Mike Hudson was at Huish Park for the much-needed 1-0 win against AFC Fylde and here are his Five Conclusions.
It was a game that needed a moment. And boy did we get one! It wasn’t the most flowing of performances to say the least, and while we had large spells of possessions we struggled to impose ourselves on AFC Fylde, or create any moments of quality in the final third. Throughout the 90 minutes it felt like one of those games that just needed a moment of magic, a lucky bounce, or a controversial decision. But as the clock ticked into added time, it didn’t really feel like anything was coming. However, the boys didn’t give up and Mark Cooper in the technical area was encouraging them to keep going and speed things up during stoppages. A long ball from Aiden Stone was brilliantly controlled by McGuckin who played a lovely ball to the feet of Harvey Greenslade who finished superbly to send the Huish Park crowd into a moment of ecstasy. After the week we have all just lived through, it was a beautiful reminder of what football is all about and why we love this game so much.
Fair play to the team. Despite what anyone might say, Yeovil fans know all too well how matters off the pitch can affect performances on it. Mark Cooper said at the Fans Forum earlier in the season that players are hyper aware of what happens on social media, so no doubt they’ve seen it all this week too. However, the team showed a level of professionalism that has been painfully lacking from other areas of our club of late. It wasn’t the prettiest of performances, but the effort was there, and the result was deserved. It’s probably the points target we were all looking for at the start of the season, and we’ve achieved it with games to spare.
Ferguson deserved man of the match. AFC Fylde set up not to lose and to frustrate. After a shock win at home last time out against Forest Green, they looked every bit a team that have won only three times away from home this season and are fighting for survival. But credit to our defensive unit for ensuring they didn’t have a sniff. Ferguson, Terry and FCD were all superb for me, but I think the sponsors were correct in choosing Ferguson above the rest. With the instability of the club being advertised as for sale on Facebook a few hours before kick off, it seems pointless to talk about plans for next season just yet, but… if there’s any chance we can keep Ferguson. It would make me very happy.
Pic Gary Brown
The Yeovil Town fans showed up. I think that there has been an unfair amount of criticism and deflection towards the supporters of late. There is not a single person who walks through the turnstiles of Huish Park wanting the team to lose. No-one supports Yeovil Town for the glory, or expects us to win every week. I thought the fans that wanted to come, and were allowed to come, backed the lads to the end. The players and staff deserved that moment at the end absolutely, but so did the fans. We’ve only seen six wins at home all season, and after the previous seven days, drink up that moment you Glovers. You deserve it.
Something has to change. Just when you think you’ve hit rock bottom hey?! It’s been a rough week, which all began with some pointless comments in last weeks post match presser, and some completely unnecessary (and since deleted) social media activity. Since then we have had the financial accounts for last year released (eek), and then a number of fans being given two year bans for their social media activity (oh the irony!). Usually what happens in Yeovil stays in Yeovil, because let’s face it, no one else cares. However, we have made national news this week for all the wrong reasons. Martin Hellier has supposedly said he will be selling the club (again). Taking him at his word, hopefully this happens quickly. There is a growing and possibly irreparable disconnect. None of this will help to fill empty advertising hoardings or sale season tickets in a few weeks time. The next 12 months will be so important and we need someone at the helm with a vision to unite the land and the club, and just as importantly, the fans and the club.
Well said Mike…… Yeovil fans that turn out to watch their local team only want the best for the team the manager and the club.
There’s been a couple of tough games at home to watch but that’s football, personally I would never boo, it’s so negative as fans we have to support that will only help the team.
As far as the club sale is concerned we have to hope someone with deep pockets and patience will be interested because it’s a very expensive undertaking……
Well said Mike (and Steve).
I don’t mind saying there was a moment at the end of the game, after the excitement had settled a bit and somewhere near the exit, there was a “phew, at last!”
Genuinely delighted for the players, MC and the staff. After a crap week, that was more hurtful for some. It needed something positive and no matter how, it really….I mean REALLY needed to end with a win.
The cheering was louder, the fans got behind the players, and it was one of those injury times where it had to go in eventually.
Part of me wanted MC to look over, make eye contact and see (in the nicest way) me muttering: “yeah, d’yah see me clapping? That’s for you, you grumpy old so-and-so! Get out on that pitch and celebrate with the team, as you earned that one!” and not just for the three points. Well, his two extra minutes on the sidelines is a start I suppose.