Well, well, well. If it isn’t 2026 rolling round the corner like an abandoned shopping trolley. 2025 was a tumultuous year for our beloved club (see latest pod episode), but this new year brings with it a blanket
of fresh hope and optimism.
In practical terms, it has also bought an arctic blast to our Berkshire doors. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s people complaining about the cold in January (a traditionally winter month). It happens. Accept it, move on. Simple as.
If, like me, you awoke on the first of January without a hangover, you will have made the most of your morning/early afternoon. I rose like a Tudor nobleman at banquet time, tidied some rubbish, did (nearly) 5km on the treadmill, had a long bath and generally pottered about. I left a lot later than I normally do due to the freezing cold – no chance I’m out in that longer than I needed to be.
As I pulled up opposite the megashop, I noticed the addition of some rails on the shop floor, no doubt selling previous seasons’ merch in silly sizes at cheap prices. Honestly, show me an adult male who is physically able to fit into a small Macron product and I’ll call you a liar, despite the fact they are standing in front of me. Even medium for that matter – it’s just not possible.
As I entered the stadium via Gate 5 (for all the turnstile fans out there) and moved confidently through the concourse and into the gaping mouth of B13, the winter air slapped me like a big carp hitting a fisherman who was physically (and metaphorically) out of his depth. Awfully cold.
The teams news gave me no comfort. Dropping Charlie Savage? Are you serious? You can clap in the centre circle all you want mate, but when you make decisions like that, you turn this fan against you, so you better bloody win or else pal.
To be fair, I’d heard Savage had had an operation after the Peterborough United draw and I’d also heard he had flu over Crimbo, so it made sense I guess, but it still wasn’t easy to swallow given he’d been one of our better players consistently.
We started the game in first gear and remained there for the entirety of the game if I’m honest. Burton Albion, renowned for their physicality and that big Pirelli factory, were not physical and certainly not as slick as the aforementioned tyres. While we had to be professional and do the job, we never looked troubled or concerned by them.
I felt the goals were decent and well worked. We looked a bit fluent in the final third and made some good passing movements, which shows the team is moving slowly in the right direction.
Half-time called for New Year/good performance beer. My hands were so cold that the Spanish beverage in my palms felt like an extension of my body. I don’t care what anyone says: that concourse in the Dolan is always five degrees lower than the actual temperature.
As I said previously however, I don’t like people moaning about the cold, so you won’t hear a peep out of me about the winter conditions.
The second half began, nothing happened, then it finished and I went home. To warm up my jaw, I did some jaw exercises in the car on the way back. A few “big chins”, some lower-mouth side-to-sides, tongue movements like I was doing the Haka – you get the vibe. Try it, you’ll like it.
Speaking of warming up, that’s now four unbeaten for Leamo and his gang. While the results are good, the performances overall are thawing out and showing that the temperature is going up slightly.
A big test awaits on Sunday in the shape of a decent Stockport County outfit who have consistently shown they can compete at the top end of this division. Will we be too hot to handle for The Hatters (I thought that was Luton Town, but Google tells me it’s also this lot) or will they deliver a chill down our spines? Tune in on Sunday to find out!
Merry New Year and all that and here’s to a decent 2026 for The Biscuitmen, you and your families.
Until next time.
