Not that it should matter, but every time that 'slipped on his arse' song or similiar gets aired - and it will, perhaps until he retires and after, because certain clubs' sets of fans go far beyond cheeky 'banter', know nothing of having some class and respect and restraint, and are just cruel and vindictive creatures - we need to ensure it's drowned out with great ferocity. Anyone watching the game should only be able to catch the first line or two from rival fans, and then all they'll hear from that point on is us, effectively putting them in their place through the medium of song.
Hearing that sung actually got my blood up, made me feel sick to the pit of my stomach, because Steve could well be torturing himself inside right now, and the knowledge that such a Liverpool legend could be feeling so isolated and kicked-when-he's-down out there just won't do. I feel strongly about this; we close ranks now on these lads who've took us so wonderfully, unexpectedly close, and just let it excitedly slip through their fingers at the very last. It was stupid, yeah, but I've done plenty of stupid, costly shit in my life, and come back from it because I'm a Red, and it informs everything.
YNWA has to have a meaning, it can't be a token catchphrase or hollow showpiece of "terrace culture". I won't berate anyone, particularly our youngsters on here, for feeling devo'd; hurt, deflated, empty, let down. But you've got to wipe it away and stand up tall, because you're a Red first and foremost. Steve's picking up of an inconsolable Luis, "on your feet, soldier"... that shit is significant to me, it has huge symbolism.
So, all this talk of 'bottlers'? Get to fuck. I'm very grateful to these bottlers for taking me so high again. The dream hasn't come true (or at least looks incredibly unlikely), but they did make us dream. Steve now knows he's in a serious title-challenging outfit, who can only get better with smart acquisitions strengthening some positions. He didn't know that for certain just a year go, and nor did we.
