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BORO’ BURY BURY TO PINCH ‘PIES’ PLAY-OFF PLACE!
by
Mick Chappell
As hollow victories go I don’t suppose they get much worse than the one that the Maggies chalked-up at Meadow Lane last Saturday. Although Notts kept a decent crowd on their toes by fashioning four excellent goals as they comfortably overcame Colchester, by the end of the day it counted for nought after Stevenage Borough’s equally emphatic home win over Bury confirmed that the ’Pies had missed out on that coveted, sixth play-off place on goal difference alone. It was a classic case of so near, yet so far, but I suppose it shouldn’t have been so disappointing considering Curle & Co fell tantalising short of that seventy-five point total that, as I've predicted all along, would have done the trick. Albeit a literally pointless exercise, it’s impossible to avoid the temptation to reflect on events that ultimately prevented KC from emulating the amazing grand finale that Steve Cotterill conjured up two years ago. That said, Curle’s initial aspirations were, of necessity, much more limited than those of Cotterill, who simply had to fine-tune a well-placed, self-selecting, injury-free team with sufficient goal-scoring potential to ensure that the outstanding 2.5 points per game return he achieved was hardly a tale of the unexpected. On the other hand, Curle’s first task was to stabilise a side that was in real danger of losing its way after a run of three wins in seventeen League games had undermined the early season promise of much better things under Martin Allen’s guidance. Consequently, KC’s immediate priority was to win sufficient points to banish any potential relegation threat whilst ringing the changes in order to identify his best starting eleven; no wonder, then, that he, and we, were so pleasantly surprised when KC’s first half-dozen games in charge yielded five wins and a draw, thereby raising previously flagging expectations.
By that time, in a laudable attempt to balance the longer-term books, Keith had already made what must have seemed the relatively mundane decision to nullify Mahon’s over-generous contract extension by limiting the midfielder’s starts and that bizarre underestimation of Gavin’s influence was to have costly repercussions that none of us fully appreciated until the acceptable margins of error had been cut to the bone. Indeed, by the time my back-of-an-envelope analysis of the ‘Mahon Factor’ revealed the surprising truth the damage had already been done after ten points were dropped in four ‘Gavinless’ games that were twice as costly as KC’s other twelve matches put together. However, one man doesn’t make a team and Mahon’s absence was undoubtedly exacerbated by the loss of in-form striker, Forte, and the failure of Hughesy to open his ‘Curle account’, particularly with freebie headers against Scunthorpe and Bury; both of these factors played a major part in limiting KC’s points return to a ‘human’ 69% rather than the divine proportions achieved by Cotterill. Still, let’s not forget that Curle’s record of 2.06 points per game would have yielded ninety-five points over a forty-six game season, which, as we all know, would have done nicely thank you very much, as regards securing automatic promotion. Under such circumstances, KC undoubtedly needed to get better mileage from his loan signings, which would probably have been the case had Billy Paynter joined him. As it was, Lloyd Sam often flattered to deceive despite scoring five times in ten appearances, whilst Adebola’s reoccurring injury problems restricted his contribution and Bogdanovic, who might be worth another look next season, wasn’t really given the opportunity to shine as a striker until the last two games. Of the rest, Tyrell ‘Waites’ his chance, while Harris and Yennaris, the inexperienced Premiership Kids over-optimistically signed to replace Mahon, soon disappeared without trace after predictably looking like Boys struggling to fill a Big Man’s boots.
So, what of Saturday’s entertaining, but ultimately futile, affair for a near nine thousand crowd that included the season’s biggest ‘home’ contingent? Well, the ‘U’s’ gave as good as they got until Jeff Hughes neatly ‘cushion-headed’ his seventeenth goal of the campaign into the net from Sheehan’s driven corner. After that the visitors waned as County did their gaffer proud with long spells of the free-flowing football he extols and the match was virtually over by half-time after the cultured Bogdanovic looped a precise, thirty-third minute header over the ’keeper from Judgey’s cross before the mini-midfielder proved he’s really found his shooting boots by netting another of his twenty-yard block-busters just before the break. Stevenage were only one up at that stage and Notts piled the psychological pressure onto Boro' with the best goal of their game shortly after half-time when Freeman and Sam combined to put the icing on a mazy spell of possession football that enabled ‘Titch’ to burst into the box. Even so there was still much to do, but the Kid did it with aplomb as he side-stepped a defender and stroked his first League goal into the far corner with the outside of his right boot. Let’s hope it won’t be his last for the Maggies because he really makes things happen at League One level and I’m sure he’ll play more and learn more if he stays at the Lane instead of returning to the Red side of the River next season. Still, I would say that, wouldn’t I? Eventually substitute, Fabian Spiess, the Youth team’s outstanding German goalkeeper, replaced Stewart Nelson with fifteen minutes remaining and he certainly couldn’t be blamed for Colchester’s unstoppable, injury-time consolation goal.
Even so, when Nels trotted off to a standing ovation after effectively claiming his sixteenth League clean sheet of the season and his ninth under Curle, few of us could have guessed that it would be the last time we’d see the popular ’keeper in the ’Pies colours. That said, he certainly wasn’t the only one to be shown the door this week as Curle & Co wielded what was obviously a pre-honed axe after Notts’ fine win was ultimately rendered pointless once Stevenage sealed their play-off place with two late goals that included another fortunate spot-kick. Still, good luck to them, I say, because they’ve deserved it overall, more especially as they’ve achieved success with a relatively small, tight-knit squad with no real ‘stars’. Sirrel would have approved of that, just as he would have approved of KC’s calculated response to emulating the seventh place finish that Jimmy himself achieved at the end of his first six months at the Lane. Obviously, Sirrel wasn’t satisfied with the team he’d inherited, so, like Curle, he applied the secateurs with some enthusiasm as he pruned his squad down to the nucleus of the eleven players who, with the later addition of returning goal-scorer, Tony Hateley and a feisty young right-back, ‘Bill’ Brindley, from over the River (could history repeat itself?) won the Fourth Division Championship the following season. Whilst Curle will clearly need greater numbers to meet the demands of the modern game, the fact that nine of the thirteen players he’s released are nudging, if not already over, the age of thirty, demonstrates his commitment to younger legs next season. Sensibly, he’s kept the best of the veterans in Mahon and Mike Edwards (why does it take these managers so long to see the light?) and, (‘Glory Halleluiah!) given HH a new contract that, providing he signs it, should enable Notts to ascertain his best position on the park before the start of next season.
Not surprisingly, all eight loanees have been released, but, if we can do it without jeopardising other deals which I’m sure KC has in the pipe-line, I’d like to have another look at ‘Dan Dan’ as an all-out striker and Jonathan Forte, not to mention young Kieron, of course. Apart from Stewpot, I shall be most sorry to see the transfer-listed Pearcey leave the Lane because he’s a good player when his head’s ‘right’. Equally, it seems the jury may still be out on Hughesy in more ways than one after his managerial ‘de-briefing was delayed by more pressing matters this week. Although Lee has been somewhat less than prolific in front of goal of late, he could still add much to a squad that, for now at least, boasts just eight players with any sort of experience. So, I shall await news of him and any new arrivals with bated breath whilst, weather permitting, I while away the summer months watching Andre Adams, a cricketing Hughesy if ever I saw one, trying to inspire Nottinghamshire to clinch a trophy that will provide a fitting memorial for old friends, Ian Mills and David Richmond, who will be as greatly missed at Trent Bridge as they have been at Meadow Lane. Anyhow, although I suspect there’ll probably be plenty to talk about as the One Hundred and Fiftieth Celebrations unfold over the next few weeks, I guess it’s time to sign off at the end of a campaign that’s surpassed all expectations. Unless of course, KC & Co get the sack or do a runner before the Big Kick-off! Only joking, though you never can be totally sure of anything with our beloved Maggies, can you?!
This article appears courtesy of the Nottingham and Long Eaton Topper (www.toppernewspapers.co.uk/) the largest, independent, free weekly newspaper in Great Britain. |
MAHON POINTS THE WAY AS
THE WIFE HITS THE BOTTLE!
by
Mick Chappell
Or doesn’t, as the case may be! Still, it’s terribly difficult for ladies to fill those silly, little ‘sample bottles’ that play an increasing part in life as that ‘three-score-years and ten’ milestone creeps ever nearer. Under the circumstances you’d have thought she might have welcomed some well-intentioned advice from her ever-sympathetic spouse, but, suffice to say, I certainly didn’t fancy her alternative suggestion as to where I might stow the funnel that I thoughtfully waved around the toilet door in her hour of need! Never mind, at least the Maggies confirmed that boys are better equipped to hit their chosen target during last Saturday’s season-defining trip to relegation-haunted Wycombe. Even so it was an uncomfortably close affair as the Chairboys proved almost as adept at the aforementioned wee task as leaks abounded at both ends of the Adams Park pitch. Of course, personally speaking, I’d still attribute County’s latest defensive frailties to the fact that, just like the Missus, Curle & Co are paying the price for ignoring my recent words of wisdom. As I suggested last week, if ‘stats’ are to be believed, Gavin Mahon makes a major difference to Notts’ points return, so no wonder Notts have become ever more vulnerable at the back whilst he’s been bench-warming during the last eight matches. Suffice to say that even ‘Super’ KC hasn’t managed to record a win as the four games during which Mahon hasn’t set foot on the pitch have produced two draws and two defeats; in marked contrast the Maggies have recorded nine wins, one draw and one defeat in the games to which Mahon’s made some sort of contribution.
Still, you have to admire Keith’s frankness after he clarified Mahon’s contract situation in his usual open and honest manner when I finally got around to asking him the $64,000 question during this week’s presser prior to the Colchester showdown. Quite simply it seems that the gaffer wasn’t happy with the thirty-six year-old’s over-generous new contract terms that would have been triggered by one further starting appearance, so he sat down with Gavin and his ‘Agent’ to discuss a revamped contract within two weeks of taking over at the Lane. Unfortunately, with Curle determined to balance the books sooner rather than later, it seems no compromise could be reached, so further negotiations have been put on hold until the dust has settled at the end of the season. In the meantime Mr Cool, who knows Mahon pretty well after their time together at QPR, has no doubts about Mahon’s commitment to the cause even if it means introducing him to the action after ten seconds against Colchester! Nevertheless, that won’t be soon enough for me even if it rules out any repeat of the agonising hour to which nervous Notts’ Fans were subjected before Mahon replaced Bish with last Saturday’s match dead-locked at two apiece. Even so, I couldn’t believe my eyes as Gavin immediately dropped a rare clanger when he stupidly persisted in contesting a throw-in instead of getting Notts’ organised; in contrast Wanderers needed no second invitation to play on and, with Stewart left flat-footed, the razor-sharp Beavon slipped in behind Edwards to put his team ahead for the third time. Earlier the bench-marked Mahon’s continued absence started to acquire ominous proportions inside the opening minute when the poorly positioned Nelson was once again beaten inside his near post by Bloomfield’s twenty-yarder after the back-pedalling Sheehan loitered without much intent.
Thankfully, the Maggie’s soon set the tone for an incredible ninety minutes when Bogdanovic, who’d been preferred to Hughesy up front, steered home the equaliser after Adebola helped on the marauding Freeman’s cross. Unfortunately, however, the Kid soon undid all his good work when he dithered on the ball and was dispossessed during the build-up to Wycombe’s second, which Basey slammed home from the spot after the sluggish Stewart, who continues to look rather lame, had tripped Beavon in the box. This time it took the Maggies longer to bounce back, but they did so on forty minutes when Judgey controlled Sheehan’s quick free-kick and boomeranged the ball past the bemused Bull from twenty yards. That was a belter, but fortune finally favoured previously unlucky ‘Titch’ twice in one day after he latched onto a loose ball and really took the Bull by the horns as he rocketed the ninety-third minute winner past the groping ’keeper before ‘out-stripping’ his team-mates on a well-deserved mini-lap of honour. Fittingly enough it was the recalled Steadie Eddie who’d earlier played a significant part in fashioning the eighty-ninth minute equaliser that made it all possible by skilfully back-heading Judgey’s cross to Adebola, who neatly nodded the ball home from close-range. The win briefly enabled Notts to regain sixth spot, but Stevenage, soon reclaimed pole-position on goal-difference after snatching a lucky point with two streaky goals at Bramall Lane, thereby setting up a nervy finale next Saturday. Nevertheless, I was rather taken aback to see several Youth Team players carrying armfuls of rifles and Army great coats into the Pavis Stand just as I arrived for last Thursday’s lunch-time Press Conference.
Was it, I wondered, a new type of ‘balls on the bar’ William Tell shooting practice for Judgey and the Boys, or was it some sort of firing squad being assembled for a post-match player cull if things went horribly pear-shaped against the ‘U’s’? Fortunately, as with Gavin’s contract conundrum, the explanation turned out to be somewhat more mundane in that the youngsters were preparing for a re-enactment exercise after their recent visit to World War One battlefield sites. On the other hand, however, mention of the Kids, reminds me of my earlier question to KC about Hadyn Hollis, who, in theory at least, should be available for next Saturday’s game after returning to the fold following the conclusion of his loan spell at Darlington. What’s more, KC thoughtfully mentioned that Haydn had played up front in his last two games for Darlo, so with Jonathan Forte suffering a further setback that may necessitate more surgery on his facial injuries, I was tempted to wonder if Keith was trying to tell me something! Nah! Of course not! That sort of Roy of the Rovers stuff went out fashion in the Sixties and Seventies when the likes of Jimmy pulled such ‘rabbits’ out of hats on a regular basis, so we shall just have to hope that another former Notts’ Boy, Shaun Harrad, can inspire Bury to conjure up the goals that will see off Stevenage and make the Maggies task that much easier, especially as KC’s expecting his team to net a hatful of goals.
Strangely enough, I was so engrossed in that mouth-watering prospect that I literally bumped into Leslie Bradd as I left the Lane and he let me into a little secret regarding the location of the new bronze ‘Jimmy and Jack’ Statue that I’ll share with you if you promise to keep it to yourself. Further to the news of a generous £500 Lifeline donation that Fund Chairman, Malcom Voce, announced at the recent Fans’ Forum, it seems significant progress has been made following a meeting with sculptor, Andrew Edwards and Kevin Heffernan, who was instrumental in fund-raising activities for the statue of Coventry’s legendary manager, Jimmy Hill, which was unveiled at the Ricoh Arena last summer. Apparently, Jimmy and Jack will be following Gavin Mahon’s example by bench-warming at a tastefully re-styled, curved site to the right of the Meadow Lane main gates, which is where they belong! So, with the dream seemingly now much closer to reality, how’s about dinging deep to donate a bob or three to bring it to fruition, whilst also earning the right to become part of history by joining those entitled to have their names engraved on the plinth? In the meantime let’s hope the Lads can complete their brave bid for a play-off place next Saturday, though, whilst admiring KC’s single-minded determination to stick to his principles, I for one will be much more confident if eleven fully fit players line-up for a titanic game that certainly won’t be won by ‘passengers’, even if Mahon has to join them as the earliest substitute Notts have ever fielded! Otherwise I fear that I, rather than the wife, may well be the one who’s hitting the bottle by five o’clock next Saturday!
This article appears courtesy of the Nottingham and Long Eaton Topper (www.toppernewspapers.co.uk/) the largest, independent, free weekly newspaper in Great Britain.
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