New Year's Day 2013 - when it all began

I wrote this just 7 weeks ago, after Flicker's 1st game in charge away to Peterborough, on January 1st. We were rock bottom at that time, but you could see the potential even then.



We deserved at least a point today, if not all three.

Flicker began with a refreshing 3-5 2 formation, with Kennedy, McNulty, Crainie at the back, with Stones and Golbourne out wide right and left respectively, and Perks, Dawson and Jim O'B central, leaving Daggers and Davies up front.

They took the lead against the run of play with a direct free kick, and that gave them the boost for the remainder of the first half. If only we could score first!

However, the 2nd half was virtually constant Tykes pressure, culminating with a goal from Harewood who replaced the disappointing Davies. Harewood really did liven up things, and I'd play him from the start next week. His goal came after a prolonged period of pressure from us, with Daggers going very close twice. Firstly, he ran into the box, jinking past 3 defenders and unleashing a shot which was blocked, and secondly, 5 minutes later, he unleashed a fierce drive from around 20 yards which smacked against the post with the goalkeeper beaten. The guy seems jinxed!

After Harewood scored, (following a 2 minute discussion between the referee and the flagging linesman, why I do not know), Posh scored against the run of play, after being dominated by us for long, long periods. Disregard the match stats of possession, they are in no way correct up to the point I had to leave after they scored, around 85 minutes, to catch a train back to London.

All you Flicker doubters, I can tell you that the players could NOT have given more, even with Sir Alex Ferguson in charge. We came away with nothing most undeservedly. I would defy any new manager to get more out of the players than I witnessed today.

Quick reply to this message

 

Absolutely spot on, Capital.

I was there and had a chat pitchside with Flicker as my son was the Reds mascot. What a really smashing bloke.

Met the players in the dressing room and you could tell they were behind Flicker.

Fast forward to Ipswich (my other son was mascot), and the same again. Flicker said he still woke up in the night wondering how we didn't win at Peterborough. Even just before the game, Flicker stood and chatted for about 5 minutes.

I sensed then that we had someone special in charge. You may mock me, but I honestly did feel that, and still do.