Present company

Hello again everyone – I hope you all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to celebrating New Year with another three points today against Wolves.

Yup, Wolves. Another “famous” team. Another ex-Premiership team and hopefully another team that will underestimate us, whose fans will crow about this being “our Cup final”, yada-yada even though we`re flying high in the table. Hopefully another team that`ll go home pointless too!

By this point you`re probably sifting through your Christmas presents sorting the ‘Wayne Browns` from the ‘Gus Caesars` and if your family is anything like mine you`ll have a sack full of Christmas wrapping paper – to recycle of course, not throw away.

The CUFC Message Board has been buzzing with festive cheer too and no wonder with the team`s form on the pitch. With the season`s halfway point now vanishing rapidly behind us (much like Southend) we`re just 15 points from safety. Then we can really start to enjoy this season.

Ok, we`re enjoying it anyway but we`re still the new kids, so boasting about how easy we`re finding it is just rude. ’tis the season of goodwill and all that.

‘boarders have been wishing each other happy holidays and merry Christmases all over the show and much chat and banter is being had.

One fun idea that came up was Christmas presents for the team. Yes, I realise it`s a bit late now but still it`s an entertaining idea and I`m sure they`d be grateful anyway.

So, besides offering them all 10-year contracts, a huge pat on the back and a “keep up the good work” pep talk? what would you get for the player(s) of your choice?

Festive spirit

There have already been some good ideas coming up mostly with tongue planted firmly in cheek, like the wag who started the thread (you know who you are) that suggested a snorkel and flippers for Karl Duguid. A hint at one of his alleged past-times? Shocking.

One of the board`s administrators even took up the festive spirit, suggesting a present for our struggling neighbours Southend. Some music, maybe to lift their spirits? The suggest track: “I`m going down” from Mary J Blige may not have the desired effect though.

Another regular, Wixy, suggested a more traditional gift, some linen for our two shot-stoppers: a double (clean) sheet for Deano and Aidan then.

Unsurprisingly lots of people were into the idea of buying something heavy for Greg Halford? a ball and chain should do it, though may restrict his right-wing rampaging somewhat – though knowing Greg, not much!

Kemi Izzet was a popular present idea recipient too. They ranged from a bigger frame to go with his big heart, through to a question mark for the name on his shirt, just to confuse the ref. Personally I`d buy him a lifetime`s supply of Lucozade to help replace all that energy he expends!

One gift we`d all like to see the team enjoy is a new stadium but that`s one of those presents you buy for someone else, when you really want it for yourself.

What about those behind the scenes? Peter Heard needs some token, surely? A huge armchair, a bottle of festive port and a box of cigars ought to about cover it! And for Marie Partner a chauffeur driven car to help ease her workload – maybe Marino Keith could be the chauffeur, all that gear changing might be good physio for his injury!

For the new man in charge, Robbie Cowling how about a Blankety Blank chequebook and pen? Then he can write a nice few blank ones to make another gift to Geraint!

Whatever your gift idea and whoever it was for they`re hugely deserving. Much as I hope you have a marvellous New Year, uncharitably, I hope the players don`t enjoy themselves too much, at least off the pitch! See you all at QPR. (Festive) cheer on those super U`s today!

You can catch more from CO2 in the U`s Matchday Magazine priced at just £3.