Total Football

So Tuesday night I went to see Arsenal v Sheffield United. I'm no follower of either team but I had a spare evening and there were cheap tickets going so along I went. And I'm glad I did because I was treated to one of the most wonderful displays of total football by Arsenal's absurdly talented youngsters that I have ever seen. Now I know Sheffiled United aren't exactly Chelsea but they are still pros with a few old campaighners in their ranks like Gary Speed and Glen Cotterill so you might have expected some resistance. Instead they were destroyed by beautifully crafted one touch football that was quite simply a joy to watch.

And it has made me think, why do I follow a ropey old team like Barnet when there is football out there like that to watch?

I suppose partly its historical, I've followed Barnet since I was a kid and changing allegience is just not what a fan does. It's more than that though. yes I saw an amazing performance on Tuesday but it wont last half as long in my memory as standing on the old West Bank end at Underhill and seeing Tony Lynch lash one in from 30 yards against Darlington in 1993. 15 years ago and I can still see it like it was yesterday. Or of Dougie Freedman lobbing the Northampton goal keeper from what must have been 45 yards, on the volley in 1995. Or Lee Roach's injury time goal mouth scramble winner against Leigh RMI in 2004.

And I have no idea why that is. And to be honest I don't want to know why either, to oever analyse would simply ruin the magic.

So while I may well return to Arsenal (I typically treat myself to 2 or 3 top class games per season) to see some amazing football my heart will stay with Barnet, no matter how woeful they may be.

It's a funny old game.