Dear Roker Report,
Maybe it is just me, but I somehow do not sense this Sunday’s big game is causing the same anticipation and levels of anxiety as the one at the SOL and those in bygone seasons. Something just seems missing in the build-up, and whether it is injury concerns or other reasons, I am just not feeling it as expected. The build-up normally begins 2 weeks ahead of the fixture, but somehow we are almost upon it, and it definitely feels a bit flat. I am certain it will explode in a cauldron of passion once we get
there, but I just don’t get it yet. As I said, maybe it is just me, or is this maybe the general feeling?
Peter Milton
Ed’s Note [Gav]: Nah, I think that’s about right, although once we get closer to the game the nerves will undoubtedly kick in! I actually wonder if the lack of hype might be a good thing, you know. The mags have been distracted by what ended up being a midweek Spanish drubbing, whilst we’ve been licking our wounds from the weekend, and that’s probably a big factor. As long as the lads are putting a shift in this week in training, I’ll be happy enough. I’m sure Granit isn’t allowing standards to slip!
Dear Roker Report,
Great to see praise for young Chrissy Rigg after his performance at the weekend. I think he’s possibly earned himself a start, and what a game for a lad who knows all about the importance of this fixture. Would you start him? Surely makes more sense than starting someone who doesn’t understand the magnitude of it.
Lee Brown
Ed’s Note [Gav]: I’ve been full of praise for Chris Rigg after his performance on Saturday, because I think he really needed a showing like that to remind everyone of how exciting he actually is. It’s going to be a big call from Reggie to start him against the mags, but I really hope he gets on the pitch. Imagine he scored the winner? What an unbelievable story that would be. Starting him might not be too difficult a choice if our injury list is anything to go by – I can’t really think of who else might start on the right. In Enzo is fit I could see Talbi going there, and I think the manager might want to keep Mayenda as an option off the bench given the lack of exciting options, so he’s definitely in with a shout. It’s such a tough job being up against Lewis Hall though, so whoever is selected is going to have a tough time and will probably need to be content with doing lots of runnign and defending.
