The Only way is up

By Alex Higgins

With the first three games gone of the 06/07 season it started on a dull note for North End. I thought the game V Sheffield Wednesday was one where we should have won, St Ledger's performance on his debut was probably only the good thing to come out of the game.

With Mawene out for the season it was always going to be a tough job covering the Frenchman but St Ledger showed everyone there is no need to panic. If the game would have carried on till the next day it still would have been 0-0, it's just one of those funny things that happen in football!

With the regular long haul trip south on a Tuesday night it was off to Carrow Road to take on Norwich City. On paper with the likes of Earnshaw and Huckerby on the Norwich team sheet I think most North Enders including myself feared the worst. Simmo opted for a 4-5-1 formation due to his long injury list. Norwich controlled the majority of the game although North End had spells in there where they showed decent football.

Unfortunately Norwich got a goal through North Ends St Ledger, putting the ball in his own net and Earnshaw wrapped things up for Norwich on the 81st minute. It was a shame for North End as Alexander was sent off in the final minute. North End's loss was down to bad luck, injuries and 11 faces that have barely played with each other yet but we have just got to crack on with it and give it our best shot.

North Ends away match at Wolves was moved to Friday night for the Sky Camera's and it’s always the young scouser who steals the show when live on TV, It was no different on this occasion. Wolves took the lead through very sloppy defending and goalkeeping. PNE always seem to get opened up easily on big pitches and it was Jay Bothroyd who took advantage this time as the Wolves hit man scored from an acute angle after easily passing Luke Chilvers and Matt Hill.

North End showed they were still in the game after a few corners and it was David Nugent who sweetly volleyed a stinging effort into the top corner from 6 yards out after Wolves failed to clear from North Ends set pieces. I thought in the second half we controlled the game from the first whistle to last which was good to see and at times Wolves just couldn’t get hold of the ball.

Nugent's solo effort paid off as North End went 2-1 in front, from then the match was never in any doubt and was sealed by Simon Whaley’s 20 yard effort which sent the loyal band of North End supporters into raptures. There was a lot of good individual performances tonight obviously Nugent will get all the credit but I thought young Kelvin Wilson had a brilliant game and hopefully he can play a big part in Simmo's plans this season.

4 points from the first 3 games is not so bad after it looked al doom and gloom after the Norwich game. I think Fridays win will give the whole club a needed lift for Saturdays game V QPR. We will have to be patient to see whether we can capture a striker in the week and give Nugent and co a helping hand in the final third. If not why not try Whaley up top with Nugent? Any way lets give the lads a big lift on Saturday and hopefully we will pick up another 3 points.

Higgo