How did everyone sleep and how do we get through the next 15 hours until kick off? I only hope and pray that this time tomorrow we are all still on an high, planning our day out in London reliving our win, the thought of any other outcome is killing me. We are in touching distance of that Wembley trip, I hear people saying it means nothing unless you win the final, well let me tell you, right here, in this corner of the world, here in Coxhoe, it means something, it means everything. Like the rest of you I have lived through that many false dawns I'm up early every morning to watch a real dawn, to just reassure myself they do exist. Right now winning the cup or even reaching the final is an irrelevance, all I want, just for a few weeks, is to be able to feel some sort of success, to be able to brag about my team going to Wembley, to be able to look forward to getting a ticket, planning the day, be the centre of attention. After so long in the doldrums is it to much to ask for 2 weeks in the limelight? Yes I know we did Wembley for the play off's but really that you do because you failed to win outright, this we would do because we are winners. Some of our nearest and dearest will try and distract us if we do it, tell us it's league position that counts, tell us how it means nothing unless you win, well two things. First, why not enjoy your good season instead of trying to spoil mine. Second, you are right, if we lose it will mean nothing in two weeks, I don't care right now, I just want the chance to enjoy those two weeks. That's how important today is, its why I am a wreck, why I cant sit still, cant think of anything else, why I very much doubt I will enjoy the game. We could be 3 up with 5 minutes to go but I know they would still be the longest 5 minutes of my life. If we are one up with 5 minutes to go I hope Sunderpitt is ready to administer mouth to mouth, I may need it. I wont say enjoy your day, instead I hope you find a way to get through it.
Syd, as Im off to bed now that should kill 6 hours of it and by the time I get out of meetings tomorrow the game will be over. Im gonna be as much use as tits on a fish at work while the game is on. Nerves are already killing me...........
nice post sid, im watching the bairn before he goes to nursery then im gona go for a long run, then god knows what im gona do!! and it feels a bit worse over here because it doesnt start untill 9
I will be up earlier than usual get the bathroom shuffle and shower out of the way and settle down with a goodly supply of coffee. Morning prayer will be that Cahill will score an own goal.
Sleeps overrated! Well, that's what I'm telling myself as I hardly slept a wink! Can't fooking wait for tonight!!
Daft o clock, kick off time...... Start 2am.......... 120 mins of frantic footy... 15mins of pens... Bed by 4.30am.....oh joy, well it better had be.
Cheers Albert, I'll try to sneak a wee transistor radio in to work today & just hope the gaffer doesn't see it.
sorry but............. Martin O'Neill wants his Sunderland side to avoid paying the penalty for not easing past Everton in regulation time during their FA Cup quarter-final replay on Tuesday night. Liverpool await the winners of the game at the Stadium of Light after the two sides drew 1-1 in their meeting at Goodison Parkrecently. This time, however, there will be no replay as there must be a result on the night raising the possibility of a penalty shoot-out if the two teams still cannot be separated after extra-time. And O'Neill admits he has been preparing for all eventualities ahead of their tie - including the dreaded spot-kicks. Shoot-out He said: "You have to try to be prepared as much as you can for every eventuality. "Penalties are something that are part of the results business now. It has to finish tonight one way or the other, but I am never so sure you are totally prepared for a penalty. "If you were just practising them on the training pitch - it doesn't mean you shouldn't do, of course, but I am not so sure. "Nothing - nothing - prepares you for a penalty shoot-out in a big, big game in front of a lot of fans either cheering you on or baying for your blood. "It's very difficult, and we will try to get ourselves prepared for that moment if it arrives."
