Today my grandson, Connor, came to his first game of the season. As he's so young (not 6 until December), he's building up his stamina. That means he can only watch so much of the game before he wants entertainment. I understand how he feels. Today, the Nintendo came out after half-time, but half way through the first half he had predicted that the final score would be 0-0.
In truth, I still don't see how it became goalless. Marlon Harewood reminded us of his striking capabilities by missing the cow's arse with a banjo again, but this time it was for the opposition. Our forwards are all from the Harewood school of 'finishing' (which means they'll finish our run in the Premiership) but Super Scott couldn't save us this time, no matter how hard he and Mark Noble worked. We just need to face it that the team isn't good enough. Now we're six points from safety and have won once all season.
Blackpool, by contrast, demonstrated what a well-drilled and committed team that knows its limitations (and also what it can do) can achieve with guts and endeavour. Fair play to them - I hope they stay up by maintaining that form all season.
Why is it so dire?. Well, only one of the new arrivals in the summer in defence can get a game. Winston Reid, Tal Ben Haim, not even good enough for our defence. Jacobsen is, but only because we haven't had a recognised right full-back since Lucas Neill left at the beginning of last season. So from Blackburn reserves to our right side. James Tomkins and Manuel Da Costa have been tried and found very wanting, Spector is a disaster. Ilunga had a decent year and got a good contract and has since stopped playing.
Then there's our forwards. Obinna can't score despite all the runing and endeavour. Piquionne is similarly unproductive, as is Cole. As for Big Mac .... what a buy he was last January.
Scott Parker and others hold the midfield (as well as the defence and contribute goals), but we never look like scoring and always looks likely to concede.
No doubt Avram saw it differently and will blame the referee for not awarding a penalty, but they had an equally good shout. And he'll talk about character and keeping going.
Now's the time for him to go.
After this season is over, I think it's time for me to go as well.
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