ALLEN: 5-1 CUP DEFEAT IS THE HIGH POINT OF MY CAREER
Behind the scenes at Brentford as Martin Allen has FA Cup heartache but calls it...
FA Cup third round day for National League Eastleigh is a major date after drawing Championship side Brentford away. Eastleigh manager Mad Dog Martin Allen has invited The Mail on Sunday to join his squad for the whole day to see what the experience is like.
SAM CUNNINGHAM spent 48 hours with ‘Mad Dog’ in the build-up and though the result ends in a goal-filled defeat, the match’s entertainment is rivalled by what goes on behind the scenes… 9AM There is a splurge high up on the side of the coach as it waits at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium and training complex. It looks like tomato sauce. ‘We better sort that out,’ first team coach Carl Muggleton says. The driver has a go with some tissue and the kit man gets a mop and bucket while the coach is loaded up.
Supporters are already in The Hangar clubhouse, where it’s a fiver for a full English and a pint. They are taking 12 coaches. A few players get on the team bus here, the rest will get on at a car park off the M3.
10.45 The rest of the players are lined up in their cars waiting as the coach pulls up to meet them. Adam Dugdale approaches me. He has read the piece in the day’s newspaper which features Allen taking the micky out of the defender. ‘You stitched me up — I’ve been getting messages about it all morning,’ he says. ‘We’ll be having words later.’ He strides on to the coach, laughing.
11.20 The coach pulls into the Marriott hotel next to Heathrow and squeezes past a white Rolls Royce by millimetres. The players and Allen depart, the rest of the staff continue on to Griffin Park to drop everything off.
Cones, boots, balls, kit, cool boxes and water bottles are hauled into the away dressing room. ‘There’s no couch, we need a treatment couch,’ physio Andy Cook says. He finds one and the dressing room is so small he sets up in the showers.
11.30 In a l arge private room just off from the hotel’s reception the squad eat on three tables. They have a spread of eggs poached and scrambled, grilled chicken breasts, toast, cereal, beans, pasta, fruit. When they return from Griffin Park, Allen and his staff sit at a separate table. The players must eat by midday so the food is digested before kick-off.
Allen then gives a team talk. ‘The toughest boy in their team is Harlee Dean,’ Allen says. ‘You need to hit him if you get a chance when they’re tapping it about. We get a tackle in as quick as possible to show we’re coming with no fear.’ 12PM The staff remain in the dining area. There’s a bit of chat about the game, but it’s mainly relaxed. Analyst and fitness coach Ross Cracknell discusses the benefits of coconut oil for losing weight. ‘Tell that to Carlo’ Allen says, referencing Muggleton. ‘Look at him he’s going up for his third lunch.’
1.30 The dressing room is ready with the kits laid out when the coach arrives at Griffin Park. There are Jaffa Cakes, banana chunks and wine gums in bowls. The substitutes, assistant manager James Russell and Muggleton head to the dugout 10 minutes before kick-off. Russell sits and scribbles some last-minute notes. Allen is fondly remembered for his time in charge at Brentford and is given a brilliant reception when he walks from the tunnel. The mascot gives him a hug.
3.0 Kick-off. Allen is in constant dialogue with individuals. He is orchestrating and directing, trying to get them to keep their shape. ‘Ayo!’ He shouts to his central midfielder, then when he has the player’s attention he punches his fist into his palm. ‘Greeny, not too early,’ he says to his wide man.
Five minutes in they concede a penalty and Gavin Hoyte is injured. Allen is deep in conversation with Muggleton and Russell and they leaf through their notes. Eastleigh’s first chance falls to Mike Green and he fires wildly over the bar. Allen points both forefingers in the air, signalling a six like a cricket umpire. Green sees the funny side as he jogs back into position.
Brentford are two up after 16 minutes and Allen’s hands fly into the air and he looks to the sky. When they concede a third after 22 minutes, he strides into the dugout and takes a seat at the back, elbows resting on his knees in despair.
3.29 Eastleigh pull a goal back but there are no celebrations in the dugout. In fact, Allen becomes more incensed. Sam Togwell is crunched by Josh McEachran and the referee books him. ‘How’s that not a red card?’ Allen screams at the linesman, his face exploding into rage.
James Constable is pushed in Brentford’s penalty area but nothing is given. Allen’s fists clench and he screams to the fourth official, ‘How is that not a penalty? That’s two wrong decisions now.’
3.50 Back in the changing room at the break, Allen tells his players they can crumble and concede eight or nine but they do not deserve that. Or, he says, they can go out and do their families in the stands proud.
4.10 One of the Brentford supporters has been giving Allen stick for the whole game. He yells something and Allen starts jokingly swearing at him behind his back, much to the delight of the Brentford supporters. ‘I know you love me really,’ the fan shouts. In the 53rd minute, the ball bounces out to Allen for an Eastleigh throw-in and he lobs it behind him. ‘What was the point of that?’ the fan yells. Allen responds: ‘ Because we’re 5-1 down!’
4.44 The game is nearing the end and the linesman calls an Eastleigh player offside. Allen fixes him with the same chilling stare that he used to scare opponents on the football pitch as a player.
As Allen leaves down the tunnel after the final whistle, the Brentford fans start a chant of, ‘There’s only one Martin Allen.’
5.07 In a Griffin Park corridor Allen makes a quick call to wife Lisa to tell her he will see her in the directors’ box shortly. He does a round of media interviews. ‘This is probably the highlight of my career,’ he tells reporters. ‘I had tears in my eyes but I managed not to cry.’