy.
This week saw a fifth league defeat on the bounce, 2-0 at home to Sittingbourne, in a game that marked Brendon Cass's last contribution to the red and black. It was announced on Friday that he'd gone to Folkestone, who had, according to Stan Laurel made him an offer to good to refuse. That to me implies cash - but all of us in the know are more than aware of the CVA that Folkestone are currently subject to, which sort of rules that out. The next day, Cass is on the sight, blaming the last two months.
There was the glimmer of hope, or maybe a two pence piece mistakenly thrown into a sewer by a blind man with a wish, in the form of a scrappy 2-1 win over Whyteleafe at TOSC on Saturday, a result that elevated the Chats back to 12th in the league. Perhaps its overly doom and gloom, but with rumours abound of some first teamers not training (in my opinion they're welcome to not train - they just shouldn't expect to get picked for a game, or get paid), the first team management not attending the reserves game despite a free afternoon the other week, and the departure of the experienced Tommy Osbourne to the toadrags at Thamesmead before he'd even played a game for us sums up everything that's wrong.
We started the year with so much promise. OB threatened a play off spot. He wanted promotion. But, in my opinion, too many players who epitomise Chatham Town have been left to walk out of the ground to be replaced by lesser players with bigger, uglier attitudes, and the club is not the same anymore. Plenty of people had been asking about on the pitch discipline problems before it got very ugly last month, when newbie John Wilfort landed a seven match ban for two incidents of violent conduct in concurrent games. Yes, we needed a replacement for Steve Best. But Bestie was hard midfielder with integrity. A hard streak in the team is essential. But when its completely disproportionate, its out of order. We've not got a reputation as a team of thugs. It needs to stop.
So, moving on... the centre piece of my weekend, wasn't Chatham vs Leafe, but a much forgotten and understandably maligned Richard Gere vehicle, Dr T and the Women, released in 2000.
The movie, directed by the late Robert Altman, has Gere in the understandably under used film role of gynaecologist. He's a troubled modern guy with a mentally ill wife, Farah Fawcett, who two children and twenty five years of marriage later, takes off all her clothes in a mall. Sectioned, or the US equivalent, it takes all of a month for him to fall for high foreheaded golf pro Helen Hunt, and then discover that his eldest daughter, soon to be wed Kate Hudson, is a lesbian. Then follows a scene in which Gere, managing to portray absolutely no emotion on his face that belies his lack of hair dye, drives headlong into a twister, and lands in Mexico for his shot at redemption. But redemption for what? The film itself? Gere could do with a slice of it. For a man who's made a career out of "acting", a quick look at his IMDB scores makes for a shock. I can't find a single film with him as lead that rates over 7/10. This is mediocrity only so far achieved at such a high salary by Sandra Bullock.
Its actually the worst film I've ever seen. There is no chance of emotional attachment, either positive or negative to any of the characters. In fact, given the chance to either punch or kiss any of them, I'd take neither, and go for a stroll around a dated shopping centre, preferring the promise of rubbish card shops and mobile phone stores to a moment in the company of any of them. Altman did some fine work apparently. This isn't it. This film is to cinema what a bad Coldplay album is to music. A total waste of all the genius and artistic development of the medium over decades. It could not have been worse even if it had Steve Guttenburg playing every role into a 90's Sharp Viewcam. Watch it and see what I mean, but don't say I didn't warn you.
For those of you not in the know, things seem to be going very awry at the Theatre of Slapstick Comedy. In fact, to paraphrase Malcolm Tucker, I feel like asking OB and Lew if they managed to get the piano into the ground without dropping it, things are so fast becoming like Laurel and Hardy.
This week saw a fifth league defeat on the bounce, 2-0 at home to Sittingbourne, in a game that marked Brendon Cass's last contribution to the red and black. It was announced on Friday that he'd gone to Folkestone, who had, according to Stan Laurel made him an offer to good to refuse. That to me implies cash - but all of us in the know are more than aware of the CVA that Folkestone are currently subject to, which sort of rules that out. The next day, Cass is on the sight, blaming the last two months.
There was the glimmer of hope, or maybe a two pence piece mistakenly thrown into a sewer by a blind man with a wish, in the form of a scrappy 2-1 win over Whyteleafe at TOSC on Saturday, a result that elevated the Chats back to 12th in the league. Perhaps its overly doom and gloom, but with rumours abound of some first teamers not training (in my opinion they're welcome to not train - they just shouldn't expect to get picked for a game, or get paid), the first team management not attending the reserves game despite a free afternoon the other week, and the departure of the experienced Tommy Osbourne to the toadrags at Thamesmead before he'd even played a game for us sums up everything that's wrong.
We started the year with so much promise. OB threatened a play off spot. He wanted promotion. But, in my opinion, too many players who epitomise Chatham Town have been left to walk out of the ground to be replaced by lesser players with bigger, uglier attitudes, and the club is not the same anymore. Plenty of people had been asking about on the pitch discipline problems before it got very ugly last month, when newbie John Wilfort landed a seven match ban for two incidents of violent conduct in concurrent games. Yes, we needed a replacement for Steve Best. But Bestie was hard midfielder with integrity. A hard streak in the team is essential. But when its completely disproportionate, its out of order. We've not got a reputation as a team of thugs. It needs to stop.
So, moving on... the centre piece of my weekend, wasn't Chatham vs Leafe, but a much forgotten and understandably maligned Richard Gere vehicle, Dr T and the Women, released in 2000.
The movie, directed by the late Robert Altman, has Gere in the understandably under used film role of gynaecologist. He's a troubled modern guy with a mentally ill wife, Farah Fawcett, who two children and twenty five years of marriage later, takes off all her clothes in a mall. Sectioned, or the US equivalent, it takes all of a month for him to fall for high foreheaded golf pro Helen Hunt, and then discover that his eldest daughter, soon to be wed Kate Hudson, is a lesbian. Then follows a scene in which Gere, managing to portray absolutely no emotion on his face that belies his lack of hair dye, drives headlong into a twister, and lands in Mexico for his shot at redemption. But redemption for what? The film itself? Gere could do with a slice of it. For a man who's made a career out of "acting", a quick look at his IMDB scores makes for a shock. I can't find a single film with him as lead that rates over 7/10. This is mediocrity only so far achieved at such a high salary by Sandra Bullock.
Its actually the worst film I've ever seen. There is no chance of emotional attachment, either positive or negative to any of the characters. In fact, given the chance to either punch or kiss any of them, I'd take neither, and go for a stroll around a dated shopping centre, preferring the promise of rubbish card shops and mobile phone stores to a moment in the company of any of them. Altman did some fine work apparently. This isn't it. This film is to cinema what a bad Coldplay album is to music. A total waste of all the genius and artistic development of the medium over decades. It could not have been worse even if it had Steve Guttenburg playing every role into a 90's Sharp Viewcam. Watch it and see what I mean, but don't say I didn't warn you.
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Chips 1 - 0 Chumps
Hi.
Nothing like starting with a hello. Its an attempt to be chipper given the news that Chatham again drew and blank, and were turned over by a lowly Chipstead side who'd only registered one 3-pointer in their previous thirteen home games.
I'm trying to find positives in a season that's swiftly trajectorising itself towards doom. We were looking mediocre until recently, but now, results suggest we're just plain old poor.
I didn't go. I await Rochester Valiant's report with some trepidation. Again, we've failed to score. Lee Barnett may have gone chasing the cash, singing Dizzee Rascal's Money Talks as he whistled his way to Thamesmead, but one man doesn't make a team, and his seven goals in 21 appearances wasn't the form of the superstar he was last year. I hope dearly that Cassie at least got some service today, but I can't help thinking that again, the problem is a lack of decent crosses into the box. He's an onion bag picker outer of the highest order, and we just don't let him have a chance.
Next Saturday sees Eastbourne visit, a side who've won just once on the road this term. We must lay our hoodoo to rest, and arrest the slide. Still, could be worse. We could be Merstham, who were amongst the early pace setters, but have won just once in the last eight games. Fortunately, those urchins at Sittingbourne lost out to a 94th minute winner at Croydon, and drop down the table with us, one place. We're now 10th, which is fortunate because results going very awry today would have seen us drop six places to 15th. Worryingly, everyone has games in hand.
I have full faith in Don Logan and Co to get this club to the next level. They promised a rollercoaster, and we have it. Its just broken down, and we fans feel like the idiots you see stuck upside down at Thorpe Park. The blood's going to my head now and I feel sick. Time for Don to oil the runners. We've got ambition off the pitch, proved in the ambitious planning application to improve corporate facilities at the TOSC. The club's exciting new community venture is something to treasure. We need to get known in the local community as a viable, affordable family friendly alternative to the BSE infected tripe that is professional football at Priestfield. But we need to get the results flowing on the pitch. We've got the most capable side I've seen in the five years I've been going, and they seem demotivated. AOB's legendary team talks need to re-emerge. The man needs a resurgence himself. We need to show him how much we appreciate all the hard work he's put in. He could be the best thing to happen to this club in many a year, and he needs our support.
See you all next Saturday.
Nothing like starting with a hello. Its an attempt to be chipper given the news that Chatham again drew and blank, and were turned over by a lowly Chipstead side who'd only registered one 3-pointer in their previous thirteen home games.
I'm trying to find positives in a season that's swiftly trajectorising itself towards doom. We were looking mediocre until recently, but now, results suggest we're just plain old poor.
I didn't go. I await Rochester Valiant's report with some trepidation. Again, we've failed to score. Lee Barnett may have gone chasing the cash, singing Dizzee Rascal's Money Talks as he whistled his way to Thamesmead, but one man doesn't make a team, and his seven goals in 21 appearances wasn't the form of the superstar he was last year. I hope dearly that Cassie at least got some service today, but I can't help thinking that again, the problem is a lack of decent crosses into the box. He's an onion bag picker outer of the highest order, and we just don't let him have a chance.
Next Saturday sees Eastbourne visit, a side who've won just once on the road this term. We must lay our hoodoo to rest, and arrest the slide. Still, could be worse. We could be Merstham, who were amongst the early pace setters, but have won just once in the last eight games. Fortunately, those urchins at Sittingbourne lost out to a 94th minute winner at Croydon, and drop down the table with us, one place. We're now 10th, which is fortunate because results going very awry today would have seen us drop six places to 15th. Worryingly, everyone has games in hand.
I have full faith in Don Logan and Co to get this club to the next level. They promised a rollercoaster, and we have it. Its just broken down, and we fans feel like the idiots you see stuck upside down at Thorpe Park. The blood's going to my head now and I feel sick. Time for Don to oil the runners. We've got ambition off the pitch, proved in the ambitious planning application to improve corporate facilities at the TOSC. The club's exciting new community venture is something to treasure. We need to get known in the local community as a viable, affordable family friendly alternative to the BSE infected tripe that is professional football at Priestfield. But we need to get the results flowing on the pitch. We've got the most capable side I've seen in the five years I've been going, and they seem demotivated. AOB's legendary team talks need to re-emerge. The man needs a resurgence himself. We need to show him how much we appreciate all the hard work he's put in. He could be the best thing to happen to this club in many a year, and he needs our support.
See you all next Saturday.
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Red backstreet boozers 0 - 2 Pink gastropubs
Dulwich Hamlet were today's visitors the the theater of slapstick comedy, and came away two nil winners thanks to a penalty in each half.
To be fair, they deserved there win, as Chatham were limited in options up front, three Brad Potter headers from corners the only scares for Hamlet's 80s keeper.
Chatham's front line was missing the departed Lee Barnett. It turns out the pay cut was a step too far for the big man; perhaps it was the catalyst for a scant goodbye for a player who appeared to have peaked last season. Barnett has joined R1N title chasers Thamesmead Town, where he will join Rikki Cable and Andy Constable up front. Certainly, he had class last season, but has not had the cutting edge that made him stand apart last year. I don't like to speculate, but I think he saw the chance for the door and ran through it - unlike too many defences this season.
Back to the action though, and Chatham seemed demoralised. The final ball not there, the indecision in attack, too many stray passes. Too many changes perhaps, Denness managing a full 90 minutes a plus, the substitution at half time of an increasingly frustrated Cass and to my mind the best player in the red and black in the first half, Ray Powell, frankly bizarre changes if not brought about by injury. I do worry about how the season and all its hope is petering out. We need to get winning, we need to get confidence.
The most positive part of this game today? The fact that we've stopped our nine game win-lose hoodoo. Its two defeats on the bounce today. Let's show some of the famous bouncebackability next week at Chipstead - hopefully we'll still have Cassie to lead the line. His replacement today though, a young lad with ginger hair and white socks, looked like he had potential. But we need to get Cassie showing the love so to speak. Feed him and he'll grow.
To be fair, they deserved there win, as Chatham were limited in options up front, three Brad Potter headers from corners the only scares for Hamlet's 80s keeper.
Chatham's front line was missing the departed Lee Barnett. It turns out the pay cut was a step too far for the big man; perhaps it was the catalyst for a scant goodbye for a player who appeared to have peaked last season. Barnett has joined R1N title chasers Thamesmead Town, where he will join Rikki Cable and Andy Constable up front. Certainly, he had class last season, but has not had the cutting edge that made him stand apart last year. I don't like to speculate, but I think he saw the chance for the door and ran through it - unlike too many defences this season.
Back to the action though, and Chatham seemed demoralised. The final ball not there, the indecision in attack, too many stray passes. Too many changes perhaps, Denness managing a full 90 minutes a plus, the substitution at half time of an increasingly frustrated Cass and to my mind the best player in the red and black in the first half, Ray Powell, frankly bizarre changes if not brought about by injury. I do worry about how the season and all its hope is petering out. We need to get winning, we need to get confidence.
The most positive part of this game today? The fact that we've stopped our nine game win-lose hoodoo. Its two defeats on the bounce today. Let's show some of the famous bouncebackability next week at Chipstead - hopefully we'll still have Cassie to lead the line. His replacement today though, a young lad with ginger hair and white socks, looked like he had potential. But we need to get Cassie showing the love so to speak. Feed him and he'll grow.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Money talks...
Its been well publicised this week that we've cut the playing budget, the sort of thing that had to be expected given just one home game in six weeks.
And its announced today, that at least one player, yet to be named, has taken this as his cue to leave. Frankly, it smacks of an excuse to get out. We're underachieving this year, that's for sure. The win-lose run now extends to nine games. But we're a turn of form away from a play off spot, and bettering last season's quarter century high.
I'm not going to speculate on who it is that thinks the money talks. If they genuinely think they'll get more elsewhere, then fair play to them. Even if they are wrong. There's no one at the club at the moment who'd walk into another first team, with perhaps the exception of the ever improving Richard Avery.
I'll save my scathe for when the news of the money slave is released...
Anyway, tomorrow is Dulwich at home, and a return to the stadium by Mark Green to launch the community scheme, in our newly named Fitness First Stand. It occurred to me earlier, that the acronym for the said stand is hilarious. FFS!
And its announced today, that at least one player, yet to be named, has taken this as his cue to leave. Frankly, it smacks of an excuse to get out. We're underachieving this year, that's for sure. The win-lose run now extends to nine games. But we're a turn of form away from a play off spot, and bettering last season's quarter century high.
I'm not going to speculate on who it is that thinks the money talks. If they genuinely think they'll get more elsewhere, then fair play to them. Even if they are wrong. There's no one at the club at the moment who'd walk into another first team, with perhaps the exception of the ever improving Richard Avery.
I'll save my scathe for when the news of the money slave is released...
Anyway, tomorrow is Dulwich at home, and a return to the stadium by Mark Green to launch the community scheme, in our newly named Fitness First Stand. It occurred to me earlier, that the acronym for the said stand is hilarious. FFS!
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Oysters 1 - 2 Radioactive Mutant Fish
Chatham came away from the Belmont with all three points yesterday afternoon, a result that takes them back to seventh in the league, and a final run of form from the play offs.
Let's not forget - last season we ended with 12 unbeaten. There's no reason we can't pass that this year and make a push for the prem.
Of course, I didn't go, but RV's report on the official forum lets us know we dominated and survived, which is a positive in that we didn't throw it away (TM) which we've done so often this year.
A tricky midweek away trip to one of the furthest teams in the form of Burgess Hill Town awaits on Tuesday before our first home game in three weeks on Saturday 6th Feb, when we entertain the ol' Pink-O's of Dulwich Hamlet. I'll be at that one, ready to report on what will hopefully be a third win on the bounce.
C'mon les Chats!
Let's not forget - last season we ended with 12 unbeaten. There's no reason we can't pass that this year and make a push for the prem.
Of course, I didn't go, but RV's report on the official forum lets us know we dominated and survived, which is a positive in that we didn't throw it away (TM) which we've done so often this year.
A tricky midweek away trip to one of the furthest teams in the form of Burgess Hill Town awaits on Tuesday before our first home game in three weeks on Saturday 6th Feb, when we entertain the ol' Pink-O's of Dulwich Hamlet. I'll be at that one, ready to report on what will hopefully be a third win on the bounce.
C'mon les Chats!
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Chatham away to Margate tonight...
In the Kent Senior Cup, a competition in which all senior clubs affiliated to the Kent FA can take part. Noticeable by there absence are Gillingham, Millwall and Charlton.
I'll let you know how we get on. Not that I'm there, but given that we were by all accounts rubbish on Saturday at Leatherhead, we can expect the very consistency that is our inconsistence to mean that we'll beat them 7-0 tonight and then lose at lowly Whitstable on Saturday.
I'll let you know how we get on. Not that I'm there, but given that we were by all accounts rubbish on Saturday at Leatherhead, we can expect the very consistency that is our inconsistence to mean that we'll beat them 7-0 tonight and then lose at lowly Whitstable on Saturday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)