THE BLUES
So it's all down to a point! A good midweek set of results for the Blues mean we'll all wait and see if the tribunal gives Leeds anything back then sit down and work out how the final positions will probably end up. Whatever, if we can keep up this recent run of terrific performances for three more fixtures, and then hopefully another three, we'll be OK. I thought the Northampton game kept up our recent form, we just ran into a team which defended well and had one of the best keepers in the league, we then have as must chance of the Championship as anyone left in the top six outside Swansea, who are already there of course.
We could be a touch critical of our finishing, James Walker was not at his best, and we let in, (yawn), another set piece, (this column has been calling for a man on each post all season), I saw nothing that doesn't make me believe we have hit the right form at the right time. Luck with injuries to the main players continued, the main player did not get booked, (see what Nick feels about the game below), overall the defense stayed strong against a relatively small forward line which should be the case again at the weekend with 15 goal top scorer Danny Graham standing at just 6ft.
The Ginger Gem that is Nicky B insists his side have nothing to fear at Carlisle United on Saturday. The Cumbrians have won 17 matches at home - three more than any other side in League One. But the Shrimpers are currently enjoying a great run of form, having not lost for 12 games and Bailey is convinced that can continue.
"We haven't been beaten for ages now and even our away form is good now too," said the 23-year-old. "Earlier on in the season that was a problem for us but it's going well at the moment and of course that can carry on at Carlisle. They are playing well and are a good team but we're in form and we will be looking to go and win the game there. Things are looking good but we want to keep this up and get it confirmed soon," he said. "We don't want to let it drag on but I don't think it will because of the confidence in the team right now. When you're feeling good you try things you wouldn't when you're unconfident and you can really see that in our game. The new players that came in during January have also made a difference too. Lee Barnard can't stop scoring and James Walker has done well too."
But despite that Bailey remains the star of the Shrimpers' season so far. He has scored 11 times from midfield and is almost certain to win the player of the year award. "I was confident I could do well and hopefully I've gone some way to repaying the manager's faith in me," said Bailey. "It's been a good year and touch wood it can end well too with us getting promotion."
Such fine performances had reportedly seen the former Barnet man open contract talks with the club. However, Southend's top goalscorer confirmed that was not the case. "I haven't actually had any negotiations over a contract but I still have two years left on my current contract anyway," he said. "I haven't met with the chairman but maybe I will soon, I'm not sure. I'm just concentrating on the matches we have left."
THE OPPOSITION
At least the injury to 14 goal striker Joe Garner means he can't repeat his winning goal performance from the Roots Hall fixture. However, whatever team manager John Ward puts out will be pretty strong while it's all been said about their awesome home form. Certainly Ward himself remains confident even after their 2-3 defeat last Saturday at Leeds, a result that brought their second defeat in four, but this followed an amazing run of twelve matches unbeaten, eight of them bringing three points, which took them to the edge of promotion as Doncaster faltered. (A record, of course, we are matching at the moment and can go on to beat with a positive result on Saturday. Come on you Blues!)
Ward spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey on Tuesday morning as he talked about the see-saw 3-2 defeat at Elland Road against Leeds United, while also looking ahead to the Southend match at Brunton Park on Saturday. He believes strongly that it's all in their own hands.
"I think my hair is falling out let alone going grey after a game like that. At this stage of the year you want to win your games obviously in the position that we are in. If that game had been in September where you think the result has little bearing on the final part of the season then you would be waxing lyrical over it. I'd much rather have had a quieter dull game and a 1-0 win and come away with that, but it wasn't. The only thing I have really got in terms of a positive is that if you are going to lose then you lose that way, we had a right good go and it's only our second defeat in the last sixteen, and you comfort yourself with that a little bit. At this stage of the season though with the position that we are in one point or three points would obviously have been better to have been talking about.
"We've come a massive way in a short period of time, the whole club. Before I got here it was moving rapidly and I think we have kept it on the right track, we've kept it moving forward. When you look at two defeats in sixteen, and they are to Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, the two biggest clubs in our division. Then you can console yourself a little bit that that we have been pretty close with both of them, as well as being unbeaten in the other fourteen. So I think that you stand your ground on that with Carlisle United and say to come on and that Saturday is another big game with Southend United. If we can replicate that type of form we have shown in those last sixteen games then we have a good chance of winning that, and that's exactly where we will be talking to the players.
"I was aware that he (Paul Huntington) was deliberately putting his arms up to the Carlisle supporters. I think that since then though I've read how sorry he is, and he's accepted that it was foolish and that he's embarrassed himself and his family and he's apologised. I think that we also have to be big enough to accept that as well. "
"The goalposts will have been changed with three games to go if Leeds get points back, which in any kind of competition would be exceptionally strange and completely wrong. Rules tend to be made at the beginning of a season, they should be accepted and adhered to, but again, it's out of my hands and out of my control. I have the feeling that something will be given back to Leeds, I don't think that it will be the whole lot, but then I don't know. The full ramifications of it are going to affect a lot of different people for a lot of different reasons. Swansea particularly have had the champagne out on Saturday, quite right, because for me they are the best side. They've got the top of the league position and probably should go and be champions, but by the end of the week they might not be, and that just doesn't ring true does it. Having a different table in the programme might fire the tribunal up the wrong way, and that may be something that rebounds on them a little bit. They have been doing that right the way through the season, not just in our programme, I think they have had that propaganda in their programme for some time. We'll wait and see what happens and what the result of it is, and maybe we can have an opinion afterwards.
"I think it's fantastic that we are talking like this about the possibility of us being promoted. When you look at the whole thing it has been a fantastic effort from everybody and it's still there, it's still possible for us to achieve it on our own without looking at other results. Southend come, I think they have scored 33 away from home but conceded 33 away from home, so it tells you a couple of little things about them. They have got a really strong strike-force but if you can get at them enough there is maybe a goal or two for the home team sometimes. So it's on the day, it's dealing with it, we'll be fine, we'll prepare ourselves as well as we can. There are a lot of plusses to be taken from Leeds United. Southend will be disappointed that they didn't win their home game against Northampton, so it's not just about us. They need to really get that win and get themselves into play-off positions, so a lot to fight for on the day and you can rest assured that Carlisle United will be fighting just as hard as anybody. "
So kudos for Ward on speaking up about the ridiculous chance of Leeds getting points back at this stage of the season but was he being a touch defensive bringing up Southends's draw v the Cobblers after a couple of recent defeats for his team. I can assure him the players looked up for it for the whole 90 minutes and if they play as well as they have done over the last month we are in for a cracker, goaless draw then! (Or put a fiver on 2-2.)
THE FIXTURES
For the latest league table catch the midweek preview, it's not bad reading, adding any points our favourite team from Yorkshire may be given back! As for the other games, don't expect the Borient to help you out Carlisle fans but Luton could play with the freedom of the doomed while it should be fun at the New Den, I'll give the Leeds fans a wave on the way back down after they lose, or at least get a shock, on and off the pitch!
All 15:00. Brighton v Hartlepool, Bristol Rovers v Gillingham, Crewe v Cheltenham, Huddersfield v Tranmere, Leyton Orient v Doncaster, Millwall v Leeds, Northampton v Oldham, Nottm Forest v Luton, Swansea v Yeovil, Swindon v Port Vale, Walsall v Bournemouth.
THE MATCHES
Played 29: WON 8 DRAWN 8 LOST 13.
Somehow we came across each other on Jan. 4 1908 in a 5th round FA Cup Qualifying round! Away from home, it certainly wasn't a regional draw, we lost 0-4, so we'll airbrush that result from history and all accept our first league meetings in Division 3 was when it all began. Especially as we won the first three, starting on Nov. 10 62 at the Hall with a 2-0 scoreline, Woodley and Beesley grabbed the goals.
After that things began to swing Melvyn Braggs home team's way, though he now lives in Hampstead, with some horrible results. 0-5 anyone on Jan. 10 98. In fact we have played them 14 times at their place with only two wins, 41 years apart! March 30 63 and March 27 04 were the famous days. 2-1 the first, Johnny Mac and McNeill the scorers. A score then repeated with the help of a generous refereeing decision, as two Leon Constantine goals won the game to finally finish any thoughts of relegation from the league. The generous decision being a penalty when the ball jumped up and hit a Carlisle defender on the hand. (Made up for the one never given on Jan. 6 1990 when we ended up losing 0-3.) In-between all doom and gloom with 8 defeats and 4 draws, 11 goals scored in total, 34 goals let in! Hope they don't win too many corners!
THE GROUND
For directions to the ground and other relevant info to all things Carlisle click on to this guide from Kynson, good stuff and thanks. http://www.kynson.org.uk/RIOA/club/ground
So it's all down to a point! A good midweek set of results for the Blues mean we'll all wait and see if the tribunal gives Leeds anything back then sit down and work out how the final positions will probably end up. Whatever, if we can keep up this recent run of terrific performances for three more fixtures, and then hopefully another three, we'll be OK. I thought the Northampton game kept up our recent form, we just ran into a team which defended well and had one of the best keepers in the league, we then have as must chance of the Championship as anyone left in the top six outside Swansea, who are already there of course.
We could be a touch critical of our finishing, James Walker was not at his best, and we let in, (yawn), another set piece, (this column has been calling for a man on each post all season), I saw nothing that doesn't make me believe we have hit the right form at the right time. Luck with injuries to the main players continued, the main player did not get booked, (see what Nick feels about the game below), overall the defense stayed strong against a relatively small forward line which should be the case again at the weekend with 15 goal top scorer Danny Graham standing at just 6ft.
The Ginger Gem that is Nicky B insists his side have nothing to fear at Carlisle United on Saturday. The Cumbrians have won 17 matches at home - three more than any other side in League One. But the Shrimpers are currently enjoying a great run of form, having not lost for 12 games and Bailey is convinced that can continue.
"We haven't been beaten for ages now and even our away form is good now too," said the 23-year-old. "Earlier on in the season that was a problem for us but it's going well at the moment and of course that can carry on at Carlisle. They are playing well and are a good team but we're in form and we will be looking to go and win the game there. Things are looking good but we want to keep this up and get it confirmed soon," he said. "We don't want to let it drag on but I don't think it will because of the confidence in the team right now. When you're feeling good you try things you wouldn't when you're unconfident and you can really see that in our game. The new players that came in during January have also made a difference too. Lee Barnard can't stop scoring and James Walker has done well too."
But despite that Bailey remains the star of the Shrimpers' season so far. He has scored 11 times from midfield and is almost certain to win the player of the year award. "I was confident I could do well and hopefully I've gone some way to repaying the manager's faith in me," said Bailey. "It's been a good year and touch wood it can end well too with us getting promotion."
Such fine performances had reportedly seen the former Barnet man open contract talks with the club. However, Southend's top goalscorer confirmed that was not the case. "I haven't actually had any negotiations over a contract but I still have two years left on my current contract anyway," he said. "I haven't met with the chairman but maybe I will soon, I'm not sure. I'm just concentrating on the matches we have left."
THE OPPOSITION
At least the injury to 14 goal striker Joe Garner means he can't repeat his winning goal performance from the Roots Hall fixture. However, whatever team manager John Ward puts out will be pretty strong while it's all been said about their awesome home form. Certainly Ward himself remains confident even after their 2-3 defeat last Saturday at Leeds, a result that brought their second defeat in four, but this followed an amazing run of twelve matches unbeaten, eight of them bringing three points, which took them to the edge of promotion as Doncaster faltered. (A record, of course, we are matching at the moment and can go on to beat with a positive result on Saturday. Come on you Blues!)
Ward spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey on Tuesday morning as he talked about the see-saw 3-2 defeat at Elland Road against Leeds United, while also looking ahead to the Southend match at Brunton Park on Saturday. He believes strongly that it's all in their own hands.
"I think my hair is falling out let alone going grey after a game like that. At this stage of the year you want to win your games obviously in the position that we are in. If that game had been in September where you think the result has little bearing on the final part of the season then you would be waxing lyrical over it. I'd much rather have had a quieter dull game and a 1-0 win and come away with that, but it wasn't. The only thing I have really got in terms of a positive is that if you are going to lose then you lose that way, we had a right good go and it's only our second defeat in the last sixteen, and you comfort yourself with that a little bit. At this stage of the season though with the position that we are in one point or three points would obviously have been better to have been talking about.
"We've come a massive way in a short period of time, the whole club. Before I got here it was moving rapidly and I think we have kept it on the right track, we've kept it moving forward. When you look at two defeats in sixteen, and they are to Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, the two biggest clubs in our division. Then you can console yourself a little bit that that we have been pretty close with both of them, as well as being unbeaten in the other fourteen. So I think that you stand your ground on that with Carlisle United and say to come on and that Saturday is another big game with Southend United. If we can replicate that type of form we have shown in those last sixteen games then we have a good chance of winning that, and that's exactly where we will be talking to the players.
"I was aware that he (Paul Huntington) was deliberately putting his arms up to the Carlisle supporters. I think that since then though I've read how sorry he is, and he's accepted that it was foolish and that he's embarrassed himself and his family and he's apologised. I think that we also have to be big enough to accept that as well. "
"The goalposts will have been changed with three games to go if Leeds get points back, which in any kind of competition would be exceptionally strange and completely wrong. Rules tend to be made at the beginning of a season, they should be accepted and adhered to, but again, it's out of my hands and out of my control. I have the feeling that something will be given back to Leeds, I don't think that it will be the whole lot, but then I don't know. The full ramifications of it are going to affect a lot of different people for a lot of different reasons. Swansea particularly have had the champagne out on Saturday, quite right, because for me they are the best side. They've got the top of the league position and probably should go and be champions, but by the end of the week they might not be, and that just doesn't ring true does it. Having a different table in the programme might fire the tribunal up the wrong way, and that may be something that rebounds on them a little bit. They have been doing that right the way through the season, not just in our programme, I think they have had that propaganda in their programme for some time. We'll wait and see what happens and what the result of it is, and maybe we can have an opinion afterwards.
"I think it's fantastic that we are talking like this about the possibility of us being promoted. When you look at the whole thing it has been a fantastic effort from everybody and it's still there, it's still possible for us to achieve it on our own without looking at other results. Southend come, I think they have scored 33 away from home but conceded 33 away from home, so it tells you a couple of little things about them. They have got a really strong strike-force but if you can get at them enough there is maybe a goal or two for the home team sometimes. So it's on the day, it's dealing with it, we'll be fine, we'll prepare ourselves as well as we can. There are a lot of plusses to be taken from Leeds United. Southend will be disappointed that they didn't win their home game against Northampton, so it's not just about us. They need to really get that win and get themselves into play-off positions, so a lot to fight for on the day and you can rest assured that Carlisle United will be fighting just as hard as anybody. "
So kudos for Ward on speaking up about the ridiculous chance of Leeds getting points back at this stage of the season but was he being a touch defensive bringing up Southends's draw v the Cobblers after a couple of recent defeats for his team. I can assure him the players looked up for it for the whole 90 minutes and if they play as well as they have done over the last month we are in for a cracker, goaless draw then! (Or put a fiver on 2-2.)
THE FIXTURES
For the latest league table catch the midweek preview, it's not bad reading, adding any points our favourite team from Yorkshire may be given back! As for the other games, don't expect the Borient to help you out Carlisle fans but Luton could play with the freedom of the doomed while it should be fun at the New Den, I'll give the Leeds fans a wave on the way back down after they lose, or at least get a shock, on and off the pitch!
All 15:00. Brighton v Hartlepool, Bristol Rovers v Gillingham, Crewe v Cheltenham, Huddersfield v Tranmere, Leyton Orient v Doncaster, Millwall v Leeds, Northampton v Oldham, Nottm Forest v Luton, Swansea v Yeovil, Swindon v Port Vale, Walsall v Bournemouth.
THE MATCHES
Played 29: WON 8 DRAWN 8 LOST 13.
Somehow we came across each other on Jan. 4 1908 in a 5th round FA Cup Qualifying round! Away from home, it certainly wasn't a regional draw, we lost 0-4, so we'll airbrush that result from history and all accept our first league meetings in Division 3 was when it all began. Especially as we won the first three, starting on Nov. 10 62 at the Hall with a 2-0 scoreline, Woodley and Beesley grabbed the goals.
After that things began to swing Melvyn Braggs home team's way, though he now lives in Hampstead, with some horrible results. 0-5 anyone on Jan. 10 98. In fact we have played them 14 times at their place with only two wins, 41 years apart! March 30 63 and March 27 04 were the famous days. 2-1 the first, Johnny Mac and McNeill the scorers. A score then repeated with the help of a generous refereeing decision, as two Leon Constantine goals won the game to finally finish any thoughts of relegation from the league. The generous decision being a penalty when the ball jumped up and hit a Carlisle defender on the hand. (Made up for the one never given on Jan. 6 1990 when we ended up losing 0-3.) In-between all doom and gloom with 8 defeats and 4 draws, 11 goals scored in total, 34 goals let in! Hope they don't win too many corners!
THE GROUND
For directions to the ground and other relevant info to all things Carlisle click on to this guide from Kynson, good stuff and thanks. http://www.kynson.org.uk/RIOA/club/ground
The Cumberland Building Society Stand on one side of the pitch, is a relatively new covered, all seated stand, which looks quite smart. The other side is an old partly covered (to the rear) Main Stand, which has seating at the back and a terraced paddock to the front. The central part of this stand was built in 1954 and the wings added at a later stage. The Warwick Road End is a covered terrace that has a peculiar looking roof. The other end, the Petterill End (aka The Waterworks End), is a small open terrace, which after refurbishment has now been re-opened after being closed for a number of years. There is also an electric scoreboard at this end, which is also known as the Waterworks End. The ground also has some strange looking floodlights.
Another unusual aspect of the ground is that the central point of the East Stand, is located just off the half way line. This means that one side of the stand extends past the one goal line, whilst the other side falls short of this. This was due to the fact that the Club were intending to re-build the whole ground and move the pitch a few yards further north, but alas the development funds ran dry!
Away fans are normally located in the Petterill End terrace at one end of the ground. This area houses around 1,700 fans and is open to the elements, so be prepared to get wet. If demand requires it, then part of the Cumberland Building Society (East) Stand (towards the Petterill End) on one side of the pitch, can also be allocated. The facilities and the view of the playing area from the East Stand are good. If away supporters are allocated part of the East Stand, then they will find that they are only separated from home fans by a piece of fabric spread across the seats and a bit of plastic ribbon. It tends to create a lively atmosphere between the two sets of fans and can also be a little intimidating as we found out four years ago. However, should be more than enough of us this time to hold our own.
THE PUB
If you read the message board you will see plenty of advice from the locals but it seems if you leave the station and get on to Botchergate (or "Booze Canyon", I've been told!), you will find a cast of thousands. The Griffin is the recommended 'away' pub, while there's a Weatherspoons, the Woodrow Wilson, and I liked the look of the Cumberland Inn but a retired Cumbrian plod felt it should be avoided. Who am I to argue with the law?!!
Whatever, all roads lead to the Rugby Club in Warwick Road, right next to the football ground, and is much frequented by Association fans as well as egg chasers. I'm assured there is no membership fee involved, it's family friendly and welcomes away fans, though whether the home ones do you will have to find out. Just don't pick on a prop forward. Beers are Theakston Best and Yates plus a guest at the weekends, the cider is recommended as well! Was renovated and extended after the floods.
All in all, enjoy, it's a lovely town and the weather will be cloudy but a relatively warm 11c's.
THE CAR
Get on the M6 and go north to Scotland! Just remember to get off at Junction 43, taking the first exit onto the A69, signposted........Carlisle. A mile up the road turn right onto Thirlwell Gardens and you should see the floodlights. If not, your lost.
The club car park (cost £1.50) can be found by taking the first right immediately after Brunton Park into Victoria Place and then turn first right onto St Aidans Road. Otherwise plenty of street parking though another warning of a new two hour limit in places that is generously enforced by the local wardens, so read the signs!
Altogether, 340 miles and over 5 hours depending on stops, go on Lee, you know you want to!
THE TRAIN
Is it the 7.10 or the 8.10 from King's Cross? Whichever one, make sure your on the 17.20 back or have a room booked. Also that the train is not more than 11 minutes late or it's going to be a night in Newcastle!
Brunton Park is situated about a mile from Carlisle Citadel station, but is relatively easy to get to. Upon exiting the station's main entrance, walk the short distance around The Crescent until reaching Warwick Road. You will be able to see the old Main Stand and the strangely-shaped roofs of the Warwick Road end after walking for about twenty minutes. There are directions to the away supporters' turnstiles above the Carlisle United club shop. Hopefully you will still be able to see them after spending a couple of hours in the rugby club!
THE HISTORY
The club was formed when two Carlisle based teams, Shaddongate United and Carlisle Red Rose, merged in 1903. The newly formed club initially played at Milhome Bank and later at Devonshire Park, finally settling at their current home Brunton Park situated on Warwick Road. Carlisle were elected to the Football League Third Division North in 1928 replacing Durham City. They won their first game in the league, the side of Prout, Coulthard, Coo, Harrison, Ross, Pigg, Agar, Hutchison, McConnell, Ward and Watson beating Accrington Stanley 3-2.
Carlisle spent one season in the old First Division, the 1974-75 season. They won their first three fixtures of the campaign to top the table, but finished the season in bottom place and were relegated. There followed a long and gradual decline for the club, apart from a brief revival under the returning Bob Stokoe in 1982 when United were promoted into the Second Division, where they remained for four more years before slipping back down the leagues again. The nadir seemed to have been reached in 1992 when the club finished bottom of Division Four and broke, only surviving the drop into the Conference because Aldershot went bust themselves and dropped out of the league. Carlisle's finances weren't in a much better state, and the club seriously considered going part-time anyway to save money when what appeared to be a white knight rode into view to save the day.
Former Man U director, UFO spotter and famous self-publicist Michael Knighton took over at Carlisle and for a while Blues fans thought that they were in heaven: Money was invested in the club and performances on the field improved with the 3rd Division play-offs being reached in the 93-94 season and the championship itself being won the year after, as well as the club reaching the Auto-Windscreens Shield final at Wembley, where they lost 1-0 to Birmingham. Instead of 2nd Division consolidation the following season the club found itself relegated back to Division 3 after a desperately disappointing campaign; but their impression of a yo-yo continued apace when in the 96-97 season they not only won automatic promotion to Division 2, but also returned to Wembley for the Auto-Windscreens Shield final which this time they won, beating The Farmers 4-3 on penalties.
It was around now that Carlisle fans realised that the man they initially thought was the club's saviour was, in fact, losing the plot. Chairman Knighton appointed a new 3-man coaching team to guide the club through the 2nd Division, including someone called Michael Knighton. Inevitably the club were relegated back down to Division Three at the end of the 97-98 season, escaping relegation to the Conference by the skin of their teeth at times, most famously in the final match of the 98-99 season when on-loan keeper Jimmy Glass saved the Cumbrians by scoring an injury-time goal in the final game of the season which kept Carlisle in the Football League at the expense of Scarborough.
Off the field the club remained in turmoil with fans protesting about Knighton's continuing reign and organising boycotts and protests. Eventually, after several false starts, including a farcical episode when a feted supposed purchaser turned out to be a waiter in an Indian restaurant, and amidst talk of receivership, administration and even possible liquidation, a credible buyer for the club emerged and in 2002 John Courteney bought out Knighton. On the field United continued to struggle in the league but in 2003 under manager Roddy Collins once again reached the final of the LDV Vans Trophy (formerly the Auto-Windscreens Shield), losing to Bristol City.
In recent years, it certainly hasn't been boring at Brunton Park. (A lower league version of Southend!) They have been relegated to the Conference, bounced straight back into the Football League through the play-offs, and then immediately followed that with promotion to League One as Champions. There was another failure in the Football League Trophy Final as well, in 2006. Whilst that was going on they also changed owner again. A finish in the top half of the table in their first season back in League One was also an impressive return.
Now this season, (2007-08), they have gone from strength to strength. Although it has required a bit of a leap of faith for that to happen, as they've gone through several managers to get there. Paul Simpson, who had been part of their successful leap from the Conference to League One, disappeared off to Preston North End. His replacement, Neil McDonald, appeared to have done well enough during the 2006-07 season and so there was shock ... no wait, let's call that total astonishment, and that was just the Carlisle fans, when on August 13th 2007 he became the earliest sacking of this season, with the Carlisle board saying they'd lost confidence in their manager.
Somewhere in that boardroom madness though, Carlisle must have known what they were doing. Greg Abbott became a pseudo-caretaker for a couple of months, and then Carlisle made their big move, nobbling Cheltenham Town manager John Ward. From that the Cumbrians have gone from strength to strength and although Carlisle do not know their fate yet, if they do miss out on automatic promotion, they will do so by the proverbial whisker, with them currently sat in the driving seat for a second place finish. With Carlisle only having dropped points in four home games so far, the best in this league by far, this will be a tough one, but two of those dropped point games were from the last three home fixtures.
(With thanks to all the usual suspects with their help with this article.)