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Ben Herd on Paul Simpson, Darlington and the Premier League!
They say a week is a very long time in football and this past week has definitely proved that sentiment true for us at Aldershot. If we rewind the clock to this time last week, we had just lost our previous two games and faced my old team, Shrewsbury, in a make or break 6 pointer game. Wow, what a difference a week has made to our season two wins and we are right back in the play-off hunt. I'll start with the Shrewsbury game, I must say that I really did expect more from my old team and was a little surprised to see them set up in a very defensive formation, maybe they thought they could "smash and grab" a result by the odd goal. With Shrewsbury being my old team, people have asked me "was it nice to put one over your old boss?" I would like to say that as far as I am concerned I harbour absolutely no grudge against Paul Simpson, managers make decisions all of the time, some you like others you don't, I have moved on in my career and am enjoying my time down at "The Rec" and seeing my family more often, Simmo was sporting enough to shake my hand after the game and say he thought I had played well, something he didn't have to do and I was appreciative of the gesture.
Next up was a very long away trip to Darlington, we travelled up on the Monday and we didn't arrive in Darlo until 6pm. Not bad considering I left my house at 9am! It is always risky playing a team who have just sacked there manager and are a million miles away at the foot of the table. When a manager gets sacked from a club it really does take a lot of pressure off everyone at the club, players start to play with a bit more freedom and less pressure, which is something you have to be wary off. I must confess that Darlo away is not a fixture that I really look forward to and it didn't let me down, Darlo's stadium is starting to look neglected and slightly haggard, considering it is a relatively "new" stadium and with only 1200 people in attendance it was like playing in a reserve fixture, although there was only 1200 fans there they certainly gave me plenty of abuse, and as for the pitch...well, I have seen better playing surfaces in cow's fields! The performance on the night wasn't exactly vintage Aldershot, but to be perfectly honest I really don't care because I would gladly win our next 9 games like that, at this stage of the season 3 points is all that matters! There really is a renewed optimism in the camp and a real togetherness, and as I said last week talk is cheap, so we are going to just work hard in our remaining games and see where that takes us.
As I have just mentioned the season's conclusion is quickly approaching for all the leagues, I am sure that people are just as intrigued with the top and bottom of the Premier League. It looks like we are going to have a proper title race for once! Considering that I am writing for a betting website it would probably be beneficial to state who I think is going to finish where. I really have this nagging feeling that them lot from the other side of north London will win the title this year. It really is a case of my head saying: they have the easier fixtures and will take the title, and my heart saying I hope somebody stops them! I am going to go with: (1)Man Utd (2) Arsenal (3) Chelsea. As a Spurs fan this hypothetical table would pain me the least! As for the bottom three, it really is a case of 2 down one to go! Portsmouth and Burnley have gone in my opinion and I think it is a toss up between West Ham and Hull for the last relegation place. I really hope, again being a Spurs fan, that West Ham go down, there are far too many "Hammers" fans giving it the "big un" when they get anywhere near the top half of the table and treating Tottenham games as if it's their cup final! Will Ian Dowie galvanise Hull? I think he might and if you look at the two squads then you could argue that Hull have a bit more fight and steel about them! So to be relegated check out the odds on Portsmouth, Burnley and West Ham.
Ask Herdy Questions
Firstly, well done on coping with everything (!) the Shrews attack had to offer last Saturday. You've played against one of the worst strikers in the league, who in your opinion is the best striker in League Two? Patrick, Shrewsbury
The best striker in League 2 would have to be Chris Dagnall, people will think I am on his payroll as I was “biggin” him up last week! Dagnall's movement and work rate really separates him from other League 2 strikers in my opinion.
Firstly well done Ben on your performances so far this season. Who is there coming through the ranks at the rec that could be one for the future? Steve, Guildford
In all honesty there are some good players in the youth team at Aldershot, Reece Connolly is doing well on loan at Salisbury but I like Josh Case who is a good left back and has a good chance in the game.
What's your favourite thing about being a footballer? And what is your advice to people wanting to make a career in football?
Don't do it! Only kidding, the best thing is getting paid for something you absolutely love and would do for free. Being a footballer is every young boys dream and although I am playing in League 2, I am still within the top 1% of what I do. The best advice anybody ever gave me was, to always work very hard and have a good attitude, lot's of young players have talent and natural ability but they lack application and/or attitude, which is something you need in life not just football in my opinion!
Send in your questions for Ben to askherdy@bigtips.co.uk
Next up was a very long away trip to Darlington, we travelled up on the Monday and we didn't arrive in Darlo until 6pm. Not bad considering I left my house at 9am! It is always risky playing a team who have just sacked there manager and are a million miles away at the foot of the table. When a manager gets sacked from a club it really does take a lot of pressure off everyone at the club, players start to play with a bit more freedom and less pressure, which is something you have to be wary off. I must confess that Darlo away is not a fixture that I really look forward to and it didn't let me down, Darlo's stadium is starting to look neglected and slightly haggard, considering it is a relatively "new" stadium and with only 1200 people in attendance it was like playing in a reserve fixture, although there was only 1200 fans there they certainly gave me plenty of abuse, and as for the pitch...well, I have seen better playing surfaces in cow's fields! The performance on the night wasn't exactly vintage Aldershot, but to be perfectly honest I really don't care because I would gladly win our next 9 games like that, at this stage of the season 3 points is all that matters! There really is a renewed optimism in the camp and a real togetherness, and as I said last week talk is cheap, so we are going to just work hard in our remaining games and see where that takes us.
As I have just mentioned the season's conclusion is quickly approaching for all the leagues, I am sure that people are just as intrigued with the top and bottom of the Premier League. It looks like we are going to have a proper title race for once! Considering that I am writing for a betting website it would probably be beneficial to state who I think is going to finish where. I really have this nagging feeling that them lot from the other side of north London will win the title this year. It really is a case of my head saying: they have the easier fixtures and will take the title, and my heart saying I hope somebody stops them! I am going to go with: (1)Man Utd (2) Arsenal (3) Chelsea. As a Spurs fan this hypothetical table would pain me the least! As for the bottom three, it really is a case of 2 down one to go! Portsmouth and Burnley have gone in my opinion and I think it is a toss up between West Ham and Hull for the last relegation place. I really hope, again being a Spurs fan, that West Ham go down, there are far too many "Hammers" fans giving it the "big un" when they get anywhere near the top half of the table and treating Tottenham games as if it's their cup final! Will Ian Dowie galvanise Hull? I think he might and if you look at the two squads then you could argue that Hull have a bit more fight and steel about them! So to be relegated check out the odds on Portsmouth, Burnley and West Ham.
Ask Herdy Questions
Firstly, well done on coping with everything (!) the Shrews attack had to offer last Saturday. You've played against one of the worst strikers in the league, who in your opinion is the best striker in League Two? Patrick, Shrewsbury
The best striker in League 2 would have to be Chris Dagnall, people will think I am on his payroll as I was “biggin” him up last week! Dagnall's movement and work rate really separates him from other League 2 strikers in my opinion.
Firstly well done Ben on your performances so far this season. Who is there coming through the ranks at the rec that could be one for the future? Steve, Guildford
In all honesty there are some good players in the youth team at Aldershot, Reece Connolly is doing well on loan at Salisbury but I like Josh Case who is a good left back and has a good chance in the game.
What's your favourite thing about being a footballer? And what is your advice to people wanting to make a career in football?
Don't do it! Only kidding, the best thing is getting paid for something you absolutely love and would do for free. Being a footballer is every young boys dream and although I am playing in League 2, I am still within the top 1% of what I do. The best advice anybody ever gave me was, to always work very hard and have a good attitude, lot's of young players have talent and natural ability but they lack application and/or attitude, which is something you need in life not just football in my opinion!
Send in your questions for Ben to askherdy@bigtips.co.uk
Posted: Friday, March 26th, 2010 @ 08:03 pm by Ben Herd
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