Home
BWSA nights are usually quite reserved, friendly and chilled out evenings with players attending to answer questions and fans getting together to talk all things Wanderers. With this one following what was a diabolical showing at the weekend, I was slightly concerned that tonight would be quite the opposite and that some may show up purely to vent their understandable concerns. Thankfully though, it went for the majority of the time OK.
Credit was given to both Zat and Ray...Jay for showing up when they could quite easily have bailed and straight away they apologised for the Reading display. That game has had an obvious effect on the two and from what they said, the squad as a whole. They know that what they produced on not just Saturday, but the whole season, isn't good enough and nowhere near what they and we as fans expected of the campaign.
They understood that they could only apologise so much, but they realise the only way to really apologise is to produce better, much better, on Saturday and in particular next Tuesday in the league game against QPR.
Chris Elden asked the question about playing in front of the Reebok crowd and whether they preferred playing away, Zat understood fans frustrations at home, but asked for the fans to stay on board and become the 12th man again, he also pointed out that whilst understanding booing at full time, booing during the game and at half time does have a negative effect on the team.
There were a few injury updates, Cavies has struggled all season with a series of niggly hamstring strains, and they confirmed that Holden is returning to the US for a week soon, and will return to step up match fitness. Zat was asked about his preferred centre half partner and it was pointed out that both had played better with Ream. Knight said with Ream being left sided and he and Mills both being right, it definitely brought more balance to the back four. Asked about team rotation, both said this was DF's choice and usually done with the opposition in mind.
They let slip that keeping players happy was also a factor, but they also mentioned about 'rebellious' players in the squad. They named no names, but its clear there are some divisions there. I asked about the captaincy and you can see the answer on The Reebok Roar Facebook Page ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] for a video of the answer. (Basically Spearing is the vice captain and Zat is the club captain and they are both happy with the way things are)
A gentleman who turned up late took the mic and praised Jay for his spirit and fight, he then turned on Zat and started to lay into him, claiming he was past it and only there to claim his wage, which he also said of other players. Marc Iles stepped in briefly, but the mic was grabbed by Spearing who calmly, but firmly told the man he was out of order, not for his opinion, but for the manner he had put it across.
I was surprised that he was the only one to voice this view as talk on twitter suggested masses of fans would be showing up to vent like this, but he was the only one. Spearing's reaction and defence of his team mate was admirable and proved to me there is a team spirit and togetherness in the majority of the camp.
Pete Entwhistle, founder of the BWSA also took the mic and asked fans to stop the negativity and pull together and get behind the fans. When asked about formations, Spearing said he preferred the midfield diamond we played against B'pool.
What I took from the Q&A was that we have so far taken this league and some sides too lightly, both admitted a certain degree of arrogance and perhaps believing they are better than they are. Only time will tell, but for as awful and depressing as Saturday was, perhaps that game has served as a severe wake up call for the players. As Jay said, every game now is a cup final game....
This report was written by Paul Tunnicliffe on the Reebok Roar Supporters Page - He is also a member on here (Tunster I think)
Credit was given to both Zat and Ray...Jay for showing up when they could quite easily have bailed and straight away they apologised for the Reading display. That game has had an obvious effect on the two and from what they said, the squad as a whole. They know that what they produced on not just Saturday, but the whole season, isn't good enough and nowhere near what they and we as fans expected of the campaign.
They understood that they could only apologise so much, but they realise the only way to really apologise is to produce better, much better, on Saturday and in particular next Tuesday in the league game against QPR.
Chris Elden asked the question about playing in front of the Reebok crowd and whether they preferred playing away, Zat understood fans frustrations at home, but asked for the fans to stay on board and become the 12th man again, he also pointed out that whilst understanding booing at full time, booing during the game and at half time does have a negative effect on the team.
There were a few injury updates, Cavies has struggled all season with a series of niggly hamstring strains, and they confirmed that Holden is returning to the US for a week soon, and will return to step up match fitness. Zat was asked about his preferred centre half partner and it was pointed out that both had played better with Ream. Knight said with Ream being left sided and he and Mills both being right, it definitely brought more balance to the back four. Asked about team rotation, both said this was DF's choice and usually done with the opposition in mind.
They let slip that keeping players happy was also a factor, but they also mentioned about 'rebellious' players in the squad. They named no names, but its clear there are some divisions there. I asked about the captaincy and you can see the answer on The Reebok Roar Facebook Page ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] for a video of the answer. (Basically Spearing is the vice captain and Zat is the club captain and they are both happy with the way things are)
A gentleman who turned up late took the mic and praised Jay for his spirit and fight, he then turned on Zat and started to lay into him, claiming he was past it and only there to claim his wage, which he also said of other players. Marc Iles stepped in briefly, but the mic was grabbed by Spearing who calmly, but firmly told the man he was out of order, not for his opinion, but for the manner he had put it across.
I was surprised that he was the only one to voice this view as talk on twitter suggested masses of fans would be showing up to vent like this, but he was the only one. Spearing's reaction and defence of his team mate was admirable and proved to me there is a team spirit and togetherness in the majority of the camp.
Pete Entwhistle, founder of the BWSA also took the mic and asked fans to stop the negativity and pull together and get behind the fans. When asked about formations, Spearing said he preferred the midfield diamond we played against B'pool.
What I took from the Q&A was that we have so far taken this league and some sides too lightly, both admitted a certain degree of arrogance and perhaps believing they are better than they are. Only time will tell, but for as awful and depressing as Saturday was, perhaps that game has served as a severe wake up call for the players. As Jay said, every game now is a cup final game....
This report was written by Paul Tunnicliffe on the Reebok Roar Supporters Page - He is also a member on here (Tunster I think)
