Kris had Lewis McGugan to thank after missing two good chances against Gillingham.
Taxi for Commons
By Kris Commons. Friday, 23 March 2007.
Kris talks about the win over Gillingham, Saturday's clash with Cheltenham and how he's worried that he might appear on Soccer AM.
Hi everyone.
It's been a quiet week. The weather has been awful, which hasn't helped. Still, the football has been good.
Last weekend we beat Gillingham, but it should have been a lot more comfortable.
We should have been 3-0 up at half-time. We came flying out of the blocks and played some really good stuff.
I missed two really good chances in front of goal. The first one was awful. I just tried to nail it but competely missed the ball and ended up on my backside.
I don't know what went wrong. Perhaps I was already thinking about my celebration. It was so embarrassing. I could hear the crowd laughing, so I just tried to laugh it off too. I kept on thinking about my dad and mates in the crowd. They must have thought I was a right idiot. I'll definately be watching Soccer AM on Saturday though!
I managed to miss another one too, but at least I kicked it this time. Someone had a shot and the rebound fell to me eight yards out. I scuffed it wide.
We played well in the first half but we could not match it after half-time. They did not cause us too many problems, but the longer the game went on the more I thought they might nick something.
We had to wait until the 85th minute for our winner, but it was worth waiting for. We had a free-kick on the edge of the box. I could have struck it, but full credit to Lewis [McGugan], he curled it straight into the top corner. The keeper had no chance.
Lewis looks a really good player. He's taken his chance since Sammy Clingan got injured. He's only 18 but you can see he's one for the future.
We play Cheltenham tomorrow and I expect them to be well organised. They have picked up some good results recently, including beating Doncaster away, so they will be full of confidence coming to the City Ground. It's going to be a difficult game, but one we must win.
The gaffer has been busy getting new players in. He signed a young lad called James Henry on loan from Reading. He did a training session with us yesterday - he looked sharp and enthusiastic. He's a right-winger and will offer us some natural width.
He also signed Alan Wright. He made his debut against Gillingham. He offers so much experience at left-back. With me playing on the left-wing, we link up a lot. His first option is always my feet. He talks a lot too - he'll shout 'hold', 'man on' or 'I'm coming round the back'. He's good going forward too, he whips in a good cross. It means we have two options on the left.
I've seen the pictures of the new Wembley and it looks phenomenal. Looking at the Under-21s training there on Sky Sports News, you can see how much they are looking forward to it. At times they just stop and look round. I can't wait to go there myself.
England have a big game in Israel. I saw the match against Spain - they will have to up their performance if they are to win. Training at Wembley will have given them a massive lift and Wayne Rooney is back too. I believe 100 per cent they can do the job.
Carl Froch is boxing in Nottingham tonight. I sparred with him when he came to train with us a month or so ago. Wes Morgan is going to watch as he's out injured at the moment, but I'll watch it on Sky Sports. It will be strange watching him fight. I have been in touch with him. He says he's trained hard.
Frochy might be at the City Ground tomorrow. He's got a season ticket and has paraded the belts in front of the crowd before. It would be a great double for Nottingham if he wins tonight then we beat Cheltenham.
After Lewis' goal on Saturday, who will take the next free-kick on the edge of the box?
Mark Turner
Anybody! Lewis strikes a great deadball, as you saw last weekend, but I can hold my own too. It's great for us that we have the option - he's right-footed and I'm left-footed. I guess it depends on where the ball is, but it will certainly confuse the keeper. If we are both on the ball, the keeper won't have a clue.
Are the squad feeling any pressure as the season comes to an end?
Bill Duke
I don't think so. We are all focused on what we have to do to get automatic promotion. That's what we are driving towards.
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