Motivation for the battle ahead
Hi. Hope you and your team had a good weekend.
We, Notts County, finally got our season up and running with a hard fought 2-1 victory against a very good Aldershot side on an emotional day for everyone connected with the club following the passing of Jimmy Sirrel. Just a quick note of thanks to the travelling Aldershot fans who at various times in the game broke into a chorus of "there's only one Jimmy Sirrel".
If anyone was at the game feel free to give me your opinion but I thought it was a marvellous advert for League Two football with both sides favouring attacking football in an end to end contest . All credit to Aldershot for their contribution to the game. The general consensus after the game was that they were the best team we had faced all season.
As you know lots of away teams can favour a slightly negative approach but it seemed to me Aldershot have brought the confidence that earned them promotion into League Two and I am sure that if they carry on with that "no fear" attitude they will be in and around the promotion scramble come May.
From our point of view we felt technically we were not at our best in terms of passing but we made up for that with the sheer hard work we put in over the 90 minutes and it was nice to get that monkey off our back of not winning a game.
At this stage of the season it is amazing what just one win can do. We have now sneaked into the top half of the table and needless to say the mood around the camp is a lot better. That is all apart from our fitness coach who during our recovery swimming session on Monday somehow managed to end up in the swimming pool with us... fully clothed. I am not prepared to disclose the identity of the two people who pulled poor Sven into the pool but I have been informed that they will be made to pay come the next running session!
Saturday's game was also a big milestone in my own recovery from injury. I made my first start in a competitive game in nearly eight months and although I came off after 77 minutes (probably because it looked as though I was towing a caravan!) I was pleased with my contribution to the game but at the same time I know that with the more games I can get under my belt the bigger the contribution will be.
One of the big changes in the game that has occurred during my career has been the emphasis put on the recovery after games .When I first started playing it was a case of shower, changed and off but now straight after the final whistle it's ice baths, recovery drinks, pasta meals and compression garments (of which there are many makes).
I must admit I was a bit sceptical at first but the older I have got my school of thought has changed. The way I look at it now is that if it is going to help me by even 1% it's worth it. That 1% may give me the edge over my opponent or help prolong my career.
With being out injured for so long, it was weird to get back into the match day routine that every player has. For instance, I had forgotten just how grumpy I get on the day of a game. I pity anyone who tries to have a conversation with me on match day. My wife and kids are aware of the situation and just leave me to it. It's not something I am particularly proud of but for me personally I have to focus on the game all morning, concentrating on the role that I have within the team and getting motivated for the battle ahead.
Hello, I'm Gavin Strachan. I describe myself as a "journeyman" player after 13 years in the game as a professional. I'm currently between clubs, having been released by Notts County. I'm also studying journalism and the aim of my blog is to provide an insight into the life of a footballer.
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Another excellent piece, Gavin. It's good to hear about real football, from real footballers on the inside. Long may it continue, and good luck for the season ahead from a Dundee United fan.
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Great blog Gavin. Good to see insights into how football actually works on the day and what you go through.
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It is great to hear about life in the lower leagues has there are so many monotone blogs about the premiership this is so refreshing a joy to read. Keep up the good writing and good luck for the season and tyour uni course.
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Really enjoy the blog. Much better than reading Micah's last season
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Great blog, really enjoy it. I just wish people commenting would stop rolling out the old lower league players = salt of the earth, premiership players = pampered, immature morons cliche.
Gavin, was just wondering what players have particularly impressed you so far? For me, the lad Daley at Bradford really stands out and our very own Ryan Harley looks a cut above.
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Hi Gavin im a notts fan don't you think its better playing under Ian,the footballs better the lads are looking more like a team,the crowds much happier these days,and we get to read your blogs, keep up the good work on all fronts.
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As the big clubs, dont look at the players in the lower league as much these days, do you ever recommend any players to your old man?
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Gavin. Hartlepool fan here and great to read your pieces. When you were at Pools and took free kicks, I recall you scored a couple of goals with daisy cutters. I think the opposing defences were expecting something else. Were these intended or miskicks? If they were intended, did you practice them much?
Cheers and all the best with Notts County.
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Hi Gavin, just thought I'd point out that you said that:
"From our point of view we felt technically we were not at our best in terms of passing"
Yet Ian McParland says:
"I think in general we passed it well again" in the article you linked to in your blog.
Sadly I'm in no position to comment as I missed the game! Haha
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hello gavin, i was at the match last saturday, it was a an emotional day, but when butcher headed home the winner it was relief more than anything. am so glad we won that game for jimmy. glad to see your back in the team, long may it last, the aldershot fans were fantastic, the banner they brought with "legends never die" on it was super.
let the good times begin!!!
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Hey Gavin
Really refreshing to get a feel for the more homely side of football. Like many folk I guess, I was pulled to your blog b/c of ter pa's illustrious history (I was a young loon brought up following the Dons in their golden days). However, I'm going to return purely because you're a good read.
Tell me, if you spotted a talent you thought would be the next Rooney or Walcott, what would you do? Are there agents you trust that you'd suggest he sees? Or are there big clubs that you'd specifically recommend he gets in touch with because they're good with young stars? Or would you phone your pops and tell him to come see?!!
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Hey Gavin
Really refreshing to get a feel for the more homely side of football. Like many folk I guess, I was pulled to your blog b/c of yer pa's illustrious history (I was a young loon brought up following the Dons in their golden days). However, I'm going to return purely because you're a good read.
Tell me, if you spotted a talent you thought would be the next Rooney or Walcott, what would you do? Are there agents you trust that you'd suggest he sees? Or are there big clubs that you'd specifically recommend he gets in touch with because they're good with young stars? Or would you phone your pops and tell him to come see?!!
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Hi Gavin,
Great blog yet again...quite refreshing from most of the typical prem soaps. Glad to hear you and Notts got the proverbial monkey off yer backs mate.
Since the first piece you put out a few weeks ago I've looked forward to reading your blog so keep up the good work and best of luck to you and Notts this season.
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post 5 . Totally agree with you .Every time I have seen Daley play he has impressed me and I am equally surprised he is not playing at a higher level although he may well be next season if Bradford get promoted.
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Post 2 . There would only be one or two agents I know that I would trust but yes if the lad really stood out I would probably mention it to my old man.
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post 9 . We passed it ok but I have certainly seen us pass it better . I think I better keep my mouth shut now . Dont want to upset the gaffer!.
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Excellent read Gavin, certainly your best blog by far, i know it's only your third but keep it coming!
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Fantastic blog, your writing style comes across as very informative and easy to follow, and you sound like you have a lot of good stories to tell. Keep up the good work.
Just a question though, what is your opinion on unsavoury chanting at football grounds ? Does it affect you/the players in your team, and should any stuff that goes over the line be completely eradicated ?
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The best blog by someone actually in football by far. Previously other blogs have been self indulgent and sometimes crass, but yours is excellent. You talk about extending your career. I recall when 30 was old for a footballer but now 35 is seen as veteran. Will you try and carry on as long as Gordon? I think he was perhaps 39 when he hung up his boots, and was still Coventry's best player at that age.
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Another great column Gavin. It will be interesting to see how a footballer prepares for a match and recovers afterword.
As an American fan, I like to compare and contrast what a British football player does to prepare vs say an American style footballer (NFL) does.
Thanks again
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post 19 . I have tried to set myself targets . One of them was to try and stay in the pro game until I am 30 . In this time of 1 and 2 year contracts in the lower leagues that for me will be an achievement in itself . After that I will just try and keep going for as long as I can but 39 .Cant see these skinny legs holding out for that long!.
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Hi Gavin great blog. It's refreshing to see someone like you who plays in the lower leagues writing about the day-to-day life. Good luck with Notts County as well
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Dear gavin
As a Crewe Alex fan, I read your blog with interest as it gives an insight into what the players are thinking.
One question - When is the team announced? In rugby union they announce the team 2 days before the match, does this happen in football?
Regards
Pete
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This is much more what I want from a blog - interesting, amusing and brief. Good job. You don't seem the type to brag about getting a text from Rio Ferdinand every time one of you breaks wind.
Best,
Del
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Now then Gav, nice blogging! Mrs. Varley would be proud....
Given you're Leeds (...and you know you are) how do rate Leeds chances of getting back in the premier league by the next world cup?
All the best
Bomber!
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Hey gavin.i truely enjoy your blogs and cant get enough.something i would like to know though is when you have a bad game or your team loses with a desasterous performance will you be able to criticise yourself and the team without the teammates getting upset?
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Great blog.
I have been a Celtic fan for nigh on 50 years, I have seen umpteen or maybe more Celtic Managers interviews.
Your Dad like yourself speaks from the heart and pulls no punches.
Refreshing is putting it mildly.
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Hey Gavin,
Was down the Lane at the wkend. Thought you pinged it about quite nicely.
I was debating with my mate whom looked the more knackered out of you and Butch for Jay Smith to come on...... then Butch got the winner!
Well done though mate, a promising start. They were a big strong side Aldershot, dont know what they feed them on down there.
Well done anyway mate, see you at the Vale on Sat!
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I'm really impressed that you answer the questions on this page.
One thing that I've been wondering, is how much you know about the oppositions in league two before you play them. Obviously the premiership is so well-covered it's easy to watch videos and all teams must know a lot about the others. But is this possible in league 2, or is each match more of a step into the unknown?
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Gavin
Thoroughly enjoyed your blog.
I wondered if you have ever read the book My father and other Working Class Football heroes which is about Stuart Imlach, I am sure he was a Notts County player. It is an outstanding read.
Heres hoping the so called blogger that deals with Scottish football is reading your contribution and learning from it!
Cheers
Norrie maclean
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post 31 .Thanks I will try and trace that book.
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I never realised people were grump on match days. or that League 2 clubs had such advanced methods of after match cools downs! No more showers and home, huh!
Well, another enjoyable read. Keep up the good work!
Luke
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Post 30 .Even clubs at the lowest level have quite a good scouting system so we are fairly well informed of the players we are up against . Also through experience chances are you have played against most of the players previously.
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How are you bomber? . You were a pretty decent player from what I remember and so was your brother.
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Nice piece Gavin, and I commend for you for taking the time to answer people's questions.
My question is, do you find that the gap between lower league football (say League 1 and League 2) and the Conference is shutting very quickly? It seems to me the standard of football between the three leagues is very similar these days, and I can't help but notice the success that teams are having once they are promoted to League 2, and even League 1 in some circumstances.
I think a perspective of this from a player would be much better than a fan like me.
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Alright Gav?
Notts fan here, quality blog mate, really well written. Just wondering what your thoughts on where Notts will finish this season, are there talks of reaching playoffs, or is charlies target promotion next season?
Keep up the good work mate, your doing t'pies proud.
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Gav
These are slipping slyly into my 'must read' blogs.... I must apologise for my early judgements.... They were either way off the mark or I'm being swept along in the wave of admiration upon which you surf with great modesty.
Good times x
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Would echo all the complimentary comments about your blog above, a refreshingly down to earth point of view. I would also just like to express my sincere sympathy to family and friends of Jimmy and also to the Notts Co and Shots fans to whom he was clearly a legend. Magnificent touch from the Shots fans with the banner "legends never die". Just emphasises the real respect that exists between real football fans.
Good luck to you and Notts Co this season, come an join us in league 1! Had some very memorable days at Notts County away over the years, the main ones being arrested for being drunk in charge of a meat pie in the late 1980's (dont ask!) and the day we got promotion at your place a couple of seasons ago. Proper football club with proper fans, all the best this season
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thanks gavin- i enjoy reading these from usa as well...i am also a former pro working in the media, though my career in europe was shorter than yours due to injury...do you recommend the program you are in for me? by the way, the screen name i chose is a tribute to your dad and i use it to fire off correspondence when i see injustices in print media here in usa and do not want to reveal myself and possibly get into a scathing from my own own employers...
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Reading fan here Gavin, What a cracking article!
How much support are you getting from the PFA with your journalistic training?
Will revisit your blog regularly.
Good luck mate Fritzyroyal
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Cracking article Gav, keep up the good work.
Btw, have you always wanted to be a footballer? And did your father pushed you into it as a youngster?
Hiro, Celtic supporter
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Sorry, but the novelty has worn off. As a self confessed armchair premiership fan, I no nonger find this interresting, so I doubt I'll be reading it any more.
But before I'm crucified by the love-in club, I just want to mention that I think it's well written, and importantly, as this is a blog, it's nice to see you responding so often to the posted comments (something that doesn't happen in most of the bbc football blogs).
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superb blog Gavin, Read it every week with great interest. keep it up!
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Agree with the complimentary replies above, I enjoy your blog could to hear from a player that appreciates his career.
I was just wanting to ask if, in your career you have had a serious choice to make regarding a move if so was it the right choice you made?
and if you could go back would you do anything differantly?
and lastly what club would you have liked to have played for but never?
cheers
Derek
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Hello Gavin, your blog is becoming a regular weekly stop of mine too, so I'd like to add my appreciation for what you're doing here. It makes a change to hear of/read footballers who have something interesting to say and can say it without resorting to the same old anodyne cliches (I'm looking at you, most of those who work for Sky Sports - with the honourable exception of Scott Minto).
Keep up the good work here. I'll be following your burgeoning media career with interest and, it goes without saying, your football career from this point in!
Tom
Celtic fan, Shepherd's Bush
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response to 35. Pretty good, thanks mate don't play myself anymore, but nice think I was once rated by a now pro!
These days my football involves shouting at frazer richardson and eating pies! I'm making a trip to the mighty Posh this weekend! MOT -
dont forget...YLAYKYA!
Bomber
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Hi Gavin.thank you for the kind comments about Aldershot Town are supporters very vocal.Our first season up and we are doing well. Deepest sympathy on the passing of Jimmy Sirrel a real gent!
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I find it very interesting to here a "real players" view. I am an avid Notts fan and have been since i was about 8 years old that is some 40 years now.
I agree Aldershot are the best team to visit us this season, but i also feel it was our worst performace of the season too. by that i mean poor quality passing and at times we hoofed it, but it has been so refreshing to see the team try and play football, some of which has been superb. I thought the first half we were all at the Sir Jimmy Sirrel funeral and when Aldershot scored ...... but credit to the way the team picked themselves up and literally dragged themselves bag into the game - shows great character. Well done to all.
I also think Facey should be more of player like Heskey - target man that heads the ball on or brings the ball down for the likes of Forrester and Butcher. And when we do get the ball going make sure we get into the box. Weston could get us loads of penalties if tried to get into the box before crossing - defenders will bring him down because of his pace.
ok it's only an opinion but it's what i think when i am sat in the DP stand in row Z waving my scarf
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Hi Gavin
This is the first blog that I've read of yours and I've really enjoyed it and it looks like I'm not alone. Can I ask if you've ever read the book "Steak Diana Ross - Diary of a Football Nobody" by Dave McVay?
Good luck for the rest of the season... good to see you back!
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Gavin
Interesting read, keep on replying to people's questions though if you can, you get a lot more of your personality coming through that way.
How many games will it take until you get match-fit again? It's a phrase that's trotted out again and again, but how long is it until you feel back in peak condition.
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nice to read that, i was there on saturday and it was such a great atmosphere, credit to aldershot for joining in with "there's only 1 jimmy sirrel" that felt like real football.
COME ON YOU PIES!!
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It was a well deserved win against Aldershot. Something the team were more than due given the way it has played so far this season.
As someone who has been going to notts for many years its great to get pleasing style of football to watch.
As a celt as well it' something that i like to see. Any chance of tickets for the Aalborg game (away)? Failing that could a pre season friendly be arranged with celtic next season?
Thanks for the insight and stay away from the edge of the pool!
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What's all this nonsense about a better 1% chance -what happened to the man who played for Pools for one hour with a broken leg
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I suppose as you get older you need a better 1% chance -not like a few years ago when you played for Pools for one hour with a broken leg
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Hello Gavin,
Very much enjoy reading your blog - real football written by a real footballer.
I appreciate you talking about the ups and downs of football especially as I have been a Chelsea fan for over 48 years. I was 11 when my Mum and Dad first took me to Stamford Bridge.
You have an excellent way with with - keep up the great work.
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Hi Gavin
I run a youth football team in the Mansfield league, we are not the best but the boys enjoy it.
On November 8th we are having a charity football game to raise money for Children in Need, parents against the boys.
We are looking for a few professionals to attend the game, maybe even join in the fun.
Could you contact me to discuss this further?
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Hi Gav,
Great Performance at Port Vale, thought we looked outstanding, everyone playing as a team, great blend! On a personal note thought you had another excellant game.
Another tough game against Brentford on Monday, but im sure we will come out on top.
See you monday! Keep up the excellent start! Well Done!
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