16th after January, Simon Graysons men were looking as if they may actually pull away from the bottom finally, but February was to prove that nothing was cut and dry.
Forest – Home
Big game for both, with a big ground at Bloomers for the fixture on the first Saturday in February, which was a blustury one yet again. I’m sure ‘pool fans would have took a point from this one, but as it all panned out, there was a late sting in the tail.
My goal of the season was scored on 16 minutes. The ball breakiung lose to centre midfielder Marcus Bean who smashed a 25 yarder home past Paul Gerrard in the away goal.
A set piece was to be our un doing on the stroke of half time. Ian Breckin was allowed far too much room and he found the net, somehow missing young Sean Taylor on the post. The defence switched off early so many times in the season, I’d lost count.
Nothing to fear. Debutant David Fox fizzed a 20 yarder into the South stands goal after only 2 minutes of play in the second period. Not a bad way to open your account.
But again(!!!!) concentration was lacking and Julien Bennett knocked in Forest’s secong leveller of the game to send the travelling support into raptures.
Disaster At The Dons
3-0 to the side propping up the table? I’d have laughed rather hard if you’d even suggested this before the game, but sure enough it happenned with two goals from the Championship bound McLeod and one from former seasider Scott ‘where about’s does my dad actually live?’ Taylor sealsed all three points for fellow struglers MK Dons. To cap off a wonderful day, Tony Butler was sent off for two bookable offences.
Tactics
One move that was welcomed by all was the swift appointment of Tony Parkes as an assistant to Larry Grayson. As he is a wise old head, Grayson let certain decisions to be taken that could over rule him, meaning he could learn at the same time. Nobody knew what a negative thinker Parkes was and is. First of all we sit back against Huddersfield, on a windy night (valentines day) where an ‘up and at them’ approach would have worked I feel. A 1-0 defeat is what we were worth. Chris Brandon with the goal from the spot.
Drawing 1-1 with Bournmouth, after Pitman and Murphy scoring on 4 and 61 minutes respectively, ‘pool have the oppurtunity to take the game to the cherries. Grayson, ready to bring on another striker was stopped in his tracks by Parkes and the player was sent back into the dugout. Parkes settled for the point, whereas Grayson wanted all three. Also, we played 4-5-1 to start with at Dean Court.
Brighter Side
‘Pool ended February on a lighter note, after a 2-0 win in the quid a kid game against Yeovil. An own goal and one from John Murphy helped to move us up to the dizzy heights of 17th.
Toronto’s School Report
Grayosn should go with his own instincts and thoughts more.
Grade: C
