- May 26, 2004
- 4,781
- 2,108
Having watched the coverage of that 4-4 draw for the umpteenth time, you realise how much has changed over the last two weeks. After nine weeks of abysmal results and lacklustre performances, suddenly we look ready and willing to take the fight to anyone. The confidence Harry has given the team has been invaluable, but it could be the siege mentality we have developed that could have made the difference.
When Jenas scored that 3rd goal I was happy. We may have lost, but we had come out with respect. The win at Bolton had not been a flash in the pan, but the start of something. Watch fanzone, see how happy the fan is that we have scored three. 4-3 showed progress.
With Ramos in charge I was dreading a mauling as the team did not show any passion or stomach for a fight. The performances and score lines had been so bad you could have forgiven the players if they felt the same. Having got back into the game with Bent’s goal, to then go two goals behind again 60 seconds later, heads could have dropped. But they didn’t stop, if anything in added time they raised their game, put men forward and got that goal that will live in the memory forever. The relief was there for all to see, but it was not just relief. The players showed they could step up, they could fight, that they could compete and they were no longer the punch line to every office email. No wonder they were all buzzing.
Then three days later we face the unbeaten league leaders. We go one down inside two minutes. It would have been easy for the bubble to have burst, especially after the way Liverpool had held out Chelsea for most of the game at the Bridge. Liverpool had chance after chance, and we were struggling to create anything, but the players kept going. Even when we got the equaliser, they kept going. I would have been happy with the draw, but the players had something to prove, they could sense the three points, and they got them.
I cannot recall a game where we have won when the opposition has been on top for most of the game and have created a lot of chances while we have created so few. Normally we are the ones who have created chance after chance only to draw or lose due to late goals. If we faced a well organised, disciplined and hard working team, we struggled. When you add it was against a team of Liverpool’s quality, it’s a remarkable achievement.
Alex Ferguson is often noted as a manager who creates a siege mentality in his players. His numerous spats with the media, opposition managers, the FA and referees are often seen as the rants of a mad old Scotsman, but maybe it’s something deeper. They certainly create a spirit and unity in the team.
I cannot imagine Ramos pinning up jokes from the Sun on the changing room wall, or Fabregas’ comment about the Arsenal Ladies team. Harry is certainly more of a friend to the players, and bringing in players that were left out in the cold under Ramos shows that he is bringing everyone together. The individuals become a team.
The players say he has given them confidence, but subconsciously he has also given them a reason to fight.
When Jenas scored that 3rd goal I was happy. We may have lost, but we had come out with respect. The win at Bolton had not been a flash in the pan, but the start of something. Watch fanzone, see how happy the fan is that we have scored three. 4-3 showed progress.
With Ramos in charge I was dreading a mauling as the team did not show any passion or stomach for a fight. The performances and score lines had been so bad you could have forgiven the players if they felt the same. Having got back into the game with Bent’s goal, to then go two goals behind again 60 seconds later, heads could have dropped. But they didn’t stop, if anything in added time they raised their game, put men forward and got that goal that will live in the memory forever. The relief was there for all to see, but it was not just relief. The players showed they could step up, they could fight, that they could compete and they were no longer the punch line to every office email. No wonder they were all buzzing.
Then three days later we face the unbeaten league leaders. We go one down inside two minutes. It would have been easy for the bubble to have burst, especially after the way Liverpool had held out Chelsea for most of the game at the Bridge. Liverpool had chance after chance, and we were struggling to create anything, but the players kept going. Even when we got the equaliser, they kept going. I would have been happy with the draw, but the players had something to prove, they could sense the three points, and they got them.
I cannot recall a game where we have won when the opposition has been on top for most of the game and have created a lot of chances while we have created so few. Normally we are the ones who have created chance after chance only to draw or lose due to late goals. If we faced a well organised, disciplined and hard working team, we struggled. When you add it was against a team of Liverpool’s quality, it’s a remarkable achievement.
Alex Ferguson is often noted as a manager who creates a siege mentality in his players. His numerous spats with the media, opposition managers, the FA and referees are often seen as the rants of a mad old Scotsman, but maybe it’s something deeper. They certainly create a spirit and unity in the team.
I cannot imagine Ramos pinning up jokes from the Sun on the changing room wall, or Fabregas’ comment about the Arsenal Ladies team. Harry is certainly more of a friend to the players, and bringing in players that were left out in the cold under Ramos shows that he is bringing everyone together. The individuals become a team.
The players say he has given them confidence, but subconsciously he has also given them a reason to fight.