Martin O’Neill sounds like a little kid in a sweet shop talking about this weekends derby clash against Blues.
Speaking on the official site there’s a definite air of excitement from the man, as he describes the derbies of two years ago as ‘intense’.
‘I remember those derbies two seasons ago like they were yesterday.
‘What an incredible 60 seconds in the first at St. Andrew’s. Gabby cleared the ball off the line and then scored the winner for us at the other end.
‘I just relish the intensity. It lived up to everything I expected the last time around.’
Following hot on the heels of Ian Taylor’s interview, when he commented about managers trying to play down such clashes as ‘normal’ games, O’Neill has no compunction about saying it how it is.
‘No matter what people say, they are definitely different games. There’s a different atmosphere, tempo, everything really.’
O’Neill also explains that a victory or a loss in a derby match does affect the players, celebrations go on a little longer when you win, but when you lose everyone is despondent for far longer than normal.
He also realises times have changed from the last time we played them, a different squad, different manager and as ever nothing is guaranteed in football.
That aside though, he remembers our performance at Villa Park particularly well:
‘We played particularly well on the day, scored some goals and it was just a brilliant performance.
‘If that’s anything to go by, it should keep our spirits high.’
Anyone wants to bet he’s told the squad to do better than 5-1 this time?
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