Welcome to Issue #1 of Under The Other Stands, UTAS’ weekly round-up of happenings in League 2 and around the world, with a special focus on any ex-U’s banging in the goals. Forget about your normal news source, this is all you need.
- Are County going to do it?
Will the big bucks and January journeymen keep them afloat better than Alan Hardy’s promiscuous bath time ‘private’ parts? From being a few hundred miles firmly down shit creek, Notts’ unlikely win over Mansfield on Saturday lunchtime means they’re now almost pretty much back in touch with the rest of the bottom sides. The win over the Stags was County’s first in 13 games against their Nottinghamshire rivals and also included a first goal for the club for Boro and Luton wash up Craig Mackail-Smith.
One of the best squads in the league staying up, what a story.
- Yeovil and Morecambe sprint head-first into relegation battle
The up-turn in form for both Notts and Macc has put Yeovil and Morecambe into panic mode level DEFCON 2. Morecambe responded on Saturday by both saving and scoring from 12 yards at Vale Park in what was undoubtedly a 600-pointer, featuring Tom Pope following on from missing his gilt-edged chance at the Abbey last weekend with missing a crucial first half penalty. With it, Pope also squandered his chance to make it a century of goals for Vale. To be fair, Halstead’s sprawling stop high to his left was a mighty fine save. Aaron Collins’ debut goal 15 minutes from time saw them through.
Yeovil’s absolutely horrendous run of form continues – their 3-0 spanking at Forest Green was their sixth on the trot. Good news for Yeovil is they play us on Saturday and we have a habit of helping clubs end bad runs of form. You’re welcome, Glovers.
- Dino Maamria sent off – again
In numpty of the week news, Sincil Bank witnessed Stevenage boss Dino Maamria getting himself sent off for his overzealous celebrations after Stevenage’s 94th minute equaliser. Despite high profile examples involving Jurgen Klopp and Nuno Santo this season which have clearly set an example of how managers will be treated if they leave their technical area, Maamria still decided to run half the length of the pitch to celebrate Ilias Chair’s goal. It gets better when you realise this is his second sending off in as many games after being banished to the stands last weekend against Tranmere.
- U’s in the news
John Motson, who has been 70 years old since 1945, has been warned by radio bosses for describing Tom Elliott as ‘big, black and brave’. It’s not great this, John. Not great at all.
- Around the world
- If it was ever bad for the U’s this season, at least we’re not Pro Piacenza. Due to deep-rooted financial troubles, the Italian side bottom of Serie C were forced to start with only seven men against Cuneo on Saturday – six of which were teenagers, including an 18-year old captain and manager. They were 16-0 down at half time, and finished the game on the wrong end of a 20-0 defeat – decent second half if you ask me. Manager must’ve laid into them at half time. They’ve since been expelled from the league.
- Some fantastic news coming out of Blackpool as it seems that death overlord Karl Oyston’s grip on the club has finally loosened. There’s a special word for people like Karl that I’ll refrain from using in case it puts you off reading these again, but safe to say he’s a real pisskidney.
- It’s interesting to see Joe Dunne has taken his school of defending on tour to Poland.
- Frank Lampard has tiny hands.
- If it was ever bad for the U’s this season, at least we’re not Pro Piacenza. Due to deep-rooted financial troubles, the Italian side bottom of Serie C were forced to start with only seven men against Cuneo on Saturday – six of which were teenagers, including an 18-year old captain and manager. They were 16-0 down at half time, and finished the game on the wrong end of a 20-0 defeat – decent second half if you ask me. Manager must’ve laid into them at half time. They’ve since been expelled from the league.
Under The Abbey Stand 
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