Posted by: Richard Lee 15/05/2008
Lowest point to date
Over the years I’ve had my arm split in two, my cheekbone depressed and a few other nasty injuries but none of them compare to the pain of last night.
I’m sure soon I’ll look back and be proud of my achievements this season, for on the whole it has been a great season personally. Last night was my 41st game, and the most I have played in one season to date, yet the season has finished on a low.
I’m the first to hold my hands up if I’ve made a mistake and I shoulder responsibility for Hull’s first goal. When the ball looped in the air my first thought was that I could get to the ball. I soon realised I wouldn’t make it which left me in ‘no man’s land’ and unfortunately the looping header got the better of me. There have been many defining moments that have shaped our season, many ifs and buts and last night was no different.
Even for someone as positive as me it can be hard to pick out the positives right now but I will try.
The first and major one being how we played over the two legs; we passed the ball around and created many chances. We will bounce back next season and will be much the wiser for our experiences of this term. The football we have played against Hull over the two legs is a sign of what’s to come in my eyes.
Another positive was the support we received up there; such a long way to travel yet our end was full as it normally is and our fans out-sang the Hull fans for the majority of the game. It was a real shame that we couldn’t show our appreciation at the end because the support was commented on by all of the lads.
On a personal note, I’ll bounce back from this I have no doubt. Last night for me signified the life of a goalkeeper: the highs and lows, one misjudgement and it can end in a goal.
I’ll find the positives from the situation and use them to improve myself. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and it’s because of that I’ll find the reason in this.
Of course I wish things would have turned out differently last night but I know I gave my best last night and this season - because of that I have no regrets.