Way lays on cider for Mourinho and eyes merry night
YEOVIL manager Darren Way has sourced both red wine and Somerset cider for Jose Mourinho to glug tonight. ‘It’s important he’s privy to what we drink,’ said Way as the FA Cup’s lowest-ranked team geared up to host the world’s largest club. The pair will speak, they will perhaps share a cider on Mourinho’s 55th birthday and the United boss will politely answer questions. Maybe he will give Way some advice on how to turn around Yeovil’s fortunes, because they languish 21st in League Two and could be in the relegation zone by tomorrow evening. Tumbling out of the Football League, where they have competed since 2003, does not bear thinking about. Way, who played in midfield for the Glovers and was on the coaching staff in 2013 when they reached the Championship, did not duck the issues yesterday. The money has gone. Attendances have dipped. Yeovil are sinking. ‘I’m a little bit disappointed, I can’t lie,’ said Way, who has issues with a section of the club’s fans. ‘One or two are trying to set up little conspiracies against us. That’s unfortunate. My message to them would be, “Live in the moment”. ‘We’re probably going to have 9,000 at Huish Park against United and this could be one of the club’s biggest achievements. ‘Being a Yeovil fan, you may never get this opportunity again. Get behind the team, get behind the manager and feel
proud for the day. Turn up with pride. Turn up with honesty.’ In fact, history suggests Yeovil WILL get another opportunity like this. United were last here only three years ago and as a non-League club they took 20 League scalps. In preparation for United, motivational messages dot the stadium walls and each player has been given a ‘warrior card’ with personal goals. A psychologist came in last week. Way was lucky to survive a car crash in 2008 and Sir Alex Ferguson helped afterwards by bringing down a United side for his testimonial. The 38-year-old has leaned on Ferguson for advice ever since, with the Scot talking to Yeovil’s players via Skype this month. John Terry gave them a set-piece masterclass recently and Lee Johnson has opened up Bristol City’s facilities. Sometimes it’s about who you know. Way added: ‘It’s been a difficult two-and-a-half years, but I’ve done my job. Now this is our chance to show what Yeovil are about. We’re not called the giantkillers for nothing.’