A Record Breaking Run Of Inconsistency.
Win one lose one draw one. Yes you’ve got it, the Christmas programme of results mirrors the season to date exactly.
Won nine lost nine drawn eight. In essence the form of mid table mediocrity as defined as you will see in any side any season. The draw at the Ricoh against a sky blues side with very similar statistics was on reflection of play probably two points lost rather than one gained while the Boxing Day defeat at home to Birmingham was less likely to clear the Christmas Day hangover than being slapped around the face with a left over turkey drumstick.
Three attempts on target in ninety minutes (that’s all the Brummies could manage aswell incidentally) is not the sort of entertainment to bring the casuals that made up a large percentage of the seasons highest attendance flocking back.
The ground out result at Pride Park against a ‘Rams’ side in worse trouble than ourselves has just about kept the season alive going into 2009.
If that result had been reversed it makes you wonder which manager would be currently studying the situations vacant section for football managers.
It would appear that Jim has a stay of execution at least and the enlistment of John Gorman as his new number 2 may make or break his tenure as Town manager. More important than Gorman’s addition to the coaching staff though will be the comings and goings of playing staff in the January window.
The acquisition of a predatory striker would be high on the wish list while on the exit side, the loss of Alex Bruce especially if it were to the ‘Budgies’ may be a bridge too far for the fast growing dissenters from Portman Road at the same time fuelling fire of the ‘anti Magilton’ brigade. Probably our most consistent performer defensively this season even given a chequered disciplinary record, (Ben Thatcher has been forgiven former indiscretions and our longest serving player is known as Psycho by the fans) Bruce should be given a new contract. If there are internal issues regarding the player’s status, then we the supporters should know about them. Despite popular consensus of opinion I think dirty washing should be aired in public. It’s far better than leaving it in the basket to taint the rest of the laundry.
Its FA Cup week and Chesterfield complete with Darren Currie look the probable opponents after an eventful set of circumstances in their tie with Droylsden. The Spireites will be up for a Cup upset after being given a lifeline by the FA but an upset is one thing Town could do without at present.
A comfortable transition to the next round and a visit to or from a top Premiership Club would be better tonic for faithful Town fans still optimistic for the New Year.
I’m one of those and always will be but some years it’s easier than others.
Anyway I would like to wish you all the best for 2009 and hope it brings you everything you want. Relegating the ‘Budgies’ in April and a trip to Wembley in May?
Yeah they are still on the list.
Well mine anyway.
Happy New Year.