Scunthorpe 0 City 2

If Halifax seemed like a turning point then this match seemed like a corner turned. City emerged from a difficult away game with their unbeaten run intact, a clean sheet and three points. City, on the back foot for most of the first hour, eased themselves to victory with well taken goals from Nugent and Earnshaw. 'Keeper Mark Walton played a significant role, pulling off some outstanding saves throughout the match.

The first truly outstanding result of the season.
Nugent has responded well to the threat of Fortune West, although Gould has made it clear that he has room in his side for three strikers. Nugent was once described as a kind of 'low rent Teddy Sheringham' of the lower divisions. There's some truth in that. He makes up for a lack of pace with intelligence, heads well and is ususally a nuisance to defences. He also chips in with his fair share of goals.

Besides Fortune West, there has even been talk of bringing back Simon Howarth for a vastly inflated fee. Howarth is said not be a favourite amongst Wigan fans despite his goals. That's no surprise as he lacks charisma. Howarth may not have made the most of his time at Coventry in terms of appearances or goals, but like Mark Delaney, he is a player intent on learning and improving.

Walton has responded to the threat of being replaced, too. Andy Marriot, like Fortune west, is obviously holding out for a lucrative deal. He was excellent for Wrexham a few years ago and can count himself unlucky to be third choice at Sunderland where he is highly rated. But considering he left Wrexham to further his ambitions to play at a higher level, is it concievable that he would drop down three divisions to play for Cardiff?
As stated previously, because of City's current lowly status they will have to pay through the nose for quality players.


next page

previous page

back to 2000/2001 index