It says something about the depths to which my team has sunk that I am willing to dredge the bottom of the barrel to bring to light creaking 70s rockers, Status Quo.
Quo, renowned for their early commitment to recycling (they used the same chords in hundreds of songs) and a musical philosophy based around repetition being the cornerstone of creativity remind me of the way the Reds are playing. Some would call it, ‘Stuck in a Rut’.
All year the fans have been screaming for our forwards to actually be played as forwards. But no, midfielders will do.
All year the fans have been asking why Hughes and Pantelis walk into the first XI if they’re fit, despite the fact they’re struggling to make an impact. Well, obviously they’re better than Jamo and Barbiero because those two – despite showing heart, drive and skill - get left on the bench.
More importantly, all year the fans have faithfully turned up to watch their team implode and their world-beating coach slowly descend into a broken, rambling shadow of himself.
Cue the great Quo with their 1975 hit, “Down, Down”:
I want all the world to see
To see you're laughing
And you're laughing at me.
I can take it all from you
Again, again, again, again, again, again, again
Deeper and down.
Down, down, deeper and down.
Well there’s no further to go. At this point we all applaud the fact that relegation isn’t possible. Humiliation maybe, but not relegation.
Fury deserved to beat us on Saturday if only because they’re prepared to use what they have and trust ageing forwards who have shown that they really can play.
Does anyone here think Robbie Fowler is faster or fitter than Cristiano or Owusu? Of course he’s not. Obviously his pedigree is better but he’s not been at the top level for a long time. He is a goal scorer though. That’s rare. So are Cristiano and Lloyd. Or they would be if given a chance. They’ve proven it before. Let’s face it, we haven’t got options really.
Leckie’s a goalscorer but not a forward. Travis Dodd used to be. Who knows now? I doubt even he does. I think the whole team (bar Hugene) is completely befuddled. No-one knows what they are anymore. Well, the fans do. At present the team is crap.
It’s not that the players have forgotten how to play. Lots of these guys made the world sit up and take notice last year. What has happened is that they’ve completely lost the idea of how to play together.
That’s the manager’s job, the coach’s job. They’re failing.
Some would say that the FFA ownership is to blame. Other (more or less fantastical) theories abound as to why we have fallen from grace so speedily and so cruelly. In the end, it doesn’t matter what has happened. What matters is what will happen.
Here’s a best case scenario. Owusu comes back from the Youth team fit and sharp. Cristiano decides to play two good games in a row. Adam Hughes is signed by Manchester United (or anyone!) and has to leave suddenly.
Marrone comes back better than ever. So does Reid. Jamo and Barbs get played. Travis wakes up. Viddie remembers that he used to enjoy his job. The club gets an owner who loves football and has deep pockets.
Here’s a worst case scenario. None of that happens and next week is more of the same. I know what I think is going to happen but I hope I’m wrong.
For the fans this is a year for the loyal and the brave. We’ve seen Glory fans sit through years of this pain. This year they’re seeing signs of light. If they can do it so can we.
Football is unkind. It scorches the soul. But what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.
So, back to Quo and selected lyrics from another of their (barely distinguishable) hits:
Is there a better way? Is there a better way?
Is there a better way ahead or just another day?
There's got to be a way to make a better day.
I'm gonna find a way to make a better day.
No matter what I do, do what you got to do.
But do it now because the time is running out on you.
You've got to find a way to make a better day.
You've got to live and learn to fight another day
Quo, renowned for their early commitment to recycling (they used the same chords in hundreds of songs) and a musical philosophy based around repetition being the cornerstone of creativity remind me of the way the Reds are playing. Some would call it, ‘Stuck in a Rut’.
All year the fans have been screaming for our forwards to actually be played as forwards. But no, midfielders will do.
All year the fans have been asking why Hughes and Pantelis walk into the first XI if they’re fit, despite the fact they’re struggling to make an impact. Well, obviously they’re better than Jamo and Barbiero because those two – despite showing heart, drive and skill - get left on the bench.
More importantly, all year the fans have faithfully turned up to watch their team implode and their world-beating coach slowly descend into a broken, rambling shadow of himself.
Cue the great Quo with their 1975 hit, “Down, Down”:
I want all the world to see
To see you're laughing
And you're laughing at me.
I can take it all from you
Again, again, again, again, again, again, again
Deeper and down.
Down, down, deeper and down.
Well there’s no further to go. At this point we all applaud the fact that relegation isn’t possible. Humiliation maybe, but not relegation.
Fury deserved to beat us on Saturday if only because they’re prepared to use what they have and trust ageing forwards who have shown that they really can play.
Does anyone here think Robbie Fowler is faster or fitter than Cristiano or Owusu? Of course he’s not. Obviously his pedigree is better but he’s not been at the top level for a long time. He is a goal scorer though. That’s rare. So are Cristiano and Lloyd. Or they would be if given a chance. They’ve proven it before. Let’s face it, we haven’t got options really.
Leckie’s a goalscorer but not a forward. Travis Dodd used to be. Who knows now? I doubt even he does. I think the whole team (bar Hugene) is completely befuddled. No-one knows what they are anymore. Well, the fans do. At present the team is crap.
It’s not that the players have forgotten how to play. Lots of these guys made the world sit up and take notice last year. What has happened is that they’ve completely lost the idea of how to play together.
That’s the manager’s job, the coach’s job. They’re failing.
Some would say that the FFA ownership is to blame. Other (more or less fantastical) theories abound as to why we have fallen from grace so speedily and so cruelly. In the end, it doesn’t matter what has happened. What matters is what will happen.
Here’s a best case scenario. Owusu comes back from the Youth team fit and sharp. Cristiano decides to play two good games in a row. Adam Hughes is signed by Manchester United (or anyone!) and has to leave suddenly.
Marrone comes back better than ever. So does Reid. Jamo and Barbs get played. Travis wakes up. Viddie remembers that he used to enjoy his job. The club gets an owner who loves football and has deep pockets.
Here’s a worst case scenario. None of that happens and next week is more of the same. I know what I think is going to happen but I hope I’m wrong.
For the fans this is a year for the loyal and the brave. We’ve seen Glory fans sit through years of this pain. This year they’re seeing signs of light. If they can do it so can we.
Football is unkind. It scorches the soul. But what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.
So, back to Quo and selected lyrics from another of their (barely distinguishable) hits:
Is there a better way? Is there a better way?
Is there a better way ahead or just another day?
There's got to be a way to make a better day.
I'm gonna find a way to make a better day.
No matter what I do, do what you got to do.
But do it now because the time is running out on you.
You've got to find a way to make a better day.
You've got to live and learn to fight another day
