A Claret’s view of the game.
Firstly I’d like to say I’m glad you’re in the Premier League, I was rooting for you to come up from the middle of last season. I was at the game on Saturday, although being low down behind the goals always gives a poor perspective at the far side of the pitch. I didn’t think we’d get more than a point as we are struggling with injuries and suspensions at the minute, so only had one of our first choice back five playing in Ben Mee. Ward, Tarkowski and Lowton have been missing through injury and suspensions, although Lowton is back now, and Heaton is of course out with a dislocated shoulder. Pope is decent thought, but the biggest miss is Ward and Tarks.
Anyway, overall is seemed like two very organised sides going at it, but neither wanting to risk losing the game. We did our usual thing of allowing the opposition to have the ball until they reach the final 1/3, and which allows the top sides huge possession advantages due to them knocking the ball around midfield and defence forever. Regarding the tackles I thought the one in the middle was a poor one from us where your player went off, and I also felt your left back received a harsh yellow early on for the challenge on JBG. I don’t mean it wasn’t a foul, just that the referees seem to want to give bookings out too easily sometimes. There was a challenge on JBG a little later though which was definitely a poor one, and when he eventually got up he was hobbling for a while. How your fans though he just jumped up and got on with it I have no idea?
We should have sewn the game up first half with the chances we had, but second half I feel you shaded it in the main, but you seemed to tire in the final 10-15 minutes. Is that unusual? The big lad up top is a real handful anyway, and could have scored from a cross which just eluded him. You also had the shot from distance first half which our keeper saved. I’ve seen those fly in.
I am going to have to disagree with some of your fans regarding the penalty shout as well. You have to ask yourselves if you would expect it had it been the other way around. I’d bet every one of you to a man would be going mad over it! Hendrick clearly got the ball first, his right foot taking it to the left, and whilst he was aiming to keep control with his left foot the keeper was late, and took his foot from him. I’ve seen some soft penalties given lately, a couple against us, but understand why they’ve been given. This wouldn’t have been a soft one had it been given, and I think you’ve got away with one there. Would it have won the game? We’d have had to score it first, and then there was half an hour left for you to change your game plan and have a go at us, so who knows.
Lastly I have to mention your fans. I thought they were brilliant! Okay you have a drum which is frowned upon in football fan circles, but your fans played their part really well. Although you have nicked a lot of your songs from the big teams, you had a great selection and were very loud. That is worth points, and reminds me of our fans for the first half of 2009/10 season.. Probably the best fans I’ve heard this season so far! Oh, I’ll not mention my view on those clapper things though as you probably have views on them already.
I’m sure you’ll stay up no problem, and will push on next season with some wise spending in the summer. Here’s to two smaller clubs giving the big clubs a bloody nose for the foreseeable.