A Snowy Weekend Away

Sat here on a Friday night and what am I doing? Well, talking to you and thinking about the lads. I am writing this so late as we are having so many games. What is it like for the players? I hope there is going to be a match, there is heavy snow forecast starting around 3pm in Stoke. The game may start but will it end? Anyone know when was the last time one of our game's started but did not finish? They should play the game here, no snow and none forecast.

Let go back to Wednesday's game. It was a great evening especially when you consider the players we have out and for that matter still had out. Bendtner, Cattermole, Vaughan, Brown, Bramble, Kilgallon, etc. Also Wickham, Colback & Campbell all returning from injury. To have those losses and to have the run we are having, shows what spirit we have in the team. Players seem to slot in, even out of position without objecting. Wednesday, no one was out of position but the team had had to be changed, Turner, Campbell & Colback started but it seemed not to make a difference. We are playing these days as a unit and everyone seems to know what is expected of them. A big change from Bruce's day. There is also a confidence in the players that allows them to do this, allows the players to want to do it.

We had two wonder goals, Sess nutmegged Johnson, passes then out jumps everyone to get his head on Campbell's cross. Campbell scored the first with a great volley over the head of the keeper. Two superb goals to send us up to 8th in the league. What a position to be in, who would of believed it a few months ago. The handle 'let's all party with Marty' has never been more apt. A great time to be a Mackem.

Today against our old adversaries, Stoke. We can no longer say they are our second team, so many have moved on or are no longer automatic first team players. As always not a easy team to beat as we have found out in the past. You have to admire what they have achieved, in Europe and going strong, how would we love that! We will have to up our game to beat them, never won there in the Premiership but that is a record there to be broken. Against Stoke we need to have a strong defence but we have proved that we are now hard to score against. I can see Kyrgiakos on the bench but not starting. Why change a central partnership that although changes through injury does know each other. The same goes for Richardson, his speed will be needed at left back. So again Wayne on the bench. It is good to know that we have these options to come in if needed, Makes a change. Midfield, as is, again why change? Campbell is on a high and that may carry him through. If we win on Wednesday, it will be 2 games a week for 3 weeks. A hard schedule for a guy coming back from a very serious set of injuries. Can we expect him to last it, is it fair to ask him and are we maybe asking too much and run the risk of him getting injured again. That would be a disaster for us and him. On the form is in, can we leave him?

Just started breakfast as writing this and my 2 friends have joined me, Louie & Belle. Strange how they always appear when I am eating. For those who don't know. they are my 2 dogs. I thought about having leftover haggis in roll for breakfast but maybe that is going too far, so have rowies. I wonder who knows what they are. You can only buy them in NE Scotland, lovely and healthy.

Getting back to Campbell, you can't leave him out. Martin will be keeping a careful eye on him and depending on how he and the game goes, take him off to rest him. In Campbell we have a diamond kid, lets this time try to keep him safe and allow him to shine.The story of him going to away games in disguise to be with the fans is superb. Can you think of other players who would do that?

I'm going for a win but would be happy with a draw, As I sad Stoke is not easy and any point from Britannia Stadium has to be a win. 

So come on                                     Let's Party with Marty

&

Ha'waaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy 

the Lads