Return of the Talisman

Can I just say how glad I am to see Super Gavin Williams back where he belongs, playing in the green-and-white of Yeovil Town. The worst-kept secret of the summer finally came true yesterday, with the news that Super Gav has signed on loan until the middle of December. That will do for now. We'd all like it to be for longer, we'd all like it to be permanent, we'll all have to be realistic and accept that that is the best we can do at this moment in time.

Interesting to see the club acknowledge the role played by three businessmen supporters in bringing Gav back to South Somerset. Ben Tupman of Westbury Packaging, Simon Prout of Avon Valley Motor Sales and Rob Tizzard of TZZ Estates have all been thanked by the club, presumably for contributing to the player's wages, though that's not spelled out in so many words. If that's what they've done, then unlike some supporters on the various forums, I've got no problem with that at all. If I had the spare cash (chance would be a fine thing) I would more than happily be willing to contribute to the wages of a player of the calibre of a Gavin Williams. I don't see it as any different to sponsoring a player, or even signing up to the club's lottery - it's all money from fans being given to the club, the only difference here is that the Super Gav Three know exactly what their money is being spent on. Nothing wrong with that and well done to them.

It's curious though that in the past the club have always fought shy of relying on supporters to subsidise wages. I can remember various groups offering to do similar things only for the club to politely refuse their help. I wonder what's changed their mind now? The obvious answer is that we have problems, on and off the pitch. New blood will help on the pitch, off the pitch the solution could well be the same. New blood in the boardroom, new blood in key roles, new ideas, new enthusiasm. Revenue streams revitalised, supporters re-energised and crowds increasing. If the current owners aren't capable of providing the resources and the leadership to keep the club at this level, then sell up to someone who can.

O brave new world. Skivo's problem for tomorrow's home game against Tranmere is who of his 7 loanees to leave out. I haven't picked the gaffer's team for him for a while, so here's my shot at it: A 4-1-3-2 formation. Sullivan in goal (1 loanee), back four of Alcock, Virgo, Huntington and Smith. Yes, Smith. The more Nathan plays, the better he gets and although he's started the season poorly he can and will improve, if he's given games. In midfield I would play Kalala as the sole holding midfielder, playing 2 holding midfielders at home is overkill and unnecessary. In front of him and playing as attacking midfielders prepared to get forward and support the frontmen I'd pick Tudur-Jones (2nd loanee) and MacDonald (3rd loanee), plus an-out-and-out winger - Andy Williams for preference, Welsh if he's unfit - who can switch flanks as and when necessary. Super Gav (4th loanee) as second striker and Bowditch the main striker. On the bench Roberts, Stam, Ayling, Upson, Stewart (5th loanee), Calver and either Welsh or Gibson, depending if Andy Williams plays or not. Freeman and Kiernan (5th and 6th loanees) miss out this time. 4-1 win (we're bound to let in at least 1), 3 points, job done. An hugely important game for Skivo tomorrow. A win, any win, and all the worries will evaporate, at least for a week. Another disappointing performance and a loss, especially with the presence of the Talisman in the team, and the pressure on the manager will be enormous.

The bookies make the Glovers 11/10 favourites for tomorrow's game, with the draw at 9/4 and a Tranmere win at 13/5. My fiver has to go on the home win. Running total: -£7.25p.