Let the meltdown commence .....

By the time I was tucked up by the fire in my local pub, the Man City/Liverpool game was well over and the clientele - it's a very definite Reds pub - were basking in the afterglow of a great win. I, of course, was subjected to various puns (Hey, lad, can you stoke the fire while you're there etc), but once that was done we fell into a conversation that was effectively about Kipling's assertion that triumph and disaster are both impostors.

The cricket was mentioned. After the first ODI English cricket was buried; we were lower than Bangla Desh in world rankings. Three wins later and we were contenders for the next World Cup.

Liverpool lost at home to Palace and it wasn't just accepted that Klopp had his work cut out. No, Klopp was a bad appointment. Tear apart City and suddenly Klopp's team should be awarded the Premier League, both domestic cups and the Europa League without the need to play another game, while the "great man" should be offered the freedom of the city (a slightly exaggerated summary of the views of a certain section of armchair fans). Of course, true Reds knew this to be nonsense and were content to be basking in a unexpected win.

And of course, Stoke "do a job" on us and suddenly the season is over. A word in your ear, Jose. Tell the boys to go Christmas Shopping this weekend (there are some excellent bargains to be had around the North West), rather than bother turning up at The Etihad. You're doomed I tell thee. The League Cup? Forget it. Even Aston Villa now represent a threat.

Maybe it's that I am off to my beloved France today that is giving me a sense of perspective. Or is it that the response that we're either great or crap is beginning to wear thin? Let's be clear. I'm not knocking anyone here. Just highlighting the collective hysteria to which we all subscribe at times. Losing 1-0 at home to Stoke is cause for a gallic shrug and muttering "c'est la vie" into our beer. No more. No less.

 

The current Mrs Onionman said yesterday, when I mentioned a post or two on here and the Echo site, that football fans have very short memories.

Vin

 

I thought everyone was quite calm and accepted it was only one game. Needing another striker was discussed, but that was discussed before the match as well. I think we are far enough into the season to have perspective...the beginning of the season is always worrying because you are not quite sure about the new players that we have and other teams have bought. Clear now that we are going to have an okay season at the worst and most likely a good season.

 

I'm not claiming that mass hysteria broke out, but I heard enough "I-can't-see-where-the-next-win-is-coming-from" comments as we walked back to cars and there are a few hysterical screeches on here. I would never expect you to be part of that, Fran. Far too rational!

The point I thought I was making, and clearly failed, was that sport fans can have a tendency to extreme responses. No more, no less.

 

Extreme responses go with passion I suppose. Most settle down very quickly. I'm usually stretched like a violin string before and during a match, but I was very calm this time and not overly distressed by the loss. Perhaps I knew.

 

I've seen a lot more posts on here predicting an imminent meltdown and complaining about it than I've seen actual meltdowns.

 

Or very loosely wired brains.

 

There was more of a meltdown after we didn't thump the Cherries 27-0

 

Enjoy your trip you lucky fella! You driving? How long you off for?

Tea stop available if you want it.

 

A) I note the way you massively exaggerate something when you don't agree with the original point
B) That wasn't the issue after the Bournemouth game.

 

Oh Tom.......

 

Not really a melt down. But the 2nd half vs Bournemouth was, imo, the lowpoint of the season so far. We played far better for 90 mins on Saturday than we did for 45 against Bournemouth but didn't get the breaks. It's not always about the result, for me anyway.

 

My post was correct then? More of one.

I like us to play well, but at the end of the day it is the result that matters. Give me the choice right now of another 10 Stoke performance/results or 2nd half Bournemouth performance/results, I know what I'll take thanks.

 

Steady, Fran. At my age I can't really remember!

 

It is the result that matters. But I couldn't get annoyed on Saturday because, apart from one defensive error, there wasn't much to criticise. We failed to break down Stoke; we won't be the last team to say that this season. But to concede 75% possession to Bournemouth for 45 mins? Inexcusable, despoite getting away with it result wise.

 

I'm pleased to see that that players don't agree with this view. Tadic is highly critical, and I like that. Let's hope they fly out of the blocks against Citeh. Anyway, speaking of flying ...

 

Ok Archers, fair enough. I thought we were lack lustre Saturday and poor in the final third rather than Stoke being good defensively. There were a few things to criticise if we'd wanted to because I felt our quality was not there. Ron called it "unrecognisable." I left the ground disappointed we'd lost whereas I left the ground relieved we'd won against cherries. The performance was excusable because of the result and because we were brilliant enough in the first half. If we'd blown it, it could have become inexcusable.

Give me relieved over disappointed any day please.

 

This is a highly under-utilised expression. I would like to award you some points for showing younger generations one of the ways you can subtly keep your (current) Mrs on her toes

 

For variety I occasionally refer to her as "my first wife".

Vin

 

But it's the last time we should sing La Marseillaise ..............