After the dust had settled on the sizzling second-half demolition of the Marcus Evans-branded opposition on a beautiful, sunny spring day, my mind went back to the dark days of November.
Four games – three defeats and a draw – that left us in eleventh place and seven points behind ‘that lot’ in second.
The bitterness felt by the cold wind blowing through Middlesbrough at the start of that miserable month, when we suffered our heaviest defeat of the season, was matched only by the general air of rancour towards manager, squad and CEO.
Fast-forward six months and a shot at promotion via a trip to Wembley represents a remarkable transformation in fortunes. The fact that we finished the season one place and one point above the meanest defence in the league is testament to a seismic turnaround.
And all brought about by the inspired appointment of an inspirational manager who now has the chance to be the youngest to take a team to the dizzy heights of the top league since Steve Coppell with Palace back in 1989; incidentally also achieved it via the play-offs, albeit a double-legged final format back then.
The modern world is a very different place to that of the mid-late 80s when fans of Norwich (1985 Milk Cup Final) and Middlesbrough (1988 Play-off Final) last made the trip to the previous incarnation of Wembley. In both cases they were triumphant.
This time round one of us will be heading home gutted.
Haircuts and fashion sense have changed immeasurably since those days when a Tory government ruled the roost – some things go in cycles. The shorts will be a little less forgiving and revealing than back in the days of Ken Brown’s boys.
I was there in 1985 and although I don’t recall my outfit for the day I’m guessing it wasn’t one to look back on with great pride.
The big question for me is will Alex Neil stick to the lucky track suit or follow convention and suit up for the big day? Back in 1985, Mel Machin was resplendent in flat cap and track suit on the bench. I don’t expect Frankie McAvoy to follow in his fashion footsteps.
The half-time music at the old ‘Twin Towers’ would have been more Dire Straits or Phil Collins than One Direction or Calvin Harris. Whether that’s a downward or upward curve I leave to you to decide.
Because of that vast passage of time, the new Wembley will be rocking as two sets of supporters – many of whom were not even a twinkle in their parents’ eye last time out – make the most of what might be a once in a lifetime experience.
Just as in 1985, the stadium will be awash with red, white, yellow and green. That Milk Cup final was known as the ‘friendly final’ because of the general air of camaraderie between Sunderland and City fans. At stake mind you was *just* a bit of silverware.
With the £100 million plus reward of promotion to the big time, it would be very surprising if everyone are best buddies this time round, particularly at the end of the match when one lot will be in utter ecstasy and the other in abject agony.
If it doesn’t go our way, I’d like to think that City fans will show a lot more grace and good humour than some Ipswich fans did after Saturday. Dignity in defeat is never easy but when you’ve come off second best to a clearly better side, there’s no excuse for petty and puerile prodding.
It’s going to need a cunning plan – cue a canny Scotsman; some top quality performances – cue a buoyant squad, and quite possibly a large slice of lady luck for the yellow and green ribbons to find themselves on the Play-Off trophy.
However, my good friend Claire Voyant reckons we will finally get the better of Karanka’s talented team and tawdry tactics with an extra time blockbuster from Bradderz or a piece of dribbling wizardry from Redderz.
In that eventuality, cue the open top bus and City Hall balcony scenes. And who’d have thought that back in November?
This is where I sign off for the season. Thanks to everyone who has read my efforts and sent in comments. All much appreciated.
For everyone travelling to Wembley, have a great day out and may the footballing gods be with us.
I’ll be there!!!!!
We won’t win.
A cogently argued response there from Joe K (2). I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he thinks it would be tempting fate to say otherwise. We’ve all got to do what we believe will help.
Seasons always seem to come to an abrupt end – even when they’ve been extended, gloriously, like this one. I’ll miss footie, and not least Russell’s columns. Hopefully we’ll all be back in one piece next year, whatever division our beloved City find themselves in.
As to Monday, I’ll risk conjuring up bad memories of the pollsters again and say it’s too close to call. And I’ll come as close as I’d ever dare to challenging Alex Neil’s decisions. The first half on Saturday, taking out Dorrans to accommodate Redmond and Wes, really didn’t work. Would it have worked in the second half as the tempo naturally dropped? I’m not 100% convinced. It clearly worked when Ipswich had to take a man out of midfield after the red card.
Ifs and buts – the joy of following football. I wish everyone a great trip to Wembley, a brief-but-fun summer, and happy reunions in August.
Seems to be a ‘3 word comment’ theme;
*Bucks – ‘make a noise.’
*Joe – ‘eat your hat.’
“The modern world is a very different place to that of the mid-late 80s when fans of Norwich (1985 Milk Cup Final) and Middlesbrough (1988 Play-off Final) last made the trip to the previous incarnation of Wembley. In both cases they were triumphant.”
erm, in 1988 it was a two legged play-off between Chelsea and Middlesbrough
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Football_League_Second_Division_play-off_Final
I have to state again that we all need to recognise Neil Adams contribution at the start of this season, when fresh from the woes of relegation after 9 games we were top two, no mean feat and he signed one Cameron Jerome our 20 goal machine. Okay it all went pear shaped and McNally acted the result amazing everyone.
Enjoy your day on Monday Rus, thanks for your articles throughout the season, may be there’s one more to come? Let’s hope so!
3 words for Monday? “Who dares wins.”
Stewart – “keep on trucking”
MJ – “minor technical error”
Colin – “cheers and maybe!”
Didn’t Boro play in an FA Cup final against Chelsea in the 90s?
@3. Stewart Lewis – if you want to question Neil’s decisions, try “Russell Martin at centre half”. Completely bullied by Murphy in both legs against Ipswich, and culpable for both goals. I don’t dislike Martin as a player but it was painfully obvious after the first leg that he was a weak link. And it almost cost us. Still, I think Boro play a bit more football so I won’t worry quite so much about him on Monday, but his headed clearances really do need work.
Paul (10): I discussed this in my last column (shameless plug).
The strengths and weaknesses of Russ at centre back were on show again at the weekend. He was beaten for a couple of headers in the box, including when Ipswich equalised. He also cut out danger several times with perfect positioning and awareness.
I understand your point, but for me (and apparently for AN too) the pros outweigh the cons.
There was a wonderful heartfelt embrace between Russ and Seb by the tunnel at the end on Sat.