RED WATCH: Proof we Havant lost it

Jan 30 2008 by Andy Proudfoot, Liverpool Daily Post

CALL me an old softy, but last Saturday afternoon was the perfect antidote to the depressing fortnight that had preceded it.

Just when you begin to think that modern football is just about takeovers, giant egos and the ‘Big Four’, along comes an occasion that reminds you there is still room for sentiment, sportsmanship and, above all, glory in the wonderful game.

Of course, it’s easy to be charitable sitting here in the comfort of the fifth round with a home tie against Barnsley to come, but the display of Havant & Waterlooville and their joyful supporters was something to gladden the hear of even the most diehard Red.

Although the creeping fear of becoming the subject of the biggest giant-killing act of all time was gnawing at the back of my neck, it was impossible not to be enthralled by the unfolding drama as our stumbling millionaires were humbled by the superior commitment and, at times, footwork of the Hampshire Handymen.

God knows what might have happened had not Yossi Benayoun equalised just before half-time; our nervous ninnies would probably have been unable to cope with such intolerable pressure.

Heart-warming though the display of our visitors was, what pleased me most was the behaviour of the Anfield crowd, who reminded all and sundry of why our reputation as the fairest supporters in the land is not the stuff of urban myth. The reception afforded to the reading of the Havant line-up, the applause at their goals, and the rousing standing ovation they received after the final whistle brought a lump to the throat, for once not caused by the involuntary regurgitation of a pre-match pie.

But equally encouraging for me was the reaction of the majority of fans on the Kop to those who vainly tried to resurrect the anti-American slogans of the previous Monday; drowned out not just by reproving boos, but by a resurgent wave of support for the team, embodied in some of our most famous chants.

Whatever you think of the current situation with regard to the owners’ actions, voluble displays of discontent during the game will just perpetuate the atmosphere of uncertainty which has destabilised the club in recent months.

Hicks went some way to repairing the damage done in recent weeks with his interview over the weekend, although doubts remain about his sincerity. However, the belief by some fans that DIC will come riding to the rescue on Arabian Chargers, showering us with money on which they expect no return, is so naïve that you half expect Forrest Gump to show up on the Kop.

So why don’t we just ‘calm down’ for a while and see if the Americans’ actions live up to their fine words. If they deliver a new stadium and back Rafa in the transfer market, do we care how they finance it?

It all falls apart without success on the pitch, so there’s no reason to believe that they’ll scrimp in that respect.

Americans or Emiratis, we craved investment, now we’ve got it, and there’s a price to pay.

Leave the fairy tales to the good people of Havant & Waterlooville.

Why wasn’t the match with the non-Leaguers televised live? Because the TV companies are scared that the match would be all over in the first 20 minutes, leaving them with diminishing audiences over the remaining 70.

It was the same story in the third round, when Chasetown put up such a sterling fight against Cardiff City.

Both the BBC and Sky trade on the ‘magic of the cup’ to attract audiences, and then what do they give us? Wigan v Chelsea – a foregone conclusion if ever there was one.

Great judgement lads.