What a great week to be a Town fan! Nobody ever handed out prizes in August, but it is exhilarating to be top of the pile with 10 points, 10 goals and number 10 signed up on a long-term deal.

Whenever one brings a visitor to FPR and we have got past the formalities of choosing the wine, they get round to asking which team is which and who to look out for, and I invariably point to our number 10 in the knowledge that he is the most likely to do something in the game that will draw the admiring glance or win a round of applause.

Many a time I have caught that surprised look in my guest's eye which seemed to say: 'this chap knows his stuff', after Mr McGoldrick has exhibited some skill worthy of the price of admission.

During our protracted stay in the Championship we have witnessed a few false dawns, but even the most hard-hearted pessimists must now be feeling a bit of an uplift. MM and TC may not have been everyone's cup of tea from day one but they must be winning the affections of the most demanding of punters this season.

One cannot help noticing that some whose keyboards have formerly been as busy as a tree full of mischievous monkeys have spared us their words of wisdom of late as they sit down to eat their hats with a large helping of humble pie.

We have made some astute signings while other teams have splashed millions in transfer fees and been saddled with the tag of favourites by lazy hacks who put the balance sheet before the teamsheet. The team spirit at Town is second to none and the atmosphere at FPR is becoming more like a celebration than a visit to the local library.

This week we discovered that an injury to the talismanic Daryl Murphy was not as fatal as it would have been last season, and while one hopes that he makes a full and speedy recovery there is no panic at the prospect of Jay Tabb being asked to lead the line.

Brett Pitman has a predatory air that recalls the likes of Marcus Stewart from the heady days of the past. Next week we will learn if we have the squad that can tough it out at Doncaster and break down Brighton in a top of the table clash.

Exciting times are back and it is hard to keep one's feet on terra firma. As we do get a bit carried away, either in ecstasy or agony, it is good to know that we have a man with a firm hand on the tiller. In the words of Kipling, Mick will treat triumph and disaster the same and keep the players level-headed as expectations rise and pressure increases.

Up the Town!

BlueKush added 09:47 - Aug 23 Mr Kipling or Rudyard?
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ITFCforlife added 11:54 - Aug 23 The cake one. Great blog and as a pessimist I'm actually excited for the season ahead. Can't wait til the Brighton game COYB
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jabberjackson added 17:44 - Aug 23 I say, what a capital piece... Worthy of Mr John himself. Well done Sir!
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horsehollerer added 18:23 - Aug 23 Nicely done.
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itfcsince1974 added 15:29 - Aug 25 A good read. Nicely said. I for one am extremely excited about this season. Having watched some of the friendlies and now the season proper I do believe we have a squad capable of automatic promotion. Even actually winning this league. Early days I know, before I get told to take my head out of the clouds, but looking at the attributes of our still relatively cheap squad and comparing it to the multi million pound oppositions, I would rather be a town fan than say , Derby or middlesborough. Time will obviously tell but I may well remind a few of this post come May. COYB.

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