Nobody should take that victory, or rather the manner of it, for granted, on the grounds of “Oh, it’s only Rotherham, Championship team that’s struggling in their division”.
Just think a minute. Half time. 3-0 up. It’s a dead rubber. Done and dusted, as they say. Who could have possibly blamed the lads if they’d coasted the second half, after the exertions and feats of Thursday evening? We get maybe a fourth goal, maybe we concede a sloppy one, so 4-0 or 3-1, but who cares? As I say, done and dusted.
Well, they cared. They spend the second half running around, fluid and mobile all over the pitch, always searching for the dangerous move, and go on to score four more goals! One more than in the first half. Several of them played a major part in Thursday evening. Did you see the shift that Sané was getting through, once he was on, attacking, defending, here, there and fucking everywhere? Admirable.
The way they played was pride in themselves, respect for the opposition, and respect for the blues in the stadium.
It’s a bit early in the month, but my feeling is that we may be back, with a vengeance. Burn-out? I see no sign whatsoever of it.
If anyone, it’s the other lot who’ll burn out.