Sunday 13 May 2012

The End.

The 2011/12 season have now reached its end. Maybe not as exciting or successful as the previous but just as eventful. High and lows, up and downs, and everything in between. No one could of predicted our season since it started right back in July with a trip to Radcliffe Borough. Many arrivals and departures have happened over this time, even manger John Coleman and assistant Jimmy Bell decided to leave the club in January. Andrew Procter, who played over 400 league games for Accrington, also saw a move elsewhere to nearby club Preston North End. The majority of Stanley fans would have taken a respectable 14th position in league 2 before the season, and I'm pleased to have finished far away from the drop zone. If we would have had a 20 goal a season striker and some luck, we could have been much closer to the playoffs. It has only been the transitional period between Coleman's departure that has really stopped us pushing near the top, from what I can remember; we were incredibly close to the top 7 and even broke into those places after the 4-3 win over Gills.

Next Season

I'm majorly excited for next season! Paul Cook seems to be taking charge very early and we already have some good players signed up. There's no doubt we will have the one of, if not the smallest budget in league 2 but I see no reason why we can't be fighting it out with the richer teams.

Roll on July.

Josh.

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Highlights of the Season!

As our season draws to a near end, this post will contain my personal highlights of the season!

1) Best game?

The game I find most rememberable is our home game against Gillingham, Coleman's departure left Richardson in charge as caretaker manager. A wonderful and thrilling game saw us lead comfortably 4-1 until a late Gill's comeback brought it back to 4-3. Luckily we managed to hold out and get the win, which lifted us into the play-offs for the first time this season.

2) Best Goal?

A tough one, even though I can't remember us scoring many screamers this season! My goal goes to Bryan Hughes for his chip shot from just outside the box against Morecambe (away, Boxing day). Wonderful skill and technique to beat the keeper, always great to beat Morecambe!

3) Favourite away game?

Has to be the 2-0 win against AFC Wimbledon, first time I've seen us win away from home! Wasn't the most interesting of games but 2 early goals meant that we took 3 points up north!


4) Worst game?

Since I was away for the 4-0 loss v Plymouth and didn't see the 5-1 disaster away at Bristol, my worst game this season has to be either the 4-1 FA cup defeat against Notts County or the miserable home game against Crewe Alexandra. Both lacked passion and very incredibly poor.

5) Player of the Season?

Peter Murphy in my opinion. Played in every position this season, and played very well! Always puts a shift in and has been excellent at centre-back in recent weeks. Great to hear he has signed a 2 year deal earlier today, can only get better!

6) From what I expected this season, did it match my expectations?

I thought this season would see us scrapping at the wrong end of the table with the departures of Ryan, Cisak, Jacobson etc. But again we easily defy the odds and finish in a very comfortable mid table position. A cup run would have been nice, but league is the priority.

7) This season out of 10?

8/10