Two winnable home games again in five days starting tomorrow evening. Colchester United and Notts County are both sides we have already beaten on their patches and both were games I managed to make.
The pair of them have acquired 17 points on their travels although Colchester have played two less away than County. County are battling for a play-off place whilst Colchester look decidedly mid-table. However, I suspect the U's will give us tougher game. They seem to relish matches in the capital even if it's a game we should win. We didn't get the carefree exhibition football I was hoping for on Saturday but I am sure it will come.
We will soon be entering that phase of the season when we might start losing games unexpectedly. Brighton did exactly that last year. Hopefully, we can maintain the focus at home where we have a decent chance of going the season unbeaten at the Valley in the league. Having set an away wins league record on Saturday, Chris Powell should be able to focus the players around stretching that.
The chasers all face reasonably straightforward fixtures tomorrow night against lower league opposition. All bar Sheffield United, who travel to Walsall, are at home. Remaining unbeaten at home is probably the main thing this week and extending our latest unbeaten run to twelve. I suspect we won't get it all our way this week and Colchester could take something from us. The key now is to play these games and maintain our points advantage.
We could do with some bigger attendances at the Valley and more atmosphere. The last few midweek matches have looked depressingly empty, given our circumstances, although they were the first of two home fixtures and I guess most fans have to make financial choices. Having said that, the Rochdale game looked like several thousand season tickets holders decided it was too much effort on a work night. The actual number of people at the game must have been closer to 12,000 than the published 15,067.
The pair of them have acquired 17 points on their travels although Colchester have played two less away than County. County are battling for a play-off place whilst Colchester look decidedly mid-table. However, I suspect the U's will give us tougher game. They seem to relish matches in the capital even if it's a game we should win. We didn't get the carefree exhibition football I was hoping for on Saturday but I am sure it will come.
We will soon be entering that phase of the season when we might start losing games unexpectedly. Brighton did exactly that last year. Hopefully, we can maintain the focus at home where we have a decent chance of going the season unbeaten at the Valley in the league. Having set an away wins league record on Saturday, Chris Powell should be able to focus the players around stretching that.
The chasers all face reasonably straightforward fixtures tomorrow night against lower league opposition. All bar Sheffield United, who travel to Walsall, are at home. Remaining unbeaten at home is probably the main thing this week and extending our latest unbeaten run to twelve. I suspect we won't get it all our way this week and Colchester could take something from us. The key now is to play these games and maintain our points advantage.
We could do with some bigger attendances at the Valley and more atmosphere. The last few midweek matches have looked depressingly empty, given our circumstances, although they were the first of two home fixtures and I guess most fans have to make financial choices. Having said that, the Rochdale game looked like several thousand season tickets holders decided it was too much effort on a work night. The actual number of people at the game must have been closer to 12,000 than the published 15,067.
Dave, your happiness is understood and shared to a degree, but remember we are not yet guaranteed a play-off place. How far ahead were we in 2000 when Andy Hunt couldn't stop scoring? Miles ahead in Feby, but stumbling over the line in April.
ReplyDeleteI'll personally be happy if we get promoted in April cos I shd be back from 3 months transportation to the land Down Under where Kevin Muscat is still allowed to participate in coaching.
Geoff
Geoff,
ReplyDeleteWe've been waiting for the dreaded blip all season and it doesn't look like coming. Only two defeats all season is amazing and testament to our defensive unit and the fight in the side. I can't see us going on a losing streak and that's what it would take to screw it up now. Reckon you will be back for the parade!
Transportation is what that no-mark Muscat deserves. I was there that night when he finished Matty Holmes' career with a vicious and spiteful tackle. Incidentally, I saw Mattie's (sic) nameplates car parking space at Bournemouth as I left the ground on Saturday. He runs their Centre of excellence down there.
Dave.