By KJ
October 12 2003

after a truly depressing Harriers defeat, KJ set off for the pub in search of salvation. He found it, along with many bottles of lager as England progress to Portugal and the dirty Turks must now play off, result. THE ENGERLAND REPORT
Well after that dismal defeat to Southend, I like most Harriers fans watched the England game against Turkey. In the end it proved a glorious occasion for the lads wearing the 3 lions as they drew 0-0 thus making Turkey play off for a spot in Portugal next summer. Of course it wasn’t just us Kidder fans who needed cheering up, after the past week or so, the whole English game needed a boost and we certainly got it last night.
Of course, leading up to the game, much was said about the absence of Rio. There was much blaming, with talk of a possible players revolt, lead apparently by Gary “if you can play for England so can I “Neville. Fortunately nothing came of it. the way I see it the following players, Sol Campbell (possibly), Steven Gerrard, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen are assured of a place every time at the moment, as for every one else then that depends on how their doing.
So England kicked off in the Fernebache Stadium to a very noisy and volatile welcome from their hosts. Yes it some atmosphere, but if we had have gone 2-0 up early on then there would have been more noise at a youth team game at Aggborough. Speaking of volatile atmospheres there was a very volatile atmosphere in the local I watched the game in, especially when Alpay started gobbing. The game now seems a drunken haze but looking back the Turks rarely threatened, only forcing one really decent save out of James. In fact we didn’t look in any danger. Rooney had a good chance, he managed to get to the ball ahead of the onrushing keeper but his lob went over. Perhaps with experience he would take it round the keeper and get clattered. The same player then had another half chance, toe poking wide. Then came the penalty. Gerrard, who was my man of the match burst into the area only to be brought down by Tugay and Collina pointed to the spot. There was much cheering in the pub, as I moved some glasses in anticipation of celebrating a goal. Becks, as we know, has been doing an Adidas commercial with Jonny Wilkinson. It showed tonight as he fired the spot kick miles over as he slipped whilst making contact with the ball. The dirty Turks were straight in his face. First there was Alpay, who continued to goad Beckham well after the event. Lets hope UEFA throw the book at him, if the Arsenal players get punished then so should the average Villa man. In fact Alpay’s offence is worse, I don’t recall so much security fears before the Man U Arsenal game.
So England went in goalless at the break, then followed an apparent bust up in the tunnel. At this stage I did fear the Turks would spawn one in, especially after the penalty miss. The second half followed the same pattern really, and we didn’t really look threatened. Beckham then had a goal ruled out for offside, I cant comment as I was toilet bound at the time. Then sub Kieron Dyer was going through on goal as he was taken out by the Turks keeper. Surprisingly it was only a booking. Another sub Vassell also went close late on but no matter, were through and the dirty Turks are in the play offs. I hope they get Spain or Holland and get a right tanking.
So another good drunken evening watching England. Much xenophobic comments launched at the TV, superb. How can you not hate Turkey though ? I saw in the papers today all of their banners “Welcome to Hell” and quite amusingly “rapers”. No, its rapists, you idiots. Maybe such signs should read “Welcome to hell, but please come back on holiday to keep us out of the third world, thankyou”.
One of the next games Alpay will be playing in is the Birmingham City v Aston Villa derby. No doubt the Blues fans will have time to make there own little banners, that’s unless he chickens out.
Well you needed cheering up, anything to take the Southend game off the top.