I half expected a 'different' season this year, particularly with the World Cup.
I still think the double whammy of losing the league by a point and Champions League Final within a week at the end of the longest possible season/shortest close season is having an effect. Previously, when losing out similarly in consecutive seasons we went on to win the Champions League and then the Prem the following seasons.
The side has been allowed to age together, with not enough new blood added from a position of power, as each season has passed. Now whether this is reticence on owners FSG's part (our overall spend has been pretty small compared to most other top flight clubs) or Jurgen's choice is open to debate (it's been said he prefers to work with smaller, tight knit squads).
The large injury list is beginning to clear a bit now, great to see Kelleher, Konate and Ramsay on the bench last night for the first time this season. We don't seem to do 1-2 week injuries, generally they're 4-6 weeks at least...don't get me started on the perenially crocked Ox and Keita, both should have been shipped out in the summer to save on wages.
I wasn't surprised by Brighton's performance at the weekend, a really good side and brilliantly-run club 👏 In the same fixture last season, they fought back from 2-0 down and battered us on the way to drawing (that 2 points dropped would have secured us the title).
Let's not forget City also conceded 3 goals at home to a team much poorer than the Seagulls 😉 (I'll admit that could be the most desperate case of clutching at straws 😂)
Despite the endless run of serious injuries continuing ad infinitum 😟, that was a great, gritty performance in an excellent match v Citeh
Obviously, need to push on now starting with Skeletor Moyes's Hammers tonight...it won't be easy
Big Virg now out for a month 😢
Oil money works in the most obvious ways 🤬
No sooner had Citeh lost, then we have 2 incorrect red cards (yes, I know Jota's second yellow was deserved, his first wasn't) and a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside (that the PGMOL have already apologised about, due to human error) So if we to were to lose out on top 4, or the title, by a point or two come next May, then these apologies are not good enough!
Ah, these things even themselves out over a season.
Quote from: Slim on September 30, 2023, 09:15:36 PMAh, these things even themselves out over a season.
I think Brighton would have contested that vehemently last season, having being wronged four games in a row which may well have cost them a top four finish
Quote from: Ali on September 30, 2023, 09:56:28 PMQuote from: Slim on September 30, 2023, 09:15:36 PMAh, these things even themselves out over a season.
I think Brighton would have contested that vehemently last season, having being wronged four games in a row which may well have cost them a top four finish
If you have to rely on contentious decisions, you're not good enough :-\
Quote from: David L on September 30, 2023, 10:22:16 PMQuote from: Ali on September 30, 2023, 09:56:28 PMQuote from: Slim on September 30, 2023, 09:15:36 PMAh, these things even themselves out over a season.
I think Brighton would have contested that vehemently last season, having being wronged four games in a row which may well have cost them a top four finish
If you have to rely on contentious decisions, you're not good enough :-\
Maybe officials concentrating on making correct rather contentious would help matters, I'd have thought 😉
(https://i.ibb.co/DgfXnzc/pgmol.jpg)
This is fair enough, I'm pleased to see them acknowledge the mistake. However there's a significant human error involved in kicking the ball into your own net, as well. The result of the game was about more than dodgy officiating.
Would be good if spurs conceded 2 points and recommended a draw being awarded? Would be great PR for them as well..
Would set an unfortunate precedent, IMO. People walking out of football grounds not knowing whether their team had won or not.
True..
Quote from: Slim on October 01, 2023, 05:26:38 PMWould set an unfortunate precedent, IMO. People walking out of football grounds not knowing whether their team had won or not.
Judging by the state of people I've seen going to Soccerball matches in the last year - and this was early morning - most of the attendees at these festivals of mediocrity won't have a fucking clue what their teams have done anyway.