Head Space Daily Words...

The football match I saw today at Villa Park goes to show why sporting occasions are so vital for the human psyche. A first half of resolute defending felt like no more than an attempt by the Villa team at damage limitation, and delaying the inevitable. We offered nothing going forward and looked inferior in every department. We weren't bad but it felt like both the Villa team and supporters had accepted we were second best. City were faster, stronger, more confident and incisive. So when they went a goal up on the stroke of half time, the feeling was that it was game over. Of course, no football supporter or player would admit this, as it is a game of two halves and you have to keep believing but it felt like a vain hope. In fact, City were so superior in the opening 45 that I think the City team and their fans became complacent and a touch arrogant. I tweeted during the interval that we needed a miracle. Pulling a goal back relatively early in the second period was a good start, before reverting to type minutes later and conceding again, to then score two goals in two minutes to ultimately win the game. The miracle happened. Sport in general and football in particular, during these 'comeback' moments can lift you as a group of supporters and individually, to make you believe that you can achieve the seemingly unattainable, that you can push yourself further. They encourage you not to give up and that you can achieve what may seem improbable. Of course Manchester City fans won't be feeling this way at the moment but they have had their recent share of glory and comebacks, so for tonight, I'm going to savour mine...