Since Gary Waddock took charge of Wycombe Wanderers, the Blues have notched two points against rivals Colchester United and Exeter City. Wycombe remain bottom of the League One table, two points adrift of Tranmere Rovers and six from safety but signs of life are beginning to emerge.
Jon Paul-Pitman continues to display what a valuable asset he is to the club and it was his late equaliser against Colchester that secured a point. Fortunes were reversed however when the Blues faced Exeter at St. James' Park on Saturday with Barry Corr's header, again a goal conceded from a set-piece, deep into stoppage time that denied Wycombe their first away win of the season and Waddock's first in charge.
There do remain concerns however the signs of promise from the team appear to have the fans reinvigorated with a crucial home game against Walsall next Saturday to look forward to. It will be interesting to see whether the new manager alters the playing personnel or whether he believes that there is enough quality in the squad to avoid relegation. Could it be the previous system and style of play that were to blame for poor results? Against Exeter, Waddock employed the much maligned 4-5-1 formation that his predecessor favoured. One thing is certain, the Blues need a win quickly to give them confidence as they head into deepest winter.
williwycombe is an exile from the fair town of High Wycombe so does not get to attend many matches. Therefore his views and opinions should be treated thusly and not dissected as if he were some expert who actually witnessed events unfold first hand.
Monday, 26 October 2009
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Are We all Free to Make our Mind up About the BNP?
The BBC has defended itself against those who have criticised their decision to allow the British National Party leader Nick Griffin to appear on its flagship show, Question Time, this evening.
The director-general Mark Thompson has argued that not allowing the BNP on television would be 'censorship'. Meanwhile up to 300 police officers will line the television centre to prevent any disturbances from anti-racist campaigners escalating.
The BNP's recent success in this year's European elections, where they won 2 seats in the continental parliament, raised the extreme party's profile whose leader Griffin has made comments in the past such as 'the ultimate aim...still remains an all white-Britain' to the Financial Times in 2002.
He has also encouraged ferocious chagrin from the mainstream media fundamentally opposed to the party's principles. In the build up to the show, Griffin has already courted controversy this week by criticising former Army generals, including General Sir Richard Dannat, accusing them of being akin to Nazi war criminals for their involement in Afghanistan and Iraq, even going so far as to provocactively state that those Nazi generals were eventually hanged for waging illegal wars.
No matter what Griffin says and whatever reaction he provokes, should he be free to espouse views of hatred, often neatly packaged for the media he loathes to give them an acceptable facade, or should we censor and restrict partys like the BNP, in direct opposition to the spirit of democracy?
There is of course, as demonstrated by BNP successes at the ballot box, a danger that the propoganda machine of the far-right will cherry pick key issues that some members of the electorate can relate to; immigration, over-population, resource competition to name a few, thereby promoting the BNP's position on these subjects as an attractive one to those who are vulnerable and fearful of their own seat in society.
Democratically, despite protestations, the BNP are a legitimate political party and voters are entitled to choose to support them.
Most decent folk know that the veneer of respectability that the BNP have worked hard in recent years to cultivate, is nothing more than a sham with many newspapers exposing the often disturbed, criminal and downright weird element that reside in the inner sanctum of the party.
This is despite BNP claims of support from teachers, professors and other high ranking officials who the party count as their sympathisers. I am in no doubt that there are probably those who inhabit the lofty echelons of society who may sympathise with the BNP.
Immigration, multi-cultralism and British national identity are key issues that have been carefully tip-toed around for too long by the mainstream political parties. A population of 70 million in Britain within 20 years apparently does not keep Home Secretary Alan Johnson 'awake at night'.
But what of the issues surrounding infrastrucure, supply of resources and everything else this would entail?
It is these topics that the BNP touch upon that merit discussion, not the party's crude line on racial purity and immigrant repatriation. In allowing Nich Griffin on Question Time, a leader of a party whose constitution is inherently racist, the BBC awared him perhaps the finest political platform.
In their opinion, this may be democracy in action, but at what cost? Will the BNP attract more voters dissatisfied with the mainstream who might be looking for a protest vote or will Griffin be rightly exposed?
The director-general Mark Thompson has argued that not allowing the BNP on television would be 'censorship'. Meanwhile up to 300 police officers will line the television centre to prevent any disturbances from anti-racist campaigners escalating.
The BNP's recent success in this year's European elections, where they won 2 seats in the continental parliament, raised the extreme party's profile whose leader Griffin has made comments in the past such as 'the ultimate aim...still remains an all white-Britain' to the Financial Times in 2002.
He has also encouraged ferocious chagrin from the mainstream media fundamentally opposed to the party's principles. In the build up to the show, Griffin has already courted controversy this week by criticising former Army generals, including General Sir Richard Dannat, accusing them of being akin to Nazi war criminals for their involement in Afghanistan and Iraq, even going so far as to provocactively state that those Nazi generals were eventually hanged for waging illegal wars.
No matter what Griffin says and whatever reaction he provokes, should he be free to espouse views of hatred, often neatly packaged for the media he loathes to give them an acceptable facade, or should we censor and restrict partys like the BNP, in direct opposition to the spirit of democracy?
There is of course, as demonstrated by BNP successes at the ballot box, a danger that the propoganda machine of the far-right will cherry pick key issues that some members of the electorate can relate to; immigration, over-population, resource competition to name a few, thereby promoting the BNP's position on these subjects as an attractive one to those who are vulnerable and fearful of their own seat in society.
Democratically, despite protestations, the BNP are a legitimate political party and voters are entitled to choose to support them.
Most decent folk know that the veneer of respectability that the BNP have worked hard in recent years to cultivate, is nothing more than a sham with many newspapers exposing the often disturbed, criminal and downright weird element that reside in the inner sanctum of the party.
This is despite BNP claims of support from teachers, professors and other high ranking officials who the party count as their sympathisers. I am in no doubt that there are probably those who inhabit the lofty echelons of society who may sympathise with the BNP.
Immigration, multi-cultralism and British national identity are key issues that have been carefully tip-toed around for too long by the mainstream political parties. A population of 70 million in Britain within 20 years apparently does not keep Home Secretary Alan Johnson 'awake at night'.
But what of the issues surrounding infrastrucure, supply of resources and everything else this would entail?
It is these topics that the BNP touch upon that merit discussion, not the party's crude line on racial purity and immigrant repatriation. In allowing Nich Griffin on Question Time, a leader of a party whose constitution is inherently racist, the BBC awared him perhaps the finest political platform.
In their opinion, this may be democracy in action, but at what cost? Will the BNP attract more voters dissatisfied with the mainstream who might be looking for a protest vote or will Griffin be rightly exposed?
Friday, 16 October 2009
Taylor ‘walks away’ as Waddock and Kuhl Waltz into Wycombe
A whirlwind weekend in Wycombe Wanderers’ history has developed into a fresh mini-saga complete with a soap storyline accompaniment. Peter Taylor and his assistant Junior Lewis left the club by mutual consent on Friday afternoon leaving youth team coach Richard Dobson to take charge of the 3-2 defeat away at Gillingham the following day. Dobson was quoted as stating that his tenure would last for just one game and that he expected to be coaching the youth side on Monday.
On Tuesday afternoon it emerged that successful Aldershot Town boss Gary Waddock and his assistant Martin Kuhl are to take charge of the Chairboys in a chain of events that leaves many fans questioning Taylor’s departure and the quick-fire appointment of the new team at the helm. The official line coming out of the club has been that the decision to relieve Taylor of managerial duties was one made mutually with head of communications Alan Parry describing the former boss as an ‘honourable man’ who had seemingly taken the team as far as he possibly could.
Despite a disappointing start to the season, Taylor remains only the second manager to win promotion with the Blues during their Football League history and after just twelve games perhaps Chairman Steve Hayes’ patience was quickly wearing thin. Hayes has made it no secret that he is eager to transform the club into a force to be reckoned with in League One and no doubt the start to this campaign had left him, along with a section of the fan base, disillusioned. There are those however that subscribe to the belief that the problems lay not with the personnel but with the tactics employed and that this factor, combined with Taylor’s stubbornness or perceived reluctance to change the system, contributed to his exit.
When he resigned following the play-off defeat to Stockport County, former boss Paul Lambert insinuated that there were a few things that were not quite right behind the scenes at the club. It will interesting to see over the next few days and weeks whether lightning has struck twice and will Gary Waddock be able to change the team’s fortunes on the pitch?
On Tuesday afternoon it emerged that successful Aldershot Town boss Gary Waddock and his assistant Martin Kuhl are to take charge of the Chairboys in a chain of events that leaves many fans questioning Taylor’s departure and the quick-fire appointment of the new team at the helm. The official line coming out of the club has been that the decision to relieve Taylor of managerial duties was one made mutually with head of communications Alan Parry describing the former boss as an ‘honourable man’ who had seemingly taken the team as far as he possibly could.
Despite a disappointing start to the season, Taylor remains only the second manager to win promotion with the Blues during their Football League history and after just twelve games perhaps Chairman Steve Hayes’ patience was quickly wearing thin. Hayes has made it no secret that he is eager to transform the club into a force to be reckoned with in League One and no doubt the start to this campaign had left him, along with a section of the fan base, disillusioned. There are those however that subscribe to the belief that the problems lay not with the personnel but with the tactics employed and that this factor, combined with Taylor’s stubbornness or perceived reluctance to change the system, contributed to his exit.
When he resigned following the play-off defeat to Stockport County, former boss Paul Lambert insinuated that there were a few things that were not quite right behind the scenes at the club. It will interesting to see over the next few days and weeks whether lightning has struck twice and will Gary Waddock be able to change the team’s fortunes on the pitch?
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
New Government, New Dawn?
By the end of June 2010, it looks increasingly likely that Britain will be led by a new Conservative government faced with old questions; the economy, Afghanistan, confronting crime and the environment to name a few. Then there are those issues that will come to the forefront in subsequent years. Will Britain align with the United States on the world stage and agree to co-operate on solving problems in the Middle East and quelling the threats from Iran and North Korea? How will the Western superpowers deal with voracious China and the simmering veiled menace of former foe Russia? Energy and food security combined with climate change (man-made or part of a natural cycle, you decide) are also increasingly complex subjects for Britain as a member of the internatonal community to contribute towards solving.
This week at their annual party conference in Manchester, the Conservatives have been busily outlining their vision of the future. There is a focus on work, graft and the neccessity for massive cuts and public sector pay freezes. Critics have labelled the Tories bleak, the counter argument is that they are merely offering a heavy dose of realism that the country appreciates having been forced to swallow the soundbites of spin that have emmanated from New Labour for far too long.
Not completely enamoured by the Tories or David Cameron but seemingly desperate for some form of change, the British public need to know what changes they can expect, if any, from a new government. It is not entirely clear whether the new dawn will be positive or disasterous, not just for Britain but for everyone.
This week at their annual party conference in Manchester, the Conservatives have been busily outlining their vision of the future. There is a focus on work, graft and the neccessity for massive cuts and public sector pay freezes. Critics have labelled the Tories bleak, the counter argument is that they are merely offering a heavy dose of realism that the country appreciates having been forced to swallow the soundbites of spin that have emmanated from New Labour for far too long.
Not completely enamoured by the Tories or David Cameron but seemingly desperate for some form of change, the British public need to know what changes they can expect, if any, from a new government. It is not entirely clear whether the new dawn will be positive or disasterous, not just for Britain but for everyone.
Sunday, 20 September 2009
The Season So Far
Given the club rhetoric, long-suffering Blues fans could be forgiven for having entered this campaign with a sense of optimism, one that if it existed before, has since been severely diluted. The protracted 'takeover' (coup d'etat?) by local financial monolith and the self-proclaimed philanthropist (in terms of portraying himself as the only solution, the saviour, the bloke doing us a favour) Steve Hayes finally went through, halting manager Peter Taylor's advances in the transfer market. Supposedly this was going to usher in a new era of prosperity and limitless ambition with the Championship and the promise of a shiny new identikit stadium to house Wanderers and current tenants, the successful rugby union side, London Wasps. This sporting union would surely lay the foundations for an unstoppable enterprise that would ensure High Wycombe becomes the envy of the Home Counties. First, let us get on with the nasty business of dispatching with fallen giants Leeds, Charlton and Southampton then we can concentrate on the important task of plotting the downfall of the European greats.
Of course, things never do quite work out as those intended had hoped and after the 'bail out' was voted on, the bitterness and division amongst the fan base lingered and events on the pitch so far this season have done little to lift the cynicism. Languishing in the relegation zone with problems conceding goals and scoring them, the recipe for success is missing key ingredients including the notable absence of Tommy Doherty, struggling with injury and unable to participate in his own indomitable manner.
The opening day brought a courageous 3-2 defeat away at much fancied Charlton, a game and result which appeared to boost morale rather than dampen spirits. Even a subsequent defeat to Leeds was dismissed as par for the course in what was already regarded as a difficult beginning to the season. A point at home to a slick Southend side was given a mixed response. Whilst it was nice of the visitors to afford Wycombe their first notch on the league scoreboard, the manner in which Southend outclassed the Blues suggested that points were going to be exceedingly difficult to come by unless the team proved that they too have the ability to compete in the third tier. A 5—2 mauling at Norwich did little to prove doubters wrong and the critics were already starting to dissect the team's notable weaknesses. A home win against Bristol Rovers provided a brief respite as did a valuable away point at Hartlepool however the latest result, a 1-0 defeat at home to rivals MK Dons in the faux Bucks derby leaves Wanderers rooted near the bottom of the table and looking increasingly devoid of ideas.
The aforementioned Tommy Doherty's midfield presence is paradoxically essential to ensuring a better chance of success. The skill and graft he exerts on proceedings is often offset by a formidable temper that is also capable of contributing to the team's downfall in matches. Peter Taylor is also presented with a front line dilemma. At the other end, although the inclusion of ex-Chelsea and Stoke man Michael Dubbery has shored up the defence, putting the ball in the opposition net has proved difficult and the manager's selections have not always met with approval. Jon Paul-Pittman would do well to take note of Jermaine Defoe and remain a persistent goal scorer coming off the bench to perhaps one day merit a chance from the start. Matt Harrold is doing his best targetman impression however despite a goal against former club Southend, he has looked lacklustre in leading the line however the tactic employed of knocking the ball over his head cannot help. Meanwhile Stuart Beavon waits eagerly for an extended chance in the first -team, one that he may be afforded following his goal against Hartlepool.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
The Tragedy of Afghanistan
The whole country is in a solelm mood as it reflects on the deaths of several more young men, heroically fallen in their prime. As Operation Panther's Claw, designed to surge forward to clear what were believed to be only remnants of Taliban insurgents, continues, it becomes more apparent that throughout its duration, we will be hearing daily of similar tragedies.
We will lament the woefully inept hand that the Armed Forces have been given by the Government and surely the in-fighting and bittnerness between politicans and those associated with the Forces will intensify. A few leaked excerpts from one solider depict a sorry tale where those 'in theatre' (what a callous and reductive phrase) are often misguided and hopelessly under-equipped to carry out the tasks given to them.
Operation Panther's Claw, combined with the U.S military offensive, Operation Strike of the Sword, is supposed to be winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. They have become weary of air strikes felling their countrymen so a strategy aimed at taking on a malleable and evolving enemy head-on was sought. What of the thoughts of the British publiic? Confronted by the latest losses, there has been a remarkable stoical resillience. Support for the Armed Forces has reached a fresh high. How many hearts and minds across the world will have to undergo untold physical and mental anguish before this bloody war is over?
We will lament the woefully inept hand that the Armed Forces have been given by the Government and surely the in-fighting and bittnerness between politicans and those associated with the Forces will intensify. A few leaked excerpts from one solider depict a sorry tale where those 'in theatre' (what a callous and reductive phrase) are often misguided and hopelessly under-equipped to carry out the tasks given to them.
Operation Panther's Claw, combined with the U.S military offensive, Operation Strike of the Sword, is supposed to be winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. They have become weary of air strikes felling their countrymen so a strategy aimed at taking on a malleable and evolving enemy head-on was sought. What of the thoughts of the British publiic? Confronted by the latest losses, there has been a remarkable stoical resillience. Support for the Armed Forces has reached a fresh high. How many hearts and minds across the world will have to undergo untold physical and mental anguish before this bloody war is over?
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Promotion, Shares and the Summer of BB
Hurrah! We finally did it. Wycombe Wanderers achieved what had eluded them for the past five years and won promotion to League One. Congratulations to the whole squad. The Chairboys can now look forward to visiting the thrilling fields of fallen giants Charlton Athletic, Norwich City, Leeds United and Southampton. This next season could be one of the truly memorable ones with so many exciting fixtures to look forward to, including re-uniting with old sparring partners, Colchester United.
When examining the finer details of the forthcoming season, it is fascinating to consider that a few short years ago, Wycombe were facing Charlton at The Valley when they were a Premiership side and now we will be playing them on an equal footing. Our first pre-season fixture saw us beat AFC Wimbledon 1-0 with none other than former Premier League 'star' Carl Cort on trial for the Blues. Swings and roundabouts.
Changing tack completely, I have recently attempted to get involved in the murky world of share dealing. Unfortunately I've fallen at the first hurdle and lost interest already. If anyone can provide a layman's guide to share dealing for dummies, please get in touch.
The summer of Big Brother (am I the only one watching it this year?) continues with some pleasant surprises. Narcissistic Kris has been given the boot by the voting public, proving that there is still human decency in the wider populous. Please take Marcus with you before he sexually assaults 'cock-blocker' Noirin who has already succeeded in casting a spell over the ever so respectful and well educated Sree and continues her man-eating spree unabated.
Oh, there is also something called The Ashes going on as well. Summer is here.
When examining the finer details of the forthcoming season, it is fascinating to consider that a few short years ago, Wycombe were facing Charlton at The Valley when they were a Premiership side and now we will be playing them on an equal footing. Our first pre-season fixture saw us beat AFC Wimbledon 1-0 with none other than former Premier League 'star' Carl Cort on trial for the Blues. Swings and roundabouts.
Changing tack completely, I have recently attempted to get involved in the murky world of share dealing. Unfortunately I've fallen at the first hurdle and lost interest already. If anyone can provide a layman's guide to share dealing for dummies, please get in touch.
The summer of Big Brother (am I the only one watching it this year?) continues with some pleasant surprises. Narcissistic Kris has been given the boot by the voting public, proving that there is still human decency in the wider populous. Please take Marcus with you before he sexually assaults 'cock-blocker' Noirin who has already succeeded in casting a spell over the ever so respectful and well educated Sree and continues her man-eating spree unabated.
Oh, there is also something called The Ashes going on as well. Summer is here.
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