A battling midfielder? A striker? A right back even?! Ryan Gilligan has certainly been around the pitch in his time with the Cobblers and not just in the positional sense. And now, maybe just maybe the young man signed from Watford in 2005 seems to be coming of age and is the stand out player of a disappointing season so far.
Gilligan’s never going to be a player to stand out in terms of wonder goals, winding runs or outbursts of pace but we’re seeing the real fight of the man that’s grown under Colin Calderwood, John Gorman, Stuart Gray and now Ian Sampson. When the chips are down you learn a lot about your players and Gilli is an example that the others should follow.
A man of the match performance at the weekend was marred by defeat for the team but it’s just reward for the player who is finally coming good. Gilli was all over the pitch doing the simple stuff, something that sometimes goes unnoticed and deserved his goal that looked to have given us a route back into the game, for a couple of minutes at least.
Last season I lorded the efforts of Danny Jackman in the time of crises...now it’s time to recognise the man that has stepped into his shoes as the whole hearted core of the Cobblers midfield.
The rise of Ryan...
12/08/05: Gilligan signs for the Cobblers on free transfer from Watford.
13/08/05: First team debut as an 85th minute substitute for Josh Low in 0-0 draw with Wrexham.
10/09/05: First Cobblers goal as he rescues a point at Sixfields against Bury.
27/09/05: Scores the first in 3-1 derby win for Cobblers at Rushden.
25/02/06: Scores the only goal of the game at Wrexham in massive win to help Town on the way to promotion.
06/05/06: His last kick of the game spoils Grimsby’s party in dramatic fashion to send the Mariners into the playoffs and deny them automatic promotion.
07/09/07: After no goals in the 06/07 season, Gilly’s back on track with a strike in the 2-0 home win over Doncaster Rovers.
22/11/08: Grabs one of the goals in important 2-0 away win at Hereford.
01/09/09: Gilly scores a penalty in normal time and one in the shoot out as Town progress in the JPT.
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