Monday 25 October 2010

Three wins against top clubs

This weekend saw all three teams I support win against top clubs (and Rushden and Diamonds, whom I still keep an eye on, beat rivals Kettering away in the FA Cup). Now, admittedly, Carlisle weren't exactly a top club, but the last two times we won there, we got promoted.

Last night Coventry Blaze faced Belfast Giants, unbeaten all season, at the Skydome. With a disciplined performance, Blaze came away 2-0 winners.

Leamington put the brakes on Truro's title bid. Expectations at the New Windmill Ground are realistic, as we know that it will be two of the three City clubs that will be promoted: Cambridge, Salisbury or Truro. (I leave aside Oxford who are at the other end of the table as they live in the shadow of Oxford United).

Which leaves Charlton. I have some sympathy with the view put forward in the Hill to the Valley blog that there is so much negativity surrounding the club that it almost becomes an argument for getting rid of Parky. But it is still a very open league.

We are starting to score goals and reports from those who were at Carlisle suggested that Semedo and Racon actually looked effectively together. The worry now is in central defence with Doherty looking a liability and Dailly possibly fading a little. With seven goals conceded in two matches, there must also be some questions about Elliot. He does make some good saves, but he is also inclined to hesitate and lacks confidence in commanding his area.

Sheffield Wednesday are facing a winding up order later this month and a £2m lifeline cheque has not arrived. Centre forward Neil Mellor noted that when the money situation concerned the team 'we went on a bad run. And ever since we got the news that the money was coming, we seemed to have picked up as well.' The money has not come in and manager Alan Irvine said, 'I don't see too many teams who have fantastic runs when there are problems off the pitch.'

The Owls are nor claiming that a takeover deal with a Dubai-based company may be concluded this week - or not as the case may be.

If we can tighten up defensively, we might just be able to beat Wednesday. Unfortunately, I have to attend meetings in Madrid at the weekend. But then given the negative atmosphere at The Valley, that is probably not too bad a place to be.

5 comments:

Kings Hill Addick said...

I don't wish to be picky, but it's only 7 goals in 2 matches.

Wyn Grant said...

D'oh. I will correct it. Felt like more.

jack said...

Agree about Doherty and Dailly, when both played we do look short of pace, would prefer to have Doherty as a sub, with either Fortune, Fry and Semedo, alongside.
A shame re Llera, has scored some good goals, played well, played badly with a few howlers, again another for the bench.

newyorkaddick said...

Don't rule out Chesham United who have been very resilient and are this season's surprise package. Steve Wales must be the best player in the division.

Wyn Grant said...

Good point, NYA. But according to the Truro supporters, Chesham are even more 'brutal' than Leamington and will hack us to pieces. If it was Devon, I would have thought these Cornish supporters had been on the scrumpy.