THE ON THE ROAD 2013/14 AWARDS
I’VE been ‘ On the Road’ from Exeter to Elland Road this season and, with apologies to the Wolves fans who keep reminding me I haven’t yet made it to Molineux in 2013-14 (I’m sorry!), here are some of the most memorable moments:
BEST GRUB . . .
i had to laugh when they produced a bag of donuts and boxes of biscuits from the roof of the press box at Exeter at half-time. The pies at Burnley were also good, as was the hot Ribena a very kind chap took great care in making for me at Blackpool. They need to learn to make a proper cup of tea at Luton Town, though.
MOST COMMONLY HEARD PHRASE . . .
‘You haven’t been here before, have you, love?’
BEST POST-MATCH INTERVIEW . . .
ian holloway. What a job he’s done at Millwall, keeping the club in the Championship after they looked doomed a few months ago. he was under no illusions about the difficulty of the task in hand when they drew 0-0 with Charlton in March, but he had a definite plan and his passion was infectious. Blimey, he can talk, though.
WORST POST-MATCH INTERVIEW . . .
Chat with Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson was swiftly terminated when someone plucked up the courage to ask about his dad’s autobiography. ‘What the f*** has that got to do with anything?’ he said.
MANAGER OF THE YEAR . . .
Mark Warburton and shaun Derry have both done excellent jobs, in very different circumstances, since taking over at Brentford and Notts County, while Kenny Jackett deserves immense credit for resurrecting Wolves.
There’s only been one world record-breaker, though: step forward Russ Wilcox (above), who led scunthorpe United to a 28-match unbeaten run in his first managerial post and took the club back into League One. League Two Accrington had four points from their first 12 games but ended up with 57 to be safely in mid- table. Now manager James Beattie is linked with taking over at Blackpool and relegated Doncaster.
THE LAD’S A BIT SPECIAL . . .
hindsight’s a wonderful thing, but i was very impressed by Connor Wickham’s performance on loan at sheffield Wednesday as they thrashed Reading 5-2 in November to record their first win of the season. Adam Forshaw at Brentford was another who caught the eye.
THESE LADS ARE A BIT SPECIAL . . .
Burnley duo sam Vokes and Danny ings have both suffered injuries this season but have still scored 47 goals between them and will play in the Premier League next season. it’s not sturridge and suarez who have made prolific strike partnerships fashionable again, it’s this pair.
MOST HEART-BREAKING MOMENT . . ..
Personally? huddersfield Town’s late winner to knock Grimsby Town out of the third round of the FA Cup. i was crying into my haddock and chips after that one.
STRANGEST ATMOSPHERE . . .
it really was odd at Nottingham Forest over the Christmas period, particularly as a chap filmed the press asking questions of then boss Billy Davies after the match.
BEST PROGRAMME . . .
The programme at Queen’s Park Rangers is packed full of information. The one i picked up even contained manager harry Redknapp claiming his squad was ‘down to the bare bones’. Yes, really.
MOST UNUSUAL SIGHT . . .
Edgar Davids managing to not get sent off or booked during Barnet’s 2- 2 draw with Cambridge United. The former Barnet player-boss played nine games, picking up six yellows and three reds. it was never dull when the Pitbull was around.