BARCELONA AWAY, DECEMBER 10TH, I MEAN 11TH.

By Mark Deeks
December 15 2002

BARCELONA AWAY, DECEMBER 10TH, I MEAN 11TH. Yes, this game was supposed to be played on the 10th, but due to rain in Spain it had to wait until the 11th. 1000s of fans had to go home early.

BARCELONA AWAY
DECEMBER 10TH, I MEAN 11TH.

Was is possible for there to be any more odds stacked against us? Take away our lethal strikeforce through self enforced absences, add in to the pot Barcelona going for a record 270th straight European win (something like that anyway), and then the rains came down. Do you know what my first thought was when I heard the game had been called off?

"Dougie."

You see North West Corner Legends Dougie and Janice were off to see the Toon take on the might of Barcelona first thing on Tuesday morning. I'm sure we all know someone with a horror tale of this week's Euro excursion, but anyway.... An afternoon in the city, followed by a once in a lifetime chance to experience the Nou Camp, and a return flight immediately after the game. Oh yeh, and a 7am start at Morrisons on Wednesday morning to cap it off!

I on the other hand, was working till 9pm and wouldn't get back to the TV until ten minutes from the end, and so had the video set.

I cannot comprehend how cheesed off all those Toon fans must have been when they found out about the postponement. I think I have only ever experienced one late call-off in my football watching lifetime. Southampton at home, last season I think, when SJP passed two snow covered pitch inspections, only for it to fail it's third as I passed the Angel of the North. After 3 and a half hours on the motorway.

But this week's must have been immeasurably more galling. So Dougie and Janice were £400 lighter, and had no chance of seeing the match. Gutted.

But to those who managed to stay out there, I can only say "Fair play". Well done lads n lasses. Above and beyond the call of duty and that.... You made a great noise which could clearly be heard on the TV, and deserve every last ounce of credit you can get.

As for the actual game, I was proud of all who pulled on the shirt. Especially big Shola. What a performance! The kid could have had a hat-trick on another night, and was really outstanding. The rest of the lads gave their all, and with a bit more guile (not the first time I've written that phrase this season), could definitely have got at least a point.

The most frustrating thing was that Barca's 2nd and 3rd goals both followed periods of sustained Toon pressure. But I'm not worried. I'm not ashamed. We were neither outplayed or outclassed, and it's all great experience for the young team that we have. With a top four finish in the domestic league again this season, we will surely go on to reap the rewards of the current Euro campaign in the near future.

On a final thought, WKD. What were you doing? Perhaps you were getting in some practice for the Christmas charades sessions around at Mother Dyer's?!? Is it a teapot? George Formby leaning on a bus stop, waiting for a pretty lady to come by??!?!? Come on lad! Concentrate. At least if you are going to try and make yourself look like the lad in the changing room, looking to see what's stuck to the bottom of his foot in the WKD adverts (funny coincidence that, eh?), then DO IT IN FRONT OF THE LINE!!!!!

Til next time. Keep the faith.