Fuck it

It’s in the past now. That will be the fuel for future battles, but I’m not sweating it anymore for now.

Some final thoughts before I turn in.

They were defensively very solid, albeit that becomes substantially easier when gifted a goal. But they lacked quality, just like we did. They need to do a Sunderland:Forest style full squad replacement, or it will be a car crash for them. I think they’ll be next seasons Burnley, and will have a miserable season, while we will be loving life.

I’ve been dwelling on the penalty. Clearly the officials as a team f**ked up, but the diving player has by and large got away without criticism. The universal position - including from many of us on here - is that the players been clever, done really well to buy one, and that’s what players do and should do. I still remember a time when the player would have been widely condemned, and people would have said a retrospective punishment was due for such blatant cheating, and how that sort of thing needs stamping out of the game. The game has really fallen a long way hasn’t it, to now find cheating of that degree almost praise worthy? It’s just standard these days.

Today’s experience will really help the players - and Big Phil. It’s fine for us fans to lose our s**t when the penalty was given, but Big Phil and the players really need to have ice in the veins and the head, even if there’s fire in the heart and belly. Looked to me like heads were lost at times, including at times on the touchline. They all need a lesson from the crafty winker, Herr Farke. Let the others lose their s**t. We need ruthless focus on winning. I think Big Phil will make that a key lesson from today to take into next season for all concerned.

In that regard, Nunez embarrassed himself today. Clearly should have been sent off and might well have cost his team dearly. He’s obviously a moron, and it wouldn’t surprise me if their manager has now marked his card - if it was me, I would. The fans of course will love it, but had it been the other way around, after the heat of battle, I’d now be reflecting on how close our player might have come to sabotaging a really strong position to get involved in all manner of petty nonsense. Really piss poor from a professional footballer.

Today did also reveal the limits of what we’re putting on the pitch at the moment. It will really help Phil and Knapper, as they plan for next season. Phil has built an incredibly strong platform to build from next season, but if we get the summer right, and keep people fit, next season could be amazing. Things like today can really be a spur for our young players too.

Onwards and upwards I say. Next time we have a derby, it won’t be like this I’ll wager, and now I’m not quite so cross, feeling hugely optimistic and proud. OTBC

Posted By: Under soil heating, Apr 11, 22:28:11