The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

This kid is better than Sharif. Oh what a day to be a Diamonds fan - absolutely delighted with the ambition the board are showing.

Are some of you upset we've signed some exciting players? It looks like ambition and sustainability are maybe compatible after all.

Is the 'Shit Whoopi Goldberg' song still appropriate?

In all seriousness I'm really pleased with these two signings. Stevenson was class at Oadby and I've always liked Nabil.

I don't know just how match fit Jon is. He had played 10 times for Oadby this season although his last appearance was on the 21st November. If his registration goes through in time, and the match is on, then maybe he will be on the bench with a cameo part late in the game depending on the state of the match.

I confess I do not remember Shariff, only name, but as for Jon Stevenson if he is 3/4 the player he was two years ago this is a great signing. Arguably the best player I have seen since reformation.

Looks like Tommy Berwick will be leaving, seems to be being a complete diva rather than trying to regain a starting spot.

ParcelFace wrote:Looks like Tommy Berwick will be leaving, seems to be being a complete diva rather than trying to regain a starting spot.

Saw this yesterday, to be honest if he gets all emotional about being on the bench for 1 game and appears to sulk then do we really need that type of character in the side.

There is no doubt on his day he can and has produced some excellent finishes. He also does a lot of off the ball running for players to create opportunities for others. However every player goes through phases of playing well and playing not so well and with 2 new strikers coming in competition for places is now going to be a formality. With that may come some time on the bench for everyone, whether that be Tommy, Quiche Nabil or Whoopi. It's part of having the luxury of 4 strikers. You can rotate depending on who is in form, if all 4 are on form then it may have to be a case of your turn this week, then someone else the next.

Peaksy showed a lot of patience (as did the fans) when he first joined. He went through a long baron spell without scoring or playing particularly well, yet he was in the starting XI week in week out, whilst others like Lorraine and Joseph, waited for their time coming off the bench.

Look at Brad for example, he was on the bench for what must have been 3 or 4 games, no doubt he wasn't happy, but he didn't got on Twitter 20 minutes after the game to sulk, he knuckled down, and got his chance again and took it. Now he's in the side week in week out.

We've been over this with players in the past and no doubt will do again in the future. Unless you are an exceptional world beater like Messi or Ronaldo then no one is guaranteed a start with in the team, you have to earn it, and competition for places is a way of separating those who are up for the fight and those who are not. If you sulk at the first knock back then perhaps your footballing future lies elsewhere.......

Dowlo wrote:

ParcelFace wrote:Looks like Tommy Berwick will be leaving, seems to be being a complete diva rather than trying to regain a starting spot.

Saw this yesterday, to be honest if he gets all emotional about being on the bench for 1 game and appears to sulk then do we really need that type of character in the side.

There is no doubt on his day he can and has produced some excellent finishes. He also does a lot of off the ball running for players to create opportunities for others. However every player goes through phases of playing well and playing not so well and with 2 new strikers coming in competition for places is now going to be a formality. With that may come some time on the bench for everyone, whether that be Tommy, Quiche Nabil or Whoopi. It's part of having the luxury of 4 strikers. You can rotate depending on who is in form, if all 4 are on form then it may have to be a case of your turn this week, then someone else the next.

Peaksy showed a lot of patience (as did the fans) when he first joined. He went through a long baron spell without scoring or playing particularly well, yet he was in the starting XI week in week out, whilst others like Lorraine and Joseph, waited for their time coming off the bench.

Look at Brad for example, he was on the bench for what must have been 3 or 4 games, no doubt he wasn't happy, but he didn't got on Twitter 20 minutes after the game to sulk, he knuckled down, and got his chance again and took it. Now he's in the side week in week out.

We've been over this with players in the past and no doubt will do again in the future. Unless you are an exceptional world beater like Messi or Ronaldo then no one is guaranteed a start with in the team, you have to earn it, and competition for places is a way of separating those who are up for the fight and those who are not. If you sulk at the first knock back then perhaps your footballing future lies elsewhere.......

Spot on. I've been waiting for Tommy to produce the sort of form he managed at Corby (where he was their stand out player by a mile in the Southern League Premier) but it only tends to come in 5/10 minute flashes. I think there's a confidence issue there that doesn't seem to be going away regardless of whether he plays well or scores goals.

Now I'm not surprised by the above tweets. Immediately after the match he tweeted about how he hates the game he once loved (or words to that affect) and I thought he might not see the month out with us. I think the year he's spent with us is the longest stay at a club for a very long time so if wants to walk after his first benching, and not fight for his place in the starting line up, then as far as I'm concerned that's his loss.

Totally agree with Dowlo and Barton Raz.

I've got four lads at Irchy who could start for most other teams in the NSYL. None of them have thrown their toys out of the pram but got on with it and played out of what they would class as their best position without moaning.

Often there is a good reason players play at this level that has nothing to do with ability.

Very interesting posts on Tommy Berwick, particularly Dowlo's. I feel Andy P has been massively supportive to TB and in some respects 'nursed; him through a number of matches. I have not seen TB's tweets but from posts it is not encouraging. To coin a phrase, 'the ball is in his Court'.