Time for the important stuff

Isn't it nice to finally have some proper football to talk about?

I've gone from being depressed about the prospect of the new season (when Brabin left) to excited (when Ling arrived) to slightly ambivilent (now). Nevertheless, it's hard not to catch a little bit of the new season buzz, even with the club in disarray.

Most of the team picks itself, with the only possible areas of doubt being on the wing and up front. After Courtney's recent goal-scoring exploits, I was quite hopeful he'd be in Ling's starting line up, but now Cardy is back in charge I suspect he will opt for his scouse mate Parkinson instead. This would be a mistake in my opinion as, while Parky has showed some decent touches in the friendlies, the game seems to pass him by for long periods. Pitt can have a lot more influence, and would give our team a better balance, allowing Willmott to return to his favoured right flank.

Up front, the choice may be taken out of Carden's hands, with Crow apparently struggling after taking a whack in a "sensitive area". I'm sure all male United fans feel his pain. Holroyd and Beesley would be my combination of choice anyway, but if they do play together it will be imperative we keep it on the deck.

It seems unlikely there will be anymore off-field movement until next week. I don't really see how Paul Barry can keep the role of chairman long-term unless he appoints a Chief Executive to be at the club full time. Have we got the money to do that? Probably not, especially given the slightly worrying statement that the appointment of a new manager is "on hold until the financial situation has been assessed".

However, the fuss being made about Barry's bid to buy the ground stinks of mud-slinging to me. While you would hope our new chairman will give a full explanation of his actions, he has done enough for the club in the last few years to earn the benefit of the doubt. For now.