Welsh Swans Bully Yorkshire Bantams

There were only two things that really spoilt my day yesterday, when I was watching Swansea (of the Premier League) beat Bradford City (of "Football League Division Two" aka The Fourth Division).  One was, obviously, the 5-0 scoreline.  The other was the almost never-ending stream of patronising comments from the Sky commentary team. 

Bradford were described as "plucky" and "brave" and "a credit to the lower leagues" amongst other things.  It went on throughout, and helped to make a (in footballing terms) a miserable day into a worse one.  Talking about Bradfordians having "their once-in-a-lifetime say out at Wembley" was really not on.  Apart from the fact that they appeared there a few years ago to win a promotion play-off final, and apart from the fact that the team could well be back there at the arse-end of this season if they make the Div 2 play-offs, to say nothing of what might happen in the next few years (as they march up the Divisions, and win the FA Cup, conquering all before them), why could yesterday ever be described as "once-in-a-lifetime"?

Let's get this straight and be honest.  City were there on footballing merit, and nothing else.  On the way to the Final tie, they beat Notts County, Watford, Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa - all teams (well) above them in the League, some games away from home.  They had a good cup run, like all teams hope for, and did extremely well.  They were neither lucky nor plucky. OK - they were (rightly) regarded as under-dogs (something that always seems to happen to one of the teams in the final), but on the day they were well beaten by a superior-skilled side who played much better.  Swansea deserved their win - no more & no less.  They were worthy winners.

City played their part, but played relatively poorly on the day, and would not have deserved to win.  It broke my heart to watch them lose, and by five goals, but that's football.  They'll pick up lots of money as a reward for getting all the way to Wembley, and they really need it.  They'll now (hopefully) spend it wisely, and get on with the serious business of gaining promotion and re-building the infrastructure of the club.

So - let's move on & get over it.  Dagenham on Wednesday at Valley Parade, and away at York on Saturday - back to the realities of the football world.  Come on you Bantams!!