John Hendrie column: Even if the season finishes now, it’s been one to remember for City.
To reach the play-offs bearing in mind the cup run and Wembley is a remarkable achievement. To play a minimum 63 games is unheard of.
I thought the play-offs had gone after two games in particular, the 4-1 gubbing at Exeter five weeks ago and then Southend at home on Good Friday when they were 2-0 down.
That was the last-chance saloon and I said on the radio that Phil Parkinson had to go for it. They needed someone more creative and he brought on Will Atkinson and Alan Connell, who did just that.
With another ten minutes, City would have won that game but the draw still didn’t look enough. I’d given it up.
How wrong can you be? Look at the big picture and since Exeter they’ve won five and drawn two of the eight games – an amazing effort.
On the flipside, Exeter just fell apart. That’s why Phil was right when he said City had to keep going to take advantage of any slip above them – and they’ve done just that.
Those other teams in the play-off positions will be looking at City coming up on the rails and they will be worried.
How many times have we seen it over the years that the team who finish the league the strongest carry that run into the play-offs?
From Boxing Day up until Wycombe, City couldn’t buy a win at Valley Parade. That looked like being their downfall in the play-off race.
But they have turned that round again and recent home results augur well. To get nearly 27,000 from the last two home games in the fourth tier is brilliant.
I know Valley Parade will be rocking next week. Let’s see those who were there for Arsenal and Villa coming back to roar City towards Wembley again.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel