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PLEASE DON'T TAKE EVERY WORD LITERALLY, ITS DONE BY MEMORY AND I'M DOING BY BEST TO RELAY WHAT WAS SAID
This was a loyalty evening which was brought together by the club at short notice. Unfortunately it did mean that fans that live out of London could not make it, but it did allow questions to be asked to four players and it did give them the opportunity to answer questions about the season and general feeling. Present for the meeting was
Lee Cook
Martin Rowlands
Gareth Ainsworth
Damien Delaney
First of all, some questions could not be asked in regards to changes of managers, but before I give the responses to the questions, I would have to say it was Damien Delaney who went up a long way in my estimation, with honest and precise answers.
After a few general questions, it was the turn of the floor to ask.
First supporter made the point in regards to De Canio and the football we played under him, the fan said it was the best football we had seen in a number of years.
Cook, who had not played under him kept quiet, Rowlands said a little more in regards to the training being more attacking, but sometimes training was a little less intense and sometimes it was matter of just getting on with it. Ainsworth made the point that we conceded too many late goals and that we could not have played like that all season, and that season de Canio had a fit Vine, Buzsacky, rowlands and Ageymang was in the form of his life. Delaney said he got more forward with De canio, but the defensive areas were not really focused on, he enjoyed bombing down the wing, but appreciated that a happy medium needed to be found from the more defensive football we have played this season, to the attacking style we played last season.
All players were asked about the season. This is where Delaney's honesty was well appreciated by the group and applauded by the fans. Rowlands said he was not too disappointed and pointed to the fact we had played well against the so called better teams and Ainsworth agreed. Rowlands was also disappointed about the booing of certain players during the season. Delaney then piped up and said it was a totally disappointing season and that we hadn't beaten many teams below us so not too much to be happy about.
The players were asked about the stadium emptying after the Plymouth game, Rowlands said it was very strange to see a half empty stadium and he was disappointed about the fans leaving. Ainsworth said he could understand the disappointment, but the players needed our support.
I, then asked about the player of the year evening, in which I felt the players left too early. This gave martin Rowlands an opportunity to give the players side, me and others had been scathing of there departure. I understood from his reply, that this had already got back to the players. Rowlands made the point that the previous year he had left at 10.15 and this POTY they were in the hotel for a full 4 hours as a group of players until ten past eleven. He made the point, that players knew the discontent of the fans and some difficult questions would be asked and that it was easier for them to leave. I fully understand that, but did find it strange when he said they had booked a dinner elsewhere and had missed it to the late finishing of presentations at the POTY and just went to a club instead.
Ainsworth said he would ask for arrangements next season to be orgainsied so we started earlier and that everyone would be happy. He did apologise for the sponsors night for the attendees as well.
On he question of Bahrain, a positive and negative was given about its cancellation. Rowlands said that it would have been an opportunity to promote the club, but it did mean he could spend time with his daughters.
I get the impression they wanted to find a medium between the attacking style of de Canio and the more defensive side of recent managers. The point about tinkering the team was made and Ainsworth made the point that over Christmas it was thought that with Charlton bottom of the league we could win both games that and against Watford by switching the teams a little bit.
Cook said he would be doing much more strenghtening in the summer and he would have company along with Buzsacky and rowlands. Ainsworth plans to do his badges in the summer.
Highlight for Ainsworth was the Birmingham game and being in the snow and winning with 10 men.
Highlight for Rowlands was leading the club out at Old trafford, biggest disappointment was his injury at Forest
Highlight for Delaney was the Villa game
highlight Cook the Preston game and his goal versus Charlton.
Delaney was not making excuses, but said the pitch was in awful state and hoped it would be sorted in time for next season. Ainsworth pointed out that our style of play was not suited to a pitch like we've had. He has another one year playing contract left and still feels he can do a job.
The players were unaware at this stage, where pre-season will be but are determined to get iot right next season. Cook or Ainsworth made the point, this season we were 3 wins and a draw away from the play offs, but with everyone fit next season, they were expecting much more.
A lady had said she followed the team away all season , but would it be worth turning up on Sunday? rowlands, said he wouldn't be playing so gave the mic to Ainsworth who responded by saying that players need the fans and the players were determined to finish on a high.
Prompting me with a question, might remind of some more of what went on !!
This was a loyalty evening which was brought together by the club at short notice. Unfortunately it did mean that fans that live out of London could not make it, but it did allow questions to be asked to four players and it did give them the opportunity to answer questions about the season and general feeling. Present for the meeting was
Lee Cook
Martin Rowlands
Gareth Ainsworth
Damien Delaney
First of all, some questions could not be asked in regards to changes of managers, but before I give the responses to the questions, I would have to say it was Damien Delaney who went up a long way in my estimation, with honest and precise answers.
After a few general questions, it was the turn of the floor to ask.
First supporter made the point in regards to De Canio and the football we played under him, the fan said it was the best football we had seen in a number of years.
Cook, who had not played under him kept quiet, Rowlands said a little more in regards to the training being more attacking, but sometimes training was a little less intense and sometimes it was matter of just getting on with it. Ainsworth made the point that we conceded too many late goals and that we could not have played like that all season, and that season de Canio had a fit Vine, Buzsacky, rowlands and Ageymang was in the form of his life. Delaney said he got more forward with De canio, but the defensive areas were not really focused on, he enjoyed bombing down the wing, but appreciated that a happy medium needed to be found from the more defensive football we have played this season, to the attacking style we played last season.
All players were asked about the season. This is where Delaney's honesty was well appreciated by the group and applauded by the fans. Rowlands said he was not too disappointed and pointed to the fact we had played well against the so called better teams and Ainsworth agreed. Rowlands was also disappointed about the booing of certain players during the season. Delaney then piped up and said it was a totally disappointing season and that we hadn't beaten many teams below us so not too much to be happy about.
The players were asked about the stadium emptying after the Plymouth game, Rowlands said it was very strange to see a half empty stadium and he was disappointed about the fans leaving. Ainsworth said he could understand the disappointment, but the players needed our support.
I, then asked about the player of the year evening, in which I felt the players left too early. This gave martin Rowlands an opportunity to give the players side, me and others had been scathing of there departure. I understood from his reply, that this had already got back to the players. Rowlands made the point that the previous year he had left at 10.15 and this POTY they were in the hotel for a full 4 hours as a group of players until ten past eleven. He made the point, that players knew the discontent of the fans and some difficult questions would be asked and that it was easier for them to leave. I fully understand that, but did find it strange when he said they had booked a dinner elsewhere and had missed it to the late finishing of presentations at the POTY and just went to a club instead.
Ainsworth said he would ask for arrangements next season to be orgainsied so we started earlier and that everyone would be happy. He did apologise for the sponsors night for the attendees as well.
On he question of Bahrain, a positive and negative was given about its cancellation. Rowlands said that it would have been an opportunity to promote the club, but it did mean he could spend time with his daughters.
I get the impression they wanted to find a medium between the attacking style of de Canio and the more defensive side of recent managers. The point about tinkering the team was made and Ainsworth made the point that over Christmas it was thought that with Charlton bottom of the league we could win both games that and against Watford by switching the teams a little bit.
Cook said he would be doing much more strenghtening in the summer and he would have company along with Buzsacky and rowlands. Ainsworth plans to do his badges in the summer.
Highlight for Ainsworth was the Birmingham game and being in the snow and winning with 10 men.
Highlight for Rowlands was leading the club out at Old trafford, biggest disappointment was his injury at Forest
Highlight for Delaney was the Villa game
highlight Cook the Preston game and his goal versus Charlton.
Delaney was not making excuses, but said the pitch was in awful state and hoped it would be sorted in time for next season. Ainsworth pointed out that our style of play was not suited to a pitch like we've had. He has another one year playing contract left and still feels he can do a job.
The players were unaware at this stage, where pre-season will be but are determined to get iot right next season. Cook or Ainsworth made the point, this season we were 3 wins and a draw away from the play offs, but with everyone fit next season, they were expecting much more.
A lady had said she followed the team away all season , but would it be worth turning up on Sunday? rowlands, said he wouldn't be playing so gave the mic to Ainsworth who responded by saying that players need the fans and the players were determined to finish on a high.
Prompting me with a question, might remind of some more of what went on !!
Your spot on !!
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