ThurcroftOwl

I met Gary Megson and Martin Hodges at the Double Barrel in Thurcroft in 1984. Both down to Earth and likeable blokes. Megson was about to leave for Forest and l did venture to suggest that our midfield would be fcuked without him. The transfer turned out to be a disaster with Clough soon realising that Meggo could not trap a bag of cement. Hodge had a lot to say about the spectacular progress we were making under Howard Wilkinson, and the Stella soaked audience all agreed that he was our best goalie since Springett. The other thing l remember is that he did not hold a certain Mr Stainrod in high regard, describing him as an arrogant bum.

Would much prefer Argyle to go up with us as long as they are in second place at the end of the season. Have not got much time for Ipswich and don’t think they have forgiven us for sending them down from the old first division in 1986. Can still picture Terry Butcher crying a river at the cop end when the final whistle blew.

There is no way fan footage should be utilised to investigate on field incidents. It is all too easy to edit or otherwise manipulate digital imagery. If the officials don’t see it and var is unavailable that should be the end of the matter.

Was sat with my brother in the north. The tie looked out of sight for Chelsea as we coasted to 3 nil. The second half was a nightmare. The Dixon goal looked a yard offside and it did not get any better when the little Welsh goblin scored. In the end we were lucky to snatch an equaliser.

I watched the Derby match and they were pretty unimpressive for 75 minutes against a mediocre Port Vale side. Dobbin made the difference late in the game, by which time Vale were absolutely knackered. With anything like a full squad we are much better than Derby.

Any team with a modicum of quality and confidence can give us big problems if they press high, keep our wing backs pinned in and engage in the kind of shithousery that gets under the skin of our ball players and encourages haste and error. Barnsley did all this with aplomb today and deserved their win. DM has some great qualities and has attracted some good players but l do worry about his inability to work out an effective plan b when a team stops us utilising our slick passing game. I would have had vaulkes on at half time for bakinson, and put smith on as well to give us the option of hitting it early and long. Mcguiness should have stayed on for his heading ability, which may well have stopped yet another soft goal from a cross.

Am going for two nightmare matches. One was the Everton game in the mid 80’s when we could have gone top of the old first division and got hammered. 5 down at half time, finished 5 -1 l think with fatty Reid running amok in midfield. Other one was the Chelsea cup tie in 84 l think. 3-0 up and cruising. Collapsed after half time with that loathsome little rat Thomas scoring and Dixon poaching a goal that was way offside. Ended 4-4 and we lost the replay.

My dad was born on the Wybourne and then moved to the then new Parsons cross estate in the 1940's. He used to talk about seeing Wednesday players in the local chippies when they earned about 7 quid a week just after the war :) For me the Owls are in the blood, even though I was born and still live in Rotherham.

' if you don't someone you should try walking a mile in their shoes. That way you will be a mile away from them, and you will have their shoes"

My gut feeling is for another draw. 2-2 JJ and Antonio