November
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Newsfile Archive

Today's result could be the turning point of the season. After so many lapses at home when City have allowed teams back into the game and a way back to pick up points City today were able to find that extra gear to capture the three points for themselves.

Now don't think I'm getting all "Happy Clappy" here. We could just as easily thrown it away. There are still many questions to ask of Alan Cork but the players today gave that little bit extra to bag the points.

Neil Alexander was in no fault for their goal, it was a lapse by the whole team, it came only seconds after we scored. Spencer Prior again put in a performace to justify his previous Premiership experience. Peter Thorne is quality. He headed every ball in the right direction, his movement and constant threat kept Oldham on their guard and his perfect cushioned header saw Earnie run in to score.

Thorne took a very well deserved standing ovasion when he was taken off late in the game. Earnie looked much better closer to goal and not as a wide attacker.

We are still lacking when it comes to width. Bowen was widish right but Boland widish left? Come on, we need wingers or wing backs.

To Kavanagh. Notice today Kav played his game just out side to oppositions penalty area, his strongest position for sure. Its become obvious this season that when Kav drops back we are on the back foot and we struggle. Kavanagh hit the most incredible shot from close on 30 yards to put City 2 up. It hit the net so fast the keeper was nowhere near it. As strange at it sounds it went that quick it seemed like slow motion. I watched in disbelief as such a bullet shot hit the back of the net. Kavanagh for 60 mins was the only City player who looked like he wanted to score, he was not afraid to have a go.

His second goal and the one that settled it was controversial. Sheridan in the Oldham defence cleared from deep, Kav opened up his arms, legs and did a basketball type of blocking stance and the ball hit his arm and broke free in front of him. Oldham stopped dead and looked to the referee to call hand ball but he just waved it on. Kavanagh looking a little bemused was then able to run from the half way line totally unchallanged and slot it past the Oldham keeper. The resultant arguments from Oldham earned them a few more bookings on top oif the the several they'd already received.

The win was a massive result today. Tranmere, Huddersfield, Wycombe and Bristol City, the four teams above City all won today, we could not afford to lose the pace. We play Brentford on Tuesday, the Bees lost 5 - 3 at Wycombe today, a result that puts the Wanderers in 6th place but a City win on Tuesday will see the Bluebirds move up 4 places to 5th and only 5 points from an automatic promotion spot.

The players won the game today. Alan Cork is still lacking but it was nice to see the players roll their sleeves up and do their bit. Nice to see a bit more unity.

Todays result will mean so much more if it acts as a springboard to a successful December. It doesn't get any easier. Brentford visit on Tuesday before away trips to Blackpool and the massive clash at Stoke City. How will Kav and Thorne react to the cauldron of the Brittannia Stadium? Then the simple matter of Reading and Bristol City at Ninian Park within 4 days over Christmas.

Verdict. An improvement, a display that while not the best showed we can mix it when needed. A mention also for the crowd, over 10,000 brilliant. Lets make it over 12,000 for the Brentford game and then get another 10,000 for Port Vale in the cup.