This was a good hard working away point as our superb defence once again stood firm against high-riding Fleetwood.
Experts say a successful side is based on a good defence and that certainly was the case at Highbury where once again Anssi Jaakkola pulled off a great save and Rovers restricted the Cod Army to very few clear chances.
For once the referee and assistant referee communicated very well to rule out the offside goal when Paddy Maddon was stood right in front of Jaakkola obstructing him even though the striker had not got a touch on the ball.
Of course Joey Barton had a much better view on the half-way line and his reaction was once again embarrassing for Fleetwood Town Football Club.
Rovers nearly snatched all three points as Tom Nichols shot on the turn when he saw the goalkeeper out of position. But it doesn’t just seem to happen for the striker who was very unlucky to see the ball bounce down off the bar and out.
Ben Garner didn’t really change much. Let’s face it at the moment he only has a small squad and doesn’t really have much choice.
Things didn’t go well for him on Boxing Day and I was disappointed we lost the plot against Wimbledon in the second half. What a difference to the Southend game when our boys came out like 11 men possessed for the second half.
Garner comes highly recommended as a coach so let’s hope he can also motivate them. Picking a manager always is a gamble. I didn’t think Gerry Francis was a good appointment after his failure at Exeter and that Mark McGhee was going to be great, so what do I know?
I recall when Bradford Park Avenue narrowed their selection down to two and went with Norman Kirkwood who turned out to be a total failure and soon became a baker and an estate agent. The man they didn’t pick? Oh that was Bill Shankly.
So we have ended the year in our highest league position of the decade. What a roller coaster it has been with the all-time low of losing our league status only for the unforgettable two successive promotions with celebrations at Wembley and again when Lee Brown hit that last minute winner.
I thought the world would be our oyster when our Jordanian owner was carried shoulder high down Gloucester Road to the pub. Sadly who knows what is happening now behind the scenes at the club?
We might not get a new ground in the next decade but let’s hope we are all still there to watch the blue and white quarters. Happy New Year everyone.
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