Well this will be the second time I have written a blog for the Cheltenham game, rather frustratingly my IT skills don't appear to be up to saving and submitting! However here we go again!
Looking at the league table we should have got back to winning ways against a struggling Cheltenham side and thankfully we comfortably did, and had the added bonus of a clean sheet.
I was quite amused by the antics of the Cheltenham manager and the rather festive red jumper with jacket combo, he reminded me of my Uncle Rex, which is a good look for a man of his age but not for a football manager. I was slightly disappointed to find out that their full time manager Martin Allen was unable to take charge as he continued his suspension for an alleged verbal assault on a member of the public! Which was a shame as I would have liked to see him suffer as he has to be one of the worst examples of a lower league manager who has one way of managing, the verbal assault! You may see a theme here.
Before the game we were treated to the rare sight of the opposition mascot making a tour of the ground, he, I think it was an Owl? Looked to be quite enjoying himself and as he was in no way seeking to have a go at the home crowd escaped without any real verbals. And where you may ask was our very own Chester the Field Mouse when his manor was being walked all over? Skulking in the shadow of the Main Stand only appearing to be photographed with the Cheltenham mascot. Did you know that in the Bundesliga the team Cologne has a goat as a mascot who is paraded at every game and takes an active part in goal celebrations? There is however a more sinister side to this, if there is a poor run of results then the goat is killed and a new mascot sought to bring better luck. Now given Cologne hold the record for losing in the most semi-finals in European competitions, 11, and they have been yo-yo'ing between the top two divisions for some yearsso they must have got through a fair few goats! Chester, think yourself lucky and let's see a bit more of you out there.
When the game kicked off Chesterfield started brightly and were on top throughout without creating any real clear cut chances. Finally after a succession of corners, Jack Lester's movement gave him a free header on the near post which he finished clinically.
It was my first chance to see our new loan signing Morris and he seems a decent acquisition, if however a bit too keen to impress which led to him demanding the ball in areas where he would've been better moving away and creating space for other players. He has a good engine, pace, good left foot and when he chose to, a good right foot too. For a player who tends to the left flank, unless he's as good as Chris Waddle, he will need to cultivate a right foot.
The second half was a bit of a non-event as Cheltenham had no real cutting edge and we failed to gain the second goal and kill the game off, perhaps on another day this would have come back to haunt us.
So I went home frozen to the core but satisified that perhaps we are now back on track, however in the second half my mind had plenty of time to wander.
Have we ever flown any flags from the two flag poles at either end of the Main Stand? I have some dim recollection from the early 80's of predominantly white flags but can anyone shed any further light on this?
Why was Mark Crossley playing when Tommy Lee was obviously fit, there were many opinions in my part of the Kop but the one we settled on was that he needs the odd run out to keep his contract as a player and therefore keep a higher wage. By odd coincidence I was present when Mark made his league debut for Nottingham Forest against Liverpool, he hasn't put on much weight in the passing years either.
After my last article I have had word back from a friend of a friend who alleges that our current floodlights aren't those from Sheff Utd, which promptly fell down when they were put back up, forcing the purchase of a new set. Now all the club history's I've seen maintain the Sheff Utd line but does anyone know any different?
So that's it from me until the Rotherham game so have a great Christmas and look forward to a great match and a positive result.