Sunday 9 July 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Huddersfield – Saturday 22 July, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Altrincham – Saturday 15 July, 3pm
This Spanish stuff has been rather fun over the last few days, hasn’t it? We’ve seen Nick Lee insult an entire country by denigrating paella and Mikel Arteta, Jonathan Baker displaying a disturbingly detailed level of knowledge on Spanish music, and Hannah Brown doing a wonderful job reporting on everything that’s been happening in Murcia, from Lincoln players running away from knocked-on doors in the hotel to County fans running away from their bill in a restaurant.
However, with all roads now leading to Alty next weekend, and more importantly, the subsequent battle with fellow promotion-favourites Gillingham on the opening day just three weeks after that, it’s time to wrap up our Spanish coverage today. Closing ceremony duties are performed by Tommy Wright and Dave Thompson, an Imp and a Hatter who were both at the Pinatar Arena on Friday.
Finally, a big thank you to Andy from Green Side Up Garden Services for sponsoring today’s edition.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. (I’m also sending virtual hugs and kisses to County’s Spanish contingent gearing up for a return to the office tomorrow morning.)
Des Junior
Friday’s match in one word:
Tommy – Promising.
Dave – Hot.
Pre-match thoughts:
Tommy – I wasn’t expecting much from either side. At the end of the day it’s about fitness at this point in pre-season, getting some minutes into players for both sides.
Dave – Should I choose beer or vodka and Coke?
Post-match thoughts:
Tommy – An ideal scenario for both sides to come away without any injuries. It was a friendly at the end of the day and you could tell, but it was a good test for both teams playing in such high temperatures which must have been difficult.
Dave – I should have chosen beer! The game was a decent run-out. For players to be able to perform in that heat is staggering. It was brilliant to have the full team photo at the end with fans and players.
Verdict on Lincoln:
Tommy – In all fairness we weren’t great. We were lacklustre in attack and too slow playing it out from the back. I really liked it when we pressed as a team and the drive of the wing-backs was essential to create chances. A good run-out for all the squad and an end to a successful training camp in Spain.
Dave – There was one nasty challenge on Croasdale which thankfully didn’t cause any serious injury. They didn’t look too dangerous but had a couple of breaks with a quick lad up front who threatened.
Verdict on County:
Tommy – I thought County played well. When you were in possession you looked dangerous, and looked to be well structured without the ball. For a game in early July it’s something that County fans can be optimistic about.
Dave – Always hard to judge performances in pre-season but we looked well set. A Lincoln fan afterwards said he thought we were the better team.
Top Imp:
Tommy – Oisin Gallagher. Played the first half in central midfield. Only 18 years old but looked really mature on and off the ball. Played a short period in the second half at centre-back which also highlights his versatility and desire to play.
Dave – No idea!
Top Hatter:
Tommy – I’m a big fan of Southam-Hales. I thought he looked sharp and was a threat throughout. Sarcevic also deserves a mention due to his composure in the midfield.
Dave – I can’t pick one. Sarce looked as lively as he did at Wembley which is promising. It was brilliant to see MSH in action again; we’ve missed his pace on the right. Trialist B (number 7) looked good in the first half.
Atmosphere:
Tommy – The atmosphere was really good from both sides. We made some noise and so did County. Had a bit of banter with some of your fans and it was nice and lively for a pre-season game.
Dave – For us to have as many fans as we did there, with the short notice, was brilliant. I hope if we do similar next season then more notice will allow more fans to go.
Hopes for the season ahead:
Tommy – We did well last season finishing in the top half and this year we have to look to push on from that. My aim would be top 10 but with a few more signings and a good start to the campaign there’s no reason why we can’t challenge for the play-offs.
Dave – I actually think it may prove harder than last year. If we can keep Nick Powell fit then his addition will be a masterstroke. The players are good enough. Let’s just hope we don’t have the slow start that we did last year.
The British Library receives a copy of every single book published in the UK. In the same fashion, Des Junior believes a detailed record of every County game should be preserved for the history books. So here’s the full story of our 1-1 draw with Lincoln City in Spain on Friday 7 July 2023, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…
4.16pm: County 1-0 up. Sarcevic.
4.17pm: That’s it in some people’s eyes, we’ve won the league already.
4.18pm: Assist from Bert Trialist.
4.19pm: Unusual name!
4.38pm: 1-1.
4.39pm: Challinor out.
6.28pm: My daughter and her boyfriend have just been refused entry at Spoons in Stockport. Trackies and leggings not allowed. Posh gits.
6.29pm: You are joking! Some of the scum that go in there. What a joke.
10.39pm: County fans scrapping with Lincoln in Spain tonight apparently. And a couple did a runner from a restaurant, which other County fans covered.
10.42pm: Too much sun and too many beers. It doesn't excuse it though, bet they are our nasty little youth firm.
Get rid of that dead thatch in your back garden
Here’s Andy from Green Side Up Garden Services doing a spot of scarifying in a client’s back garden. I actually had to look up that word. No, not garden you cheeky sod. Scarifying. For anyone else like me, it means the removal of dead thatch and moss from a lawn, which is needed in order for your grass to grow. You might be surprised just how much of it can build up. Just look at this photo from afterwards.
Give Andy a call (a County fan for 40 years who’s been in business for 20) to get rid of yours, and he’ll have your lawn looking great in no time.
Click here for contact details.
Photo of the day
The Adjarabet Arena, Georgia
A huge congratulations to Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Steve Bellis’ nephew, Vernon Bear’s son) who captained England Under-21s to glory in Georgia last night, as they beat Spain 1-0 to win the European Championships.
Today in SK
🍗 Food and drink
Andrew Arms (SK6) have recently launched their new Sunday menu, with a three course meal priced at just £19.95. Call 0161 484 5392 to book a table.
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🎶 Free jukebox
Nelson Tavern (SK1). 3pm - 6pm.
🎸 Live music
One of the freshest new acts out there are The Lanks, already making a name for themselves with their catchy anthems and crowd participation. Now's the time to take note! Catch their full band show at Bask (SK1). 7pm. Tickets £5.
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