Nothing unlucky about being last five years in row
LIKE most things in life, sport is often unfair.
LIKE most things in life, sport is often unfair.
Take our Division One football scene for instance.
Sylvans will argue they were unlucky not to get at least a point against Bels, the leaders, last Saturday.
Rovers' coaches and committee could argue that it's unfair that all the other clubs have the decent players and nobody will join them.
In both cases, the chip on the shoulder is misplaced.
For all their gallant efforts, youthful promise and energy, Sylvans were not unlucky to lose. Bels, even in third gear and going through the motions, were better and created many more chances.
On the same afternoon, Rovers, who were being edged out 1-0 by Vale Rec to clock up league defeat number 13 this season, have now won just once in 37 starts over the past two campaigns.
Such a record does not smack as unlucky to me, more a case of ineptitude.
Look at the club's 10-year record and you will see the Blues finish rock-bottom six times, including this year.
This will be their fifth straight plum-last finish and on each other occasion since 1999-2000 only Rangers have finished below them.
By rights, Rovers, who earned their Priaulx spot in 1974 on the back of placing sixth in the Jackson – but importantly they had their own ground – should not be in the top division.
Their modern record does not deserve it and the fact that they have been allowed to remain in it is not good for the league or, I would argue, good for them.
Two Januarys back after being dumped out of the FA Cup by Tiger City/St Jacques, I heard it said that Rovers were thinking of withdrawing from the Priaulx.
The suggestion got this old Rover's blood boiling and it seemed to me the ultimate example that while the club were doing so much right off the pitch in terms of developing facilities, there was a sad lack of ambition on the competitive front. The white flag was fluttering in the Port Soif winds all too quickly.
But Rovers will finish bottom again this season and it has been clear from very early on that they would.
The players must be fed up with losing, while opposition teams can take no joy in beating them.
It's time they bucked up their ideas or were asked to take a step down, build again among the Centrals of this world, and prove their worth. After all, they have had enough chances.
I would urge the GFA to introduce one-up, one down between Divisions One and Two from next season.
My old team, bless them, and believe me I sincerely long for the day they are among the true elite, need a big stick wielded their way as it may be the only way to break out of this damaging cycle of perennial struggle.
Going down would not be the end of the world and certainly be better than another year of aimless drift. I would hope they would use it to rebuild, win regularly at a lower level and gain some confidence from doing so.
Sylvans, meanwhile, have no such worries and full credit to Clive Bateman and his team at St Peter's where the westerners have made light of losing half a team either to other sides, injury or retirement.
Their league position (sixth) belies their ability and promise. I like what I see and I hope the players out west buy into what Bateman is trying to do.
Man for man, Sylvans are a better side than Rangers, who lie third. Put Ross Allen at the head of the westerners' attack and it would be Bateman's boys would be pushing for a Wheway spot.
They have some under-rated performers, not least keeper Ashley Williams who loses nothing in comparison to the men wearing the No. 1 shirt at the league's top two clubs.
Centre-back Tom Strawbridge and 'Nobby' Stanley, who is tigerish in his efforts on the right, have consistently impressed me.
And while I don't see anyone in their line-up I'd remotely consider for this year's Muratti side, you cannot rule out the likes of Strawbridge or Matt Le Prevost doing so in future.
