retired_j9swim

October 2007

October started with two hard games in a row, Arsenal away and Man Utd at home. Somehow we managed to take 4 points from the two games! Freddy Adu and Peter Crouch got the goals in a fine 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. Crouch was on target again in the match against Man Utd, David Healy netting the second equaliser for a 2-2 draw. Bolton were next in the 3rd round of the League Cup and it was another chance to rest some of the bigger names and give some of the young players a chance. Unfortunately the deadlock couldnt be broken and in another poor penalty shootout we lost 3-0. The hangover from the League Cup exit continued into the weekend as Everton strolled to a 2-0 win.

November 2007

Only 3 games were played in November due to internationals but still began with renewed optimism as we convincingly rolled Birmingham over 3-0. Peter Crouch was to thank fro salvaging a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough before we returned to the now expanded KC Stadium to play Blackburn. A new record crowd of 40,123 were present to see the team beat Blackburn thanks to a solitary Guarin strike.

retired_j9swim

December 2007

In contrast to November, there would be 7 matches in December thanks to the traditionally busy christmas period. I was glad for the international break as it meant that the squad had had plenty of rest. This didnt seem to have the desired effect though as the team struggled through the month picking up just a two points. back to back 1-0 defeats to Southampton at home and Bolton away were followed by a battling draw at home to Fulham. Tottenham were too good at White Hart Lane and ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. There would be little festive cheer as both David Healy and Peter Crouch were sent off in the first half against Manchester City at home. The 9 remaining men fought well but eventually went down 1-0. A hard fought 0-0 draw against Liverpool raised spirits on Boxing day but only a few days later a Stuart Elliott goal wasnt enough to take a point at Villa. Hopefully we would be able to turn things around in the new year and fortunes would change.

January 2008

It didnt appear that fortunes would change as we started the new year with back to back 3-0 defeats. Firstly at home against Newcastle who seem to like playing against us. The second was a very disappointing result against Watford in the FA Cup. What made it even more disappointing was that it was a full strength team that lost. It was time to open the check book to try and solve our problems. The first to arrive was young frenchman Matthieu Flamini from Arsenal for £1.8m. Highly rated but not in the first team plans at Arsenal so he was pleased to get the opportunity of first team football. He made his debut in a 2-2 draw against Charlton at the Valley. The second signing would be relative unknown Lebohang Mokoena. A strong powerful forward, he would hopefully provide a big presence up front that we seem to have been lacking lately. Arriving from Orlando Pirates in South Africa for just £250k he went striaght into the starting line up for the game at home to Sheffield Wednesday. And what a debut he had! Scoring his first after just 2 minutes, and adding a second late on to secure a fantastic 3-2 win to break our run of 10 games without a win. Charlton must have been keeping tabs on our squad as they came in with a rather pleasantly surprising offer for Colin Healy. Healy has barely featured this season, only covering injuries and suspensions, and now with the arrival of Flamini is 4th choice for his position. £2.3m was too good an offer to refuse and off he went. The morale of the team seemed to lift almost overnight as the next game away at Leicester ended with a fantastic 4-1 win. Despite our poor start to the month Freddy Guarin had still managed to play well and was rewarded for his hard work with a young player of the month award.