It's funny isn�t it, just seven days ago we were all engulfed by the fear of impending doom, with league-leaders Reading staring us in the face, baring their 33 game unbeaten run, and the knifes being sharpened in the background as the steel city derby lurked around the corner. Now let fast forward to this, Jubilation. Just as sentiments of doubt started to bubble under the surface following the Watford trouncing and unimpressive display at Plymouth, 180 minutes of football have changed it all, and opened everyone�s eyes. The promotion charge is well and truly back on, and the desire to see the hallowed Bramall lane turf labelled premiership soil is too delicious to deny.
Let�s start with Reading...Though prior to the match we�d been playing the worst football we had all season, a delightful air of hope and promise swept around the Bramall Lane faithful and for some reason (almost) all Blades fans shared a warm feeling, that things were going to go right for us on what would be a chilling Tuesday night. To some extent they were right. We did, undoubtedly, play some truly tremendous football and even the least interested fan could see the team were benefiting from the quick, passing football the opposition employed. We scrapped, we fought, and we controlled the game. Reading had suddenly become a one trick pony with incessant through ball�s to the starved Kevin Doyle cut out by Craig Shorts sharp minded thinking and mindless humps towards the red-haired Dave Kitson hammered away by the colossus that was Chris Morgan. I think I was in as much disbelief as anyone else when Reading stole away with a point�not even imagining the huge injustice that would have been had Kitson�s last minute penalty rattled the net.
I�d also like to give a special mention to a fan sitting a few rows in-front of me who epitomized some of the �moaners� we have to cope with at the lane. His claim was that �reading outplayed us man for man�, though in a less articulated and not in so much of an understandable fashion. Neil Warnock has said it himself, with some people in Sheffield the glass is �always half empty�. I was gob-smacked by this fan�s remarks and can�t believe the moaners can still find faults. I�d like to imagine that he would read this, and feel humiliated by his own pessimism. But the notion that this man would be too ignorant to realize is too strong, and the idea that he can read is probably as far-fetched as his comments.
Then, less than a week later, it was upon us, the city of Sheffield was buzzing on a fine Saturday afternoon as every football fan across the steel city licked their lips with the prospect of a truly memorable match. A roar from a packed Hillsborourgh in parallel with the fans at Bramall lane signified the beginning of one of the biggest battles in English football. 90 minutes later, eleven war-torn heroes celebrated with the red and white army as United romped to a 2-1 victory; a score I'm sure that you�ll all agree was un-representative of the game itself. It was a match that made ordinary players Blade�s heroes, most notably captain Chris whose immense contribution and steely determination to go to whatever cost in stopping Wednesday, was nothing short of remarkable. His central defensive partner, debutant Neill Collins also deserves a mention for a solid performance, just hours after joining on loan.
However, as well as a memorable day, it was of tragic circumstances too. Two Sheffield Wednesday fans were killed in a car crash on their way back from supporting the team they loved. Regardless of who they support, this loss of young life is a tragedy to say the least, and the almost poetic moment in which Blades fans held the names up of the two victims as silence fell on Hillsborourgh was truly touching. As Neil Warnock said, it really shows what a fantastic city Sheffield is, and despite the fierce rivalry to see red white and blue stand together in commiseration is a wonderful achievement for the city, and a feat that you wouldn�t see anywhere else in the footballing world.
What I�m expecting to see in the next couple of weeks: After my accurate prediction about Chris Armstrong, I�m hoping this one turns out right too. I�m expecting to see Ade Akinbiyi start banging goals in from left, right and centre and build on his tremendous performances against Reading and Wednesday. Forget about how much money we�ve paid. This guy�s a great footballer, pace, speed, ability, and work ethic. He epitomizes the �complete striker� and we are privileged to have him at our club.
Until next time, over and out� Luke P.
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