You make a fair point about the Great Man; of course – although I don’t think many managers could get away with that kind of motivational tactic, and it’s worth considering that the state of the game is very different compared to now – much more fitness orientated.

I certainly wouldn’t begrudge the player some time off to let off steam, but I would if it were the night before a game – I don’t go out on the piss if I have a particularly important day in the office, let alone having to do physical activity!

That said, they might not have been out on the piss at all!

firstly great site, always an interesting read.

Only post rarlely (once b4 I think!), however, I read this and felt I have to chip in; I have just been on holiday and whilst there I decided to while away my hours on the beach reading BC’s Walking on Water for the 2nd time. This is relevant because as anyone who has read either of his books wil know, our greatest ever team used to get pissed before games on a regular basis – sometimes against their wishes! This is all with the absolute blessing of the great man himself.

Whilst I am not condoning the behaviour all I will say is that situations like getting pissed occasionally can have a very positive effect on team spirit and other things.

So, in summary I guess what I’m saying is don’t behave holier than thou on this particular issue. A 46 game season is a long hard struggle so I’m sure we can excuse the lads a bit of time to ‘release the pressure’, can’t we?

That would have done the trick.

Of course, it could all just be made up piffle.