Here we are again for the next part of ‘The Wonderkids’ as we look to take a crop of the 655 on a journey from 0 to hero. How far can their unlimited potential take them? You can catch up on last week here.
Last time out we had just given ourselves breathing space in the battle at the top of Division Two but had the crushing news that Remco van der Schaaf was ruled out for 9 months, somehow, smashing his pelvis in training. Also, Tottenham dumped us out the FA Cup after a replay. Here’s a reminder of the table:
Thirteen games to go, unlucky for some. My money is on Blackpool. We’ve got a lot of sitting down and standing up to do with three games on the bounce against the Chairboys.
First game of the run-in approaches and we lose Ramirez for all our games against Wycombe, he will be a big loss. Three cheers of condolences for Ramirez…
Much to my delight, the away strip is back for a trip to Home Park. Three squad strikers come in and bag a goal each as we leave it late in the second half to seal the win.
Not only are we over the 100-goal mark with 12 games to go but…we’re 28 points clear of 3rd place Blackpool and they have 10 games remaining, we have 11.
Wycombe round one. We make heavy work of the first half but then its cruise control and we are absolutely balling, other than a flappy mistake from Manninger.
Meanwhile, Dortmund are out of the Champions League quarter final after one leg and along with it their minus man Jovan Kirovski.
Wycombe round two. This time it’s a much tastier affair in the league as Manninger has a complete stinker but our second-string strike force pulls us through.
Wycombe round three. A fairly lame match other than well, a shortlisted minus man we’ve been tracking became available, so we bought him.
And he scored on his debut. Tell me ma, me ma, I won’t be home for tea…
He’s too orangey for crow’s, he’s just for me and my dawg…I feel less regretful about reaching the final. We’ll have to do better in the cups next year to make sure we can spread the game time out.
Luton marshal the troops and despite a triplicate of head injuries we make it home with the points.
Leonidas will be out for 3 months. Rose will only miss a week so is still in with a chance of getting to the 10-goal barrier. We can really relax the squad structure now and get some game time spread.
And relax they do! We almost hit our first defeat in a LONG time.
He’s marching on to the beat of the drum, that’s 8 goals, just needs two more.
Parry makes his international bow for Wales, a proud moment.
Old crisp packet hand will see out the season for us. We really need a third ‘keeper again.
A pre-cursor to the football league trophy final, we draw 0-0 with Lincoln. We try our best to get Rose and Drummond to 10 goals, but it isn’t happening. Rose is a good number 10 though and is providing a lot of assists.
Second trophy in the baaaaaaag! And goal number 9 for the drummer boy!
Interesting that the game already has us pegged as Division One due to achieving promotion.
Drummer boy gets goal number 10! It’s been hard work getting him there.
Trophy number threeeeeeeeeeeeee!
We’re Bjorn again after getting binned by Orient earlier in the season.
My. Oh. My. Yuri Rose has been an absolute revelation since getting solid game time at the arse end of the season. He really is beginning to grow. I hope he can carry this into Division One.
Yet again, Yuri rose to the occasion whilst Sorenson flip-flaps.
And then he wrecks ’em.
We close the season in style as we take Northampton apart, and Rose bags goal number 18.
Juan’ce again we’ll miss him for the opening games of a new season.
Alex Martin and Arild Sundgot have done okay on loan in Division Three.
Meanwhile Terry can’t hack managing the expectations of minus men.
And here it is, the final table. We’ve improved despite the step-up.
The goals have actually ended up better spread with 8 players scoring 10 or more goals.
And the assists ain’t been too bad!
The average ratings have also improved which is a positive sign.
Oh, and the B Team got promoted so the board injected another £13m to clear the debt.
Here’s their end of season squad:
Again, I graciously accept my award as the best manager in Division Two by far.
And as another season comes to a close, I wonder whether we’ll make the jump into Division One and weather we can continue to carry players like Drummond. Will Parry keep progressing? Will Yuri Rose carry on where he left off? I hope you are enjoying our journey, and I will sign off by leaving you my favourite moment of our money making close-season friendlies!
P.S. that’s an FL playing in goal!
You can follow Andrew on Twitter: @KingOfTheRooks