Wiggy's World

Sorry Mr 6k just had to get that out of my system.  I think it’s safe to say that last night was one of the most gut wrenching experiences I’ve had when I’ve been to watch a Newcastle game (normally cos we’re either very GOOD or terrible and get spanked like the last time I watched them at Old Trafford, with future Brother-in-law in tow, being a Man Utd fan   It’s not unfair to say that Sheff United DID deserve at least a point from the game, and against another team they would have got 3 points.  But luckily for us, we’ve got Stevie Harper, who plucked out a few fantastic saves in the dying minutes to help preserve the 1 goal lead.  Where exactly 5 minutes of stoppage time came from is beyond me (thought that only happened in Ipswich games, so they can concede in stoppage time and throw away either 3 points or at least salvage a draw from a winning position)

Had a steady drive up there, and parked under the O2 Academy again and had a slow walk down to find the ground.  Its a nice little stadium, and I’ll give it 4 out of 5, mainly due to the kids who had school this morning, trying to goad the Newcastle fans, who were twice their age, saying “we’ll meet you round the back of the ground after the game! We’ll have you” That alone gave them an extra point.  There was not much singing, which as Watsi pointed out via text at half time, their fans were very tense and nervous having lost 3 on the bounce (which now leaves them as the 2nd best team in Sheffield I think on goal difference at least)  The backs of my legs are killing, as despite being told to sit down, the Toon fans all decided to stay standing and jumping around singing songs to even bother with being sat down.  The atmosphere in the away end was tense, but electric.  My nerves were shot by the end of the first half, with Sheff United having the majority of the play, and we looked like the team most likely to concede.  Luckily half-time came along, and second half I thought we looked a bit better and started threatening their goal more.  The goal came a bit out of the blue, and we thought at first it was Enrique who shot, but according to the news reports it was Ryan Taylor who got a very lucky deflection from Morgan.  The home fans were incensed there was no foul in the build up to the goal, with the wonderful Kevin Nolan appearing to foul the defender but the bbc website has this to say…

Sheffield United were incensed as the celebrations continued with Walker still lying on the ground, but the referee appeared to be correct in not halting play.

When 5 minutes of stoppage time was shown I felt every nerve ending tingle, and not in a good way.  Luckily we had Harper to thank for a point blank save, which I really can’t wait to see again.  Like I said I thought Sheffield United deserved something out the game, and Kevin Blackwell has every right to be proud ofh his team, given the way they played, particularly first half, without NINE first-team players   As you can imagine there may well be a little bias in my reporting of the game last night, but unlike the Forest fans the other week when they beat us, I am admitting that Sheffield United gave us a real game, and I thought they were unlucky in the end.  Lets hope they can beat the Forest, and grab a play-off spot.

My view from the seat

Another view

The boys warming up

Bring on Hillsborough on Boxing Day (unless I can get some other tickets before then)  The drive back was nice and steady back down the A61 rather than the M1, and I had to call into work to see if Wendy had turned the heater off Luckily she had