And so we begin to wind down the season and the Oldham win means that we have still only been beaten once at home in 2008. Gilligan and Holt earned their new deals but Hoobs is off along with Johnson, May and Burnell. So there’s plenty to ponder this week as we prepare for the trip to relegated Port Vale.
The Oldham win seemed one of the most comfortable victories of the season and it’s strange how a side like Luton can cause us a whole lot more problems than Oldham, who we replaced in tenth place at the weekend. Reports I hear were of another poor game but Andy Holt starred in his midfield role while Gilligan got a goal he’s been working at getting for a long time.
Giles Coke seems to be really coming into his own now as he gets fitter by the game. With a full pre-season behind him he could be a lethal weapon at this level come August and the start of the 08/09 campaign. A fifth goal of the season for him set the ball rolling before Gilly’s second rounded things off and we break into the top ten.
Retained List
Many people were surprised at the release of Poul Hubertz this week as Stuart Gray announced his retained list. Hoobs has played a major role in this season, knocking in twelve goals and has become a popular figure on the terraces. I can only assume that he either wanted a move away that badly that he asked for the contract to not be renewed or that Gray felt that his wages would be better spent on a younger model.
Brett Johnson will be disappointed that his injury came when it did, otherwise he could well have been staying at Sixfields. Joe Burnell has never really had that much about him at this level and although he was a consistent member of the first eleven we need something more in midfield, something that Coke clearly gives us.
The summer will be an interesting one with Gray’s main focus clearly on the attack and midfield. Bayo has yet to have a decision made on him as to whether he will be offered a contract so that could well be a call by Gray for him to get his finger out and start performing in the final two games to earn the contract. After a storming start here, Bayo has gone off the boil a bit in recent weeks and will need to impress at Vale and at home to Tranmere in the run-in.
Onwards to Vale Park
Port Vale were hammered 6-0 last week at Swindon with a 17-year-old goalkeeper having a nightmare of a debut between the sticks. They will be wanting to show something in their final home game of the season to give their fans something to hope for next time around in League Two. Usually you find a team that’s just been beaten heavily want to prove something in the next game so we could be facing a fired up side on Saturday.
You would still fancy our chances of success though and three points would cement a top ten position and guarantee a top half finish at least. Aiming even higher and slip ups could mean we’re as high as eighth come Saturday at 5pm!
The ticket prices at Vale have been severely reduced to just £8 so that could persuade a few more Town fans to make the trip and the final away game usually attracts a decent number anyway. Let’s hope we can send Vale down in style!
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
No comments:
Post a Comment