Good morning All,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The events of the past few days have done their bit to lift the mood at the club. New head coach. New sporting director. A new person in charge of finances. And a public resolve by the State Government to address unpaid bonuses. The team, to their credit, showed a bit of spine by going to Port Harcourt and grinding out an away point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much of that result is truly ascribable to the new gaffer remains to be seen. It will not take long to find out. In fact, the next few weeks will leave everyone in no doubt as to the quality of this team and the dugout. Emmanuel Deutsch may have wrestled his way into the seat, but time will tell if we have made a good choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In reality, there are still concerns about the quality of our recruitment. Aside a handful of our first teamers, the bulk of the playing personnel does not strike as Enyimba quality. Ironically, in a season where Solace\u2019s book Elusive has landed, it is impossible not to see how far we have fallen in terms of the standards we used to represent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, Mr Deutsch should understand one thing. He will be judged by results regardless of the tools he has at his disposal. We are currently 14th on the log, and Enyimba people firmly believe we can and should escape the drop. Sunday\u2019s point was a step in the right direction, but steps do not save you. Points do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And speaking of points, we have struggled at home this season and that is a major concern. If we win all our home games from now till the end of the season, we should be fine. Simple. It does not have to be pretty. It does not have to be samba or tiki taka. Just three points. Every remaining home game. That should be the minimum target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, let me address the noise coming out of Port Harcourt after that draw. Everyone and their dogs came out complaining about our so called time wasting, our delay tactics, how we killed the game, how we disrespected football, how we offended their spirits, how we probably offended their ancestors too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please. Rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every away team in this league is guilty of making the game as unplayable as possible. And if they somehow take the lead, then football dies completely. It is common practice in this league and truthfully, it happens in several other leagues around the world too. Is it good sportsmanship? No. Is it acceptable? Not really. Is it the culture of the Nigerian Premier League? Unfortunately, yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you drop points at home, blame your finishing, your structure, your intensity, your ability to break down a stubborn opponent. Do not blame the away team for finding clever ways to survive. It does not make it right. I am only saying: expect the same methods you dished out away from home when you become hosts. Hosting a press conference to cry about it is just grasping at straws. Sorry sir. This is the league. This is the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For good measure, did you watch any of Enyimba\u2019s matches on the road to winning the CAF Champions League in 2003 or 2004? I advise you to go and watch those away performances. My point is not that we were saints. My point is that this moral outrage is selective and unserious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps the next press conference, Enyimba\u2019s inclusive, should find fresher material. This league is too rough for moral grandstanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enyimba Enyi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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