January
So the eventual dip in form arrived.. We managed to turn it around realatively fast, but no matter how you look at it is a bad couple of results. The game against Pompey, I guess they stopped wondering what hit them two weeks before.. It paints a good picture on how fast it changes in football. From 5-0 to 0-4 in 13 days. And to follow that up with a loss at home to Wycombe? I’ve learned the hard way that we have one striker in them team with real quality, and that Will Grigg’s not on fire. Reinforcements were needed before the last and most important months of the season.
We managed to bring in both Anthony Elanga and Joe Hugill on loan. Social media have been raving about Elanga and after a good season for Charlton last year it was worth a shot. Ability wise he may also be the best player in team.
Joe Hugill brings in other qualities up front than we already have, and it’s of course a big plus that he’s a local lad. With the #10 on his back I hope he lives up to the pressure.
February
What a lovely way to answer the critics after January. Again we were so close to a perfect record in the league, but you’ll hear no complaints from me.
Reaching the final of the Pizza cup is a huge credit to the academy, where some of the youngsters have gotten the chance in every game so far. Anthony Elanga fired on all cylinders from the start and scored four goals in his first month with us. What a player!
March
And there’s our perfect month! Elanga continuing his form and bringing Hugill with him. It’s fantastic when you hit the bulls eye with signings like this! Too bad they’re both just on loan with no chance of signing permanently. What are the odds both January signings are awarded player of the month in the first two months?
And just to add to the perfect month the promotion was secured after the Swindon game. We’re going up!
Our potential golden generation didn’t look so much like one after all, at least not if Class of 92 is the benchmark for golden generations. Either way, we should manage to get some decent first-team players out of this intake.
April
A good way to end the season with two trophies. I think everyone is glad to say goodbye to League one and the Papa John’s trophy – Hope we never see you again!
Decided to give the youth a chance after securing the title, and they did not disappoint anyone in the last three games. The most important thing I did after winning the title was to extend Elangas loan for another season. 9 goals in 12 starts were enough to convince me that he’s going to be a key player in the Championship next season.
Realy proud of the season and the squad we had this year. Four of the players in the most used lineup is from the academy, and two of them had the breakthrough season. Neil and Patterson are now valuable first-team players going into the Championship. We also broke the record for most points and most wins in League One – glad we were able to finish in style.
Academy Player of the Season
Ellis Taylor came from nothing and scored in his debut in Papa Johns Trophy in SeEllis Taylor came from nothing and scored in his debut in Papa Johns Trophy in September. He never looked back from there. He scored in his debut in the FA cup to secure the draw and a replay against AFC Wimbledon. He continued to contribute from the bench for the first team and tearing Premier League 2 up. Before the final of Papa Johns Trophy, I decided he had earned his right to start and he answered with two goals in a 2-0 win. Three days later he scored in his debut in League One. He hasn’t got the best stats, but he certainly does an impact.
Player of the season
What a player! Brought in on a free before the season, and had a slow start caused by injuries. When he started to pick up his pace he delivered a goal or assist every 131 minutes. To top it off he had the most assists in the League, set a new record for both the club and League one – and won player of the year.
He moves so smartly without the ball and his right foot is lethal. He’s done it in the Championship before, let’s hope he can do it again.
FM Veteran 