What a team we have at the minute. Form, confidence and goal scoring all looking good, solid defence, dominant midfield, good chances being created and decent finishes. What could possibly go wrong? Well, we all know the answer to that, football can knock you down as quick as build you up, so we need to watch out for getting cocky, but to be fair the performances at the minute are all first class. Hard work, application and good skills on show, and the results are following. Excellent win over at Bishops last week, though Bishops maybe aren’t the best benchmark at the minute, they don’t have their problems to seek; but you couldn’t say that about Benfield or West in the weeks previous, both going well, and both dismantled in no uncertain manner by our bold lads. In late September and early October we managed to lose six in a row as a crop of injuries took their toll, where could we be if we had been luckier with the treatment room? Doesn’t bear thinking about, what with the FA on the promotion warpath. I’m getting a nosebleed as it is. Still let's keep it going in this last manic fortnight.
All is well at RCA, but over at the SoL it looks a bit different as the inevitable relegation is confirmed well before the end of the season. It's hard to criticise Ellis Short after the money he has pumped into the club, but the business logic of just washing your hands of it doesn’t seem right to me. I note also that the local cry from many lips is “promotion next year!” I very much doubt it. Staying in this latest league for now has got to be the target, and give someone time to start again. Should that be Coleman? I’m not sure, although I do know that constantly sacking your manager gets you nowhere. But still, no one can say he has done well so far.
The Mags meanwhile are doing very well, and dealing with their unexpected progress with that combination of modesty and realism that so endears the “Geordie Nation” to us all. Don'tcha just love ‘em?
And the cricket season begins with Durham giving every other county a head start, nothing new there. Clearly scoring a boat load of runs for South Africa in the sunshine of Johannesburg and Capetown is not much preparation for batting in Chester-le-Street in April. Might have expected more than two ducks though from the Springboard new boy, young Mr Markram. Don’t worry son, it usually gets better after a game or two. Either that or you get sent home sharpish.