My emotions are still pretty strong as I write this blog, and the title is self explanatory about the first half in particular against Everton. Unfortunately for the first time at University my usual relatively cheerful resolve was well and truly shattered. Although defeats often leave me in a bad mood, I honestly haven't felt as low and bitter about defeat in quite some time. So to start, I feel I should apologise to my friends who watched the game in 'The Mill' I may have placed a lot of significance on this game but that is no excuse to how I acted and spoke to some of you post-match. Those that read these blogs may note that I try to remain optimistic when writing them, I'm not actually that optimistic a character, but I'm not really a pessimist, a realist? Maybe, but I don't feel I fit into that group either. I thought Everton was going to be a tough game, but I honestly believed that if our players showed some determination and a dash of quality we could hold out for a deserved draw. My prediction for the season was similar, a struggle, but one we'd deservedly win in the end. The problem I have writing this is my brain is in a state of limbo – in the past I've known who to criticise, now I don't. I don't want to criticise too many of the players because it is evident they try their best, even if it isn't quite good enough…also most of them got us here in the first place, and that shouldn't be forgotten easily. I certainly wont criticise Aidy, not that that means I agree with every decision he makes, but one thing for sure he does what he believes will get us a victory. Could he be blamed for the lack of quality signings? Maybe, but at least he hasn't wasted much money, and the fact Collins John wouldn't come to us, symbolises the situation. So does that mean we should blame the board? Not at all, in fact they are the ones who should receive the least, because off the pitch things are probably the best they've been since I've been a fan. So for me personally, I can't find a scapegoat, so my frustration just simmers without an obvious target making defeats much harder to stomach. A fellow horn who I watched the game with seemed to feel the same, we both agreed the boos, at halftime in particular and at fulltime were harsh but that didn't hide our disappointment/anger - maybe you become more objective when missing more games than you see? The regular fans were no doubt once in a similar situation, but unlike me who was able to live in ignorance (convincing my self we'd been unlucky to lose in games etc) have now started to find targets for the frustration (as shown by the booing in recent games). The problem is against Everton, we were actually doing ok, not great, but alright. Although Everton were on top, both teams created chances in the opening 20 minutes, but then a bit of class and luck was the difference, and the fact Tim Cahill took a risk. Our players seem afraid to shoot outside the box, Cahill wasn't, Richard Lee spilled the ball, and both Andy Johnson and Manuel Fernandes took another risk and anticipated he would do so, despite the efforts of Demerit it was 1.0. Rather than regrouping, the pressure evidently got to the players, I'd barely had time to digest that first goal when all of a sudden Johnson was through again. It doesn't matter if it was penalty or not (it wasn't) he shouldn't have been allowed to have that good a chance in the first place seconds after our kick-off. Obviously that goal really did kill us off, if it had stayed 1.0 until half time we'd always have had a chance. But yet again Andy Johnson did what he does best against us and like when he played for Palace, went down 'a bit too easily' to put it nicely. In all honestly that really did signal a collapse, Everton could have easily made it 3.0, maybe 4.0 before the break but thankfully it remained 2.0. But that doesn't disguise the fact things were embarrassing. The 2nd half provided some optimism, particularly the performance of Tamas Priskin who looked like the player most likely to score, and he took risks by shooting from outside the box. I can only imagine it is the language difficulties made worse by his age that were/are keeping him out of the team. Maybe him and Hoskins should be tried at some point this season, after all they are our young strike force for the future. The early promise seemed to gradually evaporate, and the game looked like it was going to be 2.0, and due to our better second half performance that didn't seem quite so disappointing. I felt most bitter by the 3rd goal because just before Osman got the ball I uttered something along the lines of 'I can handle 2.0', once he the ball I moaned 'watch him score now, it will be bloody typical of us'. Lee had no chance, and it was indeed 3.0, and the frustration was back, all the optimistic signs in the second half forgotten and there was no disguising it was a heavy defeat and that we just weren't good enough. A day that had started nicely enough with a pleasant trip to see Aberystwyth Town vs T.N.S really did end up as one of the worst, for football reasons that I've experienced in 3 years, and it was a culmination, not just a response to one game. I'd had a feeling that was going to happen though, a heavy defeat, against a team we could have nicked a draw against, and maybe after such a result the players and Aidy will have a serious think. When we lost heavily or unjustly against opposition last season (e.g. Burnley) we bounced back, hopefully, (and it really is a desperate call of hopefully) we can do it now. But whether we get relegated or not the players need to continue to give us hope and restore a bit of pride, though I've already been warned by a West Brom supporting friend quoting from Adrian Chiles who says "It's the hope that kills you in the end"
I won't put a separate blog in because it's quite short. "Today, was the first time in my life that I left a football match before the final whistle."
Fair play mate, you echo most thoughts... the club dont appear to be sympathising with us though. Aidy said before the game that it would be a marker as to how far we've come. He was right IMO, we've gone backwards in the last 6 months for a number of reasons. If you need to blame anyone or make anyone a scapegoat, blame the money men. Blame the ones with wads of fifties burning fat holes in their pockets.
What? Those ones in the yellow shirts earning above and beyond 20k a week? Do me a favour..... we pay peanuts compared to the rest of the league hence our inability to bring anyone in. Whilst the players earn more than you and me, its the board that have control of the VAST sums of money coming into the club. Would be very interesting to know exactly what theyre going to do with it all
well a lot of our money earnt will go on playing off loans owned to directors, the ground redevelopment (not going to fill 25k though are we!) and i would imagine we will spend a fair bit paying off players to leave as our squad is now too big for champ football. A top write up by Aberystwyth_Hornet again. I enjoy reading them.
Mate i knew exactly what you meant. Call it trying to gain a chuckle from somebody. But lets not deny our players are walking round with £50's in their wallets.
I don’t understand the negativity some have towards the board. Graham Simpson has done a fantastic job off the pitch. One of his greatest decisions was getting Mark Ashton as our Chief Executive, he was responsible for getting West Brom into a position of challenging for the Premiership and he is now doing the same for us. He’s also shown he is a good judge at appointing managers – first Ray then Aidy, also a brave chairman much as Ray did a good job for us, we were going down and he had to take the gamble of getting a new manager (even if that still resulted in relegation). I can see the argument about us not knowing where the money goes, but it is almost guaranteed that the events of 2001/02 has left us in a position where money is still being lost in debts owed and interest. Also our attendances until this season were poor in comparison to other Championship sides, that and the small size of the old club shop and the infamous ‘black hole’ meant we struggled to make profit. Now a season in the Premiership has allowed us (I believe) to have plugged most if not all the financial problems. That is shown by the plans for the new Stadium, which two years ago was a pipe-dream (I don’t think we even owed the site of Vicarage Road at that point). Also the new stadium can be financed regardless of which league we are in next season, so as I said off the pitch things have never been better whilst I’ve been a fan, but I’m sure we have to continue being prudent for a while longer yet. So as I said I can’t find any scapegoats, and that means things are actually good at the club despite the defeats, this season just came too quickly for most of our players, and for the clubs infrastructure to handle. Maybe in a seasons time, most of the issues will be sorted. By the way, thanks to everyone for the comments of appreciation
Basically you hit the nail on the head in your write up. Usually when you're bottom of the league there is someone to blame In our case, its almost as if all the usual suspects (generally the management and board) are imune from ALL criticism whatsoever which again in my oppinion is very VERY unhealthy. My 1st problem is this. We've made NO effort to remain in the top flight. Simple as that. The signings we have made say it all. Whats worse is that some of the displays this season have been so shocking, so UN Watford like, I am already concerned about our ability to stave off relegation into Div 1 NEXT SEASON. My 2nd big issue is this At least TWO people above still think that money is owed to directors. Simpson made it clear LAST YEAR that all outstanding debts had been paid back (prior to the stadium plans) Why are people still talking about paying back debts from 2000? Its done, finished. The displays this season have been gut wrenching and we, as fans, have deserved much MUCH better. Just because we've no right to be in this league does not give the players or management the right to give in so easily. We've been mugged off by Aidy (although credit for at least attempting to keep out spirits up) for creating false hope and contradicting almost everything he's said in the last 12 months. Most of all we've been mugged off by Ashton. He will have made the decision to bill us all an additional £10 for the Wigan game after the first was called off. Ive already written demanding my money back, I felt the display really was that bad. How dare he bang on about providing a couple of free coaches down to Plymouth.... Net cost to the club will be what? A couple of grand? Im sorry guys, I know im in the minority but we've blown our chance to become at the very least a top 5 champ club. Unless by some miracle they loosen the purse strings in the summer (which they wont), we're screwed next year!
