Russian roulette,not the game we wanted

E-mails have been flying back and forth all morning between maself and a few lurkers, who lurk dangerously on this site. All stated that, in the run up today’s draw it really feels like the season was beginning. It felt like the beginning of something happening, to steal the words of Ian Brown.

At quarter to eleven, I got goose bumps, thinking aboot the season ahead, thinking aboot Naka against Man U and oor performance in Milan, the fears I had withered away and I was awash wie hope.

At eleven seventeen, the adage fitbaw fans saying, that bloke from the beeb and Homer Simpson, that it’s the hope that kills you was never so true. When ma phone went and two words “Spartak Moscow” came from the receiver, the hope was replaced wie the feeling you get when a free kick hits you in the family jewels.

There was a few dodgy teams we could have got but don’t think that there is any doubt Spartak, well into their season, top of their domestic league and back by a Russian Oil baron who is not afraid to chuck roubles at them, were the worst team we could have got.

In the aftermath of the draw, the thinking that the UEFA cup will do oor co-efficient guid and produce a feel guid factor, as we would surely have a decent run, was topper most on ma mind.

Spartak will fancy their chances and make no mistake they would have fancied drawing us. Their fitness, sharpness, roubles and their artificial pitch all stake things in their favour.

Add to that, our record, Milan aside, of losing on average three goals every away game in Europe and oor defence fear of pacy centre forwards and teams playing on the counter, then the Russians will be kosacking and drinking vodka that makes you go blind for fun tonight.

The last team we played from the Eastern block was Shakter. Over two legs they well beat us and I don’t expect Spartak to be any worse than them. Mair worryingly the team they faced that night was better than the one we have now.

But....being a hoop there is always hope. Hope that only a fan can have. There must be a reason they haven’t been seeded. Their European record must be dodgy for them to be non-seeded. Like all Russian teams they might not travel well and if we survive the 1st leg CP will be bouncing for the 2nd.

I remember the fantastic night in the Amsterdam Arena, well i say remember that cake made me go funny, when the hoops produced a vintage display to qualify for the CL for the 1st time. Again that team was better than this one but that gives me hope.

The seeding system is set up so the bigger boys get teams they should beat. So if we canny beat Spartak, when stats say we should we dinny deserve to be in the Champions League.

This round always brings a few surprises. This year we have been lined up for the chop.

Forza.