As if the weather isn’t bad enough, look who’s coming on Sunday.
Like the damp patch on the ceiling that will only get worse or a tax bill that’s got to be paid by the end of the month, the impending arrival of our next opponents is the sort of thing grows in dread anticipation as the days go on and it gets nearer. It has to happen eventually so may as well get it over with while we’re in a bit of a festive spirit. Think of it like having to visit your nan before you got your pocket money.
The circus will be coming to town with all its accompanying hype and hangers-on. Fortunately it’s a lot harder for them to get tickets these days and touting is virtually impossible so we should be spared the sight of any of their supporters getting into places where they shouldn’t. We should also be spared the meerkat impressions from our own should they score. They’re best ignored in any case.
They’re rolling into B6 in a bit better form than they were a few weeks ago, which is to be expected. They do, though, still have the same set-up that’s caused so much hilarity for the past few seasons. Their owners are still the sort of brazen shysters that would make Michelle Mone blush. Their manager hadn’t managed outside Portugal until he arrived there and he very likely wishes he still hadn’t, although he’ll probably change his mind for a bit when he gets his contract paid off.
Their players are the most overpaid bunch of no-hopers since ours in 2016 got more than minimum wage. And their supporters are the same as they’ve always been, with an added bit of demanding to know why they don’t win every trophy anymore.
Our team might have some of the injuries back, including one who owes us the best performance of his career against these. Our record against them isn’t going to be mentioned, but it ends here. There is absolutely nothing to fear, no apprehension and no excuses. We’ve got a better team, better players, the moral high ground and Unai Emery. Get out there, seek and destroy.
