THE glory days of La Liga titles and Champions League finals are a distant memory for Toby Alderweireld.
On the evening of the Kenna League auction 14 days ago, the Belgian defender became the Sleptember XI manager’s most expensive signing at £18m.
But any hopes of improving on Sleptember’s debut sixth-place finish last season look short lived. The club are propping up the table.
Yaya Toure, Deigo Costa, Fernando Llorente, Adam Lallana, Marcus Rojo and Scott Malone are all yet to start for the club.
Alderweireld is among four players to enjoy some game time, although while Etienne Capoue and Darren Fletcher have produced humble returns, goalkeeper Joe Hart is on a season total of minus one point.
Legions of fans have been critical of the manager’s recruitment policy.
Diego Costa is a case in point.
Every other manager at the auction suppressed snickers of schadenfreude as the Sleptember manager engaged in a small bidding war for lot number 14.
Remaining deadpan while a competitor throws away his budget on a player unlikely to play in England again is a challenge for even the most seasoned Kenna manager.
What thigh-slapping relief when the Sleptember manager didn’t catch on and signed Costa for £15m!
Events must have taken a toll on the unfortunate Sleptember boss.
Inhibited by the Costa blunder, Sleptember went on to trigger the Titus Bramble ruling.
Remember Stan Collymore? No longer a striker with a wayward personal life, Collymore is now a broadcaster and journalist with a more balanced personal life.
Except, given the events in Royal Tunbridge Wells this weekend, one wonders whether Stan The Man is slipping into old habits.
Locals appear to have been vindicated in their protest against Flamefest sex festival in Kent, where one unfortunate man was pronounced dead and a woman went to hospital.
‘Discreet’ adult play area staffed by dominatrices and an outdoor dungeon. For Toby Alderweireld the October transfer window can’t come soon enough.
Kenna table – week 2
Full scores available at The Rub.
