Gary Roberts ain't our friend

Midfielder and enfant terrible Gary Roberts has played his last game for the club. The end came on Sunday apparently, when Roberts turned up to training either still pissed from the night before, or merely smelling of alcohol, depending on who you want to believe. Whichever, he's blown his last chance with Skivo, who's beginning to show he's nobody's fool when it comes to dealing with, well, anyone - the players, the press, the board, or the fans.

Roberts was one of one of our more effective players last season but for every good thing he did on the pitch there were stories and rumours surrounding his questionable behaviour off it. The frustration for all concerned is that he undoubtedly has the talent to play at a higher level than League 1, but very likely none of the self-discipline required. What a waste.

On to players who do want to make the most of their careers: Dean Bowditch has signed a one year contract following his excellent display against Bristol City on Tuesday. Not counting the transfer-listed Andre McCollin who will presumably be either loaned out or given away before the transfer window shuts, this means we now have three recognised strikers at the club - Bowditch, Gavin Tomlin and Sam Williams. In addition we also have Ryan Mason and Aidan Downes, both of whom are very familiar with playing up front though Skivo sees the latter 2 more as midfielders judging by their pre-season appearances so far. That's not necessarily the end of the attacking options up front however. Speaking in the Western Gazette this week Skivo has indicated that he'll be looking to bring in another out-and-out striker, either permanently or on loan, to give himself 4 striking options to choose from.

What a contrast from last season! Russell Slade began last term with 16 professionals plus the likes of Jordan Street, Rob Fitzgerald and the then 46-year-old Steve Thompson to pad out the squad. Whenever he wanted to bring a player in, even on loan, he had to ship someone already in his squad out first. As of today, Skivo has 18 professionals with squad numbers and able to play, plus back-ups in the shape of himself, Nathan Jones and Ben Roberts. As mentioned above, he intends to bring in another striker and presumably will be allowed to replace Gary Roberts when he eventually leaves. Carry on like this and not only will we be able to name the full complement of 7 substitutes for most matches, we'll even have cover for injuries, probably. In terms of numbers it's a far healthier situation than this time last year, whether the sheer quality is there we won't know until the real stuff begins in 8 days time. But we can hope.

We can also note the backing Skivo is apparently receiving from the board and wonder what might have been had his predecessor received the same. On the other hand we can speculate that it might just be that Slade spent too much of his budget on one or two big names and then had none left for the journeymen that always make up the bulk of anyone's squad, and it was his own fault that he started the season with 16 professionals. It might be that Skivo has spread his budget thinner in a wiser fashion and that the board were ultimately right to take the action they did last season, albeit wrong in the way they went about it. It's all if's, but's and maybe's and whatever may or may not have happened last season has gone now. All we can do is look at what we're left with, wait to see what happens next and get behind the team. Roll on Tranmere. Can't wait.

Just read: Kirinya by Ian McDonald. One of the author's earlier novels, a sequel to Chaga. Not up to the standard of his later stuff like River of Gods or Brasyl, but still, McDonald could write a shopping list and make it sound beautiful. Worth reading for the sheer quality of his writing and his ultimately utopian view of the future.