Pre-Season Debate

By: David Peasgood
Date: 05/08/2000

The Pre-Season Debate

David Peasgood this week finds Fred and Bert have considered the pre season friendlies to date.
Hear their views and YOU decide in our latest 'fishy' poll.

The Pre-Season Debate

FRED:
Bloody rubbish our Town. A load of draws and the only team we could beat was some village mob from Ireland. We're gonna get stuffed this year.

BERT:
Don't be daft. No-one believes pre-season friendlies anyway. Look at Palace. they lost 0-5 at home to Crawley.

FRED:
Yeah and the manager Coppell just got sacked......!

BERT:
Yeah well OK bad example. Lets try Dundee then, Bonetti and all that. We held them to a draw and they went on to win at Everton and they're top of the Scottish premiership now. THAT can't be bad.

FRED:
It wasn't a proper game. We subbed half the team.

BERT:
Precisely! How many friendlies are really proper games? Anyway it was a good game until the substitutions, and they were all part of giving everyone a run out. I say this pre season has been a success so far.

FRED:
A success! How do you work that one out?

BERT:
There's been some cracking attendances. Dundee and Luton games for a start.

FRED:
That's cos of reduced prices. That's one for the board to realise too. You'd fill this ground if the price was right. Anyway I digress. Where is this mystical success?

BERT:
For a start Handyside is back. This time last year he was knackered for the year. Having him back is like signing a £500,000 player since last year. Then there's Burnett, careful and slow as he is at present, he still oozes class and he's at least clocking up pitch time so he has to be in with a chance. Then we've got this Andy Smith and the big Jeffrey lad on trial. Keegan rated Jeffreys or whatever his name is. Then we've got Raven signed on and he's a decent looking lad already.

FRED:
Yeah and we've lost Ashcroft and Lester.

BERT:
We lost Lester ages ago. Losing Ashcroft is a shame to me but how you can call it a loss beats me. What did you call him last year? Waste of money? Fatboy? A lazy bugger with more chins than you'd had hot dinners? I remember it all mate. We'd be better off without him you said.

FRED:
That's as maybe. Least he scored goals.

BERT:
Half were penalties.

FRED:
Yeah well they still count. Who's scored for us so far? Handyside and Groves from the back four is a bit worrying.

BERT:
Kingsley Black and Clare too. Don't just overlook them cos it doesn't suit you.

FRED:
Okay but Kingsley wont play that many games will he? and where's Allen's goals.

BERT:
I don't see why Kingsley cant play regularly and I don't see why Allen and Clare can't forge a good partnership. Handyside running defence and Burnett/Pouton/Stacy in midfield is promising too. Patience is what you need my boy.

FRED:
PATIENCE!! Don't be daft, you're talking to a town supporter here. I hope you're right but I can already see us losing 0-1 to Preston.

BERT:
I don't know why you bother

FRED:
You what! Wouldn't miss it for the world.

Now for the vote...

Add To Facebook

This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!

Related Stories

• Fred and Bert
• More Stories