
At the start of the match, as it turned out, our team came out of the blocks like it had a firework up its collective hind quarters. Optimism was inspired by the red card issued to Sebastian Boenisch following a studs up lunging tackle in the 17th minute leaving Leverkusen with just ten men! Hertha were all over the visitors like a particularly nasty rash and rewards appeared with an assist from Vedad Ibisevic leading to an early goal from Darida in the 7th minute. Naturally, I jumped out of my seat like a cuckoo on steroids thinking perhaps this could be our day.
A confident and dare I say it, a dominant performance from the old lady leaves her with 26 points two matches before the winter break. There were still a few glitches that made the heart stop but in the run up to match day 16 we find ourselves in a position we couldn’t have justifiably dreamt of this time last year.
Up until this point in the season (and those preceding it come to that) my prime concern has always been safety. Always thinking of those 35 points or so required for safety as each win or draw notches up a few more to add to the total. Each point a step closer to avoiding relegation. I guess if I was honest, I’m still thinking very much like that but this season has seen the old lady playing with confidence and dare I say it, certain panache at times. So much so in fact that it makes you think perhaps this year is the year things will really start to come together in the capital. Perhaps this year it is OK to start to dream.