BFC 2-2 Bradford City, Saturday 18th April 2026

‘Oh it’s all gone quiet over there, oh it’s all gone quiet over there.’

The King is dead. Long live The King. Yes, another season, another managerial sacking. Or ‘mutually agreed’ parting of the ways. I’ll come onto Coach Conor later, but what a bizarre start to a matchday, the club announcing at half 9 that we’re dispensing with Conor’s services come season’s end. And announcing it now, to enable ‘a smooth transition.’ WTF? Is Conor gonna be shadowing the new incumbent, showing him the ropes, introducing him (or her, or them) to the laundry lady, physio, club mascot, etc?

And so it was that we walked to Oakwell in an odd state of mind. Nobody in Spiral argued we should keep him, though a few lads were chanting that Hourihane chant that pervaded Oakwell in the early doors of the season, about Conor taking us to the promised land. ‘Problies the same people who were chanting for him to be sacked’ said one of our cynical crew (not me, for a change). Expectation was firmly on being turned over and I was particularly dreading 5,000 Bantams crowing (pun intended) throughout.

The team was unchanged from Tuesday at Port Vale, which meant Cleary benched (boooo) with Captain Marvel (huzzah!), Yoganathan and Bland playing centre mid. Let’s see how that goes. Not very well is the answer, as Yoga goes through their player, a millisecond after the ball had gone. In real time, right in front of me, I didn’t think there was much in it. But having seen it on the screen at half-time, I can see where the ref gets his red card from. My main grievance lay in the split second it took him to get his card out. The ref could have bought himself some time, see the player wasn’t hurt after all, and dished out a yellow. Instead, he chose to ruin the game and create a rod for his own back. EVERY decision was now scrutinised, leading to a foul on our keeper which looked at least as dangerous, but obviously didn’t lead to a red their way. Still, as Reedy said, it did lead to a performance that ‘showed character, energy, commitment and dare I say it, passion, something that's been lacking most of this season.’

We also had a couple of appeals for handball turned down, that 1st half. While I didn’t think there was much in the first, the second one undoubtedly hits the Bradford player’s hand. Still, Bradshaw could have made it academic, rather than clearing the bar with the rebound from 6 yards. However, the perceived bias of the ref did everything to improve the atmosphere. And we took the game to ‘em, looking the better side in the opening half, despite 10 men. And those Bradford fans? Never heard ‘em.

Half-time, and Earl hauled for MdG at left back. Surely an injury? Interesting choice of left back too, considering how many times O’Keeffe has deputised there. But we continued to be strong. Roberts was winning everything at the back, while Banks and Kelly were taking pressure off the back 4 by running with it. And then the unexpected! Roberts throws a ball, what...35 yards? 70 yards? 100 yards? It is a MAMMOTH throw and in a crowded box, O’Connell gets a flick on and guides it into the far corner. Pandemonium! We have only taken the lead against play-off placed Bratfut, with 10 men. F***ing have that, you c***s!

At least we’ve been allowed one tiny moment of joy in what will surely now be an onslaught.

We nearly double the lead. Banks’ shot loops off a defender and their keeper pulls off a worldy. That was our chance. Now, surely there’ll be an onslaught. Only it doesn’t happen. Well, not till he takes off Banks and Phillips for Cleary and Connell. The finishers. Goodman makes a wonder save of his own and the ground can’t quite believe it wasn’t a goal. In the East Upper we were convinced Goodman was behind his line and that a goal would be given, but the seconds passed and the ref’s watch didn’t buzz. We’d survived!

However, on 73, the dam burst. It was probably asking too much for our defence to hold out when all season they’d not been able to, but still, it was annoying that a simple cross was headed in all too easily, their player outjumping MdG. Can we at least hang on for a point? It’s a long way to go. Probably not. It’s all Bradford now, but Goodman is standing tall. He’s in one of his ‘coming off his line’ games and actually looks like a goalkeeper. Coach Conor sends on Watson for Bradshaw. Strengthen the defence, etc. It works – for 3 minutes.

The ball is cleared out to their left. Absolutely NOBODY makes any effort to go out and close the player down and the Bantam can just pick his spot. He does – straight to Roberts’ head. THIS is how you lose my MOTM vote. Head one into your own net. I wouldn’t care, but on replays, it’s not like it’s too high for him. He seems to bend forward, get under it, and flick it home. Andy Gray (Everton version) woulda been proud. That’s it, game over.

Only it isn’t. In a reversal of his substitution 10 minutes earlier, Coach Conor sends on CF Farrell for (nominal) defender O’Keeffe. We’ve seen this before this season. Send on Farrell to run about up top to absolutely zero effect. No-one is under any illusion anything will come of this. Time is running out. There can’t be more than about 30 seconds left. Kelly makes one last run forward, then splits the defence with the pass of the season for Cleary to run onto and cross it low for FARRREELLLLLLLL to bundle home. If I thought it was pandemonium after our opening goal, it’s nothing to the explosion at the equaliser. Not two minutes earlier I was listening to ‘how s*** must you be, we’re winning away’. Now everyone in the home end is going berserk. Coach Conor for Prime Minister! And King! And...and...well, anything except our Head Coach.

Good luck, Conor.

Onwards and upwards!

*** Kelly. Never gave up, comfortable in possession, foraging runs...and THAT pass.
** Goodman. Made a wonder save, made some other saves, caught and punched crosses.
* Banks. Alleviated a lot of pressure on the defence by his ability to keep hold of the ball and but for an incredible save, woulda put us 2 up.

Official MOTM: Bland

Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Goodman 2= Bland / Kelly

Despatches:
What will Coach Conor’s legacy be? I’d love to think it was the (promised) high press and positive attack play, epitomised by the use of 2 wingers. However, we all know, in years to come, the one remembrance of this season will be its legendary (lack of) defence and record-breaking run of games without a clean sheet. An 11th ‘permanent’ manager in 11 seasons, Coach Conor follows this list of luminaries: (going backwards...Darrell Clarke, Neill Collins, Michael Duff, Poya Asbaghi, Markus Schopp, Valerien Ismael, Gerhard Struber, Daniel Stendal, Jose Morais, Paul Heckingbottom).

Of course, none of us wishes to see this turnover of managers/head coaches. But it is what it is. Essentially, if there is no hint of improvement on the horizon, the head honcho has to go. Especially with season ticket renewal upon us. Coach Conor has had all season to find an answer to the defensive travails. It started at the beginning, shipping out Cotter and O’Keeffe cos they can’t defend. Fast forward 8 months and O’Keeffe is back, and a mainstay. He even brought in a left-footed left back (Ogbeta), who, after initial promise, has disappeared. He promised us a back 4, with fullbacks who might occasionally stop a cross, and he ends with a left winger having 20 yards of freedom to pick his spot (Bradford’s equaliser) and 3 players trying to play left back in the same game (the only left footer of which is actually a centre half played out of position). He’s chopped and changed personnel (though, remarkably, kept faith with Shepherd, till it was too late). He showed unbelievable faith in a Roberts/Shepherd partnership. He froze out MdG till lately.

To add to all this, he’s tactically limited/stubborn. The undynamic duo in midfield, Luca Connell and Jonathan Bland, drives me mad. Though as The GOAT still revels in mystifying positivism from everyone I know, it’s decided that it’s all Captain Marvel’s fault. Tis true, Connell is a shadow of the shadow of his former self (season 1 version). Now, I don’t know how he gets a game. We play 2 defensive midfielders and we never stop the opposition from running through us.

Another criticism is his signings. Coach Conor must have the most limited contact book in football. Aside from bagging McG, seemingly based on bumping into him at a wedding, what’s he (rather than the club) tempted in? Jake Rooney? Christ. Imagine bringing in a defender who can’t displace Shepherd, Roberts, Earl, MdG...et al. And then gets a run out at left back. (LEFT BACK! I have fallen out all season with Conor over left back, at least from the time he dropped Ogbeta whilst playing well).

Does Conor also have problems getting on with players? Or just lack their respect? It’s recently come out that Gent has disappeared for disciplinary reasons. We haven’t seen Nwakali all season following last term’s fallout. Fair enough, you have to have some discipline, but on wages like Nwakali’s reputedly on, you also can’t afford to freeze them out completely. Especially when he’s Luca’s natural replacement (if he insists on playing a defensive 2 in midfield).

Yes, sorry Conor. I can picture that ‘mutual agreed’ now. The club: ‘we don’t think you’re good enough.’ Conor: ‘Neither do I.’ After all, you told us as much the other week, after Doncaster Rovers turned us over. We were fools to think we’d challenge for the play-offs this season and it’ll be the same, if not worse, next season. You signed your own death warrant, Conor, right there. ‘I’m not good enough to improve these players to a level whereby we’ll have a sniff of promotion.’ He’s yet another rent-a-coach. Done the badges, got the qualifications, all learnt the same thing, but provided little in the way of innovation. Yes, we’ve had some entertaining attacking displays, but, in retrospect, where would we be without 1st DKD, then McG, getting a bag of goals?

However, was he sold a pup by the club? Can anyone polish the turd that is our line up of defenders? Well, are our defenders (player for player) any worse than other 3rd division sides? Worse than Stevenage, to name but one divisional rival with a far lower budget than ourselves? Anyway, I don’t buy it. Yes, I’d happily get rid of everyone in our defence and start again. No, I don’t think they’re any worse than what I see in this division. Can another manager make a better silk purse out of this sow’s ear? One has to think so.

Goodbye Conor. Your time is up.

Drink du jour: Beartown Inception in Spiral.

Away: 5,144. ‘How s*** must you be, we’re winning away.’ And then you weren’t. Ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaa. 82 minutes against 10 men. Still PMSL.

The Damage:
£8 petrol
£4 prog
= £8

BFC 0-3 Plymouth Argyle, Monday April 7th 2026

‘ow come he’s still on t’pitch, manager?’

If I want a paint job done, I’ll employ a painter. If I want a house designing, I’ll get hold of an architect. And if I want a barrel making (unlikely) I’ll Google ‘cooper’. So why do Barnsley FC insist on playing a kitchen fitter (or Shepherd, even) in defence? He is, without unquestionable doubt, the worst regularly picked defender I have ever seen in my Barnsley-supporting history. And this includes Paul Gibbs and Scott Wiseman. Admittedly, this only covers 46 years, and the 70s must have been grim, what with us being in division four an’ all, but still. Today was an absolute masterclass sh*tclass in how to defend. Will SOMEONE put Jack Shepherd (or me) out of my misery?

The opening goal, I’ve heard everyone else blame it on the keeper. And now I’ve seen it back, I understand why. A bouncing ball is lifted over MdG for the striker to bundle home, yet it’s seemingly in the air long enough for Crapman to step out and catch it. My problem was that I was following Shepherd during this move. I could see what was going to happen...Mdg going across to their guy who would arrive first and lift it over or across him...so Shepherd HAS to mark the centre forward. Has to. I think he realises too late the trouble he’s in and never gets close to the guy, allowing an easy finish (once Crapman has rooted himself to the line, as per). In fact, while the defenders all bark at Crapman about how crap he is, here’s a thing: we’ve seen Crapman refuse to come off his line countless times before so ALLOW FOR THAT and STOP THE CENTRE FORWARD FROM SCORING YOURSELF. (Equally, message for Crapman: you know how absolutely USELESS Jack Shepherd** is, so be ready to come off your line and claim. But I care less about Crapman. He’s on loan and come the end of the season, he’s someone else’s problem.*)

*PLEASE don’t be stupid enough to sign him. (Altho we signed Watters after a similarly unimpressive loan period.)

** PLEASE don’t be stupid enough to re-sign him. (His contract’s up in the summer, innit?)

The second goal will have the usual suspects barking on about a push. Yes, there’s contact, but MAN UP. Shepherd gets a nudge, their player gains a yard, and slams it in. Consider the respecting opinions of Donny manager Grant McCann on similar in his game, slating his player for not being stronger. Hourihane, meantime, mumbles on about it being a foul. Let’s ignore the fact Shepherd has spent his season going down under minimal contact. Who else in the team has a move named after him (the ‘Shepherd Flop’.) He has lost the...what? Will? Ability? Wherewithawal...to stand up to his man and not be bullied. Christ, he’s 6 foot 3 and built like the proverbial. Problem is, he IS the proverbial.

The 3rd goal, as I saw it in real time, I thought Shepherd was a tad unlucky as he accidentally clipped the opponent as he ran past him. I have since booked my appointment with Specsavers. Shepherd absolutely, and for no reason, absolutely cleans the guy out. Not quite GBH, but definitely common assault. But by now, I wasn’t angry. Just disappointed. Resigned. Oh, and all this from a nominal left back position, though all the incidents mentioned occurred in the POFSS (Position of Frequent Shepherd Sh*tness, ie, in and around the 6 yard box). (I put my special Little Lee Johnson hat on for that one, POMO, etc) Anyway, if Lee Johnson had a hat, I know which hat it would be... Oh, and who gave the ball away on the edge of his own box to start that Plymouth attack? Step forward J. Shepherd. Have I said I don’t rate him? Crapman dives the right way and gets a good hand to the penalty yet somehow...somehow...fails to save it. The limp-wristed fool.

As an aside, didn’t we beat Plymouth Argyle away (opening day) AFTER Shepherd was sent off? Conclusive proof, m’lud. We are better off playing with 10 men than that imposter playing in our team. Listen, I get it. He’s cheap, and if we play him enough it boosts his value. But that ship has sailed. I don’t know what the peak market value of Shepherd was, but I feel like those investors who lost their money in the 1929 Wall St. Crash. If only I’d sold my stock in ’28...

Onwards and upwards!

*** Kelly. Ran around, never gave up, and had a couple of promising runs.
** McG. Ran around, never gave up, and kicked a couple of shots into the crowd.
* MdG. For the block preventing a definite goal in the 1st half. And the other block preventing a possible goal in the 1st half. It’s called DEFENDING.

Official MOTM: McG.

Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. MdG 2. Kelly 3. Connell

Despatches:
We are SLEEPWALKING TOWARDS RELEGATION. It is that time of year when sides facing the threat of relegation pick up points against midtable sides with nothing to play for. The problem is, we think we’re one of those midtable sides. But if you look at the table, what are we? 5 pts above the bottom 4? I think 5 pts can be hauled in the remaining games, especially if we don’t get any.

One criticism I heard of Hourihane (who appears to have lost his sainthood) was that ‘he’s playing players out of position’. I think the guy on Praise or Grumble was referring to the GOAT playing at right back. But, apart from Shepherd, I also raise you a Tom Bradshaw. He can’t be a centre forward, can he? He gives ‘doing nothing’ a bad name. He scampers around, being second to everything, can’t hold a ball up if it gets to him, and lacks the ability to beat a player and create an opportunity of his own. So with him and The Kitchen Fitter, we’re down to 9 men. Add in Class of 2024-26 Luca Connell, and a Sri Lankan giraffe (I didn’t know Sri Lanka HAD giraffes) trying not to trip over his own feet, and I don’t see how we’re ever going to win another game of football again.

Coach Conor did, at least, bring Banks and Phillips off the bench to save the situation (they didn’t) but what must these 2 think? Not getting a game behind THAT. (Again, Coach Conor wants to play Yoganathan to increase his value, while I want us to win games. This is the dichotomy we currently face.) Another one is Crapman’s continual involvement, to everyone’s bemusement. After Flavell didn’t disgrace himself at Burton on Good Friday, Crapman is back in the team after his international sojourn. (I would LOVE to see him in goal for Canada in the World Cup, preferably against somebody half decent. They will score TEN.) Solid rumour has it that loan club Crystal Palace are paying his wages and if we don’t play him, WE pay his wages. Which, according to a member of the Supporters’ Trust, is £12k/week. Breathe that in. Six hundred thousand pounds a year to be THAT crap. That means I should be on at least 100k, for all the good I’d do in goal. (I wouldn’t be rooted to my line, for a start. Mind, I think that’s my main problem when I’ve played in goal, I’m not rooted to my line enough!)

Other passing mentions...O’Connell was there, or thereabouts. Let’s just say Plymouth weren’t scoring when the ball was in his and MdG’s vicinity. The GOAT was ok, after the opening minute when he was caught out of position, allowing Argyle to attack down that side. I noticed late on though, as we chased the game, he didn’t kick the ball forward once. Standard.

Cleary beat the odd player, but we didn’t give him the ball till 25 minutes in. Missed a great chance to make a chance by not passing it, with plenty of Reds in the box. Needs to stop believing his hype. (He’s another player whose value is decreasing the more we play him.) Have I missed anyone? The subs, Phillips, Banks, Leo Farrell...were suitably anonymous. I’d love to blame the referee for the defeat, but they scored more goals than we had chances. Scored more goals than we had shots on target. Scored more goals than Bradshaw had touches in their box. Etc etc.

It was awful. (63% possession, btw, so anyone not there can imagine what that looked like.)

Another player who sadly missed the game was former Reds walking footballer Herbie Kane. A hamstring tear means he’s been sent back to Hudds. A pity, I’d have liked to have seen the Battle Royale: Connell v Kane.

Drink du jour: Leffe in Bramahs. Talking of which, was A. Reed more angry at the slowness of the service, as he waited for his drinks courtesy of the Wetherspoons app (Spiral was closed) or at Oakwell? Andy? Andy??

Away: 1,242 (10 thousand summat. I heard it, but can’t find the attendance anywhere online.) ‘Can we play you every week?’ Arf.

The Damage:
£8 petrol
= £8

BFC 0-1 Doncaster Rovers, Saturday 21st March 2026

’Do they have sarcasm in heaven?’

Is there ANYONE we can’t lose to? After relegation certs Rovrum and Port Vale humiliate us on our own patch, it is now former relegation certs Doncaster Rovers’ turn. Only we could lose a goalless draw. They were rubbish. We were rubbish. The game was rubbish.

Still, the day was enlivened by a quite remarkable interview post-match on Radio Sheffield, where Coach Conor told us we had no chance of a top 6 place, never had a chance of a top 6 place, and neither would we next season. Honesty? Negativity? Stupidity? Or all 3? Honesty, well yes, it’s difficult to get into the top 3 without a centre forward under 82 and no defence. Negativity? It’s one thing to be saying we’re not coming close this season, but next season too? And stupidity? Season ticket renewal begging letters will be out soon, and a strapline of ‘we’ve got no chance’ is a bemusing way to convince us to part with £400. It was a manifesto for being pessimistic. I can get onboard with that! But if your own manager can’t be a cheerleader for the team’s prospects, who can? Granted, I couldn’t stand the bullsh*t that came out of Little Lee’s big mouth, but you have to talk up your chances, don’t you?

Also, whatever we think of the current crop of players, it is the head coach’s job to get a tune out of them. Is Conor accepting how limited he is? This week we learnt that the Super Reds spend £11.5m (that’s MILLION) on wages in 24-25. I’d have thought that’s enough to put a challenge in this season, even if we’ve managed to offload Benson For Beds (The Glassman) and Watters off our wage bill. (The latter, I’m pretty sure IS on our wage bill, there’s no way Dundee United are paying him £6k/week.) I’d like to think that paying out 10 million+ in wages (I know, I know, it includes non-playing staff too, but surely you’re paying your players the most) would be enough to form a football team capable of beating one of Port Vale, Rovrum or Donny.

Master tactician Coach Conor had a new one on Satdy: he’d outfox Donny by playing our star winger as a centre forward. As A. Jones of Sidcup said, it was like when Davey played JCR centre mid. It didn’t take anyone in the stands longer than a quarter of an hour to see that Cleary clearly had no idea what he was doing. It took Conor 45. The answer? Hauling Banks, putting on The GOAT and reverting to the usual 4-2-3-1 with the Undynamic Dup holding fort on the halfway line. While I think about it Luca Connell has TWO deliveries: underhit and overhit. Is there NOBODY at Oakwell who can kick a deadball better than this shyster. If I see one more gently dinked outswinger from a Connell corner, I think I’ll explode. Or chunter on about what a waste of space he is. (He also had one of our…2?...shots in the 1st half, a typically weak effort dragged wide.)

That said, after nothing of substance happened in the opening half, we regained our mojo for 10 or 15 minutes. Kelly was driving forward, taking players on. Yoganathan was winning it, losing it, winning it...and losing it again (but had at least gained some territory) while McG flitted about in his inimitable way. Then we switch off. A ball comes in from their right, and Corey O’Keeffe ends up the wrong side of the forward before ‘a silly tug’ (The Yorkshire Post). I couldn’t really see, but the Donny fans certainly felt it was a pen. On looking at it on telly, I’m surprised O’Keeffe didn’t get a red card too, preventing a tap-in. Another week, another failure to keep a clean sheet.

Worse, former useless Red Elliott Lee pokes a low one just to the keeper’s left. Sadly, the keeper goers right. Story of Crapman’s season. Still, the award was a slight surprise. The ref had been letting plenty of challenges go, which pleased everybody. Then he gave Donny 3 cheap free kicks in 5 minutes for their equivalent of the ‘Shepherd Flop.’ As for the winning ticket for our own ‘Shepherd Flop’, we’ll never know. Donny scoring broke the scoreboard. I’d say Jack’s latest effort was around 83 (minutes in, not marks out of 100).

A goal down, at home to local rivals, we piled forward for the last 20 and had them pinned in their box, keeper making save after save. Or b) our only effort was a smart move in the last minute that led to Kelly stabbing it goalwards and the keeper turning it around the post superbly. (Not sure it was going in, mind.)

The season is officially over. Anyone who thought we’d ever challenge for a play-off place is an idiot. Conor says so.

Onwards and upwards!

*** Kelly. I don’t know how this lad keeps up his morale, constantly driving forward while all around stand and watch.
** O’Connell. There must be some reason they’re not getting near our goal. (‘Cos they were crap?’)
* Lennon. Had a positive 20 mins after coming on for Cleary, wide left.

Official MOTM: Kelly

Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Kelly 2. O’Connell 3= Lennon / McGoldrick

Despatches:
I tried resisting temptation to be positive pre-match, but the sun shone down, and I’d not seen queues like this at Oakwell for a while. Suspiciously long queues. ‘Searching people for tennis balls’ was the theory. Why else would there be lines of folk snaking from each turnstile? I’m presuming it had nothing to do with the box office being shut. Maybe BFC are just like the rest of us – beholden to when a tradesman can actually be bothered to make it. There must be some reason they’re not doing this work in the summer. Oh, and writing ‘POLITE NOTICE’ on a notice DOES NOT MAKE IT SO. So we now have a portacabin for a ticket office till some Polish bloke pops round to sort it out. (Actually, if he was Polish, the job would already be done.)

The players? I love the idea that we were hit hard by Bradshaw’s late withdrawal. Guess what? Donny were without their star player, Luke Molyneux, and their star former Blunt pensioner centre forward Billy. Maybe Rovrum can bring in Keith Edwards and all these crap League 1 South Yorkshire sides can have one. Let’s not also forget that Donny’s defence was marshalled by Matty Pearson, considered not good enough at Oakwell seemingly 20 years ago. (He was a crap left back, but played alright centre half.) I never noticed Elliott Lee, either with us or against.

Goodman had nothing to do in goal, but did it very well. Shepherd was back for MdG at centre half, another outlandish decision from Coach Conor. Sadly, he only miscontrolled it and nearly fell over once, nearly putting them clean through. I know MdG isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but at least he can control a ball, and run forward with it. Watson was this week’s ‘right footer at left back’ (while we had 2 left footed left backs on the bench). The highlight, possibly of the match, if not his own performance, was when Tennai messed up a throw-in and hoofed the ball 60 yards upfield in a hissy fit. He scored as well. Yellow card, hilarious. O’Keeffe...well, he settled the game, so well done him.

Connell, I’ve nothing new to expand on. Bit like his game, really. Bland did ok coming on, even making a run forward (just the one). Banks was unlucky to be dragged, possibly putting his hand up at half-time when Conor asked ‘who wants to be pulled off?’ McGoldrick had a nightmare opening 20, giving the ball away 4 or 5 times, while Cleary continues to show he needs a fortnite off.

Drink du jour: Verdant Lightbulb at Spiral.

Away: 2,824 (13,026). ‘Your support is f***ing sh*t’ the away end sang…not realising that at the time (1st half), it was our best atmosphere in months. We soon put an end to it though, and by the end were chanting against the board (of course).

The Damage:
£7 petrol
= £7

BFC 1-1 Cardiff City, Tuesday 10th March 2026

’Steve Lowndes would wipe the f***ing floor with this lot.’

Well, I didn’t expect THAT. Not before the game, and definitely not 5 minutes after my entrance, as title-chasing Cardiff City open the scoring after yet another avoidable defensive mistake. Battling Barnsley are back! And, whisper it, a semblance of defensive organization, as we sit back second half in a low block and comfortably see out the draw.

Yes, I was late, Darrell, Nozzer and I prioritizing conversation (well, listening to Darrell) while supping deliciousness. Despite beating Exeter on Satdy, enthusiasm was low for yet another no-doubt dismal midweek outing at The Well. Don’t ever let me become an optimist. I’ll only be let down.

Yes, I was in my seat for 5 minutes before the ball sailed over Shepherd’s head at left back for the winger to control it and play it across for the inevitable tap-in. Whatthehell is Coach Conor doing giving this klutz a game? It’s bad enough that he was incapable of stepping back to get his head on the ball, but he also makes a pathetic attempt to cut out the subsequent cross. He is not a footballer. (Shepherd proceeds to have a very good game, actually.)

Loko makes a fair point about perhaps the goal being on Luca, O’Connell pointing at Connell to track the bloke who scores, but for me the goalscorer is for the centre half (O’Connell). I don’t blame Luca for trying to help out the hapless Shepherd instead. As it was, Luca was right, Shepherd wasn’t going to be capable in stopping the winger. Where Luca got it wrong was in perhaps not getting over quick enough.

Not long after, Bland fails to stop a cross from their left and it’s a free shot on the backpost for the Bluebirds. Thankfully, he’s too precise in keeping it down and it bounces over the bar. A let off. Luca and Bland then make a mess of it on the edge of our box and Goodman comes to the rescue. This could be a long nite.

But what’s this? We equalise soon after with another super team effort. Yoga wins the ball back (after giving it away in the first place, cunning) and plays Bradshaw down the right. His cross is drilled across goal. McG doesn’t get there, but takes 2 defenders with him, leaving Banks free behind him. The loanee controls it, steadies himself, and finds the bottom corner. Composure.

Then McG blazes one over from close range. Incredible. I would’ve put Reedy’s new house on him scoring. I wouldn’t mind, but in the Wycombe programme last week he described how when everything’s going in, you just have the confidence to hit it 1st time. It might also have been the first Reds goal I’m describing this season that involved Bland kicking the ball FORWARD, playing in O’Keeffe for the cross. Oh well, next time! (I won’t mention the highlights showing Bland again failing to cut out a cross, though the fact O’Keeffe was upfield means that Conor’s ‘total football’ tactics include central midfielders slipping into right back when Corey goes wandering/marauding.)

It’d been an entertaining half, very open, and we more than matched them. However, the second half seemed spent mostly in our territory, but without Cardiff ever threatening. Yes, Goodman pulled off the odd save, but nothing I wouldn’t expect any 3rd division goalkeeper to do. Our defensive positioning was its strongest all season. Even Cleary chased back to make the odd tackle after coming on! (Up there with hen’s teeth and Bland forward passes. Maybe the message is getting through.)

Yes, Coach Conor sent on the finishers...Cleary and Phillips (for Banks and Bradshaw) and hopes were high we’d become more attacking, but it never happened. The one shot we had on target (McG, edge of the box) I missed cos I’d gone to the toilet. (Goodman was injured.) But we battled, and it was great to see. Indeed, even the crowd responded, with a few rounds of ‘Come on you Reds’. Small steps, but it’s a start. Now, if we can win our (other) games in hand...

Onwards and upwards!

*** Goodman. Regulation saves, but what impressed me most was his coming out for catches and punches. Someone’s had a word.
** McGoldrick. If he could finish…he was everywhere. His all-round game (doesn’t ‘all-round’ include goalscoring?) was incredible, again. At one point I definitely had him down as our best defender and best midfielder.
* Yoganathan. Continues to grow into his attacking role.

Official MOTM: Goodman

Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Yoganathan 2. MdG 3. McGoldrick

Despatches:
Do I have anything to add? Not really. Everyone played their part in nulling the Bluebirds. But thinking of future games, I wondered why yesterday, Barnsley FC were giving me ticket details for a game at Easter (Burton away) yet Northampton in a couple of weeks is strangely quiet on the ticket front. Turns out it’s international weekend. What will we do? Have it postponed if our international superstars are away and we’ve a mathematical chance of the play-offs? Or just play it? Northampton are getting relegated, and increasing the fixture pile-up might risk injury in the run-in. I know I’ve raged against games getting postponed this season, but these were HOME games, which also cost the club money. This time it’s costing Northampton money, so I’ve not especially got an opinion. Well, actually, I have. Just play it. S*** or bust. (Oh, and wasn’t Northampton home one of those games we chickened out of, only to eke a draw against them in the replay!?)

Drink du jour: Duvet Vous New England IPA at Heaven and Ale. Very nice.

Away: 977 (9,677). I’m sorry, but this bunch really are Mickey Mouse. Chasing the title, from a city of 600,000+, they bring less than a grand. ‘But it’s midweek and so far away.’ Shut up. They only bring 1500 on a good day. File under ‘teams I irrationally really really dislike’. It’s a long list.

The Damage:
£7 petrol
= £7