Well am I glad this season is over? You bet I am. Having supported the Pilgrims for over 50 years I have never wanted the season to finish as much as this season and that includes when we were relegated from the Football League. This season has been utter garbage, I am not one who thought we would win the league nor that we have a divine right to get into the play offs. But I do expect we should be entertained at York Street and for the most part of this season we have not.
I was very much in favour of Craig's appointment last season and impressed by the entertainment we witnessed in the second half of the season. I was not disappointed that we didn't reach the play offs as I thought it may have been too soon. I was disappointed we were unable to keep the spine of that team (probably due to money?) but felt we should not overstretch ourselves financially - we have been there before. I was not carried away by the "star" signings in the close season as I questioned their recent record but fully supported them being moved on quickly as I thought they were a disruptive influence on the team.
But after that I have become increasingly annoyed by what I have seen at home matches. Such as before signing Allott and Smith hoofing the ball up to a non existent target man for a full game - and it wasn't working so for Gods sake change it. The ball kept coming back to put pressure on a shaky defence and ultimately goals were conceded and games lost - easily. I may not have managed a team, nor won a league title, but even I could work out it wasn't working.
Turning over nearly 50 players in a season will not bring success. Craig, you may like tinkering with your team but such a large turnover of players will not bring consistency or team spirit. I doubt whether the teams who finished in the play offs fielded anything like the number we did.
What happened to Thanoj and Abbott? From being as good as any midfield pairing in the league last season both players suffered alarming dips in form this season. Why? Are the players not up to it or too big for their boots or is it down to the manager/tactics? Whichever why are they signed for next season? Because I am left thinking we will get more of the same next season.
After the defeat by Altrincham earlier in the year I left the game wondering why I had bothered coming to the game. Not because we had lost or to a late goal. But we had been soundly beaten, anything less would have been an injustice to Altrincham. The games against Telford, Stockport and Chorley did not show an improvement to me, just how far adrift we were from having a play off team. Craig said we were not good enough for the play offs in March most supporters knew that in October.
For the last 12 years I have sponsored the team to say thank you to the Chestnuts for saving my club, to do my little bit. Next season I won't and I feel very guilty about that, disloyal to them. But I will not reward a manager (and team) who have given so little this season for him to waste during the close season. I may be wrong, I hope I am. If he changes the way the team plays to produce more entertaining football (and I do not mean winning) or indeed leaves I will sponsor the team again.
What I have said may upset some supporters but that is how I have felt this season (but pleased for our away support who have been rewarded with most of our better performances). And yes I will watch them again next season but may not attend as many games if this season's level of entertainment continues.