Ruffled feathers
an end to superstition or the beginning of a new one
“When the team needs the support of the public, the public don’t give that, either in terms of not coming or not cheering the team because they are disappointed. Whilst we have a very loyal hard core of supporters particularly at away matches, at home the team needs the support. On Saturday it was particularly lacking.”
Sheffield Wednesday Chairman.
I can’t remember how or when it first started but for more than twenty years I have kept to two matchday rules. Firstly, I never, ever read the programme until half-time at the earliest and secondly, and arguably more bizarrely, I never watch the kick-off (in either half). Now, I’ve seen us ship seven goals a couple of times, eight goals once and more than five on several occasions but I’ve clung to these bizarre rituals like a drowning man to a slippery lifebuoy but for some reason today was the day to dispense with superstition.
Maybe it was because my Dad, who is also known as Jinxy McJink from Jinksville, County Wexford, had gone back to Australia having successfully overseen defeats to the Pids and Middlesboro and the demise of both our kettle and microwave. Whatever, it was time for change.
Despite being despondent at the news that we wouldn’t be sharing the Premium Experience again with Tommo and his bairns it was the usual Saturday morning dog walking routine. Off YoshiOwl and I headed down to the Eiger Face of Hutcliffe Wood (a short climb that feels like a big un) only to be confronted not by Blade but by a newcomer – Dog Head!
Dog Head
This hound has been lurking in his back yard for several weeks now and after initially appearing under the fence with barely his snout on show he has now found a bigger and better hole through which to poke. YoshiOwl is not amused by this apparition and alternately barks loudly or scampers past while I give the poor mutt a gravy bone for his trouble.
Of late YoshiOwl’s exercise routine has been bolstered by a new trick – the two baller. I am convinced that this is due to not wanting to be conned by the old “bring one ball back and I will throw the other” con job. Thus borne out of laziness he simply hurtles around me with an expression that screams clever dog!
Double Baller
We picked up young Andrew, resplendent in the home shirt that I gave him last week, from Middlewood and headed for the Java Lounge on Hillsborough Corner to meet my Mum for some dinner. Each Saturday game we spend time looking over an unchanged menu before all deciding on the same choices, all of which seem to involve the tuna that grows on trees. Andrew is a coffeholic and on receiving his first of the afternoon had no sooner had a sip before he asked if he could “have another coffee please, Sean”. “Yes mate when you get your pudding” was my response.
A short trip to Netto for match day provisions followed and we found ourselves in the massed ranks of the Cardiff faithful who obviously feel at home in the immediate environs of a budget supermarket. Undeterred we chuffed about a bit before settling on a four pack of cherry Powerade. Presumably, it was going to be a taxing game!
Into the ground for more coffee (and blue and white gingerbread men) but not before I had read the programme thereby tempting the fates. The Premium Experience in the Grandstand is much better fare to be fair although the lack of ringing orders into the till seemed odd even if this was compensated by far greater organisation and friendliness from the increased number of staff.
The Match
As expected Brian Laws made a single change to the line up that started against our arch enemies bringing in our flying Dutchman Etienne Esajas in place of the Jamaican enigma that is Jermaine Johnson. The hopes of the supporters rested on a performance that reflected the second half of the derby match rather than the first.
For the first time in two decades I set my eyes firm on the centre spot ready for the kick off only to be distracted by heaven knows what and missing it. Wednesday started brightly and took the game to the Welshmen picking up a free kick in what looked to be prime Catholic territory. Up stepped the left-footed Esajas who curled a lovely shot over the wall and off Marhsall’s left hand post into the back of the net. The Dutchman wheeled away in ecstasy and we were one up inside three minutes.
SAS - two in two
Wednesday pressed on seemingly eager to take advantage of nervous defending from the Bluebirds. Varney hit the same post as SAS but unfortunately it was too full and the ball bounced to safety. Then Richard Wood rose like the proverbial salmon only to head the ball well over the crossbar when it looked easier to get it on target.
The English side were in control of the game but the Welsh capitalists were to benefit from a hoofed ball and what looked a very soft decision from the referee. The ball was hit over the top and Grant came to collect as ex-Barnsley Chops raced through. Minimal if any contact occurred but the ref pointed immediately to the penalty spot despite vociferous protests from the Owls’ ‘keeper. Bizarrely neither a booking nor a red card was given which suggested to me that the man in black was not entirely sure of himself.
This setback knocked Wednesday confidence and Cardiff began to dominate as the home side resorted to more length in spite of the dividends that their early patient short passing game had shown. On a positive note Jay Bothroyd suggested that e was in a petulant frame of mind and argued his way into the ref’s little black book. Wales international Joe Ledley also let himself down with a nasty bow-legged challenge on Tommy Spurr near the South Stand touchline that should, in my opinion, have resulted in a red rather than yellow card.
Cardiff went on to have two “goals” disallowed. Both were for offside but only the first looked fair and Chopra’s second looked a good goal to me. As a result on the balance of play 1-1 was a reasonable reflection of the first half.
The second, however, was a different matter. Who knows what was in those half time oranges but we were at it from the off. A kick off that I did see by the way. Wednesday pushed higher up the pitch and gave their opponents very little time on the ball. This unsettled the visitors and the Owls’ second came quickly. Spurr, I think, found Esajas in space down the Wednesday left and Etienne hit a peach of a curved ball which found the unmarked Varney on the edge of the six yard box and he duly headed home with some aplomb before racing to the kop and pointing to his name. Perhaps he was suggesting that we should look to sign him up?
Tudgay was replaced by Leon Clarke shortly after the goal in what looked to be an enforced rather than tactical change despite our leading goalscorer not looking remotely injured. The saviour though was in fine form chasing balls down like a man possessed at least of a desire to get back into the starting eleven. It may well be my fading eyesight but he looked trimmer than ever.
The game remained feisty and turned distinctly in our favour when Ledley went straight through the effervescent Gray. The ref’ had no choice but to issue another booking and the early bath beckoned as the crowd began to scent victory. More intelligent play ensued as the Owls looked to retain the ball against the ten men. Fair play to the chief Monkee as he pushed to get back into the game by bringing on a third striker.
Short passing virtue was rewarded with a third goal of sublime quality. The Wednesday midfield worked the ball to that man Esajas again and this time a clipped ball to the far post was met by the lithe and lissome Leon who had the confidence to volley the ball home to effectively end the game.
Leon - sexual
Sodje and Johnson replaced Varney and Esajas with the latter receiving a well deserved standing ovation for what must surely be his best performance in the blue and white of Wednesday. Both replacements went close to extending the lead with JJ in particular tormenting a beaten Bluebirds defence. The Owls had dominated the second half from start to finish and if we can take this form and passing game to Selhurst Park on Tuesday night we could inflict some well deserved pain on Colin and co.
This was a top class performance and one that we thoroughly deserved to win. If Cardiff are a top six side then we aren’t far behind. No-one, Purse included, played poorly and the spine of the side looked strong throughout with Wood, O’Connor, Gray and Varney all having fine games. Esajas was top drawer and the easiest pick for Man of the Match that we will see this season. Credit also to Brian Laws for motivating the team at half time.
And for those stay-away fans, well, you all missed a cracker!
As for superstitions Andrew has visited S6 five times now and his record is won three, drawn two. Could HE be the saviour?
Cheers,
Sean (Durruti).
NB that chairman was Matt Shepherd in 1974!