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Fan-tastic!

Simon Smedley
16/ 4/2008

HATTERS boss Jim Gannon has once again acknowledged that the County faithful continue to play a major role as the club homes in on a potentially dream automatic promotion place.

Gannon has been speaking to the Express as his players gear up for another massive promotion clash this weekend when Paul Ince’s Milton Keynes Dons arrive to do battle at Edgeley Park.

County are in brilliant form at present, and last Saturday’s win at Peterborough - which temporarily scuppered the Posh’s own hopes of securing automatic promotion - was their ninth in the last 10 games.

The massive games keep coming for County, and Gannon is hoping that the fans do their bit for the club again on Saturday.

Gannon said: "Each week the games seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and again this is a huge game on Saturday.

"Games are growing in importance and significance, and the opponents are getting bigger and bigger, so it has been a fantastic month in that way.

"But Saturday is building up to be the biggest game of the season against the best opposition.

"Our fans are clearly getting excited. The 1,000-plus that went down to Peterborough loved it and enjoyed every minute of it.

"They may have been a little surprised that we got the win, but they’ve got that faith and they’ve seen their team pick up 28 points from a possible 30 on their travels. The win on Saturday also made it 28 from 30 in the last 10 games.

"The lads are on a fantastic journey and the fans are loving it, the players are loving it, so we’re expecting another big crowd on Saturday.

"Hopefuly everyone will be in for another enjoyable day."

Ince’s Dons could already be promoted by Saturday, as they hosted County’s main rivals for the third spot - Hereford - last night [Tues].

Gannon and his assistant Peter Ward were at that game, but the County gaffer doesn’t appear to believe that the Dons will ease up in any way this weekend should their place in League One next season already be guaranteed.

Gannon added: "If the Dons get a win or a positive result against Hereford then their attention will turn towards going for the championship.

"Whether teams are as hungry or as determined for that as they are for promotion itself, I don’t know.

"Whenever I was in that situation at County as a player we were always determined to try and finish top.

"A lot of effort is put into getting promotion though, so if that’s already secured it can bring a lot of relief.

"Naturally teams will celebrate, but whether that has an effect on Saturday remains to be seen."

COUNTY chiefs have now received all applications for free vouchers for the re-arranged game at Chester City on April 29, and an announcement is due today [Wed] regarding the club’s plans to distribute them. A list of applicants was being finalised as we went to press on Tuesday night.