No9s of the week: Novak, McDonald and Walker

Bloggers' guide to the season

This season, Prostate Cancer UK is the official charity of the Football League. To celebrate, each week footballer-turned-journalist Adrian Clarke - who played for Arsenal, Rotherham, Southend, Carlisle and Stevenage - is rounding up the best performances by No9s in the Football League, in recognition of the fact that prostate cancer affects one in nine men. In week seven (Saturday 29 September), we pay homage to a striker who doesn't suck, a No9 who had the X-Factor and a spot-kick superstar ...

Cody McDonald Dive Bomber: Cody McDonald scored a spectacular header. Photo courtesy of Action Images

 

Championship star No9
Lee Novak - Huddersfield Town
 
Why?
Having so often lived in the shadow of the now-departed Jordan Rhodes, much greater responsibility has fallen on the broad shoulders of Lee Novak this term. And with the Terriers flying high, he seems to be handling it pretty well. It certainly was a good week for the Huddersfield striker. He opened the scoring in an impressive 3-1 win at Blackpool last Monday with a cool finish, and also supplied a delightful cross for Alan Lee's 86th-minute equaliser against Watford at the weekend. Unfortunately for Simon Grayson's men, the home side lost the points thanks to an 87th-minute penalty tucked away by Hornets No9 Troy Deeney - but that wasn't Novak's fault, so he still takes this week's gong.
 
Did you know?
Terriers fans sing: "We've got Novak, we've got Nov-aak, our carpets are filthy, we've got Novak," in tribute to their front man - if you can't work it out, we're not going to explain it…
 
No9s scored just three goals at the weekend, which amounts to eight per cent of the Championship's total haul
 
League One star No9
Cody McDonald - Coventry City
 
Why?
It's been a rotten season to date for fallen giants Coventry, but their beleaguered fans were finally given something to smile about at Oldham on Saturday, when McDonald plundered a dramatic 89th-minute winner to seal their first league victory of the campaign. Running in to meet a left-wing cross, the 26 year-old should probably have met the ball with his left boot as it skimmed off the turf but, clearly fancing something more spectacular, he threw himself down to produce an impressive diving header that flew into the far corner of the goal. Cue relieved handshakes all round and a hearty pat on the back from new boss Mark Robins.
 
Did you know?
The Sky Blues' No9 used to play up front for Essex minnows Witham Town, striking the right notes alongside pop sensation Olly Murs.
 
No9s didn't enjoy the best of weekends, netting a below-average 10 per cent of League One goals
 
League Two star No9
Jason Walker - York City
 
Why?
York have surprised plenty of people with their bright start to life back in the Football League, and effervescent little No9 Jason Walker has been a key cog in the Minstermen machine. On Saturday the 28-year-old was sublime in York's 2-0 victory over Aldershot. First he put team-mate Matty Blair clean through to score the opener with an intelligent pass, then he showed Sonny Bradley a clean pair of heels with a sensational turn of pace before being hauled down to win a penalty. He converted the spot kick in typical centre-forward fashion - smacking the ball as hard as he possibly could and practically bursting the net. Job done.
 

Did you know?
Walker earned himself a coveted England C cap against Malta in 2009, while playing non-league football for his hometown club, Barrow.
 
No9s scored a meagre 9 per cent of League Two's goals last weekend
 
For £3 you could be on the way to Wembley, and we could be on the way to cracking prostate cancer.

Text FL and your team (e.g. FL York City) to 82772 for the chance to win VIP tickets to the npower Football League Play Off Finals.

Each text will cost £3, plus the standard network charge. Over half of this cost will be donated to Prostate Cancer UK. Please obtain the bill payer's permission. Customer care 08448 479800. Terms and conditions.