Ben Herd: 'I'm desperate to add to my medals'

Ben Herd / Ben Herd / 30 April 2009 / 1 Comments Free £25 Bet

On the eve of a crucial promotion battle, Shrewbury's right back discusses the big games in League Two, his determination to land silverware and why Chelsea might yet fail to make the Champions League final.

Well, this is the last article that I shall write before the last game of the regular season this Saturday...

As I stated last week, our fate is still in our own hands and, although last week's result against Lincoln was a disappointment, the result - barring a defeat - was neither here nor there as we take on Dagenham & Redbridge who occupy the last play-off place with only two points between us!

This is a must-win game and I believe we are taking 1,400 fans which shows the level of support we get - all of these sort of factors have an important part to play as well.
This is the first time in my career that the last remaining fixture has something riding on it, which is the same for Exeter and Bury who are in the race to clinch third spot. If you had told me that those two would have been fighting it out for the last automatic place I wouldn't have believed you. Credit must go to both of their managers who have done a fantastic job.

Bury take on Accrington at Gigg Lane...Let's hope none of their players have bet on themselves to lose this year! I can see Bury winning this one to be honest. Exeter undoubtedly have the harder task, away at Rotherham who will want to finish in the "real top three" (the table without points deductions for financial issues). Exeter are the better equipped team for life in League One; I was most impressed with them on the two occassions we came across them and I would go as far to say that they are the best footballing team that we have come up against this term.

The only trophies that I have won so far are two reserve league titles, the latest one coming this week when I skippered the team to victory in our final reserve team game of the season. I'm still waiting for the trophy to lift, medal and of course a bottle of bubbly!

It is in stark contrast to the last time I won a reserve title way back when I was 17 and I lifted the Barclaycard Premiership reserve league title with Watford. We had to win our last game at home to West Ham to clinch the title infront of 4,500 fans at Vicarage Road. Fortunately we won the game 1-0, the celebrations that followed were pretty decent for a ressie league. It's pretty much the same as when one of the Premiership teams win the league; trophy, champers and a solid gold medal.

It was a proud moment for me being a YTS player and considering I made the most appearances it was something to be proud of. Obviously it is nice to win trophies and does give you an appetite to win more but I'm desperate to add a proper trophy to these two.

The Champions League is probably the most important trophy to win at club level and this week Chelsea did one part of the job, holding many people's favourite's Barcelona at The Nou Camp. Sometimes in football the performance is secondary to the result and this was definitely the case on Tuesday night.

Many people think that Chelsea have done the hard part by not conceding but I think they will be really up against it at 'The Bridge'. Chelski have to win the game, simple as that, a draw won't be enough so Guus Hiddink's side are going to have to come out and attack, thus leaving more space for Lionel Messi and co to get to work.

Don't get me wrong I have played in many games where the performance has been negative and disciplined. I remember a game against Peterborough a few years back where we won 2-0 but literally had 10 men behind the ball for 90 minutes and managed to score from the only two attempts that we had. Needs must sometimes.

Staying on the Chelsea theme, Hiddink should be delighted that Peter Cech was back to his old best on Tuesday night. The Czech pulled of some top saves to keep Barca at bay and looked as though he was never going to be beaten. It shows great character on Cech's part because many pundits have been throwing stick his way in recent weeks.

Chelsea take on their West London rivals Fulham this weekend at Stamford Bridge. My last betting tip was an absolute shocker no thanks to a certain Mr Webb! But for this week I can't see past a Chelsea win at [1.53] and if Cech is in the same inspired form as he was midweek you can expect a Chelsea clean sheet at [2.06] to back.