Review of frantic, fantastic February 
02/03/04 | by Adam Gray

Where do I start? February has had everything! Many fans were disappointed and upset at the sacking of Paul Hart after the Coventry game, but his successor Joe Kinnear’s record of a win (that’s right folks!!) and three draws has proved that a change really did have to be made and that we now have the right man at the helm to steer us clear of an unthinkable relegation.

For a kick-off, Kinnear has already brought in three players on loan - Alan Rogers, Andy Impey and Nick Barmby, players with experience behind them, and it appears that they have a lot to offer the football club however long they intend on sticking around. Tactically they have been able to bring something different to a side that in previous weeks was worryingly one-dimensional. Most of all, Kinnear has brought the best out of the lads, physically and mentally, and they have not looked at all like a side in a relegation dogfight. It is clear that the belief is back there. 

I don’t mind admitting I am wrong sometimes, so here goes. Gareth, if you are reading this, (he might be!) I am sorry. You are a good enough striker to play here - you can get us out of trouble.

People might say that we have only picked up points in February because we have been lucky against average sides. But I see no reason why we can’t surprise a few of the big boys in this league in the remainder of the season. 

Here come the latest awards:

Player of the Month
I don’t know if he was necessarily our best player, but he was our most valuable certainly. Gareth Taylor wins his first award of the season.

Goal of the Month
Andy Impey’s goal versus Walsall. Great team move, and it finally ended the goal drought!

Performance of the Month
Without a doubt the Bradford game. I have not celebrated like that for a while! I would not have cared if the winner went in off the ref’s arse, any win is welcome after 18 games!

Idiot of the Month
Saturday’s referee Trevor Kettle. Not because of the sending off incident (both King and Gavin deserved to walk), but because he did his best to ruin the game with wrong decision after wrong decision.

What does March bring? Well the stand-out fixture is obviously Derby away, the biggest game of this season. I can’t believe Sky are not showing it. Elsewhere there are games against Wimbledon, Gillingham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Crewe. It’s starting to shout out “make or break” at you.

E-mail me with any comments at adamgray50@hotmail.com