As Sir Alex said at the end of the 1999 European Cup Final "Football hey? Bloody Hell!". My thoughts exactly as I arrived home in the small hours. My life has had occasional genuine downs, and thankfully lots of genuine ups. Why is that a home defeat by a club that has collected 25% of its meagre points total from us this month left me feeling so awful? It's only football, and I have no control over it. But then I am reminded that being a football fan is the best way to understand bi-polar depression! How many times did we "do a Bristol" and come away with an unbelievable result? I am old enough to remember fortress Elland Road being shocked by a Ron Davies late goal; ending a torrid run by beating championship chasing Forest at The Dell; inflicting Liverpool's first defeat of the season beating them 4-1 as they chased another championship ('89?) and of course that ridiculous run when we beat United 6-3, 3-1 and 1-0 in successive seasons. It's what makes football great. On paper, the highest scorers in the league should have scored at least once against Bristol City in 180 minutes. But it ain't played on paper, to throw in another cliché. The fact that teams can defy the odds and get results that make the bookies blink is one of the reasons we love the game. We've done it in the past and have cursed the papers for talking about how poorly the "big team" played and giving us no credit. It would be churlish for us now to blame our players and give no credit to theirs. So, through clenched teeth, thanks Bristol City for reminding us that football can hurt and good luck in your relegation scrap.
Thanks for lifting my spirit. As you can imagine, my phone hasn't stopped since about 9.45 yesterday evening and I'm not looking forward to work on Tuesday. But it's a long season and we're still top of the league and still having a larf. I, too, remember the games you were talking about. One of our goals against Liverpool was about 5 yards offside. The linesman that day who missed it? My cousin, a fanatic Brizzle City supporter. What goes around, comes around. COYS and a happy new year to all
Great post mate.Puts it all in perspective when you read something written from a true fan.It's only a game and there will be many others like it.Have a good New Year and all the best for the rest of the season. p.s. I will be at a party tonight with a saints fan,cant wait.
Good post! I remember once when we won 3-2 at Anfield and the papers going on about Liverpool playing poorly so that 'even Southampton...Southampton!...' beat them. I was incensed (especially at the italicisation of 'Southampton' in the news report) and, now we are the top team currently in this division, we're going to get teams who raise their game and get a result, so we should always give credit where it's due and not just moan about how poor our team were. We would regularly bloody the noses of the big clubs, especially Manchester United, and we shouldn't be surprised - even if it is infuriating - when it is done to us. I was pretty pissed off about it last night, not quite so much this morning.
Godders You are the Victor Meldrew of this board. If I have cheered you I have clearly failed and now fall on my sword (ok keyboard)
Victor bloody Meldrew! Come on that's a bit steep. At least I think I have a sense of humour! Just because a bloke is a bit long in the tooth it doesn't mean he is a miserable old sod. I see my self more as a wise old sage bringing all my years of experience and gained wisdom to enlighten and educate all of you eager hot headed young things. A calm hand on your easily excited young shoulders so to speak. In any case the lovely Mrs Godders says that I look like Captain Birdseye although I have to say she seems to be rolling her eyes a lot more when she speaks to me these days.
It's called irony, Godders. You know we all love you and your brilliant contributions (the coat story is pure genius). Happy New Year, mate
Great post! I listened yesterday to both the Derby/West Ham and the Middlesbrough/Peterborough games. The first was a shock result and the second more surprising since Middlesbrough were home and on a run of five consecutive wins and Peterborough had five starters injured. The latter team also produced little in front of goal all game; then a corner and the rest is history - funny old game!
