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 ...
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
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