As an exiled Linnet in Birmingham, I'm excited by the current team. This season I've been to away games at Aylesbury, Halesowen, Evesham, Merthyr and Bromsgrove. The only home game I've seen was the Christmas match vs Grantham.
It's interesting to see how the team has progressed during the season. At Aylesbury we were poor and struggled to beat a crap team. At Halesowen and Evesham, which were desperately bad games, we were stubborn and never going to concede many or lose, but lacking invention. Against Grantham we were outstanding and the influence of Nolan since he arrived has been enormous. A half chance last weekend in Merthyr and he banged it in. Now we look like a side that can go up.
Other players that have stood out for me this year have been Camm, who is so reliable even with a long standing injury. Cooper who looks like a poof but is sheer class. Rarely resorts to hoofing the ball clear and is good at keeping posession under pressure. West, a canny player who has clearly seen ot all before and knows exactly what decisions to make. Anselin has been very good at continuing Coopers theme of ball retention under pressure. Nolan looks like the player we have been looking for to play alongside Danny. It's also very good to see the youth from the reserves coming into the first team and also getting some time on the field.
One thing that surpises me a little is the lack of numbers at away games. I know the way the league is now geographically makes it harder, but I would have expected a few more to travel based on recent years. The previous time I went to Merthyr (probably 5 years ago - first day of the season, we won 2-0 I think and Micky Gynn was playing) there were loads of Lynn fans there.
Really hope we make it up this season. Higher level (e.g. Premier league) football interests me less and less, and I think to play in the Conference is within our compass at last.