Clinging on, just

An inevitable defeat away at Notts County. One of our better recent performances but we still came away with nothing and remain above the drop spot ahead of a 6 pointer with Accrington Stanley. For me it feels like we are down already, it’s not if it’s when it will be confirmed.

Have we been unlucky with injuries or lazy with our assumptions? Connor Jennings has been a miraculous continuous presence but the players absent mount. We have Norris, Morris, Walker, Drysdale, Hendry, Khan and Solomon all crocked, missing. The midfielders woukd probably be automatic starters most seasons. We are a team playing without an engine room, without a beating heart. It is like looking at a patient on a life support machine. We are not dead yet, but we don’t look like we’re going to be sitting up in bed demanding curry and chips from the Eastern Delight. 

We can’t score goals either. Davison looks livelier, but that’s not the same as looking like someone who will score a brace every game. Harvey Saunders continues to impersonate Dill the dog, chasing everything, including his own shadow. You can applaud the effort, but effort in itself will not ward off relegation.

A bright spot has been Chris Merrie. He has being playing well in the past few games. I am pleased for him. He’s a decent guy, who puts in an honest shift and holds his hand up when he makes mistakes. With better coaching and better luck he has the makings of a decent player. I doubt he will be here next season but another club will doubtless pick him up and develop him. 

Tuesday night represents our last chance to put a win on the board in February. We beat Carlisle 7 weeks ago. Since then we have added 3 points to our total. The fact that Carlisle and Morecambe haven’t overtaken us says more about how poor they are, not how good we are. After Tuesday there are 13 games left, 39 points available. Even if we won all those games we would still likely finish outside of the playoffs. Of course, I’d celebrate such a miracle, but then a win of any kind seems beyond our wildest dreams at the moment.

We go on. With our highly experienced manager, our excellent Chairman and our die hard fans. What has been a long winter feels like it is turning into a pointless spring. I hope I am wrong. We deserve better.