If 80% fit Tardif right to pick himself
AS WORST-KEPT secrets go, Chris Tardif returning to action a month before the Hepburn’s Muratti Vase final was up there with the leakiest.
But will the fledgling island coach go the whole hog and select himself to start?
It’s an intriguing question, but probably one that should be answered in the affirmative.
As hard as that would be on the likes of Jason Martin and Leroi Riley the blunt truth is that an 80% Tardif still has the edge.
Martin has had a fine season for St Martin’s and did nothing wrong against Alderney, but aerially and in terms of defensive organisation he does not have the stature of Tardif.
Riley, quite simply, has not helped himself in the quest to retain the No. 1 jersey he wore so impressively against the Caesareans last year.
There has been no serious dip in form by Riley, simply that he has not been there too often.
Overall, the selection options are looking good for Tardif and his assistants, who have become ever more prominent on the sidelines in recent weeks, be that at FNB Priaulx League action or in the Garenne Stand watching GFC as John Nobes was in midweek.
Not so long ago – well, when Tardif was fit and Ross Allen still around – you could make a strong argument in saying pick the strongest GFC team.
That, of course, is no longer applicable, although there are stories, or should I say texts – no more than that – that suggest Allen might just be taking a holiday in this part of the world in early May.
By then, of course, we will have newly and probably freshly crowned FNB Priaulx League champions, the title issue perhaps not settled until 1 May when Saints host Vale Rec.
Personally, I favour the title being retained by Rovers a few days earlier when Saints travel to Port Soif in the final game between the big three.
Nothing is in any way certain, though, and you cannot rule out North who are finally shaping up as we expected they would back last August.
If they don’t manage to pull it out of the hat they can only have themselves to blame, or more specifically a pitch that is not up to the job and, certainly, not up to catering for another senior club.
My Muratti XI (now): (3-1-4-2)
Tardif; Strawbridge, Le Prevost, Dodd; R. Marsh; de la Mare, Coulter, Young, H. Tobin; Rihoy, Fazakerley.
