By Oliver Swift
A week is a long time in football, and after three victories on the bounce from three successive home games, suddenly the League One table doesn’t look too bad after all.
Who knows what Brian Laws has been feeding these boys, but few Iron fans on Betfair will complain after we saw off Carlisle 3-1 to add to results against Crawley and Portsmouth.
Akpo Sodje got us off to a great start with a header from Mark Duffy’s cross, before Paul Reid also got his head on the ball from another Duffy assist on 20 minutes. We looked steady with our lead and, although Carlisle did manage a goal back, Sodje’s fourth in three games sealed the tie at the death.
Granted, it was not the most comfortable of victories and Carlisle did offer their own threat during a chaotic night at Glanford Park, but, at this stage, a result is a result and the boys will take great confidence from these three points heading into the spring.
Indeed, what better way to celebrate the club’s centenary than a third win on the bounce that gives us five points-worth of breathing space between us and the bottom four. Not too long ago we were swilling around that relegation zone but now there is a real chance of survival.
Since Laws’ arrival, we’ve won seven league games, lost six and drawn four: solid mid-table form many fans gambling with Betfair Football would have accepted when Alan Knill left in October.
On Tuesday, every man stood up to the task and proved survival this season is achievable. Duffy was fantastic on the wing and the Josh Walker-Michael Collins partnership held firm in the middle of the park.
Laws will tell his boys this season is not over, however, and we still need at least 15 points from 15 games to guarantee survival. It is doable, and if Iron fans can keep Glanford Park the fortress it has become then a comfortable mid-table finish is also within reach.
