Whatever you say I am, that's what I'm not
Whatever you say I am, that’s what I’m not
Airing your opinions in public can be a chastening experience. In an arena as changeable as football, the potential for being proven wrong is ever present danger for the fan foolish enough to part with his two penn’orth.
I wasn’t the only one to roll my eyes at the notion of signing Ipswich reserve forward Kevin Lisbie. ‘At least if he’s on loan, we can send him back’ was the prevailing thought on hearing news of the 32-year-old Jamaican international’s imminent return to South London. How wrong could I have been. One scuffed shot from becoming the latest boo-boy at the Den before a ball was kicked, outstanding performances in successive League games brought a standing ovation on his substitution in the Lions’ 4-0 win over ‘Ull. Lisbie’s glancing header in the first-half of Saturday’s game was the least he deserved for a home debut of substance to back up a post-rattling display at Ashton Gate the previous week. His willingness to harry opposing defenders in their own half contributed to the sorry exit of the second most popular Peruvian in England, Nolberto Solano, and allowed Steve Morison to concentrate on frightening the wits out of Antony Gardner.
After a stop-start career taking in Premier League appearances for Charlton Athletic and two brief but fruitful spells at Colchester United, and an ill-fated £600,000 transfer to Portman Road, Lisbie seemed to represent a reality check on Millwall’s relative standing in the division, having been linked with the likes of Jay Simpson and Jason Scotland. Of course, two games don’t make a season, but if he can keep up the level of commitment shown in those opening fixtures, Lisbie will change the Lions’ fortunes as well as my mind.
As a kid, Stanley undertook an odyssey around the football grounds of London and North Kent before alighting at Millwall. Despite the efforts of Jason Dair and many others, as an adult he decided to move closer to the arena erroneously known as the New Den and is now a proud season-ticket holder.
4 Comments
Ben
August 17, 2010Poor Nobby. Probably not what he thought he was letting himself in for when he signed for Hull. Perhaps it might be time for the great man to call time on his career, for dignity's sake.
Stanley
August 18, 2010Being hauled off before half-time in a 4-0 defeat would be an ignominious end to Solano's career. Sadly, he didn't look to have much more to give.
Lloyd
August 18, 2010Not sure how much it would take to frighten Antony Gardner's wits, but it's still nice to see Morison's name appear on the scoresheet. Inverse bogey team Leeds and Coventry represent good opportunities to continue this promising start.
Stanley
August 18, 2010Leeds will be tough, but the current Millwall XI looks stronger than the one that dominated them at Elland Road last season. Cov look like a team still trying to get to grips with the new manager's ideas, and Jackett had Boothroyd's number in League 1. Having said that, both managers now know plenty about us and will surely be better prepared.