It would be better to hope than expect

Last updated : 09 August 2010 By Simon Doyle
Andre Bikey
Andre `BK Baracas' Bikey
England supporters perhaps should be more aware of this than most, following expectation this summer, and those of 2006, 2002, 1998 and so forth.

It is hard to recall a time when Burnley fans expected as much as we do now. Not only do we anticipate promotion, but we evidently want to see our team win in style.

Had we never spent a year rubbing shoulders with the Premier League elite, a win against twice European champions Nottingham Forest would have been celebrated.

It was a Championship opening day victory, and clean sheet against another promotion favourite, yet still some fans walked away moaning after the final whistle.

Yes, the football wasn't great, played on a poor pitch, and Forest wasted chance after chance, but it was the perfect start to what we hope will be a great season. It really is hard to argue about winning three points.

There was some quality, especially in the move that led to the only goal. Some great passing, a peach of a cross and tremendous finish.

Chris Iwelumo impressed on his debut and won the man-of-the-match text vote ahead of the best player on the pitch, Andre `BK Baracas' Bikey, with his amazing Mr T haircut. It was an A-star performance from the centre back. I'd love to know how many people actually send texts.

Dean Marney and Ross Wallace were solid enough, Wallace forcing a couple of saves from Lee Camp, and it was great to see Jay Rodriguez appear for us in a competitive game again.

The Forest fans were a great source of amusement, taunting us with their "Premiership and you f-ed it up" song. These are the fans of a club that holds the honour of being the first ever relegated from the Premier League.

Strangely, on Saturday I felt something I hadn't felt since Wembley - nerves. I was jittery again. When we played Manchester United, Everton, Spurs and Sunderland last season, the nerves weren't there. Anything we got was going to be a bonus.

Now, the nerves are back, possibly because I too, like many others, expect. Perhaps it would be better to hope than expect, however hard we might find that.

If we are disappointed by winning, how bad would the reaction have been had we - like Leeds - lost at home on the opening day?

My flight home to Dublin was rammed full of dejected Leeds fans.

"Turf Moor will be a difficult place to go this season," one said.

He's right. Just ask Forest.