In the build up to Tuesday
nights Capital One second round cup tie at Yeovil, ATWD spoke to Paul Brenton of
Pride of Somerset about his thoughts on tomorrow nights game.
How Long a Glovers Fan?
I am a 29 year old season ticket holder, who has an ongoing love
affair with
Yeovil
Town. Although the old man was taking me to games long before, the first game I
really remember was against
Macclesfield
Town in March 1989. It was a special occasion for me, as it was just before my
6th birthday and I was mascot. We won 2-0. I was hooked and I have been Green
and White ever since.
Why Yeovil?
They are my local team. None of this supporting a Premier League
side from the pub / armchair rubbish. There is nothing like the emotion, the
highs and lows of watching live football and for me that passion comes from
watching Yeovil. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Favourite All Time Yeovil Player?
Such a difficult one. As we have had so many superb players
relative to our level. Many of our players have gone on to play at a higher
level. Chris Cohen, a real box to box midfielder now at
Nottingham Forest
is one of those that stands out. Mark Shail was an awesome defender in our
non-league days and Super Gavin Williams who is now back with us was an immense
talent that led us out of the Conference.
But for all-time favourite, I think Warren Patmore just about
edges it. He scored 136 goals in 280 appearances between 1995 and 2001.
Thoughts on the Season So Far?
Our start to the season has exceeded expectations and we are
sitting proudly at the top of league one. It’s our best ever start to a
football league season. We are unbeaten in 13 games if you include the Capital
One Cup and Pre-season Friendlies and that included a draw against a strong
Stoke
City side. It’s definitely early days though and we are not getting carried
away, but you will hear “We are top of Top of the League” ring out a few times.
It’s our eight consecutive season in League One and we have seen some dire
football. What the start has done is to give enthusiasm and hope that this
season will be a comfortable one rather than one where we are looking over our
shoulder.
How is ex-Albion player Reuben Reid Performing?
Very well. He has settled in well, helped by the fact that we
are close to his
Bristol
home. He has already created a great partnership up front with James Hayter.
He is strong on the ball, his movement off the ball is top notch and he has a
really good first touch for a big lad. He also knows where the net is, topping
our pre-season scoring charts with five goals and he netted his first league
goal in our 4-0 win on Saturday with a very calm, well placed finish.
Player to Watch?
Our number 8, Ed Upson. He is just 22 years old and gets better
and better. He absolutely runs our midfield. Everything we do well will go
through him. His performance will have a big say in how well we do this
season. Having said that, keep an eye out for our keeper Marek Stech as well,
the boy has the potential to reach a much higher level.
Capital One Cup Winners?
I think Everton are overdue a trophy and I’d like the winners to
come from outside the big 6. Failing that, if you beat us, it would be great to
see a club like
West Brom
win it.
Predictions and Thoughts for the Game?
Naturally like every supporter, hope going into the game is that
we can win it. But to be honest, this cup is pretty meaningless for us unless
we got some big away pay-days in the next round or two. A defeat means we will
learn about our squad and they will learn about each other which could be
extremely important for the league campaign, so a defeat might not be a bad
thing as this bunch have not lost yet. In reality the hope is that we give you
a good game and do ourselves proud playing some good football that gives the
boys confidence that playing the game our way, the right way can give a premier
league side a good test.
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