Here we go dear friends, the finishing line is getting closer. My Notts County were in control in League Two at the end of January and we only needed to keep up the good form and earn promotion with a few games to spare. That was just theory though, we still had to earn the points and score the goals on the pitch.
I wanted 5 wins out of 5 games in February and we definitely needed a good start to achieve that. The first game was away at 21st placed Grimsby, a team held us to a 0-0 draw in December. We had a poor first half and this time too and Grimsby were leading 1-0 at the break. Things got better in the last 45 minutes and striker Francois Zoko stepped up again, he was back after a nasty injury and wanted to prove that he still deserved a place in the first team. Unfortunately he picked up a knock again, another two weeks out for him…
The next game was at home with 6th placed Rochdale, a tough opponent that we managed to beat 2-0 in November. The game didn’t begin well for us, Rochdale scored with a fabulous shot from 30 yards out. We reacted very well though and Tinga blasted in one of his trademark shots only two minutes later. We took the lead just before the break and dominated the game quite clearly.
Next up, we had an away game at 21st placed Aldershot, a team that we defeated 2-0 in November. We didn’t have to try very hard to win again, veteran striker Ade Akinbiyi headed in his 10th goal of the season in the 54th minute and then we played around waiting for the final whistle.
We had another away game coming up, at 20th placed Darlington. We won the previous game 2-0 in December and I expected another confident win. We played very well indeed, controlled the ball but scored only once. Anyway, it was our 4th win out of the 5 games that we had to play in February.
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Chris Harris
25 ноября, 2009 at 18:11
I have recently started a season with Boro I have signed a few players on loan and I need some advice on who to start up front. Emnes, Macheda, Odabeyi, Lita, Aliadiere or Porritt. Porritt has shown some promice in pre season odabeyi is yet to score and Emnes has scored two hat tricks its emnes and one of the former who should I make my 1st choice?
JohnnyKarp
25 ноября, 2009 at 19:43
@Curtis
You forgot to say what type of tactic you want to use… Anyway, in my game Emnes’ natural position is attacking midfielder, not striker and Porritt’s natural role is left winger. About the others, I would prefer Lita and Macheda as strikers.
eddie eddie
25 ноября, 2009 at 19:56
Another well done for you sure you will get promoted sonn.
JohnnyKarp
25 ноября, 2009 at 20:48
Thanks Eddie, we won’t let you down ;)
Chris Harris
26 ноября, 2009 at 19:12
Emnes is a good finisher and he scored two hatricks in pre seasons I’ve only played two championship games I’ve drawn both. But for some reason you can only see the little players at certain times i don’t know why. the minutes just go by and nothing happens which stops me having oppurtunitys to score goals
JohnnyKarp
26 ноября, 2009 at 20:58
Chris, if you don’t see your team creating chances in the match highlights is because the team isn’t creating them… Try to switch to full match view and see what’s working and what isn’t with your team’s game.
Ubisoka
26 ноября, 2009 at 21:17
Hey Johnny.
Congrats on another successful season. The other day when I was in the pub before going to watch Arsenal play Standard Liege at the Emirates I was talking to some guy who was wearing a Blyth Spartans jacket! Turns out he actually played for them some 30 odd years ago. Small world!
JohnnyKarp
26 ноября, 2009 at 22:09
Hello Ubisoka! It’s a small world indeed :) Actually after the Blyth Spartans story I still have some feelings for the side, I follow their results and games since then :) They’re not doing too well, they won’t get promoted to Blue Square Premier this year but I enjoy watching the highlights of their games on their website.