Tommy, not only do I not watch the same game as you, I don't reckon I even support the same club as you. Because the club I support has by far the smallest gates in the football league and, as the chairman, quite rightly, doesn't spend what he hasn't got, therefore has the smallest budget in the football league. To take such a club into the conference from the unibond and keep them there would be quite a feat in itself, but to take such a club into the promised land of the football league would be nothing short of a miracle. Coley gave us that miracle and whatever individual mistakes he makes in tactics and substitutions (and what manager doesn't?) the fact that he has kept us there for two-and-a-quarter seasons so far proves the worth of the man.
Supposing we took the advice of many on here and replaced him with a new manager? He'd still have the same old problems to contend with - trying to buy league standard players on a non-league budget, offering players £500 a week while other clubs are offering £1000+, attempting to pick up loan signings wherever he can. And would he have the same passion for the club that Coley has?...a passion that came through all too clearly in part two of the TV series. Would he cancel his birthday dinner with the missus, because the team lost a match in the last few minutes?
Just for a little while on Saturday, I had a glimpse of what Stanley could be like. The team playing with skill and flair, the Clayton End buzzing with excitement and the Ultras (and everyone else!) outsinging a "big club's" fans. I want more of that and, despite the outcome of the match, I still think Coley can achieve it for us.
And, yes, I'm sure all you football tacticians will shoot me down in flames, but I don't care, I'm a football romantic with Stanley in my soul...and, you know something? I reckon Coley is, too!
