Susannah George
Many Norwich fans will remember May 1985, and even those who don’t may have inherited a grudge against Everton – already Division 1 winners – due to their shock defeat to Coventry City, which saw the Canaries relegated. Everton had already clinched the title before going into the final game, and it’s hard to escape the claim that the Toffees were suffering from classic beach mode. Norwich City once again being a little difficult to overcome.
Although many of us would strongly prefer to go into this weekend with the play-offs guaranteed, the fact that we are on the edge has a somewhat healthy feeling. While all teams must technically field a full-strength squad, the underlying mentality or composition of the bench can never fully eradicate potential bias if a team ends up with nothing to play for on the final day.
As well as being completely unsportsmanlike, not to mention a little disrespectful towards the opposition, especially to Norwich City fans – who felt the acute pain of 1985 – such an attitude should be completely distasteful.
Football is never more exciting than when everything is on the line. It is in these exciting, adrenaline-filled, breath-holding games that victory is even sweeter.
We are well placed for the weekend but Birmingham have a lot to fight for and we would be foolish to underestimate their hunger for three points, but for the above reason I am happy that this is how the season will come to an end. , and nothing less than full out-of-home support.
To the game selectors who selected Birmingham (A), of which I know there are some of you – my father included – I can only assume that you are the die-hard faithful, the hopeless romantics and the optimists who had faith that we would be ending the season with promotion or potentially play-offs.
Let’s not forget that these starting selections are made in pre-season, before the die is cast. We might be a little disappointed if the season’s narrative had ended before this stage, depriving loyal supporters of a potential full-force celebration.
For these fans, the Birmingham (A) match selectors – Bravo! I hope his belief rubs off on the players on Saturday and beyond. I’m sure the boys will put on a fantastic display to show what their faith has bought. As for the last minute attempt to secure the play-off… am I worried? Of course not, after all, the danger doesn’t matter!
