Down by the Riverside with Phil Lloyd

I HAVEN'T gone back and checked so you'll have to take my word for it. I reckon Jason McAteer has featured in this column more often than any other Rovers player this season.

Why? Possibly because Riversiders like me are closest to our wide players. Over time, an affinity develops. Stuart Ripley was a case in point: the special round of applause just for him, the words of encouragement shouted by individual fans, the knowing looks and little gestures from player to those supporters, unseen by the rest of the crowd. In short, a rapport.

This proximity can also produce a negative reaction, when the winger is not performing or out of favour with the Walkersteel inhabitants. Ask Jason Wilcox, he could write a book about it!

But, back to our current Jason.

When Damien Johnson's injury restored Macca to first-team duties, Riversiders let out a collective groan. He'd cut a forlorn figure recently, a major disappointment whose Ewood career was at the crossroads. The smart money was on McAteer and Rovers parting company sooner rather than later.

Results and performances against Gillingham, Tranmere and QPR did little to alter this view. Then, suddenly, there was Macca nodding that precious goal at Burnley, cheeky and chirpy again in front of the Sky cameras and we knew our man was back.

In the second half last Saturday, McAteer starred. Winning tackles, whipping in crosses, pinpointing passes, he won over some frozen hearts in the stand. Near the end, the ball went out towards the far left touchline. A blue and white figure danced goalwards and we strained our eyes to identify him. Macca! He'd been here, he'd been there, now he really had been everywhere.

Damien Duff took the official man of the match award, but Riversiders begged to differ. Our award went to the last man off the pitch, last because he came right across the field to acknowledge the Walkersteel fans and receive their applause.

Rapport. It even translates into Scouse!

Marcus's gem to salvage a point at Norwich kept a New Year smile on fans' faces, but we all know we're still short of convincing. So were Howard Kendall's team of 21 years ago. They couldn't kill teams off either: anyone remember three scrappy 1-0 wins in four breathless Easter days?

It didn't stop us celebrating promotion that season and maybe history will repeat. For now, it's a happier New Year than any Rovers fan thought possible a few short weeks ago.