Report for February 2002

Hall of fame

Dean Richards

Classy defender who always looked like he would go further than Valley Parade and, with four months left, he could go as far as the World Cup.

Employee of the month

Alan Combe

Things had got ludicrous when Alan Combe can in as City's umpteenth goalkeeper of the season. After all, how good can Dundee United's second choice goalkeeper be? Pretty good as it turns out. Excellent position combined with agility Combe has made crucial saves to tip games City's way over February and the majority of City fans would be more than happy to see the Scot stay for the long term. Scottish goalkeepers? Alan Rough must consider this guy a turncoat.

Goal of the month

Jamie Lawrence's 35 yard chip at Gillingham

Jamie Lawrence dedicated this goal to a friend he had buried on Friday. It was a fine tribute. Picks up the ball, seeing the keeper a few yards off his line, composes himself and floats the ball over the custodian from a distance outside the box. Sublime.

On-field positive

Good performances are now being rewarded with wins, in no small part to the fact that with Alan Combe behind them , the back four look as solid as they have done in three years.

On-field negative

Lee Sharpe inability to string performances together because of injury.

Off-field positive

The club's scouting is starting to turn up a few decent names. Jean Philippe Javary and Alan Combe both look worth pursuing.

Off-field negative

The increasing spats between heavy handed stewards and fans in the North Stand is becoming a concern.

Funny

Nottingham Forest's Nicky Summerbee going down in the exact spot where he feigned injury so disgustingly for Sunderland two years ago, only this time he was hurt. Perhaps Depeche Mode were right about God's sense of humour.

Not funny

Ashley Ward's move to Barnsley breaking down. Credit though to Ward for how he has handled himself.

Breakdown

All the news for the month

Grimsby Town [a] 1-0 Carbone
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 [a] Ward
Gillingham [a] 4-0 Patterson og, Ward, Lawrence, Cadamarteri
Nottingham Forest [h] 2-1 Jess, Lawrence

Comments

Roland Harris Column
Jonathan Jackson Column
Michael Wood Column
Jon Blakely Column
James Ramsden Column

Back to news index