Today the Buffs visited the scene of last season's Battle of Reims. Stade de Reims were one of those teams last season that, when it mattered, Buffs could not beat. Reims set up on a 4-1-3N-2 and as Buffs emerged they faced up to them in a 4-3N-2W-1. Buffs started energetically with a couple of early chances but Reims stood firm and were crisp in the tackle. Crisp was not the right word in 20 mins when 2 defenders cleared the ball from Fletcher, then took the man and almdst each other too. No yellow - I suppose the ref couldn't decide which one of the Black and Blues Brothers was the culprit - and McStay squandered the free-kick. Buffs Mad pondered for a few moments (Billy Bremner was already in the hands of the medics) then brought on Hansen to take up a central defensive position and push Dave Mackay into a defensive midfield role. Shortly after Mackay slid a long ball between the Reims defence and as Mols rushed in he was pulled down from the back. McStay tested the keeper with the free-kick but it was turned round the post. McLeish delivered a precision ball from the corner and Mols rose majestically to bullet a header home. Buffs kept up the pressure but the game swung towards the away end as the half drew to a close - the Buffs Barmy Army gasped, to a man, as a blistering strike flew towards McGregor. Not that he knew much about it but he was glad to see it clip the bar.

In the second half they went at each other like 2 2 drunks with a carry-out, wrestling and jostling for possession with increasing vigour and frustration. Mols tried to give a dead leg on the refs blindside but following discussion with the linesman the ref showed a yellow. Over the next 10 minutes Reims introduced fresh legs with Christiansen, Taneda and Fofana coming on. Souness madec a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box in 86 mins giving away a silly free-kick in a dangerous area as well as picking up a yellow. However Fofana made a mess of the free-kick. Buffs ran down the clock without further incident.

Buffs now remain in second 3pts behind the leader but with a better goal difference. Stade de Reims also remain in 3rd but slip 7 pts behind. With 2 key midfielders injured Buffs Mad must decide whether to play with what he has or get the medical staff working around the clock to get them fit for the next match.