ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger have nothing on David Garbacz and Phil Peters when it comes to mind games - this is just one broiges that will brew and brew and brew.
With the ‘Special One’ having recently labelled Monsieur Wenger the “Specialist in Failure”, it’s clear Garbacz has been trying to get into the head of Peters whose Norstar London Raiders A team are on the cusp of a first-ever MGBSFL Premier Division title.
"L'Orange will need a lot of ice as their champers will need to be kept cold for about three months,” Garbacz told me after the win over Woodford.
"The next focus will be on trying to make up some games in the league — we are just the nine games (half a season) behind Norstar — but we’ve spoken about the second half of the season officially starting now.
"We are still unbeaten domestically in all competitions and there is a steely determination to keep it that way for as long as possible."
Having already played Raiders twice, Hendon’s destiny still lies in their own hands, but playing catch-up is never easy and Peters will no doubt be looking to pile on the pressure over the coming weeks.
Responding to Garbacz’s comments, he said: "We're planning to ignore the Hendon mind-games and concentrate on what we’re currently very good at - winning football matches."
NLR’s league run-in features a trip to Redbridge before a home match against Oakwood and the finishing line is within sight. If you ask me, it's probably too little, too late for Garbacz to attempt psychological warfare, but you can't fault him for trying. For me, the league’s already as good as NLR’s and the cup competitions are Hendon’s best bet.
However, all is fair in love and war and credit to Raiders for helping Hendon find a suitable pitch to alleviate their fixture backlog.
* This week’s bonus ball is no. 17 – the age of Scott Kashket – the latest Jewish player to sign terms for a professional club. Who said Jews can’t play sport?