Derby Day reflections
After the rainy weekend the day dawned bright and sunny. Maybe those that changed it to the Monday knew something?
I was strangely calm. We popped into town for lunch with a friend and set off for the ground at about half one (no kidding) Nice leisurely drive until some idiot hurtled over the hill on the wrong side of the road at 100mph and missed us by inches. It was to be the only shock of the day.
Parked up in the East car park, after a bit of shopping at Asda, and picked up a programme. Splendid spread for Us and Them with some derby memorabilia I’d sent in plus my diagram of Hyde Road. Great to see the photo of (ex heart throb KK seller) Louise’s boys Edward and Freddie on the beach in Oz sent in by Louise’s mum Joyce. Son Richard, ex City MEN reporter, who also helped out with KK is now a bigshot at the Beeb incidentally. Also good to note that long time KK contributor Simon Curtis, who writes the entertaining ‘Down the Kippax Steps’ Blue blogger column is still on top form – and advises us that united’s 20 years of domination is nearly over! We’ll all go along with that!
So after settling down in City square, telling Robbie Savage to “be nice” chatting to ex Blues goalie Steve Fleet we took up our positions to sell KK197. We said hello to all the regulars plus Patrick Knowles from Spain and Phil Alcock who edits McIvta. No shenanighans from the men in black (they took out their bitterness on the City store in town) tonight and in we went to soak up the atmosphere which was brilliant throughout. Some great banners, the rags were bricking it on and off the pitch and what a fantastic night we were treated to by our colossal boys. Great to see Thaksin and Maradonna there supporting the Blues and Roberto giving it big style to past it Fergie. So much for them being a team and we a bunch of individuals. so much for us cracking up and their spirit, mental strength and experince seeing them through. What bollocks. no wonder everyone hates them.
Is this the new City and not the one who can beat the rags then lose the next game or are we in for an end of season treat? Surely we’ll grasp the lifeline and go on to win the next two whilst united slip up in at least one of their games?
I think so.
Sunday should be tremendous, more of that later but I can tell you we couldn’t find anywhere in Newcastle and Whitley Bay to stay on Saturday night so the place will be buzzing with Blues.
Dave (still on cloud nine)
Regardless of the eventual outcome that was the worst United performance I've ever witnessed. They actually played better and created more chances during the 6-1.
ReplyDeleteThere might still be a twist at Newcastle, but City will be stronger next year and you can sense the fear across the road.
I've never been as nervous before a match in my life as I am now. So far I've woken up in middle of 3 nights in a row fretting about Newcastle. Just our luck to yet again be up against at the top of their game and with everything to play for. I understand they've kept 15 clean sheets this season too, which isn't good. However, as much as I'd prefer to be playing someone else I'm sure Newcastle have more reason to say the same about us. We can do it, I just know and I do believe Swansea can get a result at Old Trafford.
ReplyDeleteWigan showed that the way to take on Newcastle is to take the game to them. Yes, they are good going forward but rarely get put under pressure at home something we're surely capable of doing. The rags stood of and got battered so we must go for it, and if things don't work out then let's not be thinking "what if we had had a proper go?". The main threat is, of course, Cisse who needs to be kept quiet and then we should be ok. Can you imagine what the feelings will be if we win and united lose?
ReplyDeleteIt's worth pointing out the exceptional results to date of both us and them, eg only 5 defeats for each of which we only really deserved to lose 2 (Swansea and Arsenal), united deserved to lose all of theirs. They are only where they are, as has been pointed out before, due to the iron will of their manager. Next season we will be stronger and they will be weaker, which points to us winning by some distance unless we implode but I think those days are gone now.