I should really be silent.
The advice of the wise to 'not speak unless you have something positive to say' rings alarmingly in my thoughts - but I'll press on regardless. Honest opinion demands it.
By the way, the overtly sexual title of this blog has nothing at all to do with what I want to say. I'm simply trying to get in sync with the blogging tactics of my compatriot in the 442 Reds' trenches, Stephen Daughtry. I thought that in light of his blog this week he might need some sort of support.
This Friday night the Reds welcome the Mariners to Hindmarsh and although I do have some sense of anticipation about enjoying another home game, I'm not exactly salivating at the thought of it. I always like to salivate pre-match, without making too much of a mess on the carpet of course.
As much as I'm reluctant to admit it my lack of enthusiasm has something to do with the nature of the opposition. The Mariners are somewhat, well, beige. They're a bit dour and defensive. It's like an aunt coming over to visit; you may well enjoy it once she arrives but beforehand it's a struggle to warm to the concept.
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the Mariners have no marquee players to draw a crowd. There is no doubt that an element of the home support at the last Hindmarsh match against Fury were there purely to see Robbie Fowler grace the hallowed turf.
Perhaps it's the fact that travelling supporter numbers will be sparse. Love them or hate them, there is no doubt that Melbourne supporters, for example, travelling en masse to away matches bring not only a handy supply of flares, they also bring a good dose of atmosphere.
Perhaps it's Lawrie McKinna himself, who rarely says anything to incite controversy before a game. There is no doubt he's a man of integrity and is widely admired. But he never inspires that "let's shove it up him" type response that both Dave Mitchell and Miron Bleiberg have both managed to draw from the Adelaide public this year.
Having said all this I actually admire the Mariners as a club. What they've achieved so far in an A-League context has been impressive. They're gritty, and workmanlike, but the problem I have is that for me, they don't glow in the dark. To entice a few additional bums on seats they need some extra spark.
Still, those that were witness to the 3-3 draw between the same two clubs at Hindmarsh last year might just return on the strength of that match alone. It was a cracker.
It was one of those matches that had me spellbound from the start, unable to look away. A bit like cleavage really.
