So it’s been confirmed then, back to the Championship. For me it has been years of longing to get back into the top flight, only for it not to live up to my expectations. Maybe I’m just bitter because of all the last minutes defeats, the poor referee decisions, and the bias match reports. But, I don’t think I am ‘just bitter’, I truly believe to appreciate football for what it is, you need to experience the joys and sorrows and for the time being, for us, that is promotion and relegation. Although relegation was almost certain, Man City at home was a winnable game, and pride was still to play for, but like so many other important matches against teams around us this season (Sheffield United at home) the players didn’t sound mentally right. There was a lack of attacking urgency, blamed on nerves by Boothroyd, but either way until the equaliser we almost dropped out with a whimper, without the fight which had characterised the season. So frustrating and typical of the season and a cruel reminder that we could have been on more points if…so many ifs… I got back in Aberystwyth in time to listen to the first half, but I couldn’t bring myself to perform the act, preferring to blank out reality, following the game via BBC score updates (arguably more stressful). I turned commentary on at half time to find out what was going on, but was forced to listen to Stevenage Borough, Wycombe and the M.K Dons match reports instead. It was then that I decided to just accept the consequences and to listen to the final 45minutes, longing to be there, urging the team on, in a game which sounded to be without creativity and determination from both sides. Then on 53 minutes an unfortunate mistake by Foster gifted City a goal. A disaster, I haven’t seen the goal, but it seems unfair to be overly critical of a player who, despite ‘not being ours’ has done so much for the club in two years. However even at 1.0 down there sounded an evident lack of belief from the players, a lack of ideas, and a lack of urgency. The game seemed to be heading towards a 1.0 defeat, caused by a mistake – something which has been responsible for a fair few defeats and equalisers throughout the season. Then all of a sudden it was 1.1, a good ball to Priskin from Rinaldi. A glimmer of hope to prevent the inevitable, but to me it was a chance to beat or at least to equal the 24 point mark we achieved in the 99-00 season. The goal seemed to ease the pressure on the players and the crowd, and although the team appeared to attack more there were still few chances. Having used all but one of his subs, Boothroyd’s last role of the dice was to play Carlisle upfront alongside King, Bouazza and Priskin. Unfortunately despite the aerial threat, the chances of a tactic which failed last season succeeding against a Premiership defence seemed slim. At the final whistle I phoned my dad, I couldn’t hear him because of the chants, a credit to our fans who were there yesterday and truly symbolic of the fans throughout the season who have sung loudly even in the face of adversity. My response was to drink in the company of others who have experienced relegation and promotion. I received surprisingly little abuse or banter, even from those fortunate enough to support local sides who have been in and remained in the Premiership since it was founded and speaking to Championship fans made me look forward to next season. Next up Sheffield United, the final game I can make, hopefully the players will us a good performance and reiterating a familiar theme of recent blogs, good performances in the final games is vital. There are aspects of this season I want to forget, but one things for sure, my opinion to relegation is different to what it was in 99/00. Back then I’d forgotten where we’d come from, and found it difficult to take - I couldn’t see any positives. I’m disappointed, that’s a given, I thought it was our destiny to stay up, but there are plenty of positives providing we don't take anything for granted. So to next season, some interesting away games to look forward to in what will be my first season post-University. I’m still hoping Southend stay up – an August Bank holiday Monday there would go down a treat, and hopefully Blackpool will be promoted as one of my favourite away days moments was singing ‘Watford ‘Till I Die’ on the Pepsi Max Big One. All together now, ‘Watford 'Till I die, I’m Watford 'Till I die, I know I am, I’m sure I am, I’m Watford 'Till I die’
Imagine being one of the 18k Watford fans there that day, must have thought 'well this is a bit ****, but at least it can't get any worse against this lot'...
