..And now we’re solid – solid as a rock
The immortal words of Ashford and Simpson October 1984 transposed nicely on Saturday by Messrs Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson. One of the best displays our defence has seen in many many years. After the pasting of the poultry farmers on Tuesday, courtesy of a cross from Hadi Sacko deftly turned into the net by Big Chris Wood, and then that header from Bartley from a free kick, it was onwards and upwards for the early morning trip to South Wales.
Due to lack of interest / apathy following Huddersfield / long distance to travel / allergy to Wales / early kick off due to “Skew” Sports / the prospect of a heavy-night-of-drinking-instead-of -going-to-bed-and then-a-full-day-out (delete as appropriate), there was a select group of travellers who turned out bleary eyed in the early hours of Saturday. The passengers who perhaps were looking forward to a nice bit of kip after being out since 9pm and ending up at McDonalds feasting on a Big Mac Meal at 2.30am, were sadly disappointed as the Battlebus rolled on into the night courtesy of DJ Tim The Driver and the 80s Smash Hits Mega Mix cd.
However, after a (brief) refreshment stop, it was wagons roll onto Junction 33 and then onwards to Cardiff stadium, sans the unlucky two (apologies, but when the Boys In Blue say we gotta go – we gotta go! See Fanzine Issue 11, page 11 for further reference). We were greeted by bright sunshine and all was good in the Land of Sheep and Bluebirds-not Red Dragons.
The goalkeeper keeping his Kisnorbo headgear, perhaps channelling the inner spirit of Tuesdays storm up the table, and new Captain Bartleys’ good account pre match, gave us a positive edge. What appeared to be a non event from the stand, of Luke Aylings’ tackle in the first half, actually looked like a two footed lunge on the replay – oops, and the first half could be summed up with neither side having bragging rights really… then out came the sunshine. Well, out came an arm, crashing down on Jansson in the box, and Wood dried up all the pain/rain with his cool and calm penalty. On the telly (yes – I recorded it), there was much discussion about the “new rules”, albeit not so new, actually rules that have always been there but are now being “focused on” this season by referees. Which begs the question, are all rules meant to be ignored until “focused on” by referees? Last season, it was “excessive response to gain advantage” or in normal speak “doing an Ashley Young”. However, as much as I disdain the Japan 2020 Olympic Pool hopeful (sorry Tom Daley), the truth is that most footballers do this, even our players, not just in the PremierInnShip. We all laugh at the replays that the social media-ites post for us, and pour scorn on the likes of Costa yet ignore the fact that Becchio and Beckford were guilty of the same, as were Viduka and Kewell, but the less said about that traitor the better really. Both teams were guilty as charged for wrestling in the box, but having just been warned by the referee for handbags-at-five-paces, Paul Trollope was on unsteady ground moaning about the unfair decision on Connelly.
Back to the game, one – nil up, two shots off Green’s post with help from the “you’ll never beat Kisnorbo” bandage and some storming defending by newbie Jansson stamped our authority on the game. Hernandez greedily shot wide despite a fantastic Wood run into space but then redeemed himself with that cracking shot, which I believe was Skew Sports News HQ’s Goal Of The Day. Cut to shot of the Secretary looking rather peeved that the customary Leeds-to-win bet hadn’t been placed and there you have it. Winner winner – chicken dinner. Pontus Jansson and Captain Bartley chased round the pitch by a cameraman at the final whistle, hey presto – finish where we started.
Well done Garry-with-two-Rs! The team look like they are gelling, the Ayling Bartley Jansson trio at the back seems to be getting better and betterer. Stuart Dallas giving us a bit more of an option in midfield and Kane making a good start. If we get a whole season out of Wood, who knows where that will take us. Blackburn tomorrow, perhaps Monk will keep the faith with Tyler Denton and the team that took it to Luton Town, who knows. Either way our defence is getting stronger, the foundation to Fortress Elland Road.
Cheers
MPO
