Thursday 17th August, 2004
Dear Diary,
ROTHERHAM ARE TOP OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE!
Ok. So it’s only after one game. But that shouldn’t stop the lads from celebrating and having a couple of pints down at The Three Cranes Inn. As long as it doesn’t affect their next game against Norwich.
We’re top of the league after a 4-1 home win over Bolton, with one of the goals being scored by this young Jamie Vardy lad we bought last season.
Bringing back Vardy from his Portsmouth loan deal could be a real game changer this season. His ability to push and challenge Branchy (aka Michael Branch) up front will help what was until recently the weakest part of the squad.
To be honest I felt bad for the bastards after we agreed a deal with’em.
Vardy had already started one game for them before my scout realized that he had told me to send the wrong player out on loan! Stupid git. Something about him not having his glasses that day or some shite.
To be honest, I didn’t know what our scouting team was smoking when they suggested this guy. Still, at £35,000, it was a transfer the club could gamble on, even with our financial restraints and conservative yet impressive guile in the transfer market.
But his goal against the Trotters makes me think this lad his destined for very good things.
In training, I’ve never seen a player this fast this young. Hopefully one day Jamie Vardy will be having a party with us.
As for the Premier League, well, I thought life would be difficult for us; not only because of the competitive nature, but also because there are some absolutely belting players kicking around.
Ronaldo at Manchester United; Totti at Liverpool; and… erm… Jonathan Walters at Blackburn Rovers are just a few of the reasons why the Premier League is currently seen as the best league in the world, just pipping Seria A in terms of global audience and revenue.
Speaking of competition, we have the depth, but I’m wondering about the quality and maturity of some of the players.
Super chuffed to have Carrick on board; he looks like a quality signing at £12m, although why the Hammers let him go I have no idea. But they don’t see what I see. West Ham manager Héctor Cùper must be fucking barmy.
Cherno Samba also looks like a steal. Middlesbrough’s acceptance to let him go for £1.2m is beyond me, and I wonder if they’ll live to regret it.
My back room staff seem to think he could potentially play as a Deep Lying Playmaker at some point in the future. That being said, his strength and technical skill will be vital for us up front, and could give us a little something different when we come up against some of the tougher teams in the division.
Even though the finances look dreadful, the future is bright. There’s still a few quod left in the transfer kitty, but I think business will be kept to a minimal before the window slams shut.
With Crouchy and Kabba providing competition up front; a solid amount of depth at centreback with John Terry, Liam Fontaine, Joleon Lescott and Curtis Davies, and this lad Steve McGarry – a £1.2m signing from St. Mirren – who can play on the right wing or up front, I’m feeling confident we can beat the the drop this year.
The future looks brutal for Rotherham. But in the best way possible.
