Often when a player first joins a club, particularly if it's one the fans aren't previously aware of, it's interesting to track opinion as time goes on. When Joe Lewis first arrived on loan from Stockport, all anyone talked about was the shorts. "He's a decent player this new fella, but what's the effing score with the shorts?" was the talk of the early away trips. These was a probably a wee bit of resentment and jealousy from the lads too, all the girls loved him.
Gradually though, people began to see past the shorts (well most did anyway 😂) and we began to collectively realise that what we had here was a proper footballer. This is a fella who wins headers, has pace across the ground and is as strong as a bull. He actually doesn't need that "look at how big my muscles are" stance that he has in my photo 😂, he is all core strength. Great technique too, gets his legs set and then just wrestles whoever it is he is up against our of the way.
I'm told that off the pitch Joe isn't as big as he looks on it, when he helped out at DLAG they loved him but commented on how "normal" he looks, quietly spoken too. The fact he isn't quite so imposing in "real life" is unsurprising really, he represents an absolutely mountainous presence on the grass. I once met John Terry and felt exactly the same as those who met Joe, the player and the man is much bigger in stature and presence than in actual height.
There's more though isn't there? It isn't just that Joe Lewis is a very good football player, everyone knows that. It isn't just that he's one of the best centre halves in League Two, that's pretty obvious also. It isn't even that because of his pace, because of his sprinkling of star quality that he could play a level or two higher, no there's more to it than that.
It's Joe Lewis, the man. Like a Jack Reacher on the football pitch, Joe is the fella that embodies what every bloke watching would like to be. He has the looks, the talent but not just that, he has the heart of a lion that every team needs at its core. Jack Reacher irons people out and gets all the girls, no doubt so does Joe Lewis.
I think he's a brilliant footballer, and crucially he GETS us. I totally understand why the wonderful John Green dug down the back of the sofa to find some spare sheckles to stick in the pot (Top man John BTW ❤️), he did it because Joe Lewis embodies what AFC Wimbledon is all about. The fans absolutely love this lad, he gives 100% in every minute of every game.
Joe Lewis is a certain future captain if he stays long enough, his signing has absolutely made my January. Welcome permanently Joe, and well done to Johnnie, Skivvers, Rob, Craig & Bayzo for convincing you that this was the place.
Now I can stop pretending to Stockport fans that Joe is rubbish. The truth is, he is flippin brilliant 👏👏.
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