Paul Hayes

This blogging business can be difficult at times!  Two games in four days and lots of mining to do here at Happy Valley meant that I hadn't been able to write anything about the game up at Notts County before we were off again to that 'lovely' stadium in Colchester.
So I decided to combine the two games and just follow the exploits of Mr Hayes in both, although a side view from one end of the ground at Notts C. wasn't the greatest for this sort of thing.
I think I can report, without fear of contradiction, that Paul Hayes is probably the best centre forward we've had for some time.  His hold up play is excellent, his layoffs seem controlled and accurate but above all that he seems to have a great eye for a pass. At Notts C. he laid the ball on a plate for Scotty Wagstaff for the first and last night he provided a number of scoring opportunities with precise passes.  He drops deep when he needs/has to and can still win headers (the second last night) and be in the right place at the right time (the second on Saturday).  The only problem seems to be that he is able to produce passes/flicks for players who aren't quite on his wavelength yet and don't move to where he thinks they will.  Other than that he looks a whole lot better than pre-season seemed to show.  In fact it raises the question of who would come in if he were injured and looking at the bench/reserves this is probably the one area I am most concerned about.  However, since I don't actually bother worrying about these things until they happen (mainly 'cos there's nothing I can do about it) and also since SCP seems to know what he's doing, so far things are looking very good indeed!

As for the matches, I can report that Notts County threw the proverbial kitchen sink at us on Saturday.  I would have thought Ibuprofen would have been prescribed for the back four at the end and I'm not sure they used the centre third of the pitch at all during the second half.  We seemed to stand up quite well to the task, apart from the one corner, so that bodes well for the more agricultural teams.

The Colchester game was completely different in the sense that the result, in my opinion, was never in doubt.  What looked a tough game on paper turned out to be anything but, we bossed the midfield, only had a couple of problems at the back and should really have won  more easily.

So if you haven't seen them yet, don't miss Scunthorpe on Saturday it should be a real treat.

Just one note of caution, for the less forgiving amongst you, if we go a goal down or even, heaven forbid, lose or draw the game, don't start giving them stick, don't start booing just give them all the support you can.  I don't think I can emphasise enough how much help we as fans can be.  To make The Valley a fortress needs our help as well, even if it ends in tears they are far more likely to win the next home game if they've had our support than if they haven't!

Remember

A mistake is not a failure.  It is something that goes wrong.. and then you fix it.  You never fail until you stop trying!