Welcome back to our Premier League 92 squad and we’re halfway our league campaign, which is proving to be a bit of a struggle, so we’re looking to cup exploits to keep our new fans happy.

Last time out we cruised past Man Utd in the League Cup 4^th Round and head to St James Park for our next league match.

Hirst getting his marching orders for hobbling Barnesy, but a Shearer-less Newcastle can’t stop Durie and Limpar and that’s a cracking result.

Next up are Coventry and my lads avenge their opening day defeat in some style. Pedro coming in while Hirst serves his ban but those injuries are mounting up.

It’s a Boxing Day knock out for Everton at their own park and Hirst is back to give me the perfect xmas present. That’s 4 goals in 3 games from Limpar too as John Wark heads to the treatment room.

Its FA Cup action as we head into 1998 and Barnsley away – Andy Sinton looks to squeeze us through, but it’s Liddell or nothing and replay will be needed to settle things.

Spurs next in the League Cup and the action is coming thick and fast now and I wonder how my boys will hold up, especially when we’re a goal down and another ailment on the treatment list after 5 minutes but Limpar and Hirst come good to send us into the semi’s and a double date with Sheffield Wednesday.

Back to the league and we play Arsenal at their own game – ‘One nil to the Premier League’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it though….

Pleasantly surprised with Ian Butterworth at the moment – goals and motm performances.

That lingering replay with Barnsley up next and again it’s a hard work affair until Durie and Beardsley break the Tykes hearts and we’ll have high-flying Division 1 Forest up next.

Back to league action and a trip to Upton Park and despite the win, big injury blows, especially to Flowers when your back up on the bench is ‘Butter’ Hans Segers.

Grobs is in nets for the Forest FA Cup tie and although they score first, we score five and Butterworth is immense. There’s even time to give Gordon Strachan a banana and send him on for the final 18 minutes.

So that’s 10 wins and 1 draw in the past 11 games, great form despite the injuries. Why do I mention this? Because of course, our next game is a loss to break that run. We get off to a great start, but always find Duncan Ferguson unplayable at times…

Still, it was a good run, we can’t carry on winning forever, not with these guys…

It’s a break from league action for the next 3 games and we start with the first leg of the League Cup semi-final

Hirst fluffing a chance at a hat-trick which means we’ll definitely need to score in the return leg.

In between that though is a trip to Vale Park and Durie is back in the goals and Lee Stuart Sharpe even pops up with a late settler to set up a tie with Man Utd in the quarters.

A clean sheet is Brucie Bonus, but thankfully we can finally welcome Tim Flowers back from injury for the second leg on the League Cup semi-final.

It’s not a game for the neutrals, but Hirst send half spot kick sends the fans into raptures and us on a date with Chelsea at Wembley – Unbelievable Jeff!

Back to the league and Barnsley enact revenge for the cup defeats…

….then a bore draw and sending off against Leicester….

…..and then the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller with future cup final opponents Chelsea.

In amongst all that we lose Gordon Durie to a training ground injury that will keep him out for….21 Months! Jukebox, no!

With the Durie’s verdict out, Andy ‘Lionel’ Ritchie has us dancing on the ceiling when we finally bag a win at home to Bolton.

It’s been a rollercoaster few months and injuries have taken their toll, but a quick glance at the table shows us in 9^th and 4 points off 4^th place.

Liverpool with a healthy lead but being chased hard by Uniteds Man and Leeds.

At the bottom, I’m no longer worried about a relegation dogfight but Palace would need a resurrection of Lazarus proportions.

Hope you’ve been enjoying it so far and thanks for all the feedback – back next week for the FA Cup showdown with Man Utd, same time, same place, see you then.