Wednesday -V- Middlesbrough

[Lord Snooty]

 

 

It seems so long ago. But, also, like so many things in life, also the blinking of an eye. Big Atdhes time at Sheffield Wednesday.  I'll be the first to acknowledge I'd never heard of him. The tall stranger now donning the famous blue and white stripes. (My, what a dreadful kit that was.) But his debut made quite the impression.

 

 

 

 Ner-Hoo-eee, Nu-hoo, Noo-High-you, Noo-oooh. 

Yes there was problems early on with his name. For some a problem that never went away. Crikey. It's been 7 years and Brian Laws is still calling him 'Newy'. 

So, Dave then. Big Dave.  Apparently he didn't like it. Then again, that's the life when it comes to nicknames isn't it?  Doesn't matter if you like them. You just get stuck with them. Bizarrely given the struggles people had with his name, I'm surprised many didn't think to just adopt his first name as their moniker of choice. 'Atty' . I mean to say, that's hardly difficult is it. 

 

He's been a player which has split opinion among the fan base like no other I can ever recall in all the years I have watched Wednesday.  Some have never rated him. Some have. Some seem to have a dislike of the lad, for reasons which have always been unfathomable to me. I don't think anyone has ever thought he's a World beater. Though I must admit myself, to sometimes defending him to a level actually greater than I actually rated him, and why? Why would I do that. Why would others do that? Well for no other reason than to simply try and balance out over-the-top criticism. When people make wild ,often hugely inaccurate claims of his terribleness,then there's no point trying to reason. None at all. No.  One may aswell play the game and  go over the top in praise. When proper fact based debate cannot be done, fight fire with fire. All completely barmy of course. And I have been as guilty as the next man. 

 

I like Atdhe Nuhiu. Maybe it's my age. Maybe it's the fact that I have seen Wednesday outside the top flight more than I have ever seen us in it. But  that being the case other things become important to me in football. Yes, I'd like to win every week. Of course I'd love,like us all, to see our famous stripes trotting out at the Nou Camp and giving Barcelona a run for their money. I'd like to see us lift the FA Cup, something many fans are actually bored of seeing their teams do. 

 

But we haven't. And in all likelyhood we wont.

Oh, we tell ourselves we need more. We want more. We deserve more. But wanting doesn't get.

Once more, for the second time in ten days I'm back to hearing the call that we shouldn't accept mediocrity. Why bother some would ask if we're to accept average. What's it all about if not wanting to be the very best? To be challenging? 

Well, ask the fans of Accrington Stanley why they bother. They're never going to win anything. Ask the fans of Derby, or  Bristol City.

 

The thing is you see. The thing about football is, it's not actually about just football is it? It might be to some, the stattos, people with some sort of disorder, people who may longer get to go along, people who only read the results. But  no, for many, many fans, not just of the Wednesday ,but of all clubs,  so much of it is more than that. It's about belonging. It's about the club. It's about the tradition.  Yes It's about getting a Beres sandwich. It's about a pint. It is about having a shop full of absolute tat.  It's about remembering Big Jack . It's about turning corners....and soon after finding another cul-de-sac.  Football is about a feeling.

 

When all is said and done we can demand, we can moan, we can cry, we can grumble. We can laugh. That's all football. The results....really?  The point is It's all football. All of it. Not just the game itself, not just the result. It's about Ross Wallace stealing the Huddersfield notes.  It's about remembering Ola Tidman rescuing a wounded pigeon.

 

 

It's about Lloyd Owusu being sick. It's about bog roll streamers being hurled down the KOP. It's about scolding tasteless tea. It's about all of those around you joining in the tannoy call not to leave via Leppings Lane with daft smirks on your faces. A shared 'in' joke that you only get in the ground. Programmes? Three quid!

 

Which brings me back to Atty. I like Atty. Big Dave. Nuhiu. I don't love him. But I like him. 

I think Like is more important than love. Love burns bright, and burns and then fizzles and sometimes leaves a nasty scar.  Liking something, someone, is what makes it last. I like Wednesday. For all the balls ups. For all the failure, the false dawns. I like Sheffield Wednesday. Life is a journey and Wednesday are like my old car. One that makes loads of clunks and clangs. And has a steaming radiator. It's a motor that has careered from one crash site to another. The windows don't wind up and it's hair raising. But I just can't trade it in. The indicators don't work. But... the gear stick is in the right place. And the glove box has plenty of room and the old bench seats are very comfortable. I've seen some real adventure with it. Not just the tourist spots, but every back alley and dead-end, every grubby estate.

 

I sigh as it splutters. But sighing is part of it. For all of it, for all the frustration i  like that old car . And woah betide anyone who slates it.

 

I've always felt that with the bigman, he's been a fellow traveller. Someone who's jumped in and joined the ride. 

He's helped get out and push when needed in the slashing rain,  as other passengers have hopped on and back off again. 

 

He actually reminds me of Wednesday old Nuhiu. He's massive. He could have potentially been better than he is. But at the same time he's actually better than other people think he is.  He's frustrated me at times. He's surprised me at times. Just like Wednesday.  Sometimes he's lumbered...and that really has reminded me of Wednesday! But also he's given me some great memories and he's given my club great service. He's been a trusty spare in the boot when the flash alloys have gone spinning off. Or been stolen.   We've shared good times and bad on the journey.

 

I like the big lad because he's honest. I like him because he didn't cost much. I like him because I never ever felt that he was taking the club , my club, for a ride. I like him because I never felt he was taking the p*ss. Is that enough for a team that 'needs to be challenging?'

Is that enough for 'where we want to go'.

Probably not, no. 

But for me i like Nuhiu and I like his type.

I like to know we have players who don't hold my club to ransom. It won't ever help us win a trophy ,I know that. 

We'll need some proper top level top class mercenaries if we're ever to do that. And if we do , I'm sure I'll get as drunk as anyone if I'm still alive, and celebrate wildly as a billionaire playboy lifts the cup on our behalf. 

 

But when I'm gibbering away in a chair, the last semblance of my life ebbing away, as some nurse spoon feeds me my gruel, and the memories of life flash before the old rheumy eyes. I'll remember Big Atty scoring from the corner flag as much as I'll remember Sheridans 'dink'. I'll remember him flattening that Leeds defender , slotting home and sliding away in the snow as much as I remember Big Nige lift the cup.  I'll remember because you take the moments. You take the places. You take and remember the feelings.

 

So thank you big man. 

Thank you for your 50 goals. 

Thank you for one of my favourite ever football related memes.

 

   

 

Thank you for not getting the lip on and disrupting the changing room when you haven't been selected.

Thank you for not vanishing of the holidays even though you knew you'd be on the bench.

Thank you for signing up till the end of the season when you could have just f*cked off or worse feigned injury to ensure you didn't jeopardise your next move.

Thank you for reminding me that some footballers, still, are normal, decent chaps who go about their jobs with a bit of integrity and honesty. Something so sadly lacking in today's game.

 

Thank you and good Luck.

 

 

---------------------------------

 

WEDNESDAY

-V-

MIDDLESBROUGH

 

-----------------------------------------

Saturday 22nd July

Kick off : 19:30
Owlerton 

---------------------------------

 

 

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Wednesday's  Kieran Lee was forced to miss out once again for the trip to Fulham, but Monk has expressed his optimism over the midfielder's availability for the final day.

A return for Lee in the starting lineup could see Joey Pelupessy drop down to the bench,  while Jacob Murphy and Atdhe Nuhiu will be hoping that their huge contributions at Craven Cottage will see them earn a start here. Esepcially Nuhiu who is likely making his last appearance for the club.

 

.

 

Wildsmith

Iorfa   Lees    Borner

Murphy    Luongo     Pelupessy     Bannan      Harris

Windass        Nuhiu

 

---------------------------------------------------

 

 

MIDDLESBROUGH

Middlesbrough boss and favourite Owls panto villain Neil Warnock is facing a selection dilemma in midfield when it comes to replacing the suspended Howson.

Patrick McNair is an option for the Boro manager having come off the bench at the weekend, but fellow midfielder Adam Clayton has struggled for game time under Warnock.

.

 

 

Pears

Dijksteel   Fry   Friend   Coulson

McNair   Saville

Spence    Wing     Tavernier

Assombalonga

 

---------------------------------------------------

 

 

[heppers]

3rd world up there. Like Barnsley on sea.

[Ibbo48]

Just brilliant Snoots.

Just brilliant

[Ian_D]

he's still carp

[Morepork]

Thanks for your efforts through the season Snoots. Very much appreciated.

 

I'm expecting us to play this game with fire and brimstone (no, seriously I am)..... like our league survival depends on it, because it just might.........no more casual approach, thank you.

Edited July 22, 2020 by Morepork

[bobness]

2 hours ago, Lord Snooty said:

 

   

 

Out of sheer curiousity, I am now going to investigate whether this domain is registered or indeed even an actual website. It's the sort of thing I do in the name of science.

Will be back in several hours to report on my findings.

[Morepork]

1 minute ago, bobness said:

 

Out of sheer curiousity, I am now going to investigate whether this domain is registered or indeed even an actual website. It's the sort of thing I do in the name of science.

Will be back in several hours to report on my findings.

 

You are a trooper, thank you for your sacrifice!!! 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Probably the finest piece I have ever read on her m'lud.

 

I also along with many echo your sentiments regarding the big fella.

 

And as an aside, but in my opinion just as noteworthy, please on behalf on myself and the many, many people who read your OMDT, accept our collective THANKS, for your continued excellence of product, and your unwavering comittment to publishing it each and every match day.

 

 

[Utah Owl]

Great work Snoots and a lovely tribute to the Big Man (still hoping we can persuade him to stay a little longer).

 

Let's hope the lads give it all they've got and sign off on a high note. Nuhiu hat-trick anyone?

[Roscoe P. Coltrane]

THE WEDNESDAY

[scilly owl]

Yes, a great summary of a man that we love to love and love to knock in almost equal measure. 
We all have friends who support rival clubs saying “ who is that big raffle ticket winner you’ve got up front “ whilst very respected opposing managers will bemoan after being beaten by Wednesday “ we just couldn’t handle the big guy up top”

I’m not sure whether or not  I’ll miss him as a footballer but it’s clear that as a human being he’s going to leave a gaping void within the changing room and around the club.

Atty, please don’t sign for Barnsley and score a hatrick against us... I want to love you forever.

[thewookieisdown]

Bravo, My Lord. Magnificent piece. Made the eyes prickle a wee bit. 

 

My favourite Nuhiu moment perhaps the penalty against Boro in March 2014 it must have been. By and large the big man had looked out of his depth that first season, as we had all no doubt expected when he first signed. But there were flashes of promise and something too about the attitude of this man from a strange benighted corner of Europe. 

 

And then 0-0 right at the end of a dire game with relegation still on the cards we get a penalty. Nuhui steps up. 40,000 hands cover 20,000 pairs of eyes. You really feel if he doesn't score there will be no coming back.... 

 

Gosh, six years. All so long ago. My son hadn't taken his GCSEs. Now he's graduated. My daughter would have been 12. Now she's waiting on A-level results and driving a car and working in a cafe and running rings round her boyfriend. 

 

We can still talk about moments like that. 

[The only way is S6]

A quality piece your Lordship. You do seem overly fond of a cul-de-sac or a back alley. Is there something you’re not telling us about your fondness for Atty? A subliminal admiration?

The metaphor of the warrior as a trusty spare wheel is genius.

A club legend, for whatever reason the individual wants to focus on.....

I prefer loyalty, commitment & good value.

We will win 2-1 with a Nooyoo penalty.

UTO

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Hunt]

Top post M’lud 

 

Hope Atty scores tonight rips his shirt of to reveal a message of 

 

That ones for  Ian 

Edited July 22, 2020 by hugeowl

[MrsHall]

UTO.

[bladeshater]

Thank you your lordship for efforts through the season 

 

 

 

UP THE OWLS

[mcmigo]

A wonderful piece, a really wonderful tribute to one of the great Wednesday cult heroes.   So much of supporting this club is wrapped up in that piece. It is a tribute to the great bits of football itself for those of us who support clubs outside the elite.
 

A tribute to the joys of honesty and effort, but also the joys of flaws, mistakes and shortcomings . It is only these that make us human and separate us from machines. It is our flaws that give us character, personality, charisma.  No player in my life supporting wednesday has ever come close to the charisma And impact of Adthe Nuhiu for all of those reasons. Those who didn’t feel it or experience it and sought to fight against it seek perfection, a nirvana that doesn’t exist and even if it did, would be so soulless and boring it would soon turn to a pink and shiny version of hell.
 

Those who didn’t experience the joy of seeing Adthe play and instead focused on those flaws of his as negatives will be forever searching in their lives, never satisfied. You see it on owlstalk, the constant rose tinted glasses talking about Roland Nilsson et al. All the while we have this giant Kosovan, always ready to spring off the bench, always ready to throw himself into the game, always fully aware of his flaws and limitations but always ready to try to grab that goal and get us back in the game or to see it out.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bakewell Owl]

Excellent piece, almost brought a tear to my eye, thank you m'lord.

 

two memories of Atty

few seasons back Reading away (I think we won 2-0) and Atty flicking the ball up and over, and jinking along the line, terrific skill midway between the corner flag and the box,  wish i could find a clip of it

 

Huddersfield away, I have a mate who is a udders fan, and after the match we ended up in the bar in the main stand, in walks Andy Booth who does hospitality work for them, he was talking to my mate and thought i was another udders fan, Atty had come on as a sub, and Boothy had just come out of the dressing room and all could do was laud and complement Atty, reckons the Udders defenders were panicking like mad because of him

 

heart says win, head says win lets batter the smogies

[Bluestripe]

Quality post Snooty.

Thanks also for stepping up with OMDT game after game.

i always laugh if you’ve been late with OMDT post...we narrowly avoid saying “get out of bed and do the effin OMDT you lazy scroat”....you narrowly avoid saying “ffs...you useless tos*sers, you COULD DO IT YOURSELVES you know”

[Silkstone Owl]

2 hours ago, bobness said:

 

Out of sheer curiousity, I am now going to investigate whether this domain is registered or indeed even an actual website. It's the sort of thing I do in the name of science.

Will be back in several hours to report on my findings.

Several hours??

teach me