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I’m at a loss to explain our effort against Chelseas in the league cup, but getting smashed 6-0 is not an acceptable effort, Fangzhou is really struggling and is missing the target when its easier not to, our midfield is sloppy and defence lacks concentration, the signs are not good.
Our next game against Bolton was one of better efforts but we lack composure in front of goal, we are getting some great chances, but are unable to score, if we cant remedy this soon then its going to cost me my job and the team’s status in the premier league.
Some good news on the injury front Niemi, Montella and Smertin all return to training and the injury list is starting to get better, but with that goes the excuses, we now need to start getting some decent results, the recent spate of draw is keeping us in touch, but we need wins.
Young Portuguese midfielder Lino Goncalves was given the nod against Manchester United, and he had a good game in his debut which all turned into a 18th birthday present of sorts, it was his little touch of magic that allowed him to get past Gary Neville and deliver the cross that McBride equalised from. 1-1 at the break and we were doing well.
We couldn’t hold on in the second half as United’s skill took hold, Ryan Giggs magnificent on the left wing and he had a hand in both of United’s second half goals, Rooney scored their second and Smith capped it off with United’s third, I think we played well, but we just can’t compete with the bigger sides at their home grounds.
The home game against Liverpool was another game we played well in with no reward, several good chances were wasted and it was only Niemi’s fantastic effort between the uprights that allowed us to hold on to the 0-0 draw, still it was another a point and better than nothing.
Our last game for the month of November was another heart breaking affair, Ewood Park was the place this time as we lost narrowly 1-0. Our failure in front of goals again the problem 12 shots and only 3 on target, when we should of atleast made the keeper work another 4 times but we cant even hit the target from 10 yards out.
We’ve increased our shooting and goal scoring training, so hopefully things will improve soon, our next home game is against Watford and it’s a must win game now, it’s been 10 or 11 games now without win and its time to stop the rot.
It’s a pretty cool night for our game against Watford, the TV camera’s are all out and there’s a surprising amount of hype to the game considering its 20th versus 17th. I suppose that has something to do with if we lose this we fall even further behind, not even a draw will do really, we need a win and we need it bad.
My pre match to the players was a passionate plea, lets give it everything, if we want to be here next season we have start getting some results it all it takes is one good result to get the ball rolling.
With the bad results its not surprise the crowd is a subdued at the kick off but it only takes them a few minutes for them to get into fine voice courtesy of Mariappa heading in Brown’s corner in the second minute and we take the lead. I let out an audible sigh to which Steve patted me on the back “Relax” he says.
Play was pretty even for the next 20 or so, both teams knocking it around, looking for a weakness, we had a half chance with Montella turning and shooting on the edge of the box but it went high. Bouazza was playing well for them and it was no surprise that it was his cross that led to the equaliser, it was a hard low cross that bobbled of a few players, Niemi should of came out sooner to collect but when he did it was too late and he got caught in no mans land, Wlodararczyk was their to slot it home.
The rest of the half had no further goals, a few half chances here and there but generally both teams defences were pretty solid, at the break it was another plea, lets get another goal, push for it from the start, we need score board pressure, to help I brought Diop on in the centre and moved Brown out wide left, it meant Routledge came to the bench.
McBride went down near the box and when the ref blew the whistle for a foul I thought we had a penalty, alas it was just outside out the box. Queudrue stepped up to take the free kick, he hit it, it looped over the wall and into the top right corner. It had me out on the edge of the technical area congratulating the players and yelling for them to keep the pressure up.
The lead was short lived 5 minute later it was 2-2, Bouazza again involved, his pass back to Smith allowed him to get the cross in, he found El Saka unmarked on the far post, but Niemi got there and made an excellent save, Dagoberto was first to the rebound though and had an easy tap in.
“*****” I said and the tension once again grew
Watford looked pretty good in the next few minutes and it was there turn to press for a goal, they had a couple good chances but Mariappa was excellent against his old club along with his partner Bocanegra who was also doing well in limiting them to outside chances.
I roled the dice in the 70th minute and made 2 subs, I brought on Jensen for Bullard and Collins John for Montella, it was 8 minutes before the move payed off, Jensen found John and he made a nice little run into the box, he could have had a shot but he flicked it up and over a defender to McBride who powerfully headed the ball past the diving keeper, 3-2 and once again we took a lead, there was no relaxing though in the last 15 or so minutes.
Well there was and that came in the 83rd minute, Bocanegra’s superb tackle in the middle of our defensive third was the catalyst in our next goal, his long pass found McBride with a bit of space in our attacking third, he moved forward and jinked passed Shittu and moved in on goal, he drew two players before spotting Brown who was coming in diagonally from the left, an exquisite pass allowed Brown to take a steadying touch, he pushed the ball out in front and then struck his shot with power and precision, across the keeper into the right side of the goals, a great goal and the crowd went into raptures as we took a 4-2 lead.
Another sigh left me and once again Steve commented “You really need to relax a little, you’ll have a heart attack if you keep this up”.
Injury time rolled on and some lax defending seen Dyer allowed to much space on the right, his cross found Kabba unmarked 3 yards out on the near post, a simple goal awaited and the score was now 4-3, we held on for the remaining minute though and won our first game in 12 outings.
I was pretty happy with the team and told them it was an excellent effort but we really needed to build on it now if we wanted to avoid relegation.
Steve pulled me aside after everyone left and we had a chat, he sympathised with me being in this position but warned me that I needed to find some way to relax, it was rubbing off on the players a little, but worse thing was if I couldn’t find a way to relax I would burn out quickly. He asked what I did to relax away from here and he was staggered to learn I just watched football games. Apparently if I wanted to remain healthy I also needed to find an outlet away from Football.
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