December 2007

December started. I have been playing the last few games with a pain in my achilles and although at the beginning it was thought it would have just taken a few days later on a likely tear was detected and it had not been detected through the scanner before. I had to stop playing and have a rest to verify what kind of tear could be. At the same time Wayne Thomas had a similar problem. After different opinions and scans it just a slight tear detected in the achilles which will heal after some rest again. This has delayed my return longer than necessary but I should be back at the end of December in order to keep assisting the team with more chances to create. I have been quite upset with myself watching some defeats where I thought I could have given more to the team if I had been playing after the previous good run into the team. It's a very typical feeling when you are injured. But this time it is just for a short while and I will be back soon. I am very glad to see how well Stern John is doing. His finishing and goals have given a lot of joy to the team and fans but we have also gone through some embarrasing defeats. The team starts to take shape and the defense is more solid. The absence of Nathan Dyer can leave us without pace on the wing as he is a very important player for the team. I hope his injury will take less than planned. The young Phil Ifil is a great asset in the team. He is very happy down here in the South and in the club and we hope he will be here long time in order to help achive the target. Now in January we may lose Safri as he may have to play the Africa Cup and it's very important for the team to be as complete as possible and we already have got to start with these two absences. Plus Claus who is having his rehabilitation and Chris Makin who also will take some longer before healing.

These latest weeks there have been a few rumours and news in the club which have not been very welcomed by the the fans and I must be honest they have not been ignored by the team and it has confused most of the players. But there have been some positive news recently. The return of Leon Crouch to the board as chairman is a good asset and for us he inspires respect and becomes a friendly and visible face in the club. We hope the club can work with unity and continuity and get estability which is so important for any team and board in any football club. As a footballer we do not let these things affect to us but it is impossible to ignore all what it has been happening and not to talk a word about it on ocassions.

At the Training Ground we keep training with a good Spirit and although things are a little more difficult now we still hope to be at the top of the table soon fighting in order to achieve our target of the season.

On December 8th the team had a Christmas evening out in Bournemouth and had a fancy dress party starting at the hotel. Nobody knew what everybody would be wearing... The most dared fancy dress was Gregorz's which I will not reveal and the best one was Saga's. Ifil and Simon Gillet wore the same one, same as me and Jhon Viafara. We had some Zorro, Batmen, Teletubbies, Captain Americas, Scooby Doo, Jedis etc... It was a good night where we improvised a great team meeting which improved our team Spirit and I trust this Spirit will take us in the right direction to get all our ambitions this season.

I'd like to remember and say thank you and good luck to three people who have left us recently. Dave Roberts, the Groundsman who did an outstanding job for us at the stadium and Training ground but also I heard he worked for the FA to prepare Wembley. Without any doubt, he has become a very important person in the team where we are all in. After 14 years working for his club, we all wish him the best the same as Yvonne Bainbridge who left us a few weeks ago after having worked for the Reception of the football club in the old stadium and at St Mary's. They are people who I personally met through friends in the club and their work and kindness  have been very important and appreciated. And my friend Andy the physio who have looked after me in my most frustrating time. He joined Bolton and I hope we will pay him a visit next season if we get the promotion.  I hope next time we will be discussing some good results and some of my performances and review a few games. The last 4-0 against Hill did not bring a very hard rival so we could take all our chances and even more in order to beat them. It was good to see a few goals against a rival this time! I wish we can repeat more results like that one.

Here you have a website about my thoughts and career and you will find regularly some updates and I will answer your emails personally if you want to ask or tell me something.

Best Wishes,

Iņigo Idiakez