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Tactical Error

John J O’Connor

Friday, July 1st, 2016

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 July the first, the year of Sixteen
a day of death and terror,
a generation lost by brekky
cos tacticians made an error.
Pep talk from the Captain
who’s from the playing fields of Eton
he drills into his players heads
that they never shall be beaten.
“Chaps —- don’t worry about their Arsenal
Just stick to our formation,
and once we have them beaten
we’ll have a celebration.
Get near to their defenders chaps
Before you shoot and fire
This could be a jolly decent match
That might go to the wire.”

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 A brandy ration is distributed
to counter pre-match tension
as the players line up to go on the pitch
full of apprehension.
Some are praying quietly
others struggle with their kit
some can’t wait for action
they’re chomping at the bit.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 ATTACK– ATTACK — ATTACK
is the tactic of the day
which seems a little puzzling
as the lads are playing away.
They’re frightened and bewildered
when they hear the whistle blow
as up the ladder and onto the pitch
they are told to go.
Once out on the ripped up field
They hear a cauldron of sound
but unfortunately for these young lads
this is not a football ground.
This isn’t Windsor Park, or the Hawthorns at West Brom
it’s the final game they’ll ever play
on a battle field called THE SOMME.

© John J O’Connor July 1st 2016

Notes

Roy Hodgson got his tactics wrong, loses a football match, and resigns in shame. In World War One the powers that were made countless errors. From the safety of their chateau’s miles from the front line these muppets sent hundreds of thousands of men to their deaths.At the inquests, usually over a few brandies, the Generals were often clapped on the back for giving it the good old school try and recommended for promotions.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/tactical-error-2/