Coxon 26.12.10

Can I start by wishing you all a Merry Christmas Stokies. Just lately the weather over here has been atrocious. It was so bad when I was down the ground the other day I bumped into a polar bear. Mind you compared to Norway it was like a spring day with a chill in the air. As a result of the white stuff last week’s games were decimated with only two Premier games taking place. It used to be a case of if you’ve got under soil heating, with the aid of a few helpers’, the game went ahead but not anymore because it’s a health and safety issue. With this in mind the authorities will always air on the side of caution and so the game will be called off because the surrounding roads are a bit dodgy.

Now don’t get me wrong safety must come first but at times decisions are made far too early. Why was the Chelsea V United game called off over twenty-four hours before the game? What of our game at Arsenal. A lot of Stokies were already at the ground when that game was called off because of the snow that fell just before mid day and so whilst the authorities deemed it too dangerous to get to the Emirates supporters were still arriving. People were heading off to the O2 Arena and the shops were full of Christmas shoppers. I spoke to a few Stokies who had been at the ground and they had their own theory which was when the Arsenal players arrived at the ground they found out that there wasn’t enough woolly hats and scarves to go around and anyway they didn’t fancy getting their feet wet. One lad went a bit further and said “Dave, it’s grim up north so we are used to all this and these are just a bunch of southern softies who aren’t right unless the sun is on their backs.” Oh well there’s only one thing for it, back onto my team of huskies and to the nearest pub. Before I leave the weather did anyone see the Ipswich V Leicester game the same day. That game took me back to how it used to be, clear the lines, get the orange ball, roll your sleeves up and get on with it. Let’s have a bit more of that!

You know I’ve got to own up here my eyes aren’t quite what they used to be and so the other day I went to the opticians – ( and you’ll never guess who I bumped into? Wait for it – everyone!! No, seriously my eyes are so bad that in a few months time I might just qualify as a Premier League referee so it might not have been a polar bear that I saw at the training ground, it could have been a snowman. What I definitely saw was us fully focused on getting that first win in December since we got promoted to the Premier. It was also the day that the players and staff paid their Christmas visit to the Donna Louise Trust which is a Children’s Hospice just down the road from the Britannia and the local Children’s Hospital. It was obvious that the players look forward to their visit although some did tell me that it left them feeling very emotional. I was down to have a chat with a couple of Welshmen T.P and Micky Thomas. We met in the restaurant and T.P sent me up to get some lunch. Well I’m sure that my Norwegian friends will tell you that when it comes to food I’m a bit of a faddy (fussy) eater. Needless to say everything was high carbohydrate which is great if you like pasta, spaghetti and rice. I went with the salmon, steak and a bit of salad. No problem there I thought that is until I got back and Micky T says “You know Dave when it comes to speed between Matty going down the wing and you going to the Burger Bar my money’s on you”. To which I replied “Well Mick this time make sure your money’s not wet”. T.P chipped in and I thought that’s it it’s getting like a Welsh Boys reunion when just on cue Terry Conroy arrived and I was able to finish my healthy lunch. T.P left with the lads all wishing the Scandinavian Stokies a Prosperous New Year. A sentiment echoed by Micky, Terry and the polar bear. Yes I swear it was a polar bear. OK, OK what’s my first match?

So here we are approaching the half way mark of the season. How do you judge it so far? Is twenty-one points the number you thought we would have? Well, how we started I would have settled for that but when we get going with the rub of the green you could quite easily add at least ten to the total. It’s a slight concern that nobody is out of it because the league is so tight and even West Ham and Wolves with a couple of wins are heading out of trouble. It’s going to be an interesting few weeks ahead. I’m sure that we are too good to get dragged into trouble. Just look I’m beginning to sound like Chris Kamara. Well that’s it Stokies my Christmas burger is nearly ready but before I go just a fun quiz to keep you going until my next notes which will be during the build up to our friendly Cup Tie against Cardiff.

All of the cryptic clues should lead you to the name of a British Football Team. Here’s one to get you going :-

1. HEAVY TOILET

2. PROFESSOR OF ROLLERS

3. GLASS MANSION

KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING Answer – STOKE

And now for twenty more:-

1. WILD DOGS

2. MALE PASTURE

3. ANIMAL AND CAR

4. DIRTY WATER

5. MALES TOGETHER

6. DETECTIVES NEED THEM

7. WHAT A BURGLAR DOES

8. SECURE THE DOOR

9. PRISON CLOCK

10. COWBOYS HAVE THEM

11. PART OF A SHIP

12. HAIRCUT OF YESTER YEAR

13. FAMOUS HAWAIIAN GREETING

14. LATEST FORT

15. PUT UNDERGROUND

16. PARENT FEELS BETTER AFTER ILLNESS

17. FAMOUS US PRESIDENT

Good luck Stokies. More from me after we’ve beaten Everton.