Away Day Wiz Diaries #9 – Leeds
Alan Pickard travels to Leeds as the Blades taste defeat for the first time this season.
Alan Pickard
Listen, you know the drill by now:
Meet up
Coach issues
Journey
Beer
Match
Alternative MOTM
There were no real dramas to write home about on Friday. Well, except for the coach bog, which decided it wouldn't flush as normal. Sorry Ladies.
The thing about Leeds is that as much as "We all hate Leeds scum" — I don't. I've never really hated them. I don't really get too nervy about the result, certainly not like I do when we play them shithouses from S6. I always feel like it's a good game against Leeds too.
Elland Road, Friday night under the lights, it's a proper ground this place. Old school and run down in places but it whips up what I think is probably the best atmosphere in the country. They cater well for away fans too, certainly pre-game, with a dedicated away fan park area and away bar called Howard's (Wilkinson I'm guessing).
We managed to get there in plenty of time to lob a couple of pints down our Wilson Peck in said fan park, where there was only one song being sung. Both sets of fans brought waved flags to show their individual and collective respects to the one and only, starman running down the right, George Baldock.
For absolutely no reason other than I really want to, I'm going to share my top three memories of watching Gorgeous George in a Blades shirt.
3rd - His wonderful solo goal away at Norwich.
2nd - His volley in off the bar at home to Swansea.
1st - Him flying down the right wing against West Brom, launching himself into a tackle before quickly getting up and angrily giving the lino a piece of his mind.
I think Mat Colliver summed things up best when he tweeted: "Loved the bloke. Best compliment to say is.. if any of us were young, slim or good enough .. we would have all wanted to play like George Baldock."
Rest in peace, George. Just Tragic.
Into the ground then, and I was situated in the upper part of the away section which bizarly features a carpeted floor in the bar area. Now I'm not perverted enough to get down to that level but I imagine that bloody stinks.
A not-so-quick look at the team sheet and we’re having a full-blown stewards enquiry. We've changed the system, or have we? Is Burrows going to play right wing like he did for the last 20 at Huddersfield? Nope, it becomes apparent we've changed the shape.
The manager will no doubt have his reasons, and will no doubt say that until we conceded a soft first goal on the hour mark, it was doing what it was intended to do. I don't know though, we just never looked like we had a threat going forward, not helped by too many individual off days. A second Leeds goal followed not long after and that was game set and match.
Listen, the better team won on the night. There can be no complaints on that front. Formations, Team selections etc etc. It was just nice to be talking and debating about that, rather than the topic of conversation that's engulfed our fanbase for the past few weeks.
Before I leave you. Most of you will know, but it was Jonny Gascoigne’s funeral the morning after the match at Leeds. Hundreds turned out, in mostly red and white, to say their final farewell to him. He's not asked me to say this, but I know Jonny’s dad Kev wants to thank each and every one of you who's sent messages of support and goodwill to the Gascoigne family and his close friends.
Alternative MOTM - George Baldock.
See you at Boro Wiz.
Thanks for the report, Alan - and the lovely tribute to George Baldock. I'd also add the goal at Tottenham Hotspur, patiently waiting for the ball to reach him after 23 passes!
I've only been to Elland Road once (the "Basham's Arriving" match as it happens!) but yes, it's a real old-school proper ground (and on that day, real old-school proper rain, too).
Glad you enjoyed your Friday night.
Sue.