SENTINELCELTS

We have the Player of the Year podium to come plus a season review so today is merely about saying,
Congrats bhoys.
We should and will hand out credit where its due, all part of calling it straight, and today that means a big hat tip to all involved but especially the key personnel that helped us hold on to our title, a grip which looked to be slipping at one point.
That point was some time ago, many games ago, and right now counts for absolutely nothing.
The trophy is exactly where it belongs and dont let anyone tell you otherwise full stop.

Heading into this season the bookies didnt have much between ourselves and Stevies squad, assembled at no little cost as always seems to happen somehow over there.
Lenny wasnt everyones choice theres no point in denying, and with the applications apparently unopened we would never know the choice, although my own preference Slaven Bilic had went public with his desire to be given the reigns.
Seeing Brendans team over the finish line and a cup final win seemed the minimum Lenny could throw his hat in the ring with, turns out it was the clincher.
Some smelt blood with open rumours and posts of Yes! on rival social media, which usually sets the nervous in the support off.

Thats a support that had been split over how much a revamp our squad needed, and when Peter spoke publicly about not a major overhaul the eyebrows where raised, along with the years old suspicions of dabbling where unqualified.
The wonderful gift of hindsight now shows us that our policy paid off, whether correct or lucky is your own prerogative but it brought home the bacon so once again a hit tip to the club.
Neil is clearly a believer in a settled team which is hard to argue with, but when one looks at the team of players we barely touched to get over the line the depth in our squad really shows.
Gordon
Jozo
Bauer
Soro
Rogic
Bitton
Arzani
Shved
Bayo
Johnson
Klimala
Theres an eleven would take points most weeks with a good bench on hand yet unmentioned also.
We are guilty of heading into next season and any qualifiers well prepared, with ready, experienced, in-house replacements for the two starters we don’t own. This takes the pressure off even though we are likely to be looking for fresh blood in goal and left wing. Deserves a well done as it feels we are never ready for our big early games.

Something I’m sure we are all grate for for, during this short yet sweet season, is the level of professionalism that been evident, especially during what is still an ugly off season.
Christmas was the time for level heads, planning and assessment.
Whilst one manager yelled into the camera for dramatic effect, the other took the lessons onboard.
One clubs break was planned and executed perfectly and we emerged with a new game plan and bonded squad despite weather.
Despite the yell, our rivals war camp sowed the seeds of their defeat. A lesson in inexperience for you can bet your bottom dollar Neil can and does draw upon the knowledge of deep you must dig to win the league title.
He emerged from the break with renewed faith in a duo up front, and a new plan to outscore the rest.
The entire key to the plan was a fit, raring, legally in the right place Griff.
It’s right there that Lenny worked his magic, knew what was needed, pulled the correct strings and had the lad primed to be unleashed to help deliver another title.
His head was exactly where it needed to be, in the game.
Well done Neil and all in the background.

I’m sure I speak for us all when I also say well done for staying silent and dignified during the recent civil war that happened to explode in our midst. Staying on the sidelines was not only smart but needed.
It takes experience to know when to shut it, and when to speak on issues.
Empty vessels make the most noise and all that.
Not much noise from our vessel recently, good and well played.
Let that war play out as a bystander only. Anything else would be a media dream.

Finally, the fans. Yourselves. All of you.
There and always there again. Got behind the gaffer once appointed whether popular choice or not, again no gtf when he fell to Cluj, nor Copenhagen. Nor in the Christmas defeat.
That trust was well repaid by our post break form, clearly title winning stuff.
The virus has brought out a sense of comradery and community in folk, blogs somewhere to turn to, full of talkative locked down Tims making the best of the situation.
The incredible sum raised in memory of Helen ( RIP ) once again shows this truly is a family.
That’s special.
That continues and hopefully always will.
Well done all, sincerely.

The above is by Mahe. Anything to add to proceedings simply mail it to sentinelcelts@gmail.com