Playing: JH, TH TW, RH, TK, PC, CB, DC (coach)

Score: 3 Red Peppers to 1 Nannas

Mid season analysis.

After a string of losses the Nannas sit near the bottom of the table. This week we were beaten by an average adversary, who we should’ve done better against. The week before we apparently played worse (although no one really wants to talk about it) but suffice it say our prospects for this season are looking bleak.

So it becomes incumbent on this Nanna to examine closely how the Nannas are travelling and suggest, from my seat on the train, how we might salvage something from the season.

Last night was one of only a handful of games I had played this season. There wasn’t that much difference to a lot of other outings. We were fairly tight at the back (they only tore us open on one occasion), we were mostly in control of our passing (meaning, we still did kick it away a lot). And we did pull some good moves from time to time but suffered that most heinous affliction, which usually happens against Hampton FC, of not being able to score.

The problem, from this correspondent’s point of view, does not come specifically from any one team member.

The Captain continues to impress with his form, following on from a strong showing last season. Indeed, he seems to be having something of rennainance with his running, passing and shooting. While the years have slowed him somewhat (I can see him straining, trying to make his non-compliant body move more swiftly) his touch and confidence have been outstanding.

Chassy, by contrast, has lost nothing of his speed, moving about the court, lithe as a tiger, hungry for the ball and a piece of anyone that gets in his way. Chassy has the skills and a shot to rival any of the Nannas but could take more time over the ball, meaning a touch every now and then, so he can use these his attributes more effectively.

Then there’s Tao. One of our key competitive animals and when on song indispensable to our fortunes. He embodies the true Nanna spirit of fight, fight and then fight some more. Was good last night and is now passing earlier but at times lets his emotions rule him.

Tommy remains Tommy, dependable, unflappable and most times the keeper of the Nanna’s rational side (except when he’s arguing with Gilla at a halftime interval). Could play more on the balls of his feet, ready to snuff out danger or toe poke home when the opportunity arises.

Takesh. Last night Takeshi was magnificent in goals and except for a blemish approaching half time would have been man of the match, hands down, again showing his extraordinary powers in goals. He may not have the flair or the long shot of Gilla but he more than makes up for it in pure balls.

Last but by no means least was the ringer, aka Pete Circuit. Pete, by his own admission, may not be the most skillful player (which probably describes most Nannas) but showed guts, no hesitation to get his hands dirty (the way he bundled opponents made me proud) and a willingness to put the team ahead of his own self, running himself into the ground, at which time he had to come off and have a lie down. But he soon pulled himself up to do it all over again.

So the problem then is not with the personnel we have been putting on the field. And unlike this game, for the most part we have been getting on the scoresheet nicely. But sometimes you do get the feeling, as do some of our opponents, that some of our goals are all arse: the dipping shot from downtown; the patented Nanna sucker punch (the header coming from a Gill throw). Don’t get me wrong, there have been some fine moves and fine goals over the last little while (recent efforts from Hinkley, Chassy and Tao come to mind) but what we are sorely missing is that selfish, single-minded striker, someone who can steady in front of goal and consistently put a couple away. To my mind only Cocky truly brings this to the side. Get better soon striker.

A second problem is structure and awareness. The Nannas have neither. On too many occasions we fail to recognise space staring us in the face, instead wanting to be played the ball in bad position. On a number of times the other night we had all bunched in our own half drawing our direct opponents with us, leaving, as they say in footy, our forward 50 very open. A lobbed ball into that space with someone running onto it would have resulted in a one on one with the goalie but no one really noticed and the opportunity went begging.

For any Nannas going forward, remember Ian Wright, who said, ‘it’s the off the ball running that kills ‘em.’

Maybe it’s time the coach and his assistant get out their whiteboard and get the Nannas working on a couple of simple things that could potentially buy us more time and easy opportunities.

Afterward we went to Africa Town and much to my surprise my choice of venue was voted on. Someone in their infinite wisdom decided to add another layer of beige to what is already, every Thursday, a very brown set of proceedings. Never let it be said that the Nannas don’t live up to their name.

Anyhow, before voting I heard someone comment that their bread was cold (no shit!), then gave me a one.