So tomorrow is the big one, the start of the 2011/2012 season. My God I can't wait.
Like a kid at Christmas I have been getting more and more excited about the new season, which is a bit silly as I could potentially be spending the next 9 months watching some of the worst football I have ever seen. Having said that, I am confident that this will not be the case. Wood have got a good footballing philosophy, with Ian Allinson encouraging his players to get the ball down and play, and with the new recruits brought in over the summer, Wood should play some attractive stuff.
The first league game of the season brings Havant and Waterlooville to Meadow Park. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a bit of a fond spot for Havant after their plucky efforts in the FA Cup in 2008, going ahead twice at Anfield in round four before ultimately succumbing to Liverpool's superior class. They were also the subject of one of my favourite stories of the Non League Pre-Season, as they stepped in at the 11th hour to face the mighty Real Betis in a friendly after Portsmouth got stranded in the USA. Betis unsurprisingly ran out 7-0 winners, but it was a great day for all concerned, and it's not often that you get a large Spanish side (who once held the world record transfer for Denilson - no, not THAT one) turning out at a Blue Square South ground. That is, of course, until Barcelona face up to their one true rival in European Football and bring Messi, Iniesta et al to Meadow Park.
Looking through their squad list, one name jumps out at me - that of Lee Peacock, who joined the side over the summer. Having played at, amongst others, Manchester City, Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday, Peacock brings vast experience to the Havant side, and should be a real danger to the Wood backline tomorrow afternoon. Due to their locality there is also obviously a Portsmouth connection with the club, not only through manager Shaun Gale, but also in their goalkeeping coach, Pompey legend Alan Knight. They will however, be feeling the loss of Guiseppe Sole amongst others, who left after one season to try and gain promotion at title favourites Woking. I imagine the Havant fans would like to call upon Dean Holdsworth, Liam Daish and Rocky Baptiste (remember THIS?) in their prime to help out now, who are listed amongst the notable players to have turned out at Westleigh Park.
PREDICTIONS
Wood will have a lot to prove this season after heavy investment, and certainly chairman Danny Hunter will want to see his outlay repaid in good performances on the field. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say by the end of the 2011/2012 season, Wood will have been pushing for, if not in the Play Offs. Wood have bought well, and the signs from pre-season were mostly encouraging. With the likes of Daryl McMahon and Mario Noto pulling strings in midfield, as well as the significant work done on the back line in the form of goalkeeper Michael Jordan and defenders Charlie O' Laughlin, James Smith and the return of Luke Wilkinson, Boreham Wood now have the right balance and a strong spine in the side, not to mention up and coming prospects such as Inih Effiong waiting to grab their opportunities in the first team.
As for tomorrow, I'm expecting a decent game , with both sides looking to put a marker down for the season to come. Wood will want to impress their fans on their first competitive fixture of a largely new side, whilst Havant will want to ease the fears of manager Shaun Gale, who recently got the dreaded 'Vote of Confidence' from his board. I'm going for a 2-1 victory for Wood, to get their season off to a flyer.
Thanks for reading, and as always, feedback is appreciated. Best of luck to all Non League teams (except against Wood) and fans for the coming season and if you are not at game yourself, why not pop along to Boreham Wood? It's easily accessible by train (25 mins from Kings Cross) and car (just off the A1), and with first class facilities for food and drink, you'd be hard pressed to find a better set up at this level.
Enjoy your weekend, enjoy your games - please tell your friends about this blog! I can be found on the comments section or on twitter @wearethewood.
Until next time…
WE ARE THE WOOD!
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