MEN AGAINST BOYS
By Sian Taylder

One wonders whether a little mentioned aspect of Steve Claridge's pre-season training programme has been issuing his defenders with copies of William Blakes 'Songs of Innocence and Experience'.

The reformed rearguard clearly prove the old adage that 'knowledge is power', their tackling combatative and clinical with the assurance that experience brings.

Without doubt the transformation of last year's naïve and occasionally blundering back four into a solid, efficient and at times menacing unit of pseudo-gangsters who would not look out of place in an East End gun heist has been one of two great revelations this July, the other being the outstanding form of Shaun Wilkinson.

The diminutive midfielder has clearly shed a few pounds but, disconcertingly, has begun to resemble the Buckle/Barlow twins. Given the competition for places in the current squad, one wonders whether there nothing sinister in this and that Mr Claridge has not been experimenting with cloning as well as the 4-4-2 system.

Saturday's languid fixture, played on a warm afternoon more suited to the sound of leather on willow than the dull thud of synthetic material on Lee Charles' forehead, provided several pointers as to the side that will eventually take the field against Cambridge City on August 14th.

It will also have served to whet the appetite of those who consider this team to be a considerable improvement on last season and for whom competitive action cannot come soon enough. 'Ain't nothing like the real thing', as they say.

Tony Adams youngsters provided less daunting opposition for a relaxed Terras side who really ought to have notched up their first victory against a team that already bears the hallmarks of perennial strugglers.

With the much travelled Fitzroy Simpson making a promising debut as a trialist and the much less travelled but equally capable Ward replacing Jason in goal, Weymouth were first out of the stalls and, apart from a short period in the second half, remained in the ascendant throughout.

Both Wilkinson and the splendid Lee Phillips were quick to impress but the back four of Pethick, Bound, (Stock, Aitken and) Waterman and the Bee Gee (Gibbs) displayed little of the defensive frailties that marred last season's campaign.

Given his recent introduction to the team, Simpson linked well with the former soul crooner and surely deserves another run out although one wonders how he will fit into the manager's plans when the presumably injured Chukki returns. In contrast, Adam Wilde appeared for the most part an elusive character in search of a plot that might feature him in a more central role.

If the back four resemble the Mitchell brothers, Wilde was the non-speaking extra in the Queen Vic. Tully, in contrast, is the proverbial wide-boy, wheeling and dealing down the right with an eye for a bargain and a touch of deceipt.

If his form continues, the Wessex will soon be under siege from scouts and agents waving chequebooks in Mr Tully's direction.

Resisting the temptation to 'do a Sven' (as in introducing wholesale substitutions and not being dumped by the delectable Ms Dell'Olio) Claridge made no changes during the interval though those he made later in the second half proved informative, especially as the Terras seemed to drop down a gear when Wilko and Phillips were withdrawn.

The player manager himself looked effective but slightly out of touch, though he did at least succeed in breaching the Wycombe defence only for his header to be ruled offside.

Barlow and Bunce were introduced and, with fifteen minutes remaining, the dashing Spaniard himself made an appearance.

Not only does Joseba bring a touch of much needed Latin style to the side, his work-rate belies the notion that the continentals prefer dawdling to diligence and are liable to take siestas at crucial moments of the game.

The Iberian midfielder's commitment cannot be doubted and he gives the overall impression that he genuinely wants to play for the team and be part of the club.

He already has a following with the fans and one hopes his contribution is not short-lived.

Weymouth will undoubtedly face sterner tests than this in Conference South but the fluent passing and movement they displayed, especially in the first half, will surely prove too much for some of the leagues and will win them the admiration of many neutrals.

One might like to see a little more sharpness in front of goal but Chukki will undoubtedly provide this. 'Bring on the dancing horses' as Echo and the Bunnymen once sang.