January
We started the year with the shock news that BBC606 would be closing at the end of the season.
On the field we went up to Carlisle on New Year's Day on the back of two disastrous defeats; a Boxing Day debacle, beaten by Mick Wadsworth's monkeyhangers, and then slaughtered at St Mary's. But who could have known that the 2-2 draw at Brunton Park would be the start of a Football League unbeaten record? Even though it felt like a defeat after relinquishing a 2-0 lead.
That was followed by a great 1-0 win against 2nd place Sheffield Wednesday with a cracking goal from Pilks.
We followed this up with the most ridiculous game of the season against Plymouth. On paper we came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 but we all know they had two men sent off and their second goal was the silliest goal ever.
Our JPT run to the Northern final seemed to be over bar the shouting when we lost 4-0 away to Carlisle. No way back ... or was there?
The last game of January was the FA Cup tie down at Arsenal. Alan Lee scored his first goal for Town and Jack Hunt made his debut.
In the January Transfer Window, we had to ask "why has he taken Cadamarteri back?"
February
In the game at Exeter, we saw why he brought Cads back ... he came off the bench and sparked off a 4-1 victory.
Down at Bournemouth, he scored an important equaliser.
Then we saw the 2nd leg of the JPT tie against Carlisle at the Galpharm. Surely, it would be impossible to turn round the 4-0 deficit. Yes it was but we came close with a 3-0 win. We may have lost on aggregate but the feel-good factor was there.
March
Seven games in March; five wins & two draws, including the injury time winner at Brentford from Captain Fantastic.
April
Even better ... five wins and a draw, including wins at Charlton and runaway leaders, Brighton. But we just couldn't shake off those rotten Saints!
More fantastic money-raising efforts from the Pedal for Pounds boys and girls who went to the Withdean with Dean.
May
We went into May with one game left, knowing that it was going to be the play-offs ... again! We finished the League season with a crazy 4-4 draw against Brentford at home.
So, off we went for the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Bournemouth, a team we finished 16 points above. That game ended 1-1, Kilbane scored with a header from a corner and the equaliser came from a young chap called Donal McDermott.
And then the second leg... what a match. It had it all... thrills, spills; a right old rollercoaster ride. Taking the lead, giving away equalisers, going behind in extra time, us getting the equaliser, the players looking dead on their feet, the crowd willing them on with the "believe" posters, the atmosphere was amazing. The dreaded penalty shoot-out and the relief when Antony Kay's shot went in. Phew!
Then we lost the final to some team or other at some place or other. But, far worse, the BBC did close 606!
June / July
Summer signings - Donal McDermott, Calum Woods, Anton Robinson, Oscar Gobern, Danny Ward, & Tommy Miller. Damien Johnson extended his loan and Liam Cooper came on loan.
August
We went into August full of confidence but how would the new team gel? Now very well, it seemed, as we started off with a sticky 1-1 draw at home to Bury.
The highlight was an exciting Carling Cup tie at Cardiff, where we came back from 2-0 down to take a 3-2 lead, only to lose the lead in injury time and beaten in extra time.
But the unbeaten League run went on.
September
Some good results in September; a 3-0 win at Bramall Lane being the highlight of the month.
October
Two 4-0 away wins at Brentford and Exeter, despite my 3-1 prediction against Brentford being ridiculed.
Jordan Rhodes played a couple of games for Scotland U21s, scoring a hat-trick against Luxembourg and two goals in the game against Austria. He got League One Player of the Month whilst Lee Clark got Manager of the Month.
November
The wheels started to come off. While our superstar was away making his senior international debut, we were humiliated in the FA Cup at Swindon.
With a win against Notts County we beat Notts Forest's Football League unbeaten record with 43 games without a loss.
But, like all good things, it came to an end against Charlton and on TV.
December
This month started with another dismal defeat at home to Bournemouth but then our lad, Jordan, got 4 at Hillsborough in a match that saw us lead 2-0, go 4-2 down and bounce back to 4-4 draw. How to make a draw feel like a win in one easy lesson.
The last game of the year was tonight and was a very disappointing draw at home to Carlisle. Cads got his first start in a long time and actually played very well. But we should have won.
Is there anything I've missed that you would have included?
What was your highlight?
Review of the Year 2011
posted on 30/12/11
Maybe the Arsenal game in January! Happy nex year chaff.
posted on 30/12/11
I agree.
posted on 31/12/11
'What was your highlight?'
Definitely the playoff final, though i thought you'd have given it a bit more of a mention in your article. The whole day was just brilliant from start to finish. Getting into the stadium early and seeing the opposite end of the ground covered in the blue and white 'Believe' shirts was a pretty amazing sight.
Then the game itself and watching Mackail-Smith miss 2 glorious chances and Huddersfield being denied by the woodwork i was sure the game would be heading into Extra time. However from a set piece earned after CMS had come back from an offside position the 1st goal was scored. Still i thought an equaliser was just around the corner with Peterborough's leaky defence and Huddersfield's never say die attitude yet a 2nd went to Posh. Then to top it all off a superb free kick sealed the match once and for all.
The entertainment however wasn't over with the 'believe' shirts being thrown in disgust from the upper tier of the stadium and fans leaving in their droves knowing another season in league 1 was around the corner and the whole unbeaten run counted for nothing.
Despite having to wait a while to get out of the car park after the game, the boredom was eased watching all the stunned and depressed Town fans making their way home. Then when i arrived home i was treated to £75 in winnings after placing £40 on the Posh to win at fantastic odds of 15/8. I thought after Barca were priced at evens the night before the bookies would have learnt their lesson about giving such high odds on decent football sides against inferior opposition.
posted on 31/12/11
Highlight - Tranmere away, Top day out in the sunshine, 3 points, Beers in Liverpool, and beers and curry in Manny, and still a half carriage sing along at oneish, a sing along that lasted the entire journey.
posted on 31/12/11
I loved the mk's away,great day out and fantastic result, agree Bryce tranmere away(home for me) was a great atmosphere,too many fans and they had to go in one of the stands at the side.
posted on 31/12/11
Terriers - what do you think of the rest of the season going forward?
It looks like even tighter than last season - logic says Charlton will hang on to one of the auto spots, but anything goes for the second spot.
We've all thrown away (suprising) points. If we dont make the auto spots, then would love to play Huddersfield in a final. Me thinks either of the Sheffield teams will just go in boots first.
Whatever happens, good luck for the season and look forward to the game at your place in Feb. COYD
posted on 31/12/11
Hey up Moocamp...how did you manage to throw a 3-0 lead away today ? We won there 3-0 no problems...(cough cough).
To be honest it is wide open..Charlton have lost 1-0 tonight, and it could have been a lot worse but for a dodgy linesman. I think Sheff Utd are on a roll, but will have a blip later, Wendies I don't have any fear over..they will slip out of the top 4..as will Charlton when they do there usual collapse in 2nd half of season..As for MKD, not sure you have the toughness to get through 46 game campaign despite the good footy you play...and for Town, well we never play well but we have learnt to gather points from most matches we play, and we're 7 points better off than same stage last season.
If it comes to play-offs (which I sincerely hope it doesn't) I would defo want to avoid Stevange...they are animals..but its a lottery and we want 1st place this time.
I am quietly confident despite our totally inept manager, the Chairman is splashing the cash in January to shore up our leaky defence..and with Rhodes we will always score goals.
What about MKD., any new additions in the pipeline ?
posted on 31/12/11
Good question Jacko - they made a couple of subs and changed their formation - and that seemed to to the trick - another goal in stoppage time - it will cost us. Thats 2 three all draws with them (JPT) so far this season.
Agree about our ability to be tough - just hope the skill can last. On that note I feel confident, the team are getting better and some players have more to give - Bowditch for one.
We are losing Beevers (he's been good) going back to Wednesday - but Flannigan - our youngester will be more than enough cover. Question will be if we have Ballanta till the end of the season. Think we will have loanees rather than a transfer at this point. We dont have that much cash and will want to be able to buy if we go up.
Anyways, hope you do go up and it would be nice to be with you - another season here and we will start to loose players - we have more coming through like Baldock
So long as Martin Allens lot fail.
Best for the New Year - am off now to get into the party mood