WHAT IS HAPPENING? From being dead and buried a month ago, we’ve now given ourselves a CHANCE. Correction, from being dead and buried a month ago, loanees Quina and Bassi have given us a CHANCE! Tonite, both have starring roles in the capitulation of a disinterested City side with nought to play for, with the goals coming from Bassi corners and the attacks coming from Quina’s boots. Can a Watford reserve player be my favourite Red?
I wasn’t with my usual matchday companion today, so fancied a change. With the current ownership, who knows when the historic Main (West) Stand will be closed or pulled down, so I got to Oakwell early enough to swap my East Stand ticket for a pew opposite. I love the West Stand. The darkness, the low roof, the aging wood, the pillars. The latter, perfect in seasons where we’re not doing so well, turn out to be a right pain in the derriere when you DO actually want to see the game. Where did that defender appear from? How did that player beat that opponent? Surely that bloke’s offside? Hang on, who’s that over there? Yes, I enjoyed the novelty, but I wouldn’t want to do it over a season. Nevermind that in the first half, as I sat on the back row, you can’t see the ball if it’s far enough in the air. God knows what a season under Big Val would have looked like from here.
Any pre-match nerves were quickly dispelled. 10 minutes in and Shirley whips in a corner at the away end, panic ensues and Morris prods it home from 3 yards. Having seen it on replay, you see Helik running in at the front post causing the defender(s) to miss it, the ball bounces, Wolfe heads goalwards and Morris is there. A little over 10 minutes later and it’s two. This time the corner works ‘properly’ as Helik gets across his man to flick it home. Reward for the City fans who had the referee insist on Shirley taking it from the correct place, forcing him to move it 2 inches back. (They were right, by the way.) Incredibly, it’s Helik’s first goal of the season, having notched half a dozen last year. There’s a raft of reasons for this, but I’d say the main 2 have been the lack of a quality ball in, and deserting last’s season’s successful tactic of crowding the keeper. Only BFC would give up a successful strategy.
And there it was, 2-0, game over. I’m not sure we really came close again, though Quina skinned the fullback enough times for someone (anyone) to show for him, but I mustn’t grumble. Even Asbaghi’s usual ‘sending on the subs to protect what we’ve got’ failed to rouse City; not that we weren’t worried…Cole on for Morris and Kitching for Styles, with 20 left to play. Indeed, we had Kitching to thank for keeping them goalless, as he headed one off the line in injury time. Whisper it, but we may not come bottom. (I’m not going to get carried away with thoughts of staying up…yet.)
Onwards and upwards!
*** Quina. Took the game to City. He gets the ball, they retreat…and retreat…he beats one man and we’re in their box.
** Morris. The effort, the strength, the tenacity…the fact he can actually keep hold of a ball under pressure. And scored.
* Wolfe. I’m liking him more and more. As well as setting up the opener, my favourite bit was 1st half, when he picked the ball up on the edge of our box, and carried it (at pace!) to the halfway line.
Official MOTM: Quina
Londontykes’ MOTM: TBA
Despatches:
Another good game from Gomes. The Gomes-Wolfe defensive axis in the 4-2-3-1 is what allows Quina and Bassi to play. Styles had a funny game. Constantly outmuscled, but did drive at the opposition. Often sent tumbling at speed but never gets the free kicks in the way that, say, Garther Bale used to for less. Brittain looked back on his game while Helik and Mads were barely troubled, Collins in goal even less so. Vita was also back to being a left wing back after his stint on the right wing. How’s he ever gonna develop if we mess him about like that?
In City’s ranks were former Reds Matty James and Joe Williams. Remember Joe Williams? Midfielder, on loan from Everton. I maintain he is one of the nest players I have EVER seen for the Reds out of possession. He couldn’t half win a ball, but would then give it straight back to the opposition, often on the edge of our own box. Anyway, he came on as sub with 5 mins of the 1st half left and looked like Glenn Hoddle, spraying passes all over the pitch and now losing it. I never noticed him 2nd half, but maybe that’s cos he went off after 55 minutes!
Back to the Main Stand, and I can see why Farnham likes it here. I’m half a dozen seats from Cauley Woodrow, who may or may not be doing something for local radio. I’m even fewer from a couple of other blokes, who say thanks on their way out as I make room for them. Why, it’s Blunts manager (and Reds legend) Paul Heckingbottom, plus one. What will he have made of events, given we play them Satdy? ‘Deal with Quina and everything else will drop into place’? (Does he realise Quina is a different – less effective - player away?) It must have been a night for spotting minor celebs; I also passed former Reds legend 3rd division midfield player Alex Neil (now Sunderland manager) coming out of the toilets at Wetherby services.
Irregulars will be pleased to note the West Stand bogs still retains pride of place, a lick of red paint and a roof notwithstanding, though whothehell places a hand dryer above a wall people urinate on? It was good to hear another fine recent tradition continued too, as there were a couple of boos for the players taking a knee, before crowd applause drowned it out. This Black Lives Matter stuff is all a Marxist conspiracy, you know that, right? Still, it was a surprise to me. I didn’t realise the players still took the knee, given I’m rarely in the ground at this point.
Thinking of my dad, and how we always used to drive home through Leeds, I did same in his memory. I miss passing Tetley’s, the West Yorkshire Playhouse, crossing the River Aire and driving past those lines of terraces north of the city centre. R.I.P. dad.
I smiled all the way home.
Drink du jour: Another expensive flat white in Wetherby service station.
Away: 279. Let’s just say well done to those who came, rather than poke fun at a big city club bringing less than 300 for a second tier fixture.
Minutes on the pitch for Palmer or Benson: 0.
The Damage:
c. £35 petrol
£3 programme
The Tunes:
Whirlpool (Chapterhouse)
The Back Room (Editors)
BBC5live – 25 minutes of whining on about Man Utd losing to Athletico Madrid in the Chumps League, followed by 4 minutes round-up of everything else. Bliss!
Blissed Out (Beloved)
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