If anyone wants to watch a proper football match today - it's the Lisbon derby between Sporting and Benfica - they're tied at the top of the league with 78 points each, and two games to play so this is potentially the decider...and they're not terribly fond of one another.
I was playing golf on a corporate trip to Portugal a few years ago and the hotel concierge got us some tickets for the Lisbon Derby (Benfica were at home). The atmosphere was mad - great night out!
Collector's item! Referee Darren England overrules the Video Assistant Referee and stands by his original decision not to award Fulham a penalty.
Finished up 1-1 so all to play for....Benfica will need to better Sporting's result though, as they will be behind on the head-to-head.
Shout out to Whitstable Town, a local team to me, who are in the final of the FA Vase at Wembley today. Expecting a good turn out, given that a lot of Whitstable residents live in London. Anyway, Cup final song by Whitstable man,Suggs , enjoy the day.
No tinpot pitch invasion from Sheff Utd Wonder how long it will take Saints to announce Liam Manning? I reckon first week of June
Given that they were in the PL just last season, suffering a similar one to us this season, and having then watched all 3 promoted sides go straight back down in a pathetic manner once again, beyond the initial buzz of winning a high stakes game, the prize isn't quite as an appealing prospect right now. Financially it's good for the club of course, but the fans know it's going to be another suffer fest for them, and there's more chance they'll be challenging for the worst ever team than challenging to stay in the league. Sidenote: Is BBD injured or have they finally realised he's ****? Hasn't featured in either leg of the play offs (no wonder they won 6-0).
Did we do one after we beat West Brom? All those points applied to us as well but I can’t remember if we did one or not Don’t think the being worst team ever thing matters right now, fans are fickle and emotional. Remember how giddy everyone was last season after the playoff final even though it was obvious this season would end in relegation. People trying to convince themselves that Martin would adapt and we had a chance. I’m sure Sheff Utd fans will think something along the same lines. There would’ve been reasons they pinned to why they were so poor last time and will convince themselves they won’t make the same mistakes again. Just like if we come straight back there will be people saying “well we won’t play the same way as under Martin” or “so and so who was **** in the PL last year was great in the Champ so deserves a chance” and start to think we might stay up
We did...ruined what was a brilliant day. Worst part were the hundred or so morons who went straight over to goad the West Brom supporters. I do think there is a slight difference in that we had been in the PL for 11 years or whatever, and so promotion felt more special and hopeful that this was a new Saints coming up rather than the one that had been on the decline in the PL for years. The whole all the relegated sides going straight back down, and even the weaker PL sides looking so much more established, stronger in quality and depth compared to the promoted sides has been cemented this season. When we went up we probably foolishly didn't realise that the shop had been closed. Most thought we'd struggle, but I also think most thought we'd at least be in a battle to stay up. I expect there to be a lot more realism if we go up again next season, and particularly if all 3 promoted sides go down for a third successive season then the writing will be on the wall for even the most blindly positive supporters.
