A new low

As our season continues to implode and our stock sinks to record lows under Thomas Sandgaard, we have reached that point where there is barely anyone left who cares. Hard to imagine that we could reach this state only two years after Sandgaard was hailed as a saviour and had a fanbase full of pent-up desperation to get back behind their team after four years of complete disinterest from Roland Duchatelet. 

However, he has managed to blow it. Big time. Two seasons of modest ambition have been followed by a change of heart and a decision to cut his losses. Having skimped on the squad in pre-season and having appointed a rookie manager from League 2, the chickens are coming home to roost. The threadbare squad has been exposed and we are now paying the price. Poor on-field performances are now matching the abysmal ones off it and supporters are now voting with their feet and wallets. 

Today's 2-2 F A Cup 2nd Round draw with mid-table League 2 Stockport attracted an embarrassingly low home support of only 2,964 fans. Luckily, there were 925 visiting fans to bring the attendance up to 3,889. 

I haven't felt great this week but waited on some interest from a mate (any) and I would have gone. None came (not a complete surprise) and by Thursday the Meire Tax kicked in, so I decided to stay in the warmth and watch the World Cup. One-down after 3  minutes and the stay-aways were patting themselves on the back. A strong team (credit to Garner) fought back to lead 2-1 but managed to piss on their chips once again by failing to put the game to bed and conceding yet another late equaliser. Our weary team will now face another long midweek fixture where we are likely to get knocked out.

The decision to limit opening of all home areas for the pre-Christmas League Cup tie against Brighton was as baffling as it was disappointing but judging by the home interest for the Coalville and Stockport F A Cup ties, Sandgaard may have called this right. It will mean that a lot of East Standers won't bother but Brighton fans may take their seats and there will, no doubt, still be loads of empty seats in the West and Covered Ends. Our lack of interest or ability in cup games over the last twenty years has certainly not helped maintain any expectations in SE7 and Lee Bowyer did his best to snuff the candle out by not bothering with cups and wanting out at the earliest convenience. However, it's the stultifying gloom of Sandgaard's now vanishing interest that has everyone shrugging their shoulders and staying at home. I really fear for us against Premier League Brighton. 

We need a change, a major change, but it's hard to see where that comes from. This team is short on quality and lacks leaders. Injuries aren't helping but our manager struggles to impose himself and we are wasteful upfront and our game management is poor. I don't see any of that changing in January or this Summer if Sandgaard has not found someone to take his financial problems away before then.

Next time he appears at the Valley I think he is going to hear from what supporters are there and he won't like it. I'd also advise that he avoids the Royal Oak too because he might get his guitar whacked over his head. No-one to blame but himself for the mess he has stubbornly presided over.