2009/10 started with as much distraction as there was ambition on this day one year ago. Back in August 2008, nothing could stop the Cobblers after a terrific ninth place finish in League One the season before. But twelve months and a relegation on, key players have left the club to leave us with an uncertain beginning to this season and Macclesfield Town were very much a “welcome back to League Two” opponent.
The rumours circulating before the first blow of the referee’s whistle in this campaign surrounded Danny Jackman, who this week handed in a transfer request that was rejected by David Cardoza.
The talk before the game were of Jackman’s “injury” that kept him out of the match at the last minute. Some said the double player of the year had signed for Notts County, some said a home return to Gillingham was his path but either way we would have to do without him for this game at the very least.
Elsewhere, Stuart Gray picked a strange line-up with John Curtis also missing and new centre back Craig Hinton started at right back instead whilst actual right back Paul Rodgers sat on the bench. Ryan Gilligan started on the right of a four man midfield with Alex Dyer getting his chance in the middle with Abdul Osman. On the left was Town’s best prospect throughout the match, the newly signed loan man Ben Marshall. Akinfenwa and Billy McKay led the line up front.
Bayo was in the mix from the off, receiving a ridiculous booking for nothing more than standing up a couple of times whilst the Macc defender couldn’t deal with him. Whether the yellow card had any effect on the rest of the game for the big man was debatable and he lashed a shot in from range soon after, signalling his frustration and intent.
A free kick was wasted, ironically in an ideal spot for a Jackman special, by Osman before the same man hoofed over the bar. But the visitors were the side that came closest to a breakthrough when they hit the bar late in the half, firing off a warning to Gray’s men, who responded well and had a header cleared off the line and generally looked a lot brighter after that.
Half time came too soon though and after the break we looked sluggish again, with Bayo coming closest for us with after winding up and powering a right footed shot at goal that the Silkman’s keeper did well to push away for a corner.
At the other end, hesitation between defenders and keeper Chris Dunn so nearly cost us even a point as John Roooney broke through and missed a golden chance when one on one with the Cobblers stopper. It was increasingly becoming more open a game as every one of our attacks left us open to the break away tactic from Macclesfield who so nearly caught us out once again towards the end with a left footed shot from Rooney flashing past Dunn’s near post.
There was no real late flurry despite a last ditch corner for us and we had to settle for a point in the opening game of this season. The Jackman saga took another turn when he made the raffle draw in the bar after the game, with questions being fired from all angles about his next career move. Jackman himself said he was indeed injured so time will tell whether his reassuring words are true.
As for Gray, he has a trip to his old friends at Southampton to prepare for on Tuesday night but certainly we need more organisation going into that one. The starting eleven were a scary shadow of our former selves but now that we’ve been dealt the cards we have it’s time to get everyone playing in their positions even if that does mean leaving out some of the new boys.
Romone Rose remained on the bench today with Paul Rodgers coming on in his place at right midfield at one point with Rose surely the better and more logical replacement. Meanwhile, Alex Dyer still looked raw and Holt didn’t look the most comfortable pushed a bit further back than usual.
So the analysing and critique begins but at least Tuesday night should provide a brief reflection on where we want to be and where we quite simply should still be as we take a trip to St Mary’s. Personally it’s one I’ve been waiting for for six years having lived in the area since moving to uni there in 2003 and it should be a fun night, even if we could struggle!
It’s good to be back, either way!
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