We asked a fan of each team give us their thoughts on the 2018-19 season. Have a read of their responses and enjoy!
1.In your opinion, how did 2018-19 go for your side?
A strong season on the whole. A very inconsistent campaign until April time but with a whole new staff, essentially a whole new team and a first season as an FL manager for Dino, with a limited budget as we have, 70 points and to finish one point of that top seven is outstanding. 2018-19 was a really strange on the whole with the inability to put any sort of run together. Some outstanding performances. Some horror shows. But clear progress from last season and keeping the core going into next season is fantastic for the club
Whilst finishing tenth is great in a building campaign, can’t help wonder about the missed opportunities for points but whilst conceding so many late on, we also have scored a lot in the dying moments so it swings in roundabouts. But we have finally found form, our style, the right formation and an ideal first XI. Shame the season ended when it did really.
2.What was your favourite moment in 2018-19?
So many to choose from. Beating league leaders, at the time, MK in added time, beating Colchester away with one shot on target, drawing level with Lincoln whilst being 2-0 down in the 88th minute and Dino legging it down the touchline. I think I will have to go Mansfield away. Outplaying Mansfield minute 1-90 away from home whilst they have automatics on the line and then getting our just deserves in the last minute with a Chair screamer just when we gave up hope was absolute chaos.
3.What was your worst moment in 2018-19?
Losing to Plymouth in 96 in the FA Cup hurt. Losing in 92 to Northampton, 94 to Bury, 98 to Newport. I could go on. Macclesfield drawing level in 92 just as Exeter scored at Notts in doing so losing four points in the play-off race just gone whilst we were in control.
4.Which player impressed you the most on your team?
Scott Cuthbert has been an absolute animal at the back. Winning us so many tackles and headers to stop wave of attacks. So many top strikers nulled. Been a leader and a rock and quite rightly cleaned up at the End of Season Awards. Luther James-Wildin wasn’t even in the Nuneaton team the season before last but has become a firm fan favourite, performing week in, week out even on tough circumstances with his brother Courtney being diagnosed with Cancer. Terence VanCooten has been great since he came in. Guthrie couldn’t stop scoring come April and was a man in form. I don’t even need to speak about the talent of Ilias Chair. But Scott reigns supreme.
5.Which opposition player made the biggest impression?
Danny Mayor is the best player in the league by far. Ryan Sweeney was outstanding. Manny Monthe is an absolute Joke, he’s just dominantes everyone else. Carl Winchester runs the show whenever I watch him.
6.What are your hopes for 2019-20?
Progress. After a building season and finishing just one point off the top seven you have got to be looking at those top seven spots. More consistency would not go a miss this year, up until April we had only won two games in a row just three times. Eight points from 24 against the bottom four is hardly gleaming either but position wise you have to look at that top seven and I know Dino is too.
7.Which area of the team needs most improvement for next season?
Midfield. Joel Byrom and the now released Micheal Timlin’s consistency left a lot to be desired last season and there was no real link between defence and attack at times. Saying that, it did improve in the last month or so. Chair won’t be coming back so you need to replace the creative influence he brings. With 14 first teamers on the books, it will be another busy summer
words Reece Donnelly, Stevenage fan (positively certifiable)