COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From my seat: Fulham (A)
Comments (10) : A trip to the Cottage is always unique and was reinforced by my walk in the park to a ground alongside a river that does indeed have a cottage within its confines, as well as a ?Neutrals? area, which must be unique in the EPL.
The team was announced and it was, to the surprise of many, a full-on Cup Final team with the exception of the tease ?what to do with Fellaini? come the day. H0e was on the bench but never figured and left us all wondering why. In Moyes we trust?
Having not won at the Cottage since Bally?s strike in ?66, we all approached the game in a manner of ?Well if we don?t win, we are still in Europe? but with a sense of let's break records (Statos will get a field day with this one) get fifth by right and send a message to any who doubt us that the Cup Final will be worth tuning in for any doubters or so-called neutrals.
Saha reinforced this within minutes by having header cannon off the bar then Rodwell tested the keeper, who did well to turn his effort wide. Fulham were not there for the taking and Gera had a header into Howard?s arms when a header back across goal may well have undone us.
Cahill had the keeper scrambling to thwart him and, on the half-hour mark, Pienaar had an effort well saved and from that point onward I thought we took control. Fulham had the odd break that looked more dangerous to a home fan than an away one but it was the Blues who looked more likely.
Saha had one saved and Pienaar was more and more involved; with half-time looming, he skinned a couple of players, spotted an excellent run by Osman, delivered the ball he needed, and Ossie took it around the keeper with aplomb to slot home majestically.
Half-time was right on us, we celebrated, and as the players left the field it was to the songs we will take to the hallowed halls. Second half and we started as we knew that, bar a bad error, it was ours to win; until the final whistle, we looked the stronger. Pantsill, Zamorra et al had half chances; Hibbert, Rodwell and Yobo all made vital interceptions but nothing less than you would expect of them... and Lescott was just imperious.
Yobo and Howard gave us a couple of comic moments ? none more than the one that saw Howard get in a mix-up with Joe and then chase the ball to the edge of the box, almost handle outside the area... from my seat, I reckon he did but the ref let his hurried clearance go.
It seemed to be our day as Hibbert was putting in better crosses than Baines. The manager subbed Neville, Saha and Pienaar for Vaughan, Gosling and Castillo, seamlessly, with the only worry being Pienaar receiving treatment on the pitch's edge. All hoped for the best... hell ? we need him.
A few minutes to go and Zamorra tests Howard when he maybe should have done better but this seemed to galvanize us to one more effort and, Lo and Behold, with some good work from Vaughan, Ossie picked it up and from some 20 yards found the net. All went ballistic and my mind went to some guy who posted last week saying Osman should never start... hell, we were glad he did this week, capturing a brace and sending hoards into ecstasy ? ain't footy great?
Final whistle and every song you ever knew was sung, hugs exchanged, and a hunger to find out other scores, Magpies gone down. Oh dear, what a shame. Where?s your seat for the final? How are you getting there? Are you staying over? Have we heard about the home-coming? ... Might depend on the result!
Overall I thought our first game in a heatwave played a part for both teams, we seemed stronger and the difference in league position was justified.
My Man of the Match was once again Pienaar but I and many others were worried regarding the manner of his substitution and all hope he is ok. Others were worthy of mention which can only reinforce the view that we have a very good squad that, for next season, may only need a manager-inspired two or three signings or who knows ? a Peter Reid fronted takeover to see us as serious buyers. (It?s in the NotW so must be true!!)
The way home was taken over by speculation regarding our Cup Final line up. Will Fellaini play? If he does who makes way? To most that was as near as you will get to the Final line up but with a twist, who knows what?s in the managers mind, My mind says no matter what all of us have to say regarding Osman, Pienaar and Hibbert all will play if fit, leaving only the Fellaini conundrum.
Cup Finals are usually decided on ?Who?s day it is? for all sorts of reasons, having been to many Blues Finals, all I can tell first timers is that ? to quote the idiot Emlyn: Winning is Magic ?Losing is tragic
Let?s all hope it?s our day
See you there entrance C.
UP THE BLUES
Reader Comments
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Fellaini will start in the Cup Final, barring injury. The team picks itself for Saturday, I doubt there?ll be any surprises.
Ajay ? I?m a bit surprised that you?re making a big deal of Howard giving the players in front of him a bollocking for not closing down quick enough. That?s a keeper?s job and I?d be more worried if he didn?t do it. If Chelsea score from a similar position and one of our lads makes the same half-hearted attempt to close down, then we?ll be spewing.
That shot should have been closed down much quicker and he certainly wasn?t "getting too big for his boots", he was stating, in no uncertain terms, that it shouldn?t happen again. And he was 100% right to do so.
Still it?s a win ? we can finally stop talking an Alan Ball goal in a negative sense ? and so a confidence booster and it was a grand day out. Both sets of fans were a credit to their clubs.
Two great finishes from Ossie, people should get off his back. I suppose he hasn?t shown his best against the top four clubs but against the rest he is as good as anyone.
I mean we could have had Gera! What a miss with that header in the first half. Rodwell gets better with every game, he has so much time and composure on the ball. Roll on next week
All the best for Saturday everyone, whether you can make the trip or not.
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1 Posted 26/05/2009 at 05:59:41
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I think Fellaini will come in for Rodwell ? his physical presense and goal-scoring prowess are too good to miss out.
Rodwell, Vaughan and Gosling may make late appearances depending on the match situation.
Saw the highlights of the game ? and both of Ossie?s goals were very well taken ? well done !
Also saw that after Gera had a shot on goal that just went over, Howard came out of his goal-line like a maniac and blasted somebody, which I found disturbing. What happened to the "one for all, all for one" thing there? I have seen that happen once too many times for my liking this season. Tim getting too big for his boots??