Blakey’s Blog

So we’re now two weeks into the new season and results have been mixed. After a fascinating final day at Chelmsford brought us the perfect start, we were soon brought back down to earth with a crushing defeat up at Northampton last week. In a game where Northants seemed to get on role with both bat and ball, things just didn’t go our away. All credit to their seam attack, they put the ball in the right areas more often than not and before we knew it we were staring at an innings defeat. It is important we make a true assessment of where we went wrong, but at the same time move on, and continue with the positives we took from an all-round team performance at Essex. Gloucester is our next game, which looks to be an exciting prospect in our newly renovated home at Canterbury. In a game where we look to bounce back straight away, I hope we can put on a show for all members and supporters in our first home game of the 2011 season.

I personally haven’t started as I would have liked, which is obvious to see from my scores. Although I’m not beating myself up too much. I still feel in good nick in warm ups before the game and have done throughout pre-season. For me it’s a case of watching the ball closely, and being positive. It’s not a time to start thinking about technique too much, but instead have trust in the game that has got me to where I am now.

The mood in the dressing room has been very good in the opening weeks, in both victory and defeat, which is important in a long season. A lot of the talk has surrounded the ever-popular ITV 2 reality show; the Only Way is Essex, with our very own ‘Harry Derbridge’ in the form of Joe Denly. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but seems to be a firm favourite amongst our changing room. Phil ‘Tony Pulis’ Relf has settled into his analyst role very nicely, with some splendid pre-match slideshows regarding our opposition. He’s even worked out how to add music now, which just goes to show the great strides he is making in the technological world. Though the test will come in his first home game, when the pressure of recording and clicking truly sets in! It was nice to have Ashley Shaw in the changing room last week also as he amused the lads with his ‘Crewe’ approach to life. As a potential housemate, I’m sure he’ll continue to make me laugh in his ‘reem’ way!

In a week that sees us with a break in the schedule, the majority of the squad is training hard at Canterbury. I however am now down in Southampton with the Leeds/Bradford UCCE, preparing to face Hampshire CCC in a 3-day game at the Rose Bowl. A game that presents a great opportunity for me to get some more time in the middle as I look to find some form. I just hope the weather stays fine and I come away feeling good come Friday evening.

Other news sees Spurs’ emphatic run in the Champions League sadly come to an end. It was always going to be a tough task against the giants of Real Madrid, and with an early Crouch sending off in the first leg, it was made even harder. A good run while it lasted, and I’m sure we proved a few doubters wrong by getting as far as we did. Tottenham now turn their attentions to a vital few weeks in the league, as we look to maintain our Champions League status for next season. So fingers crossed from all you fellow Yids out there!

That’s all for now, and let’s look forward to Canterbury next week.