AN alarming vision has been disturbing Manchester United supporters since it became clear the championship could be decided on the season's final day tomorrow. They see a mud spattered figure charging into the area, determination dripping from every pore, to head the goal that denies United a third Premiership title in four years.
The figure is Bryan Rob son, and the thought of Old Trafford's Captain Marvel turning into Corporal Punishment has been enough to give United supporters anxiety attacks the Middlesbrough player manager, too, in all probability, because he is an invidious position.
The chances of Rob son taking the field tomorrow are slight the prospect of becoming a latter day Denis Law is too awful but he would probably prefer if the club he is most associated with could win the title almost anywhere else. If Middlesbrough win he could be denying old friends a prize lose limply and the mutterings from Newcastle about collusion will begin.
Which is hard on Middlesbrough who have played since Christmas like they could lose to United's youth team, never mind the champions elect. In their last League eight matches at the Riverside, they have won only once and as that was against the Premiership's current whipping boys, Sheffield Wednesday.
Given usual circumstances you would expect United to get the win they need, but the conditions are far from normal and they might well be clinging on to a point by tomorrow evening while hoping Newcastle do not get the six goals they need against Tottenham at St James' Park to deny them on goal difference.
I must have had 80,000 letters from United supporters this season wishing me well," Robson, who still lives in the Manchester area, said. "I wouldn't like to lose them as fans but we have 27,000 season tickets to try to entertain. I can assure everyone my will be determined to do best." These are words that soothe a few battered souls on Tyneside who are enlarging straws to the size of planks as they clutch for something to forget they once had a 12 point lead.
"I think the way we performed showed we have the ability to win the title," Kevin Keegan said after Thursday's 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest virtually buried their hopes, "but it's not how we play now, it's how the table looks." Little has gone right for Newcastle in their run in and even the choice of opponents tomorrow could be better as Tottenham require a win to help their UEFA Cup aspirations. A defeat for both championship contenders, and an anti climactic conclusion, is not out of the question.
When it comes to disappointing finishes, however, Sheffield Wednesday, are becoming masters. Six years ago they appeared on the blind side of everyone and managed to snatch relegation on the line and this year they making a pretty fine job a staging a repeat, matching their 1990 run of four points in six games going into their final game.
If they lose tomorrow and Southampton, Coventry and Manchester City win, Wednesday are relegated. "I've had sleepless nights," David Pleat, their manager said. "We have to assume that the other teams below us will win. We have to believe that otherwise our attitude may be wrong. We're ready for the weekend of decision.
