Ooooh Adam Collin!

Rotherham v Blackpool, New York Stadium, sat nov 29th 2014, Att 9381

Only a week had passed since the Birmingham debacle but Steve had rung the changes big time. Out went Ryan Hall (Notts County), Nicky Walker (Grimsby), Richard Brindley (Scunny), and Rob Millsom ( on the never ending road to Bury). In came Leeds defender Scott Wootton, Tom Lawrence from Leicester, a striker, and Rees James, a defender from none other than Manchester United. It could have been so much better though. I got up to put some washing on and on re-entering the bedroom caught Ian saying  '..........signed Darren Bent'. 'What!!', I exclaimed. Darren Bent,The Darren Bent, former England stiker and firm favourite of mine. Today was the second best day of my life, better than my wedding day, beaten only by the Wembly Win, and beating having children into the distance. 'Brighton have signed Darren Bent', he repeated. Ah. 

If only........

I made porridge, in the jug, and waved out the window at the ever present single magpie. I am starting to get fed up with this superstition malarkey. 'Blackpool is not a must win game' stated the advertiser. Ian and I begged to differ. This was a must win game of the highest degree. 'The cereal situation is at DefCom Bravo' said Chris. Our situation was at DefCom Alpha. 

Vicky had, wisely, decided that her boyfriend Alex's 21st birthdate took precedence over football and had bailed for today so Ian and I took the walk to the New York Tavern alone. As soon as we reached Woolys table they all shouted 'Have you seen the team!!'. It appeared that Steve had decided to try something new, like dropping everyone and starting afresh. No Revell, Frecklington, Arneson, Scarz, Clarke-Harris, Taylor or Bowery. All the new loanees were playing. The want away Broadfoot had guilted his way back into the heart of defence. And somehow Derbyshire was back in the team up front. The natives in the Tavern were very restless, whispers of he dosent know what he's doing, he's clueless, he has no tactical idea were mooted. Even he wasn't happy and he appears to be a relative.

His brother?

I texted Vicky with the news and her reply was far from complimentery.

'4-5-1 with only Derbyshire up front?!?!?????? What is that?!??????? Good luck watching that crap!! Where's Arni and revell and frecks?!?!??????? '

Everyone also agreed with us, this was the must win game of all must win games.

We strolled down to the ground and entered via turnstyle 10, no more 11 or 12 for us. I took my seat and there was a big gap beside me.

In truth there were big gaps all around, although old guy on the end appeared and gave me a beaming smile. 'She didn't last long did she' he said of the absent Heather. 'No' I replied, 'she can't stand the tension'. Miller Bear was playing the crowd nearby, kissing children and old ladies. Vicky will be sorry she missed it.

The new team appeared to polite applause and much bemusement. Pringle had The Bandage on, unfortunately it was only the wrist which does not guarantee victory like The Head Bandage, but is a good sign. Frank sang, we kicked and the ref blew his whistle. We actually started quite well, passed the ball a bit and created a few half chances. Blackpool were poor and created nothing. A trainer flew from the back and landed at the side of the pitch, followed by a small, hopping, boy. A very sweet Blackpool player, Nathan Delfouneso, warming up, retrieved it and brought it to the stand for him. Awwww.

Such a sweetheart...

The villainous Nile ranger was a thorn in Broadfoots side, using his elbow and weight a couple of times, and leading to his substitution just before halftime. Arneson came on to replace him to huge applause. 

At least he didn't pull out a gun and shoot him.

Such a scary man...

The ref blew for half-time at 0-0. Not bad but not brilliant, and once again we had failed to score.

The tweeters were discussing the absent sideshow Bob at halftime and wondering if they had scared him off. One of them ripped a piece of paper up into small pieces and vowed to launch it if we scored, to much hilarity. The teams reappeared, Frank sang, off we went again. This half we ran out of steam a bit and were pretty poor, as were Blackpool. Nothing really happened and we all got bored. Steve decided to bring Bowery on, replacing A Loanee. We blustered a bit more, and then it happened. Derbyshire headed on to Bowery who deftly shifted the ball and shot into the bottom corner. We had scored. Paper floated down and the Fratellis played Chelsea Dagger. The sun came out, people were smiling and hugging each other, Steve was yelling to keep it tight. Only ten minutes to survive against a team bottom of the league with virtually no points. Surely we couldn't slip up, Blackpool were rubbish. Bad news for us was that Adam Collin is clearly a huge Blackpool fan. He took a swing at an admittedly tricky ball and kicked only air. A lurking Blackpool player couldn't believe his luck as he stroked the ball home. Disaster. We huffed and puffed a bit more but two goals in a game is beyond us and it finished all square. We had thrown away two points and it felt like a defeat. We hadn't won the must win game. If only we had signed Darren Bent. Next up Cardiff away and a certain Mr LeFondre.

Men of the match

Ian-Wooton

Jackie - Lawrence

Funniest moment - The Shoe

Quote of the day - 'MillerBear ******off that's my seat' Guy at the front before the match.