My Two Kenneth - Written a couple of days after the win over Wendy.

Things are starting to look up! Who would have thought four games ago that we would have now collected 10 points from 12, moved up two places in the league, and massively improved our survival chances? Not only that, but we kept three clean sheets in the process!

The 4-1 defeat to Nott's County was a massive blow to the team, and also the fans. We fell apart that exaggeration ay, and hope was lost. We were still second to bottom, and seemed consigned to our fate. A drab 1-1 draw with Brighton the following Saturday did little to raise our spirits, along with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Colchester, a game in which we took the lead but bottled it with 2 goals in ten minutes. The visit of Bristol City was looking like a dim prospect. Surely the team second in the league would roll us over? County shocked everyone, including me, with a deserved 2-0 win.

The game against fellow strugglers Brentford looked all of a sudden a bit more attractive. County got a bit of luck and absorbed almost 90 minutes of pressure to nick a 2-0 win. Hope was starting to rise in the County camp, we had finally moved a place up instead of down. A tantalising trip to Hartlepool awaited the travelling County faithful, who were rewarded with a satisfying 2-2 all draw. WE were unable to hold on to a 2-1 lead, but a point in the circumstances was extremely welcome. With a bit of newfound confidence we awaited the arrival of big time Charlie's Sheffield Wendy at Edgeley Park. And arrive they did, all 3000 of the bassahs. They wrecked our stand, threatened our fans and made a mockery of our standing regulations. However, we were left smiling with the 3 points, moving us up another place and within striking distance of that sacred 20th spot, currently occupied by Grimsby.

So what has changed to give us light at the end of the tunnel? A combination of things really, some within our control, and some not. Firstly, we have finally been receiving the luck some would say we deserve. The woodwork was struck (in our favour) twice in the match with Bristol, twice with Brentford, once with Hartlepool and once with Wendy. Now that IS luck.

We have also seemed to cut down the match changing defensive errors, although not all together. Spencer still screwed up for Hartlepool's second, but all in all the defence has performed a lot better. 3 clean sheets out of 4 games speaks for itself. Sammy's tactics are now a lot more defensive, with Gibb and Welsh dropped for Cartwright and Jackman, definitely more defensive players.  Our run in form has also coincided with a) the return of Rob Clare, b) the improving form of Griffin, and c) the excellent signing of Adams. 2 good home and away debuts by Ashley Williams have also contributed greatly. The defence is finally working.

Whatever I say about the defence, no one can argue against the importance of Ricky Lambert. At the minute he is the hub of all things good on the field. Penalty's against Brentford and Hartlepool were unstoppable, and a fantastic goal against Sheffield have shown his real class. It must be hard for him at the moment. He likes to have time and space to play his game, time and space he wont get whilst we are being forced to play defensively. It seems, though, no matter what happens he keeps coming up with the goods and giving the Blue and White army something to cheer about.

However, every game is a team performance. Alby, Daly and Goodwin have all done their bit. We are improving, and it looks like it may be just in time to save us from the dreaded drop to Division 3. There is a definite rise in optimism around Edgeley Park, now lets turn the optimism into Division 2 football next year.

Kenneth Brown, resident agony uncle.