Getting ready for the Steel City derby
Hello, I'm Michael Gray and I play for Sheffield Wednesday. This season I have been given the difficult task of stepping into Gavin Strachan's shoes to write the BBC's Football League player blog. He is now playing for Corby Town in the Blue Square North and everybody wishes him well.
I am completely new to all of this so please bear with me while I get settled into the swing of writing the blog.
What perfect timing to get started as the first derby of the season is upon us when we play at Sheffield United on Friday. We seem to have been talking about it since the fixtures came out so it will be nice just to get out there and sample the atmosphere of a big derby once again.
This is a game where form goes out of the window and passion and bragging rights take over.
I am sure that all across Sheffield both sets of fans have been looking forward to this game - maybe more so than the players.
It is the game where half the city go to work on Monday morning with a smile on their faces (and maybe a slight hangover) and the other half dread seeing their mates who support the other side.
I had not been at Sheffield Wednesday long when the first fan told me of the importance of the Steel City derby. And when I got my first taste of it I certainly was not disappointed.
A 95-year record was on the line of beating them home and away. You could sense the tension on the coach during the short journey to the game. The lads were just itching to get out there and give everything they had to win it.
The atmosphere was electric and we got off to a fantastic start with a great strike from Tommy Spurr in the first minute. Then United started to get a few chances themselves and drew level through Arturo Lupoli.
But we did not let our heads drop and kept pressing. And what a goal to win a derby and break a 95-year record.
Marcus Tudgay collected the ball on the halfway line and the rest was history. When the ball left his foot from near 30 yards it was only heading in one direction and that was the top corner past Paddy Kenny.
Michael Gray (left) represents Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby
I've been fortunate to be involved in some amazing derby games, including Sunderland v Newcastle and Celtic v Rangers, and you never forget the great memories from them.
We went to St James' Park two years in a row as underdogs and beat them 2-1 on both occasions. That was incredible.
Kevin Phillips lobbed Shay Given to win the first and Niall Quinn rose to meet a cross from myself to take the spoils in the second. Those games were very special to me and I will never forget them as long as I live.
The Celtic-Rangers game! I thought nothing could be bigger than a north-east derby until I went to play for Celtic. How wrong could I be! We played at Ibrox and beat them 1-0 with a John Hartson header.
The build-up to the game started two weeks beforehand. Everybody from people in shops, restaurants and just walking in the streets were telling me how much we needed to win against the arch rivals.
It was crazy how passionate they were - and I found out why when I was standing in the tunnel.
The noise in the ground was like nothing I had heard before. The hairs on my neck were standing up and there was no hiding place - you just had to perform.
And that is what I'm expecting once again on Friday night.
Leading into the game, both ourselves and United have come off the back of a midweek defeat.
For us, it was a frustrating night against Middlesbrough when we were beaten 3-1 at home. Luke Varney scored his first goal of the season and it was a sensational strike but that was cancelled out by some costly errors.
Middlesbrough's Jeremie Aliadiere celebrates after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday
It is never a good idea to present a team of Middlesbrough's quality with scoring opportunities but that is what we did on Tuesday and we were punished for it, despite playing some good stuff.
The players will quickly put that to the back of their minds now because we all know the importance of Friday's match.
It's also a game that will recognise the Children's Hospital in Sheffield with fundraising opportunities so all of the city will be supporting the derby.
Sheffield Wednesday became the first club in the Football League to give its shirt sponsorship to a charity this year and that is something everyone at Wednesday is very proud of.
To know that more than three points and bragging rights will be at stake from this game, and that we can all do good by supporting the Children's Hospital, puts the match into perspective.
I hope it is a fantastic game at Bramall Lane, with lots of passion, and that the 3,000 travelling Wednesday fans come away with big smiles on their faces.
Hi, I'm Michael Gray. I've played more than 500 league games for Sunderland, Celtic, Blackburn, Leeds, Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday over the past 17 seasons. I'm currently enjoying life at ambitious Sheffield Wednesday and the aim of my blog is to provide an insight into the life of a footballer.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~02~RS~)
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Good first blog mr Gray, look forward to reading many more, Good luck on Friday!
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Come on you red and white wizards
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Nice column although I want the 3,000 wendy ites to be leaving with tears in their eyes! Up the blades cum on Blackwell surly Brian Laws cant sus youout aagin. A very Scary 1-0 win to the Blades for me.
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phillips didn't chip it over shay given, tommy wright was in goal that night michael, come on, all us red and whites remember that.
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I've just turned down a bacon sandwich in the office, I can't even look at anything red and white at the moment..
Up the Owls!!
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Alreet Mickey, i'd like to know what you think of Sunderland and how we're doing under Steve Bruce and Quinny? where do you think we can finish in the league this season? Also, do you get a chance to get back up home often?
Cheers marra.
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Come on Wednesday
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It wasn't Shay Given in goals Micky, it was Tommy Wright. Good luck for the season
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A good start Michael.
My main memory of your career to date a fantastic goal you scored for Wolves at Selhurst Park about 18 months ago. Can I ask - did you mean to hit it that sweetly?
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With all due respect Michael, I hope you have a stinker on Friday. Welcome to blogging, all the same.
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Welcome Michael. As a Wednesday fan, I shall be following this blog with great interest. Hope you enjoy another Sheffield derby, good luck for Friday! Up the owls!! :)
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I hope blades fans dont feel the need to be abusive on this blog. Good start michael feel free to start fridays game at the lane the way you did last season. UTO!!
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Derby between the two teams at the home of football. It doesn't come any bigger than this! Up the blades, it's going to be a cracker!
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C'mon moderators!!!!!!!
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Hi Michael, im a liverpool and sheffield wednesday fan, im a local lad and got down to the match at the weekend at hillsborough against forest. I thought we played well and controlled the match, apart from the sloppy early goal conceded. Just wondering what the players thought about the perceived time wasting tactics Forest employed from the first minute, im presuming they heard the crowd getting fustrated about it.
I was very confused as i expected Forest to put up a very strong challenge and in reality they just hit the long ball, wasted time and were outplayed for 90 minutes. Your thoughts?
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I don't really follow football outside of the Premiership, and know very little of the teams in the championship, but I always watch the Sheffield Derby (I'm from Yorkshire, so its the biggest derby we've got) and just love the passion of the fans and players- it means so much to everyone involved- especially in these times of recession, when 90 m inutes can lift the mood of half the city it really is what football's all about.
Good luck to both team (although I've got it as a draw in my accumulator!)
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Well done on the first Blog Michael.
You know when you have that feeling, where you are either 98% Excited and 2% Nervous, but don't actually know if it's hte other way round.....That's how I've been feeling all week.
Can't wait for tomorrow night.
Oh, and can I just say, that I am proud to be a fan of a club that is so, selfless and gives up a 6 figure shirt sponsorship deal in aid of Charity....Just shows that Lee Straford is turning us in to a community club :-)
UP THE OWLS!!!!
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Well hello michael gray. Now, everybody realises you are new to blogging. Therefore you, have given a competent honest blog of how you think derby games compare. Now it is difficult to compare the standards of football between scotland and England, but you can compare atmosphere. which you say was electric wherever you have played, hopefully the steel city derby is no different.
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Great first blog Michael!
Good luck to the Wednesday boys tomorrow night! As long as the lads give it everything they've got (and I'm sure they will) then we can hold our heads high!
Mind you, another wonder goal would be nice! :)
Up the Owls!
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Good to read the thoughts of one of our boys, Michael - here's hoping that you can tell us about how good it felt to win at Bramall Lane again in the blog next week! UTO!
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I thought you did very well during your loan spell at leeds and wish you good luck for the rest of your career and i hope you get a result on friday night. just a quick question. do they still call brian laws 'the colonel' from his chicken wings incident at grimbsy?
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Good Luck for Friday Micky
We miss you down the Wolves, I think your experience would of been useful for us this season
Always gave us 100% - Top man!
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Michael, a welcome addition to the site! If I remember rightly, you were pretty unlucky not to play more for England? Would it be rude to ask how old you are with 17 years in quality football under your belt? Looking forward to hearing about life in the Championship this season
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what did you think of your time at leeds united?
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Great Blog Mr Gray.
Good luck on Friday, looking forward to going to one of Wednesday's old stadiums to gain three points!
Up The Owls!
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Put some humor in the next blog, just one joke or quip at least.
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Good Blog Michael
I hope we put them to the sword tomorrow but I think it will be a very tough match!
Come on the Owls and all the best for the rest of the season mate!
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Excellent first blog Michael. As a life long Wednesday fan it is nice to see one of our players chosen to give an insight into all things football - and SWFC.
Well, like so many other fans across south yorkshire i am starting to feel excited about the derby tomorrow and who will win the bragging rights (Wednesday of course!!). Lets just hope that it is an entertaining match and that football is the main focus of the night and the weekend. Come on you Owls fans get behind the team and lets bring the rights home.
Good luck to both teams and enjoy writing your blog Michael, i will be following with great interest.
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Mickey - just seen this on the website and as a Sunderland supporter for the past 35 years I have to say that you were one of the better players I have watched in that time. You hadd a great career at SAFC and nsome memorable games.
Good to see you still playing and enjoying the game at Sheff Wed (a proper football club).
Would love to see you play at the SOL again for one last time and maybe the cup will allow that. You would be welcomed back with open arms.
Thanks for all the good times.
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Good start, Michael. I will be looking out for future contributions.
I thought your performance at SJP when the mighty Mags stuffed Wednesday was good considering how long in the tooth you must be. Unfortunately, I was at SJP for the games you refer to but I had more pleasing ones at SOL and SJP as well.
I hope you beat SU as I feel they will be more of threat to Newcastle than SW.
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Excellent first blog Micky. It seems that you are a good person to have around for derby matches, victories for sunderland, celtic and wednesday you must be a good luck charm! Although it has to be said you turned up at the right time to play for wednesday in the steel city derby before Mr Laws turned up our derby form was less that spectacular to say the least!
Good luck tomorrow night hope you and the lads bring home the points for us and good luck for the rest of the season. Top man.
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Good start - I seem to recall you used to have longish hair. Can you tell us more about the back-stage kind of things? Cheers!
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Haway Micky, I can't believe you're claiming the Old Firm was a bigger ocassion than beating the skunks in their own back yard!! Good blog though, keep it up and good luck for Friday night.
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Great blog Michael.
All SAFC fans remember those derby games with fond memories, the lashing North East rain, doing a fine impression of a monsoon, could not dampen the spirits. Derby games are fantastic, although only the victor ever remembers the outcome - lost derby matches are quickly pushed from the memory. What a pity that, as top team in the North East, Sunderland will have to wait for our local rivals to clammer from the depths of oblivion to pit our wits against them once again further down the line.
Keep it up Michael, great first installment
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Good start and a lucky derby mascot! But are you sitting on the fence re which is the biggest derby atmosphere of the 3 derbies you have had the pleasure of?
The Hoops v Gers has got to be the biggest of the 3 but the Steel City must be more than one of two towns that just happen to be near each other. In Glasgow its a religious devide in Sheffield there is no devide, Schools are devided, work is devided even families and brothers are devided.
The common thread and the one thought that unites across Sheffield is the hatred of Leeds but as they are never coming back up it doesn't matter!
Come on Wednesday but I predict a draw!
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Great first blog,
Always gave 100% for the old gold, Wish you were still with us. As previously said your experience could of been very useful this year
Good Luck to Wednesday and yourself for the rest of the season, I always enjoyed the away days to Sheffield
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Great first blog Mickey and good luck in the derby.
Your cross for Quinniniho at St James' really left a mark on me. During an evening of celebration, I walked into a door frame and split my lip and got a black eye.
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Mike,
Nice start.
Looking forward to the game on Friday,especially after the game at the Ricoh on Tuesday :-(
COYRAWW!
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Was always disappointed you never stayed beyond your loan at celtic - we were crying out for a left back for the next 2 years! Hope you still keep a wee eyte on the results north of the border. All the best.
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Great to see a player representing The Owls on this blog site.
Just wanted say you've been a fantastic buy for Wednesday. Highly impressed with your ability and a work rate you would normally expect from a 20 yr old, not 35. I hope you enjoy your time at Wednesday and achieve great success with the team.
My first Sheffield derby was the legendary 4-0 Boxing Day Massacre in 1979. On that day a 3 div (old) record crowd of 49,000 turned up even though there were no buses running that day. I think people outside Sheffield are generally unaware and therefore surprised when they witness of the amount of rivalry between the two supporters. Having also lived in Manchester, I feel the rivalry is even worse here than it is there.
Hoping you stick 3 past them on Friday!
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Hi Mickey, a mackem in Malaysia here. A few years back you were a very close neighbour of my brother-in-law in Cleadon near the SAFC training facilities.
Oh how I loved it when you scored that cracker at SJP but sadly I had to keep my cheers subdued coz that was the game when no away fans were allowed in. As you know Mickey, there were still a few in and what a great memories you gave us.
Hope all goes well and pleased that you're still enjoying your football.
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Nice blog Michael. Let's just hope that you and the boys are up for it again on Friday. Carry on playing the way you are and not many teams will get the better of us!
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Great Blog Mickey.
Get yourself back to Elland Road, superb for us last time round, never forget that game against Preston that gave us, ultimately false, hope of staying up. A great individual performance from yourself that night.
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Nice to see the Owls getting even more exposure and congratulations on being asked !!
Good Luck on Friday - another 6 points wouldn't go amiss :) Personally I think we'll nick it 1 - 0 because United will be trying so hard after last season I think they'll try TOO hard and lose their heads !!
UTO
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Michael, Forest fan here.
I was at Hillsborough on Saturday for the game and just wondered what you thought of us as a side? I actually think we would have won the game had Blackstock doubled our lead after about 15 minutes but he missed a sitter! I thought second half we were on the back foot somewhat, with your lot dominating but still felt we had a chance to nick it on the counter or from a set piece. Were you surprised we didn't bring on Rob Earnshaw? On his day, he's one of the best strikers in the league and should have started the game.
Good luck on Friday and with the rest of your career.
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As a Wednesday fan living 4000 miles away in the US, it's great to read this blog. Keep it up Michael! Looking forward to a win this weekend.
UTO
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#14... Drinking early eh..??
Good Start Michael... Celtic fan who echoes the earlier sentiment that you should have been given a contract at Celtic.. proper Left Back.. good luck
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Good first blog mr gray nice to see its going good for you at the owls.Always gave 100% for the wolves.But got to say what about playing in the wolves sandwell town derby.Thats got to have been up there in your derby matches.All the best for the rest of the season.
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Half decent first blog attempt Mickey!
Form is temorary, quality is permanent. You're quality, 'nuff said!
I look forward to reading about a footballers life, behind the scenes stuff and all the works!
Good luck tomorrow! If the lads give us their best, that's all we ask, and if they do, we'll win it.
Don't be too harsh on the Blades, they're a bit down at the moment as it is after their defeat at the hands of the 'mighty' Coventry!
I'll get the champagne ready!
Cheers!
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Nice blog, hope you score a screamer of your own on friday, although i dont care if its from 3 or 30 yards!
COME ON YOU BLUE AND WHITE WIZZARDS!
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Great first Blog Mickey of which I will be following with interest!
As a life long Owl that also remembers the 1979 4-0 thrashing of the Blunts, I dont remember many players of your quality that has graced the turf at Hillsborough in the time since....Your a credit the the Club.. Well done!
Here's to as many more years as you can in the blue and white.
Come on you Owls.....!
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great first post, michael. looking forward to read more of your posts in the future.
and good luck to you this weekend - im going to say it will be a draw.
http://wdkf.co.uk/
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Good first blog! Big shoes to fill, GS was excellent last year.
Not asking this as a WUM, but what was the real story behind the rooney incident? Always been curious what happened, and the press always seem to sensationalize things a bit!
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I wonder how you will get on personally, with the pressure of a derby and all...if there is a penalty, will you take it, would you fancy it under such pressure? I imagine you will probably celebrate if you win, perhaps go to a restaurant and relax.I wonder how the top stars prepare for a derby, the likes of Wayne Rooney. Especially somebody like him who would need to channel his aggression, perhaps he finds ways of an evening to vent it constructively
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Good start Mickey, hope the good form continues tomorrow night.
I'm delighted that you're doing this blog now, it makes a nice change to be able to read something about Wednesday on these pages, and with everything going on at S6 since Strafford took over i believe we're definitely a club worthy of some decent exposure.
Always a tough game at their place but another performance like last season and we'll nick it again! UTO.
PS. Dig deep for the Children's Hospital!
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Good first blog Michael. Looking forward to hearing what you thought of your time at the famous Glasgow Celtic Football Club. Mon the hoops!
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Great to see you're still doing it...
MIchael Gray and true Charlton legend, always welcome at The Valley
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Good to have you on here. Would love to hear more behind-the-scenes stuff about derby days, seeing as you've been in some of the best. Best of luck for tomorrow.
Up the Owls!
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Great start Mickey!
Follow The Mackems
mumpy73
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Nice to see your playing at a top level michael. cheers for the micky gray shuffle works a treat in 5 aside down silksworth.
Do you fancy us for Europe this year?
Good luck
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Good luck from the owls in Houston, Texas. We'll be watching you in the Richmond Arms here as the game is on Sentanta, so do us proud. I grew up in Oughtibridge and peddled my bike to Leppings Lane when I was a teenager in the 50s, and for several years never missed a home game.
It is also excellent that your column will be read all over the world (except China, where I couldn't get the BBC website during my last visit), and give Wednesday some much-needed exposure. You will doubtless flush out a lot of expat owls to write, and I hope they do!
Looking forward to your next one.
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The Mickey Gray shuffle - mint! Think we all had a pop at that one on 5-a-side courts all over Wearside (it's even graced the odd court in Dubai, but with probably less panache).
Bizarrely, Mickey must be one of the few players that was loved more AFTER he missed a pen - but we ALL felt that one, sunshine – and he'll always be a Mackem.
Good blog Mickey lad, and nice to see you still playing for a real club at a good level. Best of luck marra.
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I miss the days of Sheff Weds, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Leicester, Crystal Palace, Norwich and Leeds in the premiership. The good old days.
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Mickey, we miss you and your lush blonde hair at Leeds! We need you at left-back, Ben Parker (our only decent left-back) is injured so we're struggling! Help us out. Great blog too.
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Nice blog!
Hope there's a decent atmosphere at the Lane and not trouble!!!
CMON YOU RED AND WHITE WIZZZZARDDDZZZZZZZZ!!!
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Hi Michael, good blog.
Does Brian Laws have you guys train in passing on the floor? I only ask as when Forest played you, Wednesday seemed to play hoofball up field every minute.
Good luck for the season
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Nice start Mickey
hope we start like we did the last time we played at the sty.
Gray to Spurr bang 1-0
come on the owls
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reply to no6
i think sunderland have a great chance of europe this season especially if they keep going the way they are at the moment.
steve is a top fella who i have got alot of time for.an definately the right man for the job.
hes made some great signings and they have clicked with the rest of the players straight away wich is graet.
and what a fantastic job niall has done since taking over as chairman. just hope he doestnt expect me to call him that the next time i see him.
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Good blog Michael.
Glad to see your still wearing the Blue and White, just like at Blackburn Rovers. Loved you when you were here, especially when you set up the winning goal for Pedersen at Old Trafford. What a memorable afternoon. I'm afraid to tell you though that the best derby is Blackburn - Burnley. Not the Sheffield derby. All the best in the rest of your career. Your welcome back at Ewood any day.
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reply to no8
sorry for getting the goalkeeper wrong but it was still a great goal in a great game.
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reply to no9
i must admit ive not scored many like that in my career but as soon as it left my foot i knew where it was going.
the atmosphere was great that game so it was great to score a goal like that.
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Good blog Michael,
I think there's slightly more than half of Sheffield in the Blue and White! Apart from that good read.
Remember meeting you in person at the Canary Wharf Hilton when you were with Wolves, I went along with my friend who is a London Wolves fan, the look on Mick McCarthy's face was priceless when I said I was Wednesday! You had some good views then so keep up the blogging.
Cheers and don't let us down on Friday, no pressure then.
WTID
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reply to no16
yes it was frustrating all the way thru the game,
not to sure if the multiball is a good or bad thing but it didnt seem to matter to forest.
not to sure if they will be enloying the type of football they play but it istnt my team so i wldnt want to comment on that.
still thougt we did enough to win the game tho
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reply to no18
yes the chairman is doing an amazing job so far.
at the end of the day he is a fan and wants the best for the club.
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reply to no 19
when i went to play for celtic it wastnt for as long as i maybe first hoped.
i had a fantastic time up there.
i got to play in the champions league wich was amazing.
i reccomend to anyone to go and watch a game up there just to whitness it for yourself.
the steel city derby atmosphere is fantastic and i cant wait for the game to get underway.
all the talking has been done now so lets hope its a great game.
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reply to no24
i was a bit gutted not to play a few more times for england.
three games three draws but nobody can take those memories away from me now.
still would have been nice to have been on a winning side tho.
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Good luck for tomorrow Mickey, a repeat of last season at the're place would be great!
Also, some excellent performances from you so far this season. We've been unlucky in that the two games we've lost we've played really well - another day we'd get something out of them...i reckon your due a goal and against them tomorrow nite would be perfect.
UP THE OWLS
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reply to no25
loved every minute of it. both times.
fantastic fans who deserve to be in the premiership never mind league !.
im sure it wont be long before that changes though.
i have spoken to ken bates many times since he took over as leeds utd chairman
if anybody can get leeds back to the bigtime its him.
good luck
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reply to no30
yeah it would be great to play against sunderland just 1 more time.
i played against (US)!!!!! twice after i left with blacburn and won both times but was very nervous on both occasions so it would be nice to soak up the memories just 1 more time.
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reply to no31
yes we all have our own memories of certain games and i didnt really want to mention the games i lost there.
i ot a lovely recepion all the way through my last game there wich was great.
and im still waiting for my freekick to drop in the top corner.
where did steve harpers hand come from.!!!!!!!
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reply to no33
yeah ive had a few dodgy barnets along the way.
suppose i just go through stages. i had to get it cut shorter when somebody said i looked like sav.
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reply to no46
i saw comments that we were a long ball side when we played you.
other way round if you ask me. and yes you seem to have alot of options up front.
rob earnshaw is a very good player who will always score goals so it was nice to see him on the bench
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reply to no47
thankyou for logging in.
keep supporting us and lets enjoy a succesful season together
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Michael,
You are a top player, thanks for coming to play for Wednesday.
You are going to make a lot of people happy if next time you come on here you are talking about your man of the match performance at Bramall Lane tomorrow night in a Wednesday win. Good luck all the best and hope you deal with the nerves better than the fans because i am already feeling this in the pit of my stomach! The buzz around Sheffield is already electric and i am interested to find out what its like in the changing room 10 mins before these games as Brian Laws seems to get the best out of our players for this match? Oh yes and can we have a goal from you tomorrow night? Up the Owls, Wednesday til i die
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reply to no49
had a fantastic time at wolves.
worked under a great manager and played with some great players who deserve their chance in the premiership. didnt really get the chance to thank the fans before i left but they were great to me and i wont forget that.
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reply to no55
another story that got blown way out of praportion.
weve all done silly things in the past so lets leave it there.
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reply to no 56
everbody has their own way of preparing for games.
before home games i stay in a hotel the day before so i know i will get a good nights sleep.
maybe use the lesiure facilities or just chill on my bed.
im in a little routine at the moment wich seems to be working so im sticking to it.
me and darren potter live quite away from sheffield so its nice to stay over for games.
we went to piccolinos in town the first time we stayed and we both played well so now we cant go anywhere else. the staff are really nice in there and most importantley the food is great.
away games are the same to. travel the day before to get the journey out the way then alot of relaxing and loading yourself with energy foods and drinks so your ready to give it your best come kick off.
maybe a massage and a bit of treatment from the phisios on the niggles you pick up along the way.
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reply to no59
haha i take it you are talking about the playoff final.
what a game though.
! of the best games ever to be played at the old wembley.
took me a long time to get over that day but came out of it a stronger person and what a season we had the year after.
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reply to no62
think i will have to stop that shuffle at my age or i will be in for a hip replacement.
got fond memories of silksworth.
running up that hill in pre season.never again!!!
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Good first blog Michael!!
Can't wait for tomorrow and the derby match.
Just hope we don't let ourselves down..........and we show them who's the best team in Sheffield !!!!
No Wednesday fan will forget last year............ever!!!!
UTO's..............:)
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The last time that I talked to A Wednesday player before a derby match was Mark Smith in the toilets at Josephines (I don't know if that night club still is in existence)just before Christmas in 1979. I also talked to Jack Charlton in the club about the World Cup Final. However, I digress, and we went on to beat the Blades 4-0, at the Boxing day massacre. Lets hope that by me blogging you constitutes as talking, although, I am not in a toilet; I don't know about you, we can beat the Blades 4-0 again. Good Luck from " The Dubai Owls".
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Good blog. But does anyone know what happened to Strachan? He was excellent. Surely room for Michael and Gavin to blog?
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What are your thoughts on the long term effect all the foreign investors will have on the English game?
As a Scotsman looking in at all the silly money getting threw around I'm wondering which year it will implode, also the long term effect it will have on your national team.
Nice starting blog, and hope you enjoy your year of blogging
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great blog micheal take some good advice for friday, take afew step-overs and draw the foul, tell the defence to keep it tight for the full 95 mins theres bound to be injury time. GOOD LUCK MAT ps SCORE AND YOU WILL BE A LEGEND. UP THE OWLS.
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I'd love to wish you good luck. But I won't and hopefully you'll be on the receiving end of a Cricket score at the old cricket ground. Here's to another 95 years!
Looking forward to a cracking game tomorrow.
When do you get the trotters fitted? :)
When I grew up in Sheffield, Wednesday were the bigger, more succesful club in Sheffield. We're making the most of the opposite being true. Wednesday really have been in a shocking state - it's good to see them slightly on the up. But it doesn't stop us laughing at your chairman's rather odd statements. Did you help with the volunteers painting the ground over summer? ;)
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hi michael, a good start to your blog followed Gavin's last season and as he's playing for corby might have to take a short walk upto rockingham road and give him a bit of support.
About friday WIN WIN WIN! it felt so good last season, in a small towmn a bit away from sheffield we have a small but strong following.
I'm proud to wear the shirt of Blue and white and even more now with the chairty sponsor as ppl laugh when they see the teddy but seem shocked/suprised when i explain its a sponsor for a childrens charity ( i've done the 3 peaks challeneg in the yorkshire dales for a childrens charity twice now)
The gers - celtic derby ... its huge in corby too, a major scottish background and you'll see the blue or green/white every day of the week. Even thou i don't follow the SPL i know when this fixture is coming up as like you said they talk about it way before the match itself
i hear it from customers at work, at the pub, at training.
Keep up the great work on and off the pitch
remember hat trick on friday;)
You're everywhere and no where, baby,
thats where you're at,
Going down a bumpy hillside,
In your hippy hat.
Flying out across the country
And getting fat (?!)
Saying everything is groovy
When your tyres are flat
AND IT's ...... (i'll let you finish it off)
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That was a good first entry. Keep it up.
Also good on Wednesday for having a charity as a shirt sponsor. Just a small note though, they are technically not the first football league club as Leicester have a charity sponsor on their away kit. Still, joint first though!
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Well if one thing comes across from all the posts above, from all corners of this island, it's that wherever you've played you've been well received and have shown nothing but professionalism and commitment, that every fan of football should appreciate. It's not very often players can play for so many clubs and still be welcomed back with open arms at any one of them, and at Sheffield Wednesday I can't see that changing.
Thank you for what you've done for us so far, keep up the excellent work and the best of british for you on Friday.
Here's to a hopeful 3pts and another terrific performance from you.
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Hi Mickey
Good first blog....good luck with it for the rest of the season. I am now an exiled Mackem in Sydney but was a season ticket holder at Roker and SoL for years including your cracking home debut and of course the Mag slaying. You are my all time number 2 favourite player (sorry can't displace Gary Rowell), and I remember meeting Peter Reid once and he said you "had a great engine"!
I once even took a picture of you into the hairdressers to get the same look (it didn't work but she thought you were fit!).
When we moved to Oz this month I found an old poster at the bottom of a drawer from ALS....you in an Andy Warhol type multi-colour image, and the official SAFC one of you in the boot room has also made it!!. Are you Wednesday's pin-up or are you past the modelling days now?
Good luck for Friday.
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Yada, yada,yada. COme on Beeb can't you come up with someone better than this cliche ridden bore?
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Mr Gray, i am a season ticket holder on the north stand, and always comment on how well you do, you are a player who can make something out of nothing, always running, never quitting and always determind to be a team player, rather than go for glory, and that is the key to being a top player... anyway, this blog is great for the 1st one, you touched on all the right parts, and i hope to see you at brammel lane.
well done.
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Good Blog Micky!
I've been writing the E&S blog for one of your old clubs Wolves for the past 3 seasons, so I know just how time consuming they can be!
Good luck for the season and it will be nice to see you back at Molineux one day!
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Yes good first blog Mr Gray – I didn’t realise you’d had that many derby experiences over your career, impressive. The Sheffield encounter will be an interesting one, United should be there or there abouts come May but when it comes to playing the Wednesday any result is possible………will we see Brian Laws spinning a scarf around his head again??!
http://sportales.com/soccer/keane-to-impress/
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Good luck Mickey,
Another wolves fan sad to see you go, keep up the good work at Wednesday!
Good first blog
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Well done Michael on an excellent blog. I don't know if you remember last season at Bramall Lane, two lads in Wednesday shirts just outside the changing room as you came out to warm up screaming "C'mon Wednesday". Well they were my two sons and we'd just had a trip out onto the pitch courtesy of Mr McCabe, the United Chairman.
They'll be there again tonight, but not in the tunnel this time, cheering you on! Same result as last year would be great!
Up the Owls!
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Hi Michael,
I think the purpose of these football player blogs is to give us mere fans some insight into the world of professional football. Strachan used to be really good at this. I understand that this is your first blog, but it read as a series of match reports, with little insight. I think for future blogs you could tell us more about things that go on behind the scenes, different player personalities, stories from the training ground and the dressing room, the emotions involved by playing professional football at a high standard (and also playing at SWFC), and it would make a much more interesting read.
Also, I don't know if anyone has already touched upon this, but in your replies to the blog you fail to use capital letters and basic grammar, and resort to text speak at times. This doesn't come across as very professional.
Hope you take my constructive criticism on board.
Regards,
Mandy
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Michael, your responses are honest, and fair play to you for the way you have taken time to read through everyones replies. What the fans think of you obviously means a lot to you personally. Good standards. I will always remember the 99-00 season with sunderland and how Kevin Phillips tore it apart. Just how good was Kevin, and how does he compare to others you have played with/against?
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Nice start Michael, now go & get a goal on Friday evening. come on you blue & white wizards.
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Not a bad effort from Castletown's finest, take a bow son.
Thanks for the memories whilst playing for the lads, from scoring on your debut against Barnsley to dancing on the table in Annabels. Top man.
Best of luck with Wednesday, I hope you get a result tonight.
Keep up the good work fella.
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I can't believe that I've just read a post complaining about grammar! That's not constructive, it's just plain rude!
You can hardly comment anyway Mandy, commas, all, over, the, place!
Well done Mr Gray.
Keep up the good work!
UTO!
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Hey Michael - welcome to the blogosphere.
The most important question that has to be answered for any self-respecting footballer - what music do you listen to?
As guidance, the wrong answer would be R n' B or garage. Similarly the likes of Lionel Richie and Phil Collins won't be tolerated!....
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Nice to read your blog Michael. Just like to thank you for your time at Leeds when you were the best LB we've had for a long time, your commitment was 100% and was always a pleasure to see that bit of quality and graft you brought to our team.
All the best for the future
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reply to #116
I'm pretty sure I remember reading in a fanzine that mickey gray is partial to a bit of george michael every now again. Don't hold it against him.
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RE message no. 110.
Looks like you're old form teacher has caught up with you. Some people are never happy!
6 hrs until the big game.
Hat trick please Mr Gray!!!!!!
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Micky Gray, can i just say, from all Wolves fans, thank you very much for your time at Wolves. Always gave your all, and probably played a big part whenever you played. Shame we didnt get a proper chance to say goodbye, lets hope for Sheff Wed in the Cup down at Molineux so we can say goodbye then.
Glad to see you and Potts doing so well for Wednesday, keep up the good work.
What you think of Wolves' chances of staying in the Premiership?
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Good Blog, I was always impressed when Brian managed to get you on loan let alone get you to pen a deal. It's nice to see someone who fills the ambassador role for the club! I liked what you had to say about the Rangers Celtic rivalry, I think the Sheffield situation is very similar but I'm sure you wont let us down ( not that you ever do).
Keep at it and good luck for the game, if you score I'm calling my first born Michael!
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Good Luck Mister gray from Germany Love tosee you and the team on TV greetz from berlin
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How did Wednesday get on at Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane on Friday night? Why, runners-up I do believe....
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reply to no72
Yes i had a great time at Blackburn.
Probably the most enjoyabe of my career.
Fantastic bunch of lads and the staff there were amazing.
Still got a lot of friends there and always look out for there results.
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reply to no87
Shame about the result but i guess a fantastic game to watch from a neutral.
I will let you know what its like behind the scenes in my next blog and all the build up to the big derby game.
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reply to no96
Still not to sure about the foreign investors and what their intentions are long term.
Teams like Celtic and Rangers may have to look the same way if they are to stay competative in europe.
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reply to no99
Keep up the graet work for charity.
Nice poem wich i can think of a few good endings. But will keep them to myself.
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reply to no101
Well it doestnt cost anything to be nice to people if they stop you in the street and ask you a question.
We are human beings like everybody else after all.I was told at a young age that if you give a 100% in everything you do people will respect that and thats what i try to give everytime.
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The start of another 95yrs before a WED double NORMAL SERVICE as usual roll on APRIL for another PIG ROASTING.
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reply to no 102
Think those days are well gone now. I leave the younger lads to model the team kits.
It was good fun to do at the time though.
Oh and thankyou for taking the time out to reply from so far away.
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reply to no103
Thanks.
I thought it wastnt bad for my first go.
Tell me what kind of stuff you want to hear about and i will fit it in my next blog.
keep it clean though!!!!!!
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reply to110
Hello Mandy.
Thankyou for replying and pointing my faults out.
Ive took it on board and will try and improve.
Got alot of replys to send so try and get through them as quick as i can so thats where my mistakes come in.
I have made a note of what you would like in my next blog and will try and give you an insight of what goes on behind the scenes. Not just at sheffield but my old clubs too.
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reply to 111
Kevin Phillips was sensatioal that season as were the rest of the team.
He is certainly up there with the best strikers i have ever played with.
We were turning up for games that year and we felt invincible.
I would go as far to say that was the best Sunderland team ever.
Myself and Johnston, Summerbee and Makin, Quinny and Kev just to name a few. Amazing. And dont forget Peter Reid. Best manager i worked for bar none.Hard to Believe he cant get a top flight managers job at the moment with all his experience.
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reply to 114
Never forget your roots. My famly are still there and get up to see them as much as i can.
I was so nervous before that game. Had a little taste of first team football before that game in two away games.
Derby ans Southend where we won them both 1 0 but to play at Roker Park from the start on my first home game and score after 1minute was unreal.
No nerves after that.
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reply to 116
Well in my car at the moment ive got Kings of leon, Coldplay,Oasis,James morison and a bit of Beyonce.
Do i pass the test??????????
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reply to 118
Haha your giving all my secrets away.
George Michael is for sundays when im chilling in the house.
Thats if theres no Football on.
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reply to 120
Wolves WILL stay up this year im sure of it.
Mick has built up a great squad of players there who work there socks off. But more than that they have got talent to go with it.
So they are not the most experienced team in the premiership. Thats where your manager takes over and passes his knowledge.
Loved it there and it would be great to play there 1 more time just to say thanx for your support.
Potts is doing great by the way. Growing his tash at the moment.
Must be a scouse thing so im calling him Kenny Tashlish. He knows i love him though.
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Hello Michael and welcome to the party.
We are confronted (at at levels) with various level of cheating; diving, deliberate handballs, etc...
But I was wondering if you could give us an insight into players' minds when it comes to this.
I believe that sometimes a player has no choice but to get to ground to get a foul noticed on the basis that sometimes a little clever nudge or pull from a defender is enough to take the momentum away from the attacking player. This is something a referee will not see or sometimes understand and defenders will get away with it unless the attackers makes a meal of it.
Which leads onto my next question.
Why do you think it is that no player get into refeering once they are done with playing?
Having ex-pros becoming referees would, I think, help with the level of refering on the basis that ex-players know the tricks of the trade.
What's your view on this?
Thanks and have a good season
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Michael,
I'm sure that you dont need me to say that as an Owl, we were all disappointed with our 1st half performance on Friday...........but let me say this to come out in the 2nd half and give that wonderful pride wearing performance made most Owls proud.
Thats what we want to see as supporters............yes it would've been fantastic to beat the Blades.............but the performance is everything.
Got to say Michael that when you play you always give 100% and this is why all fans like you in blue n white stripes.
And we didn't turn up until after 45 minutes.
In all our matches we never play to our full potential for the full 90 mins.
Won't tell BL how to do his job..............hahah hell there's no woman football manager at the moment.
here's hoping we have 3 points after next saturday.......
UTO's
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reply to no139
Until Foreign players started to come over to ENGLAND i dont think we even touched on these subjects.
Its the way they are brought up.
But they also bring their fantastic talents wth them so i guess we have to take the good with the bad.
With all the cameras around now they dont get away with it as much.
And i was brought up to play hard but fair.
Ex players being referees?
I know that their are courses available if you want to go down that road.
Maybe it would be better for young players who dont quite make the grade to have a look at that.
Not to sure they could handle the stick they would get every week though.
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reply to 140
Gutted after the game.
Alot of people have said how well we played second half but i dont buy into that at all.
Its about 90 minutes and concentrating the whole game.
you cant be coming in at half time 3 0 down in any game never mind a big derby.
Got to start winning games if we want to be in the top half come the end of the season wich im sure we will be the case.
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