Dukinfield Dazzler predicts consecutive win number nine
Last updated : 12 October 2002 By The Dukinfield Dazzler
The Latics can't be stopped. We win at home, we win away, we even win at Division 1 clubs. We even play poorly and we win. And with 10 men, we play even better (Colchester and Swindon.) It all defies logic. The Latics are top of
the league having won 6 league games and 2 cup games on the trot. It certainly does defy any logic. I don't know about other Latics fans, but I've developed a kind of smugness when someone says - your lot are doing well, aren't they. All I say is, "Well, it speaks for itself, doesn't it." But then it is annoying when it's followed up with, "You wouldn't have expected it though, would you?" Why not? We've spent very wisely, we've built an awesome defence, we have the midfield from last season (one that contributed immensely to the 68 goals scored) and we've done superb deals in securing the likes of Clyde Wijhnard, a goal machine that's only just up and running and fully oiled.
In the long and short of it, we look strong, completely fit - at Derby, we looked fresh from start to finish even when they ran us ragged for the last 25 minutes of normal time - and we are getting that run of the ball which only the successful teams get. Noticing one other statistic, no other player has scored more than twice for us in the league this season, other than Wiggy (8). And when they've scored, we've kept clean sheets and we've won by a solitary goal.
On the road, I believe that we are the only team in the country to have let just 1 goal in, in the league. What a phenomenal record. To be honest, I could go on all night like this, but I won't. All I'll say is that a new record will be set if we win tomorrow - it will be 9 unbroken wins on the trot (that includes league and cup.) After that we will need to go on and chase our record of 10 league wins on the trot. But first thing's first.
In truth, our rise to the top hasn't been spectacular (despite 4-0's and 6-1's on the way.) It's been solid, committed and well crafted and for this reason, I feel for the first time as a regular, affordable paying customer at Boundary Park, we
are promotion and dare I say it, Championship material. We've lost just twice this season, once was the first game of the season where we got the tactics totally wrong against the title favourites Cardiff. The other was a severely poor off day - the sort that sees freak scorelines occur. Fortunately, Wycombe were happy to settle for the 2-0 that day.
Moving to this game, Vale have been an odd sort so far this season. They lost their first 3 games and then went on to win their next 5 on the bounce. Since then, the results have been more less consistent. Vale are going to be a tricky tie and I can't see us being able to go there and get away with a 1-0. At Colchester and Swindon, yeah fair enough, they haven't got a lot to hit our defence with. And despite the odd niggling injury and red card playing their part, we don't look to be faltering. But Vale do know how to score. And funnily enough, Chris Killen was bought partially on the evidence he produced for Vale last season, we he netted 8 in 10 games in this division. It'll be interesting for him to go back there.
The Latics deserve something tomorrow though - if not for the manner in which we lost their 3-2 last season. We were robbed after battering the side at 2-2 but for one stupid error to let the Vale in. And it was that which ultimately showed we were never going to be good enough last season. This term, there is no such thing and we will continue to be solid. But I do think we'll need more than 1 tomorrow to win and thus Wiggy better have his scoring shoes on - he didn't score in his last game you know!!! [:-)]
Team News - Latics -
Baudet fills in for the suspended Hill again as he plays his last game before next Saturday's suspension. Berehall has failed to win the race to shake off a niggle for this game. Dean Holden, Lee Duxbury (who slotted into defence last Saturday and fitted in well) and Craig Armstrong (making his first squad appearance of the season) will be on hand to take over. Personally, I cannot see it being changed from Duxbury playing at the back. Up front, we should see the same with Wiggy and Corazzin running the show. It should be a fairly similar team with another strong bench - with Killen obviously champing to get on. It will be nice to see England U20 Craig Armstrong (who played in the Toulon Tournament this summer) to get a game should he be brought on. What quality we have got to come back.
Team News - Port Vale
Port Vale are hopeful Steve McPhee and Michael Walsh will return as both were due to test their fitness and train with the senior squad on Thursday. McPhee has been out of action for 4 weeks with damaged ankle ligaments, while Walsh
has not played since injuring his knee in the Worthington Cup defeat to Crewe five weeks ago. The return of centre-half Walsh would be a boost for a Vale side which has conceded eight goals in three games. Vale are desperate for Steve McPhee to return, as Billy Paynter and Brett Angell are the only two fit strikers in the senior squad. Horton said: "Getting Steve McPhee back would be a big bonus. Even to have him on the bench would be a boost."
The Valiants are also optimistic Marc Bridge-Wilkinson (groin injury) and Neil Brisco (knee) will be fit for Saturday after they were forced to sit out Saturday's draw at Huddersfield. All in all, it's a thin squad which will bode well for the Latics.
MATCH FACTORS:
The return: Look on any Vale site and you get the following comment "Port Vale are hoping Chris Killen won't continue his superb Vale Park form tomorrow." If he does, then he will have to do it from the bench. I can't see us chasing the
game, so hopefully Killen will be deployed to grab a goal if we are coasting or to nick a winner if we are not. It rarely happens at Vale.
The Latics don't travel to Vale too well. You have to go back to our relegation season in division 1 (95/96) for our last win and even more worryingly we've lost 20 out of 28 trips there. Since 1996, we've lost 3-2 twice and drawn 0-0. But it is winning these types of games (at places you never win) which see you win the title. We hadn't won at Peterborough since 1996 and we'd not won at Colchester for years but we've done so at both this season.
Away days:
It's all good on the road. The last time it was so good, we were title winners in 1990/1, going up into the old 1st Division. Can it all be repeated again over a decade on.
VERDICT:
I can't see us losing this one. We shouldn't and this could be win number 9 in a row. Unbelievable. But now - nothing would surprise me. We are due to lose. You can see us being the one that upsets the coupon this week. I hope not - but
we really should take advantage of a poor defence, a short strikeforce and a run of supremacy that has us sitting pretty in top spot. Hopefully another win to chalk on.
Score: 2-1 to the Latics.
