Hi everyone! It feels like ages since I last wrote for you all. It has been a busy few weeks and with the appointment of a new manager, it has been all go at Yeovil Town.
I am extremely happy that we have appointed Paul Sturrock as our new Gaffer and we could not have asked for a more experienced man for the job.
He has managed eight clubs, including Plymouth Argyle, Southampton and Southend United. He may have been out of management for two years but he has wasted no time in getting stuck in at Huish Park.
Last Saturday’s match was disappointing as it finally sealed our fate and confirmed relegation to League Two. However, I thought there was a definite improvement in our performance, it was just a shame that we switched off for their goal. As for last night, what a performance that was.
Welcoming Sheffield United to Huish Park on a Tuesday night was always going to be a tough ask. They are looking to secure their place in the Play – Offs and have been in great form with four wins in their last six.
Football is a strange game though and having already been relegated, the pressure was off our boys. Straight from the kick off, we played with freedom and looked composed on the ball. Sheffield United just could not get a foothold in the game and you would not have been able to tell which team was pushing for promotion and which team was going down.
I had the pleasure of sitting in the Press Box last night as I watched how all the coverage works on a match day. I hope you all saw my tweets throughout the game for the Western Gazette’s live blog. I really enjoyed the experience and the team’s performance was just brilliant.
We limited Nigel Clough’s side to long range shots and we finally looked like a team. It is a shame that it does not change anything in terms of the league but it was nice to get that winning feeling back. It also bodes well for our new era under Paul Sturrock and although many of the players will not be at Huish Park next year, the style of play and attitude of the players was a credit to the new manager. As they say, the only way is up.
I cannot write this blog without mentioning Bristol City. They secured promotion last night in style. A 6-0 win at Bradford City meant that the league leaders are guaranteed automatic promotion to the Championship. If they win on Saturday, they will secure the league title.
I don’t think any football fan can deny that they have deserved it over the course of the season. They have been so consistent throughout the campaign and I would particularly like to congratulate former Glover Luke Ayling. He has been instrumental in their promotion and joined in the scoring fun at Valley Parade last night. Second placed Preston could only secure a 2-2 draw with Gillingham and MK Dons ran out 3-0 winners at Fleetwood.
There is now just a three point gap between the sides in second and third as the race for automatic promotion hots up. We could have a say in the outcome, as we travel to Stadium:MK for the last game of the season. With the pressure off us, we could easily affect the rest of the league.
Next up, we travel to Swindon in what will be another tough game. However, once again it will be all eyes on the Robins in their promotion race. We can go there and enjoy our football whilst hopefully shaking up their season.
It gives Sturrock another chance to look at the players we have and which ones he wants to keep for our League Two campaign next year. I for one am really excited for next season and although it hurts going down, it has been inevitable for a while now. Somehow, that is made it easier to take, along with our ambition in getting a new manager in to hopefully see us return to League One in the not so distant future.
See you all at Swindon and let’s all enjoy the last three games and get behind the lads. The atmosphere at Huish Park was brilliant last night and shows how much winning a game can change the mood of everyone. Relegated or not relegated, we show our support is as good as any side at this level. I know we will back stronger than ever.
