The Clarets began Season 2 – part 2 in 10th place after a shocking collapse during the first third of the season.  By the end of part 2 we had climbed back up into third place having put a solid run together.  We begin the final part of Season 2 in third and since we once again capitulated in both cup competitions, there is only promotion and a possible League title on our minds.

The first game is against QPR, at Loftus Road Nigel Martyn was in inspired form, rolling all over the show, making save after save. Despite a similar pattern unfolding at the Moor Keith and Freddy manage to get a goal each, despite Dave getting two yellows in 20 minutes and leaving us with 10 men. He’s dangerous in more ways that one the big DC.

Paul McVeigh was great in League 2 but has had limited opportunities since Freddy and Dave arrived.  He departs for Hull, and we pocket £625k.  I feel like midfield back-up is needed so Donal Gray signs for £275k.  He’s a little slow but can play defence or midfield.

We travel to the red part of Sheffield, Traianos Dellas gives us a helping hand and Freddy puts the game to bed in the 60th minute.

Stoke have big Nev Southall in goal, however his considerable talents are fading.  Freddy gets two and Donal (Prenderville, not new boy Gray), in for Dave scores the other.  Three clean sheets in a row, four if we count the 2-0 win at Charlton at the end of the previous episode.

Another clean sheet, another win, the last time we dropped points was December 19th, when we drew 0-0 with Norwich. 

We concede for the first time in five games against Oldham, however a Freddy hat-trick and a goal from young Babb mean it’s another win.  We are only five matches into the episode and the Turf Roars have been flying around!

Away to Man City feels like it’s going to be a tough game when Kevin Horlock scores in the 12th minute.  Scully P gets the equaliser three minutes later and then Dave does a Freddy and scores a brace to secure another win.

Both Freddy and Dave are on the score sheet a week later, we are absolutely flying now, the slump in the first part of the season becoming a distant memory.

Fulham away should be straight forward, they are towards the bottom of the table and we are the form side.  That’s not the way the game plays out though.  Despite Fulham being the better team, they still need Paul Trollope to score a 72nd minute equaliser, after that Johnny Candles has to keep us from dropping all three points.  These are our first dropped points in 10 games!

 Before the next game we have the closing of the transfer window.  Jamie Hoyland played a few games last season but only before the squad achieved full challenge compliance, £190k is good money, all things considered.  The other departure is Declan ‘Dorothy’ Perkins, his playing time is limited with Keith in the squad, he was a great addition, and the fact Celtic want him makes me think he is quite good, however space is needed and £575k isn’t to be sniffed at.

Before the home game against Bury on the 27th March there is a milestone event in the dressing room.  Freddy finally comes out, as being ok, he’s been low or very low all season, a true moment to celebrate. 

And celebrate we do, with a very nice win against Bury.

The next match is away to Wolves, who absolutely battered us during the dark days at the beginning of the season, there is nothing better than returning the favour.

In a previous episode I spoke about Mart Poom and Derby being really tough, however that may just be a season one phenomenon because they are absolutely gash when they visit the Moor, can you hear that roar?

Manuel Viard has been playing really well as the lone CM in a 4-1-3-2 formation, however he’s getting a bit big for his boots, this guy was rocking around as free transfer just over a year ago, eating croissants and sipping coffee in his jardin, now he seems to think he needs to move to a bigger club, not cool mon frere.

As if to prove a point he only goes and scores two as we beat Stockport away, despite another early sending off. I feel like we are either a bit dirty or really ill disciplined, or maybe both.

The win against Stockport secures promotion and what better way to celebrate the occasion than two boring 0-0 draws at home.  In fact, three of our final four games are at home and they are all 0-0, we do however beat Port Vale away.

So it’s two League titles in two years, I can tell you now, I’m 99.73% certain in won’t be three in three years, however we’ve made it to the big time, the dramatic drop in form followed by our revival proves that when things start going wrong you should just stick with what you are doing and hope for the best.

I’m off now to strengthen the squad for the challenges of the Premier League, come back next week to see how we get on, now we are officially big time Barrys.