The Rambling Red - Issue 13 13/05/03 | by TrickyMatt

“The Blades come to town”

Well the dust has just about settled on our encounter with Sheffield United at fortress City Ground and I felt compelled to put together a Rambling Red special to honour it.

I particularly dislike early kick-offs. When we played Millwall at home a while back and it was switched to 12 o’clock on police advice, I was a mess. Been out in numbers the night before “on one” and to be honest felt about as clean and healthy as Jonathan Kings’ computer! However, I battled on and saw out a drab home defeat against the Lions. This theme continued for the early kick-off at Pride Park this season. The first half was all about self-preservation and I mean my health rather than Forest’s back four! Needn’t have worried, hey readers, as you are joyously aware, we played ‘em for 180 minutes this season and they couldn’t even score one!

Anyway, what I am trying to get at is that the journey to the Mecca was less than comfortable. It was also a rush due to heavy traffic which meant parking at Hooters and quickly scampering to the game. Note that no pre-match beers were consumed, which should be compulsory. We were still outside the ground when the teams came out. The roar was incredible and for the first time I felt able to concentrate on the game rather than my impending visit to the toilets! The tension and atmosphere of this game was more than enough to capture my imagination and I cannot remember being so nervous at a match for a seriously long time.

These days I sit/stand/jump around (!) in the Brian Clough upper near the corner of Pinnacle Place. I recommend this particular area to any Reds seeking to relocate next season. I reason this because of the following. The unobstructed view is excellent, and with the way we pass the ball around, is essential to fully appreciate the 'Total Football' we now favour over the previous 'Hoof' tactics employed under David Platt.

Additionally, and importantly, the atmosphere in this part of the ground has improved immeasurably. The West Bridgford upper and the Pinnacle Place corner have combined with some rowdies in the Brian Clough upper to get an atmosphere going. Notably, not relying on the admirable A-Blockers to get it all going. Combined with the token Trent End noise, we now seen to have an atmosphere, particularly when the opposition sell-out their allocation. This entails plenty of “banter” which adds that little bit of spice to the proceedings.

I thought we played very well against the Blades. We were up against a side who have recorded some great results this term and we largely outplayed them in a keenly-fought a game as you will see. I was proud to be a Red and long may this continue.

Harewood’s header which hit the bar coupled with Dawsons header which went just over would have capped an excellent last 20 minutes of the first half as Forest took control of the game after the initial period of play which was scrappy and physical. Riccy Scimeca was excellent and was the catalyst to many good moves. Andy Reid was once again causing problems but his final ball seemed to be lacking.

I didn’t have to wait long to be reminded of the ability this lad has. The ball (outside of the foot) through to Johnson for our goal was superb and reminded me of Ian Woan in his heyday. A mention has to go to the finish of Johnson who played very well and looked back to his early season form. The roof came off and I danced and danced to celebrate a goal which should have signalled the beginnings of a Forest rout.

The penalty was a hammer blow. I was left head in hands as our South Yorkshire friends celebrated this piece of fortune. I thought Michael Brown was astute and professional in the way he went down. He saw the leg and took it, down he went and back we were at 1-1.

This seemed to galvanise United whilst leaving us deflated. Harewood seemed to tire somewhat but a goal still seemed possible. Gareth Williams in particular had a great chance but his finish was weak, an area of his game he desperately needs to improve upon.

For me it was the sending off of Michael Dawson which really angered me and still does. Never in a month of Sundays was it a red card offence. Yellow yes, red no. I felt so sorry for Michael and he would certainly have been in tears as he quickly departed the pitch after initially giving the incompetent match official a right ear full. Dawson will be back stronger than ever and his performance told all those at the game something we never doubted. He is a big game player. This lad can play at the highest level, as his performance against United showed.

After the game, we trudged off towards Hooters for the after-match conference over a pint. However, 12 car loads of Sheffield United 'lads' had the same idea, something the police were not keen on. Hooters was shut due to this occurrence and we were stranded in the car park with these blokes who were coveted by the police as potential trouble makers. Four meat wagons and two police horses together with more police than you can count blocked the entrance before escorting these Blades away. This of course meant I missed my pint for the second time! We ended up at the Ye Olde Trip for one instead as my depression set it.

So can we do it? Sheffield United have never been a favourite of mine and this game went far to uphold this view. They are clearly a motivated side who are intent on cheating, time wasting and diving there way to victory. I am a bag of nerves regarding Thursday night’s second leg as I write this and I cannot wait for it to be over. We deserve to play at the highest level, but you have to earn it, now we have a chance to.

As Lenny Kravitz once put it,

“It aint over 'til its over”

Lets hope he’s right.

Yours in Red and White