It's all about the money, all about the dum dum diddle di dum

Being gifted in the art of timing, I should have expected that the day of my column writing would fall on a day when news like we have just heard would break. Too late for me to change it all, so this week's page can be considered 'Before the Flood'

Why do you build me up………and let me down…..now turn it around !!

Unbeaten in six, and even though we were never hitting the entertainment highs, we were on a run, and getting somewhere at least. The midweek journey to Shrewsbury has been well covered by the various match reports which all capture the mood, but those who were there witnessed one of the most passionless ninety minutes of football for a long time. You cannot even blame the much maligned wing back formation for lack of passion; passion is down to individuals. My only slight disagreement with Clive Hughes was that I though the team's performance did lift slightly when John Williams was introduced in the second half. Having said that, let's keep things in perspective here, and understand that for most of the match there was more chance of the bare winter trees, which shadowed the length of the home terracing, bursting into flower than there was of us hitting a meaningful shot on target.

Big Mama is a shell of what he was a few months ago, and the poor distribution and harassed looks of the players on the field is, at the moment, leaving us looking a very poor team, against teams that are themselves poor.

Our first corner was after 50 minutes; the first shot on target never arrived. In line with many other areas of current business strategy and thinking which football generally seems to avoid, personal responsibility for players' performances appears to be sadly lacking. The travelling fans left the ground feeling dejected and let down not for the first time this season. Those who travelled to Macclesfield particularly will agree I am sure.

I don't want to go to Chelsea

If nothing else, then hopefully the defeat at Gay Meadow has at least killed off the hopes of those whose aspirations for the club went way beyond the reality for this year. After the traumatic season that we have had on and off the pitch; with a new management committee in place; finances seemingly heading towards some semblance of stability and numerous contractual negotiations ahead, the last thing that this club needed was the threat of a fluke promotion through the play off places. Even though all form guides showed us falling someway short, the mathematical possibility did, and still does exist. Hopefully however, the chance has now passed us by and the owners at the club can start to plan ahead for the 2002/2003 campaign. With some sensible squad stripping and strengthening, the appointment of whichever management team they decide upon, and some much needed focus from the players on the field, next year could see us return to some level of success in terms of results and league position, and also return to reasonable gates, which will help the steadying of the financial raft.

Lives in the balance…..

Fan patience will still be a critical factor, as decisions that will have to be made will not always be popular amongst supporters. Football is a risk game with financial decision sometimes bordering on gambling. You only have to Play nurse to see the factors that can come into play, and those which have greatest influence on the scales. All we can hope is that the owners do make decisions with the best interest of the club to the fore. No one should under-estimate the task that the management committee have taken on board, and despite every fan's hope, it seems that the pot of gold is not part of the consortium. Good housekeeping is what will be needed is the message we hear. Right price for the right product. Time will be the judge, and no doubt the clock has already started to tick. It is time for some open talking, and some transparency in what is going on. Confidentiality goes without saying on some issues, but if the Trust, the fans, the club, are all in it together, we may just get somewhere.

Later……………….

After typing all this on Thursday afternoon, the news broke………..now if only I did the Monday column.

If anyone has any feedback to give me, I'd love to hear from you at pauly@scfc.co.uk