2nd February 2003: The Great Escape
is back on. After being discovered and put in solitary on Wednesday
night, the Commandant has relented and released us, and we're ready
to start digging our escape tunnel again.
It wasn't the first great away performance of the season, but we got
the result this time and what a difference that makes. We're now four
points behind Bolton with a game in hand, and they come to our place
next week.
But the players. Clement was a revelation. He obviously learned from
Udeze on Wednesday because he defended higher up the field as a wing
back should, was sensible in possession, and got forward well. His
defending was good enough to get an ineffective Dunne substituted
and then cope well with the impressive Wright-Phillips. Big Dave was
also superb at the back, as was Gregan. Gilly was the weakest of the
back line, but he too put in a good performance.
Up front, Hughes provided the options that were missing on Wednesday
night and when he was replaced by Dichio, the big man put in a sterling
display of retaining possession, particularly after Roberts was sent
off.
I've seen the TV pictures, and while Roberts did give Sommeil a dig
in the ribs, I'm not sure if a sending-off was appropriate. Even so,
Roberts was stupid - he'd already won the free-kick and he could now
be out for three vital games.
So from my escape plan, I said to beat Charlton, but get nothing at
City or Leeds, so we're back to a point ahead. But I also said that
we need to beat Bolton, Fulham and West Ham, so here goes...
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