6am
I wake up, I had a dream , not a Martin Luther King type one, not even one involving a mud wrestling Buffy the Vampire Slayer(ooh err misses) but one involving the FA Cup final, can’t remember the score as I was woken up by an Irish setter but what I do remember is both Ali and Antolin were playing.
To be honest I would play Ali, I remain to be convinced that Robles is a better keeper and think that Ali at his best is one of the best keepers in the league.
Re Antolin, I don’t think we have a choice but to play him if medically fit even though he wont be match fit, Caldwell looked off the pace on Tuesday and I’m sure he will be desperate to play buy Antolin is the better player
Scharner , Alcaraz and Boyce has an air of stability about it but would possibly think about Jones for Espinoza for his defensive capabilities .
Mood………………………..contemplative stress levels 20%
7.30pm
Come back from dog walking to find my morning coffee in a mug which says Tottenham 9 Wigan 1. A friend thought it was funny to buy it for me after the debacle that was that result and beign of Yorkshire extraction I wasn’t about to throw it away. Really hope we don’t get hammered tomorrow. Our club and its fans deserve better.
Mood…………………….Nervous stress levels 30%
9am
Read a well written piece in the Independent, worried when I read the title referring to a rugby town but the article highlighted our history , our high percentage of fans compared to town size and included our TNS byline”no fans, no history, no money, no worries. Some inacccuraies if you are waiting for a London train on the line that goes past the line you will have a long wait but puts us in a positive light nonetheless.
Mood……………………………entertained stress levels 10%
10am
In work and receive text from work colleague saying he is at Oxford services and buzzing re the final. Jammy bugger still almost a full day’s work to go..
Mood……………………….pressured stress levels 40%
12.30
Catch a bit of Keys and Gray on talk sport where they appear to be likening a Latics win to Coventry’s win in 1987. Where as a City win is odds on with the bookies on the day a good little un can beat a good big un and we are certainly a good little un. This is two premier league teams going for the cup, not a championship siode, we have the quality to trouble them and if we had our starting back three of Ramis, Alcaraz and Figueroa fit I would be quietly confident , but we don’t.
Mood ……………………..annoyed stress levels 40%
12.45pm
Pop home for some paperwork I’ve left at home, find out daughter’s dog had been hungry and eaten some …………………..wallpaper. Receive text saying there’s a 14 foot python loose in Beech Hill . I wonder if it eats English Bulldogs ?
Mood ……………………despairing stress levels 40%
2pm
Receive photo text from Faz showing the masses of Wigan fans outside the railway station waiting to see the Latics players off to Wembley. So proud of our fans, the final may not mean as much nationally with teams fielding reserve sides but for our fans it does and I am sure whatever the result tomorrow we will be loud and proud .
Mood………………..positive stress levels 20%
5pm
Read Sky text talking about Caldwell’s chronic hip injury and how he hasn’t trained for six months and needs pain killing injections before each game. Article states he needs another hip replacement int he summer. Surely too much of a gamble to play him today even though he would want to. Hope he plays Alcaraz or Lopez
Mood ……………………………..worried stress levels 40%
6pm
Are we playing tomorrow? I only ask because I arrived home, switch SSN to see what they have to say about us for tomorrow. At 6.01 they mention they are with Wigan as they set off for Wembley, 6.10 nothing, 6.15 an interview with Roberto…………………Mancini, maybe they will show Wigan next but no at 6.30 pm still nothing.
Finally 6.40pm and they show us, gone are the days when the F.A.Cup would be the major sports story in all medias. Good piece though
Mood ………………….impatient stress level 30%
7pm
Receive text from Latics fan who states that a dozen Wigan fans including himself have just entertained tourists outside Buckingham Palace with a rendition of “I’m a believer.
Mood ………………………..bemused stress levels 20%
8pm
Run into an old school friend who like me is a Latics fans from none league days and coincidently last time we met was at the Carling cup final in Cardiff when United battered us. He tells me he has heard the Alcaraz is certain to start, hope he is correct.
Mood …………………..optimistic stress levels 20%
10pm
Chat to Sawdoctor on the phone, both of us had difficult weeks but now absolutely focussed on the game tomorrow. Both worried about our defence as I am sure most Wigan fans are but we can only play with the fit players we have. Both have fingers crossed that Alcaraz makes it. He must be the most talked about player at the club even though he’s missed half the season and is likely to leave when his contract runs out in the summer.So proud of our family club and its fans.
Mood …………………………… Hopeful stress levels 10%
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