For the first time in a long, long time. I was for some time and remain without doubt a massive MoN supporter and I desperately wanted him to succeed here and turn this season and his SAFC career around. He hasn't become a ****e manager all of a sudden but it was blatantly obvious that something was very wrong at the club in the past 4 or 5 months and Martin himself looked tired and weary for too long. The usual energy from the touchline and in press conferences, which we saw in great abundance when he first arrived, had been replaced by a man who looked increasingly ill at ease with his surroundings, the results and the task ahead. His departure was a very painful outcome for me and a very depressing day. That said things in football move on and a new man was sought. I hold my hand up when Paolo Di Canio was mentioned initially, my first thoughts were not complimentary. I just didn't think he would be right for us and wouldn't have the neccesary to take us forward. I thought him too volatile and lacking experience. I'm happy to admit my initial thoughts were somewhat hasty and incorrect. The media frenzy he endured on his appointment was a disgrace and a witch hunt of the kind of proportion reserved for mass murderers, rapists and child molesters, not a footballer with different political views and I was deeply ashamed of our press (not for the first time in recent years mind) for their crass and ill judged coverage but in a way, it actually worked in his and our favour. Far from driving a wedge between fans and manager, I think it had totally the opposite effect and actually united and created a defensive bond between us and the rest of the world from day one. I loved his attitude to it and his strength in defending the situation and it would seem he himself appreciated the words of support from fans and especially Byrne and Short. A little bit of us against the world brought us all together as fans as well. He has been nothing short of pure box office ever since and his passion, enthusiasm and burning ambition to succeed, shine through as brightly as any managerial appointment in my lifetime. Never has any player, manager or owner ever had such an amazing impact in my 4 decades following the lads and I find myself trawling the newspapers, tv stations and internet daily looking for snippets of info about what he has said or is planning. I'm obsessed with the bloke such is his aura. He has achieved a status that has taken others years to achieve and reserved for men who have been here and achieved much more. I have had mags ring me and talk to me about him and even telling me despite the result last week they actually loved those celebrations as we all love that kind of passion up here in this region. Its what football is all about and its difficult to ignore. So to that result last week and those touchline memories. A 3-0 win up the road in your 2nd game in charge is boys own stuff and he has bought himself a one way ticket to hero status overnight. In short we all believe again. I have not looked forward to going to the game as I am today for many a month. I am filled with an air of hope and expectation and I have a spring in my step for once. I can't wait to get there and sample the atmosphere and the crowds reaction to his introduction. Will he milk it? I bloody hope so and I think he will get a real feel for the club he has inherited here. He loved his time at West Ham and its understandable he has deep feelings for Hammers fans but here at SAFC we have a bigger club imo and a bigger fanbase of even more passionate and devoted fans and I think he will get a sense of that today. SAFC and PDC are truly made for each other and I like what I see. I'm very, very happy to admit I didn't see it at first and the players seem to have bought into him straight away too. He is an infectious character and I'm as smitten as the players seem to be. He has made going to the game a pleasure again and thats a very nice and surprising end to what has been a disappointing season so far. Bring on the Toffees. We are ready.
I was on the fence about him mate. Didn't know what to expect tactic wise but he's won me over with work rate and attention to detail. controversial comment coming right up. He's installed a fascist work ethic and I like it. Hard work, drive, determination, passion, all for one and one for all. With it I think we can expect loyalty, commitment and never say die attitude. These are the fascist ideals Paolo will stand for. Some can say any organisation, community, country can have this, true, but I ain't seeing a lot of it in the world I live in. These values are being installed and drummed in as second nature. Most footballers glide through their careers as though they've already had it. Can't teach them anything, they already know everything. We'll never have that attitude with PDC, he simply won't let you think that way. Here's to realising our potential and hopefully 3 points today!
I read somewhere that he is going to make a quiet entrance and no showman stuff from him, he'd rather let the players take the appluase. I'm pretty sure tha fans won't accept that so i expect to see him make some sort of acknowledgement, it would be just about impoossible not to. The crowd will be singing for him from the off, so it'll be hard to ignore us really. Come on Paulo, give is a wave.
I agree with sentiments above ... but Everton are our bogey team ... I would be very happy with a draw (1-1)
Never confident playing this lot, in the big scheme of things would take a point and another good performance. Get all three points and we are safe as far as I am concerned as we will smash stoke
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
If Everton don't get a cl spot, Moyes will be off. The board aren't showing any ambition, and they brought in no one in January. Moyes will be pissed off, and know he can do a lot better. And as soon as he leaves, Everton will drop faster than a Newcastle lass's gstring.
Very well put Cest. My first reaction was one of incredulity, but I'm happy to say I was wrong. The man just seems to get us
I was a big MON fan but I honestly thought we were doomed under MON I also thought that nobody out there could change the players attitudes. How wrong was I! Paolo has been a breath of fresh air. Great to see his enthusiasm and effort. The press, with their ridiculous reaction have shot themselves in the foot as it galvanised the club and fans in support of the new manager. All of a sudden we all seem to be singing fro the same hymn sheet. Paolo appreciates the board and fans for supporting him we support him as he is showing passion and commitment (maybe we wouldn't be so happy without the points but a great support was shown at Chelsea) this unity has brought us points. What he is doing seems simple. Extra training, eating meals together. Being a team. Now it's early days. Hopefully we are a big step towards safety now. 3 more points should more than do it. However questions have to be raised about the players. Awful under Bruce, flier under Marty, honeymoon over and back to awful. Now Paolo and we are flying again but how long until the players slump? Hopefully new signings in the summer to strengthen and we will be looking upwards. Too early to judge Paolo but he's got me smiling again, he has me proud of my team again and he is doing it with a thread bare squad and half a team. Cheers Paolo!
That league table looks mighty fine tonight. Can't see Wigan winning 3 out of their last 5 games now, or us losing 4 out of 4 now, which would need to happen to allow them to go above us. I'm just so relieved and grateful to the change around.
